I am up bright and early and making preparations for the trip. I was able to leave by 7:30 and got some money out of the bank. I stopped in Boardman - I thought the post office would be open and I would send some cash to Nolan. It doesn't open until nine so I went on. The traffic moved better this week and I got to Salem around twelve o'clock and waited at the duck pond park until 12:55.

I drove to IMU and went through the screening and met with Michael at about 1:10. He seemed glad enough to see and he looked better with a shorter hair cut and his goatee shaped better. He seemed okay. He mumbled something about a neighbor who had my address and was going to write me about everything that was going on. Apparently he had written me a letter that may explain it all better.

I flat out asked him if anyone was going to meet him on August 1st and he said his mother, sister, and son plan on meeting him. I asked him if he wanted me to be there and he said oh yeah we could have lunch together. I have not really made my mind up on that subject.

I mentioned the credit card idea and he was receptive though I doubt if he really knows what the hell he is doing. I asked him if he expected a loan of ten thousand and he starts laughing and getting all red in the face.

I let him know that being 500 miles away made it pretty difficult to keep the friendship very lively. He said he was going to be there for a while until he got tired of it but I really dont see that happening. He talked about going on a fishing ship for a tour to make some fast money. We talked about phones and the best kind to get. He does not have much of an idea about that either. He talked about getting a stocking job at WalMart or Fred Meyer - he has a cousin working there. He also mentioned the fact that his mother was not well and he did not think she was going to be around long. He said that his mom said that they may not let him stay there with her. I am not sure why that would be. He said if they wouldn't she would leave and they would move into a tent.

The hour passed too quickly and we had just gotten started when it was over. It is really a long trip for such a short visit but it is going to have to do for now. I ate a couple pork chops and got home about twelve hours after I left.

The Memorable Positive Moment was walking in and seeing him again. He looked like he was looking for me.