Happy 250th Birthday America

We seniors celebrated the 4th on Thursday with fried chicken, potato salad, slaw, baked beans, pasta salad, deviled eggs, dinner rolls, fresh fruit, chips, sodas, pie and ice cream for dessert (I settled for a few bites of cantaloupe and strawberries), all of which we, as a community, put together for ourselves since Management did didley squat and should be ashamed of themselves.

The event netted 134 photos for the residents’ facebook page, which took me until 10 pm that night to resize, organize, post.

Lu showed up, as did Dream Lover.

Neither gave the other any mind whatsoever …… made a point to act like neither saw the other.

Lu was fine with chill, seemed to be charming another resident I’d never seen before, but who tells me he’s been here a few years. However, I could tell Dream Lover was uncomfortable with the frigid air between them …… hurt.

I have mixed feelings …… Lu has a right to live her own life however she wants to live it and with whom. A right to value her time and attention, put a price tag on it by wanting a man that can occasionally take her out to dinner, not a guy who can only lay around in her unit, keep her company.

I’m reminded of the 1970’s slogan, "Nobody Rides for Free. Gas, Grass or Ass". There has to be reciprocity in some form or fashion, each bringing something to the table or eventually resentment sets in, becomes like what do I need you in my life for.

Though ignoring him is harsh, Lu has no obligation to safeguard Dream Lover’s feeling by not showing interest in someone else.

On the other hand, when I see the hurt in Dream Lover’s eyes, I'm sad for him, but always think back on the hurt I saw in Faith’s eyes when he broke up with her, arrogantly began pursuing others right in front of her, and see his current situation as Karmic Retribution, living it as he’s given it.

So, anyway, Meat Man — formerly Handsome Man, who rarely attends events, stuck his head in the door … lured by the smell of Fried Chicken no doubt; and seeing me, he stayed for the entire — chatting with me.

Coming to the same conclusion I had …… that the rent increase is the result of our paying for the painting redo, he announced this would be his last year living here because of the $94.

Rents are outrageous all over, so I highly doubt it …… that is unless he can charm some woman into letting him into her life and home.

Painted Rock Lady, who has been in/out of the hospital last few years, mostly for hurting herself, and was one of the residents who’d fallen due to rocks on the walkway, had me in stitches over a sign she’s posted on her walker to proudly display she hasn't hurt herself/has been incident free for 32 Days.

Crafty Lady, and the organizers were so busy with running games for the seniors, giving out prizes for winners, and getting the meal together, that no one noticed I’d pimped the tee …… or if they did notice, none said.

I pared the tee with the same old patriotic leggings I made back in 2014, and exchanged my signature gold hoop earrings for the patriotic earrings Talker’s sister gifted me last year.

Hat borrowed from
my Little Hispanic friend for the photo

That’s it for events around here unless and until the next major holiday, or Management decides something should be done with the money that's been budgeted for activities, other than giving it to Kesha for potato chips.

Pimp My Tee

I think it was last Friday when, while sitting on the couch, I spotted a patch of red through the patio window.

Made me think of a horror movie I saw where, much like here, the powers that be had removed that which was colorful from the community’s landscape … plus the color red specifically was so forbidden that a monster appeared and someone’s life would be ended over it.

It’s probably just a matter of time before our monster — management and/or the Edward Scissorhands Landscaper, finds a reason to remove the colorful tree.

THEN, as I got out of bed this morning, I spied patches of what looked like green grass peeking out through the rocks below.

They dug up the grass, put plastic sheeting in place, covered with rocks, and nature is still finding a way through.

I find that hilarious and can’t imagine what our monster can do about it.

Yesterday was a hard day due to a doctor’s appointment I didn’t ask for, the doctor’s office schedule the appointment with my primary for no good reason other than to piss me off and piss me off they did by sending me messages, a day or so before the appointment, under the guise of Personal Action Plan, wanting to know the main reason for the visit.

After ignoring the first two messages, only to receive a third, I responded "Hell if I know", because THEY scheduled the appointment and then had the nerves to bug me about the nature of the visit, though I knew the nature was just checking in … a cattle call that I didn’t want to participate in but had to if I wanted to continue getting blood pressure medication, which is about all the medical provider is good for.

Unnecessary cattle call it turned out to be, because all the doctor did was take my blood pressure, stethoscope my chest, send me down to the Lab for a blood test, all of which she usually just sends me a notice to get taken care of, no hassle no visit required.

But the thing was, this appointment, in addition to being a waste of my time, was scheduled for the primary's office at the main medical center, where parking is a nightmare.

In fact, I spent an estimated 25 or so minutes, along with a mass of other vehicles, trying to find parking, got so frustrated that myself said to myself, "Screw it", drove out of the medical center area, hit the streets and began driving back home, but saw a shopping center, pulled in, parked by an Aldi’s Grocery Store, walked down Sierra Blvd to Valley Blvd, down Valley Blvd to Medical Center Parkway, crossed the parking area to the doctor’s building, a 20-minute hike, arriving late of course and just waiting for the receptionist to say "you’re late" so I could explode.

Fortunately, scheduling was behind, no one said anything to set me off until the doctor’s nurse took my weight and blood pressure.

Weight could have been better, but was better than I expected, considering I’ve not exercised or dieted to make up for lack of exercise; but the parking situations and having to hike had so frustrated me that my BP was 178 over I forget.

The nurse said, "I’m going to have to refer you to the blood pressure clinic".

"NO!" I yelled, "IT’S BECAUSE I’M UPSET I SPENT 25 MINUTES LOOKING FOR PARKING, GOT SO FRUSTRATED THAT I HEADED HOME, ENDED UP PARKING BY ALDI'S, HAD TO WALK HERE AND PROBABLY WILL NEED TO CALL A CAB TO TAKE ME BACK TO MY CAR!"

I was expecting a call for "Security", but she instead wisely backed off with "okay" and had me wait another 15 minutes in the outside waiting area before calling me back into a room for the doctor, during which time I took the extra BP pill I carry with me for just in case situations, so I wouldn't have a stroke in the doctor's office or on the hike back to the jeep.

Having calmed down by the time the doctor arrived to prove the visit was indeed a waste of my time, I was down to 152/78, calm and back to my friendly self as the Lab later took blood. It helped that when the Lab's check-in person asked me to verify my birthdate, and said, "OMG You look Great" when she realized I was 82.

Done with the Lab, I hiked back to the jeep and, once back home, the memory of having wasted my time and that horrible parking experience behind me, clocked in at 105/48.

The plan for today was to do absolutely nothing. Just rest from yesterday, because yesterday took a lot out of me; but then Crafty Lady asked me to come down to the Community Room, where Kesha had them playing bingo, to pick up a t-shirt she’d made for me.

The resident’s 4th of July party is this Thursday the 2nd. Crafty Lady has made t-shirts for all the organizers, with logos she matched to our personalities, including one for me as the group’s photographer.

I didn’t dawdle in the Community Room … just took photos of the other personalized logos for the residents’ Facebook page, brought mine upstairs, tried it on.

Didn’t like it — it’s white, and white is not flattering to my body type … It adds pounds to my overall frame and inches to my ta tas, which need lessening rather than enhancing, plus I felt restrained in the tee, couldn’t breathe, so I decided to pimp it. The bougies call it Upcycling these days.

Whether pimp or upcycle, a lot can go wrong … I’ve had more failures than successes and was taking a big risk I’d mess up, not be able to wear the tee on Thursday, would have to admit to Crafty Lady and the others that I screwed it up.

A little scared, I went for it, starting with cutting the sleeves completely off.

from this

to this

That's more like it. Trying it on, the tee felt better already … looked like a muscle tee; but still needing that collar off my neck, I folded the tee in half, cut a little triangle out at the neck area.

to this

Pimped up nicely. However, as soon as I find my marking pen … which I had in my hand at one point in the process, and somehow magically disappeared, I’ll use the marker to mark where I can cut the V into a U.

In other t-shirt news, I've added two new ones to my collection.

Store Bought

Image clipped from internet,
ironed on with Transfer

Happy No Kings 2.0

If you look closely, you’ll see that’s not Little Edie but the reface version with myself playing the role of Edie.

The High Table

Yesterday’s 4th of July BBQ was a huge success but, before I go into details, let me just explain that in the world of John Wick, the term "High Table" is indicative of the organization in charge, those who set the rules and, as you read on, you’ll understand why this post is thus titled.

Also, there’s breaking news to report …… the Love Birds (Dream Lover and Lu) are back on.

I noticed on Tuesday, when updating the header from June to July on the residents’ FB page, that Lu had commented on one of the photos of Dream Lover, "My handsome man".

Gag me.

Dream Lover was once again the Grill Master at the BBQ — hamburgers/hotdogs and, when Lu arrived, he addressed her as "Hey, gorgeous" and they had a make out session …… kissed.

Gag me with a spoon.

Explanation and Breaking new out of the way ……… I arrived early, so I could capture photos of the decorations and stuff before the crowd arrived.

My little friend Knock Knock (renamed because I received a violation for the previous nomenclature as "violating guidelines") was there, helping the organizers set up.

She pretty much has been living here with us old folks until school restarts and, now at 8-years-old, has grown out of whatever obsession she previously had with me, is no longer constantly knocking on my door, but still runs up and gives me a hug when our paths cross.

Last BBQ (Memorial Day) it was the Baker’s family members who contributed time, money, energy into that event. This time it was the Talker’s family members, and they even prepared Swag bags for us attendees.

Later in the event, when swag bags were distributed, I found they contained various candies, a Popper, little Bubble maker thingie, a patriotic necklace and cute little hat.

Once residents poured in, the Community Room became packed with "preferred residents" …… those who have come to bingo, come to craft sessions, and a few newbies the organizers felt safe to invite.

You could have knocked me over with a feather, when I saw Painted Rock Lady come through the door.

I was amazed to see her because, after that last fall, when her dog pushed her out of the bed, fractured her hip for the second time, she was hospitalized and going into a rehabilitation situation had been suggested.

"Rehabilitation" generally means we’ll never see the person alive again.

Painted Rock Lady said no, that if she was to recover, she wanted to do so at home and, though she looks haggard and exhausted, she survived and was well enough to make it to the Community Room on her own with her portable breathing machine and walker, even talking about working on painting rocks again.

So, anyway, the menu consisted of hamburgers, hot dogs, all the fixings, plus potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, mac and cheese, cupcakes for dessert.

My "reserved" spot, at the far end of the table, was a perfect spot for eyeing the entire room, being able to stand quickly/move quickly to capture photos, but the table clearly indicated the elite ……… reserved name signs, different tablecloth than the other tables.

No matter, as I was just there to take photos for the residents’ FB page, did not intend to stay long enough to be considered a part of a click, so I had fun playing naughty with my reserved name sign — holding it up to various parts of my body, declaring them "reserved".

As I was saying, the spot was perfect …… that is until Upstairs Lady — the woman who has problems with her legs (which Twin 1, who used to work in the medical profession, tells me is Lymphedema) showed up.

Upstairs Lady made it to the table on her walker, began approaching the end of the table where I was seated, pausing along the way to pick up certain reserved name signs.

Once she made it to the end of the table to where I was seated, she declared, "I’m sitting here", then began removing reserved name signs on either side of me, replacing with the ones she’d picked up along the way, saying so and so is sitting here, so and so is sitting there.

She arranged things to where Dream Lover and Lu would be seated on one side of that end table spot, and Crafty Lady (the new resident that’s running craft sessions) would be seated on the other side, thereby arranging the seating to where she’d be surrounded by her besties …… and she did all this while I was still seated in my designated spot.

So aggressive.

To top it off, midstream of what she was saying/doing, Upstairs Lady pointed to a chair towards the middle of the table saying, "You can sit there".

Ordinarily, I would have calmly said something to Upstairs Lady like I once had to say to a coworker who thought she was the boss of me, that "We are not still living on the plantation". Then I would have removed the name signs from Upstairs Lady’s hand, replaced them where they’d been, essentially telling Upstairs Lady in no uncertain terms to go F herself.

But for some strange reason I didn’t.

Like I walked out of bingo, never to return because others were getting on my last nerves with their inability to follow rules, I might have even picked up my reserved name sign and walked out of the event, taking no photos, which would have gotten Upstairs Lady in deep do do with the Baker and Talker.

But I didn’t.

Don’t ask me why I didn’t put Upstairs Lady in her place or cause her to suffer consequences of her actions. I just didn’t.

Instead, it was like I went into an altered state where time stood still.

I was not conscious of thinking anything as Upstairs Lady hoovered over me, rudely designating who was to sit where, except that as her voice began to fade further and further away from my awareness, I found myself picking up my reserved name sign, moving to the end of the next table over, which gave me the same vantage point to take photos and didn’t feel like I was involved in a click.

After that, there was no thoughts of Upstairs Lady. Even though she was seated at the end table right next to where I was seated. I didn’t hear her voice, she did not appear in my peripheral vision, she was just no longer a part of my reality. It was like Upstairs Lady disappeared from the face of the earth.

I was later joined at the table by one of the Talker’s sisters, who asked if I minded if other relatives joined us.

"Of course not", said I, and the table filled with residents and various family members of Talker.

When Talker saw I was not seated in the designated spot, she came over, pointed to where I was to have sat said, "I reserved a spot for you over there".

"She (pointing at Upstairs Lady) wanted to sit there", said I.

Talker looked confused when she looked over, saw Upstairs Lady sitting there, but suggested I move to one of the middle spots at that table.

I was fine where I was, so I declined.

At one point, Trash Tosser (the resident who threw her trash in front of Dream Lover’s door) walked in, sat down in an empty chair middle of the organizer’s table.

She didn’t know she was not to sit at that table, I guess didn't notice the reserved name signs. She just saw people she knew, an empty chair, sat down.

I watched, waited to see how long it would before she would be asked to move, but before that happened, she got up, moved to the last open spot at my table, next to Talker’s sister, and said something about that table, the organizers’ table, not feeling right, that our table felt to be more fun.

Interesting is it not that she felt the elitist stuffiness at that table, and was open about saying so.

I commended her on being so insightful, and said that table reminded me of the High Table in John Wick’s saga.

From there, Trash Tosser, Talker’s sister and I had fun talking about "The High Table" …… watching as unsuspecting residents made the mistake of sitting there, waited to see how long they’d remain before being asked to move or, feeling frozen out of conversations, got the message and moved on their own.

Trash Tosser has an interesting backstory. Shared that, before coming here, she was homeless. Said she has a downstairs unit because she has a physical condition that occasionally causes seizures and something about the program that got her placed here has so many rules/strings that she doesn't plan to live here long, that her goal is to one day be "free", whatever that means.

I’m guessing one of the rules is not to dump trash in front of your neighbor’s door, and no, I didn’t dare bring that up, ask why she did it, LOL.

Like I said, Upstairs Lady had ceased to exist after I got away from the High Table but, evidently, she’d not forgotten me. Maybe it was the confused look Upstairs Lady saw on Talker's face or the accusatory way I'd said "She wanted to sit there", that caused Upstairs Lady to begin to think she may have crossed a line, might be in trouble.

I wasn’t aware of Upstairs Lady looking over at me from time to time, but maybe she did after that because, at one point, she brought herself back into my awareness by interrupting my conversation with my table mates, called to me.

When I looked over to see what she wanted, she again said, "You can move" and pointed to one of the middle spots at the High Table.

I resented the intrusion, gave her a sharp "NO!", just like that — like why are you bothering me, why are you bringing yourself back into my awareness, trying to make yourself relevant, and turned back to my conversation like she wasn’t there.

If Upstairs Lady was beginning to feel guilty, or thinking she was in hot water, the way I said "NO!" was designed to not lessen that guilt or let her off the hook.

I’m hoping that she doesn’t later see me around and bring it up again, try to apologize or use her physical disability as an excuse for having wanted to sit there because, though it really didn’t matter whether I sat there or not, her self-entitlement and aggression is unforgivable.

She could have simply politely asked if I minded moving because she’d feel more comfortable in that spot, surrounded by her besties, so I’m not going to ease any guilt or worry she might be entertaining.

I’m actually not pissed off, not mad, but it’s good for her to think I might be, because Upstairs Lady needs to think about how she handled the situation, and sometimes the way to cause others to look at themselves, is to do nothing, say nothing, shut them out of one’s mind, let ‘em sweat, imagine the worst.

Towards the end of the event when things were winding down, some had finished eating and left already, I was thinking about heading back upstairs, start work on the whopping 170 photos I’d taken, the organizers were all seated at the High Table, finally having time to enjoy their own meal. Talker walked over, asked her sister to move to the High Table, next to her.

Sister got up to do that, leaned over and said to me, "I’ve been upgraded, but don’t worry, I won’t forget where I came from".

I was rolling in laughter, told her to remember John Wick, watch her back over there.

All in all, a fun time which, with interesting fodder for the blog, is why I ended up staying longer than I'd expected.

Best Laid Plans

I pushed myself to get up and out in time to participate in today’s early morning Tahirobics class, only to walk into darkness.

The power was off.

Odd, thought I, inasmuch as other businesses in the strip mall seemed to have lights on ……… people were going in/out of the donut shop per usual, and workers in medical garb were arriving at the medical clinic next door, walking in with things appearing to be operating as usual.

Tahirobics Instructor was on the phone, talking in Spanish, taking notes, while the owner of the nutrition store was nervously hoovering over her.

I stuck around for about 15 minutes thinking whatever the problem, it would be worked out, but then one of the ladies in the class, who’d been listening to the phone conversation, leaned over, whispered to me "no payment".

How embarrassing to have to shut down because someone forgot to, or failed to due to lack of funds, pay the power bill.

The nutrition center might be in trouble, which means Tahirobics might be in jeopardy.

Just great! thought I.

Through one of the students translating for me, the instructor and lady who runs the nutrition center apologized profusely that there would be no class because the power was off, and "This never happened before".

I believe it, though I don’t think they knew I knew why the power was off.

It ended with my saying no need to apologize, I’d come to Thursday’s class.

There is no class on Wednesday.

I’ll know on Thursday if the power situation has been resolved, that Tahirobics is going to last for a while …… or, if indeed the nutrition center is having financial difficulties, at least until next month’s power bill comes due.

Talker called this afternoon to make sure I would be attending tomorrow’s 4th of July BBQ in the Community Room.

It’s a good thing she called, as I’d forgotten the organizers had to move it up from Friday the 4th, to Wednesday the 2nd, due to the office being closed Friday.

Talker said the organizers were in the process of setting up the room, and that a spot had been reserved for me, with a "reserved" sign.

What’s that about?

I don’t eat, so the plan was, like always, go down solely to check out the event, take a few photos, head back to my unit, so hopefully this "reserved" spot doesn’t lock me into anything.

We shall see.

Stay tuned.

Happy Birthday America

Insofar as I know, there’s not a lot going on around here in terms of celebrating, and it’s going to be too hot for me to step outside, check the pool area to see if I'm wrong.

I do know the pool has been busy this week, not only with little Knock Knock’s family, but I saw a couple other groups — children accompanied by adults I've not seen around before, going to/from the pool.

So much for the new pool rule — "residents only and only two guests per resident".

No matter to me the rule is not being followed, because I don’t live over the pool to be disturbed by the hoop and holler of kids. If I did live over the pool, it still would be no matter to me, as I like the sound of kids enjoying themselves.

On Tuesday, I found an Activity Calendar for this month attached to the door.

I didn’t notice it until 10:30 a.m., glanced at it briefly and saw there was a 4th of July event scheduled for the Community Room THAT MORNING — "Social 4th of July celebration: Come celebrate 4th of July in the Community Room and enjoy a donut! 10:00 am – 11:30 am".

Really? A whole donut? Golly gee wow, management went all out, bared no expense.

With such late notice, I figured few, if any, had seen the Calendar posted to their doors: ergo, few would show up. So, I quickly threw on my summer outfit, headed down to check things out.

I was correct — few were in attendance, actually three ladies, one being the Baker.

The one box of store-bought donuts was festive though. Had red/white/blue sprinkles on them, LOL.

It was there, in the Community Room, I learned why we’d had no Activity Calendar posted to our doors last month ………… we didn’t have an Activity Director last month, she’d quit. We now have a new AD.

I do not have high hopes of the new AD getting things up and moving around here insofar as activities for us seniors, not just because though money is budgeted for activities but not always provided to the AD, but because, according to her, she has no experience, doesn’t know what is generally or usually done as an AD.

The Baker has taken it upon herself to work with this new AD, make suggestions. So, we’ll see how it goes because folks around here really need something to do with their time.

This became apparent to me when Little Knock Knock knocked knocked knocked on the door yesterday, and I went downstairs to gossip chat with Grandma Talker.

Hearing voices, Next Door Neighbor actually walked out onto her patio to listen. Didn't say anything, just looked/listened.

I don't know who lives in the upstairs unit across the quad directly adjacent to mine, because in all these years, I've never seen that person open their blinds.

However, not only did NDN come out, as Talker and I were chatting, but I saw the blinds AND window open on that unit.

When all one has is to jump up, run to the patio and/or open the window to see who's talking, what's being said, they really need something to do with their time.

The month of June has come/gone and still no sign of the usual rent increase.

It’s too much to hope that means we’ll not get an increase this year, it will come but, inasmuch as 30-days’ notice has to be given, the longer they delay the bad news is to our benefit of an additional month at the current rate.

The lady that moved into Red Light’s unit continues to get special care by the County, which makes me think she might be ill.

Looks can be deceiving, one never knows what another is challenged with, so though she doesn’t look ill, just appears very fragile, something is amiss because first there was her being personally moved in by the County, with what looked to be new furniture provided by the County and now, a day or so ago I saw a woman in a County car bring her a cart full of groceries.

Compton and I continue to avoid each other, but that means there’s no chance of my getting a photo for you to marvel at ………… him???? that scrawny kid???? all he did was bring in a box, it wasn't like he gave you a kidney, what did he think that was worth in return???

So, anyway, I'll be celebrating the 4th with my usual daily activities of needlepoint, catching up on recorded TV shows, and I'll round the day off with a Carrot Dog, maybe two.

I did, over the weekend, give myself a patriotic mani/pedi.

I leave you with Little Edie’s (Grey Gardens) tribute to the day.

I never get tired of Little Edie's dance and the story/history of Grey Gardens.

The Insincerity was Palpable

Today started off with a call from someone in my doctor’s office asking how I was feeling and apologizing for what I termed, in the online complaint I’d submitted to Member Services, "failure to provide proper medical care in an emergency situation".

Bite me, thought I, as I listened to her scripted sorry that happened, hopefully it won’t happen again.

I’m sure it will happen again, or something similiar, as it has happened in the past and because incompetence and stupidity appears to be rampant these days.

What happened was one of those pesky female things popped up on Thursday (probably because I’m always wearing tight leggings and the you know what can’t breathe), and I’d phoned my doc for the standard cure/prescription.

She was out of the office that day, so a nurse on the doctor’s care team took the call, insulted my intelligence by quizzing me up the wazoo in a way that seemed like she was questioning my knowing my own body, even somewhat called me a liar and, in the process, showed her own incompetence by saying, "Well it didn’t show up on your blood test".

What a dweeb, thought I because not only are the two not associated, have no relationship to each other, but my fasting blood test was 75 days ago.

I won’t bore you with all that ensued, how I was told to come in at an appointed time the following day — even though I expressed over and over and over that I was experiencing severe discomfort, and how that appointment was cancelled because she called off work that day. I’ll just tell you how I had to do an end run around the provider’s office altogether.

I remembered when, back in May, Activity Director gave us a presentation by a Medical Group setting up office somewhere across the street.

Turns out, the location is in the same shopping center as the market.

I walked in, explained the situation, was prepared to pay out-of-pocket whatever the cost because I was hurting, but learned my medical office’s membership card served as no pay to me.

There’s probably a significant charge back to the provider’s office, but that’s their problem and their fault.

The intake nurse at this neighborhood clinic asked a few questions, respected that I know my own body and inasmuch as what I was requesting was not an illicit drug, just a simple pill, they wired a prescription to the neighborhood drug store and that was that.

After all was said and done, I got online, submitted a complaint to member services that ended with "It’s a sad commentary on life when I can get better service from a neighborhood clinic than my own provider’s office".

What was interesting is that the neighborhood clinic said they are getting quite a few unhappy members coming in associated with my provider’s medical center. Something about the medical center being too busy to care for those of us who have been members for eons because they are now accepting Medicare/Medicaid.

I can see that. It’s much more profitable for them to bill Medicare/Medicaid for all the unnecessary tests, drugs and medications they're ordering for these newbies.

Oh well.

More and more I’m beginning to feel like a dinosaur as everything around me changes, and not for the better.

Tomorrow is Activity Director’s 4th of July celebration and I need to clone myself, be in two places at one time as I need to pick up a package at the mall, hunt down an open bank for cash.

The celebration is from 11:30 to 1:00, which makes me think it’s something more than just the usual something to eat.

I may have to go to the Community Room, check it out and, if it’s not a fun thing, head out, run my errands. If it’s lit, then I’ll stay, move errand to my next free day.

Happy Birthday America

 

Fashion is Subjective

It looks to be a quiet weekend here at the complex. The excessive heat warning is keeping residents indoors.

I’d assumed that, with Tuesday being the 4th of July, management would take a four-day weekend, but the July Activity Calendar, posted to our doors yesterday, indicates the office will be open Monday then closed Tuesday.

Back in the day when I was an employee, I’d take the day interfering with my having four straight days as vacation time, but I guess living on the premise as they do, office staff doesn’t have that option.

Sucks to be them.

The calendar also shows Activity Director will be hosting a 4th of July Celebration on Tuesday the 11th. Hopefully my calendar is clear that day so I can pop down to the room, take another stab at springing the mouse trap on Meat Man.

Surprisingly, I’ve heard no mention of Red Light and her posse hosting a BBQ on the 4th — probably because of the heat.

I’ve also not heard anything about how the campaign to get the office to open the Community Room on the 4th went, staff's day off, so residents can celebrate in A/C, but it’s safe to assume management’s response was a big fat NO!

John’s post about his fat pony this morning got me to thinking about how subjective art and fashion are, especially in light of what I’ve been seeing on this season’s Project Runway.

This season is about Redemption. Former contestants, as far back as Season 1, are back for a second chance.

The first challenge was to remake the design that sent them home and, whereas some designers succeeded, others produced work that was worse than the original — like this creation by Season 1 Nora.

Then, of course, there was a new look by Season 17 Bishme, that I thought was just as bad as the original that sent him home.

It was what am I not seeing when the judges said they loved it, gave high marks to the new look.

Week before last was the Unconventional Challenge, which had designers using toys from the famous FAO Schwarz toy store as materials.

That was a fun challenge to watch, with no surprises, except Season 15 Laurence let herself and us viewers down with her creation (I didn’t snap a photo), but it didn’t send her home.

This week’s episode had the designers tasked with a team challenge — create a modern fresh formal gown fit for royalty.

Again, I couldn’t help but think what am I missing, when the judges gave high marks and were gagging over this monstrosity created by, yet again, Season 15 Laurence with her co-designer Season 1 Kara.

I don't see the It Factor, do you?

I myself really liked the genderfluid non-binary gown created by Season 17 Hester and Season 10 Fabio (being worn by my favorite model Mimi) who said they wanted to create a gown that was regal and royal coming from their underrepresented perspective as part of the New York Underground Scene.

The gown was well received by the judges, but did not win the challenge.

BTW, did you who are Project Runway devotees, as I am, know that model Mimi was once a Buddhist Monk? She was ordained and lived in the Monastery six year, I think it was, before she had to leave to help her family out of a financial crisis.

When all was said and done, the winning design this week was created by Season 17 Prajjé with Season 5 Korto. The two were obviously inspired by their African roots.

I forgot what the next challenge is, but I’ll be watching.

Tim and Heidi still have their thing going on Prime, which I followed on the laptop while in bed in the evenings. However, during their break, I got caught up in TikTok and lost interest in keeping up with their Making the Cut.

BBQ With a Side of Tea

Along about 6 p.m. yesterday, as I was simultaneously watching the Snap Marathon and working on that needlepoint project, now in its 18th month and nowhere near completion, I heard someone calling my name.

It was Red Light District saying the seniors were barbequing, come down and join.

I threw on some outside clothes and headed down.

On the table were hot dogs, steaks, ribs, potato salad, macaroni salad(s), mixed green salad, and all manner of store-bought cakes.

Had I known, I’d have made extra carrot dogs.

At any rate, it was a fun gathering with all the usual suspects and a new to me guy who says he moved in six months ago, was a personal trainer and leads a bible group on Thursdays.

I’m free on Thursdays, but no thanks. However, there was talk of his starting a pool workout group. If that gets off the ground — which I doubt, I’ll give it a go.

The Seer was in attendance. Without the guy I call her "Shadow".

Those days of Shadow following her around are long over. The two now lead separate lives, as she's still trying to once again socialize with us, get back in the good graces of all the friends she dumped and snubbed her nose at when she thought she was somebody just because she had Shadow feeding her ego, calling her "My Queen" and treating her as if her wish was his command.

Dream Lover being a regular part of the group was of course present, along with his girlfriend.

His what?!

Holy fireworks Batman!

Don’t tell Karen but Dream Lover is taken. He’s paired up with another resident, whom I’ve seen at bingo, but did not realize they were a couple.

"Do they live together?" asked I.

"No, he has his unit, she has hers, they’re just girlfriend/boyfriend".

Conspicuously absent from the group was Painted Rock Lady (PRL).

Asking about her, I was told "She’s not speaking to any of us. She’s mad and embarrassed".

Mad because she overheard discussions, purposely positioned for her to hear, about how tacky it was for her to invite Karen to bingo when she knew how uncomfortable it would be for Talker and Dream Lover, and then hiding from, not acknowledging Karen when she walked through the door.

"I even called to her that her guest had arrived, but she pretended not to hear me", said Red Light.

This must have been when PRL put her head down and tried to be invisible when she saw Karen walk in.

Embarrassed because she knows she F'd up, that people are talking about her being the kind of person who likes to start trouble, that "This wasn’t the first time she’s tried to start trouble and is why people have stopped inviting her out to lunch with them".

Wow! I’ve never seen that side of PRL until now. People don’t usually fool me, but I guess she did. No matter, she’s not embroiled me in any of her goings on, so I’ll still waive, say "hey", enjoy her painted rocks, let her save face with me by playing stupid — like I don't know what's going on.

Bingo organizers are worried that because Karen enjoyed bingo she will be returning, which will make it too uncomfortable for Talker and Dream Lover.

Bingo organizers are also worried there might be trouble, which would cause bingo to be shut down because the office has warned that if there are any problems like before, when there were arguments, raised voices, people yelling at each other, that bingo would be over … permanently.

I was also told to beware of a resident named Bill.

I don’t know who that is, but he was described as one of the guys who sits in a group and smokes off the property, outside the gate.

I’ll have to take a photo, ask someone to point him out in the photo so I’ll know who to beware of because his thing, I’m told, is to walk the property at night, expose himself to the women who happen to be out and about.

Red Light said she’s been out at night, has seen him, but he keeps it in his pants because he’s afraid of her. Can sense she'll "Beat the crap outta him".

I’m never out at night, but it would be a HUGE MISTAKE for this Bill to try that crap with me if I ever am out at night. I’m still angry about the guy who pulled out his junk and tried to trap me in the Mail Center a couple years ago, 9 AM in the morning, and would just love to take my anger out on this Bill should he try me, but why is this Bill still living here?

Why does management not do anything about the problem residents, but will follow up on and cause my Ms. Neighbor to not bring her grandkids around again because of complaints about the kids riding their little scooters around the quad?

While the BBQ was going on, some residents and what I assumed were their grandkids, were enjoying the pool and sauna, so it was a nice day on the complex, like the old pre-pandemic days.

After the BBQ, the seniors set up outside to watch the fireworks display that goes on every year in the area. Illegal fireworks I might add, but which goes on for hours. Last night's sights and sounds went on until well after midnight, but at least they didn't start a fire this year as has occurred once in the past.

Most of the display is visible from in front of the building but having opted not to join the seniors out front, I caught a little of it from my patio.