I rose in the dark, before 7, and found the coffee made. I had woken multiple times as I was not packed, and my corporate warrior soul was not happy that I was keyed into travel and planned everything. But my retired mind rolled over and went back to sleep, but the warrior kept waking me. I got up, and it was so dark I could not find my slippers. Is it a real eyeroll if nobody, including yourself, can see it?
Coffee appeared after pushing the button, and I found my way; it seemed a longer trip to my office from the kitchen. There, I did the usual. While sipping Fair Trade coffee, I read my email, downloaded my Quicken files, and peeked at my IRA balance (down $80K from its high now). I doomscroll and discovered a theme that every country has a plan except the USA. Many appear to be planning to grab popcorn and watch the USA and Trump show. Israel blew up the gas fields in Iran and is sharing them with another country to the great discomfort of all involved (Trump first claiming he did not know, he did). Reports are that the damage would take half a decade to repair. Hmmm. The Department of War says the bill for the war will be $200 Billion (a third of the annual budget —the new, inflated budget—don’t get me started). War sucks, the outcome is seldom as promised, and that is why we try to avoid it, until now.
Putting away all of my reactions, I start to recall the day before as I write the blog. I invest the morning in writing. Also talking to Deborah here and there as she winds down work and gets ready. I also booked some hotels on our trip. It is going to be hot in Utah, with record-high temperatures in southern Utah. Rental has AC. We may be driving more and taking photos through windows. I was more worried about the usual Utah last snowstorms. They often get one or two more before April arrives. Not this year.
I write until before 11 and publish the blog, but I do have many fixes. Grammarly cannot find simple spelling errors or mangled sentences. I need the version from two years ago! Hmmm.
I rush and dress (showering later in the day) to make lunch with Scott W. I am ten minutes late because I got distracted while settling the blog and travel arrangements. I checked in for my flight and learned my seat had been released. Ugh! They rebooked everyone on a new plane. I now have a middle seat (despite arranging the flight a month ago), but at least I got a seat (the plane is full).
Scott W is amused by my excuses, and Brad J could not join us today. We have a nice lunch, but I stick to iced tea. Beer is out as it seems to mess up my tummy (and the calories are not welcome anyway). We talk about travel and plans. We avoid discussion of finances; we are both belted in and making few, if any, changes. We talk about the war and the navy issues. I later learned (here) that the drones that Iran uses pack a 100-pound warhead, about the same as a battleship shell, but without the weight and speed. It cannot penetrate and then explode. The only risk is if a drone hits the superstructure or a plane on the carrier’s deck. Russia has a 400-pound version that might be more of a threat (but likely flies slower and has a much-reduced range). We have a nice visit and will meet again after Easter.
I return home, pick up, start the laundry, and run the dishwasher. Time to finish up the house. I start clearing out loose items on some of my bookcases and discover that I have sooooo mannnny decks of cards. Many are marked, or have other features. I am disappointed that I cannot find one of my favorite card tricks, B-Wave, as I sort and box them. I did the trick in NYC when Susie had her stroke. They performed it for me at the oldest magic shop in the USA, and I then did it for Tasha, Jason, and Cat. When I did it the second time. Cat held the cards as she ‘performed’ the trick to her amazement. I reminded her of the steps and dealt the cards for her to hold. I find my rings and other things I never practiced enough to do in front of an audience, but maybe someday.
I find more stuff at the very bottom. I find B-Wave. Excellent! I find the key to the video on how to perform that one. I add the cards to my carry-on as I will have some time to practice. I will leave the rings home; I only did that one for Susie and Corwin.
It gets boring when I do laundry, put things in different places, and pack. I read more of 1929, reaching now 1933. I head to BJ’s Brewhouse and have their expensive ribeye steak. Only a seat at the bar is available, and Analesa is my bartender (and the gothic Alexandra). I read more. I have an Old Fashioned again (this time forgetting to ask for a decent whiskey, but it was not terrible), then coffee. The steak is perfect and as good as they ever come. Overpriced steakhouses and my grill cannot get this good. The steak, cooked, is about 1/2 inch thick now and covers much of the plate. A good piece of meat (I have found other BJ’s to use cheaper and poorer grilling). Only Lucky’s in Michigan does as well, I think.
I return home, finish the laundry, and unload the dishwasher. I find the large suitcase works for me, but my dress shirts will have to be touched up in the hotel room. No problem; I will have time. Hiking boots are no problem. Excellent.
Everything fits, and there is more than enough clothing for two weeks. Good! All packed. I leave the bag open to get the last items. I unpack and repack my carry-on, removing aging items and old USB cables, since everything I have is C now. I charge my battery pack.
I am in bed at nearly 11 after running one more load of everything that was dirty from the day. I replace the sheets and enjoy the clean ones as I read, then soon nod off. I try to sleep. It is not until after midnight that I sleep (too excited to sleep). I wake minutes before my alarm.
Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 