Morning. It’s raining. Storms expected later today and God forbid they turn out like Wednesday’s. Wednesday night 2 tornadoes touched down. One a mile from me, I could see the line of pine trees it ripped from the ground as I drove to the barn. Another touched down about 5 miles away. Del Webb got hit. Several roofs ripped off. Waaaay too close for comfort.
Today is the gym, lunch with a friend, PT. My shoulder is much better but I can still improve so I have 10 more PT appointments.
i thought the same thing! i did like the dad, he was a fun vulcan.
this sounds like a security risk. the ax murderer is after you and you have a delay at the door going in and locking?! not good.
Once inside your apt it’s just a quarter-twist of a standard mechanical deadbolt thumb-turn. All the delay is on the outside trying to change the deadbolt between bolted and unbolted or vice versa.
To get from the outside world to one’s front door you go through 2 other electronically locked doors and past a doorman / guard. And a battery of cameras. Axe murderers are kinda rare once you’re up on the floors.
Nevertheless, even an old fashioned key takes time to get out of your pocket, stuff into the hole straight, turn, turn back, withdraw key from the keyhole, then open the door, go through, close the door, and turn the interior deadbolt knob. Now you’re safe, and not before. You need a good 40 yards on a non-zombie axe murderer to succeed.
Hollywood is very very misleading about timing and shows people making close escapes like that from bad guys no more than 10 feet away. That ain’t gonna work. Bad guy too close just means you’re both inside the apartment where they can do their mayhem and murdering at their leisure behind your now-locked door, confident they won’t be walked in on. Better for you to have stayed out in the corridor where you have some hope of an external interruption to his nefarious plans. And more room to run and use your superior knowledge of the pathways, stairwells, accessible closets, etc., to lose them in the labyrinth.
Bottom line: the delay feels far more interminable than it is.
As to me:
Up early today, and out to the beach well pre-dawn. Walked a half hour awaiting sun-up, then a half hour back in the sun. Plus some swims. Said Hi to a bunch of fellow early risers; strangers all, but it’s a worldwide fraternity of folks of the same mindset. Talked with a new father showing his 4-week old the sunrise. Kid was alert and paying attention. Sorta. But Dad was bursting with both pride and joy.
Came home just as my wimmin folks were getting vertical. Then we all sheveled, fed, and they are now out shopping and having girls’ time. As soon as I post this, I’m out for a day of me time too. A smidgen of administrivia & logistics first, then pure play.
Cheers all! For those on an M-F schedule, congrats on surviving another week.
But a Math classroom isn’t that place! 
It took pretty much the full 2 hours, but I de-crudded Mr. Hallet’s room, except for the floor. Someone else will strip, scrub, and wax the floors after the PA and Network systems are installed, since they’ll come thru the ceiling, and that will be DIRTY work. I started at the door and worked clockwise around the perimeter, dusting, washing, wiping, tidying books, and generally making the room less gross. Thus endeth my good deed for the day.
Now I get to do some laundry and clean the bathrooms here. And maybe gather trash and recycling - since the promised storms haven’t materialized. Good times!
But first, I need a little time to chill. I’m beat!
Good morning.
It’s 61F and sunny outside, with an expected high of 87F and sun all day.
I had a very restless night last night. I dozed off between 10 and midnight, woke up, dozed off between 1:00 and 3:00 am, and finally gave up trying to get any sleep and got up at 5:00.
I’m finishing my coffee, and then I’ll head upstairs to shower because I want to take care of some errands later this morning. We’re going to see some old friends tomorrow, and I want to bring them a bottle of wine, some nosh type of food before we eat what they’re preparing for dinner, and some adult beverages for us. Neither of us drinks much anymore, so whatever we don’t drink, we’ll leave there.
Another old friend contacted me yesterday asking if I wanted to go hiking sometime and do mushroom hunting in the fall. I said I’d be down for that, but since I can’t seem to get myself in better shape, it would have to be a moderate hike. I need to find a trail, I guess. She wants to bring her dog along. I have mixed feelings about that because I really prefer hiking in the national parks around here, which do not allow dogs on trails. We used to be fairly close, and she was part of a larger group of friends we always hung out with, including trips to Kauai. We hung out for a good many years, but there was some drama the same year I broke my ankle. Long story short, another of the group did something that I could not forgive (it was bad), and one of the other friends had become annoying due to her constant being wasted on booze and pot. I mean, like totally blitzed, and she caused a lot of public embarrassment. This friend was very close with the person who did me bad, and we all broke up.
So, now the more outdoorsy friend occasionally reaches out to me to do something, we get together a couple of times, and then time goes by again. But it’ll be nice to get out and do something, and I look forward to being on a trail again.
Other than visiting our friends in the country, erranding, taking care of the yard, and doing normal weekend chores, I don’t have any real plans, and I’m good with that.
Okay, on with the day! Things to do, places to go. Oh, plus I have to actually adult today and make the call to get my rig in the shop for oil change, etc.
I’ve been MIA this week. SenWife was gone this week, again and it’s just so much work balancing everything.
We’re getting to the end of the term and lots of things to finish up before next Friday.
I’ve also applied for a part time online position to supplement the teaching I’m doing, which is less than full time.
SenBoy is in a class play and needs help with his lines in Japanese. SenGirl has a report due and needed help.
It’s been a long week. Fortunately, SenWife just got back today, so I can catch up with other things.
I didn’t try to keep up here.
Today is ‘office cleanup day’. )I’m telecommuting. ) Per El Jefe:
For tomorrow and tomorrow only for the building clean up and bbq, you may wear work appropriate shirts and shorts.
No daisy dukes or mid drifts please.
I replied with this image. I said, ‘Well, I have the Magnum P.I. shirt and the shorts… [image] Now I just need to get the thighs…’
A cow-orker replied, ‘No [Johnny]…[El Jefe] said No Daisy Dukes! Magnum wore the male version of the Daisy Dukes!’
Anyway, I’m wearing khaki Carhartts today. They’re longer than my shorter shorts (which with a 5.5-inch inseam, I think are still longer than Magnum’s). We’re having a meeting at 10:00. I’ll throw on my Magnum P.I. shirt for it.
Have you tried putting some peanut butter on a tortilla strip, rolling it up and giving it to him in two bites (first one with the pill, second one without)? That’s how I pill a certain little doggy.
cat glove, I always liked to watch and photograph the wildlife when I lived up on the Cumberland Plateau. I’m glad you got to observe Mr. Deer for a bit of relaxation.
metal mouse, I only paid $70 for the insurance pair of glasses and $180 for the ones that I got out of pocket there (the second pair had a 20% discount for being the second pair), so I got out of there for way less than the $400 budgeted. Both pair of the new glasses are the same style that I’ve preferred for many years, so I can ditch these old lady frames that I got last time (they were about the only pair in Tar-jay’s stock that fit).
JtC, that tickled me about GG trying to help you up. 
I can get up off the floor without furniture, but I’m guessing that I look something like a walrus doing it.
Did you children speak Japanese before your move there sensai? I would think that learning lines for a play or singing would tend to help with becoming fluent.
Up, caffeinating, breakfasted, a load of towels / grocery bags in the dryer, a load of clothes in the wash and fixing to do KP and houseirk. After that, I’ll procure provisions and, if it doesn’t rain, take the small beast to the dog park. He needs a bath too, so that may happen when we get back.
Stay safe and healthy y’all!
Hiya, chums! Wow, you miss one day around here…But I think I’m caught up. Yesterday was a fun-filled day here in Nellieland: an oncologist appointment in the morning and a dentist appointment in the afternoon. Everything looked good at each one, though I have a crown that needs replacing soon-ish. Still grateful for good news on teeth and gums I have a boob-a-matic appointment this afternoon. The fun never ends.
One nice thing is that the oncology PA said she’s had quite a few patients who’ve had knee replacements from this clinic, and she’s amazed at how quickly they’re back to normal, so that bodes well.
One of my former colleagues died. He was very fit and trim, never smoked, but he keeled over during a bike ride. People have been dropping like flies lately, and I don’t like it. Remind me to complain to the manager.
Re: cooking, my mom worked full-time, but we still had lots of wonderful kitchen time. She never bought Shake and-Bake because why would you spend so much on seasoned breadcrumbs? Hamburger Helper and Rice-a-Roni were banned for life. I have happy memories of sealing ravioli with a fork and rolling meatballs, though. And helping with dishes was fun because my sisters and Mom and I would sing. I’d give the stove extra love so I could stay for the last verse of “Eidelweiss.”
When I was in jr. high, we had cooking and sewing. Cooking I loved, but sewing was endless frustration due to my 10 thumbs. I tried to get into shop class instead, and Mom backed me up, but it was a hard “No girls allowed.” I’d have done no better, though, as shop requires some of the same skills as sewing, minus a finger or two.
I can’t reply to all the posts I want to, but I promise to do better tomorrow.
It was 80 this morning when I got to work. Guzzled 2 quarts of water to survive. Laundry is going. I think Spot ate a coffee bean, he has Ultra Zoomies this morning.
I worry about you - you don’t seem to get regular sleep. That’s not good. I don’t want to hear about you staying up all night watching TV and texting with your friends, young lady!!!
Isn’t the word midriff? tsk tsk
Just back from the convenience center - glad to have that chore out of the way - our trash was stinky!! And I just tossed a load of shorts in the dryer and now the t-shirts are being washed. I made a 'mater sammich on toast with mayo - very yum!
I think I’ve earned some chill time. At least till the dryer is done. Chance of rain has moved to later this afternoon and overnight, with a lesser chance tomorrow. Better forecast than what they were calling earlier this week. So there’s that.
It is. I thought about [correcting] it, but I just left it.
i thought it was some sort of shirt that drifted around your mid, like a crop top. i pictured it ruffling in a breeze kind of thing.
Confession: I have not read the 214 posts that precede this one. 
I have no day trips planned. I’m not really a day trip person: I’d want to go with someone, and it’s generally too difficult to identify anyone with the same availability and interest. But also I’m not going anywhere for the next two months (until my cousin’s daughter’s wedding).
Sunday’s production of 1776 at the Kennedy Center wound up being very well done! Despite the cast being all female/trans/nonbinary there were no character gender changes, and they were remarkably faithful to the book – at least, the one from the movie (which I’m more familiar with than the stage show). It all worked better than I expected, and I still cried at Momma, Look Sharp and Molasses To Rum, and during the signing of the declaration…oh, and during the overture. Live orchestra overtures are always a little emotional for me, and I often get a bit weepy. Partly because it’s live music, partly it’s the familiarity with/love of said music, partly because it means a show is starting, etc.
This week has been largely uneventful. I had a mammogram on Monday afternoon (which came back clear), and now I’m all caught up on preventive and routine tests for the next 5-6 months. Woot! I’m still waiting for the results of last month’s pap smear, though: I know the lab is pretty behind, but it’s been five weeks now. It would be nice to get those results and really be done with everything for the time being.
I did have a little drama/excitement last night: at around 6pm I gave Bailey a Milk Bone, and while she was rolling around on it I noticed a sore on her belly! She let me poke around a little and didn’t show any signs of pain, and she’s eating/drinking normally, etc., but I couldn’t tell if it was an open wound so I knew a vet appointment was in order. Our regular practice was closed by then: I could have called first thing this morning and requested a same-day appointment, but there was a 50/50 chance I’d wind up with the vet I don’t like…so, I decided to take her to the new veterinary ER (and urgent care center) that’s ~1 mile from my house. Happily, Bailey is just fine: the vet had no idea what the thing on her belly is, but it wasn’t open or bleeding/weeping and also didn’t seem to be covering any kind of mass, so she said to just keep an eye on it. Then, in a stunning display of great customer service, she waived the $200 ER fee!! 
I asked if she was sure, because I’d called before heading there and I knew about the fee, and she said, “I’m not going to charge you for just an exam. You’re free to go.” I nearly cried…between the mass on her leg that had to be removed in April and the dental cleaning she had last month, this doggy has been racking up the bills lately! Anyway, I’ll keep an eye on her belly but am not worried. The best the vet could guess is that maybe a spider or something bit her.
Something did make me actually cry while I was there, though. I’ll spoiler the details, for those who can guess and would rather not read about such things.
The door to the facility is kept locked, and in the middle of Bailey’s intake there was suddenly violent and sustained banging on the door: when it was opened, a couple rushed in with their cat in the man’s arms. The staff member who let them in yelled “stat!” and I watched everyone converge on a treatment table (the main evaluation and treatment area is one giant open space) – and I saw that when they put the cat down, its hind legs weren’t working. Both of the people were crying, and it was clear that the cat was in crisis. I immediately started crying empathetically, and when the tech who’d been talking with me excused herself I said, “OMG of course please help them!” A short while later they went into a private room, and after 15-20 minutes the couple left…without their kitty. I wasn’t sobbing but was clearly crying for these people and their beloved pet, and the staff was remarkably aware of me; asking if I needed water or anything. One of them even shared the cat’s name and age. Many, many years ago Bailey had to go to an animal ER on Thanksgiving, and while she was in the back and I was in the waiting room a middle-aged couple came in with their large-ish dog: the man was crying, and carrying/cradling the dog like a baby. They, too, left without their pet. I have never forgotten those people and their dog, and now I will never forget this couple and their cat.
Although I hope we never have to go there again, I was super impressed with everything I saw at this animal ER. It’s reassuring to know they are so close.
Happily, I have no plans tonight and can just be a couch potato with the doggy.
A retired military friend died in March 2022 and was cremated, and her widow has been waiting for the Arlington National Cemetery ceremony to be scheduled: on Wednesday, we learned that she’ll finally be laid to rest – with full military honors and an escort – on November 9. (Fittingly, two days before Veterans Day.) It will be my absolute privilege to attend, and I’ve already submitted my “out of office” notification.
Tomorrow I have tattoo removal session #8 at 11am, and on the way back home I plan to go to the local gym where I’d like to start working with a personal trainer – at least, the first place I’d like to try. I’ve done all of the online research I can, and now it’s just a matter of actually going there to see the facility, and finding out how much the training sessions will cost on top of a monthly membership and whether any of their trainers are available at times that work for me. (I could call about the latter two, but would rather have those conversations in person.) I may well come up with some “excuse” tomorrow, but it’s really time to stop putting this off.
Sunday evening I have tentative plans to go hear a friend sing jazz: he’ll be at a casual venue in DC that I used to love but haven’t been to in years (it closed during the pandemic, then reopened briefly, then closed again, and is now sort of open; no one’s sure exactly what the current story is), and it should be a good show with a great band. I typically don’t care to go out on Sunday evenings/nights because of having to work the next day, but it’ll be an early-ish show and I might make an exception.
Happy weekend, everyone!
Just had our staph meeting. Yes, I wore my Magnum P.I. shirt and had my camera on.
We made enough money that the company is going to contribute up to 2% of our 401k contributions to our 401k accounts. We’re switching from Fidelity to John Hancock, because Fidelity’s fees crept up too high. And we’re getting a 3% raise.
We have an Employee Compliance Test we need to take by Monday. ‘Open book’, and collaboration allowed. I’ve emailed my 2020 test to me, so that’s my ‘book’.
Now off to get a new Discover Pass for the trip to the lighthouse tomorrow, and for access to Birch Bay State Park for kayaking, then I’ll change into me sweaty clothes for my walk.
Those of us in NE Kansas, stay safe, got a real storm coming through.
Ladies an’ gennelmen… 3.30 mph over 3.13 miles. Personal best!
We seem to be stuck at 2.75mph over our regular 4 mile route. A few weeks ago we changed the route and found a nice set of stairs connection two parking levels.
I need to find some stairs. With my injuries, stairs have always presented a challenge. Lately, I seem to be having more trouble. I need to build up my stairs muscles.
There’s a 0.9-mile hill from the house to the beach. It’s a little steep. I’m slower going down it and up it, so my second mile is my fastest.
