Reading

Entry tags:

A Zillion Cans

Got the garbage out. Go me. Now I need to go back to sleep. I think that I heard them pick it up a little before 5 AM.

Got up at 7 AM. It’s 53F/12C out, but it’s reasonable inside. I’m hoping for some days with low A/C and heat. Oh crap. I forgot to drop off the car to be fixed. I actually needed a light jacket upstairs.

Hmm. My deposit into my investment account didn't go through. I'll have to find out what's going on. It's on my pay stub. Curiouser and curiouser. Maybe there's a delay until it shows up on Fidelity's Web site? Fidelity said that the uni might not have sent it right away, and to check back later.

FedEx attempted to deliver my DSLR, but wanted a signature and I was in a meeting. I asked them to hold it at a FedEx store and I'll go pick it up. I need to get my doorbell set up.

Gracie was standing on me! She's not a miniature poodle, oof! (She’s 25 pounds?? More??)

Lay down for a nap but decided that I couldn’t sleep. Good thing because I have a meeting at 1 that I forgot about.

Ugh. I'm in a mid-afternoon slump. Can't stop yawning.

Crud. They're limiting the COVID vaccine to those over 65, except if you have some risk factors. I do have three of the risk factors, so I should be able to get it, but that doesn't help others who want to get it. I had a pang because I wanted to discuss it with my mom, who had COVID as a contributing factor in her death. (My dad doesn't believe in the COVID vaccine. Sigh.)

I ordered some “non-makeup makeup” in case I want to go outside or run a quick errand and want a little color on my face.

Fed the beasties and took the dogs out. My stomach is upset, so I’m making my food. I’m going to need to order more food.

I got my Dog Photography and Pet Photography books, plus Digital Photography: A Complete Course. I got some really cute tops from ThredUp. And jeans and shorts. But I needed more black shorts, and couldn’t find Gloria Vanderbilt ones, so I ordered some Lees. I hope that they fit well. Oh, and I got my Ninja air fryer (used).

Oliver is getting better at smacking the dogs when they annoy him.

Got all my packages inside and opened except for the dresser. I’m resting for a minute, and then I’ll start getting the recycling out (done). I was wondering if there was a more environmentally friendly alternative to a zillion cans, and found this cat food and this dog food. I'll try it after I got back from my trip.

Whew. It's good to relax. I need to feed the cats and Gracie (Bella is on a diet, so she doesn't get fed at night to her disappointment) and go to bed. Oh, I want to do an iPhone photography video first.

Entry tags:

education,
family

A Postive Academic Post...of sorts?

Update on my niece's situation. Per mother and my brother, niece has been encouraged to switch departments and majors, from environmental studies (forestry) to system ecology (forestry), which is more science based, has a bigger program and is more suited to fit her needs. Also, in order to get an advisor in this department to help her with her thesis - she needs to switch departments, and take a few more science courses (she's good in science, so it shouldn't be an issue), along with statistics. It may take her longer to graduate though - instead of graduating in the spring, she probably won't be able to graduate until next December, so maybe three years instead of two. Her next T.A. assignment is in Systems Ecology Department - so this will work out better.

Her current advisor and professors in environmental studies - want her to just write non-fiction papers, or journal articles, and niece wants to do a more in-depth scientific paper, with data analysis, exposing an actual problem and the potential solutions. Mainly, because she can write non-fiction research papers and journal articles in her sleep and get A's. It's not challenging and doesn't further her career goals. Also she wants to help the environment in a proactive way - writing environmental articles doesn't really accomplish that. At the age of 19, she wrote an environmental thesis regarding refuges fleeing climate change in Greece. She's switched majors twice now, from human rights advocacy to environmental studies to system ecology. What she really wants to do is work in forestry.

***

More on educational opportunities - well for the rest of us, not just my niece.

Harvard Has Released $40,000 Worth of Courses Free in 2025
No applications.
No tuition.
Completely free and online.

Here are 5 powerful picks to start with:
( see below )

Damn. Harvard's fighting the evil fascists by providing free educational programs to everyone online. I shared the information with my brother and my niece.

Entry tags:

Wednesday Reads the Side Catalogue

My recent reading features two short works by Tamsyn Muir, author of the Locked Tomb series.

I liked both of these books a lot: they seemed to me to feature Muir's strengths without some of the excesses of the Tomb books.

(I am aware that these excesses are precisely the source of delight for fans. I appreciate the meticulous artistry of the series; it's just that the particular qualities of deferral, substitution, and abrasion that are the formal and tonal preoccupation of these books, and that Muir wields so expertly and so persistently, are just not quite my tempo.)

The first book was Muir's 2022 novella, Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower.

This is a revisionist princess-in-the-tower story, so the pleasure comes not from a surprise twist but from seeing how the genre is executed. Very well, I thought.

(That said, there were two or three times I did exclaim out loud, "oh no!" etc. So it's not twistless.)

I liked it enough that when it was done I felt wistful about not being with the characters any more.

(Not in a sentimental way. Or yes, in a sentimental way, but not in a cute way. Or yes cute, but not cozy. Difficult and heartbroken and ridiculous. That way.)

ETA: I mean to say that genre-wise Princess Floralinda is solidly with Beagle's The Last Unicorn and Goldman's The Princess Bride as an anachronistic and self-reflexive take on the genre.

The second was a long short story, or maybe novelette? called Undercover, blurbed thus (in part): "A fresh-faced newcomer arrives in an isolated, gang-run town and soon finds herself taking a job nobody else wants: bodyguard to a ghoul. Not just your average mindless, half-rotted shuffler, though. Lucille is a dancer who can still put on her own lipstick and whose shows are half burlesque, half gladiator match."

What's more, I think it is better that that sounds.

sabotabby, I felt like you might enjoy both of these. Like you might start out thinking "Why did Frac think I would like this?" but then fairly rapidly think "OH" instead.

Anyway, that appears to be most of Muir's non-tomb catalogue, which is too bad. I wish there were more.

§rf§

Entry tags:

Brat Cat

That little snot Oliver decided that I wasn’t feeding him fast enough and bit me on the knee. Brat cat.

I finally found some middle-weight pajamas after finding tons of “dead-of-winter” pajamas. I also found some clothes that I want to take to NYC. I might need another pair of black jeans (ordered).

Note to self: find pants for flight. I might be packed before I book the trip!

I’m wondering if I should take a floating holiday on Friday to get a four-day weekend. It’s a little late to ask, but I’ll ask my boss. She said, "Sure". Yay.

Gracie woke me up a little before my alarm. That’s actually useful. Took the dogs out. Gracie found a dead squirrel that I need to clean up. I’m going to go back to sleep for an hour and take my shower at lunchtime. Now I'm thinking that I want to nap during lunch and take my shower after work.

I think that Gracie wants to nurse. She keeps on nuzzling my chest. Good luck with that. Bella snatched Zara's food can, speaking of brats. I got it back.

Took a nap after work and slept until 2 AM. I'm debating getting the garbage out or just going back to sleep.

Some interesting items of note?

1. Hmmm, I've lived in NYC for over 25 years, and I didn't know this Book Store existed. It's on the upper east side near the MET.

"Tucked away inside the French Embassy’s Payne Whitney mansion on NYC’s Upper East Side, Albertine Books is one of New York City’s best-kept secrets—and now, it’s getting global recognition as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world by book-loving travel guide 1000 Libraries.

Walk through its grand doors and you’ll find yourself beneath a breathtaking zodiac-painted ceiling, surrounded by elegant dark wood, celestial murals, and more than 14,000 French and English titles. It’s the only bookstore in New York City dedicated entirely to French-language works and translations, making it a true cultural gem for literature lovers."

I foresee a trip to the Met, the bookstore, and a gluten free bakery with croissants in my future. All on the upper east side. Along with a foray into Central Park. It's been a long time since I've gone. I tend to spend most of my time in Brooklyn.

Note to non-New Yorkers? The City = Manhattan. Brooklyn is Brooklyn, Bronx is the Bronx, Queens is Queens, and Staten Island is Staten Island. Long Island is Long Island. Upstate - is basically everywhere NORTH of the City and the Bronx. But Manhattan to New Yorkers is referred to as simply - "the City", and everyone knows what you are talking about.

Gotta love a French Book store - I can actually read rudimentary French.

2. Saw a letter from Betrand Russell to Sir Oswald about fascism on Face Book, posted by Rahael. (It reminded me of why I liked Betrand Russel - who I read a lot of in the 1980s.)

Betrand Russell's artful letter refusing to debate British Fascist Leader Oswald Mosely

(A character based on Mosely was also featured (deservingly so) as a villain in the last season of Peaky Blinders.)

3. Apparently they are starting a Robot Taxi program in NYC this fall.
The Taxi and Limousin Commission is understandably upset about it.

" New Yorkers are about to meet a new kind of traffic jam companion: the robotaxi. Beginning in September, Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, will put its self-driving cars on the streets of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn.

Before you panic about an empty driver’s seat whizzing down Flatbush, rest assured: State law requires a trained specialist behind the wheel at all times. So yes, there will still be a human gripping the steering wheel while the car quietly does most of the thinking."

As someone who cannot drive - I find the news of self-driving vehicles kind of reassuring? On the other hand - I can already imagine the confusion of more than one person telling the car where they want to go. Not sure how that will work? Just that I'm very glad I rarely, if ever, take any sort of motorized vehicle in the city. I just do subways and walking, thank you very much.

4. Details on Depart Q S2 on Netflix.

Entry tags:

memage,
personal

Tuesday is managing somehow to hang in there - and memage

I'm flirting with seeing the "Chess" revival, which has a new book by Danny Strong (yes, that Danny Strong (aka Jonathan on Buffy), starring Lea Michele. But it is pricey! Previews are $135-$449 seats. The cheap ones are $135. Ugh. No. I'll have to either do Today's Tix or TDF to do it, assuming that will work. I love the musical Chess - I saw the original cast in it in London in the 1980s, when Anthony Stewart Head subbed for his brother, who had been playing one of the lead roles. I fell in love with Anthony Stewart Head in the role - this was in 1987-88, long before the coffee commercials or Buffy. Also it was a lot cheaper. London's West End tends to be a lot cheaper than Broadway, also more interesting. I miss London, I need to visit it again some day. One of my dreams is to do a rail trip across Europe. I want to retire and wander about by train. Trains are perhaps the only source of transportation that does not result in motion sickness, and I feel safe on. I adore trains.

Work and my attempts at having some semblance of a social life, including making new friends (not necessarily in tandem), are leaving me confused and frustrated. Also a touch depressed.( Read more... )

Niece is running into issues with her thesis - she can't find an advisor to help her with it. ( Read more... )

I didn't sleep well last night - mainly because I forgot to take a shower earlier in the day, even though I had the day off. ( Read more... )

August Question a Day Memage (catching up again)

22. Do you have many lamps in your home, or do you rely on overhead lighting?

Yes, two - and they are kind of cheap craft lamps that don't have to have light bulbs replaced. I use them in case the overhead lighting goes out on me. I tend to rely on overhead lighting and natural light through my windows - I get a lot of indirect natural light, so can leave the lights off most of the time, particularly during the late spring and summer months. I have them off at 6:30 pm for example. I prefer natural light.

23. Do you own any clothing you only wear for a specific activity?

Yes, work clothes. Pajamas for sleep. And joggers or light sweats for laying about the house. Casual clothes for wandering about, not work related. I tend to compartmentalize my life.

24. Are you good at packing when you go away, or do you pack all the things ‘just in case’?

I was raised by a father who traveled constantly by airline, he was a road warrior. So I pack light and compact. With the view that I'm more than likely to bring the wrong things or forget something, but I'll survive.
I only bring a carry-on bag and a back pack, very little else. And I have a packing list.

25. If you ended up on a deserted desert island, what luxury would you want to have with you?

Hmmm...this is tough. I honestly don't know. Maybe some sort of wireless solar powered radio?

26. Do you have any tattoos?

No. The appeal is kind of lost on me?

Entry tags:

Cranky Day

I watched a couple of the iPhone Photography videos and, wow, there are a lot of settings that I never knew about. I want to finish the videos before I go on my trip. (I read somewhere that you shouldn’t work with a DSLR until you can take great iPhone pictures. Working on it.) I ordered a bunch of books about photographic composition.

Did dishes. (My “dishes” largely consist of dog and cat food cans for recycling.) Two days in a row. Go me.

Submitted a grocery order, including the ingredients for overnight oats.

Woke up at 7 AM. It was a little chilly out. Yay! Started laundry after my shower.

Crud. Walmart didn’t have apple pie spice, so I’ll have to go to Meijer. I submitted a pickup order for after work.

It's nice and cool upstairs. Yay. Gracie is making a mess. First, she got into some wooden shims that I had for the aquarium. Now, she got into a box of pencils, but I rescued most of them. Dogs :)

I got an embroidered vest with pockets on eBay to go with my white lace top and white jeans. Speaking of which, I need to find the jeans to see if they’re the right size.

The New York Times: "COVID is spreading again this summer". But we can't get the damn shot. COVID contributed to my mom's death, so give me the fucking shot.

Picked up my groceries. They had apple pie spice, yay. Watered the outside plants. Put clothes in the dryer.

Land’s End and LL Bean have some nice tops for when I don’t want to wear t-shirts or hoodies.

I don’t know why I’m feeling cranky, but I am.

Sending the National Guard to Chicago is making me think of Kent State. Nothing good will come of it.

I don't know where the evening went. I need to feed the critters and crash.

Oh. I got a cute closeup of Gracie. (Note to self: portrait mode and telephoto). The iPhone photography course is paying off.

Entry tags:

"Otrovert"?

I bought an iPhone Photo Mastery class because I don't want to take the DSLR with me on my trip. Plus, I can focus on finding good pictures without fiddling with the camera. I also got Urban Photography and Landscape Photography.

I bought two other bumper stickers: "Caring for other people is not political" and "Caution: driver singing".

I forgot to mention yesterday that I received my new glasses. They’re perfect. I’m saving them for when I go out. I’ll wear my cheap glasses at home. Hmm, I wonder if I should get a second pair?

I bought a PDF on dog photography, but it vanished from my phone. Crap. So I bought books on dog photography and pet photography on Thrift Books. Bella and Gracie are so striking, so I might want to shoot stock photos of them eventually. Let them earn their keep! I did get an email with the books to download after all. But I’m still glad that I ordered the Thrift Books books.

I want to start making overnight oats. I should go to Aldi tomorrow and get ingredients. Actually, I’m going to Meijer because AI suggested an apple flavoring with Apple Pie Spice.

I had problems falling asleep, so I got up and ate oatmeal. Woke up a little before 10 AM.

I think that I want to stay home today. It’s a beautiful day. I’ll get the ingredients for overnight oats tomorrow and make it on Tuesday.

I want to plant peonies and tulips in the fall, but I can do so when I get back.

My legs look like I’ve been cutting myself. Thanks, Oliver.

Gracie was blocking Lily from coming downstairs and eating. I went upstairs, picked up Lily, closed Gracie in upstairs, and put Lily on the stairs. Ugh. I was giving Gracie her meds and Bella snatched the piece of hot dog with the med in it. I banished Bella to the bathroom. Then I couldn’t find the meds, which I had put in my pocket, but they fell out. Finally, I found them. Gracie spit out the med twice, but finally swallowed it. Whew. This is hard.

I saw a top in Coldwater Creek’s catalog that I liked, but it’s over $100! For a top! Fuuuck, inflation. It would look really cute with jeans and short boots though. I looked at Coldwater Creek items on ThredUp. Didn’t find anything similar but found some nice cardigans. I found something similar on eBay and bought it for a lot less!

Nap time. I’m up now. Gracie came over and gave me a kiss, and then Bella pushed her aside and gave me a kiss. Jealousy :) Had lunch. I ate a cookie for dessert, and both Gracie and Bella jumped on my lap wanting it. I kept pushing them down and they kept jumping up.

Note to self: add my Fidelity account on Monarch Money (done). Added my mom’s car too, which is worth more than I thought.

I’m feeling tired. And crap, I didn’t take my meds, so that’s probably why. It’s too late to take them now.

Got my weary butt into the shower. I don’t feel like going outside but feel like working on the kitchen.

Oy. I went to feed the cats, but Gracie was blocking Lily upstairs. I went upstairs to bring Lily down and shut Gracie up there, but Oliver came up too. I finally was able to shut Gracie in the bedroom and fed the cats. Did I say, “Oy?”

Chaos2: I brought Zara’s food into her room, but Oliver busted in. I was trying to get him out, and Bella ate Zara’s food. I got Zara more food and was able to get Oliver and Bella out of there. Sigh.

Maybe I’m an otrovert instead of an introvert? Or both? I enjoy interacting with people one-on-one, but don’t like group activities. This is why I’m dreading joining the Unitarian church, although I think that’s the way that I need to make friends.

I'm feeling really tired and achy. I'm drinking some water to see if that helps, but I'm thinking of going to bed early and getting up early.

Entry tags:

nature

Most Dangerous Hikes, and walk to a lake...

As you can tell from the photo, assuming of course anyone can actually see the photo - one never knows with these FB links (annoying I know, but there it is), I took a two mile hike Prospect Park Lake and back. People and water fowl were out in force, mainly because they can't really frolic to the beach (dangerous rip tides) and it's Sunday. Sunday is never a good day to wander about the Park. Ran across my neighbor along the way, who recently retired from Crazy Org, he's loving retirement and says his social security check and pension check are bigger than his actual pay check was. I should be fine then, since mine is railroad retirement. But I want to live at 62. He left at 66, because his wife who is 14 years younger than he is, is still working and pushed him to work a bit longer.

By the end of the hike, my stomach has having a hissy fit, and I felt out of breath, perspiring, a touch off balance. I don't want to say light headed or dizzy, just like I wanted to collapse into a heap on the sidewalk. I did not. I made it home. And drank water instead. But, it made me aware of the fact that I can't do long hikes yet, and need to build up to them. Slowly. I may start with long walks to and around Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery and my neighborhood on the weekends. And shorter walks during lunch. Also doing the eight flights of steps at 4th Avenue and 9th Street station from the R to the G/F line, except on bad weather days.
Also start doing more yoga exercises. (I don't like yoga - because I hate floor exercises - but I can probably do chair and standing yoga for a bit.)

I've requested to join "Trail Dames" on Meetups, which is a group of over 50, curvy women, who like to go hiking. It's not really safe to go hiking by yourself in the US, people do of course, but they usually know what they are doing, and don't have my health issues. Also, my cousin, who was thirty nine years of age, was killed on a solo hike. They'd found him dead on the side of the road with his head bashed in. He was an avid hiker, who did a lot of solo hikes near his home in Oregon, that had hiking trails in the backyard. It was tragic, and happened in 2022, the same year my Dad died.

Speaking of dangerous hikes. I was trolling about the internet at work one day and found a list of the most dangerous hikes, also HERE.

So, I asked my brother, an avid hiker, what his most insanely dangerous hike was - and he told me it was last week, hiking along a lake in Glacier National Park, where they came upon a mother Grizzly Bear and her cubs. The Grizzley became aware of them, they didn't sneak up on her (you never do that) and stood up on her hind legs. The walked quickly away and she pursued them for a good fifteen minutes before finally taking off into the brush. She was about fifty yards away.

Niece, also an avid hiker, most dangerous hike was probably Mount Silliman in the Sierras. Where she hiked off-trail and had to scramble up a sheer granite mountain face, with a thousand feet drop offs. It had beautiful views at the peak, but it dropped off in a 1000 foot cliff on the other side. The views were epic, but she doesn't do many dangerous hikes, preferring flora to epic views.

Epic view from Mount Silliman below:
( Read more... )
And a photo from the hike in Glacier, where alas, all the glaciers have melted long ago, along with most of the snow. Silly humans, if we'd been more careful and mindful of the environment, the glaciers would have lasted longer.
( Read more... )
Niece's need to travel overseas to Europe, ended, after she went to the Western United States and fell in love with the mountains. Our world is seriously awe inspiring. I'm in awe daily, just looking at the mountains of skyscrapers, ships, and harbor, plus lakes, trees, and bird. I would like to visit China - the pictures of China's landscapes and culture are mind-blowing.

My most dangerous hike - was most likely a tie between Barr Trial Hike on Pike's Peak with two girl-friends in undergrad (this was in the fall of 1988, I think) and a back-packing trip in Bandlier National Monument, where we hiked back country trials and ran into a black widow spider and a couple of huge raccoons. That was a wonderful trip. I did a lot of camping and hiking in my teens and early twenties, when I was in a lot better shape.

If you've made it this far? What were your most insanely dangerous hikes?

I want to visit Watkins Glenn and hike the seven waterfalls, which looks like it is right out of Lord of the Rings...but most of it is closed until the summer of 2026, so I have time.

Leaving with another pretty photo from my niece:

Entry tags:

Trial Singing Lesson

I’m going to need to bring some change for buses/subway on my NYC trip. I think that I’ll go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the day that I get off the cruise ship. I’ll drop off my luggage at the hotel and then go out. Hmm, now I’m wondering if I should stay near Times Square on the part of the trip after the cruise because a lot of what I want to see is on the southern side of the island. New plan: go see the High Line on the day that I get off of the ship. And the library. The International Institute of Photography is closed on Tuesdays, so I can’t go that day. Maybe I’ll go check out the Strand bookstore.

Nice. Monarch Money emails you when you’ve exceeded your budget. It emailed me about the tree removal because I don’t have a home improvement budget item.

Gracie woke me up at 7 AM. And promptly peed on the dog bed, sigh. I’ll have to clean it.

Gave Gracie her med in a hot dog and she gobbled it right up. Fed us all. Gracie was expecting me to go upstairs and work. I explained to her that it’s the weekend. Bella is already napping.

I was wondering if the fall COVID shot will be available before I go on my cruise, but there’s no date yet.

I ordered a “My dog thinks I’m cool” t-shirt, and “who rescued whom” and “dog is my co-pilot” bumper stickers.

Napped. Had lunch with two highly interested dogs. No, you can’t have my food.

I’m tired. I’m thinking of taking another nap after my trial singing lesson.

Gracie was barking at Oliver. My Apple Watch popped up a “loud environment” notification. Got that right!

Had my trial singing lesson. She said that my pitches were right on target, but she wants to work on my breathing support. I liked her and think that she will be helpful. I booked lessons with her up to the time that I'll be gone in September. Then I'll "subscribe" to the time after I get back.

I bought a Nikon DSLR camera. (I think that my last camera wound up in the estate sale at my mom's house by mistake.) Once I get it, I'll enroll in the "Mastering Your Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera" class. I also bought a book with exercises.

I’m looking for a navy cargo vest but having no luck. Okay, it just occurred to me to try eBay and I found one. I live in cargo vests. Pockets!

Gracie and Bella are barking at something. I said to Bella, “Yeah, you’re a brave watchdog unless something is scary, and then you hide behind Mom. You are so not a watchdog.”

Overslept my nap. Took the dogs out, and I need to sit for a moment before starting the feeding process. Oliver is in my face.

I’m still tired. I’m thinking of going to bed after I feed the critters and do some dishes. Ugh. Fed the cats, but Gracie was barking at them, which upset Lily and she wouldn’t eat. I shut Gracie is the bathroom, protesting, while I fed Zara and gave them more food.

I really want to book the trip but should wait until Gracie is clear of Giardia. I’m feeling impatient.

I did dishes. I'm trying to set up a habit to do them every day. I set a habit tracker on my phone.

Now I think that it's bedtime.

Entry tags:

Friday is just happy the week is over - so ...food, a kitten saga & television nerdiness

1. I've been following the Scalzi Kitten Saga - where Scalzi's daughter and her friend found four kittens behind her friend's apartment, living in his old car. Eventually one of them (black tuxedo kitten) expired due to the hazards of living outside, so they chose to snatch the remaining trio and put them somewhere safer - namely Scalzi's basement guest room. So Scalzi is asking if anyone wants them, or they'll most likely try to find homes for two of them, send them to a no-kill shelter, and possibly adopt the third.

I don't know they don't all look like kittens in those photos, they look like cats. The only one that resembles a kitten is the calico.

The Scalzi Kitten Saga

One person wanted the calico, and was arranging transportation to pick it up. But the rest were stating - eh, can't get to Ohio, or they have enough cats already, thank you very much.

I'm glad he's in Ohio. I do not need the temptation. Those kittens would be miserable with me. I have no space for cats. Or any pets for that matter.

2. Well, Eatly was a disappointment

Today was lovely, crisp blue sky, warm with a cool breeze, in the low eighties. I most definitely did not require the jacket that I was wearing. It had been in the upper fifties low sixties this morning, hence the jacket. I decided to get a salad at Pret (spinach, white bean pesto, walnuts, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and avocado), with a gluten free tiramisu for desert from Eatly. I first went back to my desk to eat the salad, and then took off for Eatly - basically for a walk, and to see what they had. I got back around 1:10pm, left at 12:27 pm. It was a 15 minute walk. But I also spent at least 15 minutes in the store, then took ten minutes to get back at a brisk pace. I got a denim tote with space to hold a wallet and phone, also the aforementioned tiramisu. It is ridiculously hard to find gluten free tiramisu.

I was disappointed in Etaly. ( Read more... )

Spent more than I should - but I liked the denim tote bag with the inside pocket. Very useful. I could use that for work.

3. How to get a television pilot for a historical series about a 16th Century Indian Harem made, when you are a fifty-something self-published writer and have just written your first television screenplay?

Ex-college roommate - you know the one who self-published the chronicles about the 16th Century Harem? She's now written a screenplay with help from a screenwriting mentor.

" So we finished writing a screenplay for the pilot. We have the whole pitch deck. An executive read it and gave us her feedback. Basically, she said it would be a hit, if anyone had the courage to produce it, which no one has (in mainstream media). Her suggestion - make it ourselves. Put it out on social media. Okay, then...next stop... Angel Investors!"

I considered advising her to try a Kick-Starter campaign, but decided against it. Everyone and their dog plus a few cats have attempted that to date. There's too many of them.

She has a web site, a blog about 16th Century practices and the research she's done on 16th Century India, and a couple of short stories if you want to check it all out for yourselves.
( Read more... )

I posted this - because I'm curious what other people think? What do you think about the possibilities of this working or taking off?

4. Department Q has been renewed for a second season! Netflix finally got around to renewing it.

Executive producer Rob Bullock said he had a "really wonderful response" to the news of the second series.

"It is going to be loosely based on the second book in Jussi's series," he said.

"And much like season one, we will take the book and the gold that's in that book but then go off and tell our own stories alongside it."

I'm happy about this. I liked the characters and wanted more story. It felt unresolved.

5. Mother informed me that the Australian Detective Series that TV Talk had rec'd and I couldn't find - has popped up on Hulu, High Country - I'm guessing this is part of Disney's distribution deal with the BBC, because they've picked up a bunch of other British BBC mystery series as well.
I'm happy, it means I don't have to stream Brit Box to see some of them.

And I really wanted to see High Country. They also have the Tunnel, and the Fall, and the Secrets of Mr. Whitcher.

6. Online - FB touted a new Disney Tween Buffy Series named Vampirina (not to be confused with Vampirella, which I, alas did) based on the acclaimed books, about a secret vampire girl who wants to go to a school for the performing arts to pursue music (yes, it's a musical). Accompanied by a 600 year old ghost. She's in secret. Uhm, how is this a Buffy show? It sounds more like Wednesday meets Hotel Transylvania by way of High School Musical? I don't see anyone over the age of 14 watching it?

Buffy was a show about a teen tasked with killing vampires and demons, while trying to juggle high school, but honestly, none of the cast were really teens (with the possible exception of 3 of them), and they only did high school for three years. So, it was about a young woman fighting vampires. It was targeted at teens, but since the writers were in their late twenties and early thirties, didn't really have kids or care, and were writing about their own nightmares - it was more twenty-something - thirty-something show about a young woman slaying her personal demons.

7. They cancelled Dexter:Original Sin on Paramount after one season. Not surprised. I watched an episode of that - it wasn't that good. Also, it's Paramount - which is undergoing a merger and shakeup. Also, Original Sin didn't do that well, and they brought back the original series - which did better, and had Michael C. Hall. Prequels are rarely successful. Let's face it - the audience isn't that interested. Also, in the case of Dexter, we already got the flashbacks in the Dexter series.

But, Gellar's television curse continues. Buffy to date is the longest series she's had on the air. Everything else she's tried since Buffy has either not flown/been picked up for full series, or was cancelled after just one season. The Crazy Ones may have made it two seasons? No, Williams committed suicide in the middle of it - it was one season. I don't have a lot of faith in the Buffy Revival entitled: Buffy the Vampire Slayer - New Sunnydale surviving, I may be wrong. Gellar's track record hasn't been exactly stellar. From the original cast? Boreanze has done the best, with Hannigan not that far behind. Everyone else, with the possible exception of Head, has stumbled. Let's face it - Television and Film are impossible industries. Few succeed in them.

***

It's late. Time for bed.

Entry tags:

Too Damn Tired

Cool. My travel credits on American Airlines will pay for a “main select” ticket to NYC with money left over. I’m thinking of spending another day there and coming back on Sunday. (It'll be a little rough because I'm going to get in late and will need to get up early to pick up Bella, Gracie, and Oliver.) I'm also thinking about staying at the Residence Inn for both ends of the trip because it has a kitchen, and I could buy some milk and cereal and eat breakfast in the hotel.

Overslept an hour, so so much for dropping off Gracie’s sample. I’ll drop it off at lunchtime.

Gracie went over to where Lily was but backed off immediately when Lily moved. I think that Lily has made her feelings known about being bugged. Oliver kind of wants to play with the dogs, but Gracie is too rambunctious for him.

I'm freaking tired, but I need to run errands over lunch, so I'll have to just deal with it. Dropped off Gracie's sample at the vet. Mailed the check for my pet sitter, who charged a cancellation fee.

I'm singing "I want to go to sleeeep" to the tune of "I Want to Hold your Hand" inside my head. I finally lay down for a few minutes and overslept. I'll need to log on this weekend. The person from the tree care stopped by but I was asleep, so she made it possible to pay by credit card.

The vet called, and Gracie still has Giardia, so I need to run over there and pick up new meds (done).

I ordered some books on budgeting from Amazon and the library. Started reading one of them.

I’m looking at the guidebook for NYC, and it’s a good guidebook. I have one day figured out so far.

I don’t have Giardia, so yay.

Ye gods, I want to go to bed. I need to feed the dogs and take them out first (done). The Frisbee was a hit! Bella and Gracie were both trying to get it. Oh, I need to start laundry before I go to sleep.

(no subject)

Just given up trying to read through a self published cozy romantasy. It has pacing issues, is in dire need of an editor, and uses terms and races directly lifted from D&D such as 'Tabaxi'. But what really broke it for me was when the characters just 'fixed the oven' like it's a modern appliance. And this was important because the setting involves someone trying to bake and cook meals for an inn. All feeling of place just came unmoored as it became clear that the writer just hadn't thought beyond the surface aspects of 'things in a kitchen'.

I can't imagine someone trying to 'fix' an AGA with what ever tools they have laying around. Let alone a wood fired stone oven that's part of the wall.

Entry tags:

Trip Planning and Money Tool

Overslept an hour. Took the dogs out, only to realize that the tree guys were here. I forgot. Managed to get the dogs back in.

I signed up for Monarch Money last night. I tried to get my main bank accounts linked, but PNC was having issues.

I bought a Powerball ticket just because the jackpot is so high. I figured what the hell.

Gracie is barking at nothing in particular. That girl sure loves to talk. I want to pet her, but she's constantly in motion. Oliver and Bella have been getting along really well. Oliver thinks that Gracie is a terror, and I don't blame him. She barks at him a lot.

Okay, the tree guys are gone, so I can get the dogs out at lunchtime. I also want to take a nap at lunchtime and shower after work.

Taking the train to NYC isn't going to work this time. I'll fly. Unless I take the train back? Found a hotel near the cruise terminal. Restaurant near the hotel: Pershing Square. There's some crabcakes and a lobster roll calling my name :) I need to find a place to pick up some bagels for breakfast.

I think that I will wear jeans and blazers to NYC. (Shorts in Bermuda.) I could use a couple of extra pairs of jeans (ordered). I'm looking on ThredUp for some nice short-sleeved tops (ordered). I have plenty of blazers.

I'm looking into French lessons for my trip next year, although I need to start up my Italian lessons again. I had previously signed up for a language study Web site, and I'm looking into a tutor.

I think that I want a rolling cabinet like the ones that you can use for a microwave as a feeding station for the pets. I want one with doors on the bottom to keep food in (and Bella out!) I found one that I like, but I'm waiting to clean up the kitchen first. It will be stored under the stairs, but I might roll it out into the kitchen.

Note to self: Remember to bring Gracie's sample to the vet on Friday morning.

I got my accounts synced up with Monarch Money. It also provides a budgeting tool that I think will be helpful. (But it says that I spent $60 in coffeeshops? Huh?) It's similar to a tool for which Mom's trust wanted to charge me $100 a month. Much cheaper.

I want to get to bed early to drop Gracie's sample off at the vet (I hope that she will cooperate in providing one) and running some errands.

Entry tags:

memage,
personal

Thursday wants it to be Friday & has another cookie

After a salad (heirloom tomatoe, power greens (spinach/argula), cucumber, and onion with some lemon juice (use it instead of dressing) - I took off to get a cookie. It was a gray day, cool, and I didn't feel like walking about seeing the sights at lunch. So I made an excuse to go and get a cookie. (I've gone from checking out matcha latte places to checking out cookie places).

I decided to try Flavors Cafe, which had gluten-free cookies. I wanted to try their chocolate chip along with their black and white (which is never a good idea for anyone with sugar sensitivities (it's 20 g of carbs), but you know...it is a NYC staple and rare to find gluten-free). Also this is a health food store - with probiotics in the cookies.

( The cookies )
I got hoodwinked. Again. It looked like a chocolate chip cookie in the store. But it was in reality an oatmeal raisin cookie masquerading as a chocolate chip cookie. And I idiotically did not look at the back of it.
I don't know why I didn't look at the back of it before I bought it.
Brain fog?

( the ingredients and type on the back )

I decided to eat the Black and White cookie - which was okay? But I prefer Meredith's. I won't get it again from either place, though. Too sweet and not worth the side-effects. (It's not good for blood sugar. My body wasn't happy with it at all. In short, I liked it, it didn't like me. The chocolate chip cookies that I'd had yesterday, on the other hand - didn't do a thing.) Note to self - stick with Insomina, and ditch Flavors.

They had other flavors available - tasty cookies - Caramel Chocolate and Chocolate Chip, along with shortbread, and Macademia White Chocolate Chunk, but they are not available as gluten free. I don't know why. But they aren't.

Oh well, grateful to at have at least found gluten free soft cookies. There was a time I wouldn't have been able to find any and had to make my own - way back in 2005. I've been gluten free for about 20 years this August. Diagnosed in and around August 2005, after a long and painful process. [The medical community in the US is horrible at diagnosing ceiliac disease. They don't understand it at all and don't really know how to treat it. I had to hunt for a primary care doctor who took it seriously and went through two gastroenterologist - before I got a clear diagnosis in 2017, prior to that I was told it was gluten sensitivity, now I know I have the gene.]

I've satisfied my cookie craving for the most part. Right now the best cookies I've had to date - are the gooey big ones from the Courteylou Road bakery and coffee shop about a twenty-thirty minute walk from my home.

****

August Question a Day Memage - I'm behind again and catching up:

16. It’s National Roller Coaster Day – are you a fan of roller coasters?

No. ( why )

17. Do you make your bed every day?

Of course. ( why )

18. When you are thirsty what is your beverage of choice?

Water. [Most of the time, all I drink is water.]

19. Do people shorten your given name, and if they do, do you mind?

Yes, all the time. Do I mind? Depends on how they shorten it. But No - if they use the gender neutral version (which most people do, once people get to know me - they use the gender neutral version or my actual name, nothing else. Close friends shorten it to the gender neutral version).
( Read more... )

20. Are you left-handed or right-handed? Would you like to be ambidextrous?

Right handed, but because I have a tremor and it is more predominate in my right hand, I can do some things with the left - and often use the left for things like holding glasses, holding cups, carrying things, stuff like that. I can type with both. And do type with both. But I don't write or type on my phone with the left. And I paint with my right hand. I may try to start painting with the left - because of the aforementioned tremor. So yes, on ambidextrous.

21. Do you live near any trees? What’s the tallest tree nearby?

Yes, multiple trees. ( Read more... )

***

Bonus questions:

Are you a forest or the trees type of person? Macro or micro? Big picture or details?

Forest, Big Picture, Macro thinker. Although, as you all know, I can do the nitty gritty details, because I have to as part of my job - it's required. But overall, I tend to think Big Picture in regards to most things. Or see the forest and how it all works together as a whole. ( Read more... )

Entry tags:

Wednesday decided it deserved a cookie. Make that two cookies.

Work was irritating me. It was overcast, cool, and spitting rain outside, and I felt I deserved a cookie and a decafe cappucino, with unsweetened Almond-Milk. Plus it was a short walk - so exercise. (I can always justify buying a cookie with the exercise required to obtain said cookie.) The financial district is not good for my budget.

Make that two gluten-free freshly baked cookies from Insominia Cookies. Apparently they also deliver. And you can get the cookies with ice cream. I just got the cookies. They have a wide variety of regular cookies...apparently they only know how to bake gluten-free chocolate chip? (They had five different vegan cookies. )

I'm just grateful for the cookies. It's very hard to find fresh baked gluten free cookies. Okay, maybe not that hard? I've found four places to date in the financial district. And one near me at home. Still on the hunt for a croissant, but that may be impossible.

So far, Printemps is ahead by a nudge (although it's pricey), with Insomina a close second. Meredith's (the cheapest) is behind both, and I think I'd put Natural Way fourth. Haven't tried Funny Face yet - it also has one gluten-free type of cookie - chocolate chip. Natural Way at least branches out with Oatmeal Raisin. You'd think there would be more oatmeal cookies (which was my father's favorite cookie) but you'd be wrong. I used to make them with chocolate chips, because I don't like raisins that much. (Towards the end of his life, my father would eat any cookie. He couldn't drink, he couldn't smoke, so he ate cookies. Any cookie. Even imaginary cookies. No other desert would do, just, well cookies. Mother called him the cookie monster.)

***

Oh, and last weekend, I finished another watercolor of a woman that I saw repeatedly on the subway. I added a kid to it. Mainly because I'm considering putting the watercolors together to tell the story of a little girl visiting her mother in the hospital and all the people she meets and sees on the subway that help her along the way. It may or may not happen. We'll see if I can do enough viable and presentable paintings first, then I'll write the little story, put together a sample photo book of them, and pitch the idea to Arts in Transit. I like the paintings, but alas, art like beauty and humor is in the eye of the beholder - so I'm not sure other folks will. Everybody is a critic, and my art leans more towards impressionistic than realism?

( woman I saw on the subway - watercolor )

Off to make dinner.

Entry tags:

Bella Does Not Have Giardia!

Overslept two hours. So much for dropping my Giardia sample off before work. I’ll go after work.

I want to get the "Starry Night" dresser for the guest room and keep camera and GoPro supplies in there. I need to measure for it.

The new singing teacher got back to me and we're scheduling a trial lesson. She sounds nice.

Yay. The temperatures are going to drop. It looks like a good weekend to get out in the yard.

Forgot to mention that I made an appointment next week to have the Honda looked at. I'm slowly trying to pick up the threads of my life. I need to figure out when to go up to Michigan to clean out the storage space. I was going to go in September, but if I go on the cruise, that'll make it more difficult. October? I don't want to go later than that because snow.

I just remembered to transfer my bus tickets to O'Hare to the potential NYC-Bermuda trip. That would assume that I would fly out instead of taking the train. Maybe that would be a good idea given limited time? Anyway, I can change the date again if need be.

Gracie likes to lie at the top of the stairs upstairs so that she can see both the upstairs and downstairs. My "watch" dog!

I'm trying to get some of same thrill from saving as from spending. I'm checking my retirement fund, emergency fund, and travel fund often. I should create charts to put up on my wall. Actually, I wanted to sign up for Monarch Money, so I can track them there.

I asked my dad about what to do in NYC and he said (after saying that he really disliked NYC) a Broadway play, the Met, the Statue of Library, Coney Island, etc. The only Broadway play that's currently playing that I would want to see is Hamilton, and it's sold out on the dates that I'll be there. I'll look into the Met. Oooh, the Met has an Asian Art wing. Oh! I'd like to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! Oh, and I received the NYC guidebook.

Oh, in another exchange of emails with Dad, he recommended putting my emergency fund in a money market account, so I'll open one for it.

Took Bella to the vet for the Giardia test. The vet did a checkup on her, and the only concern is that she's a little overweight, so we discussed that. Bella's Giardia test was negative, so yay! I need to bring in a sample on Friday from Gracie to see if the meds got rid of the Giardia.

Dropped off my Giardia sample. The lab folks thought that they might have given me the wrong kit, so I might have to redo it. They’ll let me know. Now I’m cooling off and then I’ll start the Crazy Critters feeding process. Lily is telling me she’s hungry.

I feel like a ringmaster in a circus. “Gracie, get down!” “Oliver, let Lily eat her food!” Etc.

Now I’m thinking that I should make “car payments” into a savings account for a future new car. I just asked my dad what kind of an account I should use. (He said money market.)

Bella and Gracie were having a great time playing tug-of-war with a rope designed for it. I also gave Bella the plant-based “bone”. She likes it. Gracie is interested because Bella has it. Bella let Gracie have it! I told her that she doesn’t have to give it to Gracie just because Gracie wants it.

The flight that I should’ve been on is in the air. Sigh. No, it took off late, just a few minutes ago.

Got the garbage out. Gave Zara a fresh new litter box. (I bought it for the basement, but I can put an old one down there.) I've run out of gas. I want to open a money market account, Then I need to feed the gang and take the dogs out, and then I'll crash. I'll bring the recycling bin inside in the morning.

Entry tags:

Grounding Techniques

Gracie is learning to not go after the cats food. At first, she kept popping up to the edge of the counter like a Jack-in-the-Box, but now I can say, “Gra-cie, NO!” and she’ll jump down.

I’m looking at the shore excursions for the Bermuda cruise, and yeah, I want to do that.

Overslept for a half-hour. I have a headache.

The doctor's office said to go to an Urgent Care. I have an appointment for tonight at 6 PM.

I picked up Gracie’s meds and made an appointment for Bella. Now I’m at Urgent Care. Got the kit for the stool sample. Came home and used it. I want to drop it off before work tomorrow.

Bella’s collar is missing! I don’t know what happened to it.

Elizabeth Gilbert said that she practices grounding techniques before she goes anywhere. I wish that she had said what techniques that she uses. I might talk to my therapist about it. I subscribed to some DailyOM courses: "End Anxiety and Panic Attacks," "Living in Calmness When Emotions Overwhelm You," and "Preventing Procrastination". I hope that they help.

I want to go to sleep as soon as my laundry finishes because I want to get up early and drop off my sample at the lab before work.

Entry tags:

Monday yawns...but is otherwise okay

It's a Monday. But at least the weather for the most part was pleasant. Over cast most of the day, until I got home, but in the low seventies. I took a long walk to McNally's Book Store, and back. Picked up a book that I'd been eyeing the last time I was there. ( Read more... )

Entertainment Items of note

1. To anyone who watched Angel the Series (and more importantly still remembers it well enough to answer this question) - someone on Facebook thinks Angel was turned human by Wolfram and Hart then turned into a vampire again because he had to fight the monsters in LA. They are referring to the fifth season. To my recollection, the only time Angel ever became human was in I Will Always Remember You. Granted it has been some time since I've seen Angel the Series, but I'd think I'd remember that? (Considering how many metas and reviews I wrote about it.) Anyone remember Angel turning human in Season 5? Or is this person completely deluded?

2. Buffy Revival - it's not a Reboot, although people keep calling it a Reboot, and people keep fighting over whether it is one or not, which I find amusing, because they've managed to completely confuse the fandom.
At any rate, Charisma Carpenter has finally clarified that she is not in it, she's not been contacted, and has no idea where they are with it, nor is she in contact with anyone involved. She's only made it known that she'd like to be in it.

I think the people who have been contacted and may be involved are Gellar's friends: Marsters, Hannigan, and Seth Green. They appear to know something.
But I could be wrong. Those are the three she still appears to be close to on some level and in contact with.

3. Alien Nation - the newest thing by Noah Hawley - who is best known for the television series: Fargo and Legion (he also worked on Bones for a bit). No, Ridely Scott isn't involved at all. And I could tell - after seeing the first two episodes. Scott is scarier. I can't watch Scott's Alien.

Once again, folks are fighting over whether it is a reboot. (It's not. It's an expansion on the previous series. Similar to say the Star Trek franchise.)

The first two are intriguing? But I'm on the fence about it. It's biological sci-fi leaning towards horror. [Anyone else see it?]

4. Alan Cummings reports loving filming Avengers Doomsday
( excerpt )
***

Music and Religion

Finally, I decided to listen to the Superman 2025 soundtrack, Punkrocker, Nine Inch Nails...I need album recs. I only really have listened to Downward Spiral and Pretty Hate Machine.

Also Jimmi Hendrix's Machine Gun, rec'd by a Franciscan Priest on loan to a Unitarian Church during a sermon on how to tell the Jesus story. (Yes, I was intrigued by all the contradictions in that sentence as well.)

Mother: Wait. What is a Franciscan Priest doing at a Unitarian Church?
ME: No clue. But I find it intriguing. More intriguing than the wannabe Rabbi playing Unitarian Minister actually. Plus he's doing bible studies.
And is a Jimmi Hendrix fan. What are the odds? [And having done the wannabe Rabbi's bible studies, I'd like to try the Franciscan Priest's bible studies.]

I like contradictions. I'm contradictory. These are my people.

Entry tags:

Bouncing Back a Little

I'm looking at hotels in New York City, and fuuuuck, they're expensive. I'm leaning towards the Hilton Garden Inn because it has a refrigerator. Okay, the Hotel Indigo has a minifridge and seems a little cheaper. I’d like to take the train there if I can spare the time. There would be an eight-hour layover in Chicago, but I would have a roomette, so I could use the lounge. I’m not booking anything until we get the “all clear“ from the vet.

I’m thinking of what I’d want to do in NYC:

Ground Zero
Go to the top of One World Trade Center (same day)
Go up to Central Park and pay my respects to John Lennon across from the Dakota Building
Cruise (boat) around Manhattan
Hang out in the Village
Go to a terrific bookstore
See the High Line
Go to Katz’s deli
Eat great cheesecake
???

I need to buy a guidebook (ordered).

Oh crap. My singing teacher is stopping online lessons, so I need to find a new teacher. That explains why her availability has been limited. I found someone that I would like to try.

I tried to put Bella’s food in a cat dish, so it’s time to go to bed. I took Bella and Gracie out, but I’ve been having problems with my front door, so I’ve been leaving the door a little ajar with the screen door closed. Oliver usually goes in the doorway but backs off when Gracie comes in. This time, he got out. Luckily, I was able to grab him. I guess that I’ll have to go in through the back door.

Woke up a little after 9 AM. (I wound up staying up late.) Dogs (to the tune of “Baby I Love Your Way”): “Mommy, I want your food. Want to tell you I want your food….” Fed us all.

It rained last night, so I don’t need to water the outdoor plants. I need to check on the big fern on the porch though. It needs water.

Drat. Bonnie Raitt is going to be in Chicago in early September, but it’s in the middle of the week, so I can’t go.

I bought a nice wallet that includes a passport holder for my next trip.

Napped and dreamed that my father was being an asshole. He was pretty bad when I was a kid, but has improved with age. Took the dogs out, and Oliver tried to get out when I was bringing them back in. He’s being a pain. This is why he has an AirTag collar.

I want to stay home today and clean off the porch and work on the kitchen.

I think that Gracie is annoying Bella. I heard a small yelp from Gracie, but now they’re happily chewing stuff side by side. I bought them some tug-of-war toys because they like to play tug, usually with something of mine that they shouldn’t be into!

The New York Times suggested traveling with a small carbon monoxide detector, which sounded like a good idea so I ordered one.

I’m feeling tired but I hope that my shower will help. It helped a little. Now it’s feeding time at the zoo.

I’m experimenting with visualizing how the house will look when it’s organized so motivate me to work on it.

Started cleaning off the porch until my back started killing me. Now I’m drinking some flavored carbonated water.

Hmm. A massage. That’s what I need to calm down. And try out the sauna. Okay, I booked one on the 30th.

Got my old stoneware downstairs. (I’m hanging onto it until I find the small plates and bowls.) Now I need to eat something (done). Got my new stoneware put away with help (NOT!) from Oliver. I need a white sugar bowl and creamer to go with it (ordered).

Crud. The dining chairs that I liked have been sold. Need to look for others. Okay, I found a set on Overstock that I like. I need to finish cleaning up the kitchen before getting them.

The cats are starting to tell me that they’re hungry. I'm going to feed the beasties and crash. At least I got some stuff done today.