On my return home, I saw the usual fireworks in the street and sat in Air VW the Gary while Pablo, my neighbor, filled the skies with color with less-than-legal fireworks. The sky filled with sparkles. I then drove, trying to pass around anything that was still possible to go bang. I roll down my window because Pablo needs to talk.
My palm tree is burnt. Something went astray, I hear, and Pablo is quite remorseful. My palm tree went up like burning cotton or spider webs, he explains. He and the local Fire Fighters had put out the flames, and the fire department used thermal imaging to confirm the fire was out and would not rekindle (as in the movies). I laughed, and Pablo was relieved. He explained there was a lot of screaming and crying, but he used his hose and mine to put out the fire. And then the Fire Department showed up, used more water, and ensured everything was safe. I went out and checked it, yup, burned.
Pablo, he explained as I walked him to another of my biz cards, had a new phone, and had left a call and message for the wrong ‘Michael.’ I give my neighbors a set of contracts on paper (even insurance and lawyer phone numbers). At the moment, Pablo forgot it (or has lost it). I will give them out again.
With the slight burnt odor lingering in the area, I returned home, still smiling, put on my PJs, and read. I am also trying to figure out what to do with the EV, as the buyout price seems too high given market forces that have lowered the price of a comparable VW. Hmmm. I soon nodded off while reading as the house cooled with the fans. Around midnight, the explosions quieted. I was already sleeping with an occasional big one almost waking me. One of the few benefits of reduced hearing.
I dreamed I was back in high school, being told we needed to gather the ingredients and bake 100 cakes for our class before graduating. To keep the flour fresh, it had been frozen in blocks in liquid nitrogen. It needed to be handled with care. I decided I could buy my own. None of this is at Laingsburg High; it’s at OMSI’s restaurant.
The dream, following dream logic, is now about funeral rites for the pharaoh, and at first I thought I had to help build and design it, but soon I discovered that I am the pharaoh’s substitute, and they feel bad about entombing me alive. I wake, nearly jumping, when the lid drops on me, and darkness fills my vision.
Before the fire and the dream, I was at M@ house for their Pride Day (formerly July 4th) Party. I was in a gold sparkly vest, pride tie, and dress shirt (with comfortable shoes). Mostly gaming folks, but a few work friends too. M@ and I have played games for over 25 years, and other folks have been with M@ longer. M@ made grilled burgers and dogs (burning his hand once). There were lots of drinks of all types. I had brought Casillero del Diablo wine that I had served before when we played Hell as a setting. M@ opened it, and folks enjoyed the Malbec’s dark flavors. Slightly sinister. Becky and Dustin remarked that it was good, with Becky thinking it reminded her of Port and would go with chocolates.
We talked about games, travel, and even handymen for house updates. We all have had to make updates and changes. We missed Cory (who has gone on before us to play new games). I taught some of the younger folks, Jack and Gimma, and Becky, how to play Flip-7, and we enjoyed a game. Gimma won two out of three games (I got lucky in one game). I was a few points from winning. She threw a Freeze card on me, and then did exactly enough to win. She then laughed at me. I have taught these young folks too well. Later, Mom was told to get the game (at an excellent price under $10).
I also showed them how to request politely and how to handle cards better. Always above the table, and it is OK to split the deck and shuffle in pieces. They intensely followed the play, no time for iPhones in this game.
Deborah called and reminded me that I needed her to give her a time for tomorrow to call and talk about our upcoming discussion on travel (July 13-25) in Michigan. I headed out, and two motorcycles passed me on both sides consecutively on a turn on the way home. I could have taken one out. I am not too happy with the recent increase in aggressive motorcycle driving. I assume they had a clear view and could have reacted if I had swerved when startled by the close pass in my lane. It still scared me.
Before this, I had some reheated chicken soup, and then my colon decided to draw some attention. Since the cancer surgery reduced my large colon by 26cm, there have been new adventures. Lately, there has been a stop-and-start that I do not prefer. I was concerned that I would have to pass on M@’s party, but things finally calmed. I include this detail for others facing the same issues.
Before this, I rose after 7, closer to 8, reheated coffee, and rushed my blog as I was time boxed. I managed all of that and, dressed, showered, all of that, boarded Air VW the Gray. I was around 9 and found the traffic little, with the roads and bridges almost to myself. James and Richard had been playing Space Race, a Kickstarter game, a few years ago. We had not played it for a few years. I had seen it in my garage the night before and thought it would be interesting to get it out. Today, with the game set to a lighter basic mode, we played again. I had to ask lots of questions and for advice, as the details and iconography (way too much and tiny, in my opinion) were overwhelming, but I still remembered many misplays and focused on points rather than obscure engine-building. This is a race game with possible Euro-style engine building. During our play, we were often only a few points apart. In the end, Richard was two points ahead of me (a tiny margin in this game) and James one point behind me. We all enjoyed the game and were playing differently. I remembered my previous games (seldom enjoying the ones in my memory) and that it was important to win every turn and that it focused on flexibility and covering everything for points.
My plan worked, and I almost caught Richard, who was working on complex engines, but in the end, it was only luck that separated us. Same with James, he had divided his attention. I was surprised that a do-everything (peanut-buttering in gaming terms) kept me in the running.
We enjoyed the game, and once I got it back into my head, I started to find my way. Chris, who did not join us, received updates from Richard and was surprised by how close the game was. The previous play had runaway games.
We talked politics (me the only liberal), and I gave away my pencils with James and Richard both happy to get a Reagan pencil for July 4th from the Presidential Library for the late president. I headed back, and enjoyed light traffic. I talked to Deborah on the way back as the driving was easy. And that takes me full circle as I got home in time to make lunch.
Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 