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shadowkatTook another walk around the cemetery after work. Then caved and bought easter chocolates from the pharmacy. I'm going on a diet next week - just in time for the second dose of the Pfizer. (I've been watching who gets what shot closely, and am picking up an interesting pattern - those over 65 seem to be getting the Moderna, with a few exceptions here and there. Those under 65 and essential workers in the US appear to be getting the Pfizer, with few exceptions. Most of Gen X is getting the Pfizer, and some of the Baby Boomers, but the vast majority of the Baby Boomers and silent Gen are getting the Moderna. )
Scandals
Mother saw the 20 minute Oprah interview. Apparently the full thing, according to mother, was on CBS All Access.
ME: So I skipped the Harry/Meghan Interview on 60 minutes - they were saying it was 20 minutes though -
Mother: That's because CBS only aired 20 minutes of it, the rest was on CBS All Access.
Me: Oh. Well, the late night talk show hosts were kind of brutal on it in the US.
Mother: Not as bad as Piers Morgan was in Britain - he got fired apparently for his comments.
Me: I was under the impression the Brits didn't care that much.
Mother: No, they cared, just not in the same way. Apparently the British Press was tearing apart Meghan and making racist comments.
Me: The British Press has always been horrible. I can't remember a time in which it wasn't horrible. It was bad in the 1800s. Possibly the 1400s.
Their press makes ours look tame in comparison. Mainly because they've had more time to go downhill, we're only just beginning to catch up.
Me: So there was a racist comment by someone in the family, but not his father.
Mother: No, they think it was Prince Charles. There's some estrangement there and Charles is known for putting his foot in his mouth. It wasn't the Queen or Prince Phillip, who are more careful. I think it was just a dumb comment - because Charles walked her down the aisle.
Me: It could have been anyone, I don't think it's his brother - they are close.
Mother: Not any more - they aren't.
Me: I watched Colbert do the highlights and he made me laugh, even he was brutal - apparently Meghan didn't do any research on Harry and had no idea what she was getting into? What was she doing living under a rock?
Mother: Yes, it was a surprising statement.
Me: Colbert wondered if she'd ever used Google.
Mother: Not only that, they lived together first, and she visited. Also she's in her thirties, has been divorced, and in Hollwyood - she's not exactly niave like Diana was.
Me: No, and even Diana knew what she was getting into.
Mother: It was actually surprising they got married - they've come a long way in that regard, considering Meghan is a divorcee and a commoner and an American. There was time that wasn't permitted.
ME: Yep, the former King Edward (who married Wallis Simpson a divorcee - who he abdicated the throne for and was banished), and Princess Margaret both come to mind.
Mother: So progress.
Me: After watching the Crown - I had two takeaways - 1) why do they still have a royal family, and 2) I wouldn't want to be involved with them, ugh.
Mother: Except the royal family is very important to the British, its historical and has significance.
My mother also watched the weddings. She's into it, I'm not.
***
Scandal number #2 - concerns our erstwhile Governor, who is under attack by his own party for well... (Or rather the progressive side of it.)
I've been discussing it with co-workers, and mother. There really is no one else I can discuss it with - outside of you folks. I do not discuss it on Facebook or Twitter - I value what's left of my sanity.
The latest? Apparently all the NY Congressional Reps have decided to jump on the band-wagon and request the Governor's resignation. This may not play out the way they think. The comments to my congressional representative, Jerry Nadler's, post - were "shouldn't we let this be investigated first?" And "don't we live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty?" And, "what about due process, hello?" And.."I don't like the Governor, I didn't vote for him, but even I know this looks fishy and like a witch hunt. Particularly when you've been unable to convict Trump - who is so much worse. Go after him first. Also going after the Governor is just handing Trump a gift."
By the way? These comments were all from women, and I agreed with all of them. Women know that other women will lie about these things to get something. We know our gender is also afflicted with SAS. It's by no means immune.
Mother: The latest one rose -
Me: Yes, I know, it rose to the level of a felony or sexual assault. Assuming it is true.
Mother: You don't believe it-
Me: Look I know the Governor is an arrogant, egotistical bastard. I've said from the beginning that he is the liberal version of Trump. But I'm not sure about this - the timing is suspect. He's been Governor for over 10 years now. And they are coming out with this stuff now? Why? Why not say anything at the time it happened?
Mother: They figure they have a better chance of being believed now.
Me: I'm less likely to believe it now, than at the time it happened. Just because others came forward doesn't make it necessarily more believable.
I mean it could be a witch hunt - a carefully coordinated political manuever. It's just too convenient timing wise - the one who came forward is running for political office, various others are his political enemies, and his rep's been weakened over the nursing home numbers (which no one understands and make no sense even to the reporters).
See most New Yorkers know the Governor is probably slightly corrupt, and more than a little full of himself. But, the sexual harassment allegations feel drummed up to me. They stink of political agendas. And the fact that the congressional reps, and legislators, etc are all rushing to judgement before any investigation can be completed - and are pushing for impeachment before the investigation, makes me wonder if this isn't politically motivated. Which means it shines a bad light on the ones pushing for his resignation. I'm sorry - if they succeed, then what is to prevent anyone really from accusing all of them of the same things? And being believed? I mean it's not hard to slander someone or drum up charges against them. That's why due process is so important. Witness testimony shouldn't be enough to convict someone in any court - including the court of public opinion.
I personally think the progressives and Me#Too Movement are shooting themselves in the foot again over this.
Enuf on politics. At least Biden signed the 1.9 Trillion Stimulus Package, among other things this should keep me employed for the foreseeable future. At least 60 billion is going towards public transportation. Also, the Federal Government lifted its restrictions on the CBD tolling - or the congestion pricing plan. And it gave the go-ahead on the 2nd Avenue Subway plan. In other words, the Governor finally got what he wanted from the Feds. So he really doesn't have to give any live briefings any longer, unless he wants to. The numbers are down, we're getting more vaccines, the federal government is coming through, and everyone is wearing a mask for the most part - there are still MW's and SA's hanging about or people inflicted with SSAS.
***
I saw this in response to a friend's post.
"While I'm glad Lady Gaga's dog's have been recovered from the dognapping, I was more concerned about the life of the man, who appears to have survived. Dogs are replaceable, a human life is not."
I don't know if you can say dogs are replaceable. They are unique and kind, and not afflicted with SSAS. I happen to like dogs. I don't see them as replaceable. Can't we be concerned about the dogs and the dog-walker who got shot taking care of them? Aren't both equally important? I wonder if the poster realized what they were saying, and more to the point if they realized that dog lovers could be reading that and be a tad offended?
I don't like human beings very much sometimes. We're awfully full of ourselves.
Weighted comforter appeared to help with the sleeping. But I need to lose weight. I keep gaining weight. Instead of losing twenty pounds, I appear to have gained twenty pounds. I'm going in the wrong direction. It makes doctor's appointments humiliating and difficult. I did take an hour and a half walk today after work. And Wedensday - 2.2 miles, Tuesday 3.3 miles, and Monday, 2 miles. So not bad.
Talked to niece via text-messaging. She's highly appreciative of the Brits who gave her advice, so thank you. Especially to gillo, who she'd definitely like to reach out to.
A bit more clarification for those following along? She's not going to the London School of Economics full time. She's going to Bard College, which is near where she lives. Bard has a high school hybrid program - Simon Rock at Bard College, where high school students can graduate at 17 with an Associates Degree, and then get a Bachelors within say two years shortly thereafter. It's actually far cheaper than going the State University route. And it's a better education all around - more opportunities, more intensive study, easier in-road to graduate school, and far more career and job opportunities down the road. Through Bard, my niece is doing a one-year exchange program with London School of Economics. Various Universities have exchange programs with Bard. My niece's counselors approached her in regards to these programs, which she had to apply to, write essays for, and get accepted into on basis of educational achievement and interest. She applied to Oxford, London School of Economics, University of Toronto, Columbia University - all of which have programs focusing on human rights advocacy and social sciences, which is her main area of interest. She's thoroughly researched everything out.
(My niece is a bit like me - she researches everything out to the letter.)
[As an aside? I went to a small liberal arts college for undergrad and through it was able to study abroad, and do a lot of interesting things I'd never ever would have gotten to do at a larger school.]
She got into them all - but her first choice was LSE. And it's just one year, freeing her up for other opportunities through BARD. Oxford - she's too young, they don't accept anyone under the age of 19. LSE will accept 16 and up.
I'm very proud of her. I told her that she had my support no matter what.
And I'd help in any way I could. If she goes, I hope that I might be able to visit her in the Spring of 2022 and maybe take her to Paris. It gives me something to look forward to...along with seeing my mother in July, and possibly at Christmas time.
Speaking of...a bit of good news?
My father's long-term care facility is opening up next week, and residents can have scheduled in person visits with up to two people. Family members and children over the age of 12. My mother's quarantine ends on Monday, and she gets her second dose of the Moderna on Wednesday. This means she may be able to do a face-to-face in person visit with my Dad next week, and will be able to be doing more weekly going forward. This is very good news. They've not seen each other since she went into the hospital on January 4, and he went into the long-term care facility shortly after that.
The toll it has taken on my family mentally and emotionally has been...inexplicable to say the least. It is very very hard to watch or listen to someone you love go through this, and not be able to do anything to help. Thank you to everyone who has listened and supported me through this, I deeply appreciate it.
I was admittedly feeling sorry for myself today and more than a tad lonely. The doctor's appointment this week left me a touch irritable and out of sorts - because I can't seem to lose weight and keep gaining. Also struggling a bit with Gerd. Most likely due to the pandemic, stress, perimenopause, etc. I'm trying. But full time job - makes it difficult to do a lot of walking about during the daylight hours. And I don't have a commute. I try to put it in after work but don't always manage it.
And, Biden was talking about being able to do barbecues and celebrate the 4th of July, and I don't know anyone to do that with in my area. I told this to my mother - and she said, with any luck, maybe I can come down and visit her in July. I'd like that. I'd also like to visit my niece and brother and sisinlaw before niece took off to London. I've not seen my family in a long time, or friends, or anyone. I miss them.
I'm trying not to resent the lucky ducks who have. It's hard not to resent people who have friends and family nearby, and don't live alone. I feel sometimes as if they take what they have for granted? We do, you know. Take what we have for granted. I remind myself of what I have. I've not lost anyone this past year - that's huge. According to the news one in three people have...with over 530,000 dead and climbing in the US alone.
No one I'm close to - has long COVID. None of my co-workers (who I know and work with) have died. I still have a job. I'm paid well. I've decent benefits. I have a nice apartment. It's safe.
My friend AH responded to my last email on my birthday. Turns out she hadn't responded prior because of identity theft. Someone took out an unemployment benefit card in her name - she found out when the Maryland Department of Labor sent her a notice that her address had been changed, if she hadn't done so - she should contact them. She did - but it was a nightmare getting hold of anyone, since well, apparently this is a popular scam and everyone wants unemployment benefits.
There but for the grace of god go I. On oh so many things.
Scandals
Mother saw the 20 minute Oprah interview. Apparently the full thing, according to mother, was on CBS All Access.
ME: So I skipped the Harry/Meghan Interview on 60 minutes - they were saying it was 20 minutes though -
Mother: That's because CBS only aired 20 minutes of it, the rest was on CBS All Access.
Me: Oh. Well, the late night talk show hosts were kind of brutal on it in the US.
Mother: Not as bad as Piers Morgan was in Britain - he got fired apparently for his comments.
Me: I was under the impression the Brits didn't care that much.
Mother: No, they cared, just not in the same way. Apparently the British Press was tearing apart Meghan and making racist comments.
Me: The British Press has always been horrible. I can't remember a time in which it wasn't horrible. It was bad in the 1800s. Possibly the 1400s.
Their press makes ours look tame in comparison. Mainly because they've had more time to go downhill, we're only just beginning to catch up.
Me: So there was a racist comment by someone in the family, but not his father.
Mother: No, they think it was Prince Charles. There's some estrangement there and Charles is known for putting his foot in his mouth. It wasn't the Queen or Prince Phillip, who are more careful. I think it was just a dumb comment - because Charles walked her down the aisle.
Me: It could have been anyone, I don't think it's his brother - they are close.
Mother: Not any more - they aren't.
Me: I watched Colbert do the highlights and he made me laugh, even he was brutal - apparently Meghan didn't do any research on Harry and had no idea what she was getting into? What was she doing living under a rock?
Mother: Yes, it was a surprising statement.
Me: Colbert wondered if she'd ever used Google.
Mother: Not only that, they lived together first, and she visited. Also she's in her thirties, has been divorced, and in Hollwyood - she's not exactly niave like Diana was.
Me: No, and even Diana knew what she was getting into.
Mother: It was actually surprising they got married - they've come a long way in that regard, considering Meghan is a divorcee and a commoner and an American. There was time that wasn't permitted.
ME: Yep, the former King Edward (who married Wallis Simpson a divorcee - who he abdicated the throne for and was banished), and Princess Margaret both come to mind.
Mother: So progress.
Me: After watching the Crown - I had two takeaways - 1) why do they still have a royal family, and 2) I wouldn't want to be involved with them, ugh.
Mother: Except the royal family is very important to the British, its historical and has significance.
My mother also watched the weddings. She's into it, I'm not.
***
Scandal number #2 - concerns our erstwhile Governor, who is under attack by his own party for well... (Or rather the progressive side of it.)
I've been discussing it with co-workers, and mother. There really is no one else I can discuss it with - outside of you folks. I do not discuss it on Facebook or Twitter - I value what's left of my sanity.
The latest? Apparently all the NY Congressional Reps have decided to jump on the band-wagon and request the Governor's resignation. This may not play out the way they think. The comments to my congressional representative, Jerry Nadler's, post - were "shouldn't we let this be investigated first?" And "don't we live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty?" And, "what about due process, hello?" And.."I don't like the Governor, I didn't vote for him, but even I know this looks fishy and like a witch hunt. Particularly when you've been unable to convict Trump - who is so much worse. Go after him first. Also going after the Governor is just handing Trump a gift."
By the way? These comments were all from women, and I agreed with all of them. Women know that other women will lie about these things to get something. We know our gender is also afflicted with SAS. It's by no means immune.
Mother: The latest one rose -
Me: Yes, I know, it rose to the level of a felony or sexual assault. Assuming it is true.
Mother: You don't believe it-
Me: Look I know the Governor is an arrogant, egotistical bastard. I've said from the beginning that he is the liberal version of Trump. But I'm not sure about this - the timing is suspect. He's been Governor for over 10 years now. And they are coming out with this stuff now? Why? Why not say anything at the time it happened?
Mother: They figure they have a better chance of being believed now.
Me: I'm less likely to believe it now, than at the time it happened. Just because others came forward doesn't make it necessarily more believable.
I mean it could be a witch hunt - a carefully coordinated political manuever. It's just too convenient timing wise - the one who came forward is running for political office, various others are his political enemies, and his rep's been weakened over the nursing home numbers (which no one understands and make no sense even to the reporters).
See most New Yorkers know the Governor is probably slightly corrupt, and more than a little full of himself. But, the sexual harassment allegations feel drummed up to me. They stink of political agendas. And the fact that the congressional reps, and legislators, etc are all rushing to judgement before any investigation can be completed - and are pushing for impeachment before the investigation, makes me wonder if this isn't politically motivated. Which means it shines a bad light on the ones pushing for his resignation. I'm sorry - if they succeed, then what is to prevent anyone really from accusing all of them of the same things? And being believed? I mean it's not hard to slander someone or drum up charges against them. That's why due process is so important. Witness testimony shouldn't be enough to convict someone in any court - including the court of public opinion.
I personally think the progressives and Me#Too Movement are shooting themselves in the foot again over this.
Enuf on politics. At least Biden signed the 1.9 Trillion Stimulus Package, among other things this should keep me employed for the foreseeable future. At least 60 billion is going towards public transportation. Also, the Federal Government lifted its restrictions on the CBD tolling - or the congestion pricing plan. And it gave the go-ahead on the 2nd Avenue Subway plan. In other words, the Governor finally got what he wanted from the Feds. So he really doesn't have to give any live briefings any longer, unless he wants to. The numbers are down, we're getting more vaccines, the federal government is coming through, and everyone is wearing a mask for the most part - there are still MW's and SA's hanging about or people inflicted with SSAS.
***
I saw this in response to a friend's post.
"While I'm glad Lady Gaga's dog's have been recovered from the dognapping, I was more concerned about the life of the man, who appears to have survived. Dogs are replaceable, a human life is not."
I don't know if you can say dogs are replaceable. They are unique and kind, and not afflicted with SSAS. I happen to like dogs. I don't see them as replaceable. Can't we be concerned about the dogs and the dog-walker who got shot taking care of them? Aren't both equally important? I wonder if the poster realized what they were saying, and more to the point if they realized that dog lovers could be reading that and be a tad offended?
I don't like human beings very much sometimes. We're awfully full of ourselves.
Weighted comforter appeared to help with the sleeping. But I need to lose weight. I keep gaining weight. Instead of losing twenty pounds, I appear to have gained twenty pounds. I'm going in the wrong direction. It makes doctor's appointments humiliating and difficult. I did take an hour and a half walk today after work. And Wedensday - 2.2 miles, Tuesday 3.3 miles, and Monday, 2 miles. So not bad.
Talked to niece via text-messaging. She's highly appreciative of the Brits who gave her advice, so thank you. Especially to gillo, who she'd definitely like to reach out to.
A bit more clarification for those following along? She's not going to the London School of Economics full time. She's going to Bard College, which is near where she lives. Bard has a high school hybrid program - Simon Rock at Bard College, where high school students can graduate at 17 with an Associates Degree, and then get a Bachelors within say two years shortly thereafter. It's actually far cheaper than going the State University route. And it's a better education all around - more opportunities, more intensive study, easier in-road to graduate school, and far more career and job opportunities down the road. Through Bard, my niece is doing a one-year exchange program with London School of Economics. Various Universities have exchange programs with Bard. My niece's counselors approached her in regards to these programs, which she had to apply to, write essays for, and get accepted into on basis of educational achievement and interest. She applied to Oxford, London School of Economics, University of Toronto, Columbia University - all of which have programs focusing on human rights advocacy and social sciences, which is her main area of interest. She's thoroughly researched everything out.
(My niece is a bit like me - she researches everything out to the letter.)
[As an aside? I went to a small liberal arts college for undergrad and through it was able to study abroad, and do a lot of interesting things I'd never ever would have gotten to do at a larger school.]
She got into them all - but her first choice was LSE. And it's just one year, freeing her up for other opportunities through BARD. Oxford - she's too young, they don't accept anyone under the age of 19. LSE will accept 16 and up.
I'm very proud of her. I told her that she had my support no matter what.
And I'd help in any way I could. If she goes, I hope that I might be able to visit her in the Spring of 2022 and maybe take her to Paris. It gives me something to look forward to...along with seeing my mother in July, and possibly at Christmas time.
Speaking of...a bit of good news?
My father's long-term care facility is opening up next week, and residents can have scheduled in person visits with up to two people. Family members and children over the age of 12. My mother's quarantine ends on Monday, and she gets her second dose of the Moderna on Wednesday. This means she may be able to do a face-to-face in person visit with my Dad next week, and will be able to be doing more weekly going forward. This is very good news. They've not seen each other since she went into the hospital on January 4, and he went into the long-term care facility shortly after that.
The toll it has taken on my family mentally and emotionally has been...inexplicable to say the least. It is very very hard to watch or listen to someone you love go through this, and not be able to do anything to help. Thank you to everyone who has listened and supported me through this, I deeply appreciate it.
I was admittedly feeling sorry for myself today and more than a tad lonely. The doctor's appointment this week left me a touch irritable and out of sorts - because I can't seem to lose weight and keep gaining. Also struggling a bit with Gerd. Most likely due to the pandemic, stress, perimenopause, etc. I'm trying. But full time job - makes it difficult to do a lot of walking about during the daylight hours. And I don't have a commute. I try to put it in after work but don't always manage it.
And, Biden was talking about being able to do barbecues and celebrate the 4th of July, and I don't know anyone to do that with in my area. I told this to my mother - and she said, with any luck, maybe I can come down and visit her in July. I'd like that. I'd also like to visit my niece and brother and sisinlaw before niece took off to London. I've not seen my family in a long time, or friends, or anyone. I miss them.
I'm trying not to resent the lucky ducks who have. It's hard not to resent people who have friends and family nearby, and don't live alone. I feel sometimes as if they take what they have for granted? We do, you know. Take what we have for granted. I remind myself of what I have. I've not lost anyone this past year - that's huge. According to the news one in three people have...with over 530,000 dead and climbing in the US alone.
No one I'm close to - has long COVID. None of my co-workers (who I know and work with) have died. I still have a job. I'm paid well. I've decent benefits. I have a nice apartment. It's safe.
My friend AH responded to my last email on my birthday. Turns out she hadn't responded prior because of identity theft. Someone took out an unemployment benefit card in her name - she found out when the Maryland Department of Labor sent her a notice that her address had been changed, if she hadn't done so - she should contact them. She did - but it was a nightmare getting hold of anyone, since well, apparently this is a popular scam and everyone wants unemployment benefits.
There but for the grace of god go I. On oh so many things.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-13 01:58 pm (UTC)Yeah, I saw that. But apparently he also got fired from the show? I didn't know he had gotten fired, just that he stormed off. Nor did I hear his comments. (My mother watches CNN - which means she got the story from CNN or the PBS news hour.)
I googled it - he did get fired. Piers Morgan Fired from "Good Morning Britain". Apparently the British have gotten fed up as well?
Prince Phillip often makes - or used to make - racist comments
I thought it was Phillip too, but apparently this go-around it was someone else. (Mother and everyone else, including Stephen Colbert is convinced it was Prince Charles.) Oprah went out of her way to clarify that Harry had told her that it wasn't either of Harry's grandparents, neither the Queen nor Prince Phillip.
Everyone is convinced it is Prince Charles.
The Royal family is a massive waste of money.
I've never understood why the world still has monarchies. You'd think they would have evolved past that sort of thing by now? But no. Trump wanted to become King and give the job to his kids and have his own personal monarchy in the US. But alas, the rest of us didn't agree with him and booted him out - well outside of a few MAGA (Maskless Assholes Gone AWOL) and SSA (Selfish Stupid Assholes) who thought it would be cool to have a Nazi Dictatorship/Monarchy in the US.