Dissatisfied

Sitting here typing feeling unhappy with my hair and my body. Not a great haircut? Too long without exercising and too much good food!

Wonderful weekend with old school mates...we have forgotten the problems of youth and who was friends with whom or not. Now we are mostly all just feeling the love. Lots of hugging and talking and eating. Weekend just whizzed by without a moment to use my computer or my bathing suit or my calendar. A waste of time to lug them all over to Newtown, PA. Of course, I FORGOT something in the hotel room. Left a six pack of O'Doul's in the fridge along with a bottle of Diet Coke. Really could have used them as I was driving around later!

Moby Dick (audio book), by Herman Melville. Wow, did I enjoy this! Beautiful language and great meditations on the whale, blackness, whiteness, friendship, Nantucket, the sea, whalers, etc.
I was always a bit intimidated about taking this book on, but very glad I finally got around to it. Now I must read the book Why you should read Moby Dick.

My holiday wreath

Went to a class today...to make a wreath for my door. We used all kinds of stuff to make little bunches of greens. Then we wired the 11 or so bunches to a wreath wire base. I was quite pleased with mine....greens, magnolia leaves, yellow berries, red berries and pinecones, oh my! Actually, everyone's wreath was great, if you like the wild look. I had to go right home and put it on my door. I was right to not choose the big frame.

Good poems for hard times (book), selected and introduced by Garrison Keillor. I rescued this book from the discard pile at the library. So sad. Enjoyed reading it, but I guess I will pass it on. Poems are divided into vague subject areas...and include poems by famous and not-so-famous writers. At the end Garrison Keillor writes a bit about each author and includes a few thoughts from each. My favorite poem is:

In praise of my bed, by Meredith Holmes.

At last I can be with you!
The grinding hours
since I left your side!
The labor of being fully human,
working my opposable thumb,
talking, and walking upright.
Now I have unclasped,
unzipped, stepped out of.
Husked, soft, a be-er only,
I do nothing, but point
my bare feet into your
clean smoothness
feel your quiet strength
the whole length of my body.
I close my eyes, hear myself
moan, so grateful to be held this way.

I thought it was going to be sunny today. Instead it is gloomy and dreary. At least it is not raining.

People watching

Otherwise known as....sitting on a bench and being judgmental. OK, my exercise teacher heard that on the radio but it is oh so true. Especially when you are down at the boardwalk, as I was a few days ago. I drew a picture of a woman I saw, but it was too complimentary. For two days now I have drawn a picture. Today, what? I wanted to draw an Amish person but I'd have to do it from memory or with them scurrying by. Had a not-very-satisfying breakfast at the Amish Market in Vineland. Frankly, I think they lost a lot of the "counter character" by moving upstairs. And my favorite waitress was not there.

Weather is disgusting out. Extremely windy and cold. At least it is sunny but you wouldn't want to spend any time out there.

Hanging out where I used to work. Can overhear them dealing with one of the many relabeling, totally redoing projects we used to do interminably. I guess it fills up the time and keeps you guessing. One thing about working, it gives you daily access to some "friends". Don't have that now. That is why I am always OUT and ABOUT. Feeling a bit self-righteous as have already completed my exercise and my Internet chores and it is only noon. The rest of the day is FREE (?). Signed up for a class tonight for which I have to drive 1/2 hour. Think I can handle it. Am LOVING this light longer stuff with the time change! Taking a class on making a memory box. Casting about for my artistic (or not) bent. Here is what I like the idea of....photography, beach glass jewelry, pottery, drawing, pastels, collage.

snowing with the sun out

That is the best kind of snow. Just enough to be pretty.

Learned some stuff today. Went to a class on Word basic II. Maybe I should have taken Word basic I, too?
Every program I use, I only know some of the most basic features. Then there are 999 features that really confuse me. So I learned some about tables and pictures and moving stuff about. Good to have a review and learn something new so that my brain doesn't just turn to mush.

Really must go and get some bird seed as the weather is turning cold again. I need some food, too, but I think the birds should take priority.

Finished audio book of Number 10, by Sue Townsend. She is over the top British funny. And I love the way the reader pronounces those British words such as conTROversy and many others I have forgotten now. The gist of this book is when the prime minister of Great Britian goes on a "vacation" with a policeman to try and see how the real people live. He disguises himself as a woman a la Marilyn Monroe and really enjoys it way too much.

Never say never

One example is, I said, "My computer never came back online unless so and so did a complete reboot of the system". Well, today, I was proved wrong. He always says, "It's your equipment," and I always say. "No, it's not". Anyway, today it seemed to go up and down (or on or off?). Then I unconnected and reconnected the wireless and it came back up. Looking into Instagram (I think you need an app on your PHONE) and Sound cloud. Tomorrow I will probably forgo the computer as it is going to be a nasty day, no matter what it does....rain, sleet or snow. Any of it is really unpleasant when it comes to schlepping your stuff around!

"Are you ready for the storm?" That is what is on everybody's mind. Well, I am OUT of bread and only one roll of toilet paper left. What I REALLY need is rock salt and suet and sunflower seeds for the birds. God, but I HATE winter. THREE oil deliveries last month, although I only have proof for two. The temperature the past few days has been BELOW freezing, which causes me to exclaim unpleasantly each time I go outside. Even when I am INSIDE, the heat can't really get up to the pre-programmed setting when it is that cold outside. Am also becoming very unhappy with my oil provider. Partly because others are complaining about them and partly because I have noticed some changes with their service.

I have been attending a lot of classes lately...photoshop (not so good), music (somewhat overwhelming) and art (cried over Frida Kahlo). Keep thinking that I need to keep my mind in the exercise mode.

Mislaid

Part of my many excuses about why I no longer take photographs.  I have an OLD SLR I could dust off and try out, if they still make film.  The digital camera given to me by my family has been MISLAID and I think the megapixels are 3.2.  My polaroids can no longer be supplied with film.  (Wonder how much I could get for a brand new Polaroid camera still in the box?)  Now I am taking really crappy pictures with my phone, an LG Rumor.  Just have not made the transition to the digital age.  I used to have a darkroom and all.  Several friends keep harping about what a great photographer I am (was).  So today I have an appointment with a techy person at the TLC (Technology learning center) at the Cape May Court House Public Library to ask questions about photo stuff.

Just tried to copy a picture I took last night of the Philly Phanatic. Had to get one off of the Internet. Apologies to whoever took this one.  I get a kick out of him.  A whole hour of him was weird though.  He came to the Cumberland County Library last night.  I wonder if there is only ONE of them?  He doesn't talk, and was trying to get across the idea to the kids that they needed to TURN AROUND in order to pose for pictures.  They were so busy looking at him that they forgot to pose.  First he turned around in a circle, trying to give them the idea and almost wacking people with his tail.  Then he made circling motions with his hands.  I worried about the SPANISH kids, which was dumb, cause he doesn't speak ENGLISH either.  It must be really hard for him to NOT speak. Anyway, the kids were adorable, with PP dolls, headdresses, etc.  Some of the kids were in tears or on the verge of tears.  He is more scary than Santa Claus.  A kid from Canada, who didn't know from the Philly Phanatic, burst into tears when he saw him.

It's July 2 already and I really haven't made any summer plans.  Clay College or other art class?  Summer rental?  Travel plans to Maine or ? Visit old friends with beach houses?  I think the SUN just came out.  That was not in the forecast.  The forecast is rain off and on all day, heavy at times.  When I asked the librarian if that was the sun outside, she said, "Yes, but it is humid and gross out there."  Now I feel better about staying the the nice, cool library all day.

My mind is boggled

Went to a workshop on Google Chrome.  Interesting but intimidating.  Realizing that now that I am not working, I just try to get by on my existing knowledge.  OK, I have ALWAYS been like that.  The teacher of my class has TEN email accounts.  When am I gonna have time to investigate all of the things I learned tonight?  I guess it is good to stretch my mind occasionally.

Having a rough week.  Today we had TORRENTIAL rains.  And I was driving an hour to get to this class.  Also, the gas company is working on the street in front of my house and making quite a raquet.  Sounded like they were dragging something really heavy over concrete and they probably were.  It was making me feel out of sorts.  So I took a Xanax and laid down on the bed.

Still mad at the city and planning to rewrite my letter of outrage.  Pisses me off that I have received NO explanation and NO apology and PLUS I had to PAY for interest and costs of a late and unpaid water and sewer bill.  Plus the humiliation of having my name in the paper for tax sale.  No one has called me about it.  So either no one is reading the paper or I have no friends.  I guess there could be some other reasons.

I want to eat something right now

An apt phrase for me....learning in the car with Pimsleur.  It is a good thing I already KNOW French.  Don't know how I could do this audio lesson if I DIDN'T know French!  I have noticed that proper pronunciation gives your face and neck a workout.  The conversations are sort of stupid...stopping someone on the street and then asking her how she is.  I am trying to get ready for all of that helloing and goodbyeing and politeness that the French go in for.  It is hard to be on a diet when you are constantly having to say in French....Do you want to eat something?  Yes.  What do you want to eat?  I don't know.  Very good. (see what I mean about stupid conversations?)  WHEN do you want to eat something?  Je voudrai manger quelque chose maintenant! (I want to eat something RIGHT NOW).

Hearing loud drunk people on the streets of Bridgeton.  Maybe every downtown has loud drunk people?  There were some hanging outside of the Millville Public Library the other day.

Heard an oldies station on the radio today.  WIBG?  I thought that was defunct...or maybe it was just on AM and moved to FM?  So, I looked it up.  It seems to be broadcasting out of Ocean City now..... I guess they weren't OLDIES the first time.  WIBG is pronounced WIBBAGE.

About

Wibbage 99 was Philadelphia's original rock and roll radio station, introducing millions of Delaware Valley teenagers to the sounds of Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Motown and much more.

Wibbage FM 94.3 is our tribute to the great Philly station of our youth.  You'll hear retro commercials, jingles and airchecks, but you'll also hear local news, weather and events.  Plus, that great music you know and love!

Your favorite songs from...
The Beatles, Beach Boys, Four Tops, Billy Joel, Herman's Hermits, The Association, Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Elton John, Van Morrison, Roy Orbison, Rolling Stones, America, Buckinghams, Martha & the Vandellas, Doobie Brothers and so many more!!!

And that's why we sent you to private school all them years

Said a mother to her son.  Overheard at the counter at the Vineland Amish market this morning.  She was criticizing the public school system of Vineland New Jersey.  (He didn't look like he turned out all that great).

I am having a relaxing day, killing time in Vineland.  Made it to my 8 AM Exercise for arthritis class (my goal is to get to one of the two weekly classes).  Then I head for the baked oatmeal breakfast at the Amish market.  Oatmeal started off as a diet food.  By the time I get done with it it is NOT a diet food.  I load it up with bananas, raisins, hot milk, and brown sugar.  And I have a sneaking suspicion that "baked" oatmeal already has eggs, flour and sugar already added to it.  Then I stopped by to make a hair appointment.  Next I went to my previous place of employment and visited a few people.  Now I am using the computer at the Vineland Public Library.  Already had to ask my neighbor to stop cursing at the computer.  Those old librarian habits die hard!

It is such a struggle trying to lose weight.  Unwanted (unnecessary) pounds are part of my excess STUFF. Maybe if I eat sensibly and exercise EVERY day for a VERY long time, I could lose some weight?  I was rather pleased today, though, when I had my body fat percentage checked.  Maybe there was an equipment malfunction but, according to the stats, my body fat declined from somewhere in the 40's in January to somewhere in the 20's in April.  (Strangely enough, they measure this in the middle of the top part of your arm instead of pinching your midriff). I guess it was in January when my self improvement campaign started.  When my "home away from home" became the Fitness Connection instead of my CAR.  Possible diet plans:
- Eat one meal a day and have 100 calorie snacks at intervals the rest of the day?
- Behave myself all the time and only have one "treat" after the weight goes down five pounds?
- Paleo diet?
- Gluten-free diet?
- Spend an entire day at the Fitness Connection?
- Curb the nightime eating? (I may have to wean myself off of the Ambien to accomplish this)

Internet access

Well, I still haven't bit the bullet and gotten Internet access at home.  Don't know where to start with all of the things I "need"...Do I get a new phone, apps, Internet, wireless, Siruis XM radio, a camera, or what?  Article on Technorati about a lot of students using the Wi-Fi at McDonald's.  I don't see it in Bridgeton.  I am usually the only one using it when I go.  I thought this fact was interesting: " McDonalds have 12,000 Wi-Fi equipped locations across America, with Starbucks adding another 7,000. Combined they provide greater access to the Internet than the 15,000 Wi-Fi enabled public libraries in America."

Driving home from my class last night, I took a wrong turn and ended up in Millville.  That is somewhat disturbing.  I don't seem to recognize where I am in the dark, even when I know the way home.  This is when I venture an hour or more away from home.

"60 apps in 60 minutes" was quite inspiring.  Our instructor was a substitute but he was really knowledgeable and enthusiastic.  If he said "How cool is that" once, he said it 30 times.  Of course, now I "need" and want apps...but will I really use them?  It was inviting in a very librarian-like way.  How could I NOT enjoy all these extra ways to find things out?  Not sure I need a news aggregator or a personal magazine.  I kind of like newspapers and magazines the way they are and the way I am using them.  The music and photo apps were really cool, though.  I can see myself using Shazam or Dropbox.  And the "find your phone" app could come in handy.

Beach access closed until further notice

I found myself in Cape May Courthouse and saw that I HAD to drive a little further to check out the ocean in Stone Harbor.  The street just off the beach was in really bad shape and closed for construction.  I tried just one street over (97th St.) and was confronted with this sign when I attempted to go up the wooden walkway to the beach.  I could HEAR the ocean, but obediently, I retreated and didn't try to bypass the warning.  This is obviously Hurricane Sandy damage.

Just a beautiful day.  Finally, the sun came out and it got up to 58 degrees according to my car.  I did my "Vitamin D bath" routine, sitting in my car, listening to an audiobook.  Drove for an hour, passing places I always think I should stop at and take a walk.  Vowing to come back with my cross country ski poles and use them as walking poles.  Had soup for dinner.  Trying to eat more SOUP and SALAD instead of my favorite food, sandwiches.  I could eat sandwiches all day long, no problem. 

I came to this library to use the computers (of course) and take a class tonight.  60 apps in 60 minutes.  I don't even HAVE apps, but am thinking about getting them.  I am at the Cape May County library in Cape May Courthouse.  I actually have a card for this library system, being the library nerd that I am.

Another abandoned blog?

Losing interest in this blog.  First, all the interesting things that happened to me seem to be quite long ago.  Then, my life with stuff is falling behind, not progressing ahead.  So, I am having a mid-life crisis, as it were.

Just read an article about how Facebook is a stressful environment for some and envy causes some people to not want to be on there a lot.  Seems like there are PLENTY of people who want to put their whole lives out there, though.  Other people's vacation photos can cause the most unpleasant thoughts about your own life.  People who just lurk are, apprarently, the most disatisfied of all.

Went to an interesting program last night about Microsoft Access.  I have always been a bit intimidated by this database creator  and felt totally comfortable stopping with Excel.  But this teacher actually made it interesting and made me want to create a database or be more interested in the topic in general.  Can't attend part two tonight, but maybe someday.  I just happened to be at the Cumberland County Library when it started and thought it might do me some good to stretch my brain muscles, so I went in.  Maybe I will take all of the classes.  I feel that my computer knowledge is not advancing, either, in retirement.  No annoying patrons to force me to learn new things.

The last computer

Not really in the mood for spending a lot of time online today, so it is just me and a computer at the  Camden County Library.  This library is named after someone, but I refuse to complicate my life by using the name.  Nothing I like better than a whole room full of people minding their own business and quietly working on whatever they are working on (probably Facebook).  They have a rather loud air circulation system which actually helps as it hides incidental noises.

Attended a lecture here this morning called, Why can't I be happy?  Me and a bunch of other senior citizen ladies.  Oh, and a man with a walker.  I actually knew one of the people, but due to depression or due to my cold, I didn't say hello. The speaker was a geriatric psychiatrist, really young and cute.  I shouldn't be out and about, but I am getting really bored with staying home, AND not even accomplishing anything at home.  My cough has gotten worse and my nose started running last night when I was on the massage table.  I thought it was just because he was doing such a good job massaging me that my sinuses were clearing out.  So, now I have added SNEEZING to my repertoire.  I try to be sensitive as to how annoying I am to others, since I know, I, personally, HATE sick people and wish that they had stayed home.  My voice is really rough, so it is just easier to be anonymous and not talk to people.

My plan is to go over to the semi-good movie theater and catch a film, since I am all the way an hour away from home.  They have some really comfy chairs and a lot of film magazines.  The drive up was beautiful, with finally some sun and a few minutes of SNOW.

Unsavory denizens of downtown

Attended a cooking demonstration down at the pocket park today. We are supposed to call it the "Culinary Park" but I think that is a bit pretentious as well as a misnomer. I picked up a recipe for Broccoli cakes which I don't know if I will ever make. It involves frying in a quarter of an inch of hot oil. I am know for my passion for picking up recipes and my lack of interest in actually cooking. We were advised to bring our own lunch as the demo was just for TASTINGS. Some sort of homeless-looking guys were scarfing up the samples. They had not received the memo. The cook was actually reprimanding one of the guys for his language and his manners.

Word of the day: DENIZEN. It means inhabitant, or someone who frequents a place.

Returned a book to the library today that I did not really enjoy. The dovekeepers, by Alice Hoffman, is a historical story of four women a very long time ago when Jews were being done away with on a mountain called Masada in ancient Israel. It was confusing and too violent for me. It was a book club choice and I already missed the discussion about it. So many books, so little time!