Day #275

Today, I bring you - winter in Brooklyn. Or rather my neck of the wood in Brooklyn. Apparently we got enough wet heavy snow to build snow men, and go sledding - area kids were in heaven. I did not. I'm old. And my body aches in snow. Also I'm not fan of winter sports. They are wet, cold, and the ground is hard. I'll pass. I did it as a kid, I did it as a teen, I did it in my twenties and thirties. I have no interest doing it now. Instead I take pictures.



I don't understand people sometimes. I was talking to my mother about this today. One of my social media friends on Facebook bought an eye palette and lip gloss for her birthday. The appeal is completely lost on me. Another went to the spa - during a pandemic, to get her nails and hair done. And she couldn't wait to do it after the spring. She's been several times.

The appeal of makeup has always been lost on me. Why women enjoy putting powder on their eyelids, chemicals on their face and lips..I do not understand. The plus side of the pandemic - is it's not required. No one can see my face and on church Zoom - I'm finding it doesn't matter. (Work teams, I can turn the camera off - everyone else does.)

The powder always made my eyes itch - I tended to rub it off within minutes. I'd do eyeliner - but it smears, and my hands shake. I do do it - for work, but since pandemic? Have not bothered.

Anyhow, today was a quiet day. I slept in late. I watched television. I talked to mother. I played phone tag with niece. I took a walk to the pharmacy to buy Christmas Chocolate (basically Russell Stover Chocolate Covered Marshmellow Santas and Trees. Some had carmel. One was a truffle. I should have gotten more than one truffle - the truffle was good. Along with a box of chocolates. Popcorn. Chips. Water. Zero Sugar Vitamin Water. Unsweetened Iced Tea (Iced Tea is a thing in the US). Lysol Wipes (scored another cylinder! Last one left on the shelf! I use them to clean and they are impossible to find since COVID). Cheese sticks. Ziplock Refrigerator Bags. And scented face wipes.

[ Remember the days when you didn't buy water from stores and could trust it coming out of your pipes without a filter?]

I did mostly just to see what it was like outside. Not quite as cold as predicted. I probably didn't need the layers. I had put on a turtleneck, a sweater, jeans, heavy coat, scarf, hat, batik face mask, and LL Bean Snow Boots. Plus? I got to try out the new LL Bean winter snow boots - which were more comfy than expected. I was afraid they'd rub the heels - since they seemed to be too big. Also very useful - since it was "slushy" outside. (Pleasant surprise that - since I'd passed the date in which they could be returned.) The boots were needed. The sweater not so much - I was hot.
Also, I think we got about five-six inches if that. I wanted more - and I wanted it on Christmas Eve. Usually I spend my Christmas in Hilton Head, walking a beach. If I can't go there - I'd like to have a lot of snow.
Apparently, I wasn't alone in that - New Yorkers were actually really happy with the snowstorm on Wed and Thursday, and wholeheartedly embraced it on Thursday with sledding. Lots of sledders were reported on the slopes. One guy on FB posted a video of people sledding in the park from above - looked like a bunch of tiny ants moving about.



Greenwood Cemetery apparently opened around 1 pm today, but I'm holding off until maybe Saturday or Sunday. One of the members of church/bible study invited me to her Zoom tree trimming Chili party. She has several Zoom telecasts set up for this - one with Fire Islanders, one with Unitarians, and one with other friends/family. I think I may skip it. She does it every year - this is the first time I've been invited, but it is also the first time I've been in town.

I'm a little annoyed that the Winter Solstice Service is not being held on Zoom, but rather in the Chapel Garden in front of the Church. The Garden isn't very big. It fits maybe five people if that. And it's just slightly off the street. Also I'd have to take the subway - a thirty to forty minute ride to get there. At night. On a Sunday night. With limited service.
I think not. They couldn't do it by Zoom as well? Although I guess that would foil the point of it.

The Age of Misinformation

Not enough evil marketing are dying. Or evil marketing people posing as reputable journalists. Is that offensive? Not sorry.
( rant )

I feel like I'm on a roller-coaster ride with a billion people. And I want off.

Rant over. Here...have another snowy picture...



Saw the Governor's briefing again. It was rather amusing in places.

Apparently the City misunderstood the State's edict on indoor and outdoor dining, and presumed that bathrooms couldn't be used. This resulted in an outcry from the restaurant establishment and patrons - who wanted to use the bathroom - if they dine outdoors. They argued that they should at least be able to use the restaurants bathroom - if they dine there - even if it is outdoors.

So, the State clarified its edict, that the ban on indoor dining did not include "bathroom" usage.

Anyhow, the NYC restaurant establishment is pissed off at the Governor and has decided to permanently ban him from dining in their establishments.

I'm not sure he cares. I wouldn't care. I rarely go out to eat. And now, I'm having even less inclination to. I'm not particularly fond of restaurants.
Or dining out. Nor do I miss it.

Besides - Broadway theaters are still closed, as are movie theaters for the most part, and concert venues. Restaurants can at least do take out. They aren't the victims they like to think. Whiny yes. Victims no.

Me: They aren't locking down New York again.
Mother: Isn't it already locked down? I heard they were shutting down indoor dining again?
Me: Gyms, museums, schools, hair salons are still open.
Mother: Why not indoor dining? That's not any worse than a gym or hair salon.
Me: Well, it kind of is - you have to take off your mask to eat and drink, you don't to get your hair, nails, or toes done. Or to work out - apparently.

I honestly think you have to be out of your mind to dine at a restaurant right now. The outdoor doesn't look safe to me.

Per the Governor's email and briefing - a new record number of tests were performed in NY State - 249,000 - and we're at 22 million tests. California is above us at 28 million (California has a population of around 33-38 million, New York's is 19 million.)
( rest is kind of dire )

Someone once asked what advice would I give my younger self in the 1980s, if I could go back in time.

My response?

Me: Move to New Zealand - the sooner the better. Don't ask why. Just do it. Trust me.
Younger self: New Zealand?
ME: Yes.
Younger Self: What about Europe?
ME: New Zeland.
Younger Self: How about Costa Rica?
Me: New Zealand.
Younger Self: Canada?
ME: No. New Zeland.
Younger Self: What about Australia?
Me: Uh..(ponders. Remembers the fires.) Nah. New Zealand.
Younger Self: Why?
ME: Just do it. You'll thank me later.

In another timeline, I'm lying on a beach with my immediate family, a Mai Tai in hand, in New Zealand -- happy as a clam. I want to be in that timeline. Can I be in that timeline?