Tuesday Travel and Laundry

Deborah and I left for the Detroit Airport at 5:30ish to get me there two hours before my flight. We were sad as it had been ten days together and we were used to each other’s company now. We both resisted wet eyes (they would come later); Deborah will be in Oregon mid-February, and then we plan to meet (me the plus-one) at her Salt Lake City conference near the end of March.

Focusing on the task and our good times, Deborah pulled up to the drop-off, and I unloaded my red bag (which is stoved-in on the corners and has duct tape, too — it’s the last trip after being beaten somehow between here and Morocco two Aprils ago). A goodbye with hugs, trying to say everything; we parted, and I then rolled my wheels to Delta Airlines regular service (there are four in Detroit, separated by International and First/Business Class). I went to the correct one this time. I remembered to retrieve my phone from the DIY check-in and bag tagging process. I dropped my bag and soon found myself in a short line for TSA security, ignoring the slightly shorter pre-Check and other purported-for-fee processes.

I was waved through a metal detector and flunked that check as I had suspenders and a titanium plate in my head. I was told the procedure requires me to remove my shoes and try the regular machine. I complied and passed. My carry-on was laden with boxes of chicken salad, tina fish, instant coffee, and a horror-based card game full of interesting symbols, all passed. Suspenders on a metal detector!

As I sat down to put on my shoes, I saw that Delta Airlines offered me a replacement flight, as my flight was now an hour delayed and my connection to Portland would not work. I picked a new flight through Salt Lake City, updated Joan S and others, and then found my gate. I was boarding soon. Checked that my suitcase was rerouted on the Delta app, yup. Got two pastries at Starbucks and drank about 1/2 a coffee, but tossed it as I boarded, as my hands were not free to carry it, my bag, and my coat.

My seatmates were quiet and sleeping. I watched, again, the new TRON movies, Ares, and enjoyed it again. I like the mix of 3D printing and AI. I agree they are closely related. I started My Fair Lady (which has aged poorly, I think), and then we landed.

Delta sent me a voucher for a meal, and I talked to the folks there, and they told me to call after the flight to have my Comfort Class upgrade refunded (I paid for the upgrade with miles). Jimmy John’s was near my gate, and a sandwich and a Diet Coke (no chips or pickle) was $12.30, and my voucher was $12. Excellent.

I took the drink and the sandwich on the plane; it was a bit of a juggle to get into my seat, this time in the middle of the main cabin. I plugged in things to charge my phone and to watch more of My Fair Lady, and my eyes got damp when “I could have danced all night” started. I watched the show while I ate my sandwich, the “Spicy East Coast Italian.” It has some zing, and I like it better than the usual grinder.

I watched my movie, ate many free sandwiches, and the movie ended as the plane pulled up to the gate, perfect.

Joan S found me soon after I located my bag, and we talked about many things, including some AI work on Kaggle.com. We may work together on a Kaggle challenge. Traffic and the rain were light, and I was home soon.

I started the laundry, just a few items, as I was worried about my LG Combo, which coded just as I was finishing up my packing. It did run, and the load worked. It would break on the next load. Ugh!

I drove across Beaverton in Air VW the Gray after going through the mail that had been delivered from the hold I put on a week ago. I reached Beard Framing and picked up my framed print. It is now on the wall, replacing an older piece that Susie and I bought in Colonial Williamsburg. It is an Edward Gorey print (no signature), given after his death as a pledge week gift for public TV/Radio (numbered 13 out of 200, which makes me like the number too), but embossed with a signature. It brought back good memories.

I returned home via KFC because it seemed, in some timezone, that it was time for dinner. I rented The Mummy (Brendan Fraser’s version) while I enjoyed too much comfort food. Corwin joined me for dinner, and we chatted. I put the movie on hold for a while. I was too tired, the time difference getting to me, to talk much. Then the laundry washer broke. New plans for Wednesday, coin laundry!

I focused on getting the blog out. I had not even started it. I managed to write it and soon was reading in bed. I could not stay away, but managed to keep going until after 10.

I slept a dark, dreamless sleep; at least, I could not remember any dreams or even impressions from dreams. I woke a few times and woke for my 7 alarm.

Thanks for reading!