Woke up at 3 am with a lousy stomach ache. It's easing up a bit, but I can still feel it--pretty uncomfortable.
Had a nice day yesterday, though. After the horror of the lottery thing, I went to the library and Acme and otherwise did this and that (what? Don't remember).
Got to Pat L.'s at 1:00 for a lovely and leisurely lunch. She served butternut squash soup, Caesar salad, pasta and shrimp dressed with oil and garlic, and cranberry apple pie--all homemade and delicious. Pat's a dedicated talker-- I'm no slouch in that department, either--so we gabbed until almost 4:00. She had submitted a little piece about her granddaughter being named "Athlete of the Week" at Warren Hills High School and I expanded it a bit. Also asked for a picture of the girl and we'll run both in the January issue of The Breeze.
Speaking of which, the December issue came out yesterday, unusually early. Considering that the storm had wiped out a lot of Senior Publishing's operations, it's remarkable they got it out at all.
Continuing to speak (write) of which, today at two I'm interviewing Regina and Mike B. for the next "Blowing In The Wind" profile. Hope my stomach continues to improve.
WIDER: When the revolution comes, the slogan-makers should be the first to be sent to--well, with our luck, some kind of gorgeous tropical island to wallow in luxury. "Fiscal cliff"--AAGH!
http://stopmebeforeivoteagain.org/2012/11/happy-hour-at-the-cliff-bar/
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Busy Day With Bone Scan
(See the entry below for my additional dreadful experience yesterday.)
Annoyed with myself for forgetting I wasn't to take calcium for 24 hours before my bone scan, I went to Atlantic Medical Imaging anyway. Explained and apologized, and they were very understanding; made another appointment for 3:30 that day. I was given papers to fill out and took them with me.
Got to Northfield Diner early, of course, and filled out the papers while I waited for Betty and Mary H. The sun was shining too strongly at the booth where I had been seated, so we switched to another. Had a good breakfast (oatmeal for me) and good talk, then because I had to come back later in the day, we all went in Betty's car to her place, where we admired her new closet setup. After, we stopped at Mary's, then Betty and I sent to Shore Diner for lunch. She dropped me back at my car, we said goodbye, and I went to Produce Junction.
I had intended to get wreaths for Pat's and Jay's graves, but realized I didn't have the wreath holder with me. Decided there was plenty of time to "do" the cemetery, so just got a Christmas cactus plant for Pat L. (having lunch at her house today) and some veggies.
Back at the imaging place, I was chagrined to realize I had left my papers, --including the prescription--at the Northfield Diner, after switching booths. Damn. Was told I also needed a "tracking number," required by the Horizon Medicare Blue, the black-hearted bastards. However, I was given a number to call, got the number, and my doctor's office faxed the RX in, I had the test, and no prob after that.
EXCEPT--see below.
Annoyed with myself for forgetting I wasn't to take calcium for 24 hours before my bone scan, I went to Atlantic Medical Imaging anyway. Explained and apologized, and they were very understanding; made another appointment for 3:30 that day. I was given papers to fill out and took them with me.
Got to Northfield Diner early, of course, and filled out the papers while I waited for Betty and Mary H. The sun was shining too strongly at the booth where I had been seated, so we switched to another. Had a good breakfast (oatmeal for me) and good talk, then because I had to come back later in the day, we all went in Betty's car to her place, where we admired her new closet setup. After, we stopped at Mary's, then Betty and I sent to Shore Diner for lunch. She dropped me back at my car, we said goodbye, and I went to Produce Junction.
I had intended to get wreaths for Pat's and Jay's graves, but realized I didn't have the wreath holder with me. Decided there was plenty of time to "do" the cemetery, so just got a Christmas cactus plant for Pat L. (having lunch at her house today) and some veggies.
Back at the imaging place, I was chagrined to realize I had left my papers, --including the prescription--at the Northfield Diner, after switching booths. Damn. Was told I also needed a "tracking number," required by the Horizon Medicare Blue, the black-hearted bastards. However, I was given a number to call, got the number, and my doctor's office faxed the RX in, I had the test, and no prob after that.
EXCEPT--see below.
Lottery
To the authorities: If I'm ever found dead on the floor, just apprehend my younger son, who will surely be the death of me! Here's why:
I was out all day (see below) and didn't get home until about 5:00. Did this and that before checking my e-mail. When I did, I saw a message from Mike, who lives in the U.K., asking me to buy him twenty dollars worth of lottery tickets and he'd reimburse me. He didn't include any numbers, so I wrote back saying I'd just do it randomly, and went over and bought them at Acme.
Got up this morning to see Mike had e-mailed me a specific set of numbers, adding the personal reasons why: 5-Violet's age next birthday, 23-day I got my drivers' license, 22-Paula's birthday, and so on. I idly went into the Powerball site and saw---YES, THE NUMBERS HE PICKED, EVERY SINGLE ONE!
My screams of horror could probably be heard in the U.K. Shaking like a leaf, I called him at home, talked to Paula and got his mobile number, called that and babbling like a fool, tried to tell him my horrendous mistake. His reaction to hearing he missed winning 440 million dollars: What, did you take that seriously? England's time is five hours ahead of EST, and he had seen the numbers before he sent me the last e-mail. Yes, a setup.
Oh-h-h. I can't even convey the relief I felt after hearing that--not to mention the undying fury to have gone through that ordeal. Why, the fiend, the ungrateful wretch, the poorest excuse for a loving son on the planet, the...
Actually, it was pretty funny.
I was out all day (see below) and didn't get home until about 5:00. Did this and that before checking my e-mail. When I did, I saw a message from Mike, who lives in the U.K., asking me to buy him twenty dollars worth of lottery tickets and he'd reimburse me. He didn't include any numbers, so I wrote back saying I'd just do it randomly, and went over and bought them at Acme.
Got up this morning to see Mike had e-mailed me a specific set of numbers, adding the personal reasons why: 5-Violet's age next birthday, 23-day I got my drivers' license, 22-Paula's birthday, and so on. I idly went into the Powerball site and saw---YES, THE NUMBERS HE PICKED, EVERY SINGLE ONE!
My screams of horror could probably be heard in the U.K. Shaking like a leaf, I called him at home, talked to Paula and got his mobile number, called that and babbling like a fool, tried to tell him my horrendous mistake. His reaction to hearing he missed winning 440 million dollars: What, did you take that seriously? England's time is five hours ahead of EST, and he had seen the numbers before he sent me the last e-mail. Yes, a setup.
Oh-h-h. I can't even convey the relief I felt after hearing that--not to mention the undying fury to have gone through that ordeal. Why, the fiend, the ungrateful wretch, the poorest excuse for a loving son on the planet, the...
Actually, it was pretty funny.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Viv And Bone Scan
Susan and I walked with raincoats and umbrellas, but I was still soaked when I got home. Spent the rest of the daylight hours on chores, talking on the phone, and playing hidden object games.
It was still raining when night was beginning to lower* (I can't help it, I was an English major), and I considered calling Viv to postpost our dinner date. Glad I didn't, though, and we met at Applebee's, I fearfully early, she on time at six.
We had a fine time chatting and catching up. I met Viv, who lives in Barnegat, when I joined Wellspouse, an organization for caregivers. Viv's husband was diagnosed with MS thirty years ago and is now at a point where he can move only one arm and that with difficulty. She has cared for him since, while raising three children, working a full-time job, and attending college. Now a grandmother of two, she's on the cusp of getting her masters degree. I hope it lands her something better than her current support job at Ocean Community College.
Got up today all prepared to keep my 8:00 am appointment for a routine bone density test, then meet Betty for breakfast. But darn! I forgot I wasn't supposed to take calcium for 24 hours and had my second yesterday about one o'clock. Tried to call just now, but they're not open yet and you can't leave a message. I'll just have to go in, apologize, and see if I can do the paperwork and come back later in the day.
* Always liked that word, which is from Longfellow's The Children's Hour:
Between the dark and the daylight/When the night is beginning to lower/Comes a pause in the day's occupation/Which is known as the children's hour.... Yes, it rhymes with "hour."
It was still raining when night was beginning to lower* (I can't help it, I was an English major), and I considered calling Viv to postpost our dinner date. Glad I didn't, though, and we met at Applebee's, I fearfully early, she on time at six.
We had a fine time chatting and catching up. I met Viv, who lives in Barnegat, when I joined Wellspouse, an organization for caregivers. Viv's husband was diagnosed with MS thirty years ago and is now at a point where he can move only one arm and that with difficulty. She has cared for him since, while raising three children, working a full-time job, and attending college. Now a grandmother of two, she's on the cusp of getting her masters degree. I hope it lands her something better than her current support job at Ocean Community College.
Got up today all prepared to keep my 8:00 am appointment for a routine bone density test, then meet Betty for breakfast. But darn! I forgot I wasn't supposed to take calcium for 24 hours and had my second yesterday about one o'clock. Tried to call just now, but they're not open yet and you can't leave a message. I'll just have to go in, apologize, and see if I can do the paperwork and come back later in the day.
* Always liked that word, which is from Longfellow's The Children's Hour:
Between the dark and the daylight/When the night is beginning to lower/Comes a pause in the day's occupation/Which is known as the children's hour.... Yes, it rhymes with "hour."
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Rehearsal And Politicians
I appealed to Dennis R. regarding my non-working outside electrical outlets and that sweet guy stopped in early to reset them. Then I was able to fulfil my idiotic and practically uncontrollable desire--no, need!-- to illuminate the woods in back with a floodlight. I can't decide if it looks pretty and romantic, as I intended, or like something out of a horror movie, but I'll light it when I have company.
Aline got here just at 6:00 and John arrived shortly thereafter. I was pleased when J. agreed to play Tom Tricky in my play, actually just a little sketch. A. is the secretary and I'm reprising my role as Tootie Van Loonie, the bag lady who wins the lottery. I wrote the thing years ago and it was staged by the Sunrise Bay Drama Club, now defunct, I'm afraid. As Tootie mentions several locales, I changed Toms River and Manahawkin to Margate and Somers Point and so on. We went over it several times and A. and J. got right into the swing of it. Silly as it is, I think the audience will enjoy it.
Dayle F. came later, and I watched as the three rehearsed another play. It's not bad, although as many of this genre do, it rests somewhat uneasily on one slight turn. Seems a tad overwritten and the ending is abrupt, but it has the virtue of being short and should be enjoyable.
In between rehearsing, we shared some of our experiences in acting, play-writing, and the theatre in general. What fun and how lucky I am to be part of it! I came to this interest late and it's so pleasurable to know I've made myself part of it. When I mentioned my first "real" role as the grieving mother in Riders To The Sea, I was charmed to learn that John is actually familiar with J. M. Synge. Hey, you don't find that in the general population or among many (read "any") of my other friends.
Meeting Viv L. for dinner tonight.
WIDER: Here's Glenn Greenwald's take on the branding of politicians:
"...unhealthy and dangerous trust in one's own leader - beyond just the normal human desire to follow - is the by-product of over-identifying with the brand-marketed personality of politicians. Many East and West Coast progressives (which is overwhelmingly what Democratic Party opinion leaders are) have been trained to see themselves and the personality traits to which they aspire in Obama (the urbane, sophisticated, erudite Harvard-educated lawyer and devoted father and husband), just as religious conservatives and other types of Republicans were trained to see Bush in that way (the devout evangelical Christian, the brush-clearing, patriotic swaggering cowboy, and devoted father and husband).
Politicians are thus perceived like contestants in a reality TV show...but the difference is that these images are bolstered with hundreds of millions of dollars of relentless, sophisticated, highly manipulative propaganda campaigns...."
So damn true, it hurts. His essay includes much, much more, and the thing entire should be read:
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/11/27-2
Aline got here just at 6:00 and John arrived shortly thereafter. I was pleased when J. agreed to play Tom Tricky in my play, actually just a little sketch. A. is the secretary and I'm reprising my role as Tootie Van Loonie, the bag lady who wins the lottery. I wrote the thing years ago and it was staged by the Sunrise Bay Drama Club, now defunct, I'm afraid. As Tootie mentions several locales, I changed Toms River and Manahawkin to Margate and Somers Point and so on. We went over it several times and A. and J. got right into the swing of it. Silly as it is, I think the audience will enjoy it.
Dayle F. came later, and I watched as the three rehearsed another play. It's not bad, although as many of this genre do, it rests somewhat uneasily on one slight turn. Seems a tad overwritten and the ending is abrupt, but it has the virtue of being short and should be enjoyable.
In between rehearsing, we shared some of our experiences in acting, play-writing, and the theatre in general. What fun and how lucky I am to be part of it! I came to this interest late and it's so pleasurable to know I've made myself part of it. When I mentioned my first "real" role as the grieving mother in Riders To The Sea, I was charmed to learn that John is actually familiar with J. M. Synge. Hey, you don't find that in the general population or among many (read "any") of my other friends.
Meeting Viv L. for dinner tonight.
WIDER: Here's Glenn Greenwald's take on the branding of politicians:
"...unhealthy and dangerous trust in one's own leader - beyond just the normal human desire to follow - is the by-product of over-identifying with the brand-marketed personality of politicians. Many East and West Coast progressives (which is overwhelmingly what Democratic Party opinion leaders are) have been trained to see themselves and the personality traits to which they aspire in Obama (the urbane, sophisticated, erudite Harvard-educated lawyer and devoted father and husband), just as religious conservatives and other types of Republicans were trained to see Bush in that way (the devout evangelical Christian, the brush-clearing, patriotic swaggering cowboy, and devoted father and husband).
Politicians are thus perceived like contestants in a reality TV show...but the difference is that these images are bolstered with hundreds of millions of dollars of relentless, sophisticated, highly manipulative propaganda campaigns...."
So damn true, it hurts. His essay includes much, much more, and the thing entire should be read:
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/11/27-2
Monday, November 26, 2012
Goodbyes
Betty stayed over, then left early, but not before we made a breakfast date for Wednesday after I get my dex scan (or whatever it is--routine bone density test).
Went north to say goodbye to the Pennsy gang, arriving about noon. N.'s parents were there, as they had had J. and R. overnight; we had a nice visit. Left about 3:00 as the six sweeties were still preparing to go.
Had a message from Pat L., who asked if she could submit something for The Breeze--sure, but it'll have to hold until the January issue, as December's deadline is long past. I offered to pick it up, which I did and she asked me to lunch on Thursday. I accepted with pleasure, of course, holding to my iron rule: Never turn down an invitation.
Ellen Skyped and, as we do virtually every Sunday, I'm happy to say, we had a nice chat. Can't wait to see her next month.
Three of my fellow thespians in Players & Playwrights are coming to my place this evening to rehearse my play, Tootie Looks At Real Estate, plus another that Aline is in. Still don't know who will play Tom Tricky in mine; hope director John will do it.
WIDER: The mind reels:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/25/world/white-house-presses-for-drone-rule-book.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1
What if we read a piece on "Organized Crime Head And Advisers Codify Murder Procedure." Would we be shocked? Not anymore, I guess.
Went north to say goodbye to the Pennsy gang, arriving about noon. N.'s parents were there, as they had had J. and R. overnight; we had a nice visit. Left about 3:00 as the six sweeties were still preparing to go.
Had a message from Pat L., who asked if she could submit something for The Breeze--sure, but it'll have to hold until the January issue, as December's deadline is long past. I offered to pick it up, which I did and she asked me to lunch on Thursday. I accepted with pleasure, of course, holding to my iron rule: Never turn down an invitation.
Ellen Skyped and, as we do virtually every Sunday, I'm happy to say, we had a nice chat. Can't wait to see her next month.
Three of my fellow thespians in Players & Playwrights are coming to my place this evening to rehearse my play, Tootie Looks At Real Estate, plus another that Aline is in. Still don't know who will play Tom Tricky in mine; hope director John will do it.
WIDER: The mind reels:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/25/world/white-house-presses-for-drone-rule-book.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1
What if we read a piece on "Organized Crime Head And Advisers Codify Murder Procedure." Would we be shocked? Not anymore, I guess.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Great Day
What a fabulous day! Betty arrived about 1:30 bearing Sacco subs and nephew Dave got in a half hour or so later. We talked for a bit, then repaired to the kitchen to dig in. Oh, yummy, yum, yum, with a glass of cold beer--which Dave and I had--you can't beat a sub for sustenance.
We were delighted when Dave told us that his sis, Joan, and her Jim, were coming down, too, which they did after we had finished lunch. The six of us sat in the living room for several hours, talking, reminiscing, catching up on family news, and generally having a ball. We're all thrilled at the fact that Dave and Polly will be leaving for Rome in May, his first assignment for his new employer, the U.S. Foreign Service.*
Left for Oyster Creek Inn about 6:00, Betty riding with Dave, me with J. and J. I had never been there before, but what a neat place! Way, way at the end of a dark road, it's on water--I guess the bay--and is nothing if not casual. It goes the whole genre way: a rustic porch around it, plank floor, checkered table cloths, and a bar made from an old boat. However, the food is superb; going along with that, prices are high, but darling Dave insisted on treating, and we had a great dinner.
I had tuna tartar, which isn't even on the menu at most of the mundane restaurants I frequent. It was rubbed with sesame seeds and seared outside, but virtually raw within. I had it for the first time in Hawaii years ago and love it.
We had a fine, convivial dinner, then Darling Dave left for D.C. (I hadn't realized he moved from North Carolina, so this was only about a three-hour drive.) Poor Dave had forgotten the extra sub he had in my refrig, so bestowed it on Joan and Jim, who stopped back at the house to get it.
Betty and I sat up for an hour or so chatting, then retired. Great day, great family--lucky us.
* As I write, Polly is winging her way back from New Zealand, where she had spent a week with their veterinarian daughter, Alice.
We were delighted when Dave told us that his sis, Joan, and her Jim, were coming down, too, which they did after we had finished lunch. The six of us sat in the living room for several hours, talking, reminiscing, catching up on family news, and generally having a ball. We're all thrilled at the fact that Dave and Polly will be leaving for Rome in May, his first assignment for his new employer, the U.S. Foreign Service.*
Left for Oyster Creek Inn about 6:00, Betty riding with Dave, me with J. and J. I had never been there before, but what a neat place! Way, way at the end of a dark road, it's on water--I guess the bay--and is nothing if not casual. It goes the whole genre way: a rustic porch around it, plank floor, checkered table cloths, and a bar made from an old boat. However, the food is superb; going along with that, prices are high, but darling Dave insisted on treating, and we had a great dinner.
I had tuna tartar, which isn't even on the menu at most of the mundane restaurants I frequent. It was rubbed with sesame seeds and seared outside, but virtually raw within. I had it for the first time in Hawaii years ago and love it.
We had a fine, convivial dinner, then Darling Dave left for D.C. (I hadn't realized he moved from North Carolina, so this was only about a three-hour drive.) Poor Dave had forgotten the extra sub he had in my refrig, so bestowed it on Joan and Jim, who stopped back at the house to get it.
Betty and I sat up for an hour or so chatting, then retired. Great day, great family--lucky us.
* As I write, Polly is winging her way back from New Zealand, where she had spent a week with their veterinarian daughter, Alice.
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