Author: alohawild

The morning started with my alarm at 7:15AM. I had woken up a few times and did not sleep well, but, as usual, I fell into a deep sleep just before the alarm went off. I am staying in Zorida’s guest room, and we had breakfast cooked by Zorida, eggs, toast, and fruit. I then found my way to the bathroom, showered, shaved, and dressed for the day. A sweater and my hat as it is just in the fifties in the morning. The forecast changed again, and rain would come in the early afternoon.

Zorida drove, and we used Nav to find our way. Nav got stuck and sent us around in circles, getting on and off of Highway 35! I had the map from Thirty Car Rental and helped direct. Also, we updated the target to the River Walk, and the Nav started working and sent us into San Antonio. Zorida resides north of the city outside the 1604 loop road (a ring road in Europe), which we used to connect to a southbound main road, 35 to 37 to Alamo (we followed the signs).

We parked in the first parking we saw, only a ten-minute walk from the Alamo, but $35 for parking for four hours. Insane. We walked in the wrong direction (construction was hiding the Alamo, which should have been visible from the parking lot), but a friendly couple from Louisiana pointed out the correct path. They love San Antonio; this is their third trip there in a year. It is Veterans Day in the USA, and the Alamo Church visit was free today. While the guides suggest otherwise, the building is a reconstruction from the 1930s with more improvements over the years. I am happy to have visited to experience the Alamo–there is an emotion of a sacred space–but there is little to see besides cemented stone walls in the central part. I enjoyed the reconstruction of the art on the walls and the story of one room on the side–they had reconstructed the frescos from the old mission. The room is recorded to be the place where the non-combatants stayed during the battle.

After the visit, we found a comfortable bench, and I made a few purchases at the store. I found a drawing of the 1838 buildings and battle. I was looking for an archeologist report, but they did not carry that. We called Barb and Leta (Susie’s sister and mother, respectively) outside the Alamo. Leta was uncomfortable, and some medical items needed attention, but she and Barb were happy to get a Veterans Day call from the Alamo.

Next, we headed to the River Walk and walked the bright-colored and restaurant-filled path along the river. There are no railings, so a misstep and a fall on the uneven paving stones could cause you to splash into the 3 feet of water. After a walk, we found the boat ride and took the river tour. The river tour was longer than I expected and focused on the history of River Walk and the architecture of San Antonio. Apparently, buildings are not demolished but recycled and moved in one bizarre turn. Recommended.

We discovered that we had quite a walk back. We had to pass through downtown, and the Veterans Day parade was ongoing when we returned to the car. We stopped to watch it a few times. We reached the Alamo again and then stopped at the tourist trap Crockett Tavern, whose motto is “Where Legends Meet,” which required resisting eye rolls. The bar contained a vast painting of the 1838 Battle, western hats nailed to the ceiling (!?), chandeliers with Western boots standing on top of them (!?), a bolt action rifle in a box that was too modern for 1838, and a friendly staff. I had their beer, their holiday product; it was like Christmas incense drowned in beer (ugh). I ordered fried chicken steak with mashed potatoes and fire-wilted fresh green beans. Excellent. Zorida had awesome BBQ chicken wings (a massive pile).

Ready for a nap, we boarded Zorida’s car and used Nav to find Alamo Music Center. Mariah watches their YouTube channel here. I picked her up a T-shirt and some free items. It was a nice store, and folks were friendly–their instruments are meant to be played. Excellent and friendly store. Recommended.

Zorida then took us back to her house. The Texas drivers do not easily yield a lane and often take one they should have yielded. Twice, we had close calls trying to merge. We arrived intact. The rains came as predicted–just a sprinkle as we returned to Zorida’s house.

I sat on the couch and napped. Zorida was in the bedroom, being quiet. We decided to pass on a dinner out–Zorida reheated some lasagna and made a fresh salad from tomato, cucumber, and avocado. We were both still stuffed from lunch and ate sparing of this bounty. I wrote the blog and took it easy.

Zorida said we could not have had a better day if we had planned to do the Alamo, River Walk, River Tour, lunch, and Alamo Music Center. It all worked, and we got a bonus parade!

I wrote the blog after dinner. All day, we talked about Susie and Zorida’s late husband. Our eyes did tear up a few times, but it was good. So far, it has been an excellent trip.

Thanks for reading.

I am traveling to San Antonio on Delta Airlines. I started my day at 6AM for a flight that boarding starts at 9:45. I put the robe and other last-minute laundry in the dryer from the previous night. I added it to my one bag and closed up the Black Nike luggage bag. I made coffee and made a light breakfast of an apple and yogurt. I rushed that, next in the shower, shaved, dressed, and headed out at 7AM in Air Volvo. I removed a bunch of board games to have better room for my luggage. I have a short connection, so I paid the $30 for the privilege. Later, I learned I could have checked it as a carry-on for free.

Traffic was slow but light on Friday morning. My fellow drivers made lane changes, often two or more at a time. Big, tired pickups weaved in and out of the no-reason-to-be-slow PDX traffic. Upon arrival, I went for overpriced long-term parking and discovered I could only park on level 7, which was almost full. Yeah, those who will use it for holidays are thusly warned!

After a bit, I reached Delta without issues and managed to print the tag for my bag (having paid the $30 instead of getting it free). I used to scan my passport but used the locator code, which worked. I dropped off my bag and then found the lines long at security, but soon I passed it without incident, a surprise as I usually trip something.

After getting my belt and shoes back on (I selected pants that fit well for today’s trip, as I did not want them to fall while they scanned me–but I did pick my nicest and loudest stripped briefs, just in case), I headed to my gate. I was headed to D, which meant a long walk down a connecting hallway (why they make these in airports is another mystery). A Mexican-style breakfast was recommended by the less-than-caring waiter in a place next to my gate. I had it with ginger ale as I had drank all the coffee at the house and in Air Volvo in an insolated cup (now safely sleeping in long-term parking). Other than a small bag of chips, that would be all the food I would get until I reached Zerida’s place.

The flights were good, and I had window seats in the back of the main cabin. I had only thirty minutes to reach my second flight in Salt Lake, but it was four gates away, so that was not an issue, except I had no chance to get food. I did get a drink and chips on the second flight (I had nodded off on the first flight and missed my chance). I tried to watch some movies but could not concentrate as I got tired just sitting there. I spent the last hour nodding off for the last hour or so. I put on quiet, classic music as I had noise-reducing earbuds with me today.

Also, between flights, I remember to load the Kindle app on my phone while I had a good connection. I read on the plane, having also downloaded a book. I was again reading about murders in Canada–excellent. So far I am enjoying A Rule Against Murder: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (A Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Book 4).

We arrived after two hours and change, and it was a shortish walk to baggage claim. I missed that the rent-a-cars are not in ground transportation but on the third floor. It took me half an hour to find it. I got a smaller SUV from Thirfty: a Ford EcoSport. I spent more time trying to connect my phone–no go.

The agent suggested I find Saltgrass for dinner, and I set the Navigation for that. I had trouble driving the way Texas roadways are set up in the dark, using the new vehicle (now called Air Ford), and understanding when the Nav wanted me to turn. I also managed to miss with Air Ford the Texian who slammed their breaks after reaching 70 (the speed limit here).

I finally got the location, but nothing was there, damn. I am sure it would have been great. I will see if we can try one of the evenings.

Zorida was home, so I set the Nav there and, with some difficulty, reached Zorida’s gated community. It is dark, and the lighting was poor for some house numbers. But I finally found it–I was on the wrong street, and Zorida offered me an excellent smoked turkey sandwich. We talk for a while. I am tired but happy to be here.

It was fun, and I enjoy travel. Just to pop on a plane and grab a car. Excellent.

Discovered that this screen does not quite fit in airplane seats and me. Rajani told me that he sticks to 12″ to work on planes–oops. I still like the extra screen. I seldom work on planes anyway.

The forecast has changed, and rain is out for Saturday. We will hit the Alamo then on Saturday morning.

Thanks for reading.

I just finished the monthly Theology Pub, where we discussed finding joy in the world. We mostly agreed that you need to set your expectations to be happy and that trying to solve all the world’s problems will overwhelm you. You need to also give trust to those who can work on some of these issues instead of trying to control everything. But we also said you can do the impossible but must pick your battles. My best example is always The Man Who Planted Trees, which is on YouTube here. Enjoy. Recommended.

Before this, I must admit, I left work early to take care of some items, and then when they were done, I just decided to ignore the world, lay down, and sleep. For an hour or so, I fitfully rested. At 5ish, I rose, saw I was not needed at the shoe company, and made dinner by warming up yesterday’s pasta and sausage (in vodka sauce). I watched the animated Batman with Mark Hamill as the Joker. They are excellent, Hamill and the late Kevin Conroy as Batman. Recommended.

Aside: I know there are things I need to do, but I can only manage some every day.

I washed the towels and sheets to be nearly clean when I returned on Monday from Texas. Hate to come back to housework. I then grabbed some Kaluha and connected to Zoom for the Theology Pub meeting.

Before this, I was at the UPS store. I was going to send a portable monitor to Linda; she liked the one she used here and wanted the model to buy one. I just sent her mine. The price of mailing it was almost the cost of a new one! But we know this one works for her, so I sent it. I also brought Susie’s dad’s gun in a gun case. It was more than $450 to send it, about the rifle’s value. And then they told me they don’t accept firearms–well, that made it easy–No, I am not paying $450 to send a gun that you can’t actually send that is worth about $500! I will look at sending it in my luggage on my next flight. I have not moved a rifle on a plane in twenty years, but I have done it. There is a declaration process that I will have to learn again.

Before this, I was at Nike WHQ and did some more Zoom meetings. I had lunch with Scott from the Nike business at the Sebastian Coe Building. There is a lovely cafe there and an excellent salad bar. We talked about work and the project while munching our salads.

Scott gives tours of Nike WHQ as another line, and he wanted to see one of the recent changes after lunch, so he walked part of the way back with me. Eliud Kipchoge, the world-famous long-distance runner, got a new statue at Nike WHQ. It is incredible and makes you want to do anything to help Eliud in his next run. It’s nice to see that Nike still remembers its reason for being: We Serve the Athlete*. The ‘*’ means “If you have a body, you are an athlete, so move your *. Being lost in IT work, I am always happy to remember who we work for when walking through the WHQ–there is no place like it.

I called Leta and Barb (Susie’s mother and sister) and talked for a while. I try to keep connected to them. Leta sounded much better, but she said she was “vegetating” as she could not use her right arm. Her usual deadpan is back. I also called Mom Wild, and she was putting away groceries. Linda, my sister, had sent a load of goodies using the remote delivery now available after COVID-19. Mom said she was eating the good stuff. Mom Wild sounded happy.

Before, it was usual Zoom meetings and boring. It is a good thing to be boring now with less than a month until we start the full 7/24 install. Breakfast was supplied: scrambled eggs (plain and slightly overcooked), potatoes (with some onions and green and red peppers), bacon (!), and fruit and baked goods. Plus, Starbucks coffee in a large urn. This time, I had only an apple for my first breakfast with NYC Zabar’s grind coffee (thanks, Smiths and Jason, for the coffee).

I started at 6AM and had some of my usual wakings before my alarm and rolling over for an hour issue. It started after 5AM, better. I rose with my alarm. This is the most challenging moment of the day; I don’t want to go on. I am alone. I am tired. Everything hurts. I am coughing. I feel all 59 years. Grabbing the robe and putting on my slippers takes everything I have. Once I start, I am OK. It is just that that first moment. Take this cup from me; don’t make me go on. Would there be some cosmic plan that would go wrong if I just stayed here and did not get going? But, somehow, it is likely the love of others and the fact I want to see what is next that drives me forward.

As it is obvious, I did start and found the strength to continue. I did learn that today, the first time, I had time left in the morning. I can restart exercising now that the time between 6-7AM does not disappear so fast. Better!

Last night, after I wrote the blog, I read the well-written–almost overwritten rules for the solo board game Ottoman Sunset. This is another game recommended by the Discriminating Gamer, and I was impressed and look forward to finding a night to try it out with a beer at some local taphouse. I mean, who writes in an example in a rule book, “Fortunately, you sagaciously committed 2 Resources to the Eastern Theater”? Plus, adding drama in another example: “Will you be able to halt the fleet at the last moment, or will British marines storm the capital?” There is also a detailed history of the Ottoman Empire in dense text for pages in the rules–fantastic writing.

The game is a solo game where you play the role of the leaders of the Ottoman Empire (including the young Turks), trying to resist their fate (collapse in 1918). Like many solo games, it is rules-heavy to create the simulation and strongly connects to its theme. I like the theme and look forward to playing this game. It is a republication of an older game and is now from the same company that makes my other favorite solo game, Nemo’s War: Victory Point Games. And there is a sister game, Hapsburg Eclipse, which uses a similar system of rules and simulation and, so tempting, can be merged into a grand game where you try to save both empires. Oh my, the boards actually fit together–resist!

Thanks for reading. I am sorry I have not progressed on some items or helped folks. I am still struggling and quickly exhausted. But I want to see the future and be part of it, and I feel the love of so many–I must go on.

First, Leta, my late wife’s mother, broke her arm in a fall, and I did talk to her today. She is uncomfortable, but I will not cover her status here. It is a private family item, and I don’t feel it is my place to address Leta’s health or anyone else’s in this blog. So, prayers for Leta (and Barb and Gordon–her daughter and son-in-law) for comfort and a speedy recovery.

Returning to the story, Wednesday is a work-from-office day, so I was up at 6AM, having awoken at 5AM, and could not get back to sleep. I just rolled over a few times and likely nodded off. I found my way to the kitchen and found cottage cheese and canned peaches for breakfast. I sprinkle sea salt, pepper, and smoked paprika on the cottage cheese. I made NYC coffee, Zabar’s grind, supplied by the Smiths and Jason, in my French Press.

I took all this to the office and started on my email, Slack channels, and news to prepare for my day. I also updated my Quicken information. I like to check all the money every day or so. Everything was good.

I next popped into the shower, dressed, grabbed my Nike laptop, and boarded Air Volvo. The fog was still noticeable, and the traffic was unusually light. I was soon in the office and starting on hours of Zoom meetings. They also served breakfast, so I had the second breakfast feeling so hobbit-like. I did some technical reading and then talked to my boss and a few directors about upcoming work. I am still trying to start my next project.

Lunch was provided: veggie and chicken teriyaki. Luckily, there were cookies as the lunch was not good, but it was free. Free is still good. I had some more discussions and read. Vector searches got my attention. This machine-learning process turns text and/or pictures into a vector of multiple dimensions. Interesting, but more opaque, I think, like neural networks, and thus not clearly discernable what the logic was.

I did a few more Zoom meetings and finally headed out at about 4:30. I made pasta with vodka sauce from a jar, adding pan-fried Italian-style sweet sausage. I pour the hot sauce into the frying pan and keep all the delicious (fat) of the sausage, making the jar sauce luscious. I ate too many bowls and put some away for tomorrow’s dinner. I watched Ready Player One, the movie, while I cooked and ate dinner. I also washed all the dirty clothing to be ready to pack on Thursday night and hung them up while watching the movie. I finished the movie before starting on this blog.

I did the dishes, washed the pasta jar, and scrubbed off the label. I dried it and then put another set of fairy lights in the jar. I now have four jars out there. It is lovely in the early evening to see all the jars hanging from hooks filled with little lights–I have two on the table too. The solar cells only partially charge the lights in the Fall-Winter-Spring season as it is so grey. Of course, they last longer in the summer once the rains stop.

It was a typical day, but I did miss seeing Susie in the afternoon. Often, in the afternoons at work, I feel like I should be heading out to see her, and then I remember that it is unnecessary. I had just a few tears at the start of the day.

I did start a list of things to do, but I think I will take the evening slow. I am trying to catch something unwelcome before my trip to Texas on Friday.

Thanks for reading.

 

Tuesday was a work-from-the-office day, and I woke with my alarm at 6AM. I felt ill. Everything hurt, and I moaned as I reached for my new slippers. I had thought I had a mix of asthma, COVID-19, and a cold–or grief. I wanted to just text Brad, my boss, that I not making it. I dragged myself to the kitchen and made NYC Zabar’s Grind coffee in the French Press and an NYC bagel (thanks, Smiths plus Jason and Joyce for the bagels) with cream cheese and some fruit containing yogurt. I was feeling normal now and carried the breakfast into the home office. There, I read the emails, Slack channels, and news to start my day.

But moving back to Monday night, after I finished the blog, I headed to Wildwood. There, I had one excellent Czech-styled brewed product and played the solo board game Nemo’s War. This, like most solo games, is a rules-heavy simulation with you controlling the Nautilus as Captain Nemo from the book (and old Disney movie, to some degree). It is a difficult balancing, and the game accelerates to a sudden ending that is important to complete. I enjoy it, and it is three hours to play. I closed Wildwood, finishing the scoring and putting away the game as the last guests paid their checks, just enough time. I finished the game without automatically losing, but I played too carefully, and my score was at the Failure level. Next time! I have won before.

After that, I headed home and went to bed after a snack, pecan pie, to not take my pills on an empty stomach. I read for a bit, back to murder mysteries set in Canada. Excellent. I was asleep, soon falling asleep with the Kindle in my hand. Susie would have laughed.

Returning to Tuesday, I rushed the morning, showered, and then dressed. I found my badge in my coat and boarded Air Volvo. All the board games are loaded, and I added Concordia to the pile in the cargo bay. I reached the Nike WHQ Swift building in time to grab a second breakfast (bacon!). I did hours or meetings on Zoom sitting in the window. I talked toward the window, and I managed to not disturb anyone as there was some sound dampening. My hearing is not working that well, and I can’t use headphones as the sound in my left ear garbles. Hearing aids are in my future, but I am resisting them for a bit longer.

I talk to folks and try to be a bit social. Everyone has been so kind about my grief, and I also have some items I would like to discuss. Eventually, Michelle V finds me and says some encouraging words, too–I was everywhere but not in any of my usual places. Sorry, Michelle V, and thank you!

Lunch is provided, but the line is long. Instead, I head to a nearby Thai place and have a non-spicy Massaman curry, a fav. I had to eat it slowly as it was heated to almost boiling when I received my entree. I burned my mouth on the first tiny bit and ordered some water, too. It was delicious, but next time, I will go with medium. I also have to look up how to make it. I genuinely enjoy it as it has potatoes and carrots with peanuts in an elegant sauce.

I returned to the office and continued with more Zoom meetings. I was not as tired as yesterday, but I headed out early as I had deliveries at the Volvo Cave. My copy of Ottoman Sunset arrived today (I also got an envelope that includes stickers to fix a misprint), and my book-like cover that fits my new black Apple laptop. I grew tired and rested for a few minutes. Then, I started again and made dinner, a large salad with chopped celery, carrots, and ham. To this, I added shredded Mexican-style cheese, olives, and sesame sticks, plus lettuce, of course.

I ate dinner in the office while watching YouTube videos from the Battleship New Jersey channel. This time, the curator discussed why the USS New Jersey was reactivated for the Vietnam War and not the other ships of the same class. The declassified official history of the ship, written in 1968, tells the story that New Jersey was just in better shape than the others. During the US Regan Administration, all the battleships of the Iowa class served again, with the fire-damaged Wisconsin being the last returned to service. It’s all interesting if you are a ship geek like me.

After dinner, I took Air Volvo to First United Methodist Church and waited for Z and Dondrea to arrive. They showed up at 6:30, as planned. Z and I then headed to Avia Coffee, as the church was full of groups, and squeezed the game Furnace on a small table. We were stacking the boxes on the window ledge as we had a tiny table.

Z remembered how to play, and I got twenty points ahead of her in the first game. We reset, and Z showed me how to play by crushing me with a score of 117. Andrew showed up, and we squeezed more and added him in. Three people is a much more complex game, and Andrew took us by twenty points–impressive as he had never played before.

Afterward, we were out of time and returned to the church to say goodbyes. I will miss church on Sunday as I am traveling to Texas on Friday. Air Volvo got me back home without incident.

Aside: I connected with Barb and Leta in Michigan. Leta is home, but her right arm is broken, and she is challenged to care for herself. She will be staying with Barb and her family until they can work out what needs to be done (surgery?). More to come.

I started on the blog. Thanks for reading.