Blog

This morning, Saturday, I set the alarm for 6:30 and rolled over, shocked to wake at 8ish. So starting my day writing the blog here at Zorida’s house in Texas. It is a two-hour time difference, so I did not sleep until midnight local time.

Yesterday was a travel day, and they are always hard. I woke at 6ish PST, having slept poorly, as usual, in my room at the Raddison. It is always to sleep in a loudish, unfamiliar place. I rose, showered, dressed, and repacked the few items I had out. I then dragged all my luggage to the restaurant that charged $15 for breakfast, which was free in most places. But, still, I had it and paid. Biskets and gravy with coffee from a self-service buffet fortified me for my adventures at PDX.

The shuttle was early, but I had finished my food, paid, and was in the lobby ready. My two bags plus carry-on for this trip joined me in the van. The driver regaled us with tales of working non-stop for a week. All the other drivers were stuck in the snow or had breakdowns, and he was at the hotel and thus got to cover everyone. The hotel runs a car park, so they must pick up people at PDX to get their vehicles at all times.

The driver was sad that he was not at his sister’s beach house in South America. The other passenger asked lots of questions, and we learned the details. I think the other passenger will look up the area and try it out. It made for a fascinating drive through the snow and ice, still quite pronounced, to PDX.

I was flying first class and upset a fellow flyer when I let the Alaska crew on first. This crew was flying with us to Seattle, obviously to support flights. He all but said, “Who is this riff-raff getting on before us?” But his wife calmed him and explained that we let the crew on the plane. I was in a floppy sweater and Nike shoes, and he thought me just some of the help. He did startle when I sat in the 1st class section. Apparently, I am a traitor to my class with my politeness.

The first flight was on a smaller jet with three seats, one and two. Some passengers were surprised and happy to see me in the expensive seats. Apparently, politeness and friendliness win you lots of friends in the proletariat. It was a forty-five-minute flight with no service. A milk carton of water was in my seat. I left it on the plane for the next person.

Tacoma-Seattle Airport is a maze. I found the one sign and an escalator descending to the tunnels and trains. Two stops, and I was at N gates. I had more time as the flight was delayed by 30 minutes. Bad Egg, a newish concept restaurant, was busy, and the bar was packed. I found a table in the back. I ordered the egg and Spam slice, fried, set over donuts covered in syrup. I paid the extra for cheesy grits. It was wonderfully awful and not likely something I will try again, but it was fun in all its heart-stopping flavors.

The plane process was the usual, but more rushed and less concerned. I had an older seatmate in first class and the window. The plane was an older 737-800, which I think is the most uncomfortable plane in service. The economy is smelly and loud, and the seats are thinly padded and so close that a trip to the restroom (no joy to use in its doll-house-sized facilities) is a flexibility test for you and anyone seated with you. Asile seating means you are bumped the whole trip. I love the 737-Max with its extra air movement and colorful lighting. While the seats are still insanely close, at least you get a screen and plugs for your gadgets.

My seatmate ignored me and read–perfect. I read on my iPhone until I had to get out my new power brick with built-in cables, one for an iPhone and one for a C USB, which uses a supercharging process to recharge the phone in thirty minutes. Excellent. My Kindle, still at home, syncs the page I am on with the iPhone app, so I am always reading in the same place. Perfect. I set my phone for free texting supplied by Alaska Air, ignoring the $8 fee for better slow internet access for a three-hour trip. I chatted with folks on the ground while we flew to Texas.

Dinner was chicken; I asked the steward (using the gender-free word) what she recommended. The steward for First Class was dressed in pants and a sweater, going with Alaska Airlines’ more practicality. She chatted with the passengers in the first two rows. We on 2 were all reading.

The food was a surprise, and I had ginger ale as the Spam was not settled. I eat when I can and when offered on a travel day. You never know when food service will be canceled, the plane will be rerouted to some remote place, or other possible crazy things will happen when traveling.

The plane arrived with no problems, and I walked the long hallways of San Antonio airport, but this time, I knew where I was going. I had to wait for my bags to appear. They survived uninjured, and I carried them to the rent-a-car desk.

It took the usual long time for all of this. One group was still going when I left! A mistake was made in my reservation. The car was there, and I would drop it off at Lewis Armstrong Airport, but I had only a one-day rental! This was corrected, and the most expensive part of the trip was the car, like last time. The full coverage was $68 a day, let alone the rent cost. You can tell that the car companies have consolidated and now charge what they want. Another group cannot form a cheaper car rental as the fixed costs are so high. The corporation has eliminated competition and only has artificial competition. It is a sign of our times–limited competition by acquisition.

I was happy to have the car until the 28th and found my purple CR-V Honda. I have an SUV, which also makes the price higher. There is navigation. Well, I get to use my phone. That is not that fun. I also have to pull over on the road to find the lights for the Air Honda (my new ride). A police car reminds me that this is no place to pull over, and I move on. I managed to circle the airport once but finally followed the phone’s directions. On the highways in Texas!

For me the most challenging part of the trip is the rental. It is expensive and a learning experience. It is much worse in the dark and in end-of-day work traffic. It is high stress as I balance the phone trying to read it and find the matching tiny signs of Texas without making a sudden and crunchy lane change.

I am headed North, which finally fits my driving direction, and my iPhone app agrees. I called Zorida; my phone was connected to the rental this time, and it soon arrived. I park Air Honda and unload.

Zorida and I catch up, and I give a small wrapped box. Earrings I found in Susie’s unsent gifts. Susie would forget to send them, or it did not get done. They are stylized Elephants, which had to be for Zorida, who collects statues of elephants. Zorida and I both shed a tear, remembering Susie.

I went to bed but then got Doc’s messages and answered them. I need a cardiac write-up for the surgery. I get back to my computer and reply. I have more appointments to make.

I read a bit and finally slept.

Thanks for reading.

 

I woke at 7ish and rolled over until 7:30. It was a work-from-home snow day, and I did not have to rise early to drive to the Nike WHQ Swift building (no, we are not called Swiftees). Instead, I did my morning meetings, one actually technical and interesting. I still had some process meetings and then caught up with someone I had worked with for years. It was not a busy morning, but it was interesting. I slipped a shower between meetings.

The slick was not leaving, and the temperature forecast was not improving. Then, another storm watch was announced, puke, and more sinking temperatures. The noise of water melting was loud in my gutters. The underwater ice was dangerous; I nearly fell putting N-95 masks in Air Volvo–restocking, as the news is sad on that front.

Next, I took the chicken I pulled from the cooked chicken I picked up a few days before, put it in a non-stick fry pan, and fried it. Next, I added water and covered the pan to heat the chicken. I added BBQ sauce from a bottle. I heated more. Added water again and covered. This got everything hot and lovely. I stir-fried the mix a bit. This went on a bed of lettuce and some shredded cheddar cheese. That was a great lunch.

I found another shorter Sean Munger YouTube video on the start of WW1 and enjoyed that while I ate my BBQ chicken salad. I have read many books and know the details of many areas he covered, but I felt he knew them better than I did, which is unusual for YouTube videos. I thought his story and how he told it were fantastic. I loved the quotes, which I had not heard anywhere else. Recommended!

Aside: The Guns of August, while aging, is still, I think, the best book and captures the emotions well. Sean references it at the end of his video. Go with this book if you want to dip your toe into this history. It is a great book.

I also finished the packing. I ran the dishes and the laundry while I worked. By 2PM, I had closed my suitcases and had a few meetings. Dondrea and I debated by text and calls if I should head to PDX instead of risking a drive in the storm-frozen Portland. To reach the PDX, which is almost in Washington State from Beaverton, I have to cross Beaverton and then all of Portland.

Aside: Portland International Airport is PDX, and its call letters are identical. Instead of naming the airport for someone, we call it PDX. We locals love PDX and its incredible, when you can see them, views of the mountains. The bars, food, and shops are quite nice.

I checked hotels in PDX, and only one hotel was left with rooms! Time to go. Dondrea also reported that her area in Beaverton was back to freezing, and she was getting a mix of snow and rain. Definitely time to travel. I put my stuff in Air Volvo and made a special one-night bag so I would not have to open my luggage. I put the house together the best I could. I called Corwin, who is house-sitting for me besides moving in for a while, to let him know I was leaving for PDX. On Expedia, I ordered the hotel room and got it. I signed off of work, having done timesheets, out-of-office, and other rituals for going on break. Air Volvo slid down my street and then off through Beaverton.

Flooding was apparent from the freeze and melts. Beaverton was melting still. Traffic was lighter for a Thursday but still heavy in places. The drivers were following lanes with care, executing correct turns, lane changes were done with warnings, and police were everywhere. It seems only ice and snow scare our drivers straight!

The hill, Sylvan, between Portland and Beaverton, over 500′ taller than the valley and over 1000′ above sea level, was starting to refreeze. The trees were still crystallized in ice. It was still raining when I crossed the summit, but soon, it would be snow and ice again, and I was glad to take a slow trip. Oddly, the traffic moved better than on a dry day in Portland, and again, I saw no shenanigans.

The tunnel was wet, and for a moment, I wondered if it would be icy, but it was good when Air Volvo entered. The strange new tradition of blowing the car horn to some tune is still happening. I was concentrating on not slipping and missed my chance to try to be Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (here is the song I always liked–I will have to play it loud next time with the windows down in the tunnel).

The roads got more snow as I headed closer to the Columbia River (PDX is on the river). The Radisson is not near the airport; I have used it several times and their shuttle. It has a parking area that they charge for, but you can leave your car here for $14 a day, which is cheaper than other options. Actually, the money I saved all but covered $50 for the room. I was right to leave when I did; there was a line of cars to get in. I spoke to the hotel van driver, who told me to pass everyone and park where there was room. I did.

I found a line inside, and after twenty minutes, I got my room and instructions. Air Volvo had to park in the distant parking. The lot was full of snow and ice. I found a place, and the ice was so bad I had to hold on to Air Volvo. I removed my stuff from the cargo hold and splashed through the water and ice. My Air Force Ones did not flood, but I did feel a little damp.

My room is nicer than I expected and quite comfortable. I unloaded and then headed to the bar. It was just opening. I found a table with a bright view of water and outside. I wanted more light. I ordered a beer and chips with guacamole dip. I read, surfed, and checked flights. Everything was good. My hands shook from the cold, lack of food, hauling the luggage for a thousand yards in slush, or just exhaustion. The food, the surfing, and the beer made me feel better. It was 4:45 and too early for dinner.

I returned to the room after paying Sunny, my bartender (ironic, yes), for the beer and appetizer. I putted around before just lying down and nodding off a few times. The rest helped as I have a light headache. Back to the hotel bar and food joint. I have the steak after being told that the chicken was just a “slab of chicken.” The flank steak was tough, but it was excellent when cut into small bits. The Wild Turkey and ginger ale would be better if they had ginger ale as it was more a Bourbon and soda, but still good. For a hotel joint, the food was not bad, and the prices were not stupid. I read my book while I ate. I have my Kindle app on my phone and enjoy the next book by Louise Penny. I managed to mistakenly skip book 6 in the series but will return to it.

I finished and headed back to room 212. I made tea from the supplies in the room, but I brought the Biscoff cookies–a gift from my sister. I started charging the phone and the laptop. Finally, I began the blog for today.

Thanks for reading. I am still thinking about singing in the tunnel next time!

From Room 212, Radisson PDX.

I woke to still-frozen Oregon today. The ice and snow, the snow mostly refrozen to ice, still making a walk to the mailbox a life-risking proposition. We were above freezing all day, and tonight, with Oregon mist to outright rain, also above freezing, but the slick is still here even after the sun went down.

I rose at 7ish and found, as before, that the night seemed to vanish, and it was another work-from-home day due to the slick not melting. I had accumulated a collection of feedback requests from various directors, and I was planning to get them all pushed through this morning. I had time to make coffee and acquire a banana before the first two hours of meetings, many of which I had not expected.

The project has begun restarting after the shutdown before Christmas, and the meetings to explain are starting. I did some process meetings and we are still teasing out the changes wrapped in the project, but are actual bug fixes or stand-alone enhancements for our existing customers. It is a bit messy still. We need to get the changes in before the Lunar New Year freeze.

It will be the Year of the Dragon (my team!) on 10Feb2024. Multinational Companies like Nike, Inc. have to be aware of the global holidays, and this limits change to software for busy times and for Month Ends, Quarter Ends, and, of course, Year Ends (which for corporations may not be calendar-based). For us approving software installs and fixes, we must keep all this in mind–it can be frustrating for engineers.

Returning to the narrative, a mail package arrived, but the regular mail could not make it–a telephone pole was replaced on our street, making the street even more impassible. It was on the other side, so I kept power and internet access all day. I had a few power blinks, but my Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) kept my internet available all day. It contains a large battery and an inverter to make AC power–it sits under my desk in the office. It is suitable for a two-hour interruption.

Barb C and Gordon were in Austria last month for a holiday, and today, a carefully packed small bottle of currant liquor arrived with the brand Wild. They thought of me while traveling–thanks! I will try it with friends soon.

I finally, after dressing, got started on the reviews and completed them all today. Excellent. Details, of course, cannot be shared here.

I reheated the pasta and chicken I had made a few days ago for lunch. I watched YouTube and the Battleship New Jersey channel. There, the curator, Ryan, talked about the tug boat nearby that, when in service, helped push around New Jersey a few times. I gave the tug fund $25 to help cover the costs of having it travel with New Jersey when the battleship is coming or going from drydock. That is coming up soon.

I returned to work in my home office and had more status and process meetings. I started writing an email to myself to get my thoughts on what to do with my new miracle process leadership would like me to invent. I was not ready to draw pictures and slides as I had not gotten the risk/reward and tooling settled in my mind. I know what folks want, but that is a dream, and I have to live in the cold world of software and software tools with all their limitations, complexity, and risks to existing processes. So I spent the afternoon writing a note to myself and Sri who will also work on the solution.

I started to pack for my trip in the late afternoon. I am taking two suits, three vests to go with the suits, dress shoes, and then some regular clothing. As it is a week trip, I am taking more than my usual light gear and packing things tight. I will try to keep my carry-on gym bag light this trip. The new Apple laptop is heavier than I expected. I can read my Kindle books on my phone, so the Kindle will remain at home. I must carry the bag long distances, so I want it lighter this time!

I am testing my new earbuds while I write the blog. They are brilliant, but I only hear now from one ear. It always saddens me to put in the earbuds; only one plays for me. These are Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Auto-Adjustable Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds. Excellent!

I have a ribeye steak that is starting to age, having been defrosted, so I pan-fried it. I am not going outside, slip, and grill myself! It is OK that way. I made StoveTop cornbread stuffing that was almost too salty for me–I added nothing and used unsalted butter. Most of it went in the trash. Hmmm. Still, the steak was good.

I watched the movie Angels and Demons again just to see warm Rome. With all the slick here, it looked so lovely. I like the movie more for the look at Rome than the story, and should I get a chance this year, I have to do the Dan Brown tours in Rome!

I did more packing, tried to turn my knee in ways I did not enjoy, and had to stop for a bit. Suits, shirts, shoes, ties, underwear, and socks are packed. My suspenders and pocket watch are included for that old-school look. I will try to take my new Homburg hat, too. It should make New Orleans fun to dress up a bit.

I got a note from Nike that WHQ will remain closed on Thursday!

I started to write the blog and enjoyed recalling it today, and I hope all the slickness melts away tonight. I pulled off a piece of ice 1/2 inch thick off Air Volvo!

Linda, my sister, and her husband Jesse will meet me in New Orleans on Thursday. Linda hinted, and I made dinner arrangements for Thursday night for three. I have resisted planning much more as I want to see the place before I start filling my days with tours.

Thanks for reading. Stay warm and avoid the slick!

 

Today, we were expecting an ice storm with possible high winds. Nothing happened in the morning.

The morning came sooner than I wanted. I had been asleep for a moment after reading and looking at the clock. How could it be already six in the morning? Apparently, I had slept the night away, and I soon managed to put my slippers on and found my robe. In the kitchen, I switched the slippers to the correct feet and checked, and the robe was at least correct. I found a banana and an almost dried-out corn muffin to go with the coffee, Rwanada Fair Trade (thanks, Kramers!), I made using my French Press. I found the office–it had not moved. The nearly disabling pain in my foot is gone, and the distance does not seem far today- better!

Nike WHQ did not open as the weather threatened an ice storm. But, after reviewing the various sources, the storm was rescheduled to mid-afternoon. Schools were closed, and everyone was looking outside with fear. The bad weather did not really start until late afternoon.

I did my first meetings and helped with a Try/Except/Catch coding issue. I do not usually get to stop a software install due to an unresolved risk, but I must act–it is part of my role. Today, I acted, and appropriate mitigation was put in place. The defect was logged into a backlog to fix the issues soon. Nice to see that I can still step in.

We also had a planning meeting, as new plans will be required after the project was stopped last month. While incomplete, confusing, and designed with minimal impact on folks’ lives (unlike the previous plans), the team welcomed these plans. We are starting to move again–excellent.

I slipped out next in Air Volvo, still empty, to Safeway. I made a list of items to have in the house for the storm and Corwin when I am out. I arrived at Safeway, and the road and parking lot, in places, were polished ice and quite dangerous. I got meats, pasta, veggies, canned goods, and other basics. I went to check out and discovered that my list did not include remembering my wallet, and I did not have it. I also had untied shoelaces, which could have made the walk more exciting. Hmmm.

I quickly made the 1/2 mile round trip to get my wallet and soon had everything safe in Air Volvo. I got the bags in the house with only one small slip, remembering the ice skating judge’s statement to walk flat-footed and put one foot down before lifting the other. I put everything away.

Last week, I got some tuna with crackers, so I tried that for lunch. I was surprised that the small can contain prepared tuna fish salad with celery, onions, etc. No assembly was required. Quite good. That was my lunch. I did have a snack later as it was light.

I had some more meetings. I stripped the beds and found sheets for the guest room. Corwin will be staying there for a few months. Corwin will have to move to the couch when we have visitors. I washed everything and my outstanding laundry. I suspect the laundry will move to the suitcases and not the drawers.

I got a note that Nike WHQ is closed on Wednesday, too.

I made dinner from a potato cooked in the microwave and added chicken and some roast beef to the butter and sour cream. I added olives, too, thinking of Instanbul and their potato bars with a slice of olive sitting on a mountain of sour cream. It was good and settled well–my bad gas attack has faded.

I read some WW1 naval scenarios and watched more of Sean Munger’s YouTube channel story “1872: The Strangest Presidential Election,” which I can stop on chapters. It is too long to watch all at once. I like his approach to history and how he assembles the information. Unlike another channel I try to like, he does not recycle his lectures for classes he teaches. Instead, he covers that topic to bring forth its relevance and interest for the viewer. His videos are composed and have chapters that work like actual chapters. Also, he deals with any confusion and covers the misuse of history he is covering by various groups. I also recommend his channel as a model for others who wish to do their own channel. I watch and learn the history and how he presents and uses the media to improve his topic. Excellent.

The rains are here, the ice is forming, and the water is flowing. The usual ice storm adventure.

My trip is on Friday, and I hope to complete some preparations before Thursday!

I am always surprised when we reach a date that seems so far away. MLK weekend is the traditional end of 7/24 support for a major software update at the shoe company. According to the now-aborted go-live plans, we expect to get our first day off in 2024 this weekend!

Instead, I started MLK Day 2024 by getting up at 7:30 and writing the blog for the previous day. It took most of the morning as I was feeling like writing. I also did not want to do housework, buy groceries, or do anything else but sit in my robe and slippers and write. I managed to fill the morning with my creativity. I also called Zorida as I am headed to her house on Friday; my vacation planned during my last trip began flying to San Antonio and spending another weekend at her home. We have simple plans, and I will list what I want to see and repeat from my last trip. Zorida is working on Saturday (she is thrilled to be busy again–building her clients).

After that and having the jambalaya, made a few days ago, for lunch (reheated in the microwave), I heard from Dondrea that they are warming up and have power. They are charging everything. We have a windstorm coming Tuesday in the early morning and a late morning ice storm. Ugh! I gassed up the Air Volvo but had no specific plans for the storm. I have plenty of food and, more importantly, books and board games. I can light the natural gas fire if the power is out. Water will remain. I have a gas grill.

I dressed and then headed to pick up Corwin from work. We then stopped at the Volvo Cave and unloaded the board games from the cargo hold and biz class seats. Next, we traveled to Corwin’s house, and he loaded the cargo hold and biz class seats with his stuff. We carried that over to the garage and unloaded that, too. Corwin will use his truck to move the next bit, assuming the ice storm is a bust.

Next, I head to Gyro House and have a nice dinner/lunch with Corwin. I have kabobs and just some rice and lettuce–remembering to stick to protean. The rice, which I have some, is wonderful, but I sent most of the unattended salad and rice away–I don’t need carbohydrates and gas-causing salad tonight. Corwin has the halal chicken and a Turkish coffee. I had Diet Coke as it had bubbles–it helps. The owner was happy to see us and suggested a bread and humus starter, which I did risk. He was pleased to have us appear again on a quiet, snowy afternoon. He took his break to read the Koran while we ate.

After a wonderful lunch-dinner, I dropped Corwin off at his house, and Air Volvo returned me to the house. I tried dry brushing the purple on the Scythe mechs, and it helped a bit; I will repeat it after drying for a day, but I will mix white with purple to create a lighter look and then dry brush that just on the edges. I will also dry brush white on the last mechs yet to be washed.

The newest decals curled on with the solvent. I fixed that and retreated them. Hopeful.

I started reading the next murder mystery set in Canada.

I checked my flights, downloaded the Expedia App, and signed in. I can use it on my trip. I am getting ready for the long journey. I will do laundry on Tuesday since we are working from home. I will start to pack.

Soon off to the next adventure. I will plan the next one while I am traveling.

Thanks for reading.