A friend of mine said the above in relation to cell phones....lest we should be tempted to think that EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD EXCEPT FOR us has a fancy iPhone or is on a family plan. Can't tell you how many HOURS I have spent on the phone or in the store with Sprint problems...mostly trying to get back my access to the Navigator which I have had up until a few weeks ago. Today a miracle occurred...I noticed that if I access it from one place, I get in. If I access if from another place, I am asked to subscribe. So, I have discovered the "answer" to my problem if I can just REMEMBER it now. Someone is supposed to call me back on Monday because I threatened to LEAVE Sprint (I know they are vulnerable at the moment cause customers are leaving them) I won't mention any names, but I have had at least FOUR customer care persons. They leave me on hold for four minutes of so of silence. I have decided that Sprint customer care is AN ENDURANCE CONTEST. I have been driven almost to TEARS or to a HEART ATTACK by these unexplainable and unfixable problems.
Then, another miracle....when I went to playlist.com, it started playing my songs in order. This hasn't worked for MONTHS. Could I dare to hope it is PERMANENT?! But, of course, NOTHING is permanent. Even my friend who told me he would ALWAYS be living around here is threatening to leave. But, I digress. I can't tell you how HAPPY a little FREE playlist makes me. I have been avoiding the whole itunes thing cause I am DEATHLY AFRAID OF CHARGES.
Trying to think of THREE TOPICS every time I post. Because I have a certain rigid, list-making aspect of my personality which cannot be denied.
OK, the third topic for today is my clutter-related accident. I was baking last night for a fundraiser for my church. (I don't cook or clean unless under duress) I was leaning over the cluttered floor to put the peach cobbler in the oven and I lost my balance and grabbed ahold of the top of the stove. Unfortunately, this included the burner which had recently been turned off due to butter melting. OUCH! My fingers look OK today but I had to spend quite a bit of time with them under cold running water due to the pain. Plus, I am left-handed and was in the middle to trying to pay some bills.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
A robo call from Mitt
Suprised to get a call from a Republican. Usually, I don't. If you are looking for one more reason to NOT vote for Mitt, check out the editorial by Timothy Egan in today's (9/28/12) New York Times called "The geography of nope". It is about the Republican plan to remove public lands from the province of the public.
The squirrels are busy. Little tops of acorns lying all around. Then I saw what looked like red beads from a necklace on the ground. Hmmm, I thought, what were little girls doing in my yard? But they were BERRIES from a bush. I looked out the window and saw a squirrel eating SOMETHING off of that overgrown bush.
Last night heard 2 girls(?)YELLING and BANGING ON DOORS around 10 PM outside. This morning I saw I had new neighbors. Already I do not like them. I LOVE having empty apartments all around me, as I am basically a hermit, disguised as a social butterfly. And neighbors fill me with dread. Then I looked out the window and saw two shopping carts, leading me to the conclusion that my new neighbors are the type of people who STEAL. In my truly obsessive fashion, I maintain a database called "neighborhood". Therein, I record dates and incidents and addresses, etc., of obnoxious activity in my neighborhood. This activity could be barking dogs, loud parties, music or loud speakers, drug dealing, cursing, yelling and banging on doors late at night, or domestic violence shared with all. I am the rare homeowner in a neighborhood of rentals. Need I say more? Usually, I just WAIT them out, but I might have to provide documentation to the police or the landlord someday. We have an "equal opportunity" annoying neighbor policy around here. Young, white, black, Mexican....they all have gotten on my nerves. Not too many problems with middle-aged single people like myself, but then, who knows what THEY are thinking about me?
The squirrels are busy. Little tops of acorns lying all around. Then I saw what looked like red beads from a necklace on the ground. Hmmm, I thought, what were little girls doing in my yard? But they were BERRIES from a bush. I looked out the window and saw a squirrel eating SOMETHING off of that overgrown bush.
Last night heard 2 girls(?)YELLING and BANGING ON DOORS around 10 PM outside. This morning I saw I had new neighbors. Already I do not like them. I LOVE having empty apartments all around me, as I am basically a hermit, disguised as a social butterfly. And neighbors fill me with dread. Then I looked out the window and saw two shopping carts, leading me to the conclusion that my new neighbors are the type of people who STEAL. In my truly obsessive fashion, I maintain a database called "neighborhood". Therein, I record dates and incidents and addresses, etc., of obnoxious activity in my neighborhood. This activity could be barking dogs, loud parties, music or loud speakers, drug dealing, cursing, yelling and banging on doors late at night, or domestic violence shared with all. I am the rare homeowner in a neighborhood of rentals. Need I say more? Usually, I just WAIT them out, but I might have to provide documentation to the police or the landlord someday. We have an "equal opportunity" annoying neighbor policy around here. Young, white, black, Mexican....they all have gotten on my nerves. Not too many problems with middle-aged single people like myself, but then, who knows what THEY are thinking about me?
Thursday, September 27, 2012
What's wrong with white people?
Another, "Why didn't I think of that?!?!" moment. Heard interview on NPR of Joan Walsh, who wrote a book called What's wrong with white people : why we long for a golden age that never was. SUCH a clever title.
Feeling better now that I am out of the house and ON THE ROAD. Was doing an archeological dig at home this morning, still trying to get to the bottom of my "errands" pile. I threw away some things without examining them. This causes me GREAT anxiety. I also found a gift certificate for Borders books. I think they went out of business (sob). Also a gift certificate for Haars health food store in Vineland, NJ, dated 2001. I am not too proud to go in there and ask them if I can still use it!
Finished Caleb's crossing this AM. It made me cry. Yes, it was sad, but I wondered if should go back on my anti-depressants. The author, Geraldine Brooks, lives on Martha's Vineyard and Caleb was the first Native American to graduate from Harvard in the mid-1600's. The story is really more about the life of the narrator, a woman named Bethia. Life was rough back then, especially for Indians and women and I had no desire to experience it. My sister was reading the SAME book at the SAME time.
But she was doing it as an assignment from her book club. One of the members of her group has a house on Martha's Vineyard and took the girls over there for a weekend. They went out looking for places where Caleb might have hunted or fished. Now, THAT is what I call a book club!
Feeling better now that I am out of the house and ON THE ROAD. Was doing an archeological dig at home this morning, still trying to get to the bottom of my "errands" pile. I threw away some things without examining them. This causes me GREAT anxiety. I also found a gift certificate for Borders books. I think they went out of business (sob). Also a gift certificate for Haars health food store in Vineland, NJ, dated 2001. I am not too proud to go in there and ask them if I can still use it!
Finished Caleb's crossing this AM. It made me cry. Yes, it was sad, but I wondered if should go back on my anti-depressants. The author, Geraldine Brooks, lives on Martha's Vineyard and Caleb was the first Native American to graduate from Harvard in the mid-1600's. The story is really more about the life of the narrator, a woman named Bethia. Life was rough back then, especially for Indians and women and I had no desire to experience it. My sister was reading the SAME book at the SAME time.
But she was doing it as an assignment from her book club. One of the members of her group has a house on Martha's Vineyard and took the girls over there for a weekend. They went out looking for places where Caleb might have hunted or fished. Now, THAT is what I call a book club!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Captions, oh my captions!
So excited to have discovered how to make a caption for my posts. Reminds me of way back when, when it was cool to be reading The Village Voice. It must have been about 40 years ago, cause most of my memorable adventures were about 40 years ago. The person who organized the letters to the editor would give each letter a headline. When someone wrote a letter about how good the HEADLINES were, the headline read, "Captions, oh my captions!"
Am hanging around the historical society to use the wireless (of course, my main addiction). Also trying to get into this whole historical area and find some way I can be useful. Do I want to index a publication or input cataloguing info? Cataloguing is right up my alley, but I would have to LEARN SOMETHING NEW (Pastperfect software). Sometimes I think I don't want to learn anything new, but that really isn't true. I was overhearing a Power Point class last night and thinking I should really TAKE that class again. Even though I took it once and did nothing with it.
It WAS kinda fun and interesting to read an old newspaper, The Bridgeton chronicle, from December 20, 1862. First of all, it was (and is) HUGE. Pages about twice the size of todays and really tiny print. Each page is composed of 8 columns, about two inches wide. How the heck could people even deal with reading it? Most of us have to resort to a magnifying glass to cope. And I am a lover of newspapers who is quite sad about their pending demise.
Am hanging around the historical society to use the wireless (of course, my main addiction). Also trying to get into this whole historical area and find some way I can be useful. Do I want to index a publication or input cataloguing info? Cataloguing is right up my alley, but I would have to LEARN SOMETHING NEW (Pastperfect software). Sometimes I think I don't want to learn anything new, but that really isn't true. I was overhearing a Power Point class last night and thinking I should really TAKE that class again. Even though I took it once and did nothing with it.
It WAS kinda fun and interesting to read an old newspaper, The Bridgeton chronicle, from December 20, 1862. First of all, it was (and is) HUGE. Pages about twice the size of todays and really tiny print. Each page is composed of 8 columns, about two inches wide. How the heck could people even deal with reading it? Most of us have to resort to a magnifying glass to cope. And I am a lover of newspapers who is quite sad about their pending demise.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
OMG...I finally found the title box!
A hellish day with Sprint. What I learned....Don't rock the boat. It took me HOURS to UNDO the mess I got into trying to save money with Sprint last week. Supposedly, I will be eligible for an UPGRADE on October 1st. Right now, I am so traumatized by my customer support experiences that I can't bear to think about changing anything with my phone. Is there any time period longer than a two year contract with a cell phone company?
I had to come back to the library just cause I forgot to get my printouts. Hope I don't forget them again!
Trying to spend some time each day organizing STUFF at home. My organizing teacher says start with 19 minutes. (I need to spend an hour to accomplish 19 minutes worth of work). So my new goal is to spend 19 minutes a day on the main project (bedroom closet was assigned in my class), 19 minutes on something else, and gather up one bag of trash per day. Today going through my "errands" pile. Got about halfway down and am finding stuff I put in the pile which expired in 2007. Of course, I have to examine every single piece of paper (not recommended) before deciding where it goes.
I had to come back to the library just cause I forgot to get my printouts. Hope I don't forget them again!
Trying to spend some time each day organizing STUFF at home. My organizing teacher says start with 19 minutes. (I need to spend an hour to accomplish 19 minutes worth of work). So my new goal is to spend 19 minutes a day on the main project (bedroom closet was assigned in my class), 19 minutes on something else, and gather up one bag of trash per day. Today going through my "errands" pile. Got about halfway down and am finding stuff I put in the pile which expired in 2007. Of course, I have to examine every single piece of paper (not recommended) before deciding where it goes.
Why didn't I think of that? A guy, Jonathan Evison, wrote a book called The revised fundamentals of caregiving. It is fiction, but I had a LOT of material on THAT subject, having spent many years accompanying my mother through all the stages of one of those "life care facilities", The Quadrangle, in Haverford, PA.
Another frustrating Sprint interaction ruined my morning. It is the PIN number and the security question. Somehow I ended up with a totally nonsensical combination of security question and answer. I can't seem to get rid of it. I will just have to resign myself to the situation where the security question is "What is the name of your first pet?" and the answer has NOTHING TO DO with the question. I would never choose that question because there could be several forms of the name. They assigned me the question and the original answer they assigned me was "delicate". Huh? I just have such an overwhelming need for life to make sense, it causes me high anxiety.
Another frustrating Sprint interaction ruined my morning. It is the PIN number and the security question. Somehow I ended up with a totally nonsensical combination of security question and answer. I can't seem to get rid of it. I will just have to resign myself to the situation where the security question is "What is the name of your first pet?" and the answer has NOTHING TO DO with the question. I would never choose that question because there could be several forms of the name. They assigned me the question and the original answer they assigned me was "delicate". Huh? I just have such an overwhelming need for life to make sense, it causes me high anxiety.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Ok, now I am in library heaven. Got the laptop set up with a view overlooking the Intercoastal waterway in Sea Isle City. Sharpened my pencil, got help getting online and am settled in for a few hours of "desk work". Now I only wish I had a fly swatter and that I had bought fudge. Somehow just arriving in a seaside resort town gives me an overwhelming desire to BUY FUDGE.
So far today I have done a few things around the house, participated in a yoga class, gone out to lunch, driven down to Sea Isle City, and sunbathed on the boardwalk. It is pretty cool to be able to do such stuff on a MONDAY as I am recently retired.
Went to a "new" lunch place, Sal's pizza, on Buckshutem Road in Bridgeton, which was very much like the "old" place, RJ's dog House (or something like that). I did have a spectacular "special" and am happy to go back. My toasty sandwich included chicken, swiss cheese, spinach, roasted red peppers and chunks of garlic. YUM!
So far today I have done a few things around the house, participated in a yoga class, gone out to lunch, driven down to Sea Isle City, and sunbathed on the boardwalk. It is pretty cool to be able to do such stuff on a MONDAY as I am recently retired.
Went to a "new" lunch place, Sal's pizza, on Buckshutem Road in Bridgeton, which was very much like the "old" place, RJ's dog House (or something like that). I did have a spectacular "special" and am happy to go back. My toasty sandwich included chicken, swiss cheese, spinach, roasted red peppers and chunks of garlic. YUM!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
What is a blog? An online diary that serves as a welcome diversion from working, meeting people or having sex. Ever.
This is on a magnet I purchased at a GREAT bookstore in Lewes, Delaware. I go there once a year with some friends and I was delighted to see that Biblion was still in business. Truthfully, I don't BUY many books, as I am FRUGAL and a librarian and a retired person. Librarians are specialists in getting stuff for FREE. This is a USED book store, but with oodles of other cool stuff like bookmarks, magnets, greeting cards, etc. Also, the owner leaves little notes around the store calling your attention to things and she makes cool arrangements of items. I got a couple of good quotes there (another one of my addictions).
Wow, it is really hard to blog and listen to the Eagles football game at the same time.
I am listening to the local radio station on the computer. Also I am a bit chilly. I am sitting at a picnic table in front of the Bridgeton Public Library and drinking a Diet Coke and the day is waning. I refuse to admit that I am COLD. After all, I am the person who never put a coat on all last winter. Oh dear, now it is starting to get BUGGY.
Sunday is such a drag of a day. Nothing is open. OK, that is a bit of an exageration.
But, I needed a library and an electronics store. That is why I am sitting OUTSIDE a library in order to get wireless access.
This is on a magnet I purchased at a GREAT bookstore in Lewes, Delaware. I go there once a year with some friends and I was delighted to see that Biblion was still in business. Truthfully, I don't BUY many books, as I am FRUGAL and a librarian and a retired person. Librarians are specialists in getting stuff for FREE. This is a USED book store, but with oodles of other cool stuff like bookmarks, magnets, greeting cards, etc. Also, the owner leaves little notes around the store calling your attention to things and she makes cool arrangements of items. I got a couple of good quotes there (another one of my addictions).
Wow, it is really hard to blog and listen to the Eagles football game at the same time.
I am listening to the local radio station on the computer. Also I am a bit chilly. I am sitting at a picnic table in front of the Bridgeton Public Library and drinking a Diet Coke and the day is waning. I refuse to admit that I am COLD. After all, I am the person who never put a coat on all last winter. Oh dear, now it is starting to get BUGGY.
Sunday is such a drag of a day. Nothing is open. OK, that is a bit of an exageration.
But, I needed a library and an electronics store. That is why I am sitting OUTSIDE a library in order to get wireless access.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Communication breakdown, or, One if by land, two if by sea. It seems with all of our communication options, one must still be wary of everyone's personal limitations...
- my answering machine at home is full and I don't know how to deal with it remotely
- a friend has limited minutes so won't call or text, he just emails
- a friend has no room in her cell phone message box, then she had security issues while trying to access AOL and on a cruise entered a foreign country where she REALLY had trouble accessing it.
- my sister lost her cell phone around three weeks ago. There is a strange man on her answering machine at home and she does not seem to get the messages I leave her. Her boyfriend has to wait for the iPhone 5 to come so he can give her HIS phone
- Another friend has THAT SAME STRANGE MAN on her answering machine and she NEVER answers the phone. She always has to call you back.
My favorite activity is inactivity. I was just thinking this as I was laying on the beach around 26th street in Ocean City. I was taking a little "vitamin D" bath and imagining Grace Kelly frolicking on that beach (I was right near her house). I took a picture of her house.
Life always seems to "come around". I visited Grace Kelly once in the royal palace in Monaco. I was traveling with some friends during a junior year abroad experience in Paris. My girlfriend had a thing for Princess Grace and had written to ask for an audience. She granted it. She had a cold that day but was gracious with us and talked about her volunteer activities. We also talked about our Phildelphia/Jersey shore connections. I remember looking out the window and seeing the royal children coming home from school. Then, her youngest sister, Liz, ended up living at The Quadrangle, in Haverford, Pa, where my mother was incarcerated (I mean lived) for 15 years.
- my answering machine at home is full and I don't know how to deal with it remotely
- a friend has limited minutes so won't call or text, he just emails
- a friend has no room in her cell phone message box, then she had security issues while trying to access AOL and on a cruise entered a foreign country where she REALLY had trouble accessing it.
- my sister lost her cell phone around three weeks ago. There is a strange man on her answering machine at home and she does not seem to get the messages I leave her. Her boyfriend has to wait for the iPhone 5 to come so he can give her HIS phone
- Another friend has THAT SAME STRANGE MAN on her answering machine and she NEVER answers the phone. She always has to call you back.
My favorite activity is inactivity. I was just thinking this as I was laying on the beach around 26th street in Ocean City. I was taking a little "vitamin D" bath and imagining Grace Kelly frolicking on that beach (I was right near her house). I took a picture of her house.
Life always seems to "come around". I visited Grace Kelly once in the royal palace in Monaco. I was traveling with some friends during a junior year abroad experience in Paris. My girlfriend had a thing for Princess Grace and had written to ask for an audience. She granted it. She had a cold that day but was gracious with us and talked about her volunteer activities. We also talked about our Phildelphia/Jersey shore connections. I remember looking out the window and seeing the royal children coming home from school. Then, her youngest sister, Liz, ended up living at The Quadrangle, in Haverford, Pa, where my mother was incarcerated (I mean lived) for 15 years.
What I love about Ocean City...
- the alleys in between the streets
- the library/pool/arts center/Yianni's cafe and museum
- no alcohol so less chance of someone PEEING on your lawn
- the 2 1/2 mile boardwalk
- the "free" beach way down at the end
This is the first "vacation" I have been on since BEFORE I announced my retirement in January 2012. Some people would say my whole LIFE is a vacation since I am retired.
A vacation from the vacation?
Just finished a book by Joan Rivers, called I hate everyone...starting with me. Some of it was laugh-out-loud funny and much was over-the-top insulting, outrageous and politically incorrect.
It is hard to write while watching morning shows on TV. I am very limited in the multi-tasking deparment.
- the alleys in between the streets
- the library/pool/arts center/Yianni's cafe and museum
- no alcohol so less chance of someone PEEING on your lawn
- the 2 1/2 mile boardwalk
- the "free" beach way down at the end
This is the first "vacation" I have been on since BEFORE I announced my retirement in January 2012. Some people would say my whole LIFE is a vacation since I am retired.
A vacation from the vacation?
Just finished a book by Joan Rivers, called I hate everyone...starting with me. Some of it was laugh-out-loud funny and much was over-the-top insulting, outrageous and politically incorrect.
It is hard to write while watching morning shows on TV. I am very limited in the multi-tasking deparment.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes pictures of their food", a woman said as I snapped a picture of the cheese plate unexpectedly received at "The red store" tonight. She came over and showed me the picture she had taken this morning of a "bacon doughnut". She was dinnering in Cape May Point, New Jersey, but had breakfasted in Nyack, New York.
This was only one of the surprises of the night. "The red store" is a building, it is red and it is a store, but it does not say "The red store" anywhere on it. It is also impossible to find.
My friend and I were a bit taken aback with the menu which was fraught with strange ingredients (or are we just country bumpkins?!?!?) Also, we weren't sure if we were UP to a four course dinner of "tastings" for $50. So we ordered an entree each. Of course, this was very difficult for her as she is "gluten free" and VERY picky.
So, this cheese plate arrives. We looked at each other in consternation. I hope they didn't think we ordered the whole shebang? But then there was the issue that I KNEW the manager. Perhaps we are being treated VERY WELL in spite of being cheapskates?
So we commence to nibble at the variety of cheeses, grapes, honey, quince jelly, nuts, burnt dried olives, toasted bread, and strawberries cut into creative shapes. Then MORE stuff comes...a squash fritter for me and for her, a special creation of roasted figs with a sauce including pickled onions. It sounds horrible but was surprisingly delicious. After our entrees of stew for her and lobster for me, we received surprise desserts. The bill was quite reasonable. It really pays to KNOW someone, and a special someone he is.
The other highlight of my day was taking a bike ride up and down the Ocean City boardwalk. It is 2 1/2 miles and it was a superbly gorgeous day with miles of fantastical clouds in every direction. I am a bad exerciser and was very uncomfortable on this bike which came with my cottage. Here is what was hurting me....my butt, my hands, my knees and my ankles. But I felt quite the sense of accomplishment for having done it and now I can cross THAT off my list. My friend was garnering quite a bit of attention as she rides a RECUMBENT bike which is a bit unusual.
This was only one of the surprises of the night. "The red store" is a building, it is red and it is a store, but it does not say "The red store" anywhere on it. It is also impossible to find.
My friend and I were a bit taken aback with the menu which was fraught with strange ingredients (or are we just country bumpkins?!?!?) Also, we weren't sure if we were UP to a four course dinner of "tastings" for $50. So we ordered an entree each. Of course, this was very difficult for her as she is "gluten free" and VERY picky.
So, this cheese plate arrives. We looked at each other in consternation. I hope they didn't think we ordered the whole shebang? But then there was the issue that I KNEW the manager. Perhaps we are being treated VERY WELL in spite of being cheapskates?
So we commence to nibble at the variety of cheeses, grapes, honey, quince jelly, nuts, burnt dried olives, toasted bread, and strawberries cut into creative shapes. Then MORE stuff comes...a squash fritter for me and for her, a special creation of roasted figs with a sauce including pickled onions. It sounds horrible but was surprisingly delicious. After our entrees of stew for her and lobster for me, we received surprise desserts. The bill was quite reasonable. It really pays to KNOW someone, and a special someone he is.
The other highlight of my day was taking a bike ride up and down the Ocean City boardwalk. It is 2 1/2 miles and it was a superbly gorgeous day with miles of fantastical clouds in every direction. I am a bad exerciser and was very uncomfortable on this bike which came with my cottage. Here is what was hurting me....my butt, my hands, my knees and my ankles. But I felt quite the sense of accomplishment for having done it and now I can cross THAT off my list. My friend was garnering quite a bit of attention as she rides a RECUMBENT bike which is a bit unusual.
So many places to rent!...(so little time). Just took a walk down the alley behind the dwellings on West Avenue in Ocean City. I have to alternate some ACTIVITY with the SLOTH. I AM the mistress of sedentary activites, after all. I met a guy riding a bike. He had a cigarette stuck in his mouth. One hand was holding the bike handle and one hand a leash with a rather large furry dog who ran beside him and right into me. "He's just checking you out", he said.
People I would like to meet, or, Why I no longer like 60 minutes.
In a class, we were supposed to think of someone we admire or would like to meet and picture them coming over to our house. I couldn't think of anyone, so I stole Johnny Depp from another student. Now that I am pondering this issue, here are a few people that fit the bill:
- Michelle Obama
- Queen Latifah
- Terry Gross
- Serena Williams
- Johnny Depp
- Meryl Streep
- Judi Dench
- Anderson Cooper
I used to love 60 minutes. Then I got a bit tired of all the repeats during the summer. So, I tuned in last week and saw that it was pesky football season and that the show was delayed. It seemed annoyingly repetitious and showed two segments of people I really never want to meet....NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus and The Spymaster, Meir Dagan. It also seemed suspiciously repetitious...maybe due to football season? (I am still going on the OLD TV schedule where Summer was for repeats and Fall was for new shows. I think the schedule is different now).
Yesterday I went for a walk to the local library SO I COULD SHARPEN MY PENCIL. I am on vacation and doing my Sudoku and my crossword puzzles. Saw a about 20 people bicycling and perhaps 3 walking. I stopped and asked this bus driver if she could give me a ride back home. There I was, needing a ride. There she was, with an empty bus. But, NO, she said, "You have to have an appointment". I know it is the same in my town, but think about it.
In a class, we were supposed to think of someone we admire or would like to meet and picture them coming over to our house. I couldn't think of anyone, so I stole Johnny Depp from another student. Now that I am pondering this issue, here are a few people that fit the bill:
- Michelle Obama
- Queen Latifah
- Terry Gross
- Serena Williams
- Johnny Depp
- Meryl Streep
- Judi Dench
- Anderson Cooper
I used to love 60 minutes. Then I got a bit tired of all the repeats during the summer. So, I tuned in last week and saw that it was pesky football season and that the show was delayed. It seemed annoyingly repetitious and showed two segments of people I really never want to meet....NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus and The Spymaster, Meir Dagan. It also seemed suspiciously repetitious...maybe due to football season? (I am still going on the OLD TV schedule where Summer was for repeats and Fall was for new shows. I think the schedule is different now).
Yesterday I went for a walk to the local library SO I COULD SHARPEN MY PENCIL. I am on vacation and doing my Sudoku and my crossword puzzles. Saw a about 20 people bicycling and perhaps 3 walking. I stopped and asked this bus driver if she could give me a ride back home. There I was, needing a ride. There she was, with an empty bus. But, NO, she said, "You have to have an appointment". I know it is the same in my town, but think about it.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
You have to strike while the iron is hot! In other words, write your blog when your mind is racing, not when it is blank. Watching/listening to music videos on the TV as I write this. I think the songs are edited but they left in the phrase "douche bag". Can you imagine someone putting that in a song?!
Waiting for the sun to come out. I am down in Ocean City (New Jersey) and woke up to COLD weather and cloudy. I never want to admit that I am cold. I am the one who made it through all of last winter without ever wearing a coat.
Changed the look of this blog. No, it wasn't a lot of work. I just pressed a button, and I don't know which one.
Just came back to my little cottage from another dismal breakfast experience. Maybe I can't really leave home? Always with the expectations and then the disappointments. Yesterday did find ONE place I liked, though. Jon and Patty's on Asbury Avenue. I liked everything about it, the paint on the walls, the paintings, the friendly servers, the vegetable-friendly menu, the free copies of The press, the other customers. It might be back to McDonald's for me tomorrow. At least I know what I am getting. It is enough to make a person learn to cook!
Don't know how I feel about Ocean City. I guess ANY place loses it's allure in the bad weather (for me, that is). Feel like I am constantly driving up and down looking for things. Some businesses are closed, and I am never sure if it is for the whole season. You can't go out to eat and spend less than ten dollars (even breakfast). The closer to the beach you go, the stingier they are with the parking minutes and this policy of QUARTERS ONLY is really aggravating. Other places in town you can use nickles and dimes and you get more time. Oh, it is just SO much easier to just stay home.
Don't abandon your baby! - Do we really need an advertisement for this? It went by on the side of a bus.
Waiting for the sun to come out. I am down in Ocean City (New Jersey) and woke up to COLD weather and cloudy. I never want to admit that I am cold. I am the one who made it through all of last winter without ever wearing a coat.
Changed the look of this blog. No, it wasn't a lot of work. I just pressed a button, and I don't know which one.
Just came back to my little cottage from another dismal breakfast experience. Maybe I can't really leave home? Always with the expectations and then the disappointments. Yesterday did find ONE place I liked, though. Jon and Patty's on Asbury Avenue. I liked everything about it, the paint on the walls, the paintings, the friendly servers, the vegetable-friendly menu, the free copies of The press, the other customers. It might be back to McDonald's for me tomorrow. At least I know what I am getting. It is enough to make a person learn to cook!
Don't know how I feel about Ocean City. I guess ANY place loses it's allure in the bad weather (for me, that is). Feel like I am constantly driving up and down looking for things. Some businesses are closed, and I am never sure if it is for the whole season. You can't go out to eat and spend less than ten dollars (even breakfast). The closer to the beach you go, the stingier they are with the parking minutes and this policy of QUARTERS ONLY is really aggravating. Other places in town you can use nickles and dimes and you get more time. Oh, it is just SO much easier to just stay home.
Don't abandon your baby! - Do we really need an advertisement for this? It went by on the side of a bus.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Things I love:
- Spring
- Fall
- Listening to MY music
Things I hate:
- People who go out of business and leave a sign up saying - SALE! - STOP IN!
- Summer
- Winter
- Change
I used to fall in love about once every ten years. I think I am WAY overdue, by about 12 years!
Next week, I am renting a place at the beach. It has been on my list of things to do for about 40 years. So many places....so little time! I always think: "But I could just DRIVE down here. It is only an hour away." With the current price of gas, it might cost as much to DRIVE down every day as it does to RENT a place. And I am ONE hour from SO MANY interesting shore towns. I plan to think about my HISTORY in Ocean City. I had a very interesting life here about almost 40 years ago. Just toured a house rented by a friend of mine. He has a history here going back almost 80 years ago. And he even brought a picture of himself and his parents and his dog in Ocean City when he was five years old. Boy, does he have ME beat! I will have to keep an eye out as I keep hearing about more and more people who have connections to this town.
- Spring
- Fall
- Listening to MY music
Things I hate:
- People who go out of business and leave a sign up saying - SALE! - STOP IN!
- Summer
- Winter
- Change
I used to fall in love about once every ten years. I think I am WAY overdue, by about 12 years!
Next week, I am renting a place at the beach. It has been on my list of things to do for about 40 years. So many places....so little time! I always think: "But I could just DRIVE down here. It is only an hour away." With the current price of gas, it might cost as much to DRIVE down every day as it does to RENT a place. And I am ONE hour from SO MANY interesting shore towns. I plan to think about my HISTORY in Ocean City. I had a very interesting life here about almost 40 years ago. Just toured a house rented by a friend of mine. He has a history here going back almost 80 years ago. And he even brought a picture of himself and his parents and his dog in Ocean City when he was five years old. Boy, does he have ME beat! I will have to keep an eye out as I keep hearing about more and more people who have connections to this town.
"Your bike has fallen over and your eggs are all over the ground." - announcement that just came over the loud speaker at the Ocean City Public Library. In general, I am AGAINST loud speakers in libraries. For example, it is very annoying when you are in the middle of yoga class and an announcement is made for some employee to come to the front deak. Today's announcement made me smile, but really, does it matter how soon you deal with your eggs being all over the ground?
Friday, September 14, 2012
Strange but true:
- The Fringe festival has a fringe
Don't like this "voter ID law". Yes, it is a REAL PAIN for some people to get a photo ID. That is why I never applied for a handicapped parking sticker to drive my mom around in Pennsylvania. I needed a photo ID for HER. I also remember four years ago when we made sure we took her to vote for Obama. We wouldn't have been able to do that if the photo ID was required. The crazy thing about it all is that NO ONE IN AMERICA CARES about voting! What do we get, about 10% of the people to come out? And now we are making it more difficult?!?! I was brought up to vote, so I do it, but it is very lonely out there.
Worrisome anti-American craziness abroad. Yes, many Americans DO make some despicable films. But, get over it already. I'm sure someone must have made something really insulting to QUAKERS, or LIBRARIANS, but you don't see me out there rioting. Boy, those people have no sense of humor. Could this be the start of the end of the world? Maybe....
Guess I should get off of Playlist. I really am not much of a multitasker. It is hard to concentrate on writing when the music in your earphones is chanting, "Niggas they want war, but they ain't got money...". I do enjoy songs such as "I'm so paid" by Akon. I also have a thing for L'il Wayne. Yeah, it's embarrasing, but there you have it. In fact, I am SO into MY music that I am thinking about getting Sirius XM in the car again. I got a year's free trial when I bought my FIRST American car (a Chevy Malibu) and I LOVED it. But I cancelled it due to frugality reasons.
Things I love about Sirius XM:
- Decades channels
- Springsteen channel
- left wing channel
- audiobook channel
- comedy channels
- Broadway channel
- with the press of a button you can find out the name of the song and the name of the singer
- The Fringe festival has a fringe
Don't like this "voter ID law". Yes, it is a REAL PAIN for some people to get a photo ID. That is why I never applied for a handicapped parking sticker to drive my mom around in Pennsylvania. I needed a photo ID for HER. I also remember four years ago when we made sure we took her to vote for Obama. We wouldn't have been able to do that if the photo ID was required. The crazy thing about it all is that NO ONE IN AMERICA CARES about voting! What do we get, about 10% of the people to come out? And now we are making it more difficult?!?! I was brought up to vote, so I do it, but it is very lonely out there.
Worrisome anti-American craziness abroad. Yes, many Americans DO make some despicable films. But, get over it already. I'm sure someone must have made something really insulting to QUAKERS, or LIBRARIANS, but you don't see me out there rioting. Boy, those people have no sense of humor. Could this be the start of the end of the world? Maybe....
Guess I should get off of Playlist. I really am not much of a multitasker. It is hard to concentrate on writing when the music in your earphones is chanting, "Niggas they want war, but they ain't got money...". I do enjoy songs such as "I'm so paid" by Akon. I also have a thing for L'il Wayne. Yeah, it's embarrasing, but there you have it. In fact, I am SO into MY music that I am thinking about getting Sirius XM in the car again. I got a year's free trial when I bought my FIRST American car (a Chevy Malibu) and I LOVED it. But I cancelled it due to frugality reasons.
Things I love about Sirius XM:
- Decades channels
- Springsteen channel
- left wing channel
- audiobook channel
- comedy channels
- Broadway channel
- with the press of a button you can find out the name of the song and the name of the singer
Thursday, September 13, 2012
"No one's had a female, sniper, serial killer..." - overheard in Greek restaurant. A customer was telling his friend about the book series he is writing when he isn't selling veterinarian supplies. I guess we all have a secret life.
I had a coworker with a secret life. On the surface she is a serene, stand-offish, long haired beauty with a great figure, living in a small town. Secretly, she writes historical, fantastical bodice-rippers, and has several pen names, blogs, genres and series in the works. What a very busy little creature she is. She dresses up in wild outfits and goes to odd conventions. I think she should be the SUBJECT of a novel, not the AUTHOR of the novel.
Today I got an urge to visit the Olympia, a restaurant I used to visit on a weekly basis. The same odd guy was sitting there along, reading a dog-eared paperback copy of an old science fiction book. I wonder what HE was thinking about ME?!?!?
I am taking an organizing class. The instructor was helping someone get organized who is a scrapbooker. "I can't believe there is a stamp made just so you can make a period!" she told us.
Things I love:
- cold coffee
- warm Diet Coke
- being in my own little world
- a beautiful day
Things I hate:
- people who cough and hack out in public
- Running out of time on the computer
- when it is a beautiful day and I forgot to bring my bathing suit
- shopping
I would like to be invisible. That is why I have a secret blog. I guess I don't really GET this blogging thing. I suppose the whole purpose to to get FAMOUS or to SELL something.
I was going to make a book display once in the library made up of books which started out as blogs. However, they don't really have any good subject headings for that. That is an example of a book display which requires A LOT OF WORK.
I had a coworker with a secret life. On the surface she is a serene, stand-offish, long haired beauty with a great figure, living in a small town. Secretly, she writes historical, fantastical bodice-rippers, and has several pen names, blogs, genres and series in the works. What a very busy little creature she is. She dresses up in wild outfits and goes to odd conventions. I think she should be the SUBJECT of a novel, not the AUTHOR of the novel.
Today I got an urge to visit the Olympia, a restaurant I used to visit on a weekly basis. The same odd guy was sitting there along, reading a dog-eared paperback copy of an old science fiction book. I wonder what HE was thinking about ME?!?!?
I am taking an organizing class. The instructor was helping someone get organized who is a scrapbooker. "I can't believe there is a stamp made just so you can make a period!" she told us.
Things I love:
- cold coffee
- warm Diet Coke
- being in my own little world
- a beautiful day
Things I hate:
- people who cough and hack out in public
- Running out of time on the computer
- when it is a beautiful day and I forgot to bring my bathing suit
- shopping
I would like to be invisible. That is why I have a secret blog. I guess I don't really GET this blogging thing. I suppose the whole purpose to to get FAMOUS or to SELL something.
I was going to make a book display once in the library made up of books which started out as blogs. However, they don't really have any good subject headings for that. That is an example of a book display which requires A LOT OF WORK.
I think I died and went to heaven. Stopped into NEW shop downtown. (We only get a new shop about once every five years). It is called Little Mama's cafe and is at the same location where I have previously experienced an art gallery, an ice cream store and a restaurant (God, I'm old!) The address is 20 W. Commerce St. and the official opening celebration is this afternoon at 2 PM.
Pros:
- Free wireless access
- coffee
- sweets
- adorable friendly local family wait staff
- it's not McDonald's
- Morning show playing on TV at a reasonable level
- Cool plastic see thru bag for your cupcake take out
- Jamaican me crazy coffee (they actually tell you what kind they have today)
- re-opening of a business which has been shuttered for several years
Cons:
- table wobbly
- prices a bit high for every day
- TV COULD be a con if they insist on playing FOX news or some other disgusting channel
- No plug in view for my laptop
I set out with a half a day of errands on my list and I only got two blocks from home before I had to settle down with the laptop. Did I mention how nice it is to be retired?
Enjoying Chasing life, by Sanjay Gupta. Somewhere I acquired this audiobook which is not even from the library. It got a bit SMUSHED but works fine. It is a struggle to pay attention as the facts are rushing by, fast and furious. Things like, one in 10 people AGE 65 exhibit signs of Alzheimers. Copper is bad for you (I didn't even know copper was in foods). Studies have been done on the MEMORY of FRUIT FLIES! (How do they interview them?)
Finally got on the wireless here. It is different wherever you go. I was the FIRTS ONE to try it. Reminds me of my recent working days when patrons would come in with their laptops and my eyes would just glaze over and I would think, "You're on your own...I don't know NUTTIN' about wireless!"
If I hang out here long enough, it will be time for my mid-morning snack. Now, which cupcake should I have, French toast delight, Cinnamon delight or Stawberry supreme?
Speaking of strawberries, they have a PINK TV and a sign that says, Pink isn't just a color, it's an attitude.
Pros:
- Free wireless access
- coffee
- sweets
- adorable friendly local family wait staff
- it's not McDonald's
- Morning show playing on TV at a reasonable level
- Cool plastic see thru bag for your cupcake take out
- Jamaican me crazy coffee (they actually tell you what kind they have today)
- re-opening of a business which has been shuttered for several years
Cons:
- table wobbly
- prices a bit high for every day
- TV COULD be a con if they insist on playing FOX news or some other disgusting channel
- No plug in view for my laptop
I set out with a half a day of errands on my list and I only got two blocks from home before I had to settle down with the laptop. Did I mention how nice it is to be retired?
Enjoying Chasing life, by Sanjay Gupta. Somewhere I acquired this audiobook which is not even from the library. It got a bit SMUSHED but works fine. It is a struggle to pay attention as the facts are rushing by, fast and furious. Things like, one in 10 people AGE 65 exhibit signs of Alzheimers. Copper is bad for you (I didn't even know copper was in foods). Studies have been done on the MEMORY of FRUIT FLIES! (How do they interview them?)
Finally got on the wireless here. It is different wherever you go. I was the FIRTS ONE to try it. Reminds me of my recent working days when patrons would come in with their laptops and my eyes would just glaze over and I would think, "You're on your own...I don't know NUTTIN' about wireless!"
If I hang out here long enough, it will be time for my mid-morning snack. Now, which cupcake should I have, French toast delight, Cinnamon delight or Stawberry supreme?
Speaking of strawberries, they have a PINK TV and a sign that says, Pink isn't just a color, it's an attitude.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Hanging around a historical society doing personal and volunteer stuff. Didn't get much done. Trying to make it a weekly occasion. I've been up for hours. Nice to have a leisurely morning at home. Usually I have to RUSH out and get to library before the annoying people take up all the good spots.
In my retirement I was looking forward to getting up every day around 8 or 9 AM. But now I seem to be waking up at 3 or 5 AM. "Leaping" out of bed might be a bit of an exaggeration but I do seem to have a lot to do.
Sunday took a friend out to the Millville arts, music and antiques fair. It was very pleasant due to great weather. Good for "meet and greet". Good food from local vegan restaurant. I was drawn to the advertizement of 60 musical performers, but then I decided that there was TOO MUCH music and some of it was TOO LOUD and not so good. There was a thrill in the air about the soft opening of the Levoy Theater. It is a really LONG story including a complete collapse in the middle of the renovating. The event later on that night included silent films, actual orchestra, antique cars and people in period dress. I didn't actually go to it but it looked really cool in the newspaper photos.
Things I love:
playlist.com (I LOVE listening to MY music)
Car talk (show on NPR)
Greenwich for lack of traffic and plethora of birds
Things I hate:
playlist.com (it is very tempermental)
businesses that fail and leave sign that says "SALE - COME IN"
women losing their middle names when they get married
It seems that the word is divided - 50%?
Republicans versus Democrats
Iphones versus whatever else there is
People with apps versus people without apps
In my retirement I was looking forward to getting up every day around 8 or 9 AM. But now I seem to be waking up at 3 or 5 AM. "Leaping" out of bed might be a bit of an exaggeration but I do seem to have a lot to do.
Sunday took a friend out to the Millville arts, music and antiques fair. It was very pleasant due to great weather. Good for "meet and greet". Good food from local vegan restaurant. I was drawn to the advertizement of 60 musical performers, but then I decided that there was TOO MUCH music and some of it was TOO LOUD and not so good. There was a thrill in the air about the soft opening of the Levoy Theater. It is a really LONG story including a complete collapse in the middle of the renovating. The event later on that night included silent films, actual orchestra, antique cars and people in period dress. I didn't actually go to it but it looked really cool in the newspaper photos.
Things I love:
playlist.com (I LOVE listening to MY music)
Car talk (show on NPR)
Greenwich for lack of traffic and plethora of birds
Things I hate:
playlist.com (it is very tempermental)
businesses that fail and leave sign that says "SALE - COME IN"
women losing their middle names when they get married
It seems that the word is divided - 50%?
Republicans versus Democrats
Iphones versus whatever else there is
People with apps versus people without apps
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
It is so much work being me! I have library cards all over. Just put a book on hold. They are going to send it over to Sea Isle City from Cape May Court House library. No matter that I live an hour away from Sea Isle City. The book is about blogging for creative people. I'd like to be creative. And here I am blogging. Really, this is just an online diary!
Went to a free program last night at the Sea Isle City library. It is a four week program on Home organization 101. Someone thought that meant it was in ROOM 101.
Life is so complicated. There were 14 women there. The instructor said her classes are 100% women. She gave us an assignment, to organize a bedroom closet. One of the ladies asked, "Which one? ONE of my houses has ELEVEN bedrooms." Later she said that she had 250 pairs of shoes to give away. Yikes, how the other half lives.
She asked us to think of someone we would like to meet and then we had to write what that person would see when they came through our home. I couldn't think of anyone, but stole someone else's idea of Johnny Depp. Yes, he gives me palpitations. Someone else I'd like to meet is Serena Williams. Now, there is one fine hunk of woman. But, I digress.....That wasn't the point of the exercise. I remember an old black and white Tracy/Hepburn movie in which I was so impressed that the day she met him, she invited him in and her apartment was pristine.
I just finished listening to an audiobook called, It's all too much, read by the author, Peter Walsh. He had (has?) a TV show called Clean sweep. It is all about clutter. It is quite funny with a lot of good quotes, such as, "A garage is not a stuff cemetery". You almost wished you had the book in hand so you could remember the quotes, and get the lists, but is is pleasant listening to his Australian accent.
True believers is a book by Kurt Anderson, who is on Studio 360 on NPR. A woman who was involved in various radical activites decides to write a book about her past telling the truth about some people and activites. I enjoyed the cultural references to the 60's and 70's as that is MY era.
Went to a free program last night at the Sea Isle City library. It is a four week program on Home organization 101. Someone thought that meant it was in ROOM 101.
Life is so complicated. There were 14 women there. The instructor said her classes are 100% women. She gave us an assignment, to organize a bedroom closet. One of the ladies asked, "Which one? ONE of my houses has ELEVEN bedrooms." Later she said that she had 250 pairs of shoes to give away. Yikes, how the other half lives.
She asked us to think of someone we would like to meet and then we had to write what that person would see when they came through our home. I couldn't think of anyone, but stole someone else's idea of Johnny Depp. Yes, he gives me palpitations. Someone else I'd like to meet is Serena Williams. Now, there is one fine hunk of woman. But, I digress.....That wasn't the point of the exercise. I remember an old black and white Tracy/Hepburn movie in which I was so impressed that the day she met him, she invited him in and her apartment was pristine.
I just finished listening to an audiobook called, It's all too much, read by the author, Peter Walsh. He had (has?) a TV show called Clean sweep. It is all about clutter. It is quite funny with a lot of good quotes, such as, "A garage is not a stuff cemetery". You almost wished you had the book in hand so you could remember the quotes, and get the lists, but is is pleasant listening to his Australian accent.
True believers is a book by Kurt Anderson, who is on Studio 360 on NPR. A woman who was involved in various radical activites decides to write a book about her past telling the truth about some people and activites. I enjoyed the cultural references to the 60's and 70's as that is MY era.
Monday, September 10, 2012
If Joan Rivers can write a book called, "I hate everyone...starting with me", why didn't I think of that? I am always getting these memoir/essay books by "funny" people. Sometimes they are disappointing, but I continue to seek them out.
Here are some quotes I just copied off of Amazon relating to this book. (I hope that is not illegal...)
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1850
“How do I hate thee? How much time do you have?”
—Joan Rivers, today, about two-ish
Sea Isle City Library review:
Pros:
- New, within the year
- Just a few blocks from entrance to Sea Isle City
- Outdoor deck with tables and chairs overlooking the intercoastal waterway bordered by houses and marshes
- 1/2 hour computer use is renewable as long as there is no demand
Cons:
- tiny little cubicle for computer use with barely enough room for a mouse on one side and maybe a slice of bread on the other side. Totally inadequate for MY needs. I like to SPREAD OUT. My calendar alone is much larger than a slice of bread! Plus I have FOLDERS...and CLIPBOARDS...
Thinking about exercise. I am a total wuss. The most I can hope for presently is to do 2 sessions a day. I'll be satisfied with two 10 minute sessions.
Today I did yoga, really easy yoga. Even yoga I have trouble with. When they say, "And now bend forward" my body won't even go anywhere. And I don't find the "Child's pose" relaxing like we are meant to. I have trouble getting into the position.
I do like swimming. Because I do not like to sweat at all. With swimming you are not even aware that you are sweating. The good thing about retirement (I know I keep mentioning that) is that you can go to the pool during the day and to the beach during the week.
- Have been paying $26.66 a month to belong to a health club that I haven't been going to ever since foot injury several years ago. But I CAN go, anytime I want to I can walk right in. I like that feeling.
- Downhill skis in attic
- Roller blades somewhere in garage
- Bike in garage but the tires have turned to dust and I ran into it with my car several years ago.
- Bathing suit in bathroom.
- Cross country skis in entryway
- Tennis raquet, baton and walking shoes in trunk of car
- Bag of yoga stuff in trunk of car
- Hiking boots in bedroom
Here are some quotes I just copied off of Amazon relating to this book. (I hope that is not illegal...)
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1850
“How do I hate thee? How much time do you have?”
—Joan Rivers, today, about two-ish
Sea Isle City Library review:
Pros:
- New, within the year
- Just a few blocks from entrance to Sea Isle City
- Outdoor deck with tables and chairs overlooking the intercoastal waterway bordered by houses and marshes
- 1/2 hour computer use is renewable as long as there is no demand
Cons:
- tiny little cubicle for computer use with barely enough room for a mouse on one side and maybe a slice of bread on the other side. Totally inadequate for MY needs. I like to SPREAD OUT. My calendar alone is much larger than a slice of bread! Plus I have FOLDERS...and CLIPBOARDS...
Thinking about exercise. I am a total wuss. The most I can hope for presently is to do 2 sessions a day. I'll be satisfied with two 10 minute sessions.
Today I did yoga, really easy yoga. Even yoga I have trouble with. When they say, "And now bend forward" my body won't even go anywhere. And I don't find the "Child's pose" relaxing like we are meant to. I have trouble getting into the position.
I do like swimming. Because I do not like to sweat at all. With swimming you are not even aware that you are sweating. The good thing about retirement (I know I keep mentioning that) is that you can go to the pool during the day and to the beach during the week.
- Have been paying $26.66 a month to belong to a health club that I haven't been going to ever since foot injury several years ago. But I CAN go, anytime I want to I can walk right in. I like that feeling.
- Downhill skis in attic
- Roller blades somewhere in garage
- Bike in garage but the tires have turned to dust and I ran into it with my car several years ago.
- Bathing suit in bathroom.
- Cross country skis in entryway
- Tennis raquet, baton and walking shoes in trunk of car
- Bag of yoga stuff in trunk of car
- Hiking boots in bedroom
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Under a time line...after two hours at the new McDonald's things start to happen. I think they are trying to tell me something. Every time you click on a website, the McDonald's welcome page comes up instead.
The "weird family" just came in. They are the ones who come all together in a beat up station wagon to use the library computers. I hope they don't recognize me.
Feeling tired and like I am not accomplishing enough or the right things. I DID get some stuff done today but not all I could/should have. Plus, I am feeling somewhat decrepit and getting tired too early and having foot and leg pain. I could go on and on but I won't. Sometimes I just want to be alone and not even answer the phone. It could be those pesky people who want to save me money on my electric bill or someone to invite me to do something. Why am I so resistant to saving money? Maybe it is a GOOD thing to save money on my electric bill but what is in it for them?
About the invitations....yesterday I had THREE iinvitations to go to breakfast. That just causes me stress!
Hey, the Eagles won today and I didn't even watch it. Feel like I accomplished something good but I had nothing to do with it.
Really pretty sky looking out the "picture windows" at McDonald's. In fact, it was a glorious day with reasonable temperatures (77 degrees) and fantastic Turner clouds.
Maybe I don't mean Turner. I mean the French guy who painted a lot of ladies on swings - Fragonard?
Feeling guilty cause I should be at a church event but here I am using the computer.
I can't take too many events in one day and I went to church already this AM.
Lessons learned: Don't take an anti-anxiety pill and go to Quaker Meeting. I have been feeling SLEEPY as well as tired all day.
The "weird family" just came in. They are the ones who come all together in a beat up station wagon to use the library computers. I hope they don't recognize me.
Feeling tired and like I am not accomplishing enough or the right things. I DID get some stuff done today but not all I could/should have. Plus, I am feeling somewhat decrepit and getting tired too early and having foot and leg pain. I could go on and on but I won't. Sometimes I just want to be alone and not even answer the phone. It could be those pesky people who want to save me money on my electric bill or someone to invite me to do something. Why am I so resistant to saving money? Maybe it is a GOOD thing to save money on my electric bill but what is in it for them?
About the invitations....yesterday I had THREE iinvitations to go to breakfast. That just causes me stress!
Hey, the Eagles won today and I didn't even watch it. Feel like I accomplished something good but I had nothing to do with it.
Really pretty sky looking out the "picture windows" at McDonald's. In fact, it was a glorious day with reasonable temperatures (77 degrees) and fantastic Turner clouds.
Maybe I don't mean Turner. I mean the French guy who painted a lot of ladies on swings - Fragonard?
Feeling guilty cause I should be at a church event but here I am using the computer.
I can't take too many events in one day and I went to church already this AM.
Lessons learned: Don't take an anti-anxiety pill and go to Quaker Meeting. I have been feeling SLEEPY as well as tired all day.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Feeling kind of manic. Too many ideas rushing around in my head.
I think I will make a good "crone". Well, I can't figure out the female version of curmudgeon. I hate to keep harping on this "senior citizen" issue but I am feeling more every day like I will make a good one.
- I hate change
- I don't like it when libraries, newspapers, etc. change their names. There is nothing like a library named after a town. You know exactly where it is. Please, do not name a library after me when I die. I would much rather have a bench or a rocking chair in Cape May. (If it costs $150 to buy a BRICK at Wilberham Park in Cape May, how the hell much does it cost to buy a BENCH!)
- I can't stand this concept "they" are trying to sell us of REGIONALIZATION. Local library system was told to do that and twenty years of sharing and organization just went down the tubes. Now, our local newspaper is changing their name and losing any local focus they ever had. I really don't WANT to read about the arrest of drug lords in Camden. Of course, the LOCAL stuff I read makes me want to move away. Three paragraphs of these blowhards and I get depressed and have to stop reading.
Library reviews: Millville Public Library (from a computer user standpoint)
Pros: Lots of room to spread out in case you have a lot of CRAP like I do, you can plug in your headphones without an extender cord,they will usually give you more computer time if it is not busy
Cons: No food or beverages, no cell phone, only one hour of computer time
Saw some friends when I was out with Breakfast club. I was asked what I have been doing. "Just trying to get used to retirement", I said. A friend quiped, "What's to get used to. It took me about an HOUR."
I think I will make a good "crone". Well, I can't figure out the female version of curmudgeon. I hate to keep harping on this "senior citizen" issue but I am feeling more every day like I will make a good one.
- I hate change
- I don't like it when libraries, newspapers, etc. change their names. There is nothing like a library named after a town. You know exactly where it is. Please, do not name a library after me when I die. I would much rather have a bench or a rocking chair in Cape May. (If it costs $150 to buy a BRICK at Wilberham Park in Cape May, how the hell much does it cost to buy a BENCH!)
- I can't stand this concept "they" are trying to sell us of REGIONALIZATION. Local library system was told to do that and twenty years of sharing and organization just went down the tubes. Now, our local newspaper is changing their name and losing any local focus they ever had. I really don't WANT to read about the arrest of drug lords in Camden. Of course, the LOCAL stuff I read makes me want to move away. Three paragraphs of these blowhards and I get depressed and have to stop reading.
Library reviews: Millville Public Library (from a computer user standpoint)
Pros: Lots of room to spread out in case you have a lot of CRAP like I do, you can plug in your headphones without an extender cord,they will usually give you more computer time if it is not busy
Cons: No food or beverages, no cell phone, only one hour of computer time
Saw some friends when I was out with Breakfast club. I was asked what I have been doing. "Just trying to get used to retirement", I said. A friend quiped, "What's to get used to. It took me about an HOUR."
Friday, September 7, 2012
I feel like blogging I said to myself as I was lying by the pool. So I am. That is the nice thing about being retired.
Little known things about me:
- I have a friend who has a moat
- I was the first woman hired to groom the trails on Killington Mountain in Vermont (this was in the early 1970's). I drove a Sno-Cat and a Bombardier.
Things I hate:
- losing my cell phone
- gnats, mosquitoes and their ilk
Things I love:
- my pool. No one is there and they have computers in the lobby and coffee.
Little known things about me:
- I have a friend who has a moat
- I was the first woman hired to groom the trails on Killington Mountain in Vermont (this was in the early 1970's). I drove a Sno-Cat and a Bombardier.
Things I hate:
- losing my cell phone
- gnats, mosquitoes and their ilk
Things I love:
- my pool. No one is there and they have computers in the lobby and coffee.
The worst of public Internet usage today - annoying baby noise, sick person hacking next to me. other people laughing or rocking to their own personal headset activities. Had to put on the headphones and listen to MY loud music from Playlist.com. As many problems as I have with Playlist, I just haven't found a good substitute such as Pandora or Grooveshank. I don't want to listen to things LIKE my favorite song, I want to listen to specific songs. Reluctant to use itunes cause I am CHEAP, or "frugal" as my girlfriend would say.
Butterscotch krimpets just aren't as good when you buy'em in a box. I was so addicted to them in the waning days of my working life that people started giving them to me as gifts. Then someone made butterscotch krimpet cupcakes for my retirement party. Yeah, baby!
New lists I need to make:
- people to not sit next to in the library
- issues to discuss with my doctor (who can remember them all)
Audiobook reviews:
- The thing around your neck - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - short stories about African people, immigrant stories, etc. I like the title, Just picked it up in a browsing sort of way since I like immigrant fiction, also African-American fiction.
Went to doctor this AM with lung complaint. She couldn't hear anything wrong with my lungs so she put that blood oxygen tester on my finger. She said 92 was very bad and I should maybe have to go to the emergency room. Then she suggested taking off my nail polish and it worked better. My blood oxygen went up to 97 (good). She hadn't seen that problem before and said, "Maybe it is just with BLUE nail polish" (!?!?)
Butterscotch krimpets just aren't as good when you buy'em in a box. I was so addicted to them in the waning days of my working life that people started giving them to me as gifts. Then someone made butterscotch krimpet cupcakes for my retirement party. Yeah, baby!
New lists I need to make:
- people to not sit next to in the library
- issues to discuss with my doctor (who can remember them all)
Audiobook reviews:
- The thing around your neck - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - short stories about African people, immigrant stories, etc. I like the title, Just picked it up in a browsing sort of way since I like immigrant fiction, also African-American fiction.
Went to doctor this AM with lung complaint. She couldn't hear anything wrong with my lungs so she put that blood oxygen tester on my finger. She said 92 was very bad and I should maybe have to go to the emergency room. Then she suggested taking off my nail polish and it worked better. My blood oxygen went up to 97 (good). She hadn't seen that problem before and said, "Maybe it is just with BLUE nail polish" (!?!?)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Computer addiction...one of my many. An hour is just not enough time!
Hsving trouble figuring out this blogging stuff. I added a blog to my reading list and the next time I looked, it had reverted back to ITALIAN. That is one of the languages I do not speak. Now I can't figure out how to DELETE that blog from my reading list. Grrr...
It seems to be getting dark earlier. Yes, I should expect it, but I don't have to LIKE it. Other than that, I think I prefer Fall to Summer.
Went down to the shore today. It was quiet, TOO quiet, as my mother used to say. Also it rained, which was totally unexpected by us, in our bathing suits! So we watched other people swimming and surfing in the rain, talked to adorable life guard and other fun visitors on the covered deck at 101st St. in Stone Harbor. Then went to one of those new YOGO places. Been there, done that. You choose your yoghurt, put stuff of your choice on top and get charged $7 or so. (I tend to like the HEAVY stuff)
OK, library about to close, forced to get off of the computer. I really should try and watch some of President Obama's speech tonight, even if it is on after my bedtime.
Got lost this AM due to road block. Kind of fun. I think I will add it to my list of things to do...drive all over in strange direction and then turn on GPS on phone to find my way home. How scarey is that?
Hsving trouble figuring out this blogging stuff. I added a blog to my reading list and the next time I looked, it had reverted back to ITALIAN. That is one of the languages I do not speak. Now I can't figure out how to DELETE that blog from my reading list. Grrr...
It seems to be getting dark earlier. Yes, I should expect it, but I don't have to LIKE it. Other than that, I think I prefer Fall to Summer.
Went down to the shore today. It was quiet, TOO quiet, as my mother used to say. Also it rained, which was totally unexpected by us, in our bathing suits! So we watched other people swimming and surfing in the rain, talked to adorable life guard and other fun visitors on the covered deck at 101st St. in Stone Harbor. Then went to one of those new YOGO places. Been there, done that. You choose your yoghurt, put stuff of your choice on top and get charged $7 or so. (I tend to like the HEAVY stuff)
OK, library about to close, forced to get off of the computer. I really should try and watch some of President Obama's speech tonight, even if it is on after my bedtime.
Got lost this AM due to road block. Kind of fun. I think I will add it to my list of things to do...drive all over in strange direction and then turn on GPS on phone to find my way home. How scarey is that?
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
"What kind of a Democrat are YOU!?" yelled my friend when she heard that I didn't watch the convention last night. I know I should change my TV watching policy which is, if I'm home and it is on, I will watch it (for five minutes). I know everyone else in the world is DVRing it, but....
One good thing about Facebook: you can see which of your ex-coworkers and ex-boyfriends are Republicans. How COULD they!
School bus nightmare today. It took me twice as long as normal to get around. One bus sat there so long delivering the school children that I turned off my car. Then I backed up and turned around to go another way. Then I ran into a car blocking the road who had tried a similar maneuver but had a fender-bender with another car. So I turned around AGAIN. I swear that bus was holding up traffic for at least 15 minutes.
I was driving along a street which was recently cited as the most poverty-stricken street in New Jersey. The kids were pretty solidly Mexican with a few African-Americans thrown in for good measure. How things change. I tried to just feel good about the fact that they were all getting a fresh start and making progress with their free education.
Strange but true: the song Strange fruit was written by a white Jewish guy from the Bronx.
Addictions:
- one cup (no more) of coffee each day
- one bottle of Diet Coke (no more, but definitely no less)
I have to get the bottle so I can get the code for mycokerewards.com. I have gotten a couple of magazine subscriptions through that. I asked someone downtown if she stocked Diet Coke and she responded, "No, we do not stock ANY of that imperial rat juice". That would be Coke OR Pepsi.
One good thing about Facebook: you can see which of your ex-coworkers and ex-boyfriends are Republicans. How COULD they!
School bus nightmare today. It took me twice as long as normal to get around. One bus sat there so long delivering the school children that I turned off my car. Then I backed up and turned around to go another way. Then I ran into a car blocking the road who had tried a similar maneuver but had a fender-bender with another car. So I turned around AGAIN. I swear that bus was holding up traffic for at least 15 minutes.
I was driving along a street which was recently cited as the most poverty-stricken street in New Jersey. The kids were pretty solidly Mexican with a few African-Americans thrown in for good measure. How things change. I tried to just feel good about the fact that they were all getting a fresh start and making progress with their free education.
Strange but true: the song Strange fruit was written by a white Jewish guy from the Bronx.
Addictions:
- one cup (no more) of coffee each day
- one bottle of Diet Coke (no more, but definitely no less)
I have to get the bottle so I can get the code for mycokerewards.com. I have gotten a couple of magazine subscriptions through that. I asked someone downtown if she stocked Diet Coke and she responded, "No, we do not stock ANY of that imperial rat juice". That would be Coke OR Pepsi.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
"Whooping cough cases on the rise" headline. I think I have it.
Saw a DVD in library called, "Self-esteem and your first job". How about one called "Self-esteem and your LAST job"!?
Just paid for extra computer time in the library. I call the library "my office".
Listening to radio station called Wired 96.5. They play a lot of really rude black music. But, hey, it's got a good beat.
Saw a DVD in library called, "Self-esteem and your first job". How about one called "Self-esteem and your LAST job"!?
Just paid for extra computer time in the library. I call the library "my office".
Listening to radio station called Wired 96.5. They play a lot of really rude black music. But, hey, it's got a good beat.
Still involved in a Downton Abbey watching marathon. The plot got REALLY crazy last night (somewhere in the middle of season two). There are people we LOVE (Matthew) and people we HATE (Thomas) and it is quite addicting. Maggie Smith plays what must be the best role of her life as the Dowager Countess. The costumes and the furnishings and the rules and the scenery are all mind-boggling and truly fine.
It gives a good view into the changes wrought on English society and country manor life before and after World War I. I enjoy the role of letters in this series. Yes, before texting, there were letters. Season three starts on PBS in January 2013 so you have some time to watch it.
I used to have a boyfriend who was a parapalegic. I met him in a bar in Vermont. I was on one of those weird ski weekends where four couples sleep in two bunk beds. I moved to Vermont to be with the guy I met in the bar.
When researching blog names, I came across so many abandoned blogs. It must be a temporarily addicting pastime. One I like is Stuff white people like.
It gives a good view into the changes wrought on English society and country manor life before and after World War I. I enjoy the role of letters in this series. Yes, before texting, there were letters. Season three starts on PBS in January 2013 so you have some time to watch it.
I used to have a boyfriend who was a parapalegic. I met him in a bar in Vermont. I was on one of those weird ski weekends where four couples sleep in two bunk beds. I moved to Vermont to be with the guy I met in the bar.
When researching blog names, I came across so many abandoned blogs. It must be a temporarily addicting pastime. One I like is Stuff white people like.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Hanging out in our new McDonald's again to use the wireless. The other restaurant I was going to grace with my presence today was closed due to Labor Day (I guess). I see some OTHER wackos have discovered this place. One guy came in clutching his mail (bills?) and yet another has a large table covered with his bible, other books, papers, pen, highlighter and coupons. He is reading aloud from the Bible (to himself). Maybe THEY will be blogging about the weird lady filling up a table for four with her laptop, handiwipes, phone, coffee, file folders, calendar, and a copy of South Jersey Journal, (a newspaper) connecting South Jersey's African-American community.
All the black people in my town seem to know each other. I only know the mayor.
I thought life was going to be less interesting after retirement, but it is INCREDIBLY interesting just listening to NPR all day. Did you know that gas costs $10 a gallon in Norway and 6 cents a gallon in Venezuela?
NPR also did a segment on "end of summer regrets". Don't postpone joy, says Dan Gottlieb. There are some things I did't get to this summmer, but, being retired, I can still do some of those summer things:
- kayaking
- The Bull on the Barn Bayshore Crab House
Things I love:
- NPR
- free coffee
Things I hate:
- rain
- sick people
Ok, the bible-reading man behind me just admitted that he is sick. He called someone on the cell phone to ask to borrow five dollars so he could go to the laundromat.
I sure hope it doesn't rain like THIS for three days. Feel like I am in Louisiana. Had to wade through big puddles to even get to and get into my car.
Gathered with friends in "the gazebo" last night. Nice to be with old friends, sort of new friends and COMPLETELY new people. The rabbi and the intern were new. They were delightful and delicious, respectively.
I started to get HUMID after it got dark. Sometimes I have a creepy crawly feeling, like imaginary insects on my skin. I have had it before and researched it before but eventually it goes away. Could it be some sort of allergy?
Little known things about me:
- fotr a few months around 2001 I typed up a newsletter called SISTER NEWS (an occasional publication for sisters and friends of JBG) I found a copy from June 2001 and was highly amused by it. Sometimes I crack myself up.
All the black people in my town seem to know each other. I only know the mayor.
I thought life was going to be less interesting after retirement, but it is INCREDIBLY interesting just listening to NPR all day. Did you know that gas costs $10 a gallon in Norway and 6 cents a gallon in Venezuela?
NPR also did a segment on "end of summer regrets". Don't postpone joy, says Dan Gottlieb. There are some things I did't get to this summmer, but, being retired, I can still do some of those summer things:
- kayaking
- The Bull on the Barn Bayshore Crab House
Things I love:
- NPR
- free coffee
Things I hate:
- rain
- sick people
Ok, the bible-reading man behind me just admitted that he is sick. He called someone on the cell phone to ask to borrow five dollars so he could go to the laundromat.
I sure hope it doesn't rain like THIS for three days. Feel like I am in Louisiana. Had to wade through big puddles to even get to and get into my car.
Gathered with friends in "the gazebo" last night. Nice to be with old friends, sort of new friends and COMPLETELY new people. The rabbi and the intern were new. They were delightful and delicious, respectively.
I started to get HUMID after it got dark. Sometimes I have a creepy crawly feeling, like imaginary insects on my skin. I have had it before and researched it before but eventually it goes away. Could it be some sort of allergy?
Little known things about me:
- fotr a few months around 2001 I typed up a newsletter called SISTER NEWS (an occasional publication for sisters and friends of JBG) I found a copy from June 2001 and was highly amused by it. Sometimes I crack myself up.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Discovered this AM that my watch was accidentally on Bangkok time. (I must push something during the night). Luckily, at THIS time of year, Bangkok time and New York time are the same.
My brain was churning with thoughts earlier but now I am distracted by people. Sometimes I am so into my own head. Is that how people with Alzheimers feel?
On the edge of....tripping and falling, West nile virus, Swine flu. One's life can change for the worse so rapidly. Not to mention all the people recently in my life who have just died for no good reason.
Things I love:
- Automobile headlights that turn off and on automatically
- lists
- reading
- music
Things I hate right now:
- People who turn into traffic in front of me when I am going 50 mph.
- authority
My brain was churning with thoughts earlier but now I am distracted by people. Sometimes I am so into my own head. Is that how people with Alzheimers feel?
On the edge of....tripping and falling, West nile virus, Swine flu. One's life can change for the worse so rapidly. Not to mention all the people recently in my life who have just died for no good reason.
Things I love:
- Automobile headlights that turn off and on automatically
- lists
- reading
- music
Things I hate right now:
- People who turn into traffic in front of me when I am going 50 mph.
- authority
Saturday, September 1, 2012
It is the first of September. Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit. According to my mother, you must say those words out loud before you say anything else immediately upon awakening on the first day of any month. If you do this, you will have good luck.
I need some good luck. Just opening the mail can be quite stressful.
September is National Aging month and also National Recycling month. Take your pick!
Had breakfast with my "Breakfast club" this AM. I promised not to use any of their real names. They were bugging me about my blog, but I wouldn't tell them how to find it. Guess I don't really 'get" the whole blogging thing.
Many people have helped me with ideas for my blog name. I won't say who suggested what, but here are some of the possible names...The peripatetic librarian, The queen of sighs, Suddenly humid, and, All of the good names were taken. (I can't really concentrate or remember them right now cause I am using the computer at my health club and the weather channel is on guite loudly making me distracted). It does seem that every name I look up on the Internet IS already taken. (Not that there is anything wrong with that). I finally had to jump right in with a name of my own choosing but I haven't told anyone how to FIND this blog, cause I am a bit nervous about sharing my thoughts as the real me. I can't get up the nerve to post anything on Facebook. I am more comfortable having a MYSTERY blog that nobody knows about.
I chose this name cause I HAVE had some interesting adventures (many of them decades ago, though) and I also do have "issues" with STUFF (i.e., clutter)
Funny what things are broken in life. You know that little thingy upon which you put your toilet paper roll? Well, mine started falling out. Jeez!
I am carrying around a clipboard with my daily list on it. This is one carry-over from my recent working life. Actually, it is the same clipboard. Yes, my pink clipboard is the property of my ex-employer. I am an obsessive list maker. One of the things on the list is "drink more water". Sometimes I have wacky things on my list such as "redo the lists" or "go to bed early".
I need some good luck. Just opening the mail can be quite stressful.
September is National Aging month and also National Recycling month. Take your pick!
Had breakfast with my "Breakfast club" this AM. I promised not to use any of their real names. They were bugging me about my blog, but I wouldn't tell them how to find it. Guess I don't really 'get" the whole blogging thing.
Many people have helped me with ideas for my blog name. I won't say who suggested what, but here are some of the possible names...The peripatetic librarian, The queen of sighs, Suddenly humid, and, All of the good names were taken. (I can't really concentrate or remember them right now cause I am using the computer at my health club and the weather channel is on guite loudly making me distracted). It does seem that every name I look up on the Internet IS already taken. (Not that there is anything wrong with that). I finally had to jump right in with a name of my own choosing but I haven't told anyone how to FIND this blog, cause I am a bit nervous about sharing my thoughts as the real me. I can't get up the nerve to post anything on Facebook. I am more comfortable having a MYSTERY blog that nobody knows about.
I chose this name cause I HAVE had some interesting adventures (many of them decades ago, though) and I also do have "issues" with STUFF (i.e., clutter)
Funny what things are broken in life. You know that little thingy upon which you put your toilet paper roll? Well, mine started falling out. Jeez!
I am carrying around a clipboard with my daily list on it. This is one carry-over from my recent working life. Actually, it is the same clipboard. Yes, my pink clipboard is the property of my ex-employer. I am an obsessive list maker. One of the things on the list is "drink more water". Sometimes I have wacky things on my list such as "redo the lists" or "go to bed early".
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