Started an audio book called 13 1/2 by Nevada Barr. Wait a minute! It is not about her usual heroine, Anna Pigeon, and it says it is about HORROR. I don't DO horror. Well, the first CD starts out with some asshole raping a nine year old. Nope, not gonna do it.
During my Senior Stretch exercise class, I have ample opportunity to ponder since I have done this class so many times. Was thinking about things I hate:
- Underwires in bras
- the complications of our tax code
- trash all over our countryside and my neighbor's property
- barking dogs
- people who reassure you but don't know what they are talking about
And things I love:
- adorable, earnest college students in our Praise and worship band
- sunshine
- good friends
- snacks
- living across the street from my church
The age of doubt (audio book), by Andrea Camelleri. OK, now I have the formula down. A body is found. The detectives must determine what happened and, usually, who it is. Our Detective Montalbano lives by the sea in Sicily, is a terrible driver, smokes, drinks, loves his food (which is rendered in delicious detail), and cheats on his girlfriend. You get a good feel for the pace of life in Italy, the traffic jams and other aggravations. The interpersonal interplay is good, the names are a bit confusing.
Showing posts with label things I hate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label things I hate. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Things I hate about New Jersey
Things I love about New Jersey:
- people pump our gas for us
Things I hate about New Jersey:
- Very high property taxes
- Top in the nation for car insurance costs
- 4th in the nation for number of active hate groups
MY car insurance seems to be TWICE the average rate, even for NJ. time to shop around. It HAS been time for quite some time but I have been paralyzed by the good customer service received from Palisades and the sheer number of companies who want my business.
- people pump our gas for us
Things I hate about New Jersey:
- Very high property taxes
- Top in the nation for car insurance costs
- 4th in the nation for number of active hate groups
MY car insurance seems to be TWICE the average rate, even for NJ. time to shop around. It HAS been time for quite some time but I have been paralyzed by the good customer service received from Palisades and the sheer number of companies who want my business.
Monday, January 12, 2015
And another week begins
Pleasures and annoyances already on this Monday morning.
Pleasures:
- yoga
- getting up at usual time of 8:45 AM
- Sam Smith CD, In the lonely night, on Hoopla sharing service at library
- sound is really good today through my phone headphones
Annoyances:
- loud people at library disturbing my peace
- had to get outfit out of dirty laundry basket and I am noticing clothes have been worn too long
- hungry but have to stay on computer to get my two hours
- rain
Not much on calendar today....just yoga and helping the homeless tonight. Spent the weekend running around so it is OK with me.
Tried to watch a DVD on my computer this week. DVD was acting up. Will return it and get another before I start complaining about the DVDs. Having worked in Technical Services in a library, I know all about people who complain about the DVDs when the problem is really due to their equipment. We used to WATCH videos and DVDs looking for the problems.
Pleasures:
- yoga
- getting up at usual time of 8:45 AM
- Sam Smith CD, In the lonely night, on Hoopla sharing service at library
- sound is really good today through my phone headphones
Annoyances:
- loud people at library disturbing my peace
- had to get outfit out of dirty laundry basket and I am noticing clothes have been worn too long
- hungry but have to stay on computer to get my two hours
- rain
Not much on calendar today....just yoga and helping the homeless tonight. Spent the weekend running around so it is OK with me.
Tried to watch a DVD on my computer this week. DVD was acting up. Will return it and get another before I start complaining about the DVDs. Having worked in Technical Services in a library, I know all about people who complain about the DVDs when the problem is really due to their equipment. We used to WATCH videos and DVDs looking for the problems.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Still working?
Boy, was it hard to get up and out today. Had to be in Camden to start work before 9 AM. Also, needed to do several errands on the way to work. To add to the misery, I was sick, had a TERRIBLE night and it was dark and cold. Well, now I am at work and it is quiet and peaceful and I am catching up on my computer work and sucking on cough drops.
This is what I hate about winter:
- the dark
- the cold
- the lack of sun
- the wearing of coats
- the wind
This is what I love about winter:
- the bare bones of the trees
- the pastel sunsets
- a tiny bit of snow
The zone of interest (audio book), by Martin Amis. This is a despicable book. I picked it up without much thought, thinking that Martin Amis was a good writer. I started off trying to figure out what it was actually ABOUT. I knew it was about some misogynistic men of the German persuasion. So, it is about men who work at concentration camps during World War II. Other unpleasant topics are suspected adultery, abortion, murder, torture. I couldn't wait for it to be over. Also, it was hard keeping the narrators straight.
Elizabeth and Hazel : two women of Little Rock (book), by David Margolick. Got this on loan from another library for a book club discussion. It is the story of an event, the integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. More to the point, the story of a photograph taken on September 4th, 1957 of a black girl walking down the street surrounded by a crowd of angry white people. One face stands out, that of Hazel. The photo becomes an iconic portrait of America. The two women did get to know each other and even become friends later in life, but the raprochement did not last. The author examines the legacy of the Little Rock nine and the attitudes of the townspeople and the country in memory and in present time.
This is what I hate about winter:
- the dark
- the cold
- the lack of sun
- the wearing of coats
- the wind
This is what I love about winter:
- the bare bones of the trees
- the pastel sunsets
- a tiny bit of snow
The zone of interest (audio book), by Martin Amis. This is a despicable book. I picked it up without much thought, thinking that Martin Amis was a good writer. I started off trying to figure out what it was actually ABOUT. I knew it was about some misogynistic men of the German persuasion. So, it is about men who work at concentration camps during World War II. Other unpleasant topics are suspected adultery, abortion, murder, torture. I couldn't wait for it to be over. Also, it was hard keeping the narrators straight.
Elizabeth and Hazel : two women of Little Rock (book), by David Margolick. Got this on loan from another library for a book club discussion. It is the story of an event, the integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. More to the point, the story of a photograph taken on September 4th, 1957 of a black girl walking down the street surrounded by a crowd of angry white people. One face stands out, that of Hazel. The photo becomes an iconic portrait of America. The two women did get to know each other and even become friends later in life, but the raprochement did not last. The author examines the legacy of the Little Rock nine and the attitudes of the townspeople and the country in memory and in present time.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
A woman with style
Have been looking for a wheeled contraption so I can lug my stuff around between the car and other places. A woman came in with, essentially, a briefcase on wheels. But she was stepping lively, dressed fashionably and wearing high heels and managed to look cool and effortless. Somehow, I only end up looking like a bag lady.
Meant to be early to work today but I ended up being late and had to speed. I HATE that. I like to be early as I only work one day a month and there are bound to be some rude surprises at the workplace. Better to figure them out BEFORE the rush. By now, I have figured it all out. The main surprises today were passwords that had been changed. But I managed a work-around and got it all straightened out eventually.
The sun has disappeared. There won't be any "Vitamin D bathing" today. Milder, though. I don't really care since I am stuck inside all day.
Meant to be early to work today but I ended up being late and had to speed. I HATE that. I like to be early as I only work one day a month and there are bound to be some rude surprises at the workplace. Better to figure them out BEFORE the rush. By now, I have figured it all out. The main surprises today were passwords that had been changed. But I managed a work-around and got it all straightened out eventually.
The sun has disappeared. There won't be any "Vitamin D bathing" today. Milder, though. I don't really care since I am stuck inside all day.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Things I hate right now
People and their habits - snorting, snuffling, making a mess in the bathroom, throwing plastic stuff into the toilet, singing out loud when they have headphones on (in the library), body odor, smoking odor. Right now the sniffling and body odor are going to chase me out of the Millville Public Library.
Things I love right now - Youtube, The story of my life, by One Direction, sunshine.
Can't figure out how to print or cut and paste from books on Google. Perhaps I should join Goodle play although the thought of PAYING for stuff bothers me. Doing historical research about a composer names Root who hosted a three day musical convention in Bridgeton, New Jersey, in March of 1856. Even though there is very limited info (sentences or paragraphs), I get very excited about it.
Things I love right now - Youtube, The story of my life, by One Direction, sunshine.
Can't figure out how to print or cut and paste from books on Google. Perhaps I should join Goodle play although the thought of PAYING for stuff bothers me. Doing historical research about a composer names Root who hosted a three day musical convention in Bridgeton, New Jersey, in March of 1856. Even though there is very limited info (sentences or paragraphs), I get very excited about it.
Monday, February 3, 2014
"Very slippery out there..."
It is an odd day. Inches of snow were forecast but I woke up to rain, heavy rain, and had to wade through inches of water to get into my car. Did it rain that hard or was it all of the melting snow? Anyway, I HATE it. Even though I was going to be LATE to yoga, I kept on going cause I knew how hard it would be to make myself drive further, later, to go to my health club. And I have been blowing off the exercise for increasing numbers of days now.
Depressed by - rain - people next to me who can do the forward bend and touch head to floor - endless winter.
Enlivened by - tiny light strings at yoga - a rock at yoga that said SMILE - getting online.
Guess I will just go home after my stint at the library and stay there, although I do not even enjoy being home when it is raining. Must turn on a lot of lights and the heat and burn some candles and I don't know what all to cheer myself up. Missed Downton Abbey last night and spent hours watching the Super Bowl, which was HORRIBLE.
I feel so sorry for the losers, especially when they lose in such a spectacularly awful way. And all of the commercials are just plain exhausting. The one that made me laugh out loud was listed as the "biggest groaner" on Technorati. That was the one with the cross breed of dog.
Depressed by - rain - people next to me who can do the forward bend and touch head to floor - endless winter.
Enlivened by - tiny light strings at yoga - a rock at yoga that said SMILE - getting online.
Guess I will just go home after my stint at the library and stay there, although I do not even enjoy being home when it is raining. Must turn on a lot of lights and the heat and burn some candles and I don't know what all to cheer myself up. Missed Downton Abbey last night and spent hours watching the Super Bowl, which was HORRIBLE.
I feel so sorry for the losers, especially when they lose in such a spectacularly awful way. And all of the commercials are just plain exhausting. The one that made me laugh out loud was listed as the "biggest groaner" on Technorati. That was the one with the cross breed of dog.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Things I am NOT interested in....
Don't have room in my brain for:
- candy
- wine
- college football
- horror
- violence
There are some weird names in the world. Not the time to be a teacher, what with all of the apostrophes and made-up names. Here are some I came across in the Police report of New York, Millville and Vineland. (These are an exception to my rule of using no names):
- Daquan
- Antiq
- Quanderia
- Sharmaine
- Alshamar
Listening to a CD: Mechanical bull, by Kings of Leon. Perhaps if I listen to it again, it will grow on me.
- candy
- wine
- college football
- horror
- violence
There are some weird names in the world. Not the time to be a teacher, what with all of the apostrophes and made-up names. Here are some I came across in the Police report of New York, Millville and Vineland. (These are an exception to my rule of using no names):
- Daquan
- Antiq
- Quanderia
- Sharmaine
- Alshamar
Listening to a CD: Mechanical bull, by Kings of Leon. Perhaps if I listen to it again, it will grow on me.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Living like hobos in their own home
Strikes too close to home. Finished a book called Coming clean, by Kimberly Rae Miller, about growing up with parents who were hoarders. She wasn't ever able to cure them.
Things I like:
- Driving slowly through the country
- Xanax
- perfectly gorgeous weather
- leftovers
Things I don't like:
- Four-way stops
- library computers getting too old
- big fat mice
= traffic and confusion
A lot of work going on. Seems like everywhere I look there are people sawing, trash containers being delivered, hammering, etc. Even I had some work done. I had people trim some trees. I think I should do it every year instead of every ten years. Can actually sunbathe now.
Things I like:
- Driving slowly through the country
- Xanax
- perfectly gorgeous weather
- leftovers
Things I don't like:
- Four-way stops
- library computers getting too old
- big fat mice
= traffic and confusion
A lot of work going on. Seems like everywhere I look there are people sawing, trash containers being delivered, hammering, etc. Even I had some work done. I had people trim some trees. I think I should do it every year instead of every ten years. Can actually sunbathe now.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
The only thing "stronger than the storm" is Chris Christie's ego
I could agree with that. Today we are having a multi-billion dollar special election in New Jersey for the primary seat of Frank Lautenberg. The reason for this special election? SO that Christie won't have to be on the same BALLOT with Corey Booker! Boy, is it hard to pick between the party people. They are ALL good, or bad, depending on how you look at it.
Not sure if that is actually the picture of the book I read upon a friend's recommendation. Saving Ceecee Honeycutt is by Beth Hoffman. It was a delightful read about a young girl who has a dysfunctional family and is sent down South to live with an older woman when her mother dies. She meets some interesting characters down there and becomes especially close with the black woman who works for the aunt. I borrowed this book from the Cape May Court House library (LT F HOF) and must return it tomorrow so I don't get fined. Have to drive an hour to take two books back.
More and more things are becoming problematic on the public computers at libraries. Not to mention the problems I am having with THE PUBLIC. I should be a hermit, there are so many things which bother me....barking pit bulls, running children, loud people, littering people, ignorant people, crowds, traffic. In fact, I have thought of stopping my writing because all I seem to be doing is WHINING.
Not sure if that is actually the picture of the book I read upon a friend's recommendation. Saving Ceecee Honeycutt is by Beth Hoffman. It was a delightful read about a young girl who has a dysfunctional family and is sent down South to live with an older woman when her mother dies. She meets some interesting characters down there and becomes especially close with the black woman who works for the aunt. I borrowed this book from the Cape May Court House library (LT F HOF) and must return it tomorrow so I don't get fined. Have to drive an hour to take two books back.
More and more things are becoming problematic on the public computers at libraries. Not to mention the problems I am having with THE PUBLIC. I should be a hermit, there are so many things which bother me....barking pit bulls, running children, loud people, littering people, ignorant people, crowds, traffic. In fact, I have thought of stopping my writing because all I seem to be doing is WHINING.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Let's try this again
After experiencing setbacks for several days trying to get online, I am just about convinced that I need to get the Internet at home. Yesterday was on a faulty computer at the Cumberland County Library and was unable to get a cursor in the box to post. Now I am lugging my laptop around and came to the PC@Nite, a new Internet café in Millville, New Jersey. Had a passable omelet, terrible coffee and am sitting in a rather uncomfortable chair, but at least I don't have a time limit and everything seems to be working. Just came across their extensive list of natural juice shakes!
Thinking about some of my favorite things:
1. clouds - we have some great ones
2. a stable government - we take it for granted
3. Blurred lines, a new song by Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell
And my least favorite things:
1. trash by the side of the road - what is WRONG with the people around here?
2. humidity
3. formatting that comes upon you unexpectedly (see above)
Up too early today. I got to the arthritis exercise class by 8 AM but with no coffee or breakfast. Couldn't wait for it to be over. Yesterday I tried to roller skate for the first time in 20 or 30 years. (I don't know where the time goes). It was a disaster. Now, that is a bit of an exaggeration. It was a failure, not a success. My ankle kept clicking and I felt REALLY wobbly. I had to stop after 5 minutes. They have these new skates that are like a plastic sneaker with wheels on the bottom. I missed the old lace up ones like the picture... Perhaps I will just have to add roller skating to my list of things I no longer do, such as cross country skiing and downhill skiing. I have all the equipment, but not the ANKLES. Usually I have yoga class on Monday mornings. Since there was no yoga I thought I would try Senior skate at the local roller skating rink. I fell down there decades ago when a young person careened into me and I broke my wrist. Haven't been back since. It was a sobering experience and made me realize I am not invulnerable.
| This image is from Google images |
Monday, June 24, 2013
I got this stinkin' smart phone.....
No, not me yet. A friend said this about her new phone the other day and made me laugh. Some of us aren't really leaping at the latest technology...we have to be DRAGGED kicking and screaming and filled with dread. And, no, I haven't yet clicked on the link to upgrade me to the latest Yahoo mail, nor given in to the temptation to accept the next version of Internet explorer. Sorry, but I learned at work that most upgrades may have given us a few new features, but they also did away with some of my FAVORITE things. So I am ANTI-progress and ANTI-change.
The victory squat is a yoga routine. If I could DO a squat, I would call it a victory squat. But, once again, today, we did too many squats at yoga. Don't like'em, don't do'em. Maybe someday.
Being driven out of my mind by the librarian who keeps dialing the fax number which keeps not working. She must have dialed it 65 times. Don't know why it is so EXTREMELY loud. Had to resort to my usual blocking-out-the-world tactic of going onto Playlist.com. It only helps a little.
The victory squat is a yoga routine. If I could DO a squat, I would call it a victory squat. But, once again, today, we did too many squats at yoga. Don't like'em, don't do'em. Maybe someday.
Being driven out of my mind by the librarian who keeps dialing the fax number which keeps not working. She must have dialed it 65 times. Don't know why it is so EXTREMELY loud. Had to resort to my usual blocking-out-the-world tactic of going onto Playlist.com. It only helps a little.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
I gotta get out o'this town, if it's the last thing I ever do
Mexican doorbell at 6:30 AM. Car horns honking, then loud Spanish rap coming from car waiting for whoever (whomever?). Then more honking. People are really inconsiderate around here. I just try and WAIT them out.
The good news is I finally made a plane reservation. The bad news is that I can't find my passport! And there is a possibility that it has expired. Was gonna go home and tear apart my house tonight but going out to dinner instead. Which of the 52 piles is it at the bottom of? Between the taxes not done and the passport not found, I am feeling somewhat frazzled. But I could have worse problems....like no legs.
I hate, hate, hate our tax system. Totally convoluted and confusing. Called up an accountant hoping that she would know what I need to declare for my pension, but she didn't seem to have a clue. I am sure if I contact my employer they will just say they can't give tax advice. I am probably one of the few people who read the booklets cover to cover. Did you know that you MUST declare all of your income from:
- bribes
- kickbacks
- illegal drug sales
The good news is I finally made a plane reservation. The bad news is that I can't find my passport! And there is a possibility that it has expired. Was gonna go home and tear apart my house tonight but going out to dinner instead. Which of the 52 piles is it at the bottom of? Between the taxes not done and the passport not found, I am feeling somewhat frazzled. But I could have worse problems....like no legs.
I hate, hate, hate our tax system. Totally convoluted and confusing. Called up an accountant hoping that she would know what I need to declare for my pension, but she didn't seem to have a clue. I am sure if I contact my employer they will just say they can't give tax advice. I am probably one of the few people who read the booklets cover to cover. Did you know that you MUST declare all of your income from:
- bribes
- kickbacks
- illegal drug sales
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Unwelcome mail
Sometimes the mail is just FULL of bad news:
- Got a certified letter notice from the City of Bridgeton. Now I have a whole day to ponder what form of bad news this will be.
- Note from the post person that perhaps I should change ALL of my addresses to say that I live on the second floor now that someone has moved into the first floor. Does she realize how many people send me mail??
- Notice from Comcast that I am receiving some stations to which I am not entitled (why can't they tell me WHICH?) and saying that they will be taking them away on April 3rd. Grrrr... And I think the bill went UP last month. Now paying $73 each month and I don't even watch TV!
- Notice from my drug plan that they are not going to cover/provide my Clarinex any more
Logged into Playlist.com. Something started playing. I think I had better just listen to whatever it is. When I try to search, add, or other stuff, I get all messed up. Had to get out the headphones because I can't stand the sound of the rain. Also shut the window blinds so I don't have to LOOK at the horrible weather outside. Rain and wind on the way to snow?
I have a terrible feeling that my laptop is not charging.
- Got a certified letter notice from the City of Bridgeton. Now I have a whole day to ponder what form of bad news this will be.
- Note from the post person that perhaps I should change ALL of my addresses to say that I live on the second floor now that someone has moved into the first floor. Does she realize how many people send me mail??
- Notice from Comcast that I am receiving some stations to which I am not entitled (why can't they tell me WHICH?) and saying that they will be taking them away on April 3rd. Grrrr... And I think the bill went UP last month. Now paying $73 each month and I don't even watch TV!
- Notice from my drug plan that they are not going to cover/provide my Clarinex any more
Logged into Playlist.com. Something started playing. I think I had better just listen to whatever it is. When I try to search, add, or other stuff, I get all messed up. Had to get out the headphones because I can't stand the sound of the rain. Also shut the window blinds so I don't have to LOOK at the horrible weather outside. Rain and wind on the way to snow?
I have a terrible feeling that my laptop is not charging.
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Some good news for a change
Pretty happy about the election results. One Democrat I voted for did not get in, but it is next to impossible to overcome Frank LoBiondo. I console myself with the memory that my FATHER liked to vote for him (a Republican) even though my father was an Independent with liberal leanings. And my father has been dead for 10 years, just to give you an idea about how long this guy has been our Congressman. It is just a good feeling when your family and large groups of your friends are on the same page politically. Happily, two Democrats got voted in to the local freeholder board. I think that means that two Republicans are off snd we are back to a Democratic majority. Believe me, it really does make a difference!
But that is the only good news. The weather is horrible, cold, raining, forecast of SNOW and excessive wind gusts. They are calling it a Nor'easter. My choir practice has already been cancelled and that was my big event for the day. Acquaintances have tales of ripping out and rebuilding their seashore homes, some can't even GET to their homes yet. Sad story of a man who died two weeks after his son died. Perhaps of a broken heart, who knows? It is hard enough to lose ONE member of your family, but two is really scary. This cold and dreary winter weather has me missing work or feeling like I do not have enough to do. At least work distracted me from the hideous weather.
It is going to be a LONG winter and I HATE it already.
Things I love:
- Someone asked me to be a volunteer yesterday
- Went shopping and discovered that Peebles has a club where you get 20% off every Tuesday if you are over 50
- Those new roofs they have over the McDonald's ordering lanes
- Flannel sheets
- Warm nightgowns
- Playlist.com when it is working correctly (like recently)
Things I hate:
- Winter
- Dark
- Cold
- Rain
- Sitting in a waiting room and being forced to watch some horrible interview show with everyday Americans discussing their husbands who slept with their sisters or other distasteful topics
- Donald Trump is an idiot
But that is the only good news. The weather is horrible, cold, raining, forecast of SNOW and excessive wind gusts. They are calling it a Nor'easter. My choir practice has already been cancelled and that was my big event for the day. Acquaintances have tales of ripping out and rebuilding their seashore homes, some can't even GET to their homes yet. Sad story of a man who died two weeks after his son died. Perhaps of a broken heart, who knows? It is hard enough to lose ONE member of your family, but two is really scary. This cold and dreary winter weather has me missing work or feeling like I do not have enough to do. At least work distracted me from the hideous weather.
It is going to be a LONG winter and I HATE it already.
Things I love:
- Someone asked me to be a volunteer yesterday
- Went shopping and discovered that Peebles has a club where you get 20% off every Tuesday if you are over 50
- Those new roofs they have over the McDonald's ordering lanes
- Flannel sheets
- Warm nightgowns
- Playlist.com when it is working correctly (like recently)
Things I hate:
- Winter
- Dark
- Cold
- Rain
- Sitting in a waiting room and being forced to watch some horrible interview show with everyday Americans discussing their husbands who slept with their sisters or other distasteful topics
- Donald Trump is an idiot
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Reasons to be happy
1. Family relatively unscathed in Hurricane Sandy
2. Took two pain pills
3. Listening to Rachmaninoff piano concerto #2 in car
4. Gorgeous clouds and sun and fall leaves on ride down to Greenwich
5. There is no five, but things sound better in fives
Actually, that was Ellen's joke which I heard last night as she got Mark Twain award at John F. Kennedy center in DC. I adore Ellen DeGeneris. I would love to go to her show, even. I think I tried to enter a contest to get tickets but you had to submit a picture of yourself and that stymied me. She just gets more adorable as the years go by.
I have always hated our Governor, Chris Christie. Have never been able to watch him complete a sentence on TV, even. But, now, I have been obsessively watching Hurricane coverage for five days and I am glued to his every word. He really does seem to CARE about New Jersey.
2. Took two pain pills
3. Listening to Rachmaninoff piano concerto #2 in car
4. Gorgeous clouds and sun and fall leaves on ride down to Greenwich
5. There is no five, but things sound better in fives
Actually, that was Ellen's joke which I heard last night as she got Mark Twain award at John F. Kennedy center in DC. I adore Ellen DeGeneris. I would love to go to her show, even. I think I tried to enter a contest to get tickets but you had to submit a picture of yourself and that stymied me. She just gets more adorable as the years go by.
I have always hated our Governor, Chris Christie. Have never been able to watch him complete a sentence on TV, even. But, now, I have been obsessively watching Hurricane coverage for five days and I am glued to his every word. He really does seem to CARE about New Jersey.
Friday, October 12, 2012
People and their phones
Really, MUST you talk on the phone when you are in a stall at the Philadelphia airport!?!?!
Am really enjoying being out of town. I hate packing but once I get going...look out.
Getting up before the crack of dawn is not my idea of a good time, either. When I went into the tiny cubicle they call a bathroom on the airplane, I discovered that I had my blouse on INSIDE OUT. That is what happens when you get dressed in the dark.
Had a great time flying Virgin Air. Now I LOVE Virgin as much as I HATE Spirit. They leave on time, the seats are somewhat roomy, they serve Diet Coke, they have a cool interactive screen you can play with, and the stewards are friendly. I am fortunate to be DRIVEN for a change, TO the Philadelphia airport and FROM the San Francisco airport by my sister. We drove over the University Avenue Bridge into Berkeley and almost slammed on the brakes to stop at the first Indian restaurant we came upon. I think I deserve an extra meal today due to the three hour time difference, don't I?
Am really enjoying being out of town. I hate packing but once I get going...look out.
Getting up before the crack of dawn is not my idea of a good time, either. When I went into the tiny cubicle they call a bathroom on the airplane, I discovered that I had my blouse on INSIDE OUT. That is what happens when you get dressed in the dark.
Had a great time flying Virgin Air. Now I LOVE Virgin as much as I HATE Spirit. They leave on time, the seats are somewhat roomy, they serve Diet Coke, they have a cool interactive screen you can play with, and the stewards are friendly. I am fortunate to be DRIVEN for a change, TO the Philadelphia airport and FROM the San Francisco airport by my sister. We drove over the University Avenue Bridge into Berkeley and almost slammed on the brakes to stop at the first Indian restaurant we came upon. I think I deserve an extra meal today due to the three hour time difference, don't I?
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Things I love:
- Spring
- Fall
- Listening to MY music
Things I hate:
- People who go out of business and leave a sign up saying - SALE! - STOP IN!
- Summer
- Winter
- Change
I used to fall in love about once every ten years. I think I am WAY overdue, by about 12 years!
Next week, I am renting a place at the beach. It has been on my list of things to do for about 40 years. So many places....so little time! I always think: "But I could just DRIVE down here. It is only an hour away." With the current price of gas, it might cost as much to DRIVE down every day as it does to RENT a place. And I am ONE hour from SO MANY interesting shore towns. I plan to think about my HISTORY in Ocean City. I had a very interesting life here about almost 40 years ago. Just toured a house rented by a friend of mine. He has a history here going back almost 80 years ago. And he even brought a picture of himself and his parents and his dog in Ocean City when he was five years old. Boy, does he have ME beat! I will have to keep an eye out as I keep hearing about more and more people who have connections to this town.
- Spring
- Fall
- Listening to MY music
Things I hate:
- People who go out of business and leave a sign up saying - SALE! - STOP IN!
- Summer
- Winter
- Change
I used to fall in love about once every ten years. I think I am WAY overdue, by about 12 years!
Next week, I am renting a place at the beach. It has been on my list of things to do for about 40 years. So many places....so little time! I always think: "But I could just DRIVE down here. It is only an hour away." With the current price of gas, it might cost as much to DRIVE down every day as it does to RENT a place. And I am ONE hour from SO MANY interesting shore towns. I plan to think about my HISTORY in Ocean City. I had a very interesting life here about almost 40 years ago. Just toured a house rented by a friend of mine. He has a history here going back almost 80 years ago. And he even brought a picture of himself and his parents and his dog in Ocean City when he was five years old. Boy, does he have ME beat! I will have to keep an eye out as I keep hearing about more and more people who have connections to this town.
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