Too much

I have seen quite a bit of The Saddest Boy Ever lately. His real name is Peter. He lives on the first floor of my building, and he is, quite literally, the neediest person I have ever met.

Earlier this week we rode the el together from downtown all the way to our neighborhood, and then we walked home from the train together. And it's hard. I have nothing to say to him. He complains about being on his feet all day. Can't help him with that. He complains about how much the train costs. Can't help him with that. He complains about the night time noise in the alley behind our building. Apparently one of our neighbors does her grocery shopping after midnight on a weeknight and awakens him as she and her sons haul their bags under his window as they enter the building.. A ha! I can help with that! I told him who to call to report it to the condo association! He doesn't have time for that. I told him that the association manager's email address is posted by the building elevator, so he can report it any time, day or night, at his own convenience. That's too much work, too.

Sigh. By the time I got home, I just wanted to collapse. Being around all that passive unhappiness is exhausting!

This evening we were doing laundry together. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

He doesn't have a lot in his life and at times, I feel like reaching out to him. But I sense it would be like wearing an anchor. I'm a tough broad, true. But I feel he could really drag me down.

Sunday Stealing

My Random Randomness Meme

How did you choose your baby's or pet's names? My cats were named thusly -- Joey for Joey Tribiani on Friends, Charlotte for Chan or Charlotte Ann (the daughter in A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries) and Rey for Reynaldo Curtis (Benjamin Bratt's character on L&O).

Have you ever been fishing? Once, as a child. I didn't care for it much.

Have you ever had your national flag painted on your face? No.

What was the last social faux pas you made? Nothing springs immediately to mind. But I'm always saying something stupid.

What makes you nostalgic? Listening to the oldies on the radio.

What's the scariest thing you've ever done? I know this may be hard to believe, but I'm proud of myself every time I get on a plane. It terrifies me.

What fairy tale character would you most associate with? She's not a fairy tale, she's a fantasy, but I've gotta go with Mary Poppins. I'd love her to float in, take over and show me how to organize my life.

How much do you tend to swear in public? Same as in private. My vocab is my vocab. I'm pretty one size fits all.

If you ruled your own country, who would you get to writer your national anthem? Bruce Springsteen.

Who is the most intelligent person you know? My lawyer. He can make sense out of the most circuitous gobbledygook, and he somehow always knows the right thing to say.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done for someone? Nothing springs to mind. Sorry.

What's the worst piece of advice anyone has ever given you? "Just ignore him. Look the other way."

If you had to describe yourself as a flavor, what would it be? Apple cinnamon.

      If you had to describe yourself as a car, what would it be? I wouldn't. I'm the least car-literate  person on the face of the earth.

 If you had to describe yourself as an animal, what would it be? An okapi, because I'm rare and wonderful. I'll be visiting my zoomorphic self twice before yearend. My nephew and I are going to the local zoo next weekend, and I hope to visit Okapi Habitat at the Lowry Zoo in Tampa -- a birthday adventure with my cousin in November.

 Do you think laughing at someone else's misfortune is wrong? Depends on the situation.

 If a loved one was to serenade you, what song would you most like them to sing? Great question! "Show a little faith, there's magic in the night." Thunder Road. Bruce.

Would you ever let your parents pick out a partner for you? Good goobies, no! My parents didn't end up liking one another very much. Why would I trust their judgement for me?

 Have you ever tried spam? (the meat product) Of course.

$109 later ...

Rey and I were up early and at the vet by 8:00. My cat's recent psycho behavior is just a recurrence of his spring/summer attachment and abandonment issues, not a return of his physical problems.

On the one hand, I'm grateful that he isn't in any pain or danger. On the other hand, I thought we had finally put this all behind us!

Reynaldo got a dose of female hormones, which has chilled him out in the past. The vet predicts this will keep us covered through year end. I hope so. Today has been a mixed bag. We had a very destructive evening, but as I post this, he's nestled lovingly on my feet.