Presidential Geek Fest

This weekend I have been watching Cspan and The History Channel 2. With the Inauguration, they have been focused on the Presidency. How interesting to have all the Presidents of my lifetime in my living room again!

Watching the Truman-Bush 43 Inaugural Addresses in real time, I was impressed by what real snoozes most of them were. Eisenhower, JFK and Reagan were the only engaging speakers, and only "Ask not ..." was really memorable. All of these men had to have been charismatic on the campaign trail or would not have won election. So I am left to conclude that they were overwhelmed by the enormity of the task at hand and the historic significance of this particular speech and it intimidated them.

Reviewing news and newsreel footage of the Presidencies from the 1930s to 2008, it seems that the two who enjoyed the job most were FDR and Clinton. Johnson and Carter seemed most bereft to leave office.

I wonder how the Obama years will look through the lens of time.

I love cable.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Back 15 Meme  
 

15) How do you vent your anger? Screaming and slamming and fixating. Not the most productive method, but mine own.

16) Favourite toy as a child? Lassie, as shown above. How I loved you, Girl!

17) Favourite season? Fall

18) Do you ever get letters delivered by the post office? Yes. My cousin Rose and I still correspond through snail-mail. And I got a nice, long letter from a friend of my mother's recently.

19) When was the last time you laughed hard? During Book of Mormon

20) What is on the floor of your closet? Crap

21) Are you any good at drawing? No

22) What did you do last night? Gabbed on the phone and watched Prosecuting Casey Anthony on Lifetime. 

23) What are you most afraid of? A plane crash

24) Plain,cheese or spicy hamburger? Last night I made my own burger and it was plain. Not even a bun! (Carbs, dontchaknow)

25) Favourite dog breed? Mutt. Heinz 57. Shelter rescues will love you just as much as those with pedigrees.

26) Favorite day of the week? Friday

27) How many states / provinces / countries have you lived in? One state, no provinces and one country

28) Diamond or pearl? Pearls! I wonder if Marilyn would have sung about diamonds if she knew how corrupt and torturous that industry is.

29) What is your wish for this new year? Serenity

30) New year resolutions To save money by brown bagging it at least once a week. Every year I resolve to watch my pennies more closely but never before have I done it in a way that's measurable. This year I am.

 

The not-so-happy call

Spoke for about an hour last night with my friend from the Keys. One of his dear friends, Ted, is in the hospital in Miami, because the local facilities are not sophisticated enough to treat him. Ted had a mini-stroke because of tumors pressing upon his brain. My friend doesn't know if the tumors are malignant or benign but, since Ted just turned 75 and has other health problems, that point may be moot.

My friend wants to take off right away and go to Miami but he can't. He's very broke right now, underemployed by the local newspaper and because of the nature of the news business, his schedule changes and he doesn't work typical Mon-Fri/9-5 workweeks. So his schedule isn't always conducive and he can't afford unpaid time off.

I have been helping my friend in small ways -- $20 here, a Shell gift card there, and I paid for everything when I was visited him last month -- but that is all I can wisely afford to do until I know for certain how my mother's affairs will shake out. Plus I am not sure what impact the CDE situation will have on me at work and considering that I could find myself out of work at age 55 in a young person's profession, it just doesn't make sense for me to say, "Here's $500, go to Miami!" as much as I may wish to.

So I have to remember that there is also consolation and value in listening to and loving him when he calls, and praying that Ted's saga has a peaceful resolution.

This made me happy

Got a call this week, out of the blue, from an old buddy. We used to work together and were very close. But then we got each got new jobs in different parts of the Loop, he got married and moved to the suburbs, and then he had a baby, we just drifted farther and farther apart.

But he's always been a wonderful guy, very genuine and sweet. So when I got the message --  "Wondered where your Christmas card was this year! Missed seeing your kitty-cat card." -- I was glad to hear that he sounded like the same person he's always been. We talked for about half an hour, mostly about the 14-month-old son he completely adores.

I'm also glad that I was so wrong five years ago about his marriage. I'm always sure I know best for the people I care about. This time I most certainly did not. He's very happy and content. Which is just what a guy like him deserves!

Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: Bette Davis Eyes

1) Has anyone ever told you that you resemble a celebrity? I used to hear that I looked like Julie from The Love Boat. I think it's because we wore our hair the same way back in those long-ago days.

 

2) Is there an actress or actor whose movies you make it a point to see? Bruce Willis! I have always loved him, since Moonlighting. Though I missed Looper, I did see (and love) Moonrise Kingdom and there's a new Die Hard coming out soon. And Leonardo DiCaprio, though I won't see D'jango Unchained. I found Inglorious Basterds really disturbing and that turned me off Quentin Tarentino.

 
3) We're stopping for refreshments before we go in to see the movie. What's your refreshment stand order? Lately it's popcorn. It used to be Goobers or Raisinettes.

 

4) When did you last consume an alcoholic beverage? What was it? Last night it was Miller Time. It was the first liquor I've had since New Year's Eve/Day. With my cold I didn't feel like drinking.

 

5) Are you jumpy? Do you startle easily? Yes. I'm a writer, and at work, when I'm lost in thought, I lose track of my surroundings. My boss thinks it's amusing to make me jump. 

 

6) Do you wear a watch? Yes. I switch them out a lot.

7) When was the last time you tried a new restaurant? New Year's Eve. It was delicious. If you're ever in Key West, I recommend The Grand Cafe.

 
8) What color is your wallet? Brown 

 
9) How much does it have in coins right now? Now, see, that would entail getting up and grabbing my purse and that is simply not going to happen just now. I can say it has no quarters. I take them out all the time and set them aside for laundry.

Thursday Thirteen #206

THIRTEEN ITEMS NOT ON THE MENU AT
MCDONALD'S IN THE US

I resisted the temptation to have a Big Mac today -- opting instead for a heathier 6-in. Subway sandwich -- but I have been jonesing for one badly. Since the Golden Arches are so top of mind, my TT this week is 13 items available at McDonald's locations around the globe, but not here in the US of A.

1) Cheese Fondue Chicken Sandwich (Japan)
2) Chicken Carbonara Sandwich (Japan)
3) McD Chicken Porridge (Malasia)
4) McSpaghetti Plate (Phillipines)
5) McRice Burger (Phillipines)
6) Seaweed Seasoned Fries (Asia)
7) Brie Nuggets (Russia)
8) McKebob (Israel)
9) Kiwi Burger (New Zealand)
10) McPumpkin Omelet Sandwich (Hungary)
11) McLobster Roll (Canada)
12) McAloo Tiki Burger (India)
13) Chocolate and Orange Pie (Asia)

For more about the Thursday 13,

or to play along yourself, click here.

It was the hands

Lest you think I am hardhearted, I carry coins in my pocket at all times to help the homeless that I may encounter. But I never, never contribute to anyone who is "panhandling" on the el. First of all, it's illegal and the law is enforced, so why encourage the behavior? And it's intimidating, it makes the mood in the car more hostile, to have someone pressuring commuters into giving -- or any interaction -- while we're all sharing the same fine confined space.

But last night I broke my own rule.

Winter has hit Chicagoland, and it can be very hard on the least fortunate among us. That fact was hammered home when I saw the man leaning on a crutch in the aisle right in front of me. The creases of his jacket were torn and the insulation was falling out. And the hand holding the stack of McDonald's coffee cups! The skin was completely mottled and discolored. Was it grime or cold or infection? A combination of the three? I don't know. But I do know that if it hurt to look at it, it had to hurt to live in it.

He wasn't even aware of the coins I put in his cup but that doesn't matter. I was aware of him. His life made me grateful for my own. I am blessed.

Poor little fella

Winter has arrived rather suddenly and aggressively. While we still don't have any snow, people have begun wearing boots for warmth. Which is why I'm haunted by the little mouse I saw on the train platform last night.

He seemed to have three choices: diving onto the tracks, dodging heavy bootheels, or trying to find his way back into the crack in the cement from whence he came.

Yes, I know he is, technically speaking, vermin. I know that if I tried to help him, he would have bitten me with razor sharp little teeth. I know that he has a brain the size of a peanut.

But the furry little fella touched my heart all the same.

$1708

That's what we made as a result of selling my mother's belongings. The estate sale organizer made $900. So the contents of the home where my mother lived most of her life were worth $2608. How sad.

But I'm glad it's over. This is the natural order of things. Life goes on.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: 40 of The Most Random Questions Meme, Part Two

21) What’s something you’ve always wanted? A million dollars. Although, adjusted for inflation, the million I wanted as a child is now $7,000,000.

22) Do you have hairy legs? I did before my weekly Saturday morning interlude with the razor.

23) What does “Semper Fidelis” stand for? "Always faithful." My dad was a marine.

 

24) Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake? Lake. I'm not crazy about salt water.

 

25) Do you wear a lot of black? Not as much as I used to. It makes me look washed out. On the other hand, it's so easy!

 

26) Describe your hair: Short, reddish brown with "warm highlights."

 

27) Do you have Entomophobia? No. (I looked it up.)

 

28) Are you an adult? I am according to the US legal system.

29) Do you own or rent? I make mortgage payments. Someday I'll own it!

30) Do you have a tan? I'm quite pale.

 

31) Are you addicted to TV? Yes

32) Do you enjoy spending time with your In-laws? No, because I don't have any

33) Are you a sugar freak? Perhaps

 

34) What happened to Larry King? He retired, and not a moment too soon!

 

35) What sign are you? Sagitarius

36) What do you wish on your birthday? To be happy

 

37) Who did you copy this from? The Sunday Stealing site itself
 

38) Do you eat breakfast? I drink a Slim Fast breakfast shake. Does that count?

39) What would you name the royal baby? Princess: Diana Carol Elizabeth, after her grandmothers. Prince? I don't care as much.

 

40) Do you buy a newspaper? I subscribe and read it during my train ride to work.

 

Random weekend update

Are you sick of hearing about this cold yet? It continues to bedevil me, though I believe the end is in sight. For while my eyes are still irritated and swallowing is still hard, I no longer sneeze and blow my nose into bloody tissues and I'm not coughing up multi-colored phlegm. (TMI? I'm sorry.)

All I did today was get my hair done and eat pizza. And sleep. And read a little.*

I was back in my hometown but assiduously avoided my mother's house. Today was the big estate sale. My sister reports that a lot of people were over there. Let's hope they bought and bought. I'd prefer my mother's belongings go to people who will appreciate them, rather than a dumpster.

If the washer and dryer don't sell, my sister wants to donate them to the local animal shelter. That would make me happy. Her cat came from there, as did my dreaded Reynaldo, so it's like they're family anyway. Also, it's nice to see my sister open her heart a bit.

*With Malice Toward None. As I read about Lincoln's youth in this same Illinois prairie where I sit now, I'm a little ashamed of what a baby I'm being about this cold. I mean, I do have luxuries like heat and OTC meds and taxis to comfort me. And it is just a cold!

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: We Owned the Night

1) Can you recall a time when you danced and romanced like you "owned the night?" It's been a long, long time!

2) Samantha Winters admits she earned the name "Crazy Sam" during her party girl days in the 1980s. But now she's in bed by 11:00 PM. Do you have a regular bedtime? No. I really should try to get on a schedule. 

3) Lady Antebellum is one of the most popular acts in country music. Do you often listen to country music? No. I like country when I hear it, but I seldom seek it out.

4) Are you responding to this meme on a desktop or laptop or phone or tablet? Laptop.
 

5) How often do you check your horoscope? Not very often anymore. I used to check it regularly, but the newspaper keeps moving it. And since I spend less time going through the paper these days, if I don't happen upon it rather quickly I do without. I haven't noticed any impact on my luck, one way or the other.

6) Congratulations! You just won a trip to Switzerland! Is your passport up to date? No. I keep meaning to take care of that.

7) Do you know how to snow ski? No. I've skiied twice and am very, very bad at it.

8) What's the first beverage you drink in the morning? Coke. I know that's bad.

9) Are you a good speller? Pretty good.

I love insurance!

I know it's not a sexy subject. Paperwork is boring. Talking about deductibles and co-pays isn't likely to set pulses racing. But yesterday, my insurance coverage left me elated.

I went to the ER last month and had a CT scan. I'm glad I went. Head injuries are nothing to trifle with. But I was worried about what it would cost me. I figured it would be about $500. I wasn't happy about it, but I realize that's a fraction of what the procedure cost.

Yesterday I learned that my portion was less than $300. I feel very fortunate that I have insurance that affords me the luxury of taking care of myself.

Thursday Thirteen #205

 THIRTEEN POPULAR COLD REMEDIES

Like everyone else in my office, I have a cold. And I'm completely preoccupied by it. So here are the thirteen most popular items in the "Cold, Allergy, Sinus & Flu" aisle of the online shopping service, Peapod.

1) Conventional cough drops (Halls, Ricola, Luden's)

2) Vicks Vapo-Rub

3) Vicks NyQuil

4) CareOne Saline Nasal Spray

5) Zyrtec 24-Hour Allergy Relief

6) Coricidin Cold & Flu Tablets

7) Coldeeze homeopathic cough drops

8) Vicks DayQuil

9) Mucinex Expectorant

10) Afrin Nasal Spray

11) Allegra 24-Hour Allergy Relief

12) Robitussin Cold and Cough Syrup

13) Breathe Right Nasal Strips

I took Zycam at the beginning of my cold and, while it certainly did a number on my gut, I believe it has lessened the severity of the cold. And now I'm taking #8, Vicks DayQuil.

What about you? What do you take when you have a cold? 

For more about the Thursday 13,

or to play along yourself, click here.

I want Wednesday

I want this cold to be over! I'm tired of being tired. And my brain is so fuzzy.

Happy birthday to that old hip-shaking King Creole

Elvis would be 78 today. I love this song, especially the way he sails on the last note.

Trying not to go there

I really hate how much space my older sister has in my head. It occurs to me that, by only paying $1,000 for my mother's funeral and not her fair share, she has sacrificed her long game -- which is to make me do what she wants. I am not a wealthy woman -- not by any stretch -- but I could repay her what she has shelled out to date* without much difficulty. So she really has no leverage. When she says she "expects to see real receipts, not post-its," I realize she has no recourse if I don't provide them. (Of course I will, because I am a grown up and am trying mightily to take the high road.) She has no cudgel any more.

So why did I let her ruin my shower this morning? I can't even remember which oldies I heard on the radio! When I hear her voice in my head, I must dismiss it. Change the channel in my head. Pet a cat. Think about a movie. Listen to the Lads. Cover my ears and sing "Camptown Ladies."

When this is over, I won't have to have anything more to do with her. So, to borrow from Bill Murray in Caddyshack, "I got that going for me, which is nice."

* But I didn't. Thank you to SnarkyPants and Vivian for the advice. It was wise and I took it.

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Why couldn't I have been an only child?

My kid sister suspects the estate sale coordinator she hired has walked off with some of my mother's more valuable pieces before this weekend's sale. Well, what does she expect me to do about it? He wasn't my choice,* I've never met him, and that house was so full of stuff, I have no idea what was there and what wasn't. Oh yeah, and I don't care. This was never going to be a massive money maker for us anyway. I thought it would be neat if we could have simply said, "Get all the stuff out and give us $500." But this is the path we're on.

Then there's my bitch of an older sister. Remember, she is not involved in this -- not in terms of money, except for $1,000, nor in terms of time. Yet she seems to think I'm willfully mismanaging everything and has relayed to me, through my kid sister, that she insists on "real receipts, not post-it notes" for everything. Oh, PUH-LEEZ! There is no fortune. At the end of the day, we'll probably just break even. She's just trying to insert herself into the process and give herself the illusion of control. I'm reimbursing her for her princely sum of $1,000 today, out of my own pocket, hoping to stave off any battles going forward. But it's hard to know how to pacify a crazy person.

I had a dream the other night that my mother came back from the dead, for just a few hours. I had so many questions for her -- not about the afterlife, but about our relationship and what she thought of the service we had for her. Then, even in my dream, I toyed with asking her to sign a check so we could get the money out of her checking account. In the dream scenario I stopped myself because I didn't want to waste our short time together on money. But that's how much I hate this process! It's even permeating my dreams.

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


*She could have hired the woman my oldest friend used to empty her house prior to moving cross country. I would have preferred that woman because we know what her services are and had a credible reference. But my sister didn't like her and thought she wasn't worth the extra expense. I let my sister make the choice and here we are.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: 40 of The Most Random Questions Meme, Part One 

1) What side of the heart do you draw first? Right. (What a neat question! I do always draw it the same way and never gave it a moment's thought.)

2) Can you dive without plugging your nose? Yes

3) What color is your razor? Pink

4) What is your blood-type? AB Positive.

5) Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours? My best friend. He has a very calming effect on me. Anyone else I think I'd want to kill.

6) What is a rumor someone has spread about you? It seems I'm forever sleeping with this or that guy at work. Although now that I'm old, I suspect that will stop. But then what will they say about me? Hmmm ... never married, has cats, maybe I'll transition from office slut to rumor mill lesbian.

7) How do you feel about carrots? They are a lucrative crop on Farmville 2.

 

8) How many chairs at the dining room table? Four. But you can only sit on two. One is covered in coats and another with Christmas presents. The woman who runs this place is a slob and really should put her coats and gifts away!

9) Which is the best Spice Girl? Ginger Spice, because she's the one who left.

10) Do you know what time it is? Indeed I do. Way too early. I have a cold and my head is all stopped up so my sleep is fitful. M'lady shall return to her bedchamber upon completion of this meme.

11) Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince Theme Song? Nope. But I do know all the words to the Friends theme and will share that instead: "So no one told you life was gonna be this way/your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA/It's like you're always stuck in second gear/It hasn't been your week, your month, or even your year/But I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to fall/I'll be there for you, like I've been there before/I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me, too." You're welcome.

12) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator? I have been stuck in an elevator. I waited patiently for someone to let us out. I rang the bell (which wasn't necessary, because they track the elevators anyway) and was out in less than 10 minutes. Really not that great a story. Sorry. Want to hear the "Friends" theme again?


13) What’s your favorite kind of gum? Big Red

14) All’s fair in love and war? Yes

15) Do you have a crush on anyone? Yes

16) Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning? I don't understand the question. However there are words that I can use correctly in prose but not conversation because I'm not 100% sure how to pronounce them. (Specifically "hackneyed" and "oeuvre")

17) Do you like to sleep? Right now I wish I could

18) Do you know which US states don’t use Daylight Savings time? I know Indiana finally got on the bandwagon a few years ago. I thought they were the last hold outs.


19) Do you know the words to the song Total Eclipse of the Heart? These questions have a definite retro vibe this morning! Fortunately I'm old and am up to the task: "Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart/There's nothing I can say, a total eclipse of the heart ..." Was there a prize involved?

20) Do you want a bright yellow ‘06 mustang? No, but thank you for asking.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Brand New Me

And here she is. (I love Dusty.)

 

1) It's a brand new year! Do you have any resolutions for 2013? To save a little money by brown bagging it more this year.

2) Dusty Springfield sang of feeling "brand new." What leaves you feeling refreshed and/or rejuvenated? A shower and lots of shampoo.

3) Dusty's given name was Mary Catherine. If you could give yourself a brand new first name, what would it be? I don't know why, but I see myself as a "Julie."

4) Actor Billy Bob Thornton has dismissed antiques, saying, "I'm creeped out by old stuff." Do you ever shop at estate sales, yard sales or second-hand stores? Or do you want everything brand new? I've become very fond of used books. I like the musty smell and wondering who all has held and enjoyed them before they came to me. I really should get to the library more, rather than purchasing. Maybe that can be another 2013 resolution.

5)  Are you sad to see the holiday decorations slowly disappear until next year? Or do you think they should come down on January 2? I think they should come down quick. There's something a little depressing about carols and mistletoe and holly once the new year rolls around. I confess there's still a Santa on my front doorknob. I keep forgetting to take it down because it's on the other side of the door. 

6) Do you like the picture on your photo ID? My work ID is fine. My driver's license pic is hideous.

7) Crazy Sam shudders at the very thought of a snake. Which is your least favorite member of the Animal Kingdom? I am both fascinated and repelled by gators and crocs. I have tremendous respect for their jaws and teeth, and can't stop staring into those unblinking eyes.

8) What's the most recent magazine you flipped through? Entertainment Weekly came yesterday and I checked out the early Oscar predictions.

9) Do you have nice handwriting? Yes. It's very feminine and actually not that different from the cyber one I use at the end of my posts.

 

Shouldn't have looked

The big estate sale at my mother's house is next Saturday, and so they were supposed to begin promoting it this morning. I checked to see if the ads were up because, well, I'm the executor and a "responsible adult" and that's what I'm supposed to do. But it was hard.

There were my Monkees albums* and my mother's commemorative Kennedy magazines and all those photo frames! My niece's baby picture is still in one of them. I also recognized a lot of her clothes, a large carved cat from Thailand that my uncle had brought home after he left the service back in the 1960s and the tools Grandpa left to my dad.

I should have just checked to see that the ad was up. I didn't have to click through all 113 photos. But it was like probing a cavity with my tongue. I just had to do it. But I must resist doing it again. It's so much more positive to focus on moving forward.

*I thought I took those! Oh well, they're worth more to me for sale at my mom's than they would among all the scratched vinyl records in boxes in my closet.

Reflections of a new Bond Girl

Last month I say my first-ever Bond film, Skyfall, and was bowled over. I conferred with friends who are diehard Bond fans before deciding which other installments I need to see. The advice I have received was consistent:

•  Avoid the Roger Moore Bond movies
•  Feel free to skip the Timothy Dalton Bond movies (no one even mentions poor Lazenby)
•  Remember that the quality of the Pierce Brosnan Bond movies is spotty
•  Don't miss Daniel Craig as Bond in Casino Royale

And, most of all, embrace the fact Sean Connery is the REAL James Bond.

So over the Christmas holiday I treated myself to Goldeneye with Brosnan/Bond and Dr. No, the original Bond movie with the original (and I'm repeatedly told, REAL) Connery/Bond.

I enjoyed Goldeneye. It was more playful than Skyfall, but that was OK because Brosnan has less depth but more humor (though substantially less cool) than Daniel Craig.

I'm sorry to report that I really didn't like Dr. No at all. In fact, I was bored. It was hopelessly dated and I felt no real suspense.

I feel like a failure as a Bond Girl.

Breakfast for lunch and dinner

I'm coming down with a cold and it's manifesting itself in a ravenous desire for breakfast foods. I had a bowl of oatmeal and a trio of sausage links for dinner last night and scrambled eggs and minced ham for lunch today.

Hopefully lots of comforting breakfast foods, combined with Zicam and oj, will get me through this with minimal ick.