...when he walked through the swinging doors into the stock room today, right past where I was standing slicing vegetables: "Hey, Ya'll". It tickled my memory, and my funny bone. Making me think of a YouTube one of my kids showed me some time ago. Where guys are doing really stupid things, as guys are prone to do, often fueled with alcohol and prodded by 'Double-dog-dare-yous'.
The set up for remarkably foolish behavior consisting of stunts the onlookers know from the get-go is certain to not only fail, but cause serious bodily harm. The kind that causes witnesses to: 2) wince as it occurs, then b) spend hours afterward sitting in the waiting area of the ER. While the damaged miscreant goofball gets stitched back together, broken bones set, wounds repaired, limbs gauze wrapped or stomach pumped.
What you would hear him say before the sure-to-fail incident occurred: "Hey, Ya'll! Watch This!!"
Thursday, July 14, 2016
volunteering my afternoon...
...by going to the local Tech. school to donate a pint. My payment was a single serve packet of Nutter Butter cookies, and another of Cheezits. A pretty good deal exchange to my way of thinking.
Then I agreed to meet a friend at Recorder's Court for a hearing. Some sort of heated disagreement with a former employer. I fully understand how you can't just let some minor issue go because 'it's the principle of the thing'. But when you go stand before the judge, there is always a chance you will find yourself escorted by a big bulky officer with Glock and cuffs through the back door of the courtroom and issued an orange jumpsuit. Which likely would have happened if the friend had not taken an attorney with her, who was able to remind her of the value of keeping her mouth shut. It all worked out, but they will have to go back at some point.
My part of this sordid tale is how I could not get into the court room, to be the moral support I had promised. I was tearing down town to get there by 2:00, and grabbed the first parking space I saw, which was nearly a block away. I did not even hesitate because it involved 'parallel' parking, but just scooted right in and headed towards the building where the courtrooms are. Dashed in the door, only to find lots of loitering riff-raff, and knew I was in the wrong place: I had entered the door for the county lock-up. The next door down is Recorder's Court.
I did get into the right door, only to find a very ill-tempered deputy who made me take my folding pocket knife back to my car, a block away in the sizzling heat. I said I will just put it in the trash, and she said NO. "You have to take it to your car. This is a Jail Building, You Cannot put it in the trash can." I fully understand: the trustees do the building maintenance, and putting a knife where they could find and smuggle it is not a good idea. But she could have been more civil instead of snappish. I am sure she gets tired of saying the same thing over and over, day after day, but she signed on to be a public servant instead of acting like a shrew.
So I went back to my car, and emptied my pockets, no phone, no wallet, no anything except my key ring, with various tags with barcodes, keys and car key fob. But I forgot I have this little wee folding knife on the metal ring that looks just like a key. So, dammit. She told me I would have to take it and leave it in my car.
Then, on the third try: "You can't go in the courtroom wearing shorts". I am still wondering why she did not say that as soon as I walked in the door the first time? You are right to assume I got in my car and went home. Gnashing my teeth and cursing all the way.
Then I agreed to meet a friend at Recorder's Court for a hearing. Some sort of heated disagreement with a former employer. I fully understand how you can't just let some minor issue go because 'it's the principle of the thing'. But when you go stand before the judge, there is always a chance you will find yourself escorted by a big bulky officer with Glock and cuffs through the back door of the courtroom and issued an orange jumpsuit. Which likely would have happened if the friend had not taken an attorney with her, who was able to remind her of the value of keeping her mouth shut. It all worked out, but they will have to go back at some point.
My part of this sordid tale is how I could not get into the court room, to be the moral support I had promised. I was tearing down town to get there by 2:00, and grabbed the first parking space I saw, which was nearly a block away. I did not even hesitate because it involved 'parallel' parking, but just scooted right in and headed towards the building where the courtrooms are. Dashed in the door, only to find lots of loitering riff-raff, and knew I was in the wrong place: I had entered the door for the county lock-up. The next door down is Recorder's Court.
I did get into the right door, only to find a very ill-tempered deputy who made me take my folding pocket knife back to my car, a block away in the sizzling heat. I said I will just put it in the trash, and she said NO. "You have to take it to your car. This is a Jail Building, You Cannot put it in the trash can." I fully understand: the trustees do the building maintenance, and putting a knife where they could find and smuggle it is not a good idea. But she could have been more civil instead of snappish. I am sure she gets tired of saying the same thing over and over, day after day, but she signed on to be a public servant instead of acting like a shrew.
So I went back to my car, and emptied my pockets, no phone, no wallet, no anything except my key ring, with various tags with barcodes, keys and car key fob. But I forgot I have this little wee folding knife on the metal ring that looks just like a key. So, dammit. She told me I would have to take it and leave it in my car.
Then, on the third try: "You can't go in the courtroom wearing shorts". I am still wondering why she did not say that as soon as I walked in the door the first time? You are right to assume I got in my car and went home. Gnashing my teeth and cursing all the way.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
volunteering my morning...
...starting with plans to meet the vendor who stocks Sara Lee baked goods. He had agreed to provide me with 150 hotdog buns, to donate to the Summer-fest event at the Civic Center today. Only problem being, I went to meet him at the wrong Walmart. So there I was, and he wasn't. A phone call resolved that, and I got the buns, to take downtown.
Along with 6 x 24 hot dogs and a whopping big pile of donated (slightly stale) cookies. I will trust you to not repeat this: but some of them have been in my fridge for two months, awaiting the Summer-fest. Some were picked up last night, and I am hoping the people who ate them could not tell which ones were nearly fresh and which ones had been awaiting consumption for weeks.
I was supposed to be down there at 7:30, but was nearly an hour late, as a result of the non-meeting at the wrong store to bun pick up. And got there, with cookies, hot dogs, buns, and 18 x 5 cases of bottled water much later than planned. Only to be reminded: If I don't write it down, it won't happen. I had agreed to put together a gift basket for a door prize, and completely forgot. Until someone said 'gift' and I thought: 'Oh, s#%t!'
Where upon I made up an excellent lie. Saying I had forgotten it (which is truer than anyone will ever know) and that I had left it at home, and would go get it, be back before 9:00. Went to the 'just a buck' store and bought twenty dollars worth of stuff, including a little plastic basket. And across the street to the grocery store, where I know for a fact they use clear cellophane to wrap fresh fruit gift baskets. And wrapped it all up, adding frou-frou and long streamers of curling ribbon.
It all worked out - I will just add the cost of the basket stuff to the donation I will take off my taxes. Summerfest is an annual event the senior citizens of the area enjoy where they can go and get hot dog lunch, win a variety of door prizes, a t-shirt with sponsors names printed on the back, learn about community resource. All free, just show up and enjoy sitting in the cool building, being entertained by musical acts, skits, hula dancers (fully covered.)
Along with 6 x 24 hot dogs and a whopping big pile of donated (slightly stale) cookies. I will trust you to not repeat this: but some of them have been in my fridge for two months, awaiting the Summer-fest. Some were picked up last night, and I am hoping the people who ate them could not tell which ones were nearly fresh and which ones had been awaiting consumption for weeks.
I was supposed to be down there at 7:30, but was nearly an hour late, as a result of the non-meeting at the wrong store to bun pick up. And got there, with cookies, hot dogs, buns, and 18 x 5 cases of bottled water much later than planned. Only to be reminded: If I don't write it down, it won't happen. I had agreed to put together a gift basket for a door prize, and completely forgot. Until someone said 'gift' and I thought: 'Oh, s#%t!'
Where upon I made up an excellent lie. Saying I had forgotten it (which is truer than anyone will ever know) and that I had left it at home, and would go get it, be back before 9:00. Went to the 'just a buck' store and bought twenty dollars worth of stuff, including a little plastic basket. And across the street to the grocery store, where I know for a fact they use clear cellophane to wrap fresh fruit gift baskets. And wrapped it all up, adding frou-frou and long streamers of curling ribbon.
It all worked out - I will just add the cost of the basket stuff to the donation I will take off my taxes. Summerfest is an annual event the senior citizens of the area enjoy where they can go and get hot dog lunch, win a variety of door prizes, a t-shirt with sponsors names printed on the back, learn about community resource. All free, just show up and enjoy sitting in the cool building, being entertained by musical acts, skits, hula dancers (fully covered.)
roaming about Londontown....
...with ample time for gawking, observing the hundreds and hundreds of other gawking tourists. On the Big Red bus again, and various and sundry trips up and down the steps of the 'tube' (underground trains, like Marta in Atlanta or Metra in DC) to get where we wanted to be. Pretty complicated syncing the maps with street map that had points of interest, Big Bus map with on-off stops, tube map for getting places in a hurry (but massively crowded during peak hours).
Fortunately, I was traveling with an excellent logistics coordinator, who I conveniently raised. Her sister and I would stand there people watching, trying to not get stepped on, or run over or pushed onto the track. While the expert repeatedly deciphered the many maps she was using to get us to monuments, castles, cathedrals, places we were desperately trying to see in a rapidly depleting amount of time.
We went back into the area of the Thames, planning to see the Tower and The Bridge. Did you know that the 'Tower' is not really just a tower, but a large rambling collection of ancient stone buildings built on the walls/foundation of a Roman garrison/fort? They call the structure in the center of the fortification the Tower, and there are rounded towers on all four corners of the square building. We did not go up those narrow winding staircases to upper levels, as I thought about feeling claustrophobic. In the area we did enter, there is an interesting display of armor, including metal plating designed to protect war horses that would carry fully covered knights into battle. Interesting bit of trivia: Guardsmen actually reside in the small apartments within the Tower complex. With families, who hang out laundry, and kids that ride bikes on the cobblestones after hours.
We also saw: safely tucked away in a huge vault, the Queens jewels, various crowns used over the centuries, scepters, ornately bejeweled gifts bestowed upon monarchs over time. Huge silver platters, serving bowls, and several empty cases, carefully designed, meticulously lined with velvet, constructed to hold the wealth when the valuables need to travel. Plus an empty display where a royal scepter is normally displayed when Parliament is not in session, but must be ceremonially present when they are open for business.
Walked across the Thames on the Tower Bridge, which is the one with two tall stone beacons. The one depicted on postcards most assume is the London Bridge. If you are excessively brave or daring, you can go up into the heights of the towers and go from one to the other on a pedestrian walkway, over a section of the flooring that is clear, looking down on passersby and traffic crossing the river below. That was not me up there. More trivia: Did you know that The London Bridge was purchased by an (obviously quite wealthy) American businessman, dismantled stone by stone, shipped to the US and reassembled on Lake Havasu in Arizona? I did know that, and told my companions, who looked at me as if I had fallen from Mars, but when it was confirmed by a tour guide, I felt quite knowledgeable and clever. For more info., consult google.
The cousin had purchased tickets for us to go to the Globe Theater, where many of the Shakespeare plays were originally performed. It has been meticulously reconstructed (with appropriate modern building codes observed as required). Hot as blue blazes, open to the weather, with standing for the peasants down on the bottom level adjacent to the stage. We thankfully had seats, mostly shaded.
Walked miles and miles...
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Fortunately, I was traveling with an excellent logistics coordinator, who I conveniently raised. Her sister and I would stand there people watching, trying to not get stepped on, or run over or pushed onto the track. While the expert repeatedly deciphered the many maps she was using to get us to monuments, castles, cathedrals, places we were desperately trying to see in a rapidly depleting amount of time.
We went back into the area of the Thames, planning to see the Tower and The Bridge. Did you know that the 'Tower' is not really just a tower, but a large rambling collection of ancient stone buildings built on the walls/foundation of a Roman garrison/fort? They call the structure in the center of the fortification the Tower, and there are rounded towers on all four corners of the square building. We did not go up those narrow winding staircases to upper levels, as I thought about feeling claustrophobic. In the area we did enter, there is an interesting display of armor, including metal plating designed to protect war horses that would carry fully covered knights into battle. Interesting bit of trivia: Guardsmen actually reside in the small apartments within the Tower complex. With families, who hang out laundry, and kids that ride bikes on the cobblestones after hours.
We also saw: safely tucked away in a huge vault, the Queens jewels, various crowns used over the centuries, scepters, ornately bejeweled gifts bestowed upon monarchs over time. Huge silver platters, serving bowls, and several empty cases, carefully designed, meticulously lined with velvet, constructed to hold the wealth when the valuables need to travel. Plus an empty display where a royal scepter is normally displayed when Parliament is not in session, but must be ceremonially present when they are open for business.
Walked across the Thames on the Tower Bridge, which is the one with two tall stone beacons. The one depicted on postcards most assume is the London Bridge. If you are excessively brave or daring, you can go up into the heights of the towers and go from one to the other on a pedestrian walkway, over a section of the flooring that is clear, looking down on passersby and traffic crossing the river below. That was not me up there. More trivia: Did you know that The London Bridge was purchased by an (obviously quite wealthy) American businessman, dismantled stone by stone, shipped to the US and reassembled on Lake Havasu in Arizona? I did know that, and told my companions, who looked at me as if I had fallen from Mars, but when it was confirmed by a tour guide, I felt quite knowledgeable and clever. For more info., consult google.
The cousin had purchased tickets for us to go to the Globe Theater, where many of the Shakespeare plays were originally performed. It has been meticulously reconstructed (with appropriate modern building codes observed as required). Hot as blue blazes, open to the weather, with standing for the peasants down on the bottom level adjacent to the stage. We thankfully had seats, mostly shaded.
Walked miles and miles...
Thursday, July 7, 2016
taking tea in Londontown...
... was one of several things we specifically wanted to do. Others included trying to be in the right place at the right time for seeing the Changing of the Queen's Guard in front of her many roomed home, Buckingham Palace. Tickets to gain entry into the painstakingly rebuilt Globe Theater, to see a Shakespeare play.
The High Tea was in a classically appointed room in a luxe hotel. There were crisply ironed tablecloths and napkins, an attentive staff impeccably groomed, discreetly observing and quick to supply our every request. Tiny little sandwiches, filled with traditional fare including caviar, smoked salmon, cucumbers (none of which I care to consume - but ate anyway just to be able to tell you about the experience), egg salad, (no PBJ) plus lots of tiny delicate decorated bite-sized sweets stacked up on the little tiered serving dishes.
We each picked our choice for flavors of tea, and one of us went all out with wine as well. Then they brought out the sconces (pretty much a tall, sweetened biscuit) with accompanying butter, lemon-curd, jam. Sadly we were full before the sconces arrived, but continued to eat....
That amusing fresh floral arrangement was a nod to the Wimbledon games going on while we were there. Pretty clever how the tennis balls were incorporated. Lots of bright fresh flowers all over the public parts of the building where we were, as well as beautiful plantings displayed on the exterior, with not a drooping leaf or wilted bloom to be seen.
Wednesday, July6, 2016
it's reeeaaaally early...
...not yet daylight. But I was just on the phone with someone who said 'text me', and I replied: "I can't do that". My phone is not 'smart', and when it comes to IT, nor am I, though I know I am not stupid. I think of the opposite of stupid as 'yet to be informed'. There is a world of facts, information, knowledge that I am not yet privy to, and mountains of books to be read. So: No, I'm not stupid, just cannot read any faster.
I am occasionally sad, and at times annoyed with my lack of technology ability, frustrated when I am forced to seek help. Aggravated when the conundrum is so complicated I cannot solve it myself, and stumped until someone else can resolve the problem. I did something here, on this screen, when I was typing a couple of days ago that completely baffled me. Trying to get all the fun we had reported on, sharing travel experiences -when suddenly the words went vertical. All the sentences on the page were standing on end. Every thing on the screen was north and south, at 'Attention!' Making it really hard to read. And typos really hard to correct when the buttons with arrows were 'reversed', with directional markings no longer accurate.
And then there's Me. With no tech. skills, not knowing what I did, to know how to un-do it. I went to a friend who's knowledge is vast as the universe as compared to mine. Meaning she is not afraid to press various buttons in different configurations, just to see what happens. But she could not find the magic combination to get my words to lay down in tidy rows. So, sadly everything caused me to develop a pain in the neck while keyboard was east/west and sentences were north/south.
I went to my work place, and asked a Kid. Yeah, I know. He said he'd done that on his computer and knew just what to do to fix it. I got the laptop out of the car and in less time than it takes to tell the story, he pressed: ControlAltArrow. Poof! Back to Normal. Yay for the Kid! He was stunned when I gave him a big smack on the cheek.
So that explains why there has been a gap in info. about the trip to UK. I will get right back on it, after I go make a cup of coffee that is mostly almond milk and creamer. I know you have been anxiously awaiting The Rest of The Story...
I am occasionally sad, and at times annoyed with my lack of technology ability, frustrated when I am forced to seek help. Aggravated when the conundrum is so complicated I cannot solve it myself, and stumped until someone else can resolve the problem. I did something here, on this screen, when I was typing a couple of days ago that completely baffled me. Trying to get all the fun we had reported on, sharing travel experiences -when suddenly the words went vertical. All the sentences on the page were standing on end. Every thing on the screen was north and south, at 'Attention!' Making it really hard to read. And typos really hard to correct when the buttons with arrows were 'reversed', with directional markings no longer accurate.
And then there's Me. With no tech. skills, not knowing what I did, to know how to un-do it. I went to a friend who's knowledge is vast as the universe as compared to mine. Meaning she is not afraid to press various buttons in different configurations, just to see what happens. But she could not find the magic combination to get my words to lay down in tidy rows. So, sadly everything caused me to develop a pain in the neck while keyboard was east/west and sentences were north/south.
I went to my work place, and asked a Kid. Yeah, I know. He said he'd done that on his computer and knew just what to do to fix it. I got the laptop out of the car and in less time than it takes to tell the story, he pressed: ControlAltArrow. Poof! Back to Normal. Yay for the Kid! He was stunned when I gave him a big smack on the cheek.
So that explains why there has been a gap in info. about the trip to UK. I will get right back on it, after I go make a cup of coffee that is mostly almond milk and creamer. I know you have been anxiously awaiting The Rest of The Story...
Monday, July 11, 2016
poking around Londontown...
...on Wednesday. The hotel provided breakfast, and my brain was befuddled, so I prodded them into getting up and starting a day of seeing the sights. We'd decided on a two day pass for the tour bus, and wanted to be sure we got full value. So headed for the nearest stop on big Red Bus tour. That we eventually discovered included both a night tour on a circle route around the inner city, showing a variety of parks, shopping areas, historic sites. As well as the opportunity to get on a passenger ferry as part of the Big Red bus tour that makes several stops on the Thames, taking passengers down to Greenwich and back up to a stop adjacent to Parliament building.
So yeah, we did all that. Getting our full value from the cost of the two day tickets for the Big Red. Riding in big loops along the city streets, hopping on and off at various stops, listening to the recorded tour with complimentary ear buds as the bus rolled through shopping areas, residential districts. With the disembodied voice describing points of interest: well known commercial/retail streets, fashion district, historic homes, statues of war heroes.
We lucked up on a walking tour that took us to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. How cool is that? Yeah, pretty much! The personable guide walked us to where the guys in the red coats and big beaver hats troop out, with a small accompaniment of musicians, to march down the street to the Palace. Where they are met by the fresh troops in their own beaver hats and red uniform coats to swap out duties for the next shift. Really impressive. As was the Queen Victoria statue in the roundabout in front of the Palace.
The city has lots of beautiful, well maintained green space. Public parks for everyone to enjoy. My cousin commented during our stay with her that the English do not expect fair weather for picnic-ing. She said you can see families out for the day, sitting on the blanket enjoying their basket lunch holding umbrellas in a downpour. They apparently continue with the stiff upper lip, in the 'Carry On' mode, regardless of inclement circumstances. Unwilling to let a deluge alter their plans. The parks we saw when atop the Big Red were spacious, neatly kept and trimmed. But even more attractive than parks, though some had beautiful plantings, of perennials and roses, were flowers on the streets.
It's not likely the gorgeous hanging baskets were put out just because they knew we were coming over, or even to dress up in anticipation of the Wimbledon matches, going on during our stay. But I assume always planted with seasonal decor., to add some bright color to the town year round. In addition to the many window boxes, planters hanging from facades and huge pots filled with colorful annuals at entry ways throughout the city. I guess all those colorful planters, hanging from lightposts, on buildings, at doorways, all over every town, would have to be one of the high points for me, the plant lover.
You will be as surprised as I am, now that I think of it, to discover I made no effort whatsoever to smuggle any agricultural products back into the US. I did not even beg to be taken to a garden shop or plant store while we were there... I must be --- what's a good British expression? Daft? Bonkers?
Wednesday, July 5, 2016
So yeah, we did all that. Getting our full value from the cost of the two day tickets for the Big Red. Riding in big loops along the city streets, hopping on and off at various stops, listening to the recorded tour with complimentary ear buds as the bus rolled through shopping areas, residential districts. With the disembodied voice describing points of interest: well known commercial/retail streets, fashion district, historic homes, statues of war heroes.
We lucked up on a walking tour that took us to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. How cool is that? Yeah, pretty much! The personable guide walked us to where the guys in the red coats and big beaver hats troop out, with a small accompaniment of musicians, to march down the street to the Palace. Where they are met by the fresh troops in their own beaver hats and red uniform coats to swap out duties for the next shift. Really impressive. As was the Queen Victoria statue in the roundabout in front of the Palace.
The city has lots of beautiful, well maintained green space. Public parks for everyone to enjoy. My cousin commented during our stay with her that the English do not expect fair weather for picnic-ing. She said you can see families out for the day, sitting on the blanket enjoying their basket lunch holding umbrellas in a downpour. They apparently continue with the stiff upper lip, in the 'Carry On' mode, regardless of inclement circumstances. Unwilling to let a deluge alter their plans. The parks we saw when atop the Big Red were spacious, neatly kept and trimmed. But even more attractive than parks, though some had beautiful plantings, of perennials and roses, were flowers on the streets.
It's not likely the gorgeous hanging baskets were put out just because they knew we were coming over, or even to dress up in anticipation of the Wimbledon matches, going on during our stay. But I assume always planted with seasonal decor., to add some bright color to the town year round. In addition to the many window boxes, planters hanging from facades and huge pots filled with colorful annuals at entry ways throughout the city. I guess all those colorful planters, hanging from lightposts, on buildings, at doorways, all over every town, would have to be one of the high points for me, the plant lover.
You will be as surprised as I am, now that I think of it, to discover I made no effort whatsoever to smuggle any agricultural products back into the US. I did not even beg to be taken to a garden shop or plant store while we were there... I must be --- what's a good British expression? Daft? Bonkers?
Wednesday, July 5, 2016
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