Exercising My Prerogative

Five days until this year’s Spooktacular 5K and I’ve exercised my prerogative to change my mind as to which costume to wear.

After all that work in putting together a PokémonGo Red Team Trainer, including accessioning with a red cap and red fanny pack – both to which I’ve added appropriate iron-on patches, I decided not to wear it.

Looking at the activities planned for the event, which include a 7:30 Thriller Warm-Up requesting “sport your spooky costume as we warm up”, I decided to once again suit up as Walking Dead Chic with a Sword Fan Favorite Michonne.

Spooktacular 2015

Last year’s fiasco, when that clueless old lady emceed the costume contest, ignored the crowd, chose what SHE liked and ruined the contest for me, is what prompted me to go different this year. But the joy of being Michonne for a day, the shout outs of “Great Costume!” and “Hey, Michonne!” is just too much fun to pass up.

So Michonne it definitely is and whether or not I enter the Costume Contest is dependent upon who’s emceeing this year.

The Trainer costume won’t go to waste. Instead of Minion at the Halloween Brunch Potluck here at the complex, I’ll wear the Trainer outfit.

Really doesn’t matter which I wear around here, these folks are so stuck in the past that they don’t know nothing from nothing anyway, couldn’t appreciate either, so I’m opting for the Trainer because it’s the easiest and simplest to wear.

On another topic, looks like my last visit to drop off/pick up at the bus terminal was my last visit as granddaughter bought and now has possession of that car.

Not knowing one make and model from another, I asked, “What is it?”

“A PT Cruiser” said she; then added in what sounded like embarrassment, “It’s old ... a 2006”.

“That’s two years younger than my car”, said I, which immediately perked her up.

The car is in really good shape considering the seller’s loser adult children, which she allowed back into the home, took advantage and drove the car without permission and without having driver licenses.

She’d given the DMV book to the daughter to study for licensing, and probably would have given her the car; however, unwilling to take responsibility and move forward in life, daughter declined to study and put her mom, and mom’s new marriage, in jeopardy by doing what she wanted, when she wanted, without permission – as did her brother, expecting mom like always to tolerate, put up with, protect them in their wrongdoing.

It’s a miracle no one or thing was ever injured, so the car requires no body work. The inside, however, looks like a crime scene and will require granddaughter get it cleaned and detailed.

Concerned for granddaughter’s safety, the seller added new tires, new brakes, but charged granddaughter so little for the car as to almost have given it away for free.

The seller was also fairly accurate in saying “it needs work” estimated around $1,000. So far, granddaughter had an oil change service done and, because those loser adult children drove it hard, invested $600 in fixing a problem with the power steering.

Those two millenniums, who think the world owes them a living, can’t be too happy about the car being sold to another relative, rather than gifted to their unlicensed selves, but oh well.

Up All Night

So sleepy last night that I gave up trying to watch television and headed to bed a little before 10:00, only to be wide awake at 1:05.

Sounds carry from unit to unit in the quiet of the wee hours so, not wanting to disturb sleeping neighbors by walking around too much, doing housework, or with noise from the television, I meditated for a bit, worked a Woman’s World Magazine crossword puzzle, jumped on the puter, read blogs, and checked out facebook.

Facebook was all Trump and the debate and bla bla bla.

I don’t talk politics, didn’t like seeing so many political discussions on my page BUT, I laughed so hard and so loud when I saw this that I defeated the purpose of not disturbing my neighbors.

It is now 5:00 in the morning, and I’m feeling remarkably energetic for having gotten no sleep, so what’s on tap today, other than a trip to Starbucks, will be whatever lack of sleep allows.

Unseen Influences

Years ago I read and related to a book by Dick Stuphen which, as best I recall, was about energy vampires – people, things, places that have good and bad influences on one physically, mentally, emotionally.

Returning home from that long wait at the bus terminal yesterday, I found myself craving sugar like you wouldn’t believe.

Stress, thought I, but managed to tough-it-out and not give into the craving.

It was nice and cool when I awoke at 5:00 this morning. I should have headed out for a walk but found I could barely move my body. A good night’s sleep and I awakened totally exhausted, still craving sugar and so off center that I couldn’t calm my mind into meditation.

It’s being in that unpleasant part of town, the energy of which just totally drained and exhausted me.

The good news is … it’s looking like I may never have to drive granddaughter to/from that bus terminal ever again. A relative purchasing a new car, offered to sell granddaughter their used auto.

“It needs work” I’m told. The exact nature of work, I do not know, but the work needed is estimated at around $1,000. The relative selling the car is trustworthy, insofar as wanting what’s best for granddaughter, and would give her the car outright except payment for the car is earmarked for something. So all in all it sounds like a good deal for granddaughter and hopefully will erase that border line I’ve been living on so that the universe will no longer require me to function in areas that pull me down rather than lift me up.

On tap for today was eating my words and giving into temptation.

I’d recently commented on a blog seeking information about fitness bands that I’d thought about purchasing one, but passed because I didn’t like the idea of an electronic device attached to my body.

Well, today I had to eat those words. I bought a Vivofit, but only because I had to.

My phone had been running so hot lately that I sought advice at the cellphone store last week.

“You can’t run your Runkeeper, Camera, GPS and PokémonGo all at the same time.”

“Put I need them all at the same time.”

“You have to choose.”

After thinking about it, I decided to remove the Runkeeper app and track miles via a fitness band.

I'm not liking it, but hopefully that solves the overheating problem.

As for giving into temptation, I stopped at Sprout’s for groceries on the way back. Still craving something sweet, I spotted a fresh-baked cherry pie.

At Starbucks, the guy in the car ahead treated me to coffee.

Hours spent soaking up the positive energy of the Rancho Cucamonga area, a late lunch of coffee and cherry pie, I expect to wake up tomorrow refreshed and ready to go.

Three Hour Tour

Picking granddaughter up at the bus station this morning was a nightmare. Arriving at 9:00 for her expected 9:10 arrival, her bus did not get in until a little after noon.

The bus had been trapped in a freeway shutdown – the 10 Freeway, shutdown in both directions, due to a car-to-car shooting earlier in the morning.

Of course, both she and I did not know this. By the time she was advised, I’d sat -- locked in the car, nervously looking around because the area is not safe, for over an hour.

She texted me at 10:00 saying they weren’t even close. Not only that, but because the freeway wasn’t moving, the driver had managed to exit, but did not know how to find the terminal from where he’d exited. One of the passengers went on Google Maps and was acting as navigator.

In the hour I’d been locked in the car, I’d seen some strange sights, not the least of which was “working girls” walking up/down the street, “Johns” pulling over, taking the girls away or into the motel across from the bus station, a crack head running down the street.

Running from?

Probably nothing.

Running to?

Probably nowhere.

The running crack head was kind of hilarious because of what his fashion sense necessitated he do – pants deliberately hanging so low they were midway down his butt, he was holding his pants as he ran to keep them from falling completely off.

Then there was the dancing streetwalker.

Feeling stressed from being in the bad area of town for such a long time, and feeling sad about how some people are having to live, and depressing thoughts entering my head about my own unsure future, after granddaughter texted she didn’t know when, I decided to find a Starbucks to wait it out.

The GPS sent me a half mile away to a center filled with tacky little shops, stores, and a superior court house.

Still not the best part of town, but a step up from where I'd been, the Starbucks must have been the only one within miles, because it was bedlam with no place to park, and a line of cars.

Not wanting to deal with the chaos, I turned to the PokémonGo app and found, though the Starbucks was a PokéStop, there wasn’t much in the area …. except a mile or so away was what looked to be another PokéStop heaven.

I’d already decided, because of the reports of the Creepy Clowns coming to the Inland Empire, targeting schools and universities, it not wise to head back to the University alone to collect PokéBalls, Great Balls, Razz Berries, so I drove to the area I spotted and found myself near City Hall, where Route 66 and Third Thursday Food Truck events are held.

I’ve been to Route 66 and always planned to go to Third Thursday, but never did because I didn’t see a food truck that interested me. Having found so many inviting PokéStops in the area, I’m now itching to go to the next event.

It doesn't get any more inviting than this

I’ll be back sooner than next Third Thursday, if I need more tools, because I’m staying away from the University until we get an all-clear on those Creepy Clowns.

Along about noon, three hours after I’d first arrived at the bus station, I was happily walking around collecting good stuff when granddaughter texted she was near. Her bus pulled in about four minutes after I arrived back at the terminal. Streetwalkers were still walking, bunch of guys sitting in a corner sharing a bottle.

I’ve never not once seen a police car in this area.

The terminal really needs to be relocated to a more inviting area.

Doing and Done

Flu Shot — done

Instead of waiting for the local pharmacy, coming here to the complex on the 7th for a “What we can do for you” presentation and again on the 28th to provide flu shots, I drove 25 miles to the medical office in Redlands.

The local pharmacy almost killed my daughter with confusion/incompetence in filling her prescription for anti blood clot medication with some other medication. So no thanks. I’m sticking with my trusted provider.

Pick up Decorations for Halloween Potluck Brunch Deviled Eggs — done

The festivities begin at 9:30 in the morning. Not sure if that gives me time to boil and peel eggs, prepare the yokes, fill, decorate, and get costume on. I’m either going to have to get up very early in the morning, or prepare the night before.

Will have to research the internet as to whether advisable to prepare deviled eggs night before. Will they still look fresh?

Daily Starbucks Venti Coffee — done

I was in the area of Citrus Plaza, where I’ve had good luck locating new Pokémon at the Water Bronze Fountain, which also just happens to be a Starbucks location.

Looking to kill two birds with one stone, that’s where I stopped for coffee, located two new Pokémon, leveled up to 16, and captured a photo of their Day of the Dead cookie.

No, I didn’t purchase one because, ever since Starbucks switched in 2012 from the ooey goody fritters, croissants, muffins, cookies to the chic French and American brand fritters, croissants, muffins, cookies, I’ve found everything looks better than it tastes. The switch has been a good thing for my budget and waistline. I just go for the coffee.

Remainder of the day was devoted to the AMC Walking Dead Michonne needlework project. Six months in and I’ve made good progress.

Doubtful it is, the canvas will be completed in time to submit to Fan Art for possibly being televised during the new season, set to start Sunday, October 23rd.

Speaking of Walking Dead, when actress Emily Kinney as Beth was killed off Season 5, I thought that would be the end of her in Hollywood as well -- thinking competition would be tough and it wouldn’t be easy transitioning from a long run on something as popular as Walking Dead to another show.

How surprised was I when, checking out one of the new shows, there she was on Conviction – all cleaned up as paralegal Tess Larson.

Bet she’s happy, not only to be working again, but not have to roll around in the dirt in the heat being chased by zombies.

Senior Happenings

Here we are the 4^th of Halloween, and no Activity Calendar in sight. Or so I thought until I headed out a little before 5:00 p.m. to drive granddaughter to the bus station and found the calendar had been posted to the door earlier in the day. Granddaughter is out-of-town with her bestie , which gives me no borders until I have to pick her up Friday morning.

Now that Nurse Ratched is no longer here to interfere with the Activity Director doing her job, there’s actually stuff on the calendar.

Friday, October 7:
9:00 — Dental Hygiene Class
10:30 — Pharmacy Presentation
12 Noon — Home Care Presentation

Friday, October 21:
9:30 — Halloween Brunch Potluck
12:30 — Bingo

Friday, October 28
9:30 — Take a Deep Breath Class
11:00 — Ice Cream Social
11:00 — Flu Shots

Nothing on the 7^th interests me, so I’ll pass.

Brunch potluck on the 21^st made no mention of costumes, but I’m wearing one, not even caring if I’m the only one to do so. I also decided to not sign up for the usual easy way out – deli potato salad. Instead, I’m making spooky deviled eggs, but not the same ones I made last year.

Spooky Eggs, Halloween 2015

Cutting up olives and affixing them to look like spider legs was way too much trouble for someone who doesn’t like to spend a lot of time messing around with food, also known as cooking … like me.

When I was at Joann’s Fabric last week, I spied some cute little candy knives and hatchets with candy blood splatter. Seeing flu shot on the calendar reminded me I’d forgotten to get mine so, heading to the medical center tomorrow for a shot, I’ll make a stop by Joann’s to pick up knives and hatches to make the eggs look appropriate for Halloween.

The “Take a Breath” class looks like meditation -- which I already do, so I’ll pass on that, but Ice Cream Social is a maybe.

So that’s it for what the powers that be have planned for its senior residents this month, no Arts and Crafts and trips like some senior complexes, but it is what it is. In addition to which, resident’s birthdays are now listed, but I’m not sure how this is going to be received.

A lot of residents will be pleased to no end, because they enjoy being recognized, but it’s something I don’t care to be, and I'm probably not the only one.

Though age is not mentioned, just the day of birth, I don’t try to hide my age. In fact, I flaunt it because I feel it an accomplishment to have lived this long when so much in life has tried to kill me. It’s just that I don’t care to celebrate the day.

I’m not going to complain or make a stink about having my birthday published. When it shows up on the calendar, I’ll just make myself scarce.