I am using the standard editor for WordPress now, as they seem to be phasing out the “classic” editor. Each paragraph is a separate block of text, and various tags are available to help search engines. I can also code the HTML if I wanted to go more high-tech. And while I could complain about change, as an IT professional, even retired, exploring quantum computing, and having taught AI Python coding, I will try to accept it and even enjoy it a bit.
I am also using Grammarly, and it keeps an eye on my spelling, missing plurals, and misplaced commas. I also pay for the extended version, and Grammarly often wants to rewrite my text. I find the voice it uses interestingly brief (it drops many of my words); I also play a game of finding which word I missed that trips Grammarly into changing my meaning. I often mix ‘what’ and ‘which,’ and I liked the change, for example (BTW, that scrambled sentence is my usual mistake). But the ‘accept’ option often carries forward voice-changing updates I do not want. I often hand key some suggestions.
Dear reader, I was practicing with the editor above, covering my thoughts on these tools and writing in the standard editor. Please let me start the narrative of my return to Oregon from Michigan now.
I rose too early at 4:45 to make my 8:50 direct flight back to Oregon’s PDX airport. I had mostly packed (I did forget a book that got mixed up with the bed sheets) and was dressed and out the door around 5:10. A sleepy desk clerk checked me out. I grabbed a coffee from the machine and saw a light on in the breakfast area. It was being made, but it would not be ready until 6. I would be at DTW by then.
I texted Deborah that I was headed out and took to the fast roads of the greater Detroit area. Unlike Portland, I am always trying to keep up with the 70s, 80s, and higher-speed vehicles. I saw a motorcycle that might have a red shift.
I arrived at the confusing signs and streets of the DTW rental car return process, with construction. It was dark, but I was familiar with the area (I’d been lost here before). I soon spotted a familiar blue sign and found the correct street. I pulled in; Hertz was not too busy, and I soon collected my belongings (remembering I forgot the book, The Heart of the Matter, a gift from the Crescent Bookstore in New Orleans, but I did not like it much). I had filled the tank the night before.
On the bus to the terminal, we were reminded of the $500 charge for taking the keys with us and warned to check that we had our phones and wallets. About twenty minutes later, the bus was about 60% full, and we got off the bus and scattered. I headed upstairs, printed my tag, left my phone, then recovered it, and saw more folks running to find theirs (it seemed like a lose-your-phone vibe on Tuesday morning). I headed into security on that floor. As a Silver Medallion Delta passenger, I can use the line upstairs. I waited in line for a few minutes before they approved me. This time I took off my suspenders, and my backpack and I were approved without extra attention.
The TSA PreCheck person asked why, if I travel so much, I do not purchase their pre-checked process. I replied that I don’t want that much attention, thank you. Dear readers, while friends have it and love it, it seems a bit 1984 to me, and I prefer to be gray with the other passengers. I also fear, yes, that is the right word, adding more of my travel information to security corporations. At the 2600 conference, I heard hackers say the only protection is to be gray and not be noticed, rather than to hide. And once you hand over information (or they just steal it, like Flock cameras), you have no way of knowing who will use it or how much you have endangered yourself.
I may change my mind someday as lines get longer and events force me to other choices. Of course, the T-shirts and hat make me less gray. But they help me look friendly and harmless. Which I am.
Breakfast was at a taphouse with an excellent pancake breakfast and bacon. Too many carbs, but still delicious. It was near my gate and was open. Breakfast was under $30 for one at DTW, not terrible this time, and, like I said, good too.
I rewatched the movie Pressure (a recommended WWII movie), and then napped for a few minutes before watching Mortal Kombat 2 wtih Karl Urban, who made the movie for me. While it is hard to recommend, I enjoyed it, especially Karl Urban’s character learning that his superpower was to ‘act,’ and then fight like a super wirefu character: “I am just an actor.”
The flight wasn’t memorable, and the seat next to me was empty. The aisle person put on a Central Michigan University, class of 1982, and we chatted for a moment. Her son had moved to Portland, and she visits now.
I soon was off the plane, found the restroom, found my bag, and then got on the TriMet MAX to Beaverton. About an hour later, and after some miscommunication that we resolved, Joan S picked me up at Beaverton TC.
I got to the house cold, with the heat still on Vacation setting; I turned it back to the usual heat and set the water heater to the usual setting, too. I went through the accumulated mail, found various notes from my health insurance, Regency, rejecting my CT scan to prove the cancer had not spread–an annual fight, with American health insurance deciding that CT scans happen too often now. I see that I have to schedule my CT in a message from OHSU MyChart, and the appeal went through, and it is now covered.
I unpack (missing the forgotten book) and decide that the house is cold, as is the water, and lunch sounds like a good idea. I head to BJ’s Brewhouse (the food at the local one is better than the ones I have tried elsewhere) for warmth and food. I take a seat at the bar. The cheap options do not appeal to me. I order a large chicken-and-bacon pizza, a calorie- and cholesterol-heavy dietary disaster. I also get a salad (with stupidly high-calorie, high-fat blue-cheese dressing).
I call Corwin, and he agrees to join me for a late lunch. He must walk the dog, Hank (still banned from the house), but arrives after I have already had too much pizza. The red ale was wonderful too. We manage to get 3/4 of the pizza inside of us. Corwin harvests the remaining for future meals. We headed out well fed.
I am surprised to not need a nap. I talked to Dondrea about church things and getting more paperwork done for the trip to Brazil in November. I called Deborah and texted her through all my transitions. It is hard to be separated again, but Christmas is coming soon.
Deborah will likely visit in February 2027. Although I thought about traveling to New Orleans in late January to enjoy the local parades (Krews), I’ll skip that since our trip is booked for April 2027. But, dear reader, NOLA is wonderful in late January before the crazy hits in February: Mardi Gras. Deborah may attend another conference in Orange County in June (back to the Mouse!). In light pencil, for a redo of our July Michigan trip for July 4th-ish timing (our plans were upset by the smoke this year). I also want to consider a new South Trip for the church now that we have done it. More to come.
A Church Council meeting and paperwork fill my early evening. Deborah sent me a goodnight text; we are back to trying to start and finish our days remotely together. I get a few to-dos from the meeting, but it goes well and but eats 90 minutes. While I guess it is good to have a meeting, I always regret the time spent.
The rest of the evening is doing laundry and watching the conclusion of a less-than-satisfying season of Slow Horses. It was more of a Jason Bourne chase than the usual slow spy stories. Still, I look forward to the next season (already planned).
With the laundry done, I read some more American Civil War and then went to sleep. Thanks for reading. I did have a bowl of jarred peaches as a snack.
