June Challenge -- Day 27

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27. If you could turn into any animal for a day, which one would you pick? My cat Reynaldo. I got him when he was still a kitten, just 6 months old, so I know he's had a very comfortable life. I'd love to know what goes on in that mad little beige cranium of his. Sometimes he is so loving and sweet, and other times he seems so frustrated with me. Like something is compelling him to be naughty. If I could be him for a day, and see the world through his eyes, maybe I could make his life better.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The King of the Beasts Meme

1. Would you post a picture of you for us? Short answer: No. Longer answer: I don't pull a lot of punches on this blog because, to my knowledge, no one in my real, day-to-day life reads it or has traced it back to me. I'd like to keep it that way.

2. Would you date an 18-year-old at the age you are now? Oh, please! Of course not!

3. Do you prefer to work with women or men? Why? I don't think gender matters that much, as long as the men are Gen Xers or Millennials. I hate to say it, but Baby Boomer men can still be very Don Draper. And I don't mean that in a good way.

4. Do you have any opposite sex friends? Yes. Many.

5. Can you commit to one person? No. I don't mean sexually. (In answer to the following question) I've never been tempted to cheat. But long-term, genuine intimacy has been too difficult for me.

6. If you’re married or in a relationship have you ever been tempted to cheat? See above

7. Do you think your life will change dramatically before 2018? Yes. And that scares me.

Meet Jodi, my role model

8. If the person you are interested in says they like someone else, what would try to sway them? I would lie, stalk and threaten him. Desperation is always sexy. Oh! And dye my hair blonde! That'll work.

9. Are you good at hiding your feelings? No. Not at all. It's something I wrestle with, usually unsuccessfully.

11. When was the last time you cried? When I was loading my cats into their carriers and taking them off to the vet. It wasn't just that I had to send them away before the exterminators came. It was the expense, the time away from the office, the hassle, and the genuine ICK factor that has come with my building's ongoing bed bug issue. So far, the little beasts haven't made it to my unit and I'd dearly love to keep it that way. That's why I'm cooperating. But geez! I'm tired of all this already, and there's no end in sight!

12. Have you ever fallen for someone you didn’t expect to? Every time I've fallen in love, it's been a surprise to me.

13. What is something you have to do tomorrow? Go to work.

14. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having. It's still early on Sunday. Nothing has happened to displease me yet. Though I am a little sorry that I won't be able to get it together to go to church. I could use a spiritual tune up.

15. Have you ever wanted more from one of your best friends of the opposite sex? I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I get this question. More what?

16. Have you ever wanted someone you couldn’t have? Of course. I believe that's just part of life.

17. Who was the last person you talked to before you went

I admit it. I'm her role model.

to bed last night? It wasn't at all near bedtime, but the last person I spoke to yesterday was my next door neighbor. A handsome young man named Darren. We had a scintillating conversation about the bed bug infestation and whether it's safe to use the laundry room. My life is indistinguishable from that of Samantha on Sex and the City.

18. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell everything to? Yes.

19. When was the last time that you were jealous in a romance situation? It's been a long, long time.

20. If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be? So far, this one. 2016 has been a year of blow after blow after blow for me and my friends.

21. Did you have a good day yesterday? What did you do? I quite literally had a crappy day yesterday. If you want to read about it -- and I warn you, I don't think you do -- click here.

22. If a person you had wished you could have a relationship with for a long time and you suddenly found yourself together alone, what would you be doing right now? To borrow from Kevin Costner, we'd be enjoying long, slow, deep soft kisses that last three days.

23. Do you replay things that have happened in your head? Of course.

24. Don’t tell me lies, is the last person you texted attractive? It was my friend Kathleen. Her husband finds her attractive, no lie.

25. Is your life anything like it was two years ago? Is it a good or bad thing? I checked. Two years ago this weekend I was answering meme questions and putting together a bag of canned goods for the local food pantry. Today I'm answering meme questions and have a bag set aside for the food pantry. I don't mind the similarities.

June Challenge -- Day 26

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26. What’s your favorite store to browse in? Macy's on State Street. It's huge, has restaurants and a food court, so it's like a mall all in one convenient location. Housewares, baby clothes, make up, jewelry, sun glasses, career wear, casual wear, books, greeting cards, Frango mints ... If I'm looking for it, odds are very good I'll find it right here. (Except for jeans. I buy my jeans at Carson's.)

The service, at least at this location, is a cut above. The prices are reasonable. The structure itself is an architectural gem. What's not to love?

Wasted Day!

One: I can't believe I did this.
Two: Stop reading if TMI leaves you squeamish.

Friday night, I was settling in to watch Some Like It Hot on TCM. I was happy. It just occurred to me I hadn't eaten much all day and wasn't at all hungry. Eating isn't the only thing I hadn't done as much as I normally do. I thought there might be a connection between no appetite and no "evacuation."

I have these pills in the kitchen. I don't remember purchasing them, but clearly I did because there they are. I read the packaging and it says the pills typically work in 6-8 hours. It says an adult should take between 1 and 3 tablets.

I took two and settled in to watch the movie, figuring that in the morning I'd experience the desired result.

Oh. My. God.

Sugar and Daphne barely began their party in the train booth and the pills began to work. And work. And work.

I slept on the bathroom floor. I didn't shower until noon. For safety's sake, I didn't leave the house until 5:00.

My Saturday was completely wasted. Because I spotted this box in the kitchen.

I'm such an idiot.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: As Long As You Love Me (1997)

  1) This video shows the boys in the band nervously await an audition. When were you last

nervous? Thursday. Weird shit is happening at work. I'm worried about my job security. It's wreaking havoc with my always-sensitive gut. I tried to calm myself down by doing the math. My mortgage is paid two months in advance and I could make my expenses for almost 10 months, if I lost my job. Then there's severance and unemployment. Then there's ... Oh, God, there goes my gut again! Do you mind if we change the subject?

2) BSB Brian Littrell was born with a congenital heart problem and had open heart surgery the year this song was released. Who is the last person you visited in the hospital? My mother. I don't like visiting people in the hospital because when I was in the hospital five years ago, I didn't want visitors. Phone calls and flowers? Bring 'em on! Cards waiting for me when I got home? YES! But in the hospital, I didn't want to play hostess, I wanted to heal. And when you're in the hospital I'm going to assume you feel the same way.

3) Littrell had different health trouble in 2009. While working in Japan, he contracted swine flu, which caused the band to cancel several events. Have you battled a cold or flu this summer? Not yet. Knock Formica.

4) When you feel a cold coming on, what's your favorite remedy? I've got these zinc lozenges I turn to whenever I feel that familiar scratchy throat.

5) Brian and his cousin, fellow BSB member Kevin Richardson, are both from Kentucky and have been inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. According to their website, if you tour the Hall of Fame you'll see exhibits that celebrate Kentucky's contribution to American music. Do you enjoy museums? Or do you think they're a snooze? I love museums! And museum gift shops!

Katharine Hepburn

6) BSB Nick Carter was named one of People magazine's "Most Beautiful People in the World." Who is someone you think is especially gorgeous? I love classic movies, so I'm turning to classic movie stars. Here are the two I wished I looked like. Cheekbones! My kingdom for cheekbones!

 

The thing about Lombard is that her face is so captivating when she's excited, laughing or crying. She doesn't look as wonderful in still photos as Hepburn reliably does. Still, I would dearly love to have her face.

 

Carole Lombard

7) This spring Nick became a father for the first time. Is anyone in your life expecting a baby this year? Two coworkers. One in November, the other in December.

8) The band has been involved in ongoing litigation with their first manager, saying he had been dishonest with them about how much they had earned. Tell us about someone you trusted, but shouldn't have. That would be Judy. Here's a link to that long, sad saga. I learned recently that she is facing financial difficulties due to health problems. She set up a Go Fund Me page, which has brought her $2,500 over the past four months, and she estimates that she need $20,000 for food and meds. 

 

I am a good friend. If she had treated me like a good friend, I'd be over there all the time with meals. Every gift I give anyone from now on would be from her Etsy shop. But some things I simply cannot overlook. Do I forgive her? I suppose. Will I pray for her? I just did. Will I get involved. No.

9) The band's recordbreaking 1999 tour was sponsored by the Sears department store chain. Sam remembers the twice-a-year shopping trips to Sears -- spring and fall -- with her mother to update Sam's school wardrobe. What's the last article of clothing you bought? I just laundered it yesterday: A short sleeved pullover covered with polka dots -- navy and black and green and blue. I am fond of it because the happy print makes it look far dressier than it feels.

 

A postcard from "Flyover Country"

A theory I've heard more than once states that Donald Trump's rather astonishing support comes from where "the media elite" aren't -- that vast part of the country that isn't Los Angeles, Manhattan or Washington, DC. Aka "Flyover Country," or the land that newscasters, reporters and pundits flyover on their way to one of the media centers.

That's not what this lifelong Midwestern blogger has been experiencing.

Here are two conversations overhead on the el just this past workweek. The first was Wednesday morning, the second was Thursday evening. For the record, I've never heard anyone on the train say anything at all about Trump -- pro or con -- until this week.

Wednesday: Four young (between 13 and 15) black girls head to Michigan Avenue for a day of fun. As the train rounded Wabash and Trump Tower came into view, one of the girls announced, "Come November they're gonna change that to HILLARY TOWER!" Her friends laughed and applauded in agreement. There was a "girl power" pride to their swagger that made me as happy as my 16-year-old nephew's passion for Bernie Sanders. I love it when politics is relevant to the young.

Thursday: A white family (Mom, Dad, Uncle and two very little girls) are riding home to the suburbs from a day in the city. The girls are very tired -- the younger one is dozing off on her mom's shoulder, the older sister is staring blankly out the window as dad rubs her shoulders. A rather noisy man boards the train and speaks loudly into his phone. When he's done with his conversation, he apologizes to his fellow commuters and when he reaches his stop, he announces, "Don't vote for Trump!"

The little sister sits bolt upright and says to her mother, "You won't vote for Trump, will you?" Mom shakes her head "no," and Dad tells both daughters, "Don't worry. Trump is not going to be President."

The older sister is not about to let this drop. "What if it's close? What if it's a tie?"

Uncle speaks for the first time, explaining about the 2000 Florida recount. This lasts until I reach my stop. At that point, Dad began to explain the role of The House of Representatives in the event of a tie. The little sister has checked out of the conversations by now, but the older girl seems to enjoy being spoken to like a grown up.

But here's the thing: both girls acted as though the spectre of Trump as President was tantamount to Freddy Krueger moving into their basement.

I find this comforting. I've worried about how children process the success of a man who dismisses people as "losers" and "chokers" and mocks the disabled. How do they square the circle of being taught bullying is wrong, yet seeing adult support of this man?

I'm not unsophisticated about the electoral map. I know that Ohio is in play, and that Missouri and Kentucky and likely to go to Trump.

But I also know that Illinois -- which has more voters than Missouri and Kentucky combined -- is going to stay blue. I'm willing to bet a week's pay that Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan will, too.

Yours from Flyover Country,

June Challenge -- Day 25

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25. What are the 10 most significant events in your life?

The question isn't "good" or "bad." It's "significant." So here we go. Chronologically ...

1) Birth

2) Seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. That Sunday evening gave me the soundtrack of my life, and helped cement my relationship with my favorite uncle.

3) Being abused. I discussed it a bit on Day 5 of the Challenge. I don't feel like rehashing it this morning.

4) Choosing to be an administrative assistant at Sears, rather than at Loyola Hospital. Working in Sears Tower not only fulfilled my youthful ambition to be downtown every day, it gave me a gateway into advertising.

5) Volunteering at Chicago's Anti-Cruelty Society. It gave the problems of animal overpopulation and abuse sweet little furry faces. It haunts but it galvanizes, too.

6) Falling in love, and choosing to stay in a toxic relationship. I wasted my 20s.

7) Leaving that relationship. At least I'm educable!

8) Joining my church. It's fulfilling, and it makes me a better person, to have a spiritual home where I genuinely belong.

9) Buying this condo. I was over 40, but it made me feel like I'd finally grown up.

10) John Kerry's 2004 Presidential Campaign. I dialed. I photocopied. I handwrote letters. I filed. I answered phones. I rallied. I did whatever was asked of me. I poured my time and money and heart and soul into it in support of a man I still completely admire. I learned a lot. I cried a lot. I did it for my country and I'm proud of it.* I also worked on Walter Mondale's, Bill Clinton's and Barack Obama's campaigns, but I really clocked the hours and made the commitment for Kerry.

*And it's why I have so little patience for rabid Sanders supporters whose dedication extends no further than preaching to the choir on social media. "Don't just do something, sit there." They'll never support Hillary? Big deal. What did they actually do for Bernie?

June Challenge -- Day 24

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24. Pick one food item and beverage to live on forever.

I can change the bun and the garnishes when I get bored. (With the steak sandwich. I never get tired of Coke.)

I can't shake it

There's a feeling of dread enveloping me today. I'm sure that I'm a sitting duck, and the other shoe is about to land on my cranium.

2016 has been a very bad year. After all, it began with three months of chronic diarrhea. And when I think of all else that's followed -- everything from my own money trouble to hospitalized friends to the death of my dear Joey to issues with my family to bed bugs -- I fear that chronic diarrhea might the high point.

And now, for some reason, today I am afraid. Things are changing around me at work and I'm having a hard time reading the tea leaves.  I'm nearly 60, and advertising is not kind to the elderly. Plus my friend Barb has retired. She's always been my fall back, the one I figured I could count on for eating money if I needed freelance work. I hate myself that I am seeing her life change not in terms of her cancer surgery but through the prism of my self interest, but there you go. I try not to pull punches on this blog, and that is the way I feel.

June Challenge -- Day 23

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23. Put your iPod on shuffle and talk about the first 10 songs that pop up. 

1) Can't Help Falling in Love -- Elvis
2) Her Majesty -- The Beatles
3) It's Over -- Dusty Springfield
4) Honey Pie -- The Beatles
5) King Creole -- Elvis
6) I Wanna Marry You -- Bruce Springsteen
7) Touch Me in the Morning -- Diana Ross
8) Another Night -- Aretha Franklin
9) Don't Pass Me By -- The Beatles
10) Comin' In and Out of Your Life -- Barbra Streisand

This list amuses me because it just so happens to include my all-time favorite artists. I've got many one-hit wonder artists on my iPod, but they aren't here.

Obviously these aren't the best Beatle efforts, but I do have affection for them. And I included a link to the Streisand song. Babs often gets slammed for being a technical vocalist, who can be devoid of emotion. Well, with this song, she'll break your heart.

June Challenge -- Day 22

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22. Talk about your obsessions. Hey, hey! Holy mackerel! No doubt about it! It's a great year to be a Cub fan!

Jake Arrieta! Rizzo and Bryant! Joe Maddon! Could I love my guys any more? No, I could not.

I believe this could actually be THE YEAR!

Worst. Mom. Ever.

The exterminator will be in my condo tomorrow at 8:00 AM, treating the baseboards as a precaution against bed bug infestation. I'm not happy about this, but I'm on board with it. While my unit is bug free, the critters have been detected across the hall -- kitty corner from me -- and directly downstairs.

In preparation for this, I have to move all my books (I have a lot of books) into the center of the room so I can move the bookshelves, giving the exterminator access to the baseboards. This makes me sad, because it's a great deal of work and I don't feel like it. On the other hand, I am grateful for the weekends I devoted to making this place appear liveable.

The worst part of this, though, is the cats. I have to bundle them off this evening and take them to the vet for a sleepover. I know it's safer for them than breathing the chemicals, and no one knows how to care for them better than the vet.

But they don't know this.

All these two know is that they will be in a sterile atmosphere that's never really quiet. They will be surrounded by other animals and foreign smells. They will be confined in a small area, piteously exposed with nowhere to hide. They will be sure they have been abandoned.

I know it's only for a night, less than 24 hours. But I feel like scum.

June Challenge -- Day 21

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21. Who do you consider your best friend right now in life? I guess it's my friend who lives in the Keys. He always sees the best in me. During this trying year, that unconditional love has been such a ballast.

I love it

My new sofa arrived. It's made-to-order mid-century modern, and I love it.

I spent too much on it. When I purchased it, I didn't realize a new elevator and bed bugs were in my future. But it's here and it's mine and I love it.

And now, as I retire for the night, I've covered it with towels sprayed with Keep Off! I don't want it becoming the world's most expensive new scratching post.

Because I love it.

June Challenge -- Day 20

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20. Talk about the first time learning about sex. My mom first introduced the topic when I was in first grade. She sat down on the side of the tub when I was bathing and tried to explain it. I was completely uninterested, fascinated as I was at that time with my fragrant tub toys from the Avon catalog. (I especially liked my pink whale that squirted shampoo from the blow hole.)

The thing I remember most about it was my mom's concluding line, that after mommies and daddies have sex they never talk about it -- not to anyone! I think she was afraid I'd give seminars at the playground. But still, it struck me as an odd thing to say, both then and now.

Welcome to the Big Leagues, Mr. Contreras!

His teammates all seem to adore Willson Contreras. The kid impressed everyone and made a lot of friends at spring training, and so there was a lot of excitement when he was called up late last week.

Tonight, he had his first major league at bat. Pinch hitting. Within the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. The Cubbie faithful gave him a standing ovation, just for being here. It was a sweet moment.

Then it got freaky wonderful. He hit a two-run home run! His first at bat! I mean, really!

The fans just gave him a standing o. Did I mention this was his first-ever game?

Magic. This season is magic.

A happy Father's Day memory

My late father didn't much like being a dad. We girls were too noisy, too unpredictable, too demanding of time and attention. We didn't appreciate the things he was interested in when we little. By the time we were older we didn't feel very connected to him, nor he to us. I remember him as forever angry, disillusioned and disappointed.

Which is why this particular Father's Day memory fills me with such warmth. There was a miniature golf course not far from my grandparents' house. It was 9 holes and, in retrospect, in terrible shape. Very rudimentary. No clown's mouth, no windmill. Yet I wanted to go every time we passed it. More often than not I would just watch it disappear as our car turned the corner.

Except a couple times every summer, my father would surprise us by pulling in. For some reason, this silly little hometown course brought out the best in him. When we played miniature golf, he was the patient, compassionate father I always wanted.

"Hit it over here," he'd explain, standing where he wanted me to aim, "and it will bounce where you want it to go." Then, when it was time for a short putt, he'd stand by the hole and frame it with his feet to help me focus.

Memories of the miniature golf course with my dad came back to me last weekend. As part of our family celebration of my niece's graduation, we went miniature golfing. It was the first time in a long, long, long time I thought to myself, "My dad would enjoy this."

Then I realized my nephew was wearing a Bernie Sanders t-shirt and knew that would make my dad shit a brick. "A Socialist!" But this is Father's Day, so let's just let my mind wander back to the 8th hole. The hardest one, because you had to maneuver straight between two (2!) water hazards. The sun is setting. The mosquitoes are coming out. But for once, my dad is not in a hurry.

"Take your time, Tiger," he'd say. And when my ball inevitably went into the drink, he'd fish it out for me and put it on the orange dot.

Sometimes we'd cheat on the 9th hole and just roll the ball in with our hands. Then my dad would run his fingers through my hair as we went to the whitewashed shack to turn in our clubs.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy.

The Creepy Continues

My 90-year old neighbor fantasizes about me. I am totally creeped out by this.

This unpleasant chapter began last month. My across-the-hall neighbor knocked on my door. I tried to talk to him through the chain but he insists on coming in because he has a problem of some sort that he doesn't want to discuss in the hall. Thinking he may be in some sort of peril -- after all, he's a senior citizen on his own -- I reluctantly let him in. I was in my bathrobe, which reaches to my ankles. I was more covered than I am at the beach or the health club.

Turns out his terrible problem is his Comcast bill. As I review it, he tells me I look sexy. I told him that made me "uncomfortable" and ask him to leave. The next day he slipped a note under my door, apologizing and taking responsibility. I thought this was in the past.

More than a week ago, someone was insistently ringing my bell pre-dawn. Our intercom is broken, so I grabbed the robe and started downstairs to see who it was. (Another neighbor's daughter who couldn't reach her mother so tried me instead.) Walt had been wandering the halls, waiting for the paperboy, and saw me in my robe. My gray flannel, ankle length robe.

He left a note under my door, detailing that after he saw me in the hall he took a nap and dreamed of kissing me. How at first I resisted but then gave in.

EW! ICK!

I wrote: THIS IS UNWELCOME. PLEASE STOP! and returned it to the area in front of his door.

I dearly, dearly hope this ends it.

After the Orlando shooting I changed my Facebook avatar to this:

I do try to live this. I do want to lead a more Christian life. I do try to remind myself that everyone is just doing the best he/she can.

But it's hard when you don't feel relaxed in your own home. I'm pissed at Walt for being such a filthy old pig. I really am.

Sunday Stealing

A nice photo for Father's Day

Sunday Stealing: The Jackals Meme

Question 1: Who is your favorite Musical Artist? This weekend's birthday boy, Sir Paul McCartney.

Question 2: What is your favorite album by that Artist? This is so hard. If absolutely forced to, I'd choose the Beatles' White Album.

Question 3: Who is your Favorite Blogger? Kwizgiver. I feel like I know her, and yet we've never met.

Question 4: If you could meet anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and what is interesting about them? My all-time idol, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. No one has ever made intelligence and steel strength look so feminine. I have so many questions to ask her! Most of all, I'd like to know where her strength came from, and how she managed to make an often very painful life look so enviable and graceful.

Question 5: What did you want to be when you grew up? It changed often. But when I was in high school I settled on journalist.

Question 6: What is the most interesting piece of Trivia that you know? Abraham Lincoln and Tom Hanks are related. On Abe's maternal and Tom's paternal sides.

Gibbs!

Question 7: If you could live in any point of history when would it be and why? The 1860s. I think it was a romantic, turbulent time. Of course, I'd want to 1) live out West where there was no Civil War and 2) be able to come back to air conditioning when the weather got hot.

Question 8: What do you think of the election in the U.S. so far? "I'm with her." And all things considered, I'm good with that.

Question 9: What is your favorite TV drama? What do you like about it? NCIS. Him.

Question 10: What is the most interesting job you've ever had? In the marketing department of a major haircare company. Loved the work! I learned about polypeptide chains and how products work on our hair and skin. It was fascinating.

Question 10: What is the most interesting job you've ever had?

June Challenge -- Bringing It Up to Date

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16. If you could go into an alternate universe, where would you go and what would it look like? This is hard for me because I don't like fantasy or scifi. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter simply do not interest me. So instead I'd like to revisit a Nanowrimo I wrote years ago, imagining my life at 50 with each of the men I loved and thought I wanted to be with forever. It was a very enlightening exercise. Playing it out in my head, I had to admit that none of the scenarios was particularly comfortable for me. If I'm honest with myself, I realize that my life's turned out exactly the way it was always supposed to.

17.  What can you guarantee will always be there?

18.  What’s your passion? Books and cats. :)

19.  Write a letter to yourself in 30 years. I hope that, at age 86, you're still independent and cognizant. Otherwise, I hope you're not still here.