Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Sign of the Times (2017)

... because Cat recommended Harry Styles  

1) In this song, Harry sings, "We don't talk enough, we should open up before it's all too much." When you have something serious on your mind, who do you share it with? Depends on the situation ... and the timing. Right now, with so many of my friends struggling (see posts below), it would be John because he's the one with the greatest bandwidth. Everything seems to be good with John right now (knock wood).

2) As a kid, Harry wanted to be a lawyer because he can see "both sides." Are you good at seeing both sides of an argument? Professionally, yes. Personally, no.

3) He can't decide which is favorite color -- orange or blue. Help Harry out: which of those

colors do you prefer? BLUE! Specifically Pantone 294, which is Cubbie blue.

4) Harry says he prefers older women, but would never go out with someone older than his mother. Do you think age disparity matters in romance? Yes. Not in terms of sex. I think we can be attracted to the most unlikely people! But in terms of cultural references and shared experiences, I believe age does matter over the long haul.

5) He admits to a big crush on Adele, who is six years older than he is. Who are you crushing on right now? (It doesn't have to be a celebrity.) I once watched the sun rise and bathe the Swiss Alps in pink and gold light. It was almost as beautiful as this face.

6) It makes Harry's skin crawl when he sees people use their teeth to open bottles. What creeps you out? Certain smells. Strong coffee, those sickly sweet skinny cigars, marijuana. BLECH! 

7) When he's on the road, his go-to food is tacos. Do you like Mexican food? Mexican food does not like me.

 

8) Harry has never smoked. Have you ever been a smoker? If you quit, how did you successfully kick the habit? I have never smoked anything. I forgot to add that the thought of blowing smoke out of my nose and mouth into the air around me is one of the things that creeps me out. I mean, how is that NOT germy and filthy?

9) Random Question: As she pulls out of her parking space, an elderly woman in an old car scrapes an expensive car. Then she drives away. You witness the whole thing. Do you make a note of her license plate and leave it for the owner of the expensive car? Or do you just mind your own business? Oh, hell, I don't know. Not being a car person, I don't really have a strong feeling about this. I might think, "Oh, she's old and probably poor or she wouldn't be driving a beater so let's give her a break." Or I might think, "Isn't this why people have insurance?" and leave a note. Or maybe I won't be able find a scrap of paper in my massive purse. This question is beyond me today.

Which leads me to this: As Crazy Sam's staff, I try to visit everyone who plays Saturday 9. But this week, I'm Irma obsessed. Many of my loved ones are waiting for the impact of this storm and I'm sick with worry. So if you don't hear from me this week, I apologize for my distracted slackerness.

The Round Up

So much is going on with my friends and loved ones! So little of it is good!

My oldest friend is battling depression big time this week. She was told that, on October 9, she will be unemployed. The doctors she works for have sold the practice to a Catholic, not-for-profit healthcare service. Ironically, this company that prides itself on providing affordable healthcare to those in need, has told her that the job she needs so badly has been eliminated in the merger. So now, at age 61, with little money in the bank and a litany of health problems, she's starting over ... again. This is the fourth (fifth?) job she's had since she's moved to California. She only left one of her own volition. She's bereft. Unfortunately, I really can't be there for her right now. I'm too keyed up about Hurricane Irma. Besides, I tried to call her right after she shared the news and she didn't bother to pick up. When she gets like this -- when she doesn't want to talk, just wants to pour her feelings out in email after email -- there's little I can do for her. I love her, I depend on her, I worry about her. But I know her. She doesn't want to hear from me. She just wants to know I'm here.

My cousin and aunt are fine. Not happy, but fine. Though they don't know each other -- different sides of the family -- they both happen to live outside Tampa. Cousin Rose is headed for Birmingham with her sister. My aunt, her husband and their big poodle are may already be in Macon. I'm worried about what they will return to after Irma, but at least I know they are safe right now.

My friend Barb has more worries. Yes, she just lost the love of her life to cancer. Yes, she is pre-occupied with planning his memorial service. Yes, she has serious health problems of her own. And yes, the beautiful new home they built -- from scratch, to spec, over the space of more than a year -- is in the path of Hurricane Irma. Hilton Head, SC, has been evacuated. I tell myself this may be a blessing. If God and Mother Nature take her house out, then she doesn't have to decide whether or not she wants to live in it without her beloved husband.

The Cubs lost to the Brewers this evening. At any other time, that would be the lead story of my Friday. Now the Brewers and the Cardinals are tied for second place, four games behind us. This late in the season, I would prefer a bigger lead. I don't expect another World Series, but I would like my champions in blue to make a showing in the play-offs. Also, John Lackey got the loss. Since I have decided to be John Lacky's fan -- I've seen no fans in Lackey jerseys, ever -- I take this very personally.

Good News! My nephew started his first job today! He went through orientation at McDonald's and will work his first shift on Sunday.

"We are leaving it to Irma and Geico"

I texted with my friend Henry all day today and spoke to him tonight. He was really quite cheerful and very busy, preparing to ride out Irma.

He and Reg cleaned out the garage and to make room for their patio furniture and potted plants. They are taking care of the car that runs, the hybrid. But as for the one that doesn't run, the one Reg really, really is going to find parts for someday, "We are leaving it to Irma and Geico."

They set up the generator. I didn't quite understand what he told me he decided to do with the big tree near the back porch. I know he loves that tree, but sometimes his Puerto Rican accent comes between me and comprehension.

Then, Friday evening, he let me know that they relocated, after all. At first I was relieved, now less so. For, while they have their three-story townhouse* farther inland ("inland" being a relative term when you're talking about a small island), they have taken refuge in a big (for Key West) house nearer the ocean. Henry says this house is "sturdier" their wood A-frame. He is more worried about wind than water. The noises here, he believes, be less terrifying to Reg, who is just more naturally afraid of hurricanes.

"We are en suite," he happily reported. They are sharing this 6BR, 3BA with (I think) three other couples. Since they were last to arrive -- and came with three dogs -- they were put in what would, at other times, be the best room in the house but for Irma is the least desirable. They're in the master bedroom on the ground floor in the back. But they have their own bathroom, and this makes him happy, since he assumes they will be there for two nights.

Yes, he thinks he and Reg will pack up "the fur babies" and drive home on Sunday afternoon.

He barely knows the couple who took him, Reg and the dogs in now, at the last minute. The man is the ex-husband of Henry's friend, Sherry. The divorce was decades ago and, apparently, amicable -- perhaps because Sherry left him because she wanted to live as a lesbian, the truest manifestation of "it's not you, it's me" I've ever heard. Anyway, that's Key West at it's best. "You're scared? You need room for a night, or a week? C'mon in, and bring your dogs."

In the meantime, I am sick with worry. I wish it was Sunday night, and I was journaling here about how safe my friends are.
 

*The ground floor is the garage.