A dry day

 I listed 15 things, got things ready for packing, cooked a beef curry for dinner, got into dry clothes after coming in from the rain first of all, etc. last night. 

I was up most of the night, but at least I found a radio station that played some fairly decent classical music so that was nice. 

I woke up around 3. It was dry! And will be for the next day or so anyway. I packed what I could of things that had to go out today, concentrating on bigger things. I left at 6, did the post office and FedEx, went into H Mart for a can of coffee, bought some paper at FedEx as well as dropping off a big package, etc. 

I was going to get my traditional Wednesday night fried chicken from the chicken place but they've changed their setup - they say they will take cash but it looks like the guy there (only one guy there) has so much to do it would be a long wait if using cash. You're supposed to use a kiosk and pay by card now. 

I actually kind of like ordering from a kiosk. I first encountered it in Japan in the 90s and think it's a neat system. There's no chance of errors you didn't make yourself, and the guy cooking your food doesn't have to handle money which is a lot more sanitary. But, not taking cash at all is the problem here. I was happily spending the $7 or $8 in coins I'd amass each week, and they were happy to get the change. Plus the prices are up a bit. 

I figured I'd see what they have at the fish place - they have a sign in their window saying they're card only now, no cash. So much for them. At the "Hawaiian" place, a mini-meal is something like $14. 

I went back around to H Mart, remembering their hot case of snacks they have now, with grilled fish and slices of pork and Korean blood sausage and such things. I got a thing of thinly sliced beef that was priced $8 which seemed fine after looking at the prices at the other places. It was just before 7, and after 7 you get 2 for 1. 

By the time I was at the checkout it was a bit after 7 and the lady said it's 2 for 1 and don't I want to get something else? I said I really didn't, just the one is all I need. So she charged me half price! So I forked over my 4 $1 bills and now I still have the big bag of change. I got some chopsticks from the plate lunch counter and ate out front. It was a lot of beef, like half a pound. (This by the way was a tastier version of the beef I grew up with in Hawaii especially in the public schools. They'd take low-grade beef, slice it thin and cook it with teriyaki sauce, and there was your "teri beef"). 

The thing is that on Wednesdays Ken comes over and I have to work even more than usual, so it's best to eat something "on the road" and not try to eat here. I have to clean the place up, pack things, etc then entertain Ken and I can't get anything done when Ken's around. 

After eating I went around my usual route, picking up packing stuff, then got back here and put things away. Today's freebees I guess is were a couple of neat little Honeywell portable heaters, one of which looking like it needs a good bath, a big package of Sky Flakes, and a weird high-end thermos. 

I got back and put things away, and packed the rest of the must-go's to take with me tomorrow and cleaned the place.