Dance Break

This morning, while working out with weights, Alexa played the Backstreet Boys' "Everybody".

Weights were dropped, and this happened.

Let the weekend begin.

High Winds Warning

Plan for today was to walk the complex.

I’d done so both Saturday and Sunday. The freezing cold seeming to be behind us, I even removed the bubble wrap from the bedroom window.

So, after sticking my head out the door, to determine if I needed to dress in long sleeves or short sleeves for outside, and almost being knocked back by the force of wind coming through the door, I decided to stay safely indoors today, no walking.

Checking the weather channel, finding a High Wind Warning for the area — 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 70 mph, I decided also no driving.

Speaking of driving … as I was driving into the complex yesterday, returning from the morning’s workout, who did I see driving out but that technician that tried to gaslight me.

What are the chances he was servicing another unit for the same reason? …… the outages caused problems with that resident’s equipment as well.

If so, after yesterday’s snafu when he tried to blame the problem on the laptop and my supposedly not knowing how to connect to the internet, he knew not to go that route again. Would instantly know to swap out the network.

Still no signs of Camper Guy in the area, and Trainer has no idea why.

Maybe CG is travelling and will return, maybe not, but Trainer doesn’t care. He’s all excited — like a kid in a candy store, about the new upgrade to the camera — the upgrade that enables him to view that side of the building on his phone, alerts him when anyone is in the area and will set off an alarm if glass is shattered.

Boys and their toys, LOL.

As Trainer had me on and off the treadmill, working on sit downs/sit ups in-between, I complained about the market having hired yet another leud and lascivious acting guy as Security and how, to add to the creepiness, this one looks exactly like my deceased ex-husband, could be his twin.

To which Trainer said, "Maybe it’s him".

Not unusual for Trainer to think that way inasmuch as he’s an old soul.

In fact, a few months ago, he’d asked if I’d seen any quarters lately ……… because I was always finding quarters in and around the Cave (along with other places I’d go) and shared with Trainer how my deceased sister said quarters would be a sign she was around.

I’d responded "No, because she’s back already".

Quarters became fewer and fewer and ended altogether around the time granddaughter was expecting the great granddaughter. I’d not thought about it at the time. However, when great granddaughter was born, it became obvious why quarters had ended.

Sister is back already and whether others accept the phenomena of reincarnation or not, no one can tell me different.

The baby looks exactly like my sister … same nose, same facial structure, same smile ……………… and born in the same hospital where sister passed away.

So, because Trainer is an old soul — thinks outside the lines, knows deep meaningful things without knowing how he knows them, it wasn’t at all unusual for him to surmise Security Guard might be my ex returned to body form, except guard is too old to be he.

The ex passed away in ’97, and though it’s difficult for me to guage people’s age, guard looks to be on the tail end of middle-age, too old to be ex because, if returned, he could be no older than 27.

Déjà Vu

Missing yesterday’s workout, meant I also missed yesterday’s grocery run.

Now running low on some items, out on others, I couldn’t wait until after Wednesday’s workout, made a special trip to the market this morning. Only, instead of the corner market, I drove to the location three miles away … the one where I observed two shoplifters on the same day. I drove there not just because their produce is fresher, but because I’m once again having an issue with a security guard — the corner market’s newest security guard.

Where do they find these creepy security guys?

Arriving at the other market this morning, parking in the lot, I spied a sketchy looking guy near to where I was pulling in.

If he was planning on victimizing someone, it appeared that since I stayed locked in the car, eyes on him, he sensed I was not the one and walked towards the car two spots away from mine where sat a lone white lady.

Walking up to her door, he looked to be saying something to her, whereupon she opened her car door, reached over to her purse, put it on her lap, pulled out something I assume was money, gave it to him.

I was on guard to grab one of my "tools" from the car to help her if things went bad, like he tried to grab her purse or pull her out and commit carjacking.

Instead, he took what she’d given him and quickly walked away.

Once she exited her car and began walking towards the market — walking using a cane I might add ... the perfect victim, I approach and scolded her with, "What you did was dangerous".

She looked sheepish and said, "I know".

"Next time someone approaches you like that, stay in your car, doors locked, nod no to whatever is being said to you. Honk your car horn to draw attention if things go bad".

Then I walked away, did my shopping.

So much for minding my own business, but I felt compelled to educate her.

After loading the car with groceries, preparing to drive off the lot, what did I spy over in a corner of the market lot but a possible slacker.

Windows all covered with shades so no one can see in .... is this why yesterday's technician was three hours late ... he was taking a nap like the tech inside this van appears to be?

Is this déjà vu … the same slacker as yesterday?

Stranger things have happened.

Speaking of stranger things. I yesterday saw Trainer’s mall cop had moved his mobile home back to alongside the auto parts store.

Today, he’s neither parked over by the Cave or the auto parts store. He's nowhere in sight.

What gives?

I’ll have to ask Trainer at tomorrow’s session.

I’ll fill you in on this latest security guard issue after I’ve cleared my head, am less angry at experiencing market déjà vu ... another security guard who leers at me, makes me feel so uncomfortable that I dread walking in, am forced to shop elsewhere.

3-Day Weekend

This morning wasn’t the usual Monday routine ….. not because Trainer took a day off — he never takes a day off, not even holidays, but because I had to stay home, once again wait for the cable company’s technician.

It wasn’t the TV this time, and it wasn’t something idiotic on my part … like when I’d not realized the cable box was turned off. This time it was the internet network.

On Saturday, we’d experienced two back-to-back complete power outages in the area. The outages didn’t last long as coverage was restored within 15 minutes each time, but I surmise the outages screwed up my network because, everything seemed fine that evening, but when I tried to log-into the laptop on Sunday, the message was "cannot connect" to the network.

No amount of rebooting the network from my end, or the cable provider sending a reprovision signal from their end, cured what ailed the network so, when given an 11:00 - 12:00 time for a technician, interfering with my 11 am workout time, it wasn’t even a difficult decision. Much as I like and need my workouts, I like and need the internet even more.

I might as well have worked out and then returned to wait for the technician, because he didn’t show up until close to 2:00 pm.

From there it was showing me how to do all the things logic had already prompted me do to get the network restarted and, just as when I previously ran through all those avenues, they didn’t work ……… the laptop continued to display "no connection" to the network.

Technician then pronounced the problem was not the network. That because my phone still connected to the network, the problem had to be the laptop, and he couldn’t help me because the laptop was not in his wheelhouse.

I disagreed.

I’m no expert but, being a logical thinker, I’d considered that possibility and had checked the other two laptops.

Yes, I have three laptops.

Why?

Because I’m lazy, don’t want to move laptops from room to room. So, instead, I have one on the coffee table for when I’m lounging on the couch, one in the bedroom for browsing the internet and Tik Toking when in bed, and one on the work table in the main area, attached to the printer.

So, anyway, when technician tried to blow me off/end the visit because the network was "working fine", I pointed out his conclusion wasn’t logical because it wasn’t just this laptop I was unable to connect to, but the other two as well.

"It has to be a network problem. Maybe I should disconnect altogether from the network, set it up again, but I don't know how to do that", said I.

He looked nonplussed. Didn't shrug his shoulders like oh well, but might as well have.

So assuming he just didn't want to be bothered I said perhaps the solution is to switch from his company’s internet to an internet provider that’s offered me $30 off.

Guess he didn’t want me to call the company and discontinue service because the network was in my estimation broken, with him being the technician on the call. So, without further ado, he gave me a different network. Went down to his truck, came back with a new router and all.

Surprise surprise, internet connection restored.

He looked shitfaced when it turned out it was as I’d surmised ……… the power outages had fried the network.

He also looked exhausted, because it had taken him over an hour to set up the new network.

So, anyway, I’m back up and running.

I’ve since learned, from the resident I refer to as Big Friendly Guy, that the outages fried his roomba.

While waiting for the technician, the Baker called to say the Community Room has reopened, but she and the other organizers would no longer be hosting bingo (insert happy dance here).

Reasons being she herself is ill and Red Light is moving.

The Baker said she’d been experiencing pain and tests show she has cirrhosis of the liver ………… non-alcoholic cirrohosis, because she doesn’t drink, has never touched alcohol.

I suggested it might be the result of certain medications. "That’s what my daughter thinks" said she.

As for Red Light, she wasn’t joking about getting out of here. She’s found a place (don't yet know where) and will be out by April.

It’s looking like Not Dead Nancy may also be gone, but no one know the meaning of "gone" with her ....... if she’s gone for good, like crossed over the rainbow bridge, or living with a relative or placed in a facility or temporarily gone/hospitalized and will return.

Her next-door neighbor tells me Nancy had an issue with one of her legs that caused her to be hospitalized, and that her daughters are now removing items from Nancy’s unit. Neighbor says she’s not sure if Nancy knows the daughters, who never visited or cared for Nancy when she needed help, are taking things out of the unit.

That has happened before. Shortly after I moved in, we had a resident who’d been hospitalized, returned to find her family had jumped the gun — cleared out her unit, thinking she’d not make it back from the hospital.

Unless Nancy returns, we may never find out what’s actually happened to her. She'll be another unsolved mystery, like what's happened to Greedy Grabby's husband who has not been seen for almost two years.

How Much is That Doggie in the Window

Heading out of the complex this morning, spotting that dog in the window took me back to when I was around 10 years old, singing along with Doris Day … How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf), The one with the waggly tail, How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf), I do hope that doggie's for sale.

Also spotted, when heading out, were signs of management’s desperation.

The first being management has added balloons to the sign bring attention to the fact they now have units available.

AND there are now two huge vinyl banners attached to the brick walls on both sides of the entrance, facing the street, to bring further attention to that fact.

People used to line up to get a unit here. Feel like they'd won the lottery when they got in. Now management is begging, pandering on the streets.

I’m hoping some unhoused person(s) tear the banners down, use them to upgrade their shelters or turn into raincoats.

Seems to me that if management is desperate to fill vacant units, they would be better served by not being so greedy, lower the rent as an incentive to not only bring renters in, but to stem the exodus, keep current residents from moving out.

Arriving at the Pain Cave, I saw Camper Guy has moved across the street, away from the stop sign, away from blocking the view of those of us exiting/entering the driveway.

Trainer said he did not ask Camper Guy (CG) to move, he "did it on his own".

It may be that drivers yelled at CG for blocking them from safely entering/exiting but, at any rate, Trainer didn’t ask it of his "Security Guy", whom he also refers to as his "Mall Cop" because he offered CG the opportunity and "leaving it up to him to decide", if he wants to park on the lot at night with the caveat he move back to the streets by 6:00 in the morning.

At any rate, CG — who I’m told is an older guy, living alone except for a little dog, seems to have made himself at home. Even bringing out and parking his sweet looking HOG.

Trainer is showing no interest in steel shutters. Instead, he’s contracted with a company that provides something like a Ring Doorbell System for businesses.

A device is being place somewhere along the roofline by that window, which will contact Trainer’s phone when anyone stands near the window so he can yell them away.

He also upgraded his security system/camera to detect the sound of glass shattering, and additional detection for pets, as the upgrade supposedly will detect bad guys as humans crawling around on the floor trying to fool the camera.

Seems to me steel shutters are more the direct route ........ and no disrespect to male readers, but us ladies know how men don't like to be led, ask for or take directions, preferring instead to figure things out on their own, even if it means they end up taking the long way around.

I just hope it all works out and ends the break-ins.

Talk is Cheap

Yesterday was a day of much needed dryness and sunshine. According to the monthly activity calendar, yesterday was also listed as "Walking Club … Get your blood flowing with a morning walk around the property!"

What a great idea, thought I, except the meetup time was 9:00 a.m.

Retirement has spoiled me. There are very few things in life that will get me up and out before 11:00 a.m., but I so needed to get back into the habit of logging in walking miles, train for the next 5K, that I made the sacrifice — got suited up and began walking towards the office area promptly at 9 a.m., looking for this walking club.

Seeing no one but Activity Director, I asked, "Where’s the walking club?"

"I’m wondering the same thing", said she.

"Who organized this, who set it up?" I asked.

"I did", said she.

The story is a resident suggested it as an activity, others got behind the idea, so she (Activity Director) schedule it for Tuesdays, before 10:00 Pizza Day time.

"So who was it that made the suggestion?" I further queried.

Turns out, Walking Club was the bright idea of the neighbor I refer to as Red Light.

"So where is she (Red Light). Why are she and the others not here?" asked I.

It was a rhetorical question, because I could clearly imagine Red Light suggesting the activity and others yessing, let’s do it, knowing full well they were all talking out their arses at the time.

Talk is cheap.

After telling Activity Director that I’d pushed myself to get out early for this, Activity Director said, "I’ll walk with you", and that’s what we did for half an hour.

Seeing as how no one but Activity Director and I showed up, my guess is Walking Club is dead before even getting off the ground, but I'll check back in to see if things go differently.

Back in January, I’d posted two areas nearby where people have been parked, living in campers. One was this guy ……

I’ve since noticed that camper guy tries unsuccessfully to not be so obvious by moving the camper around, but always somewhere in this area … a couple times right alongside of the Pain Cave.

That's actually not a good place for him to park, as it obstructs the view of those of us driving out of the lot.

An accident waiting to happen, but hopefully not an accident that will involve yours truly.

So, anyway, I this morning mentioned to Trainer the roll-down steel shutters suggested by Debra, saying I’d looked online and saw they appeared cheaper than constantly having to replace that expensive window, the bars and holes in the walls.

He said cheaper sounds good but, for the time being, he’s hired security of sort. "Security" being the camper guy who vacillates between parking alongside the Cave and the Auto Zone store.

Trainer said he spoke to the guy in the camper, said he’s tired of the Cave being broken into, and made a deal with the guy — camper guy won’t have to keep moving, can stay in that location, his presence acting as a deterrent to the bad guys. In return, Trainer will see that no other business owner in the area harasses camper guy about parking there, tells him he has to move.

Cool, but what’s not to say the presence of camper guy has no effect on the bad guys at all — that is unless camper guy is built like Jason Momoa, has MMI training, and weapons up the wazoo in the camper.

If Trainer is not on board for relocating, I hope he at least looks into the steel shutters because I’ve little doubt the bad guys will be back irregardless of camper guy.