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Wednesday started with me waking just before my 6AM alarm. The early start lets me be ready at the office at 8AM, my first Zoom meeting. I decided to just have breakfast at work and reheat yesterday’s coffee. It was not that good. I did my usual things and found myself at loose ends a few times. I will have to start riding the immobile bike soon. I have the time.

Air Volvo found a school bus on the way to work, but I was still early. But I forgot my Nike Badge and had to scan a QR code to add myself as a visitor to Swift at WHQ. Yes, that is the process. I did this all on the tiny phone screen, and then the desk folks took my picture and gave me a paper badge I used to enter. I put it in my pocket.

I got breakfast, talked to some folks about some issues, and was a bit late for my first meeting. No matter. Next, I did the next couple of hours of meetings. There were more discussions on various topics, and soon, lunch appeared with huge burgers with all the fixings plus cheese and bacon as options. I had a burger at my desk. There were chicken breasts as an option, too.

We have open seating, but everyone always sits in the same place. Very human. So I sat in my usual spot and ate at my desk. When I do the Zoom meetings, I am in the atrium, sitting on a window seat, talking to the screen. I don’t use headphones as my left ear scrambles the sound–but now it has gone deaf in that ear. I discovered on the plane that I could use headphones again. But, for now, I pick up my laptop and go somewhere that will not disturb people. I don’t want to be that guy who is talking loudly with headphones on.

I did a few more Zoom meetings and talked to a few folks about various work issues. We are planning some improvements after the go-live this holiday.

Yes, I am working every day but Christmas once December starts. The big installation is coming up.

I left 4:30ish. At the house, I rested briefly but woke up before 5:30 and made dinner. I got out a frozen chicken cordon blue, frozen corn on the cob, and the remains of a Caesar salad from GrubHub yesterday and summoned dinner into existence. Corn on the cob, even frozen, is always good. I did not make any sauce for the chicken but I still like it.

John Nilsen sent me potential dates for Susie’s celebration, and I picked the 23rd of March for Oregon and the 18th of May for Michigan. I thought 2PM would work better, but 4PM would work better in Oregon. I am looking forward to getting this moving–Susie would love it.

After dinner, I headed to Wildwood Taphouse and wrote this at the bar. I am fatigued still, and it is a challenge to write this. JR hugged me, and with damp eyes, we drank a toast to Susie–she would love this place.

I hope to try Ottoman Sunset today. I was going to use a larger table, but someone took it, and I let them have it. I can use the other one.

Sorry, it is short today. It’s just mostly work today. Thanks for reading!

 

Dinner was with Mariah tonight. We decided to compare Texas to Oregon, so I ordered yet-another-ribeye. Mariah went with the fillet steak. My steak was good but was not 1/2 inch thick and had little salt, unlike the Texas version. Mariah’s fillet was slightly over-cooked (a sin against nature and, I think, anti-patriotic), but still good, she said. Our waiter, the unflappable Eric at BJ’s Brewhouse, was willing to take it back–but Mariah was not that guy who sends a decent steak back. The potato was perfect, the salad was well made, and the dressing, A Thousand Islands, was slightly tangy–again, excellent. Eric constantly checking in and brought me coffee and cream without asking when I finished. I finished with a shot of Armaredo with the coffee. Mariah stuck to red wine, something called Freak-Out Red, which was dry and excellent, according to Mariah.

Mariah and I talked about writing. I asked her about my blog (this one), and she said I could make the mundane interesting and important. She was disappointed when I wrote shorter blogs, and I will try to add some extra moments I sometimes leave out on shorter blogs, like today’s. Before, I always worried about writing too much, and now I see I should put that fear away.

While we had a nice dinner, we both seemed to notice that Susie was not there for dinner, and our chat was no longer about Susie, which was a bit disquieting. I only cried once when discussing Susie’s last day with us. I cry most days, usually just wet eyes–the sobbing seldom returns.

I forgot to bring Mariah’s T-shirt and other trinkets from Alamo Music Center next time. It was good to catch up. We had a nice, pleasant meal with Eric, hovering to ensure everything went well.

Before this, I discovered that IMPAX, Susie’s IRA management company, had locked down her online account after her death. They have not sent me the forms to transfer ownership. I went to their website, found the forms, downloaded them, printed them out, and filled out the IRA forms to open an account for me. I identified the account I was taking over, Susie’s. I wrote a letter to explain what I wanted to do. I included this with a copy of the first page of Susie’s last IRA statement and put all that in a large envelope with a Death Certificate (short form) and a self-addressed stamped envelope to return the certificate. Seeing that Nike did not need me, I drove to the post office and sent the information to IMPAX first class for about a buck and a half.

Before this, I collected the mail and had another Kickstarter delivered. I am unsure if this is a Christmas present for Cat or something I want to keep. This is the comic Skies & Fire republished in slipcased volumes I and II with foil imprints. I also got a check for over $490 for over-repaying my loan against my 401K–I used Susie’s insurance settlement to pay off the loan I used to cover her medical expenses. This seemed sensible to me. When paying off debt, it is nearly impossible to get a perfect pay-off, and I was not surprised to get a check. I try to use US Bank’s app to deposit checks instead of driving them to a bank. This requires holding the phone perfectly to get the front and back images. It took three attempts to get the back of the check accepted.

Moving even further back in the day, I worked in the afternoon while the lawn service suffered with the leaves. My lawn waste can is full, and they took about twice that with them. Only some of the trees have let go of this year’s leaves. I was on Zoom calls with the mowing and blowers running, but even with the noise, I followed along and approved some items.

I ordered lunch as I was at the house. Mariah’s mother was coming to the house to pick up a set of laundry appliances stored there for a while. I left the garage open after I got here, and they, without me noticing, grabbed their items. Another item off my checklist–Excellent. Thanks!

Beginning this work-from-the-office day, I started at 6AM and woke before my alarm. I got up a bit early and started coffee but would, remembering how much better I felt at Zorida’s in Texas, have only one cup of coffee. I read emails, partially catching up on emails (there are too many to read them all from four days), Slack messages (again, only the newest ones), and some news to prepare for my day. I was soon dressed and headed out without a coffee cup as I hoped to reduce my coffee drinking. I had my last yogurt for breakfast as I needed to eat with my meds, which I remembered to take.

On reaching the office at Nike WHQ, breakfast was served, and I had more for breakfast and slipped and had a second cup of coffee without thinking, but I did not have a third one until Eric brought it to me after dinner at BJ’s. Better.

I spent the morning doing Zoom meetings. I also talked to my boss for a while, including discussing the new CTIO that Nike has hired, Dr Muge Erdirik Dogan. We have a new boss. No comments can be published here, of course.

I headed home and opened the garage door when Air Volvo got me there without issues. I ordered lunch to be delivered from Happy Panada. I like their food, but it is a bit plain for many. I had that while watching YouTube, including updates from Battleship New Jersey plans for dry docking.

I next had a decision to make. Would I make another ad hoc trip, visit the coast, or stay home for the upcoming holiday weekend here in the US? I checked with my boss, Brad, and Rajani, our leader for master data, and I was free to travel that weekend. After considering some insane items, including trying to make Thanksgiving dinner in Michigan, I went of the more simple seeing the ships in San Diego and enjoying the now luxurious US Grant Hotel (The Grant family, as I have read, took the money from the US 17th President’s autobiography and built a hotel as an investment–it worked well for them and still is named for the president). I will have dinner with the Weld-Martins and fly on Friday (a direct flight very early) and fly back (a direct flight and early too) on Sunday morning. This gives me most of Friday and all of Saturday to visit the ships and various sights. I might be able to attend church in Oregon on Sunday!

I also bought an updated and expensive chess computer: Mephisto Phoenix. I have the previous version, and chess has always fascinated me. I will try to set up the computer permanently in the house soon. This is a Millennium and should plug into my existing computer chess board, an early birthday present for myself.

I talked to Leta today; Barb (her daughter) was out then. Surgery is out as Leta is too old (95) and not in the best health, so braces are the remaining option. Barb is searching the Internet for a solution and might have found something that may work, according to Leta. Fingers crossed. More doctors will be met to get second opinions and also to get access to physical therapy. Leta is looking at a facility until she can better care for herself. This is all in flux, and I only put it here to help.

I punched the solo board game Ottoman Sunset and put it in the car. One of these nights, I hope to try it out. Today, dinner and writing got in the way. Maybe Wednesday. Gaming with Z is on hold as school practices are in the way of gaming opening on Wednesday for that possibility.

Goodness, I kept my promise, and this is a long blog!

Thanks for reading.

Today started with me sleeping well and waking before my 7:45 Sunday alarm. I had no plans other than to pack and hang out with Zorida for the morning. I had a 3:45 flight, but it boarded just after 3PM. The flight would take me back to Salt Lake City and repeat the rush to the next flight with another 35-minute connection, but it made the day easier not to be trapped in an airport for hours between flights. Zorida, once again, made us a fine breakfast and some coffee. My caffeine intake was down to one cup of coffee a day, and I felt better for it. I will keep it that way, I think.

Time flew, and soon it was later morning and time to hug Zorida and try the rental out on Texas traffic again. I packed my roller bag and my travel bag (red Nike gym back) into Air Ford and let Nav take me to the airport. I was surprised that the Nav worked, and I had no issues finding my way into the airport and returning the car. Texas drivers hold on to their lanes and aggressively go where they want. There also seem to be two types of drivers in San Antonio: Those who can’t go slow and those who only go slow. This creates a conflict and, with the aggressive lane changing, explains why all the barriers (I do mean all) are marked from violent contact. I looked at all the barriers while Zorida drove us into the city and noticed the marks!

I found my way to Delta and checked my bag, but it could have been free, as they will let you check a roller bag for free. But you never know if they will continue this, and I could not pull it behind me and make my connections, so I paid the $30 and checked my bag. I was surprised that the Delta App informed me that the bag was on the plane and the next plane. You can track your bag; excellent!

Security was simple. It is strange not to worry about Susie or others traveling with me. Just me and easy–I am used to traveling hard with Susie. It did take two tries in the X-Ray thing for me. I moved or something, but the second shot worked, and I was free, and I reassembled my belt and shoes and headed to my gate.

There was no food by the gate. I walked back five gates to the smoked BBQ place and ordered a large beer and a brisket sandwich with cheese. It was American Cheese (yuk!) and salty. I ate my sandwich meat (still too salty) and had a side made of corn in a spicey creamy mix that was excellent (and not salty). I knew there would be no food until I got home, so I ate a good lunch.

My gate was crowded, and I was still unwilling to sit beside someone. I found an opening with nobody next to me. I also noticed that our plane was landing at Salt Lake City Airport at a gate nowhere near my connection and talked to the Delta agent at the gate. She surprised me at boarding by moving me to 17A to get me off the plane sooner. It is always good to talk to an agent–they have your back!

The flight was the usual packed-in full flight I usually experience now. I managed to stay awake and thus grab a ginger ale and a cookie. Delta has excellent cookies. The other snacks are OK. I watched a movie and noticed that the hearing in my left ear is completely gone now; ugh! I wanted to see Astroiod City, but events prevented that, so I watched it on the plane. It is a strange film that I am not sure I would recommend, but it was fun to try it.

Soon, the two-hour flight ended, I deplaned without any actual delay (it is hard to watch people hold you up while retrieving their roller bags), and I walked fast for fifteen minutes to cross the airport. I was at gate A45 for only minutes before walking onto the plane. I started on A12. This is an hour or so flight, and I watched Stanely Tucci’s foodie show episode set in London. I had never been to London and did not know that London is three times the size of NYC. I may have to fit London into my travel plans after enjoying watching Tucci find excellent food (!) in the UK. I also read more Canadian crime-mystery on my iPhone.

Sunset over the Great Salt Lake.

I snagged coffee with cream (real cream!) on this flight and a cookie that was oh-so-good dipped in the creamy coffee. The steward agreed that the coffee and cookie were an excellent combination. I managed a chapter of my book, one cup of coffee with two cookies from a package, and the London episode from Stanely Tucci before we landed.

I found my luggage and then walked the whole length of the terminal from the closed men’s room to the only one on the first floor. The info gal saw me, knew what I was doing, and smiled as I rushed, and then I pretended to be relieved when I went past her again. She was laughing. Yes, there is no place like home!

PDX travelers take a picture of their feet on the carpet when returning (and leaving), often with no comment as the local signal that they are traveling.

The carpet is famous and has a unique pattern that we all love. The carpet is a bit cut up by the construction, so there was a giant Post-It on the wall acknowledging this. The blue and grey carpet is temporary. It is a thing here.

I could not, at first, find the car, as I used the wrong tunnel. I was looking for the Orange Trout marked elevator, and I could only see the Orange Crab elevators–yes, we are back in Portland. I tried the Crab and found the 7th floor was the roof, but the photo showed the car inside on the 7th. Hmmm. I headed to the next garage, but that was Purple, which was wrong. I returned to the Orange Crab (eye rolls resisted) and did the roof. I walked into the inside garage nearby, and Air Volvo was where I left it–yay!

I did not take a ticket as you can, if you know this, put in your credit card and do not get a ticket. On exit, I put in the same credit card, paid, and exited in all one action. Excellent! The trip home across Portland and Beverton was comfortable and not memorable.

I reached home and got the mail and found all my packages, including some heavy terrain building kits from New Zealand for a Kickstarter, and the mail. I soon had that handled, including decking for IJN Yamato 1/700, which I plan to build soon, and one bill was paid. I started laundry and ordered pasta and a salad delivered. Which soon came.

I wrote the blog while eating.

Thanks for reading! Thank Zorida for her kindness–it was a good visit.

Working backward, I am back at Zorida’s house writing the blog. I fly out on Monday, so this is my last night here. We decided to try out the Longhorn Steak House fifteen minutes away on roads that Zorida knows. The food was good (Zorida’s soup was salty–an issue we often have in Texas: They love salt), and my ribeye steak was excellent. The salad was the usual, but the sweet potato with butter and cinnamon sugar was perfect. I had a ginger ale and Jack Daniels, as the beer in Texas has been a disappointment these couple of days–back to whiskeys! The steak was blackened on the sides and perfect inside, and the salt was at the right level. So, it’s not a bad ending for Texas evening.

Before dinner, we napped at the house, and I rested and read my Kindle on my phone. I am enjoying my Canada-based crime murder mystery. We returned to the house after lunch on the River Walk. We tried the Casa Rio;  I ordered the “deluxe plate,” their most popular item according to the menu. I will not recommend it. I wanted to try the place as it was called the longest-running restaurant on the River Walk since 1946, and I figured it might not be great, but it should be good. No recommendation from me. But still, I was happy to try it.

Briscoe Western Art Museum is on the River Walk, and we did try to find another place, but it was in a Hotel. We then walked to the River Walk and saw the Casa Rio, only to learn that we walked about twice as far as there is a back entrance from their parking lot. Also, it was $25 to park in the parking garage on a Sunday for less than four hours!

Before this, we traveled on the highways back into San Antonio from Zorida’s house to find the Briscoe Art Western Museum. There was light rain, and we could not find any reasonable street parking, so we used the parking garage across the street (for $25-30 on Sunday, as I said already!). There are no shoulders or significant space for the water to accumulate in, and thus, you have to be careful driving in the rain here as the puddles can be considerable.

The museum was wonderful and full of paintings, sculptures–metal, clay, and stone, and objects. The saddles were a study in the history of saddles, the culture of horse riding, and some just from famous folks. Pancho Via’s was not far from Wild Bill’s and a room away from Santa Anna’s sword. The paintings of views of the West and various natives, cowboys/girls, and military from long ago were stunning. A French woman had a show of her black and white photos of the current life on the range and rodeos from the current times. It was surprising and told a great story of the people of the West. It looked old and new at the same time.

The Alamo Room told the story well–their diorama was better than anything at the Alamo, and a whole Wells Fargo stagecoach made me want to build a model to match. I was only sorry that the gift shop did not have a book on the general items in the museum for me to take home. I only found wooden nickles that seemed the perfect gift.

We started the morning around 8ish, and Zorida made breakfast again. Scrambled eggs with chicken with toast.

I slept well. The mattress was unbalanced and set off of the box spring below it, and it nearly dumped me at 4ish. I pushed the bed back to normal, and all was well afterward.

Thanks for reading.

 

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.