Day #354 - Another year older...

[shadowkat]

Well, I'm another year older today. Other than that not much to commemorate it by. I did have a long conversation with my brother - who called my landline and not my cell-phone, which was a surprise. He usually texts or calls my cell - I think he realizes that I'm alone on my birthday. Alone in a city of 12 million, or possibly less than that as result of the pandemic. No we haven't lost millions, but we have had a lot of people flee the city to the burbs.



As you can see - it was a beautiful spring day - where everything looks dead. In the upper fifties, it felt like sixty degrees in the sunshine.
And I was edgy - so wandering through the cemetery on my own with few folks around was a lovely thing. The Gate-Keeper was also happy with me, because I prevented a little girl from bringing her scooter into the cemetery - I was going to let him do it. But I decided he might not see it, and it would be better if I advised them before they came through the gate. (I did see a jogger - you aren't supposed to jog in the cemetery - but I decided she was wearing a mask - and I'm not in the mood to chase after her and play traffic cop.

A bit aggravated today - due to delivery issues. (I wanted those binocolars. They looked like Vortex Optics Diamondback Binoculars. I got a full refund instead, along with $5 added. Also got a $25 gift certificate from Wales.

My brother said I could still receive them. He had things that he'd given up on arrive six months later. Also, he ordered two huge ventilation fans for his bathrooms - and he'd ordered them on a Thursday at 3PM, they arrived the next day. Amazon is weird. Everything is weird. If it is delivered by USPS? You may or may not receive it. If it is FedEx or UPS - more likely to get it. If Amazon Prime Shipping - will get it immediately.

I'm wary of buying the binoculars again - I don't trust how they are shipping them. And I might not get another refund. So, considering getting the Amazon Kindle Oasis instead with the refund. (They credited my account - so I have to buy something on Amazon. To be fair - they did offer to refund my card, it was my choice to go the account route.)

Also I ordered PJ's from Amazon - thinking they were black, they were navy blue. Oh well. At least they fit, more or less.

Mother sent me flowers, which did come and are blooming finally - they looked a bit limp when I took them out of the box, removed the water sack, cut the stems, put them in the vase with water. I'm glad she sent me vases with each flower delivery - because I appear to have either misplaced or gotten rid of the ones I'd owned. (My apartment isn't that big - I've no idea how stuff disappears in it.)



In the graveyard - my doctor felt the need to call me for the pre-screening. I stupidly scheduled a doctor's appointment for the day after my birthday. (A mistake that will not be repeated. I think for some reason or other, I figured the pandemic would be either be over, or I wouldn't care because of the pandemic. But it made me edgy. I hate doctor's appointments. I miss the years - when I went once in a blue moon. But alas can't get away with that any longer.)

Nurse: Are you still coming tomorrow at 8:20 am?
ME: Yes.
Nurse: Have you tested positive for COVID within the last five to ten days?
ME: No.
Nurse: Have you been exposed to anyone who has?
ME: No.
Nurse: Are you living with anyone who has it?
ME: No.
Nurse: Are you coming alone to the appointment tomorrow?
ME: Yes.
Nurse: You need to fast before you come - since blood work. You know that right?
ME : Yes.
Nurse: Okay by now.
Me: Bye.

I'm hoping that when I get out of the appointment, certain bakeries are open so that I can buy myself a gluten-free treat. Also possibly a stop by the market to grab good stuff - they have a great market in that neighborhood. Pricey, but it has good stuff.

I might also stop by the home store and pick up another bath mat and a shower curtain, if they have them. And Planted for Tumeric/Ginger CBD's.



I have a fondness for the brownstones along Canton Avenue. If could afford it - I'd buy one. But alas, I cannot. And I'm making a good salary - that should tell you right there how bloody expensive the city is - although rents have dropped dramatically. I could potentially find a nicer apartment for less cost - if I felt like doing that right now. I do not.

I tried two movies today. Neither was very good. I need movie recommendations. Stat.

Movies tried?

Blithe Spirit adapted from the Noel Coward play, starring Dan Stevens, Judi Dench, Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher...it was, well it reminded me of Emma. Very broad and stylized but not funny.

I liked the 1945 version better, also the play (which I've seen as well). This wasn't funny. It was in fact, remarkably unfunny. It desperately wanted to be funny. It tried really hard to be funny - but it was just tiresome.

I am striking out on the movie front folks. This is the third to fourth one I've tried that sucked.

Timeline - was the other one. It's based on a Michael Crichton Novel, and directed by Richard Donner. But alas the cast wasn't that good, B or C list, and the writing not there, and there was far too much emphasis on fighting. I fast-forwarded through some of it - it was getting repetitive.

I really am striking out. Also tried television shows, but can't find anything that is grabbing me. Tried Normal People on Hulu, may go back to it. Or not.

Ugh. Oh well. It is what it is.



Mother called twice to wish me a happy birthday. She spoke with my father, who wanted to call me too - but wasn't certain that was a good idea.

ME: Oh how sweet...but it would confuse him, poor Dad.
Mother: Oh he's okay, and maybe not. He'd been running a meeting with the nurses and the doctors - or so he said, when I talked to him. I told your brother this and he said, Good.
Me: Well, at least he's entertained.
Mother: Exactly.
Me: It could be worse - be nightmares, glad it's not those.
Mother: Yep.

Speaking of? I keep having the recurring one of going to a University but unable to remember any of my courses, and somehow skipping an entire year of history. I just kept forgetting to go the classes. I wake up around the time I start trying to figure out how I could possibly graduate without ever going to class or completing the paperwork. I'm somewhat panicked about it - and realize upon awaking that I'm no longer in school. This is a recurring dream, with a few variations. It's so common, and so real, that it feels like it actually happened - although I know for a fact that it didn't.

I can't help but wonder is a lot of folks memories are actually dreams made up by their subconscious?

Anyhow, overall I'm a year older. I'm luckier than most. I managed to survive my 53rd year on this earth, without getting COVID-19. That's an accomplishment. With any luck my 54th will be better. Also, I've managed to keep the lines of communication open with family and friends for the most part. Lost contact with a few here and there - but life is like that.
Didn't, to my knowledge, lose anyone to COVID - another accomplishment.
I also kept my job, managed to give money to others, and well survive.

March 9th I consider my New Years in a lot of ways. And a lot has happened over the past year - it was kind of the watershed year to end all watershed years.

Here's hoping for a better year to come, all around.

I leave you with wild geese meandering in a graveyard.

Comments

[shadowkat]

Thank you!