I need to get "away" once a week. That means doing different things and seeing different sites. I do this best all alone. Then I can stop and turn when I want without having to justify or explain to another person. Drove down to a movie theater I have been to before to see an "art film"...Still Alice. Stopped at a new restaurant on the way down. Johnnie's breakfast and lunch in Mays Landing had juke boxes on the walls. They were not working but still. Did we ever dream that someday we would all be carrying around tiny jukeboxes of our own in our pockets?
The theater is out of the way. In fact there is no way to get back on the highway going the direction I wanted to go in. The cost of the Senior citizen ticket was 75 cents less than the Regal in Vineland. The cost of the popcorn was $1 MORE. I bought a box of candy for $4.01.
I liked that they had the name of the movie and the starting time above the door of each theater. Also the theater was WARM. (I haven't been warm in days!) There was a bird in there but he didn't attack anyone. The theater sits all alone in a big parking lot bordered by woods. There is an Outback steakhouse out there next to it. I will definitely be going back even though it takes over an hour to get there. On Tuesdays, you can get in for $6 before 6 PM.
The strange library (book), by Haruki Murakami. Seems like it should be young adult, but it wasn't at the Vineland Public Library. Translated from the Japanese, it is like an art book, with a page of type across from a design. The type is like really huge typewriter type and the pages fit in a fold. Of course, I had to get it because it about a LIBRARY. Kind of a fantasy library adventure of a young boy.
Showing posts with label excursions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label excursions. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Friday, October 24, 2014
My very long day
Yesterday started off predictably enough, as I went through the motions of Arthritis exercise, massage, library and other errands. A friend called and invited me to go up to New York to see a play. I begged off on this one day trip, as I felt I had been away from home too much lately, especially in the evenings. A short while later, someone ELSE called and invited me to go up to New York City to see an art exhibit that I wanted to see. It was the last day! So, I surmised, SOMEONE wants me to be in New York today.
I cancelled another appointment and called the second person and said I would go up with them to see the art exhibit. It is a three hour drive and we got a late start. Also, the church where the exhibit was being held was closing early, so time was getting away from us. We arrived at the church at 4:45 PM. The art was still up but not lit so we had to work to peer at the art all around the church which was in semi-darkness. We got into the elevator to go downstairs to the bathroom and almost got stuck in there. Saw a sign that bathrooms only open during church services. Then the door wouldn't open back up so we had to go to street level, exit and come back in through the church main entrance. At closing time I wandered up Broadway. The church was at 60th and Columbus and the play I was going to was at Broadway and 72nd St. Stopped into a loew's AMC movie theater and though about going to a movie. Several lines of people and escalators going us several floors. It was too much for me. I would rather go to our quiet little Regal in Vineland to see a crappy movie. Came upon an Apple store. This has been on my list of things to do so I went in. Tried to get on my email on one of the many different sizes of devices. Yahoo insisted on calling me with an access code. I decided I will never be able to figure out Apple devices so I asked a man working there to help me log off of my email. He reprimanded me for logging into my personal account on a public computer. Continued on my way and found the Triad theater, upstairs at 158 W. 70th St. Went into the Turkish restaurant below (Seven's Turkish grill). Just got settled with my water and candle and realized MY PHONE was missing. Had to hightail it 6 blocks back to the Apple store, where, miraculously, they had picked up my phone. WHEW! (My life was flashing before my eyes). Saw Ruthless : the musical, where Brittany Spears got her start as a young girl. Delightful theater, intimate and charming. OK, the seats were impossibly hard and we were forced to buy two bad, expensive drinks. But the room was full of young enthusiastic people so you felt like you were at a cool event.
Stage was very small but OK for 6 people, some of whom played more than one part. I loved the music, especially a song called I hate musicals. After the show, we wandered down the street, stopping into a cool, huge, cosmetics and Halloween costume store. It was a lot of fun, but we didn't buy anything. We thought about buying a blond wig and a button that said ART JUNKIE. Three of us ladies me our friend, the producer and he drove us home. Got dropped off at my house shortly after midnight. A pretty interesting day considering that I didn't know I was going to NYC until lunchtime!
I cancelled another appointment and called the second person and said I would go up with them to see the art exhibit. It is a three hour drive and we got a late start. Also, the church where the exhibit was being held was closing early, so time was getting away from us. We arrived at the church at 4:45 PM. The art was still up but not lit so we had to work to peer at the art all around the church which was in semi-darkness. We got into the elevator to go downstairs to the bathroom and almost got stuck in there. Saw a sign that bathrooms only open during church services. Then the door wouldn't open back up so we had to go to street level, exit and come back in through the church main entrance. At closing time I wandered up Broadway. The church was at 60th and Columbus and the play I was going to was at Broadway and 72nd St. Stopped into a loew's AMC movie theater and though about going to a movie. Several lines of people and escalators going us several floors. It was too much for me. I would rather go to our quiet little Regal in Vineland to see a crappy movie. Came upon an Apple store. This has been on my list of things to do so I went in. Tried to get on my email on one of the many different sizes of devices. Yahoo insisted on calling me with an access code. I decided I will never be able to figure out Apple devices so I asked a man working there to help me log off of my email. He reprimanded me for logging into my personal account on a public computer. Continued on my way and found the Triad theater, upstairs at 158 W. 70th St. Went into the Turkish restaurant below (Seven's Turkish grill). Just got settled with my water and candle and realized MY PHONE was missing. Had to hightail it 6 blocks back to the Apple store, where, miraculously, they had picked up my phone. WHEW! (My life was flashing before my eyes). Saw Ruthless : the musical, where Brittany Spears got her start as a young girl. Delightful theater, intimate and charming. OK, the seats were impossibly hard and we were forced to buy two bad, expensive drinks. But the room was full of young enthusiastic people so you felt like you were at a cool event.
Stage was very small but OK for 6 people, some of whom played more than one part. I loved the music, especially a song called I hate musicals. After the show, we wandered down the street, stopping into a cool, huge, cosmetics and Halloween costume store. It was a lot of fun, but we didn't buy anything. We thought about buying a blond wig and a button that said ART JUNKIE. Three of us ladies me our friend, the producer and he drove us home. Got dropped off at my house shortly after midnight. A pretty interesting day considering that I didn't know I was going to NYC until lunchtime!
Monday, October 13, 2014
It's better if I stay home
Had to go pick someone up yesterday in an unusual place since she is living with her son. Started out following my MapQuest directions as I was trying to find a shorter way to get there than the one she suggested. First problem is I run into a TRAFFIC JAM on a highway where I usually just tool along at 65 miles per hour. They were repaving Route 55 and not only was it slow, they had CLOSED MY EXIT. So, I was really stewing and cursing and wishing for an anxiety pill and had to drive about 15 minutes to get extra far from my destination. Then I underwent a sudden panic attack and had to pay $2.99 for 24 hours of Sprint Navigator on my phone. I was suddenly very unsure about where I was and where I was going. So, it took me about an hour of driving to get to the first phase of my journey. Then another hour to get to Philly and was forced to drive fast due to fears of being late for the theater. Two setbacks in Philly....my street was closed and then more streets were blocked off due to the annual OUTFEST. The play was good (Rapture, blister and burn), the dinner was good and the drive home long and dark. More streets blocked off but I overcame it. Was in a bit of a snit about the whole thing. The entire expedition took me from 11:30 AM until 8:15 PM. At least I got home in time to watch the Eagles beat the Giants. I had to turn it off at half time cause I can't stand to watch the sacking and the grandstanding. Happy that the Eagles did well anyway.
Those darn squirrels! (book), by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. Spoke to my condition as I have a squirrel living in my ceiling. A very cute children's book about a man trying to defeat the squirrels and then giving in and appreciating them.
Younger next year...for women (book), by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge. Got this book on interlibrary loan. So hard to follow their advice which is to exercise HARD 6 days a week and don't eat crap. Already, I feel my will to exercise today sinking. Their philosophy is that you are either growing or deteriorating and the only way to grow is to move. I agree but it is so hard.
Those darn squirrels! (book), by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. Spoke to my condition as I have a squirrel living in my ceiling. A very cute children's book about a man trying to defeat the squirrels and then giving in and appreciating them.
Younger next year...for women (book), by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge. Got this book on interlibrary loan. So hard to follow their advice which is to exercise HARD 6 days a week and don't eat crap. Already, I feel my will to exercise today sinking. Their philosophy is that you are either growing or deteriorating and the only way to grow is to move. I agree but it is so hard.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
More stupid things I have done lately
The other day I got freaked out when I could not get into my Google account. Since I have heard that hackers deter you from getting into your own account, I changed my password. (I must say that Google makes that process somewhat simple). Then I realized that I had forgotten something about my own password and that it was my own fault that I couldn't get in. Senility, here I come!
Yesterday, did not go on my excursion to New Brunswick due to obstacles such as SNOW. So I drove a few miles to shop at Peebles, since you can get a discount on Tuesdays. Stupidly and tragically, I locked my trunk and realized that in addition to my purse and my phone, which I MEANT to lock in there, I had left my KEYS in there. So, there I was, far from home, with only my Peebles credit card. I decided to WALK home. It was a ridiculously long distance and the day was dreary, frigid and windy. Boy, was I feeling sorry for myself...wishing that someone I knew would drive by and offer me a ride. After about an hour of walking, an old black man in a big black pickup rolled down his window and asked directions to the Manor. I said I would show him the way if he would drop me off downtown. He asked me if my husband would mind. Uh-oh, but it was fine. When I got to my house, I got the hide-a-key, where I hide a car key and a house key. Went inside for a rest and called three friends. Unable to reach anyone, as is par for the course these days. Did legs-up-the-wall for a bit. Then I realized that the day was waning and I had better get busy walking back before it got dark. So I bundled up some more and set out, hating the day. Was feeling sympathy for the poor, the homeless, the Phillipinos, etc. I heard a whimpering sound and thought, "What is a kid doing outside on a day like THIS?" I found a young black boy huddled between the storm door and the door of a house, crying. The school bus had dropped him off but his mother was not home or not opening the door. I knocked on the door, but the house looked buttoned up tight. Then a man came across the street and knew the kid and was partners with his dad. He started calling all around but got no response from anyone. But he offered to keep the kid and DRIVE ME up to Carll's Corner. My lucky day. I went in his house which was very warm and immaculate (not much furniture). There were three little boys and two women in there.
The weather is scaring me. I DETEST winter and can't believe that I used to live in Vermont! It is BREEZY in my home and I am too cheap (and cluttered) to get new windows. I thought I could stand it as long as it was over 32 degrees, but I hate the wind and the gloom and the rain and the snow. I MUST get down to planning some trips to escape. My plan at Peebles was to buy "something warm". All the clothes were quite unflattering so I ended up buying just some black tights.
Yesterday, did not go on my excursion to New Brunswick due to obstacles such as SNOW. So I drove a few miles to shop at Peebles, since you can get a discount on Tuesdays. Stupidly and tragically, I locked my trunk and realized that in addition to my purse and my phone, which I MEANT to lock in there, I had left my KEYS in there. So, there I was, far from home, with only my Peebles credit card. I decided to WALK home. It was a ridiculously long distance and the day was dreary, frigid and windy. Boy, was I feeling sorry for myself...wishing that someone I knew would drive by and offer me a ride. After about an hour of walking, an old black man in a big black pickup rolled down his window and asked directions to the Manor. I said I would show him the way if he would drop me off downtown. He asked me if my husband would mind. Uh-oh, but it was fine. When I got to my house, I got the hide-a-key, where I hide a car key and a house key. Went inside for a rest and called three friends. Unable to reach anyone, as is par for the course these days. Did legs-up-the-wall for a bit. Then I realized that the day was waning and I had better get busy walking back before it got dark. So I bundled up some more and set out, hating the day. Was feeling sympathy for the poor, the homeless, the Phillipinos, etc. I heard a whimpering sound and thought, "What is a kid doing outside on a day like THIS?" I found a young black boy huddled between the storm door and the door of a house, crying. The school bus had dropped him off but his mother was not home or not opening the door. I knocked on the door, but the house looked buttoned up tight. Then a man came across the street and knew the kid and was partners with his dad. He started calling all around but got no response from anyone. But he offered to keep the kid and DRIVE ME up to Carll's Corner. My lucky day. I went in his house which was very warm and immaculate (not much furniture). There were three little boys and two women in there.
The weather is scaring me. I DETEST winter and can't believe that I used to live in Vermont! It is BREEZY in my home and I am too cheap (and cluttered) to get new windows. I thought I could stand it as long as it was over 32 degrees, but I hate the wind and the gloom and the rain and the snow. I MUST get down to planning some trips to escape. My plan at Peebles was to buy "something warm". All the clothes were quite unflattering so I ended up buying just some black tights.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Reasons to go to the beach
Love the deserted beach. I had to run down to Ocean City as my book is due today. Read The love affairs of Nathanial P., by Adelle Waldman. From the perspective of Nate, a male writer living in Brooklyn in 1999. It's fiction.
Anyway, the beach was amazing. Tide coming in, waves roiling all which ways. Foam was blowing across the beach, it was so windy. I was enjoying all of the tracks, footprints, tire prints, shells, etc. Just took a ten minute walk. It was a bit too cold for sunbathing. I look over and there is a woman coming out of the ocean in her bathing suit!
So I came over to get my three hours of computer time at the library. Am cold and hungry right now. Should stick around to read a newspaper and a magazine. Inconsistencies of myself: I am too cheap to buy a book for the Nook, yet I will shell out $1 a day for an actual newspaper.
Anyway, the beach was amazing. Tide coming in, waves roiling all which ways. Foam was blowing across the beach, it was so windy. I was enjoying all of the tracks, footprints, tire prints, shells, etc. Just took a ten minute walk. It was a bit too cold for sunbathing. I look over and there is a woman coming out of the ocean in her bathing suit!
So I came over to get my three hours of computer time at the library. Am cold and hungry right now. Should stick around to read a newspaper and a magazine. Inconsistencies of myself: I am too cheap to buy a book for the Nook, yet I will shell out $1 a day for an actual newspaper.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
The "new hot" 107.9
Came across this radio station and stayed awhile. Two women were talking ghetto trash and I was mesmerized. The music was rap, including Biggie. They played a good song I had forgotten about and can't name.
Returned a book to the Millville Library....Dad is fat, by Jim Gaffigan. He is a comedian with which I am not familiar who has 5 kids and lives in a small Brooklyn apartment. Apparently he has a famous rag on hot pockets which I must look for on Youtube.
Excursion for the day cancelled due to rain, wind, chill, dank and damp. I was supposed to be the driver for 5 women so am just as glad we didn't go. I don't like driving FAST, particularly in the rain. You are not supposed to use cruise control and that is hard for me. Of course, now it is not raining, but the forecast for the next few days is dismal. Boy, did we get spoiled with the seemingly endless run of sunny days! Instead we all got together at a newly opened restaurant called Lucy's Mexican restaurant. Lots of MEN came in, cops and I don't know who all. Might be a good place to meet men except that they were all playing with their phones. So we had our few hours of talking which we like to do monthly. Only one other woman was in the place. The waitress was cool and gave us free stuff and good advice about what to eat.
Returned a book to the Millville Library....Dad is fat, by Jim Gaffigan. He is a comedian with which I am not familiar who has 5 kids and lives in a small Brooklyn apartment. Apparently he has a famous rag on hot pockets which I must look for on Youtube.
Excursion for the day cancelled due to rain, wind, chill, dank and damp. I was supposed to be the driver for 5 women so am just as glad we didn't go. I don't like driving FAST, particularly in the rain. You are not supposed to use cruise control and that is hard for me. Of course, now it is not raining, but the forecast for the next few days is dismal. Boy, did we get spoiled with the seemingly endless run of sunny days! Instead we all got together at a newly opened restaurant called Lucy's Mexican restaurant. Lots of MEN came in, cops and I don't know who all. Might be a good place to meet men except that they were all playing with their phones. So we had our few hours of talking which we like to do monthly. Only one other woman was in the place. The waitress was cool and gave us free stuff and good advice about what to eat.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
The best thing about today
was a great sunset which I admired through the windows of the Cumberland County Library. Otherwise quite a boring day. Absolutely no events on the calendar and so the day just got frittered away. I did read for an hour.
On the turntable, I mean YouTube....I don't care by Icona Pop.
Had an excursion planned for Thursday. That is one reason I just vegged out today. But now the weather looks dismal and plans are getting cancelled. I guess that is for the best since I was driving and the Grounds for sculpture is two hours away. Seems like this happens a lot with our planned events and it is so HARD to get 5 or 6 people to agree on a date and a plan. RATS! And that is the name of the very expensive country French restaurant we could have eaten at.
On the turntable, I mean YouTube....I don't care by Icona Pop.
Had an excursion planned for Thursday. That is one reason I just vegged out today. But now the weather looks dismal and plans are getting cancelled. I guess that is for the best since I was driving and the Grounds for sculpture is two hours away. Seems like this happens a lot with our planned events and it is so HARD to get 5 or 6 people to agree on a date and a plan. RATS! And that is the name of the very expensive country French restaurant we could have eaten at.
Friday, October 4, 2013
I was on my way to Morocco once
but I got waylaid in Barcelona (LAID being the operative word). I met a man in the park and ended up living with him for sixth months. Never did get to Morocco.
Another great story about people meeting online. I am listening to it. Not sure if I want to meet someone. I have gotten so unadventurous in my old age.
Today was going to be my EXCURSION day. I even have a FOLDER called excursions. I looked at the first 10 papers but could not decide. Have run out of energy, ideas and money. So am doing the same old, same old. Breakfast date, laptop hoboing, art opening tonight. There is something comforting about my routines.
Another great story about people meeting online. I am listening to it. Not sure if I want to meet someone. I have gotten so unadventurous in my old age.
Today was going to be my EXCURSION day. I even have a FOLDER called excursions. I looked at the first 10 papers but could not decide. Have run out of energy, ideas and money. So am doing the same old, same old. Breakfast date, laptop hoboing, art opening tonight. There is something comforting about my routines.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Foiled again
Weather tomorrow getting in the way of my plans. 5 of us had planned to go up to Grounds for sculpture. Do you know how hard it is to get 5 people to agree on a date and a plan?
I am so close to finishing so many books. Reading is my favorite activity (probably because it involves SITTING). Still slogging through several books about Paris, and the book I found in the Newark airport and the book written by Jill McCorkle, who attended my college (Hollins), and the new David Sedaris book, and L'etranger in French, and a children's book about Monet in French. And there are MORE...
Made a vow to get better about gifts. Changed one of my money envelopes to be earmarked for such, since I never have extra spending money and thus am never prepared for birthdays, weddings, etc.
Everyone else is so generous and I am just BEHIND and lacking in inspiration. I hate to shop and I hate to spend money, but I love cool gifts. Had an urge to go back to Paris and SHOP which is dumb because it was so overpriced over there.
Friday it rained all day and Monday it rained all day. One weather guy said tomorrow was the most worrisome day of the weather year so far. The nice thing about Paris is that even though it rained frequently, it didn't rain a lot and it didn't rain for long.
I am so close to finishing so many books. Reading is my favorite activity (probably because it involves SITTING). Still slogging through several books about Paris, and the book I found in the Newark airport and the book written by Jill McCorkle, who attended my college (Hollins), and the new David Sedaris book, and L'etranger in French, and a children's book about Monet in French. And there are MORE...
Made a vow to get better about gifts. Changed one of my money envelopes to be earmarked for such, since I never have extra spending money and thus am never prepared for birthdays, weddings, etc.
Everyone else is so generous and I am just BEHIND and lacking in inspiration. I hate to shop and I hate to spend money, but I love cool gifts. Had an urge to go back to Paris and SHOP which is dumb because it was so overpriced over there.
Friday it rained all day and Monday it rained all day. One weather guy said tomorrow was the most worrisome day of the weather year so far. The nice thing about Paris is that even though it rained frequently, it didn't rain a lot and it didn't rain for long.
Friday, May 3, 2013
In a windowless room at the beach
My plan for the day was to lie on the beach and then take a walk. Also spend a few hours in the computer lab at the Ocean City library. And maybe visit a friend in an aging place. Well, the beach was wild and windy. I should have been happy as it was beautiful and I was allowed to access it and there was NO ONE THERE! But I was freezing as I swore never to wear a coat any more a few weeks ago. I will have to find somewhere inland to get my walk in.
So I came over to the library. I love this library. You sit in the computer lab with comfortable chairs and very few people. They are all well behaved. Only problem is, there is not enough room for all of my STUFF. But, hopefully, they still allow you THREE hours on the computer if no one is waiting. Now, that is more like it! I am always struggling to get all my computer chores done. It is a never-ending battle.
Actually, this is an "excursion" day. I need to plan one a week. Haven't even been able to get THAT in as every day seems to have an event. Sometimes only one event, but an event nonetheless. But now I am thinking that I need to schedule TWO excursion days....one for the beach and one for all the other places I would like to go. Why not? I AM retired, after all! I could visit oh-so-many beach towns and get back to my idea of exploring every exit of the Garden State Parkway. And suddenly, miraculously, my Sprint navigator started working again! I do have some slight fear that the saleslady at the Sprint store might have signed me up by pushing a button that I never push. She was trying to show me how to load a picture onto Facebook from the phone. That, BTW, was NOT successful. Only a small portion of the picture appeared on Facebook. It looked good, but was incomplete. Back to the drawing board on that one.
So I came over to the library. I love this library. You sit in the computer lab with comfortable chairs and very few people. They are all well behaved. Only problem is, there is not enough room for all of my STUFF. But, hopefully, they still allow you THREE hours on the computer if no one is waiting. Now, that is more like it! I am always struggling to get all my computer chores done. It is a never-ending battle.
Actually, this is an "excursion" day. I need to plan one a week. Haven't even been able to get THAT in as every day seems to have an event. Sometimes only one event, but an event nonetheless. But now I am thinking that I need to schedule TWO excursion days....one for the beach and one for all the other places I would like to go. Why not? I AM retired, after all! I could visit oh-so-many beach towns and get back to my idea of exploring every exit of the Garden State Parkway. And suddenly, miraculously, my Sprint navigator started working again! I do have some slight fear that the saleslady at the Sprint store might have signed me up by pushing a button that I never push. She was trying to show me how to load a picture onto Facebook from the phone. That, BTW, was NOT successful. Only a small portion of the picture appeared on Facebook. It looked good, but was incomplete. Back to the drawing board on that one.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Where does the time go?
What have I been doing for an hour and a half? That is too long to spend on just email. OK, I have been watching some YouTube videos, including one from the Vineland Public Library I just posted. YouTube is very time consuming, because you are supposed to WATCH and not just listen.
Places I would like to spend an entire day:
- the health club (I feel satisfied with myself if I go to ONE class, no matter how unchallenging it is)
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Grounds for Sculpture in North Jersey
Things to do when it rains for three days this weekend ( I HATE that). First, things I DON'T like to do when it rains:
- See it or hear it
- Drive
- Be home (conflicts with not wanting to DRIVE)
Things perhaps I COULD do:
- taxes - because it HAS to be done, like it or not!
- organize receipts
- movies
Places I would like to spend an entire day:
- the health club (I feel satisfied with myself if I go to ONE class, no matter how unchallenging it is)
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Grounds for Sculpture in North Jersey
Things to do when it rains for three days this weekend ( I HATE that). First, things I DON'T like to do when it rains:
- See it or hear it
- Drive
- Be home (conflicts with not wanting to DRIVE)
Things perhaps I COULD do:
- taxes - because it HAS to be done, like it or not!
- organize receipts
- movies
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