life in the old lane

Here we go again.

The first time was a shock. This time was expected. 
Either way is bad.

Even with my binoculars, the dolphins were hard to see. But it makes me happy to see them out there, not being chased by a dozen or so “swim with the dolphins” boats. The boats out there are anchored. 

The Twilight Zone

---

• • • There are fewer years ahead of me than behind me.
    • The years go by much quicker.
    • Multiprocessing is no longer possible. 
    • Everything takes longer

---

It is raining this evening in Kona. A general feeling of dismay settles in my universe. No matter what happens tomorrow there will be waves to catch, pigs to hunt, and coffee to drink here in Hawai’i.

I declared jet lag over this afternoon. No napping allowed.

Out on my morning walk I am surprised to see a cruise ship. It is the Viking Neptune. It’s a small ship with a capacity of 930 passengers.

Nobody surfing at Honls this morning. But, I did find the Sunday morning yoga group.

It wasn’t all palm trees and beaches. There was uglyness and evil.

These are giant snails. They are a major pest attacking all manner of vegetation. They are also part of the rat lungworm parasite life cycle that infects humans. Nothing good can be said for them. They were intentionally introduced in 1936.

This pest was also intentionally introduced. And like the African Snail, eradication appears to be impossible.

Went for a walk at the Old Airport with Billy, Monique, and Bella to watch the sunrise.

After my walk and socialization period, I returned to the grocery store. 

Let there be Linner.  I have limited cooking “stuff”. Pan-sear yellowfin tuna in butter. Plate the tuna. Toss the tomatoes in the pan with some “spicy” mayo. Let the stay for about 60 seconds. Then add the tomatoes to the plate. How hard is that? And it was excellent. The tomatoes were not great. So heating them and adding some hot mayo helps them along. 

 Last night there was The Coffee Parade. Kona *loves* parades.  

It’s only 5:30 and I am sleepy JET LAG. A walk would help but I have walked almost 5 miles today. First world problem.

Out early this morning. I had no coffee in the house. I made do with tea, a couple of no-doze tablets, and a granola bar. A trip to the grocery solved the coffee problem. I wasn’t operating on all cylinders at the grocery. So my food options are a bit limited at the moment.

After COFFEE, resting and reading I go out for another little stroll. Must see what has changed in 10 months. Not much. Things don’t change quickly in Kona.

Gratitude

---

Grateful the “new” antique Keurig machine works. And coffee is now available in the kitchen on demand.

---

I did find a new tenant next to the tattoo parlor on the retail floor of the building. The West Hawai’i GOP Campaign HQ.

Last winter I had a little project – “Be nice to the Jehovah’s Witnesses standing the sidewalk”. Maybe I’ll do it again this year.

I made it. To Kona. To my lodgings. To dinner.

There have been changes at my lodgings. There is A/C. There is a new bed. The coffee-making setup isn’t to my liking. But, there is a bit of “contempt prior to investigation” as far as the coffee goes. We’ll see. There is a rat trap. My yoga mat and fins are still here. I haven’t looked for my saute pan yet.

Some settling in is required. But it’s too late to think about anything except trying out the new Costco bed. 

Still love the street scene out of my hotel room. And did I mention, there is a burlesque theater across the street? Tonight is the opening night for their new show. It is sold out. No burlesque show for me this trip. 

It was either a visit to the Gates Foundation’s “bathroom exhibit” or a ferry ride.

I decided to take a Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge or Bremerton, depending on which one left first. The Bainbridge ferry left 5 minutes after I got to the dock and so I purchased a ticket to Bainbridge.

It’s raining pretty seriously. And, all of my rain gear is back at the Old Bat’s Cave.

Gratitude

---

Extremely grateful to the Inn at the Market for loaning me a fine big umbrella

---

When I returned to the hotel, I noticed that the tread on my shoes was about gone. Guess I can not 100% blame the leaves for the slippery footing.

It’s time to head back to the ferry.

I gave the $5 bill I had for the fare back to Seattle to a street musician. He was wearing a Kamala For Prez button. 

That would be poached eggs in a red wine sauce. Plus fries. And a glass of cheap red wine. With an excellent espresso for “dessert”. 

Now all that remains is to get ready to fly, get packed, get to the airport, fly to Kona, and get into my rented apartment. Tomorrow sounds busy enough. 

Think I’ll turn in early tonight and worry about tomorrow tomorrow. 

An Amtrak miracle. The Empire Builder arrived in Seattle early. Early as in 5 hours before check-in time at my hotel.

But, I know a Japanese store near the train station. So, what to do but “Go buy origami paper”.

The store sells more than origami paper. Anyone want some squid? I didn’t think so.

It’s a ½ hour walk to the hotel. And. I know that it is all uphill. So, I hop on a bus, and in 15 minutes I am at the hotel and they let me have my room. I usually get an OK room at this hotel. Today, I got a great room.

I have been watching people, boats, and seagulls in the bay window for the last hour. I feel a little guilty about not being outside “doing stuff”, but I am enjoying just watching. Besides, I have already done most of the Seattle stuff.

I have been to the Original Starbucks. It was so long ago that there was no line to get in. It was just like any other Starbucks. Except the mermaid in the logo still had tits. I walked by it today. Just to see if people still waited in line to get into the Original Starbucks. They do.

My favorite nearby dinner places are closed on Monday and Tuesday. I am too cozy and content to go out and discover a new place for dinner. So, a granola bar it will be.

A couple more from this afternoon’s walk.

 

Time to go find breakfast.

The train was actually a early into Minot ND so we had about an hour to wander around town if we so desired. I did. Don’t think many other people did.

Lots of time for a walk. It was about 40°.

Lots of shops. But it’s too early for any to be open.

I have two miles on miles on the watch and the train leaves in 20 minutes. Heading back to the station.

All aboard. Heading towards Montana through the “Naughty Lands” they are not bad enough to be “Bad Lands” which are directly south.

Posting this early today while there is cell service.

There is a lot of America that I know nothing about, but I see it outside my train window.

Gratitude

---

I am grateful that I know you nothing about working in a rusty smoking factory of some sort. And, I think that is part of the problem with America in 2024.

---

Had a lovely chilly sunny Sunday morning in Chicago.

Breakfast options: Have the microwaved brekkie that came with my train ticket. Nope. Eat a granola bar. Nope. Eat fast food brekkie? Nope. Eat something real. Yes. So I head out on breakfast quest. And, this place looks promising. The line is out the door. At 8:30 on Sunday morning.

Breakfast was outstanding. Coffee. Fried egg sandwich. With bacon and cheese. Some hash browns. And a donut hole for lagnaippe.

Returned to the train station, where they seemed to be filming a movie today, to recharge. Recharge self and electronics. Also grabbed a nice hot shower at the station. I sure didn’t need lunch.

Pretty sure we will be leaving on time at 3 PM for Seattle. 

 

Posting this before we get out of cell range.

I had a fine day in Chicago. I could live in Chicago, if it wasn’t for winter. And besides, my friends are back at the Asylum I don’t think they would move to Chicago.

How committed are we? Much hate and discontent about The Washington Post’s decision to not endorse a candidate for president. Many announced intentions to drop their subscription to The Post.

The real question is: How many will give up Amazon, Whole Foods, and Kindle? I didn’t think so. (Full disclosure. I could give up Amazon—even Alexa. Whole Foods isn’t all that important at this point in my life.  But, give up my Kindle? You will have to pry my Kindle out of my cold dead hands.) And thus we continue to support the Gazillionaire Boys Club.

I think the train will be sort of on time.

First World Problem, I hate doing the blog on my phone.

On the train now. It’s not very full. Yet. 

Old person. I am no longer willing to run down the escalator with my luggage to catch a metro. I would rather wait for the next metro than wait for an ambulance.  

Exactly 8 years ago, I made this very same trip. Oct 26, 2016.

These days, by the time I am ready to go, I am almost too tired to go. This time tomorrow, I should be on the Capital Limited, just pulling out of Union Station.

The weather in Chicago is supposed to be sunny, and the weather in Seattle is supposed to be drizzly. Spaceweather doesn’t look promising for the Northern Lights. 

Happy Hour followed by a birthday dinner tonight.