Just took my first laughter yoga class. I couldn't imagine what that could possibly entail! Also, I was feeling very grumpy and resisting the idea of laughing. We did do some fun and interesting little exercises and even worked up a sweat! I like the laughter pill exercise, where you take a pretend pill and it sends you off into laughter and silliness. Each pill that you take causes MORE hilarity. I could really use a pill (pretend or otherwise). So, we did stuff for one half hour and I called it exercise. Laughter meditation, done with the eyes closed, almost made me want to cry, not laugh. I was thinking about my mother at the time.
Americans are exercise maniacs, at least the ones who are bothering. Read an article about somewhere in California where the outdoor classes are annoying to other people. The oceanside park is filled with mats, equipment, emoting and sweating people and the cries of instructors. They are obstructing running traffic, messing up the grass and being noisy. So, they are thinking about charging more money for instructors to use the outdoor space or limiting the number of people per instructor.
Playlist working TOO well today. Playing songs in order. Usually I have to select each one, but I am used to that method now.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Another close call
So I missed a step and my computer and myself came crashing down in the dark entryway. My life is so full of booby traps. Once again I have emerged unscathed (OK, maybe my finger is black and blue) but my computer is definitely working. I really have to get the Internet at home. Don't like coming out in the freezing cold wind. Although once I reached the local McDonald's, it is pleasant enough.
Have been exercising and waiting to feel better. I still feel like crap and hate most every minute of it. Every week I add five minutes to my requirements. This week I should be exercising for 50 minutes each day. Today was the third day in a row. Tomorrow I think I have "laughter yoga". I can't imagine what that is all about. At least I don't have to drive so far to get to it.
Finished an audiobook, Back to blood, by Tom Wolfe. It was read by Lou Diamond Phillips. It was way over the top. Taking place in Miami, a Cuban cop and his Latina girlfriend were in most of it. Very intense racial relations between WASPs, Cubans, Russians, Haitians. He points out how little anyone is into religion any more and that we are all going back to our blood lines and our ethnic and racial prejudices and preferences. Where he went too far was in naming famous people CLOSE to their actual names and one woman was actually called Miss Titsapoppin. "Tom Wolfe is off and running headlong into the only city in the world where people from a different country with a different language and a different culture have taken over at the ballot box".
Have been exercising and waiting to feel better. I still feel like crap and hate most every minute of it. Every week I add five minutes to my requirements. This week I should be exercising for 50 minutes each day. Today was the third day in a row. Tomorrow I think I have "laughter yoga". I can't imagine what that is all about. At least I don't have to drive so far to get to it.
Finished an audiobook, Back to blood, by Tom Wolfe. It was read by Lou Diamond Phillips. It was way over the top. Taking place in Miami, a Cuban cop and his Latina girlfriend were in most of it. Very intense racial relations between WASPs, Cubans, Russians, Haitians. He points out how little anyone is into religion any more and that we are all going back to our blood lines and our ethnic and racial prejudices and preferences. Where he went too far was in naming famous people CLOSE to their actual names and one woman was actually called Miss Titsapoppin. "Tom Wolfe is off and running headlong into the only city in the world where people from a different country with a different language and a different culture have taken over at the ballot box".
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The end of your life book club
I need to return this overdue library book. My sister gave it to me for Christmas so I will take my notes to that copy to peruse. I love books ABOUT books. This is about the books Will Schwalbe and his mom read and discussed as she was dealing with pancreatic cancer. He is gay and has a cooking website and his mom was involved in many good works, schools for Afghanistan being one. There is a list at the end of all the books they read. Of course, I am going to copy it. I wanted to read this book because I had a very good friend who died of pancreatic cancer and I love the title of the book. I didn't read books with my friend but I have very poignant memories of movies and plays we attended during his illness. He was wild to LIVE and to SHARE.
The other book I finished was NW, by Zadie Smith. I enjoyed it in spots, but it was somewhat confusing. Lots of London geographic references and switching of characters with no notice. Even the format is odd, going from single space to double space and choosing not to indent the beginning of paragraphs. It gave me an odd feeling of vertigo. (It probably doesn't help that I am reading 10 books at one time!) Someone (I forget who) voted this one of the top ten fiction books of 2012). Just sayin'.... NW stands for Northwest London and four characters are followed, 2 women and 2 men. They all grew up on a council estate called Caldwell and are now trying to make their adult lives. It is about "people who live somewhere special and others who live nowhere at all. And many people in between".
The other book I finished was NW, by Zadie Smith. I enjoyed it in spots, but it was somewhat confusing. Lots of London geographic references and switching of characters with no notice. Even the format is odd, going from single space to double space and choosing not to indent the beginning of paragraphs. It gave me an odd feeling of vertigo. (It probably doesn't help that I am reading 10 books at one time!) Someone (I forget who) voted this one of the top ten fiction books of 2012). Just sayin'.... NW stands for Northwest London and four characters are followed, 2 women and 2 men. They all grew up on a council estate called Caldwell and are now trying to make their adult lives. It is about "people who live somewhere special and others who live nowhere at all. And many people in between".
Thrift shop
Just added this song to my playlist.com. Most of my email is SOOOO boring. I did come across this gem on Philly.com called Spotify's top 10 most streamed tracks. I am listening to each of these songs. Not that I don't have enough songs on my playlist. Almost one hundred. More than I have time to listen to. To get back to my email, mostly I get requests for money. Plus I get email for another person with my same name who lives in Bradenton, Florida. I called her up once or twice to discuss the matter and her daughter told me she never had an email even slightly like mine. It is really irritating to get things from the wrong school and the wrong politcal spectrum. Even the RIGHT schools or political parties are bothersome!
Have been spending a lot of time with various groups of friends or family lately. Of course, it IS Christmas.
This morning I learned that they have a senior roller skating session on Monday mornings. Too bad I have a yoga date then. I should try skating again. It has been over a decade since my last visit, whereupon I broke my wrist. Prior to that I was very "devil may care" and went by myself a lot.
The longest year of my life has been the year I turned 65. And the year is only half over. The longest TWO years of my life have been my contract with Sprint. It is over the end of December and I think I will enjoy the sense of FREEDOM for awhile. Don't enjoy the need to make a DECISION, however. What phone, what company? I have to come to a (happy?) medium between the two realities: 1. I am FRUGAL, and 2. I want more features on my phone.
Have been spending a lot of time with various groups of friends or family lately. Of course, it IS Christmas.
This morning I learned that they have a senior roller skating session on Monday mornings. Too bad I have a yoga date then. I should try skating again. It has been over a decade since my last visit, whereupon I broke my wrist. Prior to that I was very "devil may care" and went by myself a lot.
The longest year of my life has been the year I turned 65. And the year is only half over. The longest TWO years of my life have been my contract with Sprint. It is over the end of December and I think I will enjoy the sense of FREEDOM for awhile. Don't enjoy the need to make a DECISION, however. What phone, what company? I have to come to a (happy?) medium between the two realities: 1. I am FRUGAL, and 2. I want more features on my phone.
Friday, December 28, 2012
No body drying with hair dryers
This sign is posted in the women's changing room at the health club. Does not this bring up a lovely image?
Made a date to meet a friend at the Megabyte cafe. When I got there (loaded up with all of my computer stuff, naturally), it said "Closed until further notice". Dang! News from the world of small business. I am getting a bit tired of schlepping my STUFF all over and finding no room in the inn, as it were.
Always feel like I am rushing and overwhelmed with too much to do. What the heck did I do when I was actually WORKING? I was laying in bed pondering the day and which direction to go in when my girlfriend called and said she was going to be in the area. So, all I got done today was about an hour of home essentials, 45 mins of walking alternating with lifting, lunch, and now about an hour of computer stuff. Then only enough time to get picked up to go look at a friend's 9 foot tall Christmas tree.
Just noticed that there IS spell check on Blogger. Only became aware as I was using a friend's computer the other night and she had it turned on. Thank goodness for friends!
Made a date to meet a friend at the Megabyte cafe. When I got there (loaded up with all of my computer stuff, naturally), it said "Closed until further notice". Dang! News from the world of small business. I am getting a bit tired of schlepping my STUFF all over and finding no room in the inn, as it were.
Always feel like I am rushing and overwhelmed with too much to do. What the heck did I do when I was actually WORKING? I was laying in bed pondering the day and which direction to go in when my girlfriend called and said she was going to be in the area. So, all I got done today was about an hour of home essentials, 45 mins of walking alternating with lifting, lunch, and now about an hour of computer stuff. Then only enough time to get picked up to go look at a friend's 9 foot tall Christmas tree.
Just noticed that there IS spell check on Blogger. Only became aware as I was using a friend's computer the other night and she had it turned on. Thank goodness for friends!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
You can't make this stuff up
Comment when I told the tale of my sister, who dropped her keys down the slit in the elevator on the way to her apartment in Soho on Christmas eve. The next night she left her car unlocked and running. No one noticed until we woke up in the morning. Luckily, that was in someone's back driveway in New Jersey and not in Soho.
Returning this book to the library. I didn't really enjoy Drift, by Rachel Maddow. The subtitle is: the unmooring of American military power. OK, so not too inviting. I had gotten enthralled with her on TV around election time so I checked her book out of the library. According to a blurb on the back, "she tells the epic story of how American warfare came to be both never-ending and practically invisible."
Had a nice trip (my annual) to the Reading Terminal market in Philadelphia today. Got really busy and crowded. Nice that it is all indoors, once you get there. A panoply of mostly food stands...cheese, honey, spices, teas, breads, restaurants, meats, ice cream. It was quite bright and festive. Bought a few things until. I couldn't carry anything more. Buying spices in bulk reminds me of when I lived in Barcelona and went to the market every day.
Returning this book to the library. I didn't really enjoy Drift, by Rachel Maddow. The subtitle is: the unmooring of American military power. OK, so not too inviting. I had gotten enthralled with her on TV around election time so I checked her book out of the library. According to a blurb on the back, "she tells the epic story of how American warfare came to be both never-ending and practically invisible."
Had a nice trip (my annual) to the Reading Terminal market in Philadelphia today. Got really busy and crowded. Nice that it is all indoors, once you get there. A panoply of mostly food stands...cheese, honey, spices, teas, breads, restaurants, meats, ice cream. It was quite bright and festive. Bought a few things until. I couldn't carry anything more. Buying spices in bulk reminds me of when I lived in Barcelona and went to the market every day.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
"educe"
The roadside sign was impaired. Had a not-very-pleasant drive home from Christmas at my sisters. First there was horrendous traffic..."Reduce speed (har-dee-har) congestion ahead". So, I was forced to go 5 miles per hour and the LOW FUEL message came up. Then I got hungry and thirsty and bored and it began to SNOW. What more can happen? It is only a three hour drive but it seemed like it took ALL DAY.
Spent a techy time with my my nephews. They all got new Galaxy droids phones for the holidays. They all had iphones and now, suddenly, not. So, I try to listen and learn. Also watched a difficult movie called The hunter and discovered a fun TV show called Archer. It is an outrageous cartoon James Bond spoof.
Kind of depressing coming home in such disgusting weather. My ceiling was leaking and I couldn't stay home. Schlepped all of my stuff over to the library to spend the evening on the computer and was appalled to discover that they were going to CLOSE at 5 PM cause it's Christmas! Grrr. So I dropped in on a friend and wangled a dinner invitation in addition to getting to use the computer.
Spent a techy time with my my nephews. They all got new Galaxy droids phones for the holidays. They all had iphones and now, suddenly, not. So, I try to listen and learn. Also watched a difficult movie called The hunter and discovered a fun TV show called Archer. It is an outrageous cartoon James Bond spoof.
Kind of depressing coming home in such disgusting weather. My ceiling was leaking and I couldn't stay home. Schlepped all of my stuff over to the library to spend the evening on the computer and was appalled to discover that they were going to CLOSE at 5 PM cause it's Christmas! Grrr. So I dropped in on a friend and wangled a dinner invitation in addition to getting to use the computer.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
I heard the patter of tiny feet
My nephew's feet are not so tiny any more. He wears size ten. But I heard someone walking around so I thought I had better get up. Don't want to miss Christmas. It is 8 AM and he is the only one up.
We had a white Christmas. Well it snowed for awhile last night! We drove around looking for the luminaries which they put out all over Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Interesting and beautiful Christmas Eve custom. The more people you can talk into doing it, the more lovely it is. Take a white paper bag, fill it with two trowels full of sand. There should be enough sand to get a white teac candle to stand up. Place the bags every three feet in the street or on the curb or the grass. Light the tea candle when darkness falls. The lights will burn for hours, even in the snow!
Learned about another interesting Holiday custom last night. In Oaxaca, Mexico, they have a festival called Noche de Rรกbanos (Night of the radishes), held on the 23rd of December. This is one of the rare sculptures where you can actually identify a radish. And these radishes are GIGANTIC.
We had a white Christmas. Well it snowed for awhile last night! We drove around looking for the luminaries which they put out all over Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Interesting and beautiful Christmas Eve custom. The more people you can talk into doing it, the more lovely it is. Take a white paper bag, fill it with two trowels full of sand. There should be enough sand to get a white teac candle to stand up. Place the bags every three feet in the street or on the curb or the grass. Light the tea candle when darkness falls. The lights will burn for hours, even in the snow!
Learned about another interesting Holiday custom last night. In Oaxaca, Mexico, they have a festival called Noche de Rรกbanos (Night of the radishes), held on the 23rd of December. This is one of the rare sculptures where you can actually identify a radish. And these radishes are GIGANTIC.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
In, out, nobody gets hurt
That is my philosophy of Christmas shopping. I only deal with the stores that are on the EDGE of the mall. What am I, NUTS, to be out at the mall today? Tried to go to BJ's but it was too overwhelming. So I went to my "predictable" stores, the bookstore and Marshalls and Starbucks, where I am now. Of course, the little red bag I came here to get is all sold out, thus reminding me that you need to BUY it when you SEE it.
So, I have gifts with no people and people with no gifts. The whole thing is approaching insanity. I put $20 in the Salvation Army kettle to make myself feel a LITTLE better about all of this conspicuous consumption. My God, even Starbucks is a madhouse today. And the traffic jams!
Finished up a book called My mother was nuts, by Penny Marshall. Was only vaguely familiar with her. I was really attracted to the book because of the title. I like reading memoirs because it reminds me of the history of MY life. She has sort of a deadpan presentation without much self reflection. She knew a lot of famous people and just fell into a lot of her activites. From starring in a TV show, Laverne and Shirley, to directing several movies, to getting cancer, she explained it all. She is good friends with Carrie Fisher, whose biographies I have also read.
So, I have gifts with no people and people with no gifts. The whole thing is approaching insanity. I put $20 in the Salvation Army kettle to make myself feel a LITTLE better about all of this conspicuous consumption. My God, even Starbucks is a madhouse today. And the traffic jams!
Finished up a book called My mother was nuts, by Penny Marshall. Was only vaguely familiar with her. I was really attracted to the book because of the title. I like reading memoirs because it reminds me of the history of MY life. She has sort of a deadpan presentation without much self reflection. She knew a lot of famous people and just fell into a lot of her activites. From starring in a TV show, Laverne and Shirley, to directing several movies, to getting cancer, she explained it all. She is good friends with Carrie Fisher, whose biographies I have also read.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Bacon is the candy bar of meats
Things I am going to miss after I cancel the "local" paper on January 8th:
- cartoons, especially Pickles, where I got the quote above
- crossword puzzle
- Sukoku puzzle
- Having a paper to read as part of my repertoire of reading items each night before bed
- Having a paper delivered to my front door (gosh, I finally trained him....)
Things I am NOT going to miss:
- the daily historical fact about Salem
- news of Elk Township, Salem, Logan Township and other places I have never heard of or don't care about
- the pile of unread papers next to my chair
- lugging all of the papers down to the recycling
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT going electronic. I will just have to make more of an effort to read a paper when I am in the local library or purchase one when I am out.
This way perhaps I can read more of a VARIETY of papers. I got a really good deal on the paper last year, now it is more expensive. Not real wild about the whole REGIONALIZATION thing. What used to cover my town (Bridgeton) now covers Salem County, Cumberland County and Gloucester County. I am still calling it the Bridgeton Evening news but that was several titles ago. Now it is called the South Jersey times.
- cartoons, especially Pickles, where I got the quote above
- crossword puzzle
- Sukoku puzzle
- Having a paper to read as part of my repertoire of reading items each night before bed
- Having a paper delivered to my front door (gosh, I finally trained him....)
Things I am NOT going to miss:
- the daily historical fact about Salem
- news of Elk Township, Salem, Logan Township and other places I have never heard of or don't care about
- the pile of unread papers next to my chair
- lugging all of the papers down to the recycling
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT going electronic. I will just have to make more of an effort to read a paper when I am in the local library or purchase one when I am out.
This way perhaps I can read more of a VARIETY of papers. I got a really good deal on the paper last year, now it is more expensive. Not real wild about the whole REGIONALIZATION thing. What used to cover my town (Bridgeton) now covers Salem County, Cumberland County and Gloucester County. I am still calling it the Bridgeton Evening news but that was several titles ago. Now it is called the South Jersey times.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
I want you to be my sex slave
These were the lyrics that caused me to turn the dial on the radio in the car. Power 99 out of Philly played this song. Too much. Reminds me of the time I met a guy on a cruise ship. It was a cruise ship where we only spoke Spanish or Portuguese. I met a guy in the club who whispered to me, "Quiero ser tu esclavo" (I want to be your slave). Kind of more romantic sounding in Spanish, don't ya think?
Not to mention that it is the total opposite kind of request.
Better late than never? Was "balancing" my checkbook this AM, reviewing a statement from July 7, 2007. I don't really call what I do balancing, because I can't keep a checkbook balanced for more than a month. I have to keep a big balance in there in case of problems. I DO try to add and subtract various things but it never comes out exactly right. That is why I tell them to not count on me in church to count the money. I count everything three times and if it comes out the same twice, I consider that to be reality.
So much on my mind these days....shopping, wrapping, computers, exercising, appointments. Don't know which way to go first. So much to do at home, but so much to do OUT. Currently OUT and probably will STAY out til bedtime. Don't really enjoy being home in the DARK, cold night. I want to be HOME when it is sunny and nice but I want to be out then, too. See what a quandery my life is? It is so hard being me.
Not to mention that it is the total opposite kind of request.
Better late than never? Was "balancing" my checkbook this AM, reviewing a statement from July 7, 2007. I don't really call what I do balancing, because I can't keep a checkbook balanced for more than a month. I have to keep a big balance in there in case of problems. I DO try to add and subtract various things but it never comes out exactly right. That is why I tell them to not count on me in church to count the money. I count everything three times and if it comes out the same twice, I consider that to be reality.
So much on my mind these days....shopping, wrapping, computers, exercising, appointments. Don't know which way to go first. So much to do at home, but so much to do OUT. Currently OUT and probably will STAY out til bedtime. Don't really enjoy being home in the DARK, cold night. I want to be HOME when it is sunny and nice but I want to be out then, too. See what a quandery my life is? It is so hard being me.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Barihunks
Couldn't think of anything to write about today so I clicked on the NEXT BLOG link. I always look at two of those plus one I have in my "favorites" list. Yes, I like READING blogs as well as writing blogs. It always amazes me the focus of some of these blogs. This one is Barihunks : the sexiest baritone hunks from opera...http://www.barihunks.blogspot.com. Another one was reviews of concerts in Paris called We left at the interval...http://npw-opera-concerts.blogspot.it. Don't think I will add either of these to my favorites list because it gets out of hand.
Volunteered today. The job was to put mailing labels on postcards. A rather mindless task but hard on the shoulders. It was fun talking to the other volunteers and they fed us breakfast AND lunch. Also put on some Christmas music for us, which I wouldn't be caught dead listening to otherwise.
Only got one phone call today and it was a wrong number. Sometimes I wonder why I bother with a cell phone. Plus this whole UPGRADE thing has me quite anxious. I do not wish to sign any more two year contracts. My two year contract with Sprint will be up at the end of the month. It has been the longest two years of my life.
I DID wrap one gift this morning and FIND one gift as well, but am generally procrastinating about this whole Christmas thing. Did make my list of stores I would like to stop at before the holiday (there were only four). I'll be busy the rest of today getting a massage, exercising and practicing choir music.
Volunteered today. The job was to put mailing labels on postcards. A rather mindless task but hard on the shoulders. It was fun talking to the other volunteers and they fed us breakfast AND lunch. Also put on some Christmas music for us, which I wouldn't be caught dead listening to otherwise.
Only got one phone call today and it was a wrong number. Sometimes I wonder why I bother with a cell phone. Plus this whole UPGRADE thing has me quite anxious. I do not wish to sign any more two year contracts. My two year contract with Sprint will be up at the end of the month. It has been the longest two years of my life.
I DID wrap one gift this morning and FIND one gift as well, but am generally procrastinating about this whole Christmas thing. Did make my list of stores I would like to stop at before the holiday (there were only four). I'll be busy the rest of today getting a massage, exercising and practicing choir music.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Everybody wants to be a cat
I watched this movie TWICE this weekend with some six year olds. The aristocats is an old-fashioned cartoon with some really interesting music including this jazzy piece, Everybody wants to be a cat. It was produced by Walt Disney in 1970. I don't even watch videos ONCE, much less twice.
The sun came out today and the clouds were GORGEOUS. Forgot to call my roofer, darn it. Probably won't have a day this fabulous for awhile. At least, the ceiling didn't noticeably leak during these last few days of rain. So I guess I will procrastinate some more.
Must send out my Christmas requests. Nothing like waiting til it is too late. I just feel weird asking for stuff. It conflicts with my unacquisitive standards. Christmas is in only one week and I am not very prepared. But that is the norm for me. I do not get into the mood until December 24th.
The sun came out today and the clouds were GORGEOUS. Forgot to call my roofer, darn it. Probably won't have a day this fabulous for awhile. At least, the ceiling didn't noticeably leak during these last few days of rain. So I guess I will procrastinate some more.
Must send out my Christmas requests. Nothing like waiting til it is too late. I just feel weird asking for stuff. It conflicts with my unacquisitive standards. Christmas is in only one week and I am not very prepared. But that is the norm for me. I do not get into the mood until December 24th.
Monday, December 17, 2012
How electronic things work
This is ironic, but I checked out a book on my Nook. It is called How electronic things work....and what to do if they don't. The weird thing is, this book caused a problem I have never before had on my Nook! I can't figure out how to make the page advance. A strange message came up that I have never seen before. So I went back to another book that DOES work. Is that stupid or what?
Spent a lot of time with friends over the weekend. Also a lot of time with some six year old twins who seem to love me right now. I know that these stages are very temporary so I am taking advantage of it. They tore my sister's whole house up and made pretend houses out of chairs and blankets and cutlery and pillows and wall decorations and snacks. We had some playing cards and we were pretending that they were cell phones and video games. My sister and her boyfriend were just too tired to be disciplining so things got pretty wild. They are like whirling dervishes and love machines. It is so very upsetting to know that kids of that adorable age were murdered in Connecticut. Later Sunday night I was crying as Obama gave his speech at the memorial service in Newtown. It came on right after 60 minutes, which is the only TV show I actually watch ON PURPOSE.
I am kind of starving, waiting for a Christmas party to start. Using the computers at Rutgers Camden where I have staff privileges. Unfortunately, I no longer have parking privileges so I had to put over $4 in the street meter. Just got out a wheeled cart I knew I had to practice wheeling my "crap" around. My purse and my traveling folders and other bags full of business stuff are really wearing me down. I was surprised at how well this thing works. It is designed for one suitcase (back in the days before they thought of putting the wheels ON the suitcases) and is more lightweight than I had remembered. Guess I won't ask Santa for that, after all. It "kind of" works if I pile my stuff up and don't go over any uneven surfaces.
Spent a lot of time with friends over the weekend. Also a lot of time with some six year old twins who seem to love me right now. I know that these stages are very temporary so I am taking advantage of it. They tore my sister's whole house up and made pretend houses out of chairs and blankets and cutlery and pillows and wall decorations and snacks. We had some playing cards and we were pretending that they were cell phones and video games. My sister and her boyfriend were just too tired to be disciplining so things got pretty wild. They are like whirling dervishes and love machines. It is so very upsetting to know that kids of that adorable age were murdered in Connecticut. Later Sunday night I was crying as Obama gave his speech at the memorial service in Newtown. It came on right after 60 minutes, which is the only TV show I actually watch ON PURPOSE.
I am kind of starving, waiting for a Christmas party to start. Using the computers at Rutgers Camden where I have staff privileges. Unfortunately, I no longer have parking privileges so I had to put over $4 in the street meter. Just got out a wheeled cart I knew I had to practice wheeling my "crap" around. My purse and my traveling folders and other bags full of business stuff are really wearing me down. I was surprised at how well this thing works. It is designed for one suitcase (back in the days before they thought of putting the wheels ON the suitcases) and is more lightweight than I had remembered. Guess I won't ask Santa for that, after all. It "kind of" works if I pile my stuff up and don't go over any uneven surfaces.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
I am half-sick of shadows
Kind of a silly title and kind of a silly book. I did enjoy it although the audiobook kept skipping in my car. I think it is my player. The book is by a man, Alan Bradley and is about a young girl, who is part sleuth, part alchemist. She lives in a house that is almost a castle with her father, her two aggravating sisters and some servants.
Her mother has died and they have fallen on hard times. Her father decides to rent out the house to a movie crew around Christmas time. Trouble ensues and includes snowstorms and fireworks and a murder. This is considered the author's second "Flavia de Luce mystery". I enjoyed it for the descriptions and the very British witticisms.
Hung out with some really fun six year olds last night. We watched an old fashioned cartoon called The aristocats. I was amazed that modern children could enjoy such a thing. The kids were delightful, so loving, delivering occasional kisses, "just because"... So sad to think that children this age were murdered by another crazy American. Although I guess it is not just Americans who are crazy. Japanese and Vietnamese people knife each other as they do not have our easy access to guns. But what is going on? Do they just get the idea from TV and other events? But why?
Working today. Went to the cafeteria for lunch. I love it over there. Except for the fact that this is a PEPSI campus. Thinking of all the trees and all the seasons I have witnessed here and also thinking about a coworker who retired and died too soon.
I like this one tree out there. The leaves turn all brown but they do not fall off. It is juxtaposed next to an evergreen. I have been working here part time going on twenty five years! They already had a goodbye party for me several years ago but I keep on hanging on. Now I work only once a month, and not every month.
Her mother has died and they have fallen on hard times. Her father decides to rent out the house to a movie crew around Christmas time. Trouble ensues and includes snowstorms and fireworks and a murder. This is considered the author's second "Flavia de Luce mystery". I enjoyed it for the descriptions and the very British witticisms.
Hung out with some really fun six year olds last night. We watched an old fashioned cartoon called The aristocats. I was amazed that modern children could enjoy such a thing. The kids were delightful, so loving, delivering occasional kisses, "just because"... So sad to think that children this age were murdered by another crazy American. Although I guess it is not just Americans who are crazy. Japanese and Vietnamese people knife each other as they do not have our easy access to guns. But what is going on? Do they just get the idea from TV and other events? But why?
Working today. Went to the cafeteria for lunch. I love it over there. Except for the fact that this is a PEPSI campus. Thinking of all the trees and all the seasons I have witnessed here and also thinking about a coworker who retired and died too soon.
I like this one tree out there. The leaves turn all brown but they do not fall off. It is juxtaposed next to an evergreen. I have been working here part time going on twenty five years! They already had a goodbye party for me several years ago but I keep on hanging on. Now I work only once a month, and not every month.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Roofers, car mechanics, and dentists
No, these are not guys I have slept with but I have noticed a similarity amongst them. They all seem to criticize the LAST guy who did work for you.
How does McDonald's keep track of who is who when they have the two different ordering stations? I asked them. They TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR CAR.
The good things about retirement -
- I could go to a concert at 10:30 in the morning
- I could go to a birthday party for twin six year olds at 3 PM
- I could go out to breakfast and not worry about the time
- I can go volunteer for the Performing arts center and have breakfast AND lunch there
- Someone deposits checks into my bank account three times each month
What is wrong with Americans? We haven't finished investigating the crazed shooter in the mall when another crazed shooter hits the elementary school.
How does McDonald's keep track of who is who when they have the two different ordering stations? I asked them. They TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR CAR.
The good things about retirement -
- I could go to a concert at 10:30 in the morning
- I could go to a birthday party for twin six year olds at 3 PM
- I could go out to breakfast and not worry about the time
- I can go volunteer for the Performing arts center and have breakfast AND lunch there
- Someone deposits checks into my bank account three times each month
What is wrong with Americans? We haven't finished investigating the crazed shooter in the mall when another crazed shooter hits the elementary school.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Turn off your watch alarms
Was ordered to do this before the open rehearsal of the Philadelphia Orchestra today. Don't know how to do this. My watch beeps once every hour and the alarm goes off at midnight, 5 after, 10 after and 15 mins after. I don't know how it GOT that way and I don't know how to make it stop! So I took off my watch and put it in the pocket of my coat.
All the things one thinks about during a classical music performance. For some reason, I started thinking about past lovers. Professions of cello players, urologists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, cameramen, art directors of movies, I could go on. Countries of origin, US, France, Tunisia, Columbia, Guatamala, to name a few.
Today I had my first experience of the Kimmel Center. OK, I am a few years behind the curve. Walking in is a WOW...wood, wood, wood, and beautiful rose colored seats. Nice that you can park underneath for only $10 if you arrive before 10 AM. But, no parking attendant, they make you use this machine which was confusing to the elderly. There was a big long line of people trying to get their tickets before 10 AM. The machine did not give change, to make it REALLY user friendly. Someone put in a twenty dollar bill before they discovered this unpleasant fact. When we left, no one checked our ticket. How necessary IS this ticket? Do I want to find out? Anyway, this gorgeous wood symphony hall is inside an ultra modern glass building. The Verizon Symphony hall wood reminds me of a boat or a cello. In fact, the ceiling is shaped like a cello. Highly recommended is the TOUR of the building. My friend said she took the tour THREE times and it was different stuff every time. it is given every day except Monday at 1 pm.
All the things one thinks about during a classical music performance. For some reason, I started thinking about past lovers. Professions of cello players, urologists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, cameramen, art directors of movies, I could go on. Countries of origin, US, France, Tunisia, Columbia, Guatamala, to name a few.
Today I had my first experience of the Kimmel Center. OK, I am a few years behind the curve. Walking in is a WOW...wood, wood, wood, and beautiful rose colored seats. Nice that you can park underneath for only $10 if you arrive before 10 AM. But, no parking attendant, they make you use this machine which was confusing to the elderly. There was a big long line of people trying to get their tickets before 10 AM. The machine did not give change, to make it REALLY user friendly. Someone put in a twenty dollar bill before they discovered this unpleasant fact. When we left, no one checked our ticket. How necessary IS this ticket? Do I want to find out? Anyway, this gorgeous wood symphony hall is inside an ultra modern glass building. The Verizon Symphony hall wood reminds me of a boat or a cello. In fact, the ceiling is shaped like a cello. Highly recommended is the TOUR of the building. My friend said she took the tour THREE times and it was different stuff every time. it is given every day except Monday at 1 pm.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Laboring in obscurity
Is it kind of silly to be writing a blog that no one reads? I write stuff down here and forget to tell it to anyone I actually KNOW. Went out to lunch today and felt rather underdressed. The Coach Room is where all of the lawyers and judges go and also many office Christmas parties are held there. I went with some friends who wanted to eat the chicken pot pie. I went against my principle of "only eat out one meal per day". Today I will be eating out for THREE meals. The menu? Oatmeal, chicken pot pie and beef stroganoff. Not exactly the diet menu. I did walk for 30 minutes in the neighborhood. Chicken pot pie I can take it or leave it. Once a year will suffice. Some people get really excited about it.
Just participated in the census for the Current Population survey. That is that boring book which arrived at my library, was a pain to catalog, and that no one ever looked at. I had to answer questions about my health, my eating, my spending on food, my hunger, my education, etc. Realized all of my spending is based on my own little rules of frugality and not on actual running out of money. In reality, I spend a lot more money eating out than I do on groceries. They said they are going to visit me once a month for four months and then again in a year. I felt kind of special being one of only 55,000 people, but then I read it again and saw that they ask 55,000 people every month to get the official government figures on total employment and unemployment. I guess I am now one of those people who are NOT LOOKING FOR WORK.
Ravi Shankar died. I heard on NPR that when he played at Carnegie Hall, he was warming up his sitar playing. When he stopped after 3 1/2 minutes, the audience gave him a standing ovation. This was only cited to say how little Americans understand Indian music.
Just participated in the census for the Current Population survey. That is that boring book which arrived at my library, was a pain to catalog, and that no one ever looked at. I had to answer questions about my health, my eating, my spending on food, my hunger, my education, etc. Realized all of my spending is based on my own little rules of frugality and not on actual running out of money. In reality, I spend a lot more money eating out than I do on groceries. They said they are going to visit me once a month for four months and then again in a year. I felt kind of special being one of only 55,000 people, but then I read it again and saw that they ask 55,000 people every month to get the official government figures on total employment and unemployment. I guess I am now one of those people who are NOT LOOKING FOR WORK.
Ravi Shankar died. I heard on NPR that when he played at Carnegie Hall, he was warming up his sitar playing. When he stopped after 3 1/2 minutes, the audience gave him a standing ovation. This was only cited to say how little Americans understand Indian music.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The key is not to let go
Highly enjoyed this audiobook by Anderson Cooper. Dispatches from the edge : a memoir of war, disasters, and survival talks about how he got his start in television reporting, chasing difficult situations around the world. I guess he doesn't do that anymore and has settled down with his own TV show. The book was published in 2006. Anderson Cooper narrates the book. His mother is Gloria Vanderbilt. His father died when he was 10, "that slap of silence that reset the clock". His brother was two years older and committed suicide when Anderson was away at college by jumping from the ledge of Anderson's bedroom while his mother pleaded with him to not let go. The author goes to many war-torn countries...Somalia, Niger, and New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. He has trouble relaxing and vacationing, always wanting to be on the go and on the way to the next bad thing. Many good quotes... This one is from the epilogue..."The world has many edges and all of us dangle from them by only a thread. The key is not to let go." I really admire him and his charming good looks. A friend spends a lot of time on Fire Island in the summertime and says he sees him walking on the beach. Another good quote is..."I never understand people who are obsessed about the weather. One of the great joys of living in New York is that I can forget about the small piece of sky that I can actually see".
Drinking my daily Diet Coke. I limit myself to only one. And one cup of coffee. However, I was reading something which detailed at least three benefits of drinking coffee. Don't think I have seen any benefits of drinking Diet Coke.
Feeling very stiff around the shoulders. Even my weekly massage does not seem to have any lasting benefit in this area. Trying to get back to exercise but it is a struggle. Also trying to figure out how to add WHEELS to my lugging stuff around experience.
A man is admiring my ability to type. He asked me if I would type his resume.
I guess that is one thing I got better at working all those years.
Drinking my daily Diet Coke. I limit myself to only one. And one cup of coffee. However, I was reading something which detailed at least three benefits of drinking coffee. Don't think I have seen any benefits of drinking Diet Coke.
Feeling very stiff around the shoulders. Even my weekly massage does not seem to have any lasting benefit in this area. Trying to get back to exercise but it is a struggle. Also trying to figure out how to add WHEELS to my lugging stuff around experience.
A man is admiring my ability to type. He asked me if I would type his resume.
I guess that is one thing I got better at working all those years.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Having trouble getting online
OK, the weekend was SO busy, no time for Internet OR exercise (the eternal struggle).
Here I am at the Vineland library trying to fit everything into ONE hour....so stingy with the computer time. Not just Vineland, ALL the libraries, except for the Ocean City Library.
Glad about the following things:
- The sun finally came out at 3 PM
- There was an accident on Chestnut Avenue and I was not involved
- It did not actually rain today, just looked threatening and damp
- I brought my interlibrary loan book back and found out that it was WAY overdue
- I got something to eat for my prior co-workers and also supported a friend who is trying to have business selling only candy and art
Sad about the next five things:
- My ceiling started leaking in the middle of the night, exactly where it has been fixed not so many months ago
- Today just felt weighed down with issues about my roof, my teeth, my pills and many other undone things
- Gloomy weather really depresses me
- Can't get in the mood for Christmas. Feel like a real humbug (but I am like this every year)
- There is no number five, but things sound better in fives
Had a good weekend. Reunion with girlfriends of the 70's and saw Lincoln and ate at Coriander (an Indian restaurant in Voorhees). Ate with Breakfast club and volunteered at the symphony on Saturday. Sang in the choir and volunteered as a host for Christmas in Greenwich on Sunday and then had dinner with a friend.
Here I am at the Vineland library trying to fit everything into ONE hour....so stingy with the computer time. Not just Vineland, ALL the libraries, except for the Ocean City Library.
Glad about the following things:
- The sun finally came out at 3 PM
- There was an accident on Chestnut Avenue and I was not involved
- It did not actually rain today, just looked threatening and damp
- I brought my interlibrary loan book back and found out that it was WAY overdue
- I got something to eat for my prior co-workers and also supported a friend who is trying to have business selling only candy and art
Sad about the next five things:
- My ceiling started leaking in the middle of the night, exactly where it has been fixed not so many months ago
- Today just felt weighed down with issues about my roof, my teeth, my pills and many other undone things
- Gloomy weather really depresses me
- Can't get in the mood for Christmas. Feel like a real humbug (but I am like this every year)
- There is no number five, but things sound better in fives
Had a good weekend. Reunion with girlfriends of the 70's and saw Lincoln and ate at Coriander (an Indian restaurant in Voorhees). Ate with Breakfast club and volunteered at the symphony on Saturday. Sang in the choir and volunteered as a host for Christmas in Greenwich on Sunday and then had dinner with a friend.
Friday, December 7, 2012
I know why they have hand blow dryers in libraries
Blow dryers are annoying, especially when they are not WARM. And I DO like to have a wet paper towel to wipe down my computer area. But, having worked in a library, I have to tell you paper towels are often misused by the public, who seem to have an endless variety of mischiefmaking in mind when they are using free services. Why don't we jam some down the toilet or leave them balled up all over the bathroom?
I just finished a BIG boook by John Irving called Last night in twisted river. I don't really like his books. First of all, they are way too long. This was an audiobook and I slogged my way through the whole entire thing despite the violence and weirdness and cursing of the characters. Yes, there were some colorful characters that came and went. The subject was an author and his father and his son and their best friend and their loves and moves and murders, etc. He got down and dirty with murderous frying pans, farting dogs, odd ways of committing suicide, hideous weather, naked sky divers and more. I'm glad it is over with and I am not looking to read any more of his books. Sometimes the language seemed stilted or self-conscious. I jotted down several of his adjectives...the hippie carpenter, the blubbering sous chef, the dumb Canuck, the snoring logger.
Last night I attended a delightful event at the Bridgeton Public Library. Books were donated by the Willits Foundation, set up by a Quaker in the 1880's to provide "tracts" on peace in the South and in Liberia (talk about limited and specific). Since my town is SOUTH of the Mason/Dixon line and since my sister is involved with this foundation, she coordinated a group who chose a bunch of books on diversity which were then donated to the library. Our lovely evening encompassed introductions, distribution of quotes about libraries, books and reading, a reading of the quotes and lighting of candles, presentations on specific books by teenagers, reading of a poem, singing of a revised version of This little light of mine and then snacks. It was quite heart warming. I realized that I used that library when I was a little girl and then I grew up and became a librarian.
Today I am using my laptop at the Camden County Library in Voorhees. It is named after someone but I am ignoring that name. I cannot believe the great number of people in this room all sitting quitely and behaving themselves! I am not used to this degree of attentiveness. Didn't really find a perfect place but am sitting at a table where there is a plug. The outdoor view is rather grim today so I am avoiding thinking about the weather.
I just finished a BIG boook by John Irving called Last night in twisted river. I don't really like his books. First of all, they are way too long. This was an audiobook and I slogged my way through the whole entire thing despite the violence and weirdness and cursing of the characters. Yes, there were some colorful characters that came and went. The subject was an author and his father and his son and their best friend and their loves and moves and murders, etc. He got down and dirty with murderous frying pans, farting dogs, odd ways of committing suicide, hideous weather, naked sky divers and more. I'm glad it is over with and I am not looking to read any more of his books. Sometimes the language seemed stilted or self-conscious. I jotted down several of his adjectives...the hippie carpenter, the blubbering sous chef, the dumb Canuck, the snoring logger.
Last night I attended a delightful event at the Bridgeton Public Library. Books were donated by the Willits Foundation, set up by a Quaker in the 1880's to provide "tracts" on peace in the South and in Liberia (talk about limited and specific). Since my town is SOUTH of the Mason/Dixon line and since my sister is involved with this foundation, she coordinated a group who chose a bunch of books on diversity which were then donated to the library. Our lovely evening encompassed introductions, distribution of quotes about libraries, books and reading, a reading of the quotes and lighting of candles, presentations on specific books by teenagers, reading of a poem, singing of a revised version of This little light of mine and then snacks. It was quite heart warming. I realized that I used that library when I was a little girl and then I grew up and became a librarian.
Today I am using my laptop at the Camden County Library in Voorhees. It is named after someone but I am ignoring that name. I cannot believe the great number of people in this room all sitting quitely and behaving themselves! I am not used to this degree of attentiveness. Didn't really find a perfect place but am sitting at a table where there is a plug. The outdoor view is rather grim today so I am avoiding thinking about the weather.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
You don't work here no more?
Sat down at the library and was looking at my neighbor, who was watching a L'il Wayne video on Youtube instead of doing his history homework. The guy looked over at me and said, "You don't work here no more?" Nope, I am just a customer, like you, now. Nice to be remembered, anyway....
Someone came to look at my window today. He was rattling off all of this stuff about windows and managed to OBFUSCATE rather than ELUCIDATE. I like a handyman who leaves you with advice and not with confusion. I am easily confounded. My window has been broken for several years now, but the cold is starting to get to me. OK, I am a procrastinator. One day I was taking a shower and a glass bottle crashed into the shower with me. Someone had thrown a pretty-much-empty bottle of spaghetti sauce through my storm window, through my window and into the shower with me. This is on the second floor! I did get a little glass cut on my foot but it could have been much worse. Especially if there was spaghetti sauce in the bottle. No, I don't know who, why or how. But I suddenly got the desire to get a whole new window, since so much of it is broken. I dread the cost, though, as it is a huge and weirdly sized structure. Guy claims they just throw the old ones out as it is too much trouble to get the panes out.
So I am retired. But why do I feel like I am always rushing around and that I don't have enough time for anything? I guess I should say I don't have enough time for EVERYTHING. I forget that I am GLAD that I DO have time for work parties at my old jobs, appointments galore, presentations at 5 PM, and exercise classes whenever.
Someone came to look at my window today. He was rattling off all of this stuff about windows and managed to OBFUSCATE rather than ELUCIDATE. I like a handyman who leaves you with advice and not with confusion. I am easily confounded. My window has been broken for several years now, but the cold is starting to get to me. OK, I am a procrastinator. One day I was taking a shower and a glass bottle crashed into the shower with me. Someone had thrown a pretty-much-empty bottle of spaghetti sauce through my storm window, through my window and into the shower with me. This is on the second floor! I did get a little glass cut on my foot but it could have been much worse. Especially if there was spaghetti sauce in the bottle. No, I don't know who, why or how. But I suddenly got the desire to get a whole new window, since so much of it is broken. I dread the cost, though, as it is a huge and weirdly sized structure. Guy claims they just throw the old ones out as it is too much trouble to get the panes out.
So I am retired. But why do I feel like I am always rushing around and that I don't have enough time for anything? I guess I should say I don't have enough time for EVERYTHING. I forget that I am GLAD that I DO have time for work parties at my old jobs, appointments galore, presentations at 5 PM, and exercise classes whenever.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
A committed underacquirer
In other words, I am FRUGAL. Decided to get a new window in my house. I love the big old wooden windows, but really, I have to admit that they do not function! A pane broke out, the storm window is broken and the pulley broke so that the window does not even open. Still, it is very hard for me to part with it. Maybe I will replace them one at a time? The storm windows rattle when the wind blows and some of them don't work well anymore. Costs about $500 for one, I fear. I have 13 windows.
I have love/hate relationships with many things. BRIDGETON, the town that I live in, lacks interesting stores and restaurants, but it is quiet. Our local NEWSPAPER just became "regionalized" and now incorporates Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester Counties. I love having a paper delivered that I can read at night but many articles are now about places I don't care about. Did I mention they also changed their name (I hate that) to South Jersey times? The DENTIST causes me pain and stress and breaks my teeth but I love the feeling AFTER I get my teeth cleaned. And some of them give me free stuff.
Went to an author lecture last night at the Cumberland County College. Heard Joyce Carol Oates. She read a short story called San Quentin. She shared with us the difficulties of teaching writing in a prison in that the prisoners don't really want any criticism of their work. Then she read a story called Ugly out of her anthology which was the One book, one college selection this year (Faithless : tales of transgression). She has quite a range of topics in her writings. She teaches at Princeton and tells her students she doesn't care if they like or don't like a book. The important thing is how did it make you feel. Someone asked her what does she like to read for pleasure. She said that she is a masochist and does not read for pleasure! She reads for review.
I have love/hate relationships with many things. BRIDGETON, the town that I live in, lacks interesting stores and restaurants, but it is quiet. Our local NEWSPAPER just became "regionalized" and now incorporates Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester Counties. I love having a paper delivered that I can read at night but many articles are now about places I don't care about. Did I mention they also changed their name (I hate that) to South Jersey times? The DENTIST causes me pain and stress and breaks my teeth but I love the feeling AFTER I get my teeth cleaned. And some of them give me free stuff.
Went to an author lecture last night at the Cumberland County College. Heard Joyce Carol Oates. She read a short story called San Quentin. She shared with us the difficulties of teaching writing in a prison in that the prisoners don't really want any criticism of their work. Then she read a story called Ugly out of her anthology which was the One book, one college selection this year (Faithless : tales of transgression). She has quite a range of topics in her writings. She teaches at Princeton and tells her students she doesn't care if they like or don't like a book. The important thing is how did it make you feel. Someone asked her what does she like to read for pleasure. She said that she is a masochist and does not read for pleasure! She reads for review.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The trash fairy
Haven't figured out new neighbors yet, but I LIKE one older, white, bearded, odd guy. Because he takes my trash container out to the curb and brings it back. Just being nice? I call him my "trash fairy" since it started happening and I didn't know why. I still don't know why, I just know WHO. That is the NICE kind of neighbor surprise.
I have had some bad surprises lately, too, which is mostly what I expect. On the back of the corner are a bunch of loud white people who curse a lot outdoors. Hate that.
Went to my exercise class this AM. I LOVE the teacher. She just came back from workshops in Arizona. Learned about "brain gym". She will be springing that and other stuff on us in the upcoming weeks. She is adorable and is always saying inspiring stuff, like, when you are thinking "no", make it into "ON".
Took a pill for my dental appointment today. I think it gave me a positive outlook on a lot of things. Unfortunately, I was told I have to get my wisdom tooth pulled out. I have had nothing but BAD news about my teeth ever since I retired and stopped having dental insurance. I don't get it. I was supposed to have inherited very good teeth from my mother and father.
The weather is too perfect. Went up to 68 degrees today. And it is winter.
I have had some bad surprises lately, too, which is mostly what I expect. On the back of the corner are a bunch of loud white people who curse a lot outdoors. Hate that.
Went to my exercise class this AM. I LOVE the teacher. She just came back from workshops in Arizona. Learned about "brain gym". She will be springing that and other stuff on us in the upcoming weeks. She is adorable and is always saying inspiring stuff, like, when you are thinking "no", make it into "ON".
Took a pill for my dental appointment today. I think it gave me a positive outlook on a lot of things. Unfortunately, I was told I have to get my wisdom tooth pulled out. I have had nothing but BAD news about my teeth ever since I retired and stopped having dental insurance. I don't get it. I was supposed to have inherited very good teeth from my mother and father.
The weather is too perfect. Went up to 68 degrees today. And it is winter.
Monday, December 3, 2012
I need a headline
Went to listen to my Playlist as library patrons are annoying me. Adults are either drunk, stoned or stupid and kids are cute or wild, depending on your mood. Couldn't get my music to work (this is a very common occurrence). Oh, but then, I realized I hadn't plugged in my headphones!
Just got a phone call from "Anonymous". Pretty sure that is no one I want to talk to. And phone doesn't really work when in the library.
Drove past Angie's Diner today and realized the GRAND OPENING sign hadn't even been removed before they had a suspicious fire that burned up their kitchen. It was bought out by new owners who promptly fired all of the help and started all over with their own family members. There was an article promoting them in the newspaper but I hadn't heard really good things about'em. It is really sad, because it was a cute old fashioned red diner right on the river and now it has an ugly fence around it and is all burned out.
Just got a phone call from "Anonymous". Pretty sure that is no one I want to talk to. And phone doesn't really work when in the library.
Drove past Angie's Diner today and realized the GRAND OPENING sign hadn't even been removed before they had a suspicious fire that burned up their kitchen. It was bought out by new owners who promptly fired all of the help and started all over with their own family members. There was an article promoting them in the newspaper but I hadn't heard really good things about'em. It is really sad, because it was a cute old fashioned red diner right on the river and now it has an ugly fence around it and is all burned out.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Cacophony
Time for the headphones again. Stopped into McDonald's to use the computer and they have the TV AND the radio going.
Had a "handyman" stop by today. Makes me nervous due to mess at my house. We just talked about stuff that needs doing and then he went away. Odd sense of accomplishment. Enjoyed getting ADVICE about what to do about certain things.
Good reunion last night of women friends from, oh, 40 or so years ago. Amazingly good turn out, more than 10. Woman from Oakland, CA and one from Cape Cod. Almost felt guilty that I only had to travel a number of BLOCKS to get to the gathering. We were supposed to report on what we had been doing since our days of rabble rousing in Bridgeton area. Here are some of the current occupations of our group...artist, unemployed lawyer, retired librarian, psychotherapist, trophy wife. It was warm and cozy and delicious. I showed some slides of Women of the Sticks activities and we couldn't even remember who all of the people were in the pictures.
Had a "handyman" stop by today. Makes me nervous due to mess at my house. We just talked about stuff that needs doing and then he went away. Odd sense of accomplishment. Enjoyed getting ADVICE about what to do about certain things.
Good reunion last night of women friends from, oh, 40 or so years ago. Amazingly good turn out, more than 10. Woman from Oakland, CA and one from Cape Cod. Almost felt guilty that I only had to travel a number of BLOCKS to get to the gathering. We were supposed to report on what we had been doing since our days of rabble rousing in Bridgeton area. Here are some of the current occupations of our group...artist, unemployed lawyer, retired librarian, psychotherapist, trophy wife. It was warm and cozy and delicious. I showed some slides of Women of the Sticks activities and we couldn't even remember who all of the people were in the pictures.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Feeling irritable
Don't know why I am feeling so irritable this afternoon. Had a nice morning at our annual Christmas fund raising event; helping, buying and admiring cute children. But now I feel rushed and unhealthy. "NEED" to exercise but feel incapable of doing it. Always struggling to fit in computer and exercise and appreciation of the limited daylight hours. Drove by McDonald's but there was no handy parking and people were sitting at my favorite laptop table. So, I rushed over to the library and was confronted by NOISY, obnoxious child. With "caretakers" who seem oblivious to the commotion. Stopped at a deli on the way and THEY HAD NO DIET COKE. Had to go to Shoprite to purchase something for dinner but I didn't really WANT to be there, nor did I have the time for it.
Recently had a haircut and color. Not sure where I want to go with my hair. Somewhat disappointed that I lost my highlights to which I was quite attached. Have been jumping around from hairdresser to hairdresser since mine up and moved to Arizona (the bum!) It WAS, however, a really enjoyable day (Friday) as I had a lot of attention from hairdresser and then got a manicure and a pedicure. Boy, am I SPOILED!
Saw a good show on TV the other night. It was just a serendipitous discovery going around the dial as this is how I watch TV. It was called Park Avenue : money, power and the American dream. As the New York Post described it, "Channel 13's rich bash".
I believe it was based on the book 740 Park Avenue about some of the residents of this building who are not particularly nice, in addition to being billionaires. It talked about how the Koch brothers are behind the "grass roots" movement known as the Tea party.
Recently had a haircut and color. Not sure where I want to go with my hair. Somewhat disappointed that I lost my highlights to which I was quite attached. Have been jumping around from hairdresser to hairdresser since mine up and moved to Arizona (the bum!) It WAS, however, a really enjoyable day (Friday) as I had a lot of attention from hairdresser and then got a manicure and a pedicure. Boy, am I SPOILED!
Saw a good show on TV the other night. It was just a serendipitous discovery going around the dial as this is how I watch TV. It was called Park Avenue : money, power and the American dream. As the New York Post described it, "Channel 13's rich bash".
I believe it was based on the book 740 Park Avenue about some of the residents of this building who are not particularly nice, in addition to being billionaires. It talked about how the Koch brothers are behind the "grass roots" movement known as the Tea party.
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