Hello, Moto!

Here's my brand spanking new phone, the Motorola Moto E6. It took me just under 3 hours to be up and running -- apps, contacts and all. That sounds worse than it was. I never once felt like crying during the process, and considering how tech challenged I am, that's an accomplishment!

I switched to Consumer Cellular. Yes, they're cheaper, but I made the change now because I couldn't just take my cracked phone over to the TMobile retail location and have them do everything for me. That would be my preference. Because I'm lazy and because tech is not always my friend.

But I've taken a call, received texts and sent an IM on this new phone, so I think Moto and I going to be fine.

Answer these musical questions

Join Kwizgiver! Click here for prompts.

Sign of the times

Yesterday, when I wandered over to my favorite coffee shop for brunch to go, I saw a sign in the window of a local salon. Through the window I could see price tags on the salon chairs, mirrors and display cases. The doors were locked tight, of course, but there was a number displayed to make an appointment to see the salon fixtures.

I felt a pang. I don't get my hair cut there, but I've gone to them in the past for pedicures and massages. They've been in this neighborhood since the mid-1980s.

Neither their website nor their Facebook page say they're going out of business, so maybe they're using this time of enforced closure to remodel. They were going to have a rough go of it this month, anyway, since the main drag is torn up; the long-planned sewer upgrade is going on as planned and, under normal circumstances, would have played havoc with foot traffic and parking.

I hope they reopen. I know how hard this pandemic is for mom-and-pop businesses like this one.

And once again, I feel fortunate that I will have a check direct deposited on the 30th.

One Gal's Truth Bomb

'Truth bomb" is a much-loved phrase among a subset of Americans, employed when they're about to say something they feel isn't PC. As in, "Here's a truth bomb: You've given up your rights for a virus that's not even a threat."

Many insist they're Christians, yet you never hear them mention this: as of today, more than 60,000 of their fellow citizens are dead from this virus. More than one million have been stricken by it.

Instead they take to their keyboards to complain. "I'm bored!" "I can't find my favorite cut of beef at the store." "I have to wear a mask!" "My doctor postponed my elective surgery!" Me, me, me.

You never read prayers for those who have a cough and fever and are terrified they may have the virus, or compassion for those who have lost loved ones but can't hold a funeral service to say goodbye. 

Where's the sympathy for pregnant women who have to deliver during a pandemic? Or concern for the poor who can't shelter at home because they are homeless?

These proselytizers, who have spent decades working to repeal every woman's right to choose, are now suddenly upset because their personal comforts are impeded for a few months for the greater good.

Here's a "truth bomb:" Maybe God would smile upon them more warmly if they cared as much about their fellow Americans as they do about the unborn. Or their own comfort.

Look at these figures. More American citizens have died from Covid19 than were killed in the Vietnam war. 

I am grateful right now. Thankful that I have a job, that I am healthy, that my governor is looking out for our safety. I wish I was able to do more for first responders and the homeless right now. And I'm grateful that God knows this about me, and that I'm on the right side of my faith and of my nation's history.

I know this makes me what "truth bombers" like to call "a sheeple." I'm good with that. I'd rather bleat than be selfish and bitter.

PS Here's a link to homeless shelters all across the country.

Click here

And the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation is working with local restaurants to provide hot meals for essential health care staff. That not only feeds the hospital workers, it helps independently owned restaurants stay afloat.

Click here

Home-made masks are most welcome, too! Schools, oncology centers, and long-term care facilities can use help.

Click here

"I'm your doctor now."

The sweetest words I've heard in a long time! I had a teleconference with an internist yesterday and it was so cool!

I've been without a doctor since mid-January, when my new doctor chose to leave the practice. (Good riddance, by the way.) The nurse practitioner I saw for my bronchitis recommended this doctor, but every time I tried to get an appointment, she had to reschedule. When there's a pandemic, my annual check up simply isn't a priority.

But here's the thing: my Epipen expires in July. I'm allergic to bee sting and I need a new prescription. Sooner rather than later. As warmer weather approaches, Epipens are often in short supply.

I called my prospective doctor's office and explained my plight. Her front desk scheduled the teleconference and sent me some e-paperwork. Yesterday doc and I kinda met. We talked for 15 minutes, she asked some high hard ones about my health history, and promised to submit my new prescription immediately. She's already been more responsive than her predecessor.

When I mentioned that I've felt vulnerable, going through this pandemic without a doctor, she reassured me, "I'm your doctor now."

Yea!

Tuesday 4

Extremes

1) Besides a house or car, what is the most expensive thing you've ever bought?
I've splurged on vacations, but I think the question refers to something more tangible. So I'll answer with this, a print I purchased and had professionally matted and framed. (To the uninitiated, it's the cover art for The Beatles Anthology.) Klaus Voormann himself signed it! I adore it, and have alerted my niece and nephew to its value. After I croak, I don't want it sold at a garage sale for $5.

2) What is the coldest temperature you've experienced? The warmest?
In January 2019, the mercury dipped to -21º. In July 1995, we saw it soar to 106º. The heat was worse, more uncomfortable and more deadly.

3) Can you name a favorite TV/Radio program that you secretly can't get enough of or one that you will watch every chance you get? Perhaps binge watch?
Now that I'm working from home I spend a little time with him. Every day there's a mini Magnum marathon on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel. I love returning to paradise before 9/11, Trump and the pandemic. Also, Selleck was so charming then, before he became a dour Blue Blood obsessed with reverse mortgages. Smile, Tom! Do the eyebrow thing again!




4) What is very wrong but sounds good to most people at first?
Ending self-isolation. Yes, we're all bored with it! I get it that if you live in downstate IL, western NY or northern CA, you may not see many cases of Covid19 and are eager to get on with your life. But stop being so self-centered and think. How will you prevent people in your town from interacting with Chicagoans, New Yorkers or Los Angelenos? Obviously, you cannot.

Here's your chance to put others first in a very real way. Be patriotic. Think of first responders and law enforcement and give them a chance to keep us all safe. As our governor reminds us, "You can't have a livelihood if you don't have a life."

Lucky Me

Sunday afternoon I took a long, 3 mile walk to and from the CVS on the other side of town where everyone is nice. It was warm enough to get away with just my denim jacket, which looks fabulous with one of the four fabric masks I got on Etsy.*

I noticed trees beginning to bud against the Cubbie blue sky. 

I listened to Michael Prichard read a book on tape -- I happened upon some cassettes I don't remember ever listening to -- and I love him as the voice of Archie in the Nero Wolfe audiobooks. 

I saw a little girl playing in the front yard with her mom, wearing a most improbable outfit -- bare feet, horizontal striped leggings, and a dress I recognized as Belle's from Beauty and the Beast. She reminded me so much of my niece at that age that my heart swelled. The little one and her mom appreciated my praise -- delivered from 6', of course -- for her highly-original fashion choices. 

I chose birthday and Mother's Day cards to accompany the truly terrific gift I have for my aunt: a spiral bound cookbook from 1987, put together to raise money for the local Lutheran church, featuring two of my grandmother's recipes.

I realized I am happy and I am lucky.

I feel good. In the age of pandemic, every day spent not sick is a good day.

There's no baseball, but it's still spring, and spring can be pretty.

I have a job, and a paycheck will be direct deposited into my account this coming Thursday.

My medical coverage is very good. It enables me to have a teleconference with my as-yet-unmet new doctor Monday (which I have high hopes for) and weekly telephone sessions with my new shrink.

My fur family -- aka Reynaldo and Connie -- is doing well.

There's so much suffering out there. I got a call from my friend John while I was in the probiotic aisle and I listened to his message on the way home. He's getting a little weird, all alone by himself. And people right here in Chicagoland are still getting sick and dying every day from the corona virus. I don't want to lose sight of that.

And as you know if you read this post, I've fallen prey to the blues myself.

But I'm also my mother's daughter. The thing I admired most about my mom was her ability to isolate and enjoy the moment she was in, no matter what.

That was me on Sunday. Let others bitch and moan about living in "a police state." I was happy and proud to serve my country by wearing a mask as I walked through town, listening to an old familiar voice through my headphones, watching a joyous little girl twirl in a silly outfit, and buying cards for my aunt.

*I only paid for two. The first package got lost in the mail and the maker/seller replaced them at no cost to me. When the first package finally arrived, she refused payment, telling me to just enjoy and be safe. Therefore, I want to plug Tough Cookie Clothing again and again. If you need another mask, check her out.

Sunday Stealing

FILL IN THE BLANK


1. Right now I'm _____. in my jammies

2. _____ is my well known quirk. Sloppiness

3. Are you _____? fucking kidding me (I think that often while watching the news)

4. _____ first, then _____! Wash hands (for both)

5. That's why _____. they call it the blues


 

6. _____ is one of my favorite tv shows ever! The West Wing

 

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! This question doesn't work as written. Saturday I looked forward to napping whenever I damn well pleased, and Sunday I'm getting dressed and going for a walk!

8. If I could go anywhere on a road trip, I'd go to _____. Nowhere, because we're supposed to stay home until May 31.

9. _____ is something I don't understand. Math

10. Thanksgiving makes me think of _____ Turkey

11. _____ is the best way to relax! Napping

12. It looks like Autumn _____. will bring another bout of Covid19.

13. _____ is one of my favorite healthy snacks. A handful of raisins

14. The smell of _____ makes me think of _____. peppermint, Christmas

15. When I am feeling lazy I _____. nap

16. When I look to the left, I see ______________. The sofa

17. ___________ are the room(s) that have the best view in my home. The living room is the room

18. _________ was done dirt cheap! Dirty deeds were done dirt cheap

19. __________ is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share. Staying at home

20. If you have any __________feel free to share it with me. Chocolate

 

Me and Dad and Frank

There's a game on Facebook where you tag a friend, asking him or her to share the 10 albums that had the greatest influence on their musical tastes. I'm an easy mark for such things, so when I was tagged, I complied.

This was one of my choices.* In the post, I recalled how I picked it up from the "cutout" bin for less than $2, and it changed my life. Sinatra and Cole Porter: two authentic American geniuses.

My aunt responded to my post saying she remembered listening to my dad's copy of this album when I was still a toddler and she babysat me.

Huh? I was still living at home when I bought this! He must have heard Francis' silky tones through my door. After all, he complained (at least) daily that I played my records too loud.

Why didn't he tell me he already owned this LP? Why didn't he tell me which songs he especially liked?

I remember my dad as mostly mad. Angry at "them." The hippies who won't bathe. The welfare scammers who won't work. The blacks who want "too much, too soon." The libbers who want to be men. The liberals who run the media and led the conspiracy to "get" Nixon.

He lectured. He growled. He harrumphed. I couldn't even enjoy a Cub game with him because he'd fixate on the fumbled double play, innings after it happened.

So my aunt's comment made me sad. Wouldn't it have been nice if my dad and I could have talked about what made Sinatra and Cole Porter so enduring and so great? That would have been a nice memory.

*This wasn't the cover of the LP I had. Mine was peach and featured a line art portrait of Sinatra.

I wonder which is more tiring.

Ignorance or paranoia? Now the live-free-or-die, fight-the-tyranny, I-blame-Obama's-deep-state crowd is questioning why states are "suddenly" seeing a spike in corona virus cases.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Florida, Kentucky*, Michigan* and Illinois (maybe more) have all seen increases, just as some states have begun loosening the restrictions designed to keep all of us -- especially first responders and hospital workers -- safe. (Or, in their alternate universe, to keep them from buying guns and ammo.)

Coincidence? No. Of course not.

•  The epicenter of the disease is moving, just as scientists always predicted it would.
•  It takes up to two weeks for symptoms to appear, so these "sudden" cases really aren't so "sudden" at all and have more to do with exposure than with any governor's decision to lift restrictions.
•  More tests are FINALLY fucking available! More tests just naturally mean more positive diagnoses.

He worked for Obama, you know

Or maybe it's just a concentrated plot, orchestrated by this man, to stomp on their individual rights and keep them from buying guns and ammo.

I'd find it funny if these it weren't for the fact that an outbreak anywhere is an outbreak everywhere. Our society is mobile. An infected asymptomatic person unknowingly shares the virus with someone who shares it with someone who takes to the highway, goes to the beach, travels across country and ... And I don't want to die. I don't even want these crazies to die.

They're also offensive. Your country is asking you to do one thing for the greater good: Stay home.

I grew up on: Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.

I vote. I volunteer in elections. I write to my elected officials. I don't bitch and complain about airport safety procedures. I pray. But this is the first time my country has asked me to take it on the chin in a real way to help my nation stay strong.

Even though the President asking me is a congenital liar, I'm doing it. Because Donald Trump is just one man, he's not America. My country needs me to do this.

Can you just imagine these selfish crazies during WWII? 

"Hawaii is so far away! It's not even a state! The Japanese won't hit us here in New York!"

"Grow my own vegetables? Victory garden? Are you kidding? Don't you tell me what to do with my yard!"

"Ration stamps? Today they're limiting our meat and coffee. Tomorrow it will be our guns and ammo. Wake up! Don't be a sheeple!"

 "FDR is a cultural elite! A socialist! This is all just a plot to redistribute wealth, and keep me from buying guns and ammo."

"What Hitler does is Germany's business."

Were Americans like the live-free-or-die, fight-the-tyranny, I-blame-Obama's-deep-state crowd living then, today I'd be closing my posts like this --

Hochachtungsvolle,

*My neighboring states.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: All Right (1983)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song has an optimistic message about love: "It gets tough sometimes, but you can give it one more try ..." Do you tend to take an optimistic look at life? I do, but I have to go through my process. My best friend called it "awfulizing." First I examine the situation, picturing the worst. Then I realize that the worst really isn't that bad, and I can go forward with positivity.

2) In this song, Christopher Cross sings, "Time and time again I see people so unsure like me ..." Tell us about a recent time when your confidence could have used a boost. Now. I'm less worried about the virus than I am the stock market. I'm going to need the money in my 401(k) soon -- within the next year or two, probably -- and oh, how my balances have taken a hit! I keep reminding myself to be grateful that at least I have a 401(k).

3) The Doobie Bros.' Michael McDonald plays on this record. Do you have a favorite Doobie Bros. song?



4) Though no longer making hits, Christopher Cross still has loyal fans who attend his concerts. Time permitting, he spends time after each show signing autographs. Have you ever asked a celebrity for his/her autograph? When I was in high school, I tried to get the signatures of both Cubs and Blackhawks players. It seemed terribly important at the time.

5) Christopher Cross' dad was an Army doctor stationed at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC. With all the museums and monuments, our nation's capital could be a great place for a kid to grow up ... except sometimes we take the advantages of our hometown for granted. Tell us about a nearby museum, park, theater, etc., you'll visit again when this period of crisis is over and it's agreed that it's safe to do so. I want to go to the movies. I want to sit in the dark, eat candy, and be transported to another world.

6) In 1983, when "All Right" was popular, Flashdance was a hit in movie theaters and on the radio. What's the most recent movie you watched? Most recent song you heard on the radio? I watched The Untouchables with Kevin Costner and Sean Connery. I heard "Draggin' the Line" by Tommy James. ("I feel fine. I'm talking about peace of mind ...")
 
7) Also in 1983, America West Airlines took off, flying between Las Vegas and Phoenix. They went nationwide in 2005 after they merged with US Airways. In 2013, they merged again, this time with American Airlines. Do you collect miles in an airline loyalty program? I'm a whore for American's AAdvantage miles.

8) Super Mario Bros. debuted in 1983. Can you name gaming's most famous siblings? Luigi and Mario. My nephew was soooooo into them for a while.

9) Random question -- Under hypnosis, you discover you lived three past lives. In the first, you were wealthy beyond your wildest imaginings, thanks to a loveless marriage. In the second, you were a star on the roller derby circuit who had earned the nickname "Smasher." In the third, you were a brilliant mathematician who worked your way through school as an exotic dancer. Which of these would you find most shocking? I kinda wish the last two could be true. I'd have great stories to tell! Plus, I'm very uncoordinated and would like to think that in past lives, I gracefully skated and danced and shimmied. So the first one would be the most shocking because it's so sad and disappointing. As someone once said, "If you marry for money, you end up paying for it."

Farewell to an American original

Peter Beard is dead. He was 82. After a recent stroke he developed dementia and wandered away from his Montauk home. His body was found in the nearby woods.

Those three sentences don't convey how gorgeous, gifted and talented he was. He positively glowed. As Vanity Fair remembered him, he was "part Byron and part Tarzan."

From the Vanity Fair obit

The photo above is how he looks in my mind's eye: In a faraway place with an exotic woman.

In terms of his work, I love these two shots.

He captioned this self portrait of creativity: "I'll write whenever I can."

He had nothing to do with this book, but Edward Klein's publisher bought the rights to this photo as cover art for the biography of Peter's good friend and early supporter, Jackie. When Peter took this, she was newly Mrs. Onassis, living on Skorpios. Minimal makeup, sunburned nose, no sunglasses. He captured her contentment without artifice.

I toast you, Peter Beard!

With Little Edie Beale

Who's a HAPPY girl?

Yesterday was one of the best days of my cat's little life. A big box arrived -- cause for celebration right there -- containing her favorite litter, a new scratching post and all this SPECTACULAR brown paper.

I post more about Reynaldo because he demands more of my attention. But Connie is such a sweet-natured little girl. It makes me happy to see her so happy.

American values

An anti-vaxer in Idaho took her kids along to closed playground.* She and her friends removed the yellow police caution tape and refused to leave when asked by authorities. She was placed in cuffs, which is clearly what she wanted all along, and has become a viral sensation. Right wingers are applauding her for "standing up to tyranny."

So she knowingly broke the law and put police at risk because they had to come within 6' of her to take her into custody, and we're supposed to applaud. After all, she stood up to unfair policing!

Colin Kaepernick broke no laws and put no one at risk when he took a knee during the National Anthem. He, too, was protesting unfair policing. He was vilified and it cost him his career.

Time for us to look at ourselves.

*I won't use her name here because it is, unfortunately, the same as a successful gun control advocate who turned her personal tragedy into life-saving legislation. Talk about your irony ...

When smart girls do dumb things

I'm worried about Joanna. Since October she's been seeing Sid, a 70-ish businessman who retired for health reasons. I can't recall if it was a stroke or a heart attack, but it had a lasting impact on him and he now walks with a cane. Anyway, she completely adores him.

I'm happy for her because:
a) she's happy and
b) he's financially well set

Don't worry, I haven't gone Lorelei Lee* on you.  It's just that Joanna seems to be forever struggling herself and her previous beau was just as strapped as she is ... and on occasion hoped she would rescue him. I'm glad that we won't be revisiting that drama again.

Anyway, Sid only kinda sorta lives alone. He's in a two-flat, and in the other apartment live his daughter and her new husband. So Joanna knows she doesn't have worry about his day-to-day during this crisis. He's got food, water, and toilet paper.

Still, Joanna goes over there for dinner every Tuesday night. Um ... that's not the way self-isolation works. You're not supposed to get closer than 6' to anyone who doesn't live in your household. And here she's doing it every Tuesday. Not via Zoom. In person!

Sid is compromised, by both his age and his condition. Joanna is 65 and no longer a kid herself. She shouldn't be doing this.

But she's a grown up. She doesn't need me to point any of this out to her. It wouldn't do any good, anyway. She's just a smitten kitten.

*Marilyn's gold digger character in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Glorious!

Last year, at the TCM Classic Film Festival, I missed seeing Gentlemen Prefer Blondes on the big screen. There was a conflict. Angie Dickinson was appearing to discuss Ocean's 11 at a special screening by the pool. It was the first night of the festival! How could I pass on that live and in-person glamor? Still, I wish I'd seen Marilyn in glorious Technicolor. I mean, she's MARILYN.

Has any star ever shined brighter than Marilyn? Has any film icon been open to more interpretation? And this is such a sweet, albeit dated, film. A decent little musical.

I felt so much when I watched it this afternoon. First of all, I was acutely aware of where it falls in Marilyn's film canon. This was one of three major movies Marilyn made in 1953, the year she became a star. She had worked so hard for it and now it was hers. She was 27 and dating Joe DiMaggio. She would probably never be this happy again.

After 9 years, 8 films and two divorces, she would be dead. So when I watch her in this movie, I wish I could freeze her here. Or rewind her life story, letting her make better choices. Giving her a chance. That's the thing about Marilyn: We all want to rescue her.

Jane Russell is better than I remembered. This is important because, watched in 2020, this movie is as much about girl power as it is about sex. For the movie to work as well as it does, we need the two main characters to be in balance. We have to like both of them and believe they like one another. We do. As sublimely silly yet focused as Marilyn is, Jane is down-to-earth yet idealistic. And yes, they love each other as good girlfriends should.

The movie has some nice musical numbers -- "When Love Goes Wrong, Nothing Goes Right," "Isn't Anyone Here for Love?" -- and a true classic in "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend." But today, my favorite moment was when the two little girls from Little Rock reprise their opening number as they walk down the aisle, each to the man of her dreams. And they all lived happily ever after!

Tuesday 4

PETS

1. What is your pet peeve of the month, year, lifetime? Protestors (in other states, thank God!) who put their police and first responders at risk by flouting the corona virus restrictions while claiming "liberty." As wise Americans have been saying since the 1880s, "Your liberty to swing your arm ends where my nose begins." Their neighbors, police and local hospital workers have a right to feel safe, too. 

It's funny, but I think the virus may have taken care of my all-time pet peeve: space hogs. I've always resented the people who buy one seat on the train but take two, leaving others to stand, or the women at the health club who believe their gym bags have a greater right to the locker room bench than my fanny. But currently we aren't crowding onto trains or into the health club.

Boo! Hiss!

2. Do you have a pet? Tell us about your pet. A pet? No, I've got these two fur friends. The upper berth is Reynaldo. Connie contents herself downstairs. These two rescues are good friends, to one another and to me. I am so grateful they are in my life. 

3. What are some pet projects in your life? Lately, I'm fixated on finding the perfect little plastic thing to put over my pop-up drain and catch my hair in the shower. The one I purchased at CVS works best, but it's not tall enough to let the water drain quickly. The gray one from Amazon is the perfect height, but the holes are too big. I ordered one from Walmart.com that stays in place perfectly, but lets too much hair through. Geez! I hope my client gives me a meaty project, and soon! I need work to distract me from playing Goldilocks as I search for the perfect little plastic thing.

OK, but not perfect

4.  Do you feed the birds or other animals in the wild? I don't, but this question still made me smile. This was my late mother's passion. She got such joy out of her yard! Not only the flowers and lawn but the critters who lived out there. She had a bird feeder and loved the squirrel pine cones I'd give her for her birthday every year.*

The house I grew up in was built by my grandparents when my mom was in high school. It was the house she left when she married my dad. Then, about four years later, when I was almost two, my grandparents sold the house to my parents, so she was back. Consequently, my mom felt she had a relationship with generations of birds, squirrels and rabbits. 

*A perennial project of the local Girl Scouts. Handmade from a pine cone, peanut butter, birdseed and string. It supported the girls and made my mom happy. The perfect two-fer!

From the front lines

Today I had a madcap Monday in the spring sun! The mercury topped 60º and it felt so good to be out and about. I strapped on my Cubbie blue mask, donned my denim jacket, and headed off to ...

•  Target. Happy to report that this week, they have plenty of toilet paper and paper towels. No, that's not what I went in for, but this crisis has trained me to check that aisle.

There does seem to be a shortage of fresh meat and poultry. Instead of steak or pork chops, I ended up with a bag of frozen breaded chicken strips. That'll do. I had the voice of the Today Show consumer reporter in my head, who said in effect: you may not find your first choice, but you'll find what you need to feed your household.

•  Hamburger and fries. I promised myself, at the beginning of this crisis, that I would do what I can to support my local coffee shop. The owner works hard to run a good business. She sources locally, and takes good care of her staff. So today I picked up my lunch and tipped. This is the fourth time I've been in since last month, and every time I go in I'm greeted by someone else. It makes me feel good to see that she's giving hours to her waiters.

All together now

Gawd, people are dumb. Or maybe they're in love with their imagined victimization. There's a seamy underbelly of conservative bloggers who just whine, and whine, and then whine some more about staying indoors, wearing masks, social distancing and (my favorite) guns and ammunition being considered non-essential.

I hope that they don't get sick. But if they do, I hope they have the good taste and moral compass to stay home and not tax the health care system.

You're right. They won't. They'll be fucking operatic about their suffering then, too. Only then, they will put first responders and hospital workers at risk.

It doesn't help my mood that these bloggers tend to shoe horn Bible verses into every spleen-venting post. Please, leave my faith out of it! Christ did not teach us to be petulant and selfish. Find another excuse for your reckless and childish behavior.

Sunday Stealing

QUIRKY QUESTIONS

1.   Did you become what you wanted to be when you grew up? Are you happy with your choice? When I was really little, I wanted to be a singer. Since I am completely tone deaf, this advertising writer thing was a better fit.

 
2.    Did man really go to the moon or was it a publicity stunt? It was a publicity stunt. The Clintons killed Jeffrey Epstein. The corona virus is a hoax and we should all go to the beach. If you believe otherwise, you're a sheeple.

3.    Given the opportunity to change one major aspect of your life (i.e. career, relationship, family) with no guarantee of the outcome, would you take the chance? Why? Wow. Great question! I'd go back to my mid-20s and get out of a very bad relationship earlier. I could have spared myself a great deal of pain and found myself with a less toxic view of love. Of course, maybe that pain was my destiny, maybe I needed to learn from that relationship, and so another equally rotten but different man would have somehow entered my life.

4.    Does money buy happiness? All money buys is less worry about money.

Hi, Rey!

5.    What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Say good morning to this little gentleman. As soon as Reynaldo detects movement, he's there to make sure I haven't forgotten him (or his breakfast).   
 
6.    What are we going to do when we run out of room to bury the dead? I didn't realize I was in charge of that.

7.    What is your greatest fear? Why? Is it rational or unreasonable? I'm afraid of dying in a plane crash. It's not the dying part, it's the descent and the screams of my fellow passengers that terrifies me. No, it is not rational.
 
8.    How do you feel about the exploitation of your private data in the digital age? Does it ever cross your mind or are you hyper-aware of the risks? It concerns me, but I don't obsess about it. (I obsess about many other things I cannot control, but not this.)

9.    You can be forgiven one debt. What is it? If you don’t have debt, then how did you do it? It would be nice to be done with the mortgage. 


10.    Hot or cold? What? If it's weather, I prefer cold. If it's tea, I prefer hot.


11.    What is your favorite thing in the world (aside from family, friends, pets)?

 

12.    You have to give up one of your five senses. Which one would you go without? Smell. It's already dulled when I'm fighting allergies, and I get by all right.
 
13.    Do you believe everyone has a doppelgänger? Nope.

14.    Likewise, does everyone have a soulmate or is it just a matter of proximity and circumstance? I'm a romantic at heart. I want to believe.

15.    Imagine you have a theme song that plays every time you enter a room. What would your song be? If this played, people would expect something light-hearted. I like that.

 

Add Portland to the list!

My favorite Cub has been doing us all proud ... again! In addition to Chicago and Miami, Anthony Rizzo is supporting hospital workers in Portland.

Click here for the story