| Food for Thought |
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WARNING: Contents under pressure. DO NOT OPEN IN AN INTELLECTUAL VACUUM. ~ A rubber stamp
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of. ~Confucius
"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." ~Sarah Ban Breathnach
"I would not exchange the laughter of my heart for the fortunes of the multitudes." ~Khalil Gibran
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi
"How can we say there is peace when so many go hungry?" ~Oscar Arias Sanchez
"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Attributed to both T.H. Thompson and John Watson
"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infans. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. ~Omar N Bradley
"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it." ~Margaret Fuller
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| Wednesday, December 24, 2008 |
| But Not All Has Been Doom and Gloom… |
* = Not real name.
I took Mum to see “Wicked” for Mother's Day and to help her relax from the stresses of my grandparents' health issues. The show was really excellent! We'd love to see it again.
In July, my uncle (who lives in Virginia) took my 15-year-old cousin (who lives out of the country), my mother, and me to see “A Chorus Line” in New York. The show was very good, even though we caught the time period when Mario Lopez was in it (nothing personal against the actor, just not my cup of tea!).
In August, I took Mum, Belle* and her mother, and Socially Inept* to see “The 39 Steps.” That was a truly fabulous experience and a great way for everyone to de-stress. If you ever get a chance to see it, you should!
I shaved my head around the end of September (it was getting tiresome with the really hot weather we’d been having), and my hair's already grown back a lot! I look like a hedgehog (someone said Sonic the Hedgehog) or Simon Cowell, or both! :-O
In October, Veronica* (ex boss) bought Mum and me a dual membership to the NY Botanical Gardens! We went to see the Japanese kiku chrysanthemum exhibit, as well as the holiday train show. Take a look at http://www.nybg.org/.
Socially Inept’s younger brother married at the end of October; now their mother is focusing on having grandchildren as soon as possible, as well as, er, pressuring the other 2 children. Barring some incredibly unforeseen event, I think she’s going to have to be satisfied with only 1 married child.
Mum and I went to visit my brother and his family for the turkey feast. We took the train and that was a bit of a ride, but though the quarters were small (we had a roomette), the meals in the dining car were most excellent!
My niece and nephew are growing up so quickly. I tell my brother and sister-in-law (Adrian* and Claudine*) that college is right on the horizon (they roll their eyes and glare). Ahem.
My nephew taught me how to play Nintendo Wii. I nearly dislocated my shoulder but it was quite fun. My niece has an unfortunate love of all things pink and is very girly, but she’s young and I have hopes she’ll grow out of both, lol. My sister-in-law cooked a most wondrous Thanksgiving meal, and my mother cooked a lovely lunch as well.
A high school friend and his older son visited New York over the Thanksgiving period. Fortunately, he was still in town when I returned, so that I not only had a great dinner with him and his son, but also with 2 other friends of ours who had come into the city for the visit.
Work has busy, but I can't complain. At least I have a job and a home, and I get along great with my coworkers and supervisors/bosses, which is always a huge plus.
I've been toying with getting another ear piercing and/or tattoo for over 3 years; the problem is that the blood donation requirements mean that I'd have to defer for a year from the piercing or tattoo. On the other hand, if I’m anemic (see post below), then I might as well go for either of these or both, right? Or not. Cough, cough.
Sending all of my faithful friends (you know who you are) heartfelt wishes for a terrific and safe holiday season and new year!
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posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 12/24/2008 04:44:00 PM   |
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| A Serie of Unfortunate Events: The Saga |
* = Not real name.
Well, every time I thought I would have a chance to complete a post, something else would come up, so that I kept starting and stopping. I finally gave up and let the dice roll where they may!
These past 2-3 years have been a time of even more reflection on my part. I’ve been working on once-monthly dinner meetings with my friends, and it had been going well with Belle, but scheduling has been difficult with my other friends, so that’s been hit or miss. The economic downturn has also added a blight to things.
Okay, so here’s a series of events the past year and half or so…
My ex-boss Veronica's* mother died suddenly on Thanksgiving night 2007. Although she’d had several health issues (and was very noncompliant), it was still a bit of a shock.
Veronica is also facing increasing pressure at work, and given the vise employers are in and have their employees in, she’s in a very difficult position. It’s become even more crystal clear that the highers-up want to get rid of her, but naturally, they won’t be direct about it. I can’t say I’m surprised by these tactics, but it’s a very sorry state of affairs.
A college friend Jane's* father died of prostate cancer near the end of January 2008. He'd been doing well for 10 years, after a fall in August 2007, his cancer spread quickly over the next several months.
Around February/March, my aunt had a really delayed reaction (5 years) to a breast marker (a small bead used to show certain areas on radiographs). She was eventually diagnosed around April (the condition is uncommon after such a long period following placement of the marker) and put on some medications and is now doing well.
In March/April, my grandmother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, early stage. She's been monitored with blood work every 3 months and seems to be stable for the moment. Also during the spring, she tripped on the sidewalk and smashed her face and leg. Happily, nothing was broken, but she had really severe contusions, particularly on her face.
Also in March, my boss’s father-in-law died suddenly.
In April, I dislocated my finger (and reduced it myself!). No residual effects, fortunately.
My grandfather has had a series of falls over the past few years and was lucky enough not to break anything. Then, in late spring, he fell in the street and damaged his right shoulder pretty badly. Tore some muscles and damaged the capsule. He went to rehabilitation therapy on/off (he’s very stubborn and noncompliant) and has residual pain and some limitation of motion. We got him a cane, which he used once and stopped. Then we got him a walker, which he complained was too inconvenient. He's also now been diagnosed (Sept/Oct) with early Parkinson disease.
At the end of June, my GP told me my blood work showed some mild anemia and abnormal thyroid lab results. For various reasons, I didn’t get repeat lab work done till about a month or so ago. Every time I mean to call him to find out the results, I get sidetracked with something else. However, I will be seeing him in 3 weeks, so I’ll know further then
Around midsummer, my college friend Fifi* underwent a series of crises. Her mom fell and broke her wrist and had to have surgery (she’s recovered fairly well). Her father's liver enzymes (he had a failing liver, diagnosed while we were at university) became even more elevated than his baseline. The transplant surgeon is keeping an eye on that as there are not many therapy options available. And then, one of her sisters was noted to have a suspicious nodule on a breast. From August through October, that sister underwent a series of biopsies and exams, then finally had 2 separate surgeries in September and October to further delineate the suspicious margins. She's now in the middle of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, so we're seeing how she does.
In August, my grandmother had 2 eye surgeries due to complaints of deteriorating eyesight. She also has severe osteopenia, which has led to multiple fractures in her thoracic and lumbar spine and a few in her cervical spine... which in turn has resulted in a terrible kyphosis of her spine, with pain and a little respiratory difficulty.
Also in August is when I received a letter from my friend Maggie*, in which she told me about the death of her college friend, as well as the increasing burdens Maggie and her immediate and extended family are having regarding the practice of medicine. The mightily shrinking reimbursements with ever increasing workload and paperwork are really taking their toll. I think she’s burning out.
Even when I left hospital work so many years ago, when managed care was just taking root, the system was already not so great. Without even considering the economy as it stands now, when one factors in how few people go into general care, how long it takes to complete one’s training, the time it takes to specialize, how few physicians there are in rural areas, how litigious society is, how many people are uninsured, how many hospitals have merged or closed, and how many physicians have left the field, etc, it’s a wonder that healthcare hasn’t already completely collapsed.
In November, another college friend severely dislocated one of the tendons in her right wrist. She's a dental surgeon with her own practice, so not working was not an option. She's been getting by with a brace, but it’s uncertain whether she may need surgery as well. At any rate, it's going to take a very long time for her to heal.
My mum has had 2 falls in the past 6-8 weeks, and a previous one in the spring down the stairs to our lobby. She fell on the sidewalk as well as down the subway stairs. Fortunately, 2 gentleman helped her when she fell on the subway stairs, and she was not seriously injured either time (some cuts, bruise, minor sprains).
I, who am rarely ill, fell victim 2 weeks ago to a mystery condition that affected me with a huge headache for a week and laid me low for almost 3 days with symptoms consistent with very severe allergies. I have no idea what happened but I was out sick for 2 days.
My brother’s family are well for the most part, but my niece has chronic nosebleeds. We’re keeping an eye on that… |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 12/24/2008 04:42:00 PM |
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| Tuesday, December 23, 2008 |
| Stay Tuned... |
I will definitely have a post up within 2 days. I caution you, however, to not read it if you're in a joyous mood, and to definitely avoid it, if you're in a morose mood. You will also need to take eye breaks, as it will be rather long.
Don't say I didn't warn you... |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 12/23/2008 01:20:00 AM |
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| Wednesday, April 30, 2008 |
| A Series of Unfortunate Events... |
| ... to inform you fully in the near future. |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 4/30/2008 11:52:00 AM |
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| Amazon Aids & Abets Cyber Bullying |
An author has unleashed a vile, venomous, and uncalled-for attack on a reader, Reba Belle, based on Reba Belle's 3-star review of the author's book. The author proceeded to harrass and bully poor Reba Belle: not only did this author reveal Reba Belle's full name, but also that of her husband, children, and other relatives, and she obtained Reba Belle's address from another author.
Amazon refuses to take action on behalf of Reba Belle and, instead, has punished her by banning her from posting and reviewing on Amazon.
Please read the online petition to Amazon here, and sign the petition. There is no donation necessary: the petition is not related to any donations.
Also, please spread the word and consider boycotting Amazon until this situation has been resolved satisfactorily for Reba Belle.
With much gratitude,
Tea
PS. To find out more fully the controversy, please follow this link to Dear Author.
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| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 4/30/2008 11:40:00 AM |
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| Friday, January 25, 2008 |
| More Horrors to Cope! |
By Rick Levine
As Pluto moves through your 10th House of Career for the next 15 years, your overall life direction will probably evolve so much that your current goals will become unrecognizable. Meantime, you may be frustrated with all the work that's piled on your desk or all the tasks that you must complete before you get to take a vacation. Even if you are being pressured to do more, don't be afraid to tell your boss that you are already at your limit. |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 1/25/2008 09:40:00 AM |
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| Monday, January 21, 2008 |
| Dear Mr President by Pink |
Lyrics from Azlyrics.com (link provided).
Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?
Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh
How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?
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| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 1/21/2008 03:23:00 PM |
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| Imagine by John Lennon |
Lyrics from Oldielyrics.com (link provided).
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
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| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 1/21/2008 03:22:00 PM |
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| I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr |
Dr King's speech in its entirety is from the American Embassy Information Resource Center (link provided).
I Have a Dream
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.
But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true.
So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
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| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 1/21/2008 03:09:00 PM |
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| The Rule of 3s |
I suppose I should never eat at home, never use my toilet, and never shower. Oh, and never stare at my ceiling. If I lump the middle 2 into never go near my bathroom, I guess that would fit into the 3 rule.
1. Never eat at home. Rationale: Our kitchen sink is kaput. The faucet and surrounding stuff above and the rusted pipes below all need to replaced. So, if we don't cook at home, we don't use any dishes or utensils, and we don't need to wash anything.
2. Never go near my bathroom:
Reason A: Never use my toilet. Rationale: The water pressure is nonexistent. If I don't use my toilet, I don't need to add tons of water from the bath to flush anything.
Reason B: Never shower. Rationale: The tiles around the faucet and pipes were replaced only a few years ago and already they've buckled and cracked. And the faucet leaks. So, if I don't shower, or Mum doesn't bathe, we don't have to worry about the whole thing falling apart on us. Which leads me to...
3. Never stare at my ceiling. Rationale: We've complained for years (over a decade) that our living room ceiling leaks, but we either received no response (even when we called the Housing Department) or a paltry response (there's no leak). So, if I don't stare at the ceiling, I won't see the dripping water, huge water stains, the cracks... or the gaping hole where the plaster has dropped down.
All of which means I'll either be an anorexic, constipated, odoriferous creature with a censored view, or I'll be an obese, bloated, malodorous beast who can't look up. |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 1/21/2008 11:58:00 AM |
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| Friday, January 18, 2008 |
| Life in the Fast Lane -- Sort of |
Horrors! Cope!
Saturday, January 19, 2008, by Rick Levine
This could be a day of domestic errands and heightened activity at home. You may be hard pressed to slow down, for there is so much to do and everything takes longer than anticipated. Instead of stressing about falling behind schedule, just find an enjoyable pace that you can sustain all day.
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It's been a bit challenging these past 2 weeks, and the peak isn't in sight. Clearly, I haven't kept to the 2-3 day limit between posts, but I'm trying.
I was essentially reprimanded (albeit in a nonconfrontational way) last week by my supervisor, and this week, I was dinged from 2 other people. That old saw about no good deed going unpunished has come to back to taunt me with a vengeance.
The workload is such that one of my coworkers and I aren't quite sure how we're going to handle matters. Already we're working much longer hours -- my coworker has continued to come in early but is leaving later, and I've been working later and have put aside a weekend day just to try to level things out; certainly, my months-long computer woes didn't help -- but we still feel like we're sinking fast.
My ex-boss remarked to me a few days ago that I'd worked long hours at the old job and was doing the same at the new job. Of course, there's a bit of a difference between the 2 jobs: at the old place, I couldn't leave till my work was done, regardless of the time of day, whereas here I have a time limit, but it's not do or die.
Part of my difficulty is also the fact that I can never get to the office early during the winter. All the other seasons, I'm in the office early, usually between 7-9am, but come winter, when the morning hours are pitch black, no matter when I wake, I simply can't get myself in gear and out the door at a decent time. I simply hate rising and leaving for work in the dark, although I did it for a long time, years ago. If that doesn't prove I'm a creature of the sun, I don't know what does.
My other duties, of course, have been squeezed into a much more compressed time frame, so, although the plan is not a new one, I'm now actually taking steps to slough away some of these extra things -- at least temporarily. The end of 2008 should mean the day job is all caught up --but that's not soon enough. In any case, until everything is all official, I won't specify what's going to be taken off my plate.
On a less personal front (it's not all about me me me?!), my wanderlust friend Climbergurl is off to the Peace Corps again. A few years ago, she was in Cameroon; this time, it's Malawi. I joked that she must be sure to say hi to Madonna and Guy (and maybe Paris Hilton) for me.
Climbergurl is highly intelligent but a bit of a free spirit as well, which can manifest in some startling naivete. In fact, she's a complex puzzle, sometimes exasperating but always fascinating, frank, and sincere. A great friend who's young at heart -- and who keeps us -- Socially Inept and I -- young at heart as well. If only we had her energy and determination as well.
On a lighter note, I actually went through a tiny portion of the stationery and stationery accessories I have and was shocked at how much I have. That is to say, I know I have quite a lot, but what I found exceeded my dim memory's recollection. Greed, thy name is T&B, etc!
So, I'm hoping that once I free myself up a little, I'll be able to actually do something with all the stationery things I've collected or been given. Once upon a time, I was quite a prolific snail mail correspondent; it's been eons since I've written more than perhaps a half dozen such letters a year. Truly, what a lowering realization.
I've also got a handy-dandy camera phone now, so I'm slowly learning how to upload and download. Maybe I'll actually be able to liven up my posts a little, the way so many people (like Fuff, Phosgene Kid, Eternally Curious, Nanuk, Seb, and others do). On the other hand, I'm nowhere, nohow as creative as these folks, so I might spare myself some humiliation. ;-) |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 1/18/2008 11:46:00 PM |
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| Tuesday, January 15, 2008 |
| The Joys of an Office Schlub |
I think there are 2 things a cube drone like me must look forward to each day. Twice a day, in fact.
First, the commute. Who doesn't love fighting the hordes riding the trains and/or buses, or -- for those who are intrepid enough to actually drive -- the crazed motorists hogging the roadways?
Second, the long wait in front of elevators to actually get on, along with other impatient, package-/knapsack-/computer case-laden folks. Especially, when they won't move their bulk item out of the way. |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 1/15/2008 10:34:00 AM |
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| Tuesday, January 01, 2008 |
| Resolutions Smooshalutions! |
I think perhaps in my entire long-lived existence that there were only 2 years in which I ever made new year's resolutions. Both are so far back in antiquity that I can't even remember when or what they were. I suppose the making of resolutions symbolizes hope -- the hope that with a new year, there will be new beginnings, changes, successes. Does this then mean that if one doesn't make resolutions, one is a cynic? A failure? A pessimist? Perhaps a realist? In any case, resolutions aren't quite my thing. I'm more of the "slowly but surely" type, rather than the "Here it is in black and white; I'm going to make it happen or else!" That said, some things I'd like to make sure I adhere to: 1. Meet with my close friends at least once a month. 2. Walk/exercise more. 3. Manage my time more efficiently. 4. Get back to writing more snail mail, including using the ton of stationery and scrapbooking accessories I have (instead of buying yet more [!]). 5. Post a blog entry no more than 2-3 days apart. On a global front, there are so many things to wish for that it's hard to know where to begin. I suppose really my one desire is that people learn tolerance. Without tolerance, there's a huge culture of misunderstanding, hubris, anger, and hatred across all races and peoples, in all countries. May there be greater understanding, love, friendship, and peace on earth. |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 1/01/2008 06:51:00 PM |
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| Sunday, December 30, 2007 |
| My Sorrow Joins Yours |
My deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones in 2007:
- I just learned that fairsCaPe, a very talented poet, wonderful wife and mother, and unwaveringly loving caretaker died of cervical cancer in May 2007. Her husband's blog is at Persistent Fool.
- My ex-boss's mother passed away Thanksgiving evening.
- Brenda Bryce's grandmother passed away recently.
- Ann Lory's mother-in-law passed away in the spring.
- My boss's father-in-law passed away over the summer.
- Those who had friends and/family killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Burma, and elsewhere; in various earthquake- or hurricane-stricken areas; or in senseless acts of violence.
May you find peace and comfort. |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 12/30/2007 05:47:00 PM |
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| Tuesday, October 23, 2007 |
| Like Death Warmed Over... or Scrambled Eggs |
Bella and Socially Inept, this post is dedicated to you both. Because of your persistent, unwavering and relentless (though justified) nagging, the universe answered your pleas for an intervention. Whether the source of the intervention was angelic, demonic or other, I leave it to you to decide.
After a wonderful dinner at excellent Argentine restaurant Buenos Aires on the lower East Side (courtesy of Bella, thank you!!), I arrived home late Friday night to discover an unwelcome memo. Building management was springing a surprise visit to all apartments on Monday and Tuesday for the purposes of pest control. Apparently, numerous reports of mice had been called in to the building agent’s office. Given that this was Friday, and the inspections were to be Mon/Tues, I have no doubt that many residents were unhappy or likely to be unhappy. Not so much about the pest control -- which, though distasteful, is necessary -- but the fact that we were given such short notice. Many of the people who live in my building have weekend homes, and undoubtedly, they would have been unaware of the impending exterminator’s visit because they would’ve gone straight from their offices to their weekend getaways, then discovered the memo when they arrived home Sun/Mon.
I am convinced, Bella and SI, that you arranged this extermination event in order to force me to clean, organize and toss, things you’ve exhorted me to do for ages and ages. Congratulations, you succeeded. On Sunday morning, after an entire Saturday of cleaning instead of being in the office like I’d planned, I ached like I’ve never ached before, and my legs were like limp noodles. I don’t know what my shoulders and back were telling me as the whines had become so much background noise, but I can tell you that my feet were screaming bloody murder.
Mum and I took a welcome break on Sunday afternoon to go see the beautiful, incredible and awesome Lipizzaner horses at Madison Square Garden (http://www.lipizzaner.com/), right across the street from my old office. Aside from the toddlers talking and kicking our seats throughout the show, we really enjoyed the performances. The arena was small, but we had good seats and were able to see very clearly.
After that, Mum and decided to try the restaurant in the cellar of Macy’s. We’d seen it in passing throughout the years but hadn’t ever gone in. The food turned out to be all right and the prices about average, but I don’t think we’ll be returning.
And then, it was back to the grind after an interminable delay in the subway. Mum toiled till about 02:30, and I stayed up all night, finally taking a quick nap around 10:00 Monday. After 20-minutes, my legs no longer felt like the deflated balloons of Sunday morning.. More like deadweight… with an additional ton or 2. Moving was an agony; my feet wanted to secede from the rest of me. I’m convinced they would’ve tried and succeeded were it not for the pesky ties of tendons, ligaments and bones, not to mention flesh and blood linking us. My hands are also chapped dry due to the constant handwashing.
Over 3 days, we’d finally done our laundry and gotten rid of 2 air conditioners, a gazillion old magazines and newspapers (and some books) and loose paper, as well as shredded and removed another gazillion tons of confidential paperwork (yes, of course, we separated the recyclables). We were nice and removed all of these ourselves, placing them outside the basement door with the other refuse, rather than bringing them to the trash and recyclables area of our basement for the porter to lug outside. Naturally, the exterminators didn’t come.
So now it’s Tuesday, 13:00, and still no exterminators. I’ve taken 2 days off work that I can’t afford, but the end result, even if the damned super and pest control folks don’t show up again, is that me and Mum were forced to do what we should have done long ago. So, Bella and SI, while there is now visible floor space in my room thanks to your insidious and powerful efforts, my tortured body is trying to come up with a means of evening the pain and sharing it with you. *cue eerie music* |
| posted by Tea and Books, etc @ 10/23/2007 12:55:00 PM |
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