Sunday Stealing

The Blue Meme 

26) Are you happy with the person you've become? For the most part.

27) What's a sound you hate; sound you love? I hate, HATE the sound of cardboard against cardboard, like when someone assembles a moving box. That completely creeps me out. I love the sound of a cat's purr.

28) What's your biggest "what if"? Oh, they're all of a romantic nature. What if I'd worked harder on that relationship, what if I'd bailed out of this one sooner?

29) Do you believe in ghosts? Not really. Not the Caspar the Friendly Ghost kind.

30) How about aliens? Intellectually, yes. It's hubris to think we're the only living beings in the universe. But emotionally, I can't get my mind around them.

31) What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far? Maybe buying this place.

32) What's the worst place you have ever been to? I didn't enjoy the little lake my family went to every summer when I was growing up. BORING! And no air conditioning.

33) Can insanity bring on more creativity? John Lennon used to say, "Genius is pain." Maybe there's something to that. Perhaps one has to be uncomfortable, unconventional and maybe a little crazy to be truly creative.

34) Most attractive actor of your opposite gender? I have always been more than a little in love with Bruce Willis. I know he's bald and not classically handsome. But I'm attracted to the attitude and the talent and the daring career choices. (And the line of his back, the way his shoulders run down into his waist and then butt. He's put together rather nicely.)

35) To you, what is the meaning of life? To borrow from John again, "Love is all you need."

36) Define "Art." The diminutive of Arthur

37) Do you believe in luck? Yes

38) In your opinion, what makes a great relationship? Respect and laughter

39) What's a song that always makes you happy when you hear it? 



40) Where were you yesterday? I went to the movies. Saw Birdman. (Psst! I think it's overrated.)

41) What's the worst injury you've ever had? In September 2012, I had surgery, which entailed two grown men putting their hands inside of me and removing some of my organs. Hopefully that's as bad as it'll ever be for me.

42) Do you have any obsessions right now? Always! Right now, pre-1965 America.

43) What's up? I'm working on my Nanowrimo novel. If I haven't been a good blog buddy this month, that's why.

44) Ever had a rumor spread about you? Lots of them.

45) Do you believe in real magic? No
.
46) Do you ever hold grudges against people who have done you wrong? Good goobies, yes!

47) What's your favorite (non-pet) animal? The okapi. They are the neatest animal ever.

48) What is your secret weapon to get people to like you? I don't have one. Maybe that's why not everyone likes me! But I think those who do like me, do so because I'm rather "one-size-fits-all." I'm always the same me.

49) Where is your best friend? At his house

50) What do you think is Satan's last name? I don't believe in Satan or Hell. I'm sorry.

Gratitude Challenge -- Days 8 and 9

"Every day for 30 days, celebrate what you're grateful for, corresponding to the theme of the day." 

Day #8 -- Family/Friends

Florida. My Cousin Rose (mother's side of the family and Aunt Jo (my father's kid sister) both live down there, and they have both been among my staunchest supporters, always there when I need them. My friend in the Keys is also very loving. I am grateful that, when life gets me down, I can try to see myself through Floridian eyes.

Day #9 -- Technology

My favorite technological advancement is still electricity. I'm grateful for the boiler in the basement that gives us hot water, and the window fan and a/c that keep me comfortable. Even in this world of wi/fi, we need to charge our devices. Yes, I'm grateful for electricity.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1932)

1) Bing Crosby wants a dime for food. Adjusted for inflation, 10¢ in 1932 is now worth $1.69. Can you think of anything you could buy at the grocery story with $1.69? The neat round spaghetti you can eat with a spoon -- oh, oh, Spaghetti-ohs!

2) This song was originally released as a 78 rpm record. Have you ever seen a 78? Yes. My uncle had some.

3) In 1932, Jean Harlow was Hollywood's glamor queen. Who do you think sets the standard for glamor today? Kim Kardashian (God help us)

4) One of 1932's best selling books was Agatha Christie's Peril at End House. She remains popular today. Are you familiar with her work? Yes. I love And Then There Were None, Poirot and Mrs. Marple.

5) This week's featured artist, Bing Crosby, worked as a caddy when he was 12 and continued to enjoy time on the golf course his entire life. What type of exercise do you do most often? Exercise bike

6) Bing had twin sons, Dennis and Philip. Many people believe that the propensity for twins is hereditary. Are there twins in your family? Nope

7) Bing's daughter, Mary Crosby, has her own place in TV history. Do you know why? She shot JR

8) In the mid 1970s, Crosby and his family did commercials for Minute Maid. Do you have any orange juice in your refrigerator? Yes, but I think it's passed the expiration date.

9) Now for something completely random: Do you like beef jerky? Ew. No, thank you.

Nothing but good news

What a good day this has been!

It started with a trip to the doctor's office. I've lost 10 lbs since April. Yea! My doctor seems to think everything is fine, except maybe my cholesterol (which we're trying to control) and a touch of acid reflux. Considering my age, this is not out of the ordinary. In all, I seem healthy. The results of my blood work will be back early next week.

I celebrated by taking myself out to breakfast. Then I did some of my weekend errands on Friday, which felt very luxurious.

I came home to a message from the vet. News on my Joey! He, too, had blood work done, his on Thursday. The vet was cautious and frank with me. He was sure it wasn't liver failure, but he couldn't rule out diabetes or cancer, which are common in overweight cats of Joey's advanced years. Turns out the news is not that dire, after all. He has a kidney infection. Not kidney failure, just an infection. His life is not in danger.

My vet enlisted the services of a pharmacist that specializes in veterinary compounding. Thanks to his wizardry, the amoxicillin tastes like beef and was easier to get down Joey. He should be nearly good as new by the time I leave for Vegas in two weeks.

I'm so grateful for all that I've written above that this will serve as my Gratitude Challenge post.

Gratitude Challenge -- Day 5

"Every day for 30 days, celebrate what you're grateful for, corresponding to the theme of the day." 

Day #5 -- Transportation

Every workday I take the CTA Green Line at least once. That's when I find myself in the middle of the biggest melting pot imaginable. It's not unusual to see a woman clutching a Michael Kors bag on her lap seated next to a homeless with his belongings in a grocery bag and a half-smoked cigarette tucked behind his ear. I'm grateful for the el not only because it's convenient, but it helps me stay grounded and connected to my neighborhood.

Gratitude Challege -- Day 4

"Every day for 30 days, celebrate what you're grateful for, corresponding to the theme of the day." 

Day #3 -- Something I Do Every Day

Listen to my shower radio. Singing tunelessly with an oldie I thought I'd forgotten while I wash my hair makes me happy. I'm grateful that something so small can lift my mood. This morning it was Todd Rundgren's "I Saw the Light."

Poor Joey

My big old tomcat is feeling poorly again. He's still a big purr box with me, but he has no interest in playing with the other two cats. He's visited his water bowl (a good sign) but only wants to eat treats. He's even rejected the baby food and Feline a/d I heated (to make it extra smelly for him). Because he's not eating, he hasn't left much in the litter box for me to inspect. I can tell when I lift him that he's lost weight.

We're going to the vet together on Thursday morning. I hope that it's something easy to diagnose and simple to treat, like bad teeth. I'm fearing the worst, though. I sense him fading away from me.

He's a very good boy. He's never naughty. In our nearly two decades together, I can't recall a single moment when I've disciplined him. He has almost no temper. Throughout her long feline life here, my diva girlcat Charlotte slapped him every day, for no reason beyond not liking the cut of his gib, but he never one responded in kind. It's not in him. He wants nothing more from life than a patch of sun to sleep in.

Joey was named for Joey Tribbiani, Matt LeBlanc's character on Friends, a show that had its finale ten years ago. When I brought him home from the shelter, Bill Clinton reeling from his own mid-term elections.

As I hold him close to me, I admire his wonderful heart and hope he's not hurting.

Dona Nobis Pacem

 

Every year, November 4 is the day we blog for peace. This year, November 4 is Election Day. I don't think it's a coincidence. Instead I'm sure it's the universe's way of reminding us that one of the most important things we can do is cast a ballot.

Think peace when you vote. When you have a choice, support the candidate who will bring us closer to commonsense background checks and a ban on assault weapons.

Remember the words of Notre Dame's Rev. Theordore Hesburgh: "Voting is a sacred sacrament." Make yourself heard for peace today!

 Go here to find out more about Blog4Peace.

Gratitude Challenge -- Day 3

"Every day for 30 days, celebrate what you're grateful for, corresponding to the theme of the day." 

Day #3 --Something You See Every Day

There's a big old tree outside my livingroom window and it's rather dear to me. I love watching the branches move on windy days, seeing the leaves bud, grow, color and disappear throughout the year, and checking out the squirrels and birds that call it home.

Gratitude Challenge -- Day 2

"Every day for 30 days, celebrate what you're grateful for, corresponding to the theme of the day."

Day #2 -- Nature

Today the sun was out and the sidewalks were clear. I love autumn days like this. I was happy to be out in it, walking across town to Village Hall to early vote.

Nature also makes me think of the cats. When I look at the three of them, I see life. Connie, age 2, is a young adult, lively and spirited. Reynaldo is 10, middle aged, still healthy and (frighteningly) savvy. And Joey is 18, creaky and tired but his purr is still full throated. I am blessed by all three of their tiny, furry souls.

Happy to stand in line

Yesterday was the last day of early voting in my neighborhood, and I'm happy to report there was a line. At 2:00 on a sunny Sunday afternoon! Yea!

It's difficult to describe just how hostile and ugly our gubernatorial race has become. Remember, this is Chicago, where politics is a contact sport under the best circumstances. Post George Ryan, post Blago, these are not the best circumstances. I mean, the state is broke, the joblessness rate is sky high, guns are a plague and both parties have been revealed as corrupt.* And these two candidates, Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner, really seem to dislike each other.

But it's important. It matters. As both a moral and practical matter, everyone should be informed, everyone should vote. That's why I was so heartened to see citizens willing to weigh through the sludge and cast their ballots.

I voted for Pat Quinn. I'm not a big fan, and it was a decision I didn't come to easily. But for all his problems (and he has many), he's one-size-fits-all. His opponent, Bruce Rauner, sounds like a smart businessman and might make wise fiscal decisions, but he's pro-choice/pro-marriage equality up here in liberal Cook County, but more of a typical RWNJ when he's addressing groups in more conservative downstate IL. So I went with Quinn. It'll be close. I wonder if we'll know who our governor is by Wednesday morning.

*After reading that sentence, I wonder why anyone wants to be Illinois governor.

Sunday Stealing

The Music Meme

1. Which bands/artist do you own the most albums by? If I add up Beatle and solo work, Sir Paul. I love him, you know.

2. What was the last song you listened to? I don't remember the specific song, but it was on my Dusty Springfield playlist.

 3. What’s in your CD player right now? Nothing.

 4. What was the last show you attended? Streisand, two years ago. I grew up on her. She was everything I wanted and needed her to be.

 5. What was the greatest show you’ve ever been to? Paul McCartney within the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. My favorite human on the planet performing in my favorite place on the planet.

 6. What’s the worst show you’ve ever been to? Nothing springs to mind. Which is nice.

 7. What’s the most musically involved you have ever been? I don't understand this question.

 8. What show are you looking forward to? Later this month, on my birthday, I'm seeing Donny and Marie at the Flamingo in Vegas. I'm going with my oldest friend, who loved Donny when she was 12, so it will be great fun.

 9. What is your favorite band shirt? I work out in a Springsteen tour shirt.

 10. What musician would you like to hang out with for a day? Brooooooooce. I love how he lives his life, how he balances his social conscience with joie de vivre.

 11. Who is one musician or group you wish would make a comeback? Hmmmm ... the performers I miss (Amy Winehouse, John Lennon) are dead and can't come back.

 12. Who is one band/artist you’ve never seen live but always wanted to? Elvis and Frank. They're both dead so I'll never see them. But I wish I had.

 13. What was your last musical “phase” before you wisened up? 70s bubblegum.

 14. How many music related videos/DVDs do you own? That would require counting and I'm sorry, I'm simply not doing that today.

 15. How many concerts/shows have you been to, total? That would require counting and I'm sorry, I'm simply not doing that today.

 16. What’s your “guilty pleasure” that you hate to admit to liking? Don't judge me.



 17. What is your favorite movie soundtrack?  My Best Friend's Wedding

30 Day Gratitude Challenge

"Every day for 30 days, celebrate what you're grateful for, corresponding to the theme of the day."

Day #1 -- Home

I am grateful that my home is affordable. Back in 2001, when I bought this place, I was encouraged to spend more. Banks were very enthusiastic lenders back then. I settled on a 2BR/1BA condo because, well, I'm just one person. When the bottom fell out of the economy, I was very glad I'd been conservative.

I'm also very grateful for its location. I'm minutes away from the movie theater and my church. My work commute is 45 mins. door-to-door.

My home and me, we're a good fit.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Welcome to My Nightmare (1975)

Do you think he's smiling?

1) Tell us about a bad dream you've had. After a recent trip to the zoo, where I was fascinated by the alligators, I had a scary dream about one of my reptilian friends. I was asleep on the beach with arm stretched out and awoke to a gator approaching me, mouth agape.

2) Sam is not crazy about spiders. What frightens you, or gives you "the creeps?" In addition to gators (who I kind of dig), squirrels and clowns make the the list.

3) This week's featured artist, Alice Cooper, has always liked to dress up. Performing as Alice, he wears garish eye makeup. In his first group, he and his bandmates dressed as the Beatles. Will you be wearing a costume this weekend? Nope.

4) Alice says his makeup was inspired by Bette Davis in his favorite horror movie, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? This Halloween weekend, will you seek out horror movies and scary TV shows, or will you avoid them? While I have been known to enjoy having the crap scared out of me on occasion, I'm just not in the mood right now.

5) Born Vincent Furnier, Alice used to tell reporters that he and his band got the name Alice Cooper from a Oujia board. Have you ever tried a Oujia board? Yes, when I was in junior high. But I wasn't very into it.

6) Alice and his band (also called Alice Cooper) were discovered by music manager Shep Gordon while playing in Venice, California. Have you ever visited Venice, California or Venice, Italy? I've been to Venice, CA, and thought it was quirky/charming.

7) In 1970s England, a morality campaigner named Mary Whitehouse persuaded the BBC to ban Alice Cooper. The ensuing publicity resulted in such a bump in record sales that Alice sent Ms. Whitehouse flowers. Do you believe in censorship? Or should adults be able to choose to see/hear whatever they wish? While I'm not a fan of censorship, I do appreciate the warnings and ratings that show up on the beginning of a show or movie. I like knowing in advance if I'm going to see something violence or intense.

8) Today Alice has a popular syndicated radio show, Nights with Alice Cooper. Listeners all over the United States, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, and the UK hear him introduced as, "a man for whom even Dr. Phil has no cure." Do you watch Dr. Phil? I'm not a viewer, but I do like his accent. Where is he from? Is that a Texas twang I hear?

9) Did you get many trick or treaters this year? What candy did you give them? I didn't get any trick or treaters this year. However, I did ride the el with a Disney Princess this morning, and I saw a man in a shark costume signing in with building security.

November with Liza Seebury

November is Nanowrimo, or National Novel Writing Month. So beginning at midnight, people all over the country will begin pounding out works of fiction, hoping to hit the 50,000 word mark by November 30.

This year, my completely fictional heroine is Liza Seebury, a 17 year old from Williamsburg, Virginia. Her parents, worried about the impact of the impending Civil War on their "precious petal," send her away to visit friends in the still neutral Nevada Territory. Out there, in a new and completely different world, she begins to question the teachings, values and suppositions of her old life and discovers strength and passion within herself she didn't know she had.

I'm excited about writing this because I've been thinking about this period a lot ever since seeing Gone With the Wind on the big screen last month, I miss Williamsburg, and it will be fun to write a character with a big arc of development. The thing is, at the beginning of the story, she's pretty hideous: spoiled and most definitely racist. Of course, much of that is just part of being 17, and much of that comes from being a product of the antebellum South. It will be nice for me to find things to admire about her as she matures and evolves.

My title is Compact of Fire, taken from Shakespeare.

"Love is a spirit all compact of fire, Not gross to sink, but light, and will aspire."

Wish me luck!

I suppose it's the natural order of things

Today, while I was standing at the Xerox machine, making copies for the umpteenth time in my 39 year office career (33 spent as a writer), I was overwhelmed by a feeling of exhaustion.

"I wish I could retire," I thought to myself.

Don't get me wrong: I enjoy writing. And I need to work at least 6 more years if I am to retire in any comfort. I hope I accomplish that here because it's comfortable here.

But it's the twilight of my career. I know that. And I'm feeling it.

It takes two

One of my more tightly-wound coworkers, Blondie McBlonderson, just spread her tension all around the office yesterday. It really had a negative impact on my mood.

She was trying to prepare for a presentation and get to an 11:00 AM dental appointment and get the project we're working on together ready for release ... sometime (it doesn't have a hard/fast due date). And she was completely stressing out. I can't get over how much calmer and more pleasant it is here today without her.

First of all, Sister, you work at an advertising agency. Expecting to be able to slip away at 10:30 is dumb. Once someone sees you at the office, they will put more stuff on your plate. You should have taken the morning off. 

Secondly, Blondester, you work at an advertising agency. We have presentations and deadlines all the time. It's what we do.

And here's a note to self: Don't let other people's shit pollute your mood pool. I must rise above.

The best few minutes of my day

Last night, as I was getting ready for bed, my good old boy Joey got into a merry little wrestling match with the kid, Connie. It was amusing to watch because as you can see, Connie is petite and Joey is ... not. But it lightened my heart for a more important reason: it was a month ago that Joey got suddenly, very sick and I was afraid for him. If he's happy to take up paws against Connie, he must be feeling better!

BTW, I believe my kitchen floor could be the ugliest in North America. Maybe, if I ever get my bathroom done, I can begin updating the kitchen.

Go see it

I thought a movie starring Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy would be a comedy. But, while St. Vincent made me laugh at points, this movie is not a comedy.


Bill Murray plays Vin, a crotchety old Baby Boomer who has pretty much given up on life. He's not a loner, exactly. He's just not fun to be around, so most people avoid him. And he's good with that. Melissa McCarthy plays Maggie, a newly divorced mom who is trying to reboot her life by moving into the fixer up next door. They end up more involved than they wish to be in one another's lives because of McCarthy's young son, Oliver.

I won't tell you anymore than that, except to say you should bring a Kleenex.

I love Bill Murray, and not just because he's a Chicago treasure and a Cub fan. You never know what you're going to get with him. Last time I saw a Bill Murray movie he was doing a fine job playing FDR in Hyde Park on Hudson. He does accents, he disappears into his parts and he makes unique career choices. I could make an argument that he's the male Meryl Streep (without all the Oscars).

Sunday Stealing

Nerd Alert Meme 


1. Favorite childhood book? Abraham Lincoln by Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. The illustrations are beautiful and it began my lifelong love affair with biographies.

2. What are you reading right now? The Patriarch, a mammoth biography of Joseph P. Kennedy, the President's father. As I read, I'm reminded of the nursery rhyme about the girl with curl in middle of her forehead because when he was good, he was very, very good but when he was bad he was horrid.

3. What books do you have on request at the library? None. I should use the library more often. It's right around the corner, after all.

4. Bad book habit? Buying books I could check out the library.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? See answer #3.

6. Do you have an e-reader? Yes, but I only use it for magazines.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? I often have two going at a time, but I like to mix genres. Two concurrent biographies or, especially, two mysteries can get me twisted up.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? Not really.

9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far)? At Risk by Patricia Cornwell. It was beyond disappointing. It sucked.

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year? Leading Man by Benjamin Svetkey. Written by a former Entertainment Weekly reporter, I thought this was going to be a fun, juicy Hollywood expose. And it was. But it also had a jaw-dropping plot twist and some genuinely moving observations on love.

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? Never. Not since a teacher made me.

12. What is your reading comfort zone? Mostly biographies and mysteries, with the occasional light fiction mixed in there. I don't like sci-fi, fantasy or bodice-ripping romance. And you can't make me read it.

13. Can you read on the bus? Yes.

14. Favorite place to read? Exercise bike.

15. What is your policy on book lending? I try to avoid it. I frequently give books away, but I don't lend. If I care about a book enough to keep it, odds are I'll be upset at its condition when I get it back. 

16. Do you ever dog-ear books? Not intentionally.


17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? No.

18. Not even with text books? Not even then.

19. A book you didn’t expect to like but did? Johnny Carson by Henry Bushkin. It was a compulsively readable book about seriously flawed men. I related to it more on a personal level than I expected to. After all, I don't know any nationally-recognized, powerful multimillionaires.

20. What makes you love a book? When moments are captured in a very real way so I can relate the story to my own life. Nora Ephron was terrific at that. So was Robert B. Parker.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Moon River (1962)


1) This song is featured in a Dove candy bar commercial. What's your favorite way to enjoy chocolate (cookie, candy bar, ice cream, hot cocoa, etc.)? As a movie fan, that commercial really annoys me because it uses the music from one Audrey Hepburn movie (Breakfast at Tiffany's) with the setting from another (Roman Holiday). Sloppy, sloppy. Now that I have the rant out of the way, I'd like some ice cream with chocolate syrup, please.

2) It was originally written for the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's. Where's the best place to eat breakfast in your neighborhood? Delia's.

3) Were you able to see the moon last night? I didn't look.

4) When Andy Williams' show was first telecast in color, viewers commented on how very blue his eyes were. What's the first thing you notice about a person? If we're talking about members of the opposite sex, it has to be hair. My two earliest crushes were Little Joe from Bonanza and Sir Paul. Two fabulous heads of hair.

5) The Andy Williams Show gave the Osmond Brothers their first national exposure. When younger sister Marie joined the act, she made her debut on his show, as well. Let's say you have just been bumped up to first-class for a three hour flight. Which Osmond would you prefer as your seatmate, Donny or Marie? Since I'm a little bit rock'n'roll, I'll choose Donny. Also, he still has very nice hair.


6) Even though Andy was a millionaire many times over, he was still careful with money, once saying he would never pay more than $50 for a haircut. This leaves Sam shaking her head, because she spares no expense when it comes to her hair. What's something you splurge on? My pedi. Which reminds me, I need to make an appointment at the salon.

7) Andy's Moon River Theater still draws tourists to Branson, MO. Have you ever been to the Ozarks? Once, in the late 80s, before it became an entertainment mecca.

8) Andy had a discerning eye for Native American art. His collection of Navajo rugs was sold at auction for nearly $1,000,000. Have you ever bid on an auction? I'm on eBay often.

9) Andy told an interviewer that his earliest memory was hiding from a storm in the cellar of his family's Iowa home. What's your earliest memory? I was a toddler. I pressed my hand flat on the leather ottoman and tried to raise myself. Just a flash, just that little moment, is all I remember.

Before and After

Cute Handyman was here today.

I am happy.

Once again he came in under estimate. That makes me happy, too.

No. Just no.

We had a condo association meeting last night. Everyone but me had complaints and was very angry about something.

Especially my downstairs neighbor Sally. She moved into Crazy Old Neighbor's unit a few years ago. In her 40s, she's deaf and slightly disabled due to a stroke. Earlier last week, when I was picking up my mail, she asked me if I'd sit with her at the meeting and type so that she could see what's being said. I said "sure." Why not? I type for a living. I'm very fast, and it seemed like a nice, neighborly thing to do.

So I'm sitting with Sally, my fingers flying over the keyboard, writing things like, "Kelli wants to know why the building isn't FHA approved anymore" and "Jackie wants to know if the security cameras are working."

Mr. B., an elderly condo owner with a huge sense of entitlement, is on the condo board. He has responsibility for things like the annual budget, establishing priorities for repairs, dealing with the insurance company, etc. He rolled in without a single piece of paper. Nothing to write on, no notes from the last meeting. Just his old self.

As the other owners were getting angrier and angrier at him and the management company for everything that's wrong, he had nothing to say. Neither did Jennifer, the other board member in attendance. (The third board member, Angela, didn't even show up.)

Twice, during the meeting, when someone asked Mr. B. if the board was going to issue minutes of this meeting to all the (angry) condo owners, he indicated that I would do it since I was taking it all down.

"No," I said. Twice. "I'm doing this as a favor to Sally so she understands what's being said. This isn't for anyone but Sally."

The third time when he indicated that I would publish my "Sally notes" to the group, I said, "NO! I'm running out of ways to say it: NO!"

Mr. B. looked all faux hurt, but I ain't buying. I'm a condo owner, not a board member. He's supposed to be looking out for us, serving us, not the other way around. Secondly, I'm not his administrative assistant and it's insulting that he thinks because of his age he can boss me around.

I adored him

If I had a bucket list, hanging around with Ben Bradlee, was has died at 93, would be on it.

World War II veteran (Guadalcanal, no less), legendary ladies man, President's running buddy, Presidential nemesis, Pulitzer Prize winning editor of the Washington Post, father of four (including a special needs son), mentor to the two best-known newspaper reporters on the planet, gifted memoirist and raconteur … the list goes on. He was simply one of the coolest, most accomplished guys ever. He even bought, restored and lived in Grey Gardens!

If you're a movie fan, you know him as the Jason Robards character in All The President's Men.

Some of my favorite Bradlee quotes:

"We're about to accuse Haldeman, who only happens to be the second most important man in this country, of conducting a criminal conspiracy from inside the White House. It would be nice if we were right."

"I didn't hire him because nothing clanks when he walks."

Dictating a letter to his secretary: "Is 'dickhead' one word or two?"

RIP, Mr. Bradlee. How I wish I'd known you!