(Old) How would you start the MMP...?

[Misnomer]

Started Typing: 10:29 AM ET
Clicked Reply: 11:41 AM ET

Happy birthday, SCAdian!

And “good morning” to the rest of you. It’s currently 61°F and mostly sunny, and a little breezy but not as windy as yesterday (only 9-10 mph today) so I do have a couple of windows open this morning. There’s an expected high of 71 with continued sunshine and no forecasted rain: a bit on the cool side for Memorial Day weekend in the DC area, but I’ll take it!

I wound up staying home last night. I’ve always been part extravert and part introvert: I geniunely enjoy being around others and meeting new people, I don’t mind chit-chat in the least, and I experienced some periods of profound isolation/loneliness during the 5 years that I worked from home, but I also do need quality “me” time. I wonder if part of me eventually adjusted to spending so much time home alone, and now that I’m back in an office 3 days/week – which I’m sincerely happy about – I have less energy for casual socializing on the weekends (e.g., going to a show where I’ll run into people I know, vs making plans with someone; I hardly ever back out of actual plans). Last week I was in the office 4 days, including one day of being in an interactive 8-hour session with a dozen other people, and I didn’t mind it at all but I think the week might have run my “battery” down a little. I also do start to miss the doggy during the week, and I like being home with her; especially if I’ve spent more time than usual in the office. Anyway, all of that self-reflection is just to say that I’m never really surprised when I bail on tentative plans.

I’m still leaning toward going to tonight’s GMCW show, mostly because I’ve always been an ally and it’ll be my only WorldPride event but also partly because I won’t run into anyone I know (solely due to the location: everyone I know who’d attend such an event would go to one of the many DC shows). The venue is close to home, so I could just enjoy the show and be back home quickly. I’ll see how I feel later – and whether the Lego typewriter has been delivered yet.

I have no plans (tentative or otherwise) for Memorial Day itself other than reading, watching TV, and playing with Lego, which is fine with me. Oh, and I guess I’ll have to do laundry, but just one load.

@FairyChatMom

I’ve had more than a few men approach me on FB when I post replies in various threads. The usual line includes stuff about being impressed with my profile and wanting me to friend them or message them.

I get those comments from time to time, as well: sometimes in response to a comment I made on a friend’s public post, and sometimes in response to a new profile picture or cover photo (my posts are friends-only, but those images are public). I always just delete the comment and move on. The bogus friend requests have slowed nearly to a stop; now it’s all poorly-written, over-the-top comments.

@liirogue

@BippityBoppityBoo

“it’s a sin to waste a straight line”

I’ve never heard this before - what’s it mean?

A “straight line” is an innocent comment that – intentionally or not – sets up a comedic response. In comedy duos, there is often a “funny man” (or woman) and a “straight man” (or woman).

@LH75

My nephew relocated to Bellingham last fall. As a gay man he was afraid to stay in Florida due to teh prevailing politics there.

I get not wanting to stay in FL, but what made him go clear across the country?

@Sticks_and_Scones

Speaking of the surgery, do you prefer eating leftovers and some other foods in general cold after having had it done? I eat many foods cold now. They seem to go down better that way.

No, I haven’t noticed that at all…interesting!

@SuntanLotion

I’m having chips and dip cause someone mentioned it upthread.

I’ve been seeing ads for these “ranch and potato chip” cookies for a while now, but so far am too afraid to try them!

@purplehorseshoe

I was … really overwhelmed by a lot of adulty/life things recently, so I lurked but did not post. Anyway, knowing there were some non-judgemental folks in my corner helped pull me out of quite the funk.

Welcome back!

@purplehorseshoe

@SuntanLotion

Memorial day makes me sad, my son died on it 8 years ago.

I’m the same way about Labor Day weekend. Husband, not son, but still … everyone else is going all “Lah-deeeh-dah! Have a great holiday!!” and inside it’s just a … crappy reminder of a really horrible day.

My cousin now has to deal with this every Memorial Day weekend: her mom (my aunt) died 1 year ago today.

@FairyChatMom

I found a lamp at the thrift store:

That’s awesome!!

@Chefguy

I can’t believe the blizzard of hair that comes off this cat. I’m sure our lungs are coated with the stuff at this point.

Every now and then I casually wonder how much dog fur I’ve ingested over the past 16.5 years, and how long said fur stays in my system…i.e., how long would I have to be dog-less for the medical examiner (investigating my mysterious-circumstances death) to not be able to tell that I ever had one.

@LSLGuy

Sorta hard to believe it’s now been just been over a year since I moved in here.
<snip>
Almost time to renew the lease.

It’s been over a year, but the renewal is coming up soon? How long is your lease term?

[LSLGuy]

@dogbutler

I get the reference
(probably a better hotel than the local hourly one in the shopping center with the Chuck-E-Cheese and nail parlor that got raided by the po po.)

I hoped someone would get it; shoulda figgered it’d be you.

For all of us here, watching that vid is a really great capsule tour of 1950s/1960s US motel culture. Even if you don’t listen to the song, the visuals are great. But the song is a great American ballad in my book, and always has been.

Doggio: Yeah, the hotel’s a bit nicer than those. But we did start out at a tiny table in nearby ritzy restaurant. And there is a pizza joint and a salon or spa or three in the same retail blob as the hotel. But it’s fancy pizza and the po po probably don’t visit those spas too often. So we’re at least halfway following the song.

We had not planned the first such event; the evening was just planned as dinner then return to our respective homes. But we changed our minds as the evening progressed :leer: So now it’s 10pm, I’d made the reservation on my phone’s hotel app 15 minutes ago from the ritzy restaurant’s bar, and we show up at the hotel a bit tipsy with zero luggage and needing to park two cars. And my ID is for a town 30 miles away across the metroblob. The desk clerk was most professional, as if she sees this stuff all the time. Maybe she does.

Next time (i.e. a couple days ago) we were more prepared and each had an overnight bag. But we still parked two cars. Different clerk though. I can hardly wait until Collete gets to know us as regulars and just hands over two parking passes without asking.

@Misnomer

It’s been over a year, but the renewal is coming up soon? How long is your lease term?

There was a discount to go for 15 months vice 12 so that’s what I did. Current lease began May '24 and ends Aug '25. I’ll probably do 15 again this time so next renewal will be Nov '26.

This building is hot enough that I can practically treat it as a month to month rental. If I leave mid-lease, they’ll have it occupied again in a couple weeks, and my liability is limited to however long it sits. Which won’t be long.

[FairyChatMom]

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

(the cord attaches to the vacuum at the bottom, not hear the top

Mine comes out of the bottom, too, but there’s a little clip thingie beside the handle that the cord hooks into. Except when I need to use the accessories rather than the intact machine. But it’s still not a biggie since I’m usually not moving around in the accessory mode.

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

FCM, interesting lamp

Perfect for kids who love construction equipment. They can tell me whether I’m looking at an excavator or a backhoe or a bulldozer - very handy grands!

@LSLGuy

Congrats on a great find!

And it was only $10!! That thrift store does get some cool stuff from time to time.

@LSLGuy

In a couple more weeks I’ll have outlived my Dad. Which is a weird sort of landmark.

My dad died at 72. His dad died at 72. His mother died in 1972. Next birthday, I’ll be 72. No, not worried at all…

Three of my uncles served in WWII - all survived. One cousin was in 'Nam - he also survived. My dad was Korea-era, but served in San Diego. I was at the tail end of the VietNam era, but since I wasn’t a nurse, I wouldn’t have been there anyway. FIL’s brother was killed on Saipan. MIL’s brothers and BILs served in WWII but all were fine. Apart from FCD and another of my cousins, I don’t think anyone else ever served.

We ran a few errands, starting with a stop to deliver the lamp. FCD wanted some more A&W sugar free rootbeer, and WalMart was advertising a good price, so we went. They were out of it. But I did get cat food and a couple other things I needed. Then we ran to the marina in search of a notebook - no luck. Then to Food Lion for the root beer - they were out, too. Dammit. Finally, we gassed up the Santa Fe and now we’re home. I have no motivation. Maybe I’ll find some. Maybe not.

And before I forget again:
Happy herald Day!!

[LSLGuy]

@FairyChatMom

Perfect for kids who love construction equipment. They can tell me whether I’m looking at an excavator or a backhoe or a bulldozer - very handy grands!

If you have not seen them before, this series of books is adorable and right up their alley. Amazon.com : good night construction site book.

@FairyChatMom

My dad died at 72. His dad died at 72. His mother died in 1972. Next birthday, I’ll be 72. No, not worried at all…

Yeah. Gets ticklish for sure. Have a {Hug} just in case.

As I’ve slowly gotten older & raggedier I’ve tried to keep a running awareness of e.g. “I’m now 55; how were Mom & Dad & the grands doing when they were 55?”. Overall my machinery has been, and still is, running better than most of them at the same age. But I’m sure aware that can turn on a dime.

[LH75]

@Misnomer

I get not wanting to stay in FL, but what made him go clear across the country?

He has a sister that lives there and her had spent time there. He said the gay community there are very open and friendly.

[LH75]

@SCAdian

[Album] imgur.com

[BippityBoppityBoo]

@FairyChatMom

Tobias will love it

That is indeed a splendid lamp-what a great find!

[FairyChatMom]

Just finished killing (I hope) poison ivy around my yard. Bumper crop this year, and I’m sure I missed some, but I’ll give it another go after this batch starts withering.

I’m thinking chickie teriyaki for supper. Must get it marinating.

[The_Stainless_Steel_Rat]

Afternoon all. Been to the Texas Roadhouse for a conspicuous consumption of calories, and am now home working up the gumption to go to the gym to purge some of them. Doesn’t help that the weather wizards are predicting tunder-boomers to move in around 4:30pm, but I can manage. Otherwise a quiet day is in order.

Pilot, glad things are progressing well on the GF front. And I’m pretty sure that hotel clerk has seen things wilder than two ‘mature’ folks getting a room to get frisky in…

@LSLGuy

In a couple more weeks I’ll have outlived my Dad. Which is a weird sort of landmark.

My dad (who also served and survived WWII) lived until he was 92…albeit the last couple of years he was not the man who raised me (dementia is a right-out bastard). I’m 72 too and hope to get to his age with most of my facilities intact (one reason I work out so much).

Taters, happy puttering.

Herald, happy birthday.

@FloatyGimpy

I dropped one of my airpods into the toilet that had pee in it.

THIS is the Definitive Definition for TMI!

Oopsie, I hear you; I have no problem going days on my own, but I also volunteer to coach soccer and do other things to keep me in touch with people. If you make it to the show I expect a report in the next MMP.

FCM, I’ve never noticed any type of hook, but I’ll be looking for one. And I am confident that you’ll make it to 73…after that however…

And guess I’ll pile the gym stuff into the gym bag and see if my sweating can take place before the rainstorms can get here.

[FairyChatMom]

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

dementia is a right-out bastard

Yep. I had no idea till FIL’s last weeks.

[BippityBoppityBoo]

@LSLGuy

welcome back from the state of Overwhelm. I’ve sure been there, albeit not recently

Love the label of that state~’Overwhelm’, I need to remember that. I’m also almost giddy that shoe is back amongst us.

@Taters

My Dad served in Vietnam, and while he wasn’t lost during the war, he came home with Agent Orange exposure, which eventually helped kill him.

I lost an uncle in Vietnam, in ‘63, my dad never really recovered from losing his only brother. My own brother came back in body only albeit with a destroyed ankle that hobbles him to this day, his soul and spirit didn’t return. Many decades later the VA finally acknowledged the PTSD and Agent Orange damage and gave him 100% disability but it was far too late to salvage a life and his relationships to wives, children and grandchildren. In WWII lost an uncle in invasion of Sicily (posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor) and my mother’s twin brother on D Day. Tomorrow is a somber day for us.

@purplehorseshoe

I was … really overwhelmed by a lot of adulty/life things recently, so I lurked but did not post. Anyway, knowing there were some non-judgemental folks in my corner helped pull me out of quite the funk.

You have so many of us permanently in your corner that you’re gonna have to pay to have us hauled away.

@FairyChatMom

They can tell me whether I’m looking at an excavator or a backhoe or a bulldozer

My 4 year old in three weeks grandson informs me that the lamp vehicle is an excavator.

@LSLGuy

Overall my machinery has been, and still is, running better than most of them at the same age. But I’m sure aware that can turn on a dime.

Yep. I’m a walking, talking lesson on that.

@LSLGuy

This was always my favorite.

Thanks for the reminder~that was a marmalade I loved too, until the old-fashioned grocery store where I bought burned down 10 years ago. I’m going to have to look around and see if I can find it again. I also have fond memories of grapefruit marmalade, sigh…..

And those Construction Site vehicles kids books are great! I’ve gotten two of them from the library for my grandson-there’s the regular one, a goodnight one (very sweet) and just now looking them up I see there is also an “I Spy” one by the same author. I need to us if I can get it here for his birthday June 17th.

[purplehorseshoe]

Y’all are awesome.

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

@FloatyGimpy

dropped one of my airpods into the toilet that had pee in it.

THIS is the Definitive Definition for TMI!

Worked (yes, at this place) with a guy (god bless 20-y-o almost-men) who would clock in, immediately cook himself like six chicken strips, inhale them like only 20-y-o dudes can do, and then disappear for … many minutes.
… and then regale us with tales of what he’d just done in the potty.

Honey, don’t even come at me with your TMI. I’ve heard … things.

@LSLGuy

the state of Overwhelm.

This is well put.

[SCAdian]

{{{{shoe}}}}

@BippityBoppityBoo

@FairyChatMom

They can tell me whether I’m looking at an excavator or a backhoe or a bulldozer

My 4 year old in three weeks grandson informs me that the lamp vehicle is an excavator.

I’d call it a steam shovel. Is that Mike Mulligan standing next to it?

Pilot and BBBoo: Excellent choice for marmalade!

@LSLGuy

In a couple more weeks I’ll have outlived my Dad. Which is a weird sort of landmark.

To plagiarize Tom Lehrer, by the time my father was my age he’d been dead twelve years. (25 years for my brother.) My mother lived the longest of anyone else in my family, and I’m now a year and a half older than she was.

Off to Guy Fieri’s (with a side trip to Fay Da) for my birthday dinner…

[nightshadea]

Yes, sheep butter is a thing, but it’s more of an artisanal farm-made thing. I’ve only seen it in a store once …have relatives coming over, surprise! So will be back later

[LH75]

My father passed in 1954 at age 46.

[Johnny_L.A]

Skipped church today. But I did get the back lawn mowed (Wifey mowed the front), and I got most of the moss/aglae off of the Jeep. Usually it’s cheaper using the self-wash than the car wash, but today it was $13 and 26 minutes because I was power-washing all of the crevices. Not outstanding, but it’s no longer embarrassing. It really needs to be detailed.

[missred]

@Misnomer

Every now and then I casually wonder how much dog fur I’ve ingested over the past 16.5 years, and how long said fur stays in my system…i.e., how long would I have to be dog-less for the medical examiner (investigating my mysterious-circumstances death) to not be able to tell that I ever had one.

IDK, but it’s been 29 years since I’ve had my cat, Figaro. I still have a couple of blazers and a winter dress coat from that era that have some of her very fine, white, hair woven into them, even after regular dry cleaning over the years.

Good to see you back, shady! Come see us when you can stay longer.

Well, I have a dryer coming in a little bit. I found a place on FB Marketplace that essentially takes the base appliances from McMansion builds that want an upgrade. Sis twigged me to that practice (she bought her dishwasher that way). For $150, he’s bringing me a base model Whirlpool and hauling out my old one. It would have likely cost me more to have the old one fixed, so win / win.

[dogbutler]

I cleaned. I did 3 loads of laundry, including towels, since it’s Towel Day. Spot alternated sleeping and Screaming Tuxedo Zoomies. I watched the Indy 500. Having a Wisconsin Old Fashioned, and watching the F1 stuff from this morning.
My uncle served and survived a tour in Vietnam, and my one cousin served in Desert Storm.

@missred

For $150, he’s bringing me a base model Whirlpool and hauling out my old one. It would have likely cost me more to have the old one fixed, so win / win.

Indeed.

@FairyChatMom

Next birthday, I’ll be 72. No, not worried at all…

< bubblewarps FCM >

[The_Stainless_Steel_Rat]

And a good early evening to all. Managed my gym time well for once, got there before the rain started and when I finished the skies were clear. The worst of it was north and east of me, up around Stevenson and heading toward Chattanooga, but never fear, another front is due to come a’callin around 8pm, so will gladly be staying inside Casa Rat for the rest of the day.

BBBoo, sounds like your family paid a steep price for our freedoms; Respect.

@BippityBoppityBoo

(shoe)You have so many of us permanently in your corner that you’re gonna have to pay to have us hauled away.

Truth.

shoe, some things are not meant to be told…but they get told anyway. Thanks for reminding me.

Herald, had to look up Fay Da (it’s for cakes) and fell in love with their capybara cake (Capybara Cake – Fay Da Bakery). Happy B-day eats!

red, sounds like a good deal on the dryer, hope it gives you long service (have to go empty my dryer, I dry out all the sweaty stuff before dumping it in the laundry baskets).

OK, need to make a couple sammiches for the evening sustenance, and then meander around the web until it gets closer to bedtime. If I don’t get back, have a good night and I’ll catch all y’all tomorrow.

[swampbear]

Howdy Y’all! I verged and didn’t burn the church house down, so I call it a win. The walkin’ around and blessin’ stuff after the service was kinda cool though bein’ outside and attacked by gnats was anything but cool. When we got back to da cave it was get comfy, cold beer and nappage time. Leftovers got et up for sup. Since tomorrow is a holiday, trash pickup is delayed until Tuesday. There is a note by the coffee machine to remind me to haul the biiiiiig trash can down to the road tomorrow.

Pilot I got the reference. One of my all time favorite songs.

doggio I envision a combo Chuck E. Cheese and nail salon. That would work on some level I am sure.

And now this…

< AHEM > CLEARIN’ THROAT < AHEM >

HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAY DEEEAAARRR HHHEEERRRAAALLLDDD!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!