Friday, November 15, 2024

TGIF!!!

And not just any Friday, but a bingo free Friday. Which meant that, after the morning workout, I did not have to rush back to the complex, waste three hours on bingo.

Instead, I stopped by the market for supplies, returned, locked myself inside, did as I pleased the remainder of the day.

It was difficult to decide what to wear to the morning workout, because it was raining when I awoke.

Thinking long sleeve top, boots, rain jacket, umbrella, I was thrown off when rain stopped and the sun came out.

Just when I pivoted to regular wear, the sun went away and the rain started again.

From there it was rain then sun shining — vacillating off/on minute by minute, and even rain with the sun shining at the same time.

It was wild.

Then came a downpour, followed shortly by the sun shining, outside quickly drying up.

I took it all to mean the Heavens are just as upset, disturbed, pissed off as we are about what’s going on down here.


When all was said and done, I stepped out in boots, a warm hoodie, carried an umbrella and, of course the weather changed. I needed none of that and was burning up in that warm hoodie by the time I walked into the Pain Cave.

Trainer’s class of fighters-in-training were ending their session as I entered and, as usual, I greeted all with "Namaste!". Which, in my world translates to "The Christ in me salutes the Christ in You" and then I added "TGIF".

Trainer looked amused, said "They don’t know what TGIF means".

"Really? They don’t?", asked I.

Trainer took a poll, and many did not know what TGIF stood for.

They’re all young teens and 20 somethings, which may be why. But still, I’m flabbergasted, because TGIF is a universal thing.

So, anyway, it’s been a nice leisurely afternoon of crafting — trying to catch up on photos that need to be added to the Creative Memory book.

This one page I completed today is likely to get me in trouble with the family, as the Playdate Summer of Science photos led me to build a design around them that’s based on an Emmy Award winning TV series.


I tried to go in a less controversial, more kid-friendly direction, but the photos kept leading me to be designed thusly.

I myself am pleased with the layout, it makes me giggle, and though family might not find the layout amusing, it will probably fly over the heads of future generations .... be puzzling, just like TGIF is to this generation.

So it is what it is.

Which of you get it? Know the Emmy Award winning show that inspired me to go in this direction?

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

The Invitation

Who wants to be my Plus One?


In addition to this prestigious??? event, management is hosting a Thanksgiving Luncheon for the seniors on the 19th.

Color me amazed and suspicious — two events in a row.

Complex Manager has made it clear that events for the seniors are not of her own volition, rather are bones Corporate tosses us just prior to a rent increase, to justify the increase.

We'll know on the 20th what that increase is to be this time around.

How do you like that for timing? .... two parties just prior, with the Luncheon one day before amount of the increase is to be announced.

I guess that's kinder than the year management hosted a Luau for us and, while we were occupied with the Luau, rent increase notices were attached to our doors.

But still …… just the fact that Manager has to do these events, and is expected to host, is obviously traumatizing for her.

Inasmuch as I won’t be able to eat whatever management serves, it’s not worth my time to sign up for the Thanksgiving event just to watch Manager have yet another meltdown. I’ll have to depend on the grapevine for feedback.

If Manager were smart, instead of hiding in her office so staff would have to host the event, she should just call in sick. Staff would still have to work the event without her, but the atmosphere wouldn't be as tense as at the last event, and the optics would fly better than sulking/crying in one’s office.

As for 45/47’s Inauguration, I'm sure I'll have better things to do that day, won’t be watching it on TV, let alone attending as a seat filler.

Friday, November 8, 2024

Old Dogs New Tricks

Turns out old dog can learn new tricks because, arriving at bingo just minutes before the start, I found no one had touched my cards, beads, water bottle.

That doesn’t mean bingo was without drama.

Di walked in, sat at the table with me, as did Name Dropper — the resident that came to us in July and was quick to say her granddaughter is an actress, had a role with John Travolta when she was a child.

Name Dropper said she doesn’t hear well, which may be why she was so LOUD.

Rather than clap, Name Dropper would HOOP AND HOLLER when someone won. In addition to which, she and Di talked when they shouldn’t have, completely oblivious to the disapproving glances cast their way by other players and the organizers.

At one point, I warned them ………… "You two are going to get in trouble", but Name Dropper seemed to take my words as a challenge, finished her conversation with Di with a look in her eyes which indicated she was telling me "You can’t tell me what to do".

It wasn’t too long after, when I’d stepped away from the table to help a winner at the prize table, and saw one of the organizers walk over to Name Dropper, lean in, say something to her.

When I returned to the table, Name Dropper had a hurt expression on her face and said, "I’ve just been told I’m too loud. Am I loud?"

"Well yeah", said I as I nodded in the affirmative.

Guess that wasn’t what she wanted to hear, because she then turned to Di, who had also been away from the table — probably to get a cupcake and, looking to be on the verge of tears said to Di, yada yada yada "I’ve never been so insulted in my life", yada yada yada "I almost got up and walked out", yada yada yada, "I’ll never acknowledge or smile at that woman again".

Di commiserated with Name Dropper, began to advise her saying, "This is what you do when people say things like that to you".

I'd tuned out by then, and didn't catch what Di told her to say.

Name Dropper and Di continued to rehash the audacity of being told to pipe down off/on to bingo’s end.

I also met a new resident who is a returnee — lived here a few years ago, just moved back.

Poor thing is in for a big surprise, as things aren’t like they used to be.

Checking out the prize table when I walked in, I’d spotted a small gingerbread house kit; decided I’d pick it as my prize if I won a game.


My winning wasn’t looking good, until suddenly, with only two more games to go, I won — called BINGO! at Game 8.


Later, when bingo ended — and Name Dropper and Di were still discussing the incident, one of the organizers heard Di say the word "F _ _k", called me over to say how outraged she was.

Big fifing deal …… This woman obviously doesn’t know me, thought I as I said, "I say it all the time".

"But you don’t say it in here, in front of us".

"Not yet".

That’s twice when someone tried to drag me into inconsequential issues. First was when Name Dropper tried to get me to commiserate with her hurt feelings, and then one of the organizers wanted me to be as outraged as she by someone using a four-letter word.

The ladies don't seem to realize we’ve got bigger problems.

After having been on edge for such a long time, dreading the outcome of the election, like I previously posted ……… I am strangely mellow now.

Nothing is fazing me. It didn’t even faze me that The Baker served the cupcakes she made in red/white/blue patriotic liners, which I took to be an indicator of her possibly being a red hat. The liners being the equivalent of trucks I've been seeing, since the election, deliberately driving around with big American flags waving in the air.


She’s never indicated so, I’ve never asked, but inasmuch as her daughters are married to cops and firemen, it makes sense The Baker is more than likely leaning that way.

Oh well, everyone has to be something, so I didn’t make a big deal of it other than to let her know I know by saying, "Um hum, red, white and blue liners".

She laughed sheepishly.

So, that’s the tea on this episode of bingo with the seniors.

Thursday, November 7, 2024

The Other Friday

Being a roll with the punches type human, now that the election is over in the worst possible way, I find myself strangely calm, nerves no longer on edge, over it.

Standing on my spiritual training and belief that everything happens for a reason, that the Universe has a plan, afraid to hold onto hope in the first place, once all was said and done I didn’t even cycle through the normal stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression. I went straight through to acceptance and moving on.

I did stress eat last few days. Probably gained 5+ pounds but, other than that, it was business as usual when I awoke this morning, realized tomorrow is the other Friday, of bingo’s every other Friday schedule.

I will say this though ………… Trainer is rather gleeful about the outcome of the election, saying he was better off when 45 was prez.

I’m no political expert, but I do think in an unemotional logical Leonard Spock manner, and think that’s because Trainer was still benefitting from the Obama years when 45 took over. By the time Biden took over, 45 had mucked things up so that the hard times Trainer attributes to Biden were roll overs from 45’s years.

At any rate, Trainer thinks prices will now go down, yada yada yada.

Dream on.

I countered with, "More than likely, you’ll be deported and I’ll lose my Social Security".

"Do you know how hard it will be to get rid of Social Security, all the hoops?"

"They managed to overturn Roe vs. Wade, so …………"

"That was during Biden".

"Sure, but put in place to happen by 45".

At any rate, our back and forth ended with my saying "You do know I won’t be able to afford your prices and will have to opt out of training if I lose my Social Security".

"I tell you what, Shirley. If you lose your Social Security, I’ll train you for free."

"Deal".

Trainer is so sure 45/47 couldn’t dissolve Social Security that he’s bet free training against a raise in his fee — the amount to be decided by me.

Like a fool I said an additional $25.

He said he’d have been good with $1.

At any rate, I’d love free training, but I hope I’m wrong, Trainer is right, that Social Security will be safe from the dark lord and his minions.

Time will tell.

A very short time I’m guessing.

So, anyway, tomorrow's plan is to rush down to the Community Room after tomorrow morning’s workout, set up bingo cards, glass chips and my water bottle to indicate seat taken.

I feel comfortable that, after the week before last’s hissy fit because two old biddies played stupid and took my spot, no one will try that again, though I’m actually hoping someone will, so I can calmly turn around, walk out, make that the reason I’ll no longer burden myself with bingo duty.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Help! I Woke Up

I so didn’t want to wake up to this morning’s news, but here I am, and here we are.

Nothing to do but roll with the punches, do the best we can with the cards we’ve been dealt and the chaos and fleecing of America that’s sure to follow.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Waiting to Exhale

Nerves still on edge, I’m afraid to wake up tomorrow morning — learn I can breathe again or if we’re screwed.

I need to drive to Redland today, have my cellphone looked at because it’s been tech heck with not being able to first swipe to accept calls and then, when I changed to tap — which worked for a while, but now doesn't work either and, when a call comes in, the phone goes to some kind of Assistant that reverts the call to text.

Absolute tech heck.

Problem with driving to Redlands is, I can’t trust myself to be around people while nerves are on edge because, if I run into poor service, I can’t promise I’ll be able to maintain. Not turn into a Karen.

I did yesterday — turned into a Karen that is. Asked to speak to the Manager, made a complaint, walked out without picking up a prescription and then Yelped a bad review for the local pharmacy.

Stopping at the pharmacy after yesterday’s workout, I was pleased to see it was a slow day — only three of us in line. I'd be in/out lickety split.

The first customer was at the counter already, picked up his package and walked away. When he walked away the young lady at the counter, instead of taking Customer No. 2, walked away and began a conversation with a coworker about something personal I wish I’d paid attention to or recorded, because she left Customer No. 2 and I hanging for 10 minutes or more.

Customer No. 2 kept turning around, complaining to me, making yak yak yak fingers with her hands to indicate the girls were ignoring us, talking instead.

"I know, I can hear them talking", said I.

When counter girl finally acknowledged Customer No. 2, took care of her pick up order, she repeated the poor lack of customer service process.

Instead of calling me to the counter, she went back to her personal conversation, picked up a few prescription packages, filed them, at  which point I was talking outloud ……… "I can’t believe she’s filing when I’m standing here ... Can she not see me? .... Am I invisible?", I said to myself.

By then, I’d been standing in line on a slow day for at least 20 minutes or more, leaned on the wall for support, thought about taking a chair from another section, dragging it over, waiting it out, but then decided screw it, walked away. But not without stopping to make a complaint with the Manager, who began walking towards the Pharmacy saying "I’ll have a talk with them" (counter girl and the coworker she’d been chatting with, while ignoring customers).

Later that night, I yelped the heck out of that Pharmacy. So, I’d best stay home today, shampoo the carpet or something, keep away from the possibility of running into more idiot people, because I’m all out of suffering poor customer service without making a fuss.

On another note, patio Halloween decorations are back in storage; except, seeing how some had turned their skeletons into lamps, the plan was to order a lighting kit and turn Skelly into a lamp.

Dragging Skelly inside, having researched the process of making a base, running electrical cords through Skelly, yada yada yada, I came to the conclusion too complicated for me, and decided to go another way.

Running the pole of the sun lamp I'd purchased a while back through Skelly's body, I've got a hilarious year-round lamp that makes me smile.

Open up and say Ahhhh

It works.