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.

Flashbacks of working with the public

My foray into the public library of my town was ruined last night by a really annoying guy....first he was watching YouTube with headphones on and laughing out loud, sniffling, snorting, wiping his nose on his arm. Then he demanded more time from the librarian (you know how you just can't stop watching YouTube). When she said that he had used up his allowable time for the day he went on a rant about how no one else was there wanting to use the computers, how terrible the service at the library is and how racist the staff is. Then he went off in Spanish telling his new best friend in not very nice Spanish the same things. The Mexican library worker took him to task and it really got ugly.
He finally stomped out swearing that tomorrow he would call the "head librarian" of New Jersey and tell them the same unpleasant things about the library. Not a very good experience since I have been avoiding this library for a month due to:
- one hour limit on computers
- no room for my STUFF next to the computers
- the big fat mouse that I hate (it's a Gateway)
- no handicap ramp so I can wheel my STUFF
On the plus side they have:
- a new director

Will look for a picture of my favorite flowers of the moment. A big bunch at entrance to Cumberland County Library make me glad each time I see them. I learned in Cape May yesterday that they are a sort of hydrangea. Can't seem to get pic but it is a Snow queen oakleaf hydrangea.

You want weapons?

On NPR this AM I learned that there have been 12 guys who have played Dr. Who and that Dr. Who is the hero of the millenial generation. He is a pacifist and a cerebral guy. Not really familiar, myself, but I liked this quote:
"You want weapons? We're in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself!"

Just ate a peach. A white peach from a local farm market. It was pretty delicious. Cantalopes rumoured to be mostly tasteless this year. And I paid $3.50 for one.

Things I would like at the moment:
- a vacation (but I have too many appointments)
- to live on a cliff alone overlooking the water
- more classical music in my life (finding it very restful)
- to be surrounded by well-spoken, informed people
- some new and more friends

Laptop day is the best

Wednesday is the day I just play on my laptop ALL DAY (10 til 4) while I hang out at the historical library. I always bring something from a bakery even though I should not be setting foot in a bakery. You could say I am focused but really, it is the perfect activity for someone with ADD as I am jumping from here to there and back at the slightest whim. It is raining out and the weather forecast includes some rain every day for the foreseeable future. Thankful that it is not too hot anyway.

Just listened to a program about Bad neighbors. Guess I am not very tolerant. I remember decades ago when my girlfriend and I attended a workshop on becoming more tolerant. All we could talk about afterwards was our criticisms of the other people at the workshop so I think the whole thing backfired or just plain did not work for us.
I did feel somewhat better as I was reminded of situations that I DON'T have to put up with. Where can I go to escape the annoyances of life? Even at those exclusive retirement places which I cannot afford, there are always new, younger, annoying people moving in and cliques and pecking orders. Saw a painting of a falling down hermit cabin and I wanted it. I know I have plenty of annoying habits but all I can think about are the noise and litter of my new neighbors. Why do they have to have so many family members and friends and dogs and coming and goings? Why can't they just behave and live quietly INSIDE like I do. And I get angry at the landlords who just want to collect the rent. Each tenant situation is worse than the one before. They have no boundaries and are always making noise and causing trash on MY property and then their pit bull BARKS at me when I am picking up their trash.

Wonder where I can get some dental insurance in time to have four wisdom teeth removed in a few weeks? It is not fun getting older. Mommy and daddy had such good teeth. What is the matter with us? I used to think root canals were a rip off, then it was implants, now it is just pull'em out.

It is hard to get ENERGIZED for Monday morning yoga

OK, it DOES work in the lab. For some reason, blogger does not work on SOME library computers. Drat! This is where I DO blogger. So, the tech guy suggested that I try it in the LAB. I told him I had the same problem at the Cumberland County Library and also at the Millville Library but that on my laptop it works.

It is hard to get energized for Monday morning yoga after taking an anti-anxiety pill due to barking pit bull of neighbors. Can't believe that Dan Gottlieb is talking about BAD NEIGHBORS right now on NPR. But it is not being broadcast right now. I love that man. He is in a wheelchair and has the most valuable insights about psychological and spiritual matters. He is also PSYCHIC about my own personal problems! Voices in the family may be on the radio every day at noon. I recommend it!

The weather is so unbelievably perfect, I can't stop thinking about it and talking about it. Also obsessed with the topic of neighbors, but weather is so much more enjoyable. Going down to the shore tonight to see my sister and her family for a few hours. We are all too busy to get together. Actually, I am glad to have a reason to not be home as my home is not an enjoyable destination right now. Passive/aggressive neighbors with obnoxious pit bull and too much noise and trash in general.

Weird Hawaiian music

Trying to fit everything in today. Exercise is getting short shrift. Starbucks not so enjoyable. It was too hot outside even though it is a BEAUTIFUL day. My favorite (big) table became free but it is too sunny in here and they are playing a really weird Hawaiian album. Drinking an unnecessary decaf skinny mocha tall thingy.

Don't really want to go home because of my new-found hatred of the neighbors. They are flaunting their "right" to have a barking pit bull ruin my life. Every day I have to fight the ANTS and the NEIGHBORS. Did start a new obsessive/compulsive system of tracking the events in the neighborhood. Listing time spent at home (not much) and counting the incidents of neighbor aggravation (16 yesterday). Also counting the amount of trash I pick up daily (7 today). This is all fodder for my future letters and court cases (if any). I was happy that the code enforcement made them pick up trash in their yard. I am on anxiety meds and can't sleep for thinking about how unhappy I am living in my town. Most everyone with money and sense has moved out! No wonder I look on FOR RENT signs with trepidation. At least my sister's tenants and myself are united in our hatred of the neighbors. I am supposed to do something each day on that issue to make myself feel a bit better. Was going to make an Excel spreadsheet but I think I have a better plan.

The weather has been great, wonderful, fabulous for over a week. Summer is not so bad after all. Today sat by the lake in the sun or the shade, felt the breezes, talked to friends and ate hot dogs and snacks. Spectacular clouds and crisp air and scenery. It is good to have friends when I am feeling under attack by the pit bull and the inconsiderate neighbors.

This video makes me happy

So many things are NOT making me happy today.  Let's focus on the great weather and the coolness of Sade in Soldier of love!  Gee, I hope that this link does not subject you to my ENTIRE playlist!  Just a neophyte with all of this.

Book review: Executive privilege, by Phillip Margolin.  I think I got this book on a "free Friday" from Barnes and Noble.  It is a nice way to get books you have never heard of.  The only problem is that I can't manage to DELETE the free Friday books off of my Nook.  Anyway, it was OK.  Too many characters and a lot of jumping around.  An implausible plot where the President of the United States is suspected of murdering young girls he had affairs with.  It turns out to be HIS WIFE.  There, I ruined it for you.

Book review: The interestings, by Meg Wolitzer.  Just my kind of book, borrowed from the Millville Public Library (F WOLITZER).  It follows a group of people who meet at camp in the 1970's (?)  Through the passage of time, most of them maintain a relationship which includes love requited and unrequited, a gay guy, troubled spirits, success and not, wealth and poverty, diseases and various adventures and disappointments as they age.  They called their little group "The interestings".