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Going backward, it was a long film, a Covid film, and weird and slightly disturbing. As a Covid-19 impact film, it usually had not more than one person in the frame. As it passed 11PM, I found myself nodding off–I think it could be edited shorter, but I was tired (I liked it). It finished, and I headed back to the car. Air Volvo was parked on the rooftop parking across the street from the Hollywood Theater in Portland.

The drive home was difficult as I was tired, and my right leg complained. It had a couple workouts today. I arrived after having to circle around in Portland when the on-ramp was closed for highway 26. I always have navigation running when returning home late from Portland in case a bridge is closed, a ramp is closed for repairs, another naked bike ride that I accidentally join in Air Volvo (with clothing on), or other Portland-centric events that block my trip back to home in Aloha (Reedville) through Portland and Beaverton. The navigation helps in the dark and when I am tired.

I was in bed soon, before 1AM, and trying to sleep before the morning came too soon. Light painkillers were taken.

Before this, I was sitting in the third row on the left aisle seat that is at an angle, so it has nobody sitting in front of it. I was sitting in the main theater at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. Brian and Gwen are the directors, and they got the Festival going only about an hour late. No complaints from anyone as we all got food, beer, pizza, and popcorn, read the schedule, enjoyed our food, and waited.

After a few words, an actor dramatically read H.P. Lovecraft’s What The Moon Brings poem. This reading is done with a night sky projected behind the reader and a giant moon slowly crossing the back. It is one of Lovecraft’s early pieces and shows his strengths. It was great.

This was followed by a block of short horror and/or Mythos films. This is ‘block 1’ of great works only shown once at the Festival. I always plan to see it on Friday. The Colouring Book Out of Space was really funny. It is vital to stay in the lines! None of the shorts creeped me out light last time. All were great.

In one of the discussions, it was said that you must mix some comedy to make the scares deeper. All of the best and scariest shorts had laughs between the scares and creepiness.

Before joining the folks at the Hollywood Thearter, I walked to and back, about 1/2 mile with my right leg complaining, to a pre-show party with the filmmakers. I ordered food that never appeared after two hours–they were slammed. That was forgiven by two excellently made gin and tonics (made with locally made gin). I did not know it then, but I was hanging out with the makers of the funny Colouring book short.

I arrived before that in Air Volvo, parked in my usual spot. Then I discovered the party was 1/2 a mile walk and decided to risk it. It was a painful but wonderful walk. The early evening in Portland was warm and dry. I had arrived from Guardian Games, which I stopped by on the way and then made a wrong turn and did a driving tour of Portland. I managed to survive the gaming store without discovering anything I must have.

Before this, I had a snack and a drink at BJ’s Brewhouse in Beaverton with Susie. It was Susie’s first outing in a year and trip in Air Volvo. She had just a sip of a Southern Comfort Manhattan with two cherries (on a stick for safety) on the rocks. I cut one cherry into a small safe bit, and Susie had that, too (a fav). I ordered a cheese dip and bread on the side, and Susie had a tiny bit of bread dipped in the cheese–cheese is a fav with Susie and is better hot and on chips (or more safely on some soft bread).

I saw my usual waiter, Eric, was on (later, I apologized to Mo for not picking her as our waiter when she met us on the way out), got a booth, and had Susie at the end. It was not that comfortable, but it worked well. Unfortunately, their booths are not made for XL folks.

Before getting to BJ’s, I parked the car in the parking lot, unloaded the heavy wheelchair and moved Susie, just myself and Susie doing the work, and got Susie safe and comfortable in the chair. I put her back in when we left BJs (bring the leftover bread for Jennifer and her family’s dinner–hot crescent rolls) without issue (my right leg, I think, was amazed that it could do this and that I was willing to piss it off again–but to me, pain is just a warning, not a definition).

Before taking off with Susie, Jennifer, the nurse aide on for today, watched and advised me on my placing Susie in the car (this time, I landed Susie sideways in the chair in Air Volvo, next time, I need to do a final push that I missed). Jennifer was worried for the two hours we were out, but we returned to the hummingbird house intact.

Before heading off to BJ’s, Rick came for the final physical therapy checkout. I think he was hiding how pleased he was that we had all reached the goal of Susie transferring into the car with me doing the transfer. With our sessions ending on Friday, I will need a new prescription for Occupational Therapy–new goals for Susie to be able to sign her name, handle a spoon better, hold a book, use a pencil, and generally improve arm movements. I discussed the following options, all OT, with Rick. This is on the list for the next doctor appointment, which is upcoming.

Before getting to the hummingbird house, I was busy reading and writing the blog. I was up late at the party on Thursday night, so writing was left for the morning. I left just in time to see Rick and Susie at 11 on Friday

Aside: My stories, 500-word micro fiction, was not selected. Next year! I read the winning story, and Gwen is obviously looking for direction mention of the Mythos and chills and creepiness. Also, to be successful, a 500-word story needs to focus on just a single experience–my stories had problems with this. Last year, my story had these features and left the reader spooked. Again, next year!

I had to call into work several times and write back some instructions and advice on a few issues. I had promised to be available and was.

It was a busy Friday. I had a blast.

 

 

Working backward, I was home at about 9ish and was tired out. I had just arrived in Air Volvo from Portland’s Overlook House; I had never been there before. It was built in the late 1920s, later given to the city, and has been a community center ever since. It looks like it is used for small parties and weddings.

I had driven to Portland at about 4ish, and it took forty-five minutes to reach the house, with the traffic building the whole time and threatening to make it a much longer trip. I then read the Analog SciFi magazine while I waited for the start time.

As usual with H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival events (the VIP party was at Overlook House this year), it started thirty minutes late. Nobody cared. We got our out badges (there are three more days to go) and entered the pleasant roaring twenties party. Many folks sported vintage wear or at least fancy dress. I had just a tie, a white button-down Oxford cloth shirt, under a sweater. The best I can do these days.

I spoke to many guests and had finger foods, a bachelor’s dinner–as we called this back in the 1990s, with beer and wine for the taking. I stuck to beer and had two glasses. The VIP party includes travelers and locals who have been doing the festival for years. Many folks from California and Phoenix and the usual bunch from Seattle. One from Idaho surprised me; Idaho is a pretty straight-laced state which usually ignores Oregon. I told all the new visitors to remember to tell anyone that asks them that it rained the whole time and that the stories that Portland is a burning wreck are true. I told them there was no reason to move to the greater Portland area with a wink and a nod. It is an open conspiracy that all the bad news and apparent disaster recordings are sent to the national news chains by our local media. The message is, “It is bad, don’t move here.” Also, it is better in Seattle; go there.

A cement spiral staircase is used by brides to descend to the wedding. I managed it in the dark just because.

The party was fun, and I learned I did not win the writing contest this time. Next year!

We had a gal singing with a great voice some 1920s-styled songs. There was a tarot card reading for a minor charge that I did not have a chance to try–maybe fate had a hand in me not learning my future. I passed on the H.P. Lovecraft horror story-based Pictionary game.

Before this, I was home and rushing through the chores I needed to complete on Thursday. Garbage was collected and put out. The recycling was assembled, sorted, and stuffed. Glass was put in the correct container. The board games are unloaded from the car, except Scythe is always in the car. Will, a fear years ago, told me to always carry that game, and I do–always ready to play another game. I also left chess in the car. I then changed clothes and shaved (not wanting to play a hardened detective with a five-o-clock shadow at the party).

While this was happening, I called and talked to shoe company folks. Unfortunately, we are still working on a few crises at the moment. I did respond once at the party too.

I also found that OcCre had sent me my special order wooden ship kit. Yes, I have committed to an expensive kit and will have to find the time and energy to build it. I could not resist a fictional ship on the same scale as Dungeons and Dragons (1/50 or so) with a cutaway hull and lighting and brass stand with tentacles: The ghost ship The Flying Dutchman. It was so expensive that the shipping from Spain was free and fast. It fits me so well I have to try it.

Before leaving work, I visited Susie at the hummingbird house. Unfortunately, I could only stay for a few minutes, but we took a quick spin in Metzger Park. It was a warm day, and the clouds had burned off by then. We called Susie’s mother, Leta, and chatted with her for a few minutes in the park.

Susie, with more flowers, reads a letter from her Aunt Glenda and Uncle Gene.

Aside: Susie is using a manual recliner now. It works fine.

Before this, I had grabbed lunch at a Mexican place. It was expensive as I meant to drive-thru the burger place next door and did not know what to order. I had a burrito that could have fed two folks and a taco that could have been lunch on its own. I was shocked by the $18 price until I realized how much food I had ordered. It was all good, but I could not finish.

Aside: The clerk at the drive-thru saw my Nike badge; he was wearing a lot of Nike stuff and was happy to hear, while they made my huge food order, my story of saying hello to Michael Jordan a few times and Tiger Woods hitting golf balls into the Nike WHQ windows and being surprised by the windows not breaking. It was nice to meet a fan of Nike and tell them some stories.

Before leaving work to see Susie and get lunch, I worked on issues and listened to status reports all morning. Again, spending more than two hours on Zoom calls on Thursday morning in the office.

I was only a few minutes late for the first 8AM status meeting in Air Volvo. I had heavy morning traffic again as I was running late this morning. My body decided to empty for a while, and I have found it best not to resist! My oncologist strongly suggested I should be ready for new habits and accept them. Also, all the nerves in my colon are cut, and things moved around, so I am not sure what is happening down there and just need to let it flow, ahem. Resistance is futile (and unpleasant).

I started as usual at 6:15 and was rushed in the morning. I was disappointed that Gwen (Gwen and Brian run the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival and other events) had not sent out the 500-word micro story contest winners, but I was happy to see the instructions for the VIP part (sent at 2AM by Gwen!) in my email.

It was a busy day and a good start for the festival. Thanks for reading.

 

The day started at 6:15 and, being Wednesday, was a work-from-office day. Rushed morning! I was soon late after having a slice of pastry with a banana combined with French Press liberal coffee. I tried to read my email, text, and Slack messages while reading the news and getting caught before I was late, but not today.

Air Volvo got me to work at 8ish without incident in surprising light traffic. I started my following along and status meetings via Zoom. It was then announced by Jim, our senior director, that Brad, my boss, was celebrating his 30th year at Nike, Inc. today. Emails followed, and Brad was congratulated often.

I slipped out at about 10:30 to see Susie. I hazarded highway 217, often called the Devil’s Bowling Ally, to quickly reach Susie’s place at 9925 SW 82nd, Portland (Tigard), called hummingbird house. I was passed on both sides by speeding trucks and cars. A piece of construction equipment pulled on a trailer by a truck decided it wanted my lane at 60 mph, and I could slow down and not change the structure of Air Volvo by sudden deceleration. I was happy to arrive intact.

Susie was finishing her breakfast as I got there. So I waited for her and got ready to take Susie out to Air Volvo!

Jennifer, the nurse aide for today, helped me do the lift to get Susie into Air Volvo. We managed to be safe and get Susie unhurt and unflustered into the passenger seat of the XC60 Volvo. The leather seats helped Susie to slide into place.

I then took Susie for her first drive in Air Volvo since early November 2021. Next, we drove to the mall and made a small circle. Susie was very attentive. She has tried to understand where she lives now. Now she gets that she is near the Washington Square Mall.

We called Susie’s mother, Leta, and her Aunt Joyce to have them hear Susie in the car. They were thrilled that we had managed to get Susie in the car without issue.

I soon returned, and Jennifer monitored while I got Susie out of the car. No issues, except we changed Susie to place her hand on me instead of trying to reach the wheelchair. No problem. I kissed Susie goodbye and returned to work.

I stopped to get some gas and a burger from Burger King that I ate in the car. Next time I will order a Junior as I need a nap later! Next, I was back to work and continued work on the same crisis of the moment from yesterday. I left about 4ish, logged in from home, and followed along some more.

I made a ham and cheese sandwich for dinner. Wednesday is when Zophia and I play board games at the church during rehearsal and choir practice. I was at the church on time, 6PM, after dropping off some mail for Corwin that is still coming to the house.

Zophia was game, so to speak, to play Scythe again. This steampunk 1900s-themed 4X game ranked as the 16th best on BoardGameGeek’s website. It is not hard to learn but hard to master. Zophia soon recalled how to play but had trouble scoring as the strategy was opaque to her. A few more plays, and she will soon be pushing all over the board. I enjoy winning while I can; she will quickly crush me.

We finished with Azul, a favorite, and we hate-drafted and played cut-throat. Nothing like being crushed by an 11-year-old! One time she stuck me with the maximum number of dropped tiles! We played two games, each winning one.

Notice all the negative points on the pretty blue star tiles Zophia stuck me with!

After the games, choir finished, and I headed home. I stopped by Safeway and got a piece of cheesecake and some flowers for Susie on Thursday. Aws is a checker there from Iraq, and we are friends, and he was happy to see me. He always asked me about Susie, and I showed him a picture of her in Air Volvo. He was glad that Susie was better. He prays for us at the local Mosque.

I got home, started the laundry, and am getting ready for Thursday. The H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival’s first events are Thursday night!

Thanks for reading!

Today the pain has receded, and I am not as tired. I worked with Tracy today from PT, and she helped Susie and me get Susie safely into Air Volvo and out twice. Susie can likely travel for a limited time with me. I can get her in and out of the passenger side of Air Volvo. We tried to first put Susie in the back seat, which is lower, but the door does not open as wide, and the space is larger in the front seat, so that is a better fit.

The morning started with me waking, as usual, before my alarm and falling asleep a few minutes before it went off. I am then shocked awake–unpleasant. Remembering it was Tuesday, a work-from-office day, I rushed to breakfast and checked my email, texts, and Slack messages. I had a request there, and I answered it.

I then finished a breakfast of a slice of pastry with a banana and a cup of liberal coffee–Fair Exchange. I then rewrote the entrance text for my website for the blog figuring four years out-of-date was good enough. This kept me from leaving early. I felt like writing for a moment, so I just went with the feeling.

Traffic was much worse around 7:45 than at 7:20, which I usually aim for. At one point, the auto-braking took over with the cute chime, followed by the loud sound of the brakes locking. Nothing paint-scraping happened, and I thought the Volvo was a bit oversensitive (I suspect Air Volvo has another opinion of my driving this morning if queried).

Arrived intact at the shoe company’s Clubhouse building and was soon online and listening to a meeting about issues. I had only an hour of in-person meetings today–so strange to drive in to sit in a conference room by myself and call in.

We had a crisis of the moment that went on all day as we could not move changes into an upgrading system, oops. This was discussed all day and will be addressed more on Wednesday.

I slipped out at 11ish to drive on 217, which was surprisingly not loaded with traffic, and I witnessed no extra-legal driving. I reached Susie’s place and parked the car near the house, using two parking spots to give us plenty of room and options.

Hat and glasses off for safety.

As I described before, we got Susie into Air Volvo with Tracy moving Susie three times and I doing it two tries. It was a workout for all of us. This is also our last chance and, in effect, graduation for Susie. The PT sessions run out this week and the last one, growl, is mostly paperwork later this week. But, we managed our goal, I believe, and I will be able to get Susie loaded up and safe in AIr Volvo now.

After Tracy left, I took Susie for a short spin in the park; it was only 62F (16.67C) this early afternoon. It was overcast, and the clouds were white and low, spilling over the hills and burying the mountains. The sun, not even a bright spot, was missing as the cloud diffused all the sunlight.

Aside: At 3ish, the skies cleared, turning into a cool perfect day.

In the park, one mother was trying to put a child in a small swing, more like a bucket with holes. The kid did not put his legs in the holes but sat in the seat with his legs pointed up. It reminded me of our first attempts to get Susie in the car. I laughed with the mother, who thought it a hoot. After the third time, the laughing mother tried to get the child into the swing seat. the child realized there were holes when a leg fell through the hole and sat. It was fun.

Susie and I, Susie getting cold, quickly called Leta, Susan’s mother, and told her we got Susie into Air Volvo. Leta was happy for us–it has been three months of PT to get here. We finished the call and headed back to the warmer hummingbird house. I left with a kiss.

I returned by way of a sandwich at Jimmy John, not going with a lettuce wrap and having an East Coast Spicy Italian. I ate it in the not as clean as it once was Air Volvo.

I returned to work without incident and continued to work on the crises of the moment. I drove home at 4ish and then was online to 5:30, working on the crises. It will be worked more on Wednesday.

Dinner was cutting up the last slice of the pork roast and adding to a salad. I had leftover chopped salad veggies from the previous salad. It was more of a meat salad, but it was good.

I finished watching the House of Dragons’ newest episode and understood the ending unlike last time; this time, I got it, “Oh, that is better.” Watching this intermixed with the Lord of the Rings has given me an interesting perspective. I think Matt Smith is having a much more fun time being the bad guy than the LOTR actors all trying to fit into Tolkien’s world! But I like LOTR better as it seems to be reaching for something higher than the blood lust for power that is HOD–but Matt Smith is so good it makes up for that. All recommended, just not on the same day!

Thank you for reading. It was a good day!

The pain in my right leg got worse as the day went on. I am tired from the pain. I will try to write the blog with some flair, but it is hard to find joy in writing tonight.

I started the Monday as usual at 6:15 but then luxuriated in bed until 8ish as I had no meetings or issues until later in the morning. Nevertheless, I managed to get a breakfast of a banana and a slice of Brioche cream cheese swirl from Whole Foods bakery. That was matched with Fair Exchange liberal coffee in a French Press.

I made my usual mistake of asking questions at the status meeting, which increased the meeting’s length, and I got no real answers. I try not to ask the questions, but I know I am not the only person wondering the same things. I just cannot sit on the benches and have to get on the game floor–in Nike speak.

I also had a few crises of the moment on the upgrade. However, we did find our way, and I updated the documentation to cover the issues and solutions.

I am also getting ready for the weekend H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. So far, I have not heard if my 500-word microfiction was accepted. Last time it was announced at the last minute. I wrote two stories and hope maybe one will be accepted. Last year I won; we will see how these rushed stories do.

I reheated the wonton soup leftovers for lunch. Then, I watched some videos on YouTube, as is my habit. I like to learn while I am eating.

Next, I drove to the hummingbird house by crossing over Cooper’s Mountain. The mist (or smoke) made the hills look dramatic. Folks were speeding, and that surprised me.

Susie was in her recliner when I got there. Susie’s chair’s motor has failed, so she has to sit, not recline. That should get fixed soon. Jennifer, the nurse aide for today, got Susie in her wheelchair.

Susie with some flowers I picked up yesterday (Sunday) grocery shopping.

The park was much more empty on Monday early afternoon. School is on, and folks are also at work. We managed to get the bench in the cedars, and my leg hurt, so it was about as far as I could go away. The skies were clear and blue. There was no sign of smoke, and the crows were shouting for reasons only they understood.

We called Susie’s mother, Leta, and Susie, and she chatted for a while. Folks waved and said hello. It was an enjoyable visit. But, it was a work day, so I soon had Susie back at the hummingbird house and said goodbye with a kiss.

I made an error returning and did drive through part of Beaverton, but I think I avoided any more issues. I saw some extra-legal driving with lane-changing safety being open to your definition of safe. To recall Douglas Adams, I am unaware of this new definition of safe driving.

“Ah,” said Arthur, “this is obviously some strange usage of the word safe that I wasn’t previously aware of.”

I arrived home with Air Volvo still having all its paint, and the brake pads were not smoking–a safe return. I followed along at work and had another crisis of the moment that was quickly resolved.

I started dinner at about 4:45 by frying a defrosted pork chop from the freezer. I made some couscous to go with it. I cooked in butter almond slices, cinnamon, ground white cardamom, some ground cloves, and raisins. I added the couscous to that and hot boiling water. I made too much and bagged it later, which is also a leftover. I had that with a nectarine.

After dinner, I collected the board game Concordia and the new solo add-on and headed to Central Taps. There I set up and played a game drinking a beer. The game took about ninety minutes to play. The solo play worked well, but I missed the game’s social aspect. Still, it was an excellent application of solo play.

The whole set-up is for one player.

The final board shows yellow just ahead of black. For those who know the game well, I nearly choked when the random card it took was the Weaver Card.

I drove AIr Volvo home and picked up a messy hot fudge sundae at McDonald’s.

Not a bad day. The pain in my leg started from just stiffness to me grabbing for the Advil after walking a short distance carrying Concordia at the end of the day.

Thanks for reading. I will see a doctor if my right leg does not improve soon.