Year 2 - Day #100
Jun. 25th, 2021 07:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatLet's take a moment to celebrate a milestone - it's now been a 100 days into year two of the pandemic or since I began working remotely.
Got the mammogram today. Finally. I'd been procrastinating. A long time. It's been almost two years since the last one. But I've an Aunt who had breast cancer, several friends in remission, and an acquaintance in fourth stage metasized breast cancer.
It took forever. Appointment was at 4:15, I didn't get it until almost 5pm. AnAt first there were no seats, and I was standing in the hall-way with two other people. You could stand upstairs and wait outside - but I was afraid I wouldn't hear them. Also it was cooler in the room, and I'm vaccinated, and everyone was wearing masks. I eventually got a seat - all of which are six feet apart or with tall plastic dividers between them. The exam itself was the least painful, I've had. The radiologist technician, Nurelean, was lovely. I adored her. I want her again.
Walked to the grocery story and to the Carroll Stop - which is further. Also got myself a treat - ice cream. Good ice cream. Gourmet ice cream.
Jenny's Coconut Cream Coffee Ice Cream (Dairy Free), and McConnell's Peppermint Stick ice cream (my favorite flavor). Small pints. Sashmi and rice paper wrapped spicy tuna rolls for dinner.
On way home, walked by the classiest outdoor dining establishment that I've seen to date. It had had cushioned armchairs, a rug, nice outdoor tables, a couch and various armchairs to wait around on, all arranged nicely under a canopy, with flowers attached to it.
I'm betting it's pricey. Eh, not bad, also no gluten-free deserts. Or rather it depends on whether you think $27 is a lot for a lobster roll. So maybe not.
Wales texted that there's a little Asian Row of Restaurants between Bergen and Pacific Streets. Also the movie theater is open now and showing movies - it had been closed down for over 18 months. Both movie theaters are open. So too are the retail stores. And there's new restaurants and stores up now - while others have disappeared. One, I did a double take - Lift/Next Level Floats - what's so odd about it - is well, it is located "above" a restaurant. And I think its water immersion therapy. I checked - it is water immersion therapy. You go into a sensory deprivation tank and just flow without an external stimuli. I don't know, it looks kind of claustrophobic? I can see myself freaking out.
Also passed, where the dry-cleaners used to be - a cookie and coffee place. People are opening all sorts of businesses post pandemic. Dizzy's in Park Slope closed, but in Windsor Terrace near Night Hawk Cinema, actually that might be Park Slope, Brooklyn - another place is popping up - Hot Dogs and Fries.
All these twenty-somethings quit their jobs and decided to start up their own businesses together? During a pandemic? I mean I'm sure they're convinced it is over - but I don't think it is over. People are still dying. We had over 1,000 people die in the US of it this week alone.
What's interesting - is how different Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens (my old nieghborhood) is to Kesington/Windsor Terrace/Ditmas, and how much it has changed since I moved in 2014. For one thing - it's wealthier and more upscale. You still can't get a one bedroom apartment below 2000, or a not so great one at 1975. Much better prices where I'm at. Also younger. But also, not as many people are wearing masks. And it's far more crowded. And the outdoor dining is annoying - you have to navigate around all of it. And it's rare to see anyone older than 45. Everyone is in shape, wearing expensive clothes, and looks very cool. Clearly been gentrified. But it also has some interesting restaurants and new stores.
Also? 80% of the people aren't wearing masks - even though they are more clustered together. In my neighborhood - stark contrast, about 80% are wearing them. I'm talking about "outdoors". Indoors - unless it is a restaurant - everyone is wearing masks. And they do still have various protocols in place - shields at cash registers, six feet distancing, etc. The grocery store was great because there was hardly anyone shopping - they were all hanging with their friends at the restaurants.
**
The subway ride home was hard. It's more full now. And finding a seat with even distancing, not easy. There were seats - but you'd have to sit next to someone else. Also there were people taking up three seats due to this rule. Two of them were medical staff - still with their scrubs on.
But they are safe. Everyone wears masks on the subways now. I don't see anyone without them. A big change from last year at this time. It's as if we've all gotten used to wearing the masks most of the time?
***
Anyhow, mother informed me that my niece is taking Amtrack back with her boyfriend - to Providence, Rhode Island - where they will stay with my brother, his wife, and their friend John at his parent's place on the beach, with his girl-friend and their two kids.
My brother and niece appear to be living my dream life.
Some people aren't hating 2021, and had a rather decent 2020, come to think of it.
**
Soap was pre-empted by the Derek Chauvin sentencing hearing. [He's the cop who killed George Floyd last May, in case you were hiding under a rock and honestly who could blame you?]
In Minnesota, Judge Peter Cahill sentenced former police officer Derek Chauvin to 22.5 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May 2020. Last April, a jury convicted Chauvin of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd’s death sparked protests across the country last summer.
Elie Mystal, justice correspondent at The Nation, noted that Chavin was going to get at least ten years. Prosecutors asked for 30. The Judge split the difference and added in time for the aggravating factors. Legal analyst and law school professor Joyce Alene White Vance noted that keeping the sentencing in the same realm as other sentences for felony murder make it less likely to be overturned on appeal. [Source Heather Cox Richardson - Political Analyst email.]
[People wanted longer - but honestly, I think this is the best we could hope for. Also keep in mind, the man is a cop. Prisons are hell on steroids for cops.]
While struggling to get a bunch of work related materials written - I read an article or rather an interesting interview with Kathleen Turner. She's refreshingly honest and blunt. Also it explained why she looks so different. Apparently she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the 1990s. And the medications they put her on - resulted in her physical body changing dramatically. She was on steroids and other meds. It's now in remission. But for a period there - she had extreme pain. This also led to abuse of alcohol - as a pain killer. She thought it would work. (It does, but has horrible side-effects.) The steroids resulted in the weight gain. Frustrated by the limitations on screen roles - she went into the theater. It's an interesting, and somewhat angry interview. Hollywood like the rest of the world is not nice to women.
Now I want to finish watching the Kominsky Method S3, which is the finale season. It wasn't supposed to have a final season, but Chuck Lorre got bored, and Michael Douglas wanted closure for the character. Also they just pulled in Turner to replace the departing Alan Arkin. Apparently Douglas and Turner have been close friends for 40 years.
It was an entertaining distraction. I feel like I've been trudging through waist high muck this year for some reason. My body is changing right out from under me (Menopause Manifesto says that's menopause transition - your body is kind of transitioning into a reverse puberty, and everything is changing. How you eat, exercise, etc.). My workplace is changing. My parents are changing. It's all changing. And I just want to hide from it all. I can't of course - but it is what I want to do. I honestly think in a previous lifetime - I was a turtle. I have a lot of characters in common with turtles.
Got the mammogram today. Finally. I'd been procrastinating. A long time. It's been almost two years since the last one. But I've an Aunt who had breast cancer, several friends in remission, and an acquaintance in fourth stage metasized breast cancer.
It took forever. Appointment was at 4:15, I didn't get it until almost 5pm. AnAt first there were no seats, and I was standing in the hall-way with two other people. You could stand upstairs and wait outside - but I was afraid I wouldn't hear them. Also it was cooler in the room, and I'm vaccinated, and everyone was wearing masks. I eventually got a seat - all of which are six feet apart or with tall plastic dividers between them. The exam itself was the least painful, I've had. The radiologist technician, Nurelean, was lovely. I adored her. I want her again.
Walked to the grocery story and to the Carroll Stop - which is further. Also got myself a treat - ice cream. Good ice cream. Gourmet ice cream.
Jenny's Coconut Cream Coffee Ice Cream (Dairy Free), and McConnell's Peppermint Stick ice cream (my favorite flavor). Small pints. Sashmi and rice paper wrapped spicy tuna rolls for dinner.
On way home, walked by the classiest outdoor dining establishment that I've seen to date. It had had cushioned armchairs, a rug, nice outdoor tables, a couch and various armchairs to wait around on, all arranged nicely under a canopy, with flowers attached to it.
I'm betting it's pricey. Eh, not bad, also no gluten-free deserts. Or rather it depends on whether you think $27 is a lot for a lobster roll. So maybe not.
Wales texted that there's a little Asian Row of Restaurants between Bergen and Pacific Streets. Also the movie theater is open now and showing movies - it had been closed down for over 18 months. Both movie theaters are open. So too are the retail stores. And there's new restaurants and stores up now - while others have disappeared. One, I did a double take - Lift/Next Level Floats - what's so odd about it - is well, it is located "above" a restaurant. And I think its water immersion therapy. I checked - it is water immersion therapy. You go into a sensory deprivation tank and just flow without an external stimuli. I don't know, it looks kind of claustrophobic? I can see myself freaking out.
Also passed, where the dry-cleaners used to be - a cookie and coffee place. People are opening all sorts of businesses post pandemic. Dizzy's in Park Slope closed, but in Windsor Terrace near Night Hawk Cinema, actually that might be Park Slope, Brooklyn - another place is popping up - Hot Dogs and Fries.
All these twenty-somethings quit their jobs and decided to start up their own businesses together? During a pandemic? I mean I'm sure they're convinced it is over - but I don't think it is over. People are still dying. We had over 1,000 people die in the US of it this week alone.
What's interesting - is how different Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens (my old nieghborhood) is to Kesington/Windsor Terrace/Ditmas, and how much it has changed since I moved in 2014. For one thing - it's wealthier and more upscale. You still can't get a one bedroom apartment below 2000, or a not so great one at 1975. Much better prices where I'm at. Also younger. But also, not as many people are wearing masks. And it's far more crowded. And the outdoor dining is annoying - you have to navigate around all of it. And it's rare to see anyone older than 45. Everyone is in shape, wearing expensive clothes, and looks very cool. Clearly been gentrified. But it also has some interesting restaurants and new stores.
Also? 80% of the people aren't wearing masks - even though they are more clustered together. In my neighborhood - stark contrast, about 80% are wearing them. I'm talking about "outdoors". Indoors - unless it is a restaurant - everyone is wearing masks. And they do still have various protocols in place - shields at cash registers, six feet distancing, etc. The grocery store was great because there was hardly anyone shopping - they were all hanging with their friends at the restaurants.
**
The subway ride home was hard. It's more full now. And finding a seat with even distancing, not easy. There were seats - but you'd have to sit next to someone else. Also there were people taking up three seats due to this rule. Two of them were medical staff - still with their scrubs on.
But they are safe. Everyone wears masks on the subways now. I don't see anyone without them. A big change from last year at this time. It's as if we've all gotten used to wearing the masks most of the time?
***
Anyhow, mother informed me that my niece is taking Amtrack back with her boyfriend - to Providence, Rhode Island - where they will stay with my brother, his wife, and their friend John at his parent's place on the beach, with his girl-friend and their two kids.
My brother and niece appear to be living my dream life.
Some people aren't hating 2021, and had a rather decent 2020, come to think of it.
**
Soap was pre-empted by the Derek Chauvin sentencing hearing. [He's the cop who killed George Floyd last May, in case you were hiding under a rock and honestly who could blame you?]
In Minnesota, Judge Peter Cahill sentenced former police officer Derek Chauvin to 22.5 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May 2020. Last April, a jury convicted Chauvin of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Floyd’s death sparked protests across the country last summer.
Elie Mystal, justice correspondent at The Nation, noted that Chavin was going to get at least ten years. Prosecutors asked for 30. The Judge split the difference and added in time for the aggravating factors. Legal analyst and law school professor Joyce Alene White Vance noted that keeping the sentencing in the same realm as other sentences for felony murder make it less likely to be overturned on appeal. [Source Heather Cox Richardson - Political Analyst email.]
[People wanted longer - but honestly, I think this is the best we could hope for. Also keep in mind, the man is a cop. Prisons are hell on steroids for cops.]
While struggling to get a bunch of work related materials written - I read an article or rather an interesting interview with Kathleen Turner. She's refreshingly honest and blunt. Also it explained why she looks so different. Apparently she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the 1990s. And the medications they put her on - resulted in her physical body changing dramatically. She was on steroids and other meds. It's now in remission. But for a period there - she had extreme pain. This also led to abuse of alcohol - as a pain killer. She thought it would work. (It does, but has horrible side-effects.) The steroids resulted in the weight gain. Frustrated by the limitations on screen roles - she went into the theater. It's an interesting, and somewhat angry interview. Hollywood like the rest of the world is not nice to women.
Now I want to finish watching the Kominsky Method S3, which is the finale season. It wasn't supposed to have a final season, but Chuck Lorre got bored, and Michael Douglas wanted closure for the character. Also they just pulled in Turner to replace the departing Alan Arkin. Apparently Douglas and Turner have been close friends for 40 years.
It was an entertaining distraction. I feel like I've been trudging through waist high muck this year for some reason. My body is changing right out from under me (Menopause Manifesto says that's menopause transition - your body is kind of transitioning into a reverse puberty, and everything is changing. How you eat, exercise, etc.). My workplace is changing. My parents are changing. It's all changing. And I just want to hide from it all. I can't of course - but it is what I want to do. I honestly think in a previous lifetime - I was a turtle. I have a lot of characters in common with turtles.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-26 01:49 pm (UTC)Prior to reading the article, I was aware of how horrible steroids are. They're the reason my mother who was always rather thin - gained weight. She had them proscribed for back pain. They gave them to me once - and it screwed up my entire metabolism and digestive system - I refuse to take them now. If I get back pain - I push for PT or find other ways. People don't realize how important the gut is - and that there are brain neurons in the gut.
I admire how Turner handled it - she's one tough lady. Also, I respect Douglas and Devito for sticking by her.
Sorry about your situation. Kids are cruel. And our society doesn't know how to handle bodies that aren't visually "attractive" which means thin. In the book I've been listening to, there's a whole section about fat-shaming, and how important it is to be thin - and how traumatizing this perspective is on folks who can't be thin - due to health ailments, metabolism, or for women (menopause). Turner talks about it too - how difficult it was. But in a way, much like it had for Candace Bergen, it freed her to do more interesting roles. But she loved theater - which was key.
***
The poor are now voting against themselves
That was going on long before Trump. It actually started with George W. Bush. Have you read or seen What's the Matter with Kansas?. It's about how conservatives won the heart of Kansas.
I kind of understand why. The disadvantage or poor tend to be for the most part - socially conservative, religious traditionalists, strong on family, and hate social change. They also despise paying taxes, and don't trust the federal government at all.
And like most human beings - they are kind of hypocritical or contradictory in how they think.
Also bitter about those that appear to have more than they do.
Some think it's just racism or white supremacist thinking - which is an easy perspective, but not necessarily a true on - since I know people who are black, or immigrants from places like Pakistan, Bengali, Syria, and/or Jewish heritage - that are ultra conservative.
Why? It's social conservatism and a desire to be left alone. To not change. People hate change.
They want to be able to drive their gas guzzling car, not some expensive electric hybrid that they don't understand. Or have to deal with gender neutral bathrooms. Or change how they talk - and tell people what gender pronouns they need. From their perspective, the police are being disenfranchised and as a result leaving the job - and crime is increasing.
Also they are very religious. Religion brings "Community" and aid in times of need. When you are poor - often it's your local church or synagogue or mosque that is providing you with sustenance. And the traditions of your religion provide a sense of security and stability in a chaotic world.
The liberal media attacks that as weak minded. It's not really. It's just a different way of thinking. Also, keep in mind most of the working class - doesn't have the money to travel, spends all their time with family, and their religious faith, and doesn't really want to know about or care about those outside of it. It's more "close minded" than weak minded. And it is taught over time, and not helped by the fact that many never leave their places of birth or small towns or if they do immigrate elsewhere - they migrate to a group with similar views to their own.
And like most humans - they watch the news sources that validate their world view. And lie to them. They've been gaslit for years by the wealthy GOP politicians. Trump is excellent at using negative marketing tactics to drum up support - also he speaks their language. They love the fact that he says whatever he wants, isn't polite or politically correct, is blunt, is angry, and takes no prisoners.
He's a big fat white guy, with blond hair, blue eyes, who speaks like they do. And people like that.
They feel they can trust him. He's more relatable.
It's why they voted for GW Bush - because he talked like they did, and was relatable.
Add to all of the above - diet. The working class and poor diet is horrific. Because they can't afford a better one. It's not available to them. Nicer fabrics, clothing, food, etc aren't available to the poor. I know - because I've shopped at various stores - and see the differences. If you are coupon clipping or shopping at discount stores or in bulk at Costco - you probably aren't necessarily eating that well. Or get take-out at fast food restaurants. They are digesting chemicals in processed foods, not getting enough vegetables, eating lots of fried foods, and gaining weight. There's brain neurons in the gut - if you aren't eating well, that can and does effect how you think. You could be more paranoid, more anxious, etc.
In short the reason they are voting against themselves is a cocktail of things, not just one thing, but many things that have come together and evolved over time.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-27 04:52 am (UTC)I've heard any number of very religious conservatives who state openly that if Trump is president, that such is god's will.
They love the fact that he says whatever he wants, isn't polite or politically correct, is blunt, is angry, and takes no prisoners.
He's a big fat white guy, with blond hair, blue eyes, who speaks like they do. And people like that. They feel they can trust him. He's more relatable.
Yep. Mistaking stridently ardent pretend knowledge/authority for the fact that the man is a deeply narcissistic sociopath who is simply playing them to get what he wants... he really doesn't care about their well being, just that they need to vote for him.
And if one did come to realize that, think of the potential blow to one's self esteem, that you were conned so readily. A very good reason to resort to the "doublethink" tactic that Orwell named in 1984-- allowing two or more inherently contradictory thoughts to exist in one's mind and yet accept both as being valid / true.
Have you read or seen What's the Matter with Kansas?. It's about how conservatives won the heart of Kansas.
No, but not sure I need to, in that I ask that question all the time about Pennsylvania. ~sigh~ OTOH, at least the city that I live in voted overwhelmingly against Trump in both elections, so I'm glad I live here and not in some other places in the state!
no subject
Date: 2021-06-27 01:48 pm (UTC)NY State is interesting in that we have both sides of the divide. Actually, I think most states do.
If you have urban and rural areas, along with suburbs, you'll have both. The rural areas tend to swing towards Trumpism, while the urban swing towards Progressive Far Left.
And you're right - people have a hard time admitting they are wrong - not helped by our societal tendency to "shame" folks into admitting it. Or "condemn" people for making mistakes. If you condemn or shame - someone is less likely to admit they are wrong, and more likely to dig their heels in. I've learned that over the years. They are also likely to resent you for being right and prefer to stay being wrong just out of spite. (If fanboard kerfuffles haven't taught me that - political ones did.)
Narcissists also tend be rather charming con artists. Most of them are in the entertainment field.
It attracts Narcissists.
I remember years ago interviewing for a job with Planned Parenthood. We got to chatting about television shows. This was in the early 00s, when the Apprentice was a top show - filmed in NYC, and everyone was talking about it. I made the mistake of disparaging Trump, and stating that I couldn't stand him and why. I didn't think it would be an issue. The women whom I was interviewing with or the heads of the department, were black, and it was Planned Parenthood. But they adored him. Their response, and I quote, because I still remember it vividly because it was so shocking.."But I love him, he's my baby. He says exactly what I'm thinking."
There you have it.
It's kind of weird that these women loved a man who most likely would set them on fire, along with their entire family, and laugh while he was doing it.
I've never met the man. But Trump sightings were big in the 1990s and early 00s. The television show "Friends" even refers to a sighting and he made cameos in various NY films at the time. And I knew a lot of folks who met him. He has insect eyes, I was told. My Aunt who worked for the advertiser sponsoring the Apprentice, interacted with him several times. She also worked on the NDA's that were given out to everyone who worked on the Apprentice and with him. And she told me that he had dead eyes. He was charming, and could turn it on and off like a light switch - but it was a complete act.
So I know stuff - and I shared it with co-workers who staunchly supported him. I knew he kicked dogs at a dog park and got off on it. That he groped women and treated them like objects. I knew he was racist. I knew that his family didn't pay people and conned them. I knew he and his family were crooks. Did they change their minds about Trump? No. They changed their minds about me. They would roll their eyes or look at me as if I were crazy. Because while I saw Trump as the terrorist, they though Obama and Hilary were. They believed every word Fox News told them, not because it was true but because they liked it and wanted too. It validated their personal world view and made them feel righteous in their hate - they hated how the world was changing, they hated all these new rules of conduct, and behavior. They wanted to go back to the world of their parents and grandparents, 1930s, 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s when America was Great in their eyes. (Basically the 20th Century). And people didn't talk about things like transgender, homosexuality, or LGBTA. And the military was strong. And they didn't see what was wrong about that. They saw themselves as the victims, the disenfranchized, because they didn't get the "American Dream" - their parents envisioned.
They liked the crap that he was selling them. And they didn't like being wrong, or being depicted as bigots and idiots. They hated change. They hated the post 9/11 world. They hated the people who brought about 9/11. Their heroes were Rudy Giuliani, the Police, the Military, and Trump.
We stopped discussing politics in my workplace around 2018. Because I wasn't alone in my workplace, there were actually more people who hated Trump than liked him. So the Trumpers quickly realized they were outnumbered and not to talk about it or tell anyone. But every once and a while someone would slip up ..
Trump brought out the worst in people.