Saturday was not going as planned. Originally, I was to head to Richard’s house in Portland for a noon Twilight Imperium board game (with all the add-ons) and then play for five to seven hours. This is a SciFi-themed 4x game that comes in three large boxes (once the largest board game on the shelf) that combines exploring, resource exploitation, warfare, economics, technological advances, system of alliances, and even a political meeting (the Senate) all into one massive game. I often describe it as six would-be Emperor Palpatine-wantabes all rushing to be the new leader. Once you have the rules down (at least two plays and some reading), realize that if everyone plays well, there is only a 1 in 6 chance of winning, and understand that many players are on the 100+ play and know everything; your chance of winning is low (I have never won at Richard’s).
I have not played it since the Pandemic, and I have never used the add-ons. I have the game and a few add-ons (but not the newest one). I was looking forward to trying again. Richard could not get more than four players, which makes for an interesting game, but there are better four-person games, and Richard canceled the play.
Change of plans: I will go to the McMinnville UFO Festival, see some of the parades, and get a new T-shirt. I rise about 7, having woken around 3 and 5, but easily rolling over and sleeping some more. I make a large pot of coffee, continue the laundry started on Friday, but not finished as Friday was busy, and then start on the blog. I find that I have some trouble focusing as thoughts about my Sunday School come and distract me. I check, and the EV is only at 54%, and I put the charger in for the morning. I will get another 10% charge for the limited-time morning rate, and that will keep me above 10% on the trip back; McMinnville is about an hour’s drive away. This gives me a safe margin.
I finish the blog and laundry and decide that later I will make my version of goulash. I shower and dress, this time in a vest and dress shirt (it is cool and damp with rain off and on all day). I add my hat and a coat to the EV. My plan is to arrive before the parade at noon, but parking is always an issue.
I select the no-highway path and take the winding and strange roads all the way until I hit McMinnville. I lose count of the number of vineyards I pass, and the grape-covered hills become the usual. It is lovely, and many of the curves on the two-lane roads lead to another postcard view of Oregon wine country. I am suddenly there and trying to find parking. I make it easy: park on a main road, then walk the seven minutes to Main Street and the Oregon Hotel, the center of the UFO Festival, now a McMinniman’s property and remodeled in their style.
Though it is morning, I get a Ruby, their local raspberry wheat beer, and climb to the very top of the hotel and its Roof Bar. There I am cold and slightly wind-blown and can see nothing of the parade, but the view of the rolling hills, the town, and the churning sky (with rain clearly coming from some not-too-distant clouds). And while the UFO encounter was in the 1950s and miles away, I, along with others sitting high on the roof, raised our glasses to our missing alien friends. Next, I helped take some photos of some folks dressed the part. I enjoy my beer, the view, and eyeing the clouds. It was wonderful to just sit there. Once the beer is finished, I make a hasty retreat before the rain, some clouds seem to be headed this way (only sprinkles get me later; the heavy rain missed us), returning the food menu (thinking it is too cold and damp for food, and I suspect all those carts out there would be a better choice), and head out. But, before leaving, I bought a T-shirt for this year’s festival. The cashier is dressed as the Fourth Doctor (matching my hat, which I tip to him) with the famous scarf. “Thank you, Doctor,” I say as I pay.
The streets are taped off, and the crowd is about a third in costume (more than on my last two visits) and waiting for the parade. Instead of finding a place to stand and watch, I find a cart, one I used before, that serves a good jambalya, and get an order for that. The parade starts, and I stand off to the side, watching what I can see through two rows of happy people while enjoying excellent food.
It is packed, and I work my way back to Hotel Oregon, and I was not surprised that there is plenty of space at the bar. I have another beer, an Alienator IPA, which seemed appropriate for the day. I can then turn and look out the window and see the parade slightly better than on the street. I drink my beer, chat with others, and am recognized by some of the staff. They are from Beaverton and here to help the staff with the huge load of people. They are happy to see me and, though they are slammed, chat a few times.
The parade ramps down, and I finish my beer. I head to Carter’s Bar. It is named for Carter the Great, a favorite historical magician of mine, and I love his posters. I take a few pictures (it is packed).
I walk through the shops looking for anything that interests me, but I don’t find the local writers or other items I would consider. But I do find a local bookstore, Third Street Books, and they have some cards (showing a hamster in a ball entitled Carpe Diem) and a trade paperback of John le Carré’s newest book, published after his death. I support my local bookstore (they had a handwritten note recommending it). Back to the Cold War and spies, excellent!
I walk out of the town, and direct one couple to the fun as they were lost, and find Air VW the Gray ready for the return trip. This time I take the shortest route and find myself retracing much of my route for the first fifteen minutes. But then a turn takes me straight up to Bald Peak, and soon I am in familiar places. Different vineyards this time, and I am tempted as many are open, but the EV gets harder to drive on the winding roads as I increase the amount of wine I consume (though I have never tested this theory), and I decide to forgo more alcohol.
I stop at Market of Choice and buy a decent piece of beef to make into goulash and a few other items (having hit Costco and 185th Veggies already this week), but then head to Costco, dodging closed roads and messed-up traffic for the air show at the Hillsboro Airport. I see WW2-era planes spinning overhead as I park at Costco.
The usual weekend madhouse, and I try to be smiley and avoid the overstressed folks. I find my sandwiches and think I need something for the class. Hmmm. There is a pasta salad made with much of what would be in an antipasto: as close as I can get to anti-Christ, an antipasto. I decided that I will do that (and that terrible joke too).
Armed with my potentially world-conquering salad, I head home, unload, and hear from Corwin. Yes, I am making a huge dinner, yes, come and have some, bring the doggie, and yes, let’s play a game. With that settled, I start in the chopping (and crying), and soon everything is prepared. I then cook the smaller bits of beef to brown (next time I will add flour). I then return it all to the heavy Dutch Oven on the stove, add the onions, let that cook, and then add everything: tomato paste, broth, wine, lots of sweet Hungarian-style paprika, and the secret ingredient: ground caraway seeds. That will cook slowly for hours now. I add potatoes and carrots because I like the goulash more like a stew.
I clear off all the American Civil War games and get Raiders of Scythe, as I think Corwin will like that better. I do the teach of the game, and he is raising a crew, resources, and getting it. He is a quick study. I do the first raid, and he gets it now. Soon, Corwin’s crew is covered in blood drops (wounds), and some of my crew fell (with additional silver and points for their fall). I focus on rewards, and Corwin now gets that, too, but I am very far ahead. To win the game, I ended the game. Corwin makes a desperate raid on Greece, loses all his crew, but gains the maximum points. I am defeated by one point. It was a good game!
Hank the dog sits at my feet for most of the game. He gets lots of pets. Deborah calls to say good night after dinner with her sons (her gift card dinner for Mother’s Day). She says to Hank that I fulfill. Hank gets a treat of cheese while we play the game and eat.
We both had two bowls of goulash, and I sent a ziplock bag home with Corwin with some for later. Hank heads out with Corwin back home for his dinner. Corwin did the dishes (I have the goulash pan soaking). I read my notes for Sunday School and watched some of the Good Omens finale as homework. I read more ACW and soon sleep, now in my PJs and in bed. I wake at 3 to prove hydration, but sleep the rest of the night.
Thanks for reading!
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