Today, Tuesday, I have my laptop back with a new screen and connecting parts. The entire assembly must be replaced due to screen cracks caused by a fall. There is a $99 AppleCare fee for breakage (about $800 without it). Given that Apple’s replacement-level laptop is priced over $2000, it is reasonable to pay $100.
There was a little drama getting it back. Apple sent me the tracking number for the Apple, and it was finally delivered on Tuesday, but not at the house, but at Best Buy, where I turned it in for service. Hmmm. Deborah and I headed there in Air VW the Gray after lunchtime. We had a larger breakfast and a second breakfat including a bagel with salmon and cream cheese. No reason for lunch. The Best Buy Geek Squad, after a short wait, informed me that I was at the wrong Best Buy (I remembered I had been running late and had gone to the one closer to Beaverton).
Note: Difference between nerd and geek here.
I arrived at the correct Best Buy; Deborah made no comment, and I waited now longer. Soon, using my paperwork from when they took it, I brought in this time (which has a barcode), and they found it and returned it to me. I later learned that they had to give me an appointment and then fulfill the appointment to return my machine to me. Very much like the ticket processing we did at the shoe company. The Apple laptop was intact and booted with my data. Yay!
Next, using the Colombia Employee Store pass Joan S gave me, we drove a few more miles in Beaverton to the edge of Portland and visited the store. I had been there once before to pick up waterproof gear for our Iceland trip. There I found a sweater for 50% off and also a plaid red shirt (I don’t have one). Deborah found an excellent pull-over sweater, a new coat, and the shirt she had mailed. Columbia lets you send items at a discount; Deborah and I were impressed by the equipment and how well-planned the story is.
We took a quick trip to the house with our loot, then headed to decarli (always in lowercase). The wine, food, and dessert, our alternative for St. V day that we missed, was wonderful. I had the short ribs, and Deborah had the bricked stuffed chicken. They were both wonderful, and I would order the chicken next time as the flavors were excellent and complex; the beef was great. Well maybe. All of it was good, and we finished with sharing and apple crisp. A great meal and decarli’s was running a bit low key on Mardi Gras (and no New Orleans specials on the menu). It was grand.
We returned to the house, and I began writing this blog while Deborah read, then slept. The time difference is hard at night once it is dark. Your body wants to sleep (I remember from my trips).
Returning all the way to Monday, Deborah’s plane arrived at 12:35, and I met her at PDX at the stadium with roses. All went well on her trip after we had to replan and rebook parts of it. We found Deborah’s luggage without issue and, unlike last year, we took Air VW the Gray back to the Pearl District in Portland. In 2025, it snowed, and we took the MAX back to Beaverton. We found lunch at Dechutes Brewery Public House (Deborah remembered it from her last visit). We then explored Powell’s, including the Rare Book Room (where you can also find unique items such as posters, signed books, and music, though not always at high prices). With just one book and a full lunch, we head back to my home.
Deborah is worn out from family events and travel. I make a dinner of NY Strips with polenta (plain) and steamed carrots (also plain). The steaks are seasoned with salt and pepper and finished in a smoking-hot skillet. Neither of us can finish the steak. It is sliced up the next morning and reheated for breakfast. Scrambled eggs to go with it. We have some fruit too.
And that covers enough for the two days. Off to Astoria tomorrow.
Thanks for reading!
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