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Feeling a little accomplished? I got my new LEVOIT Humidifier set up in the living room. It covers about 600-700 sq feet of space. I was also able to set it far enough away from appliances, walls, and put a plastic foam yoga mat beneath it. It looks nice actually. Better than the fan I'd set up there previously - and is currently taking up space in the pantry closet. (I keep meaning to clean out that closet, but I can only do sections of it, and most of it - will just have to wait until the damn knee heals.)

Currently robot vacuuming, while my light Xmas lights twinkle. One may need a battery replacement soon. It's getting dark earlier now - although it feels like the same time? Around 4:50pm.

It's cold today, I guess? I've not been outside the apartment? But the sky was blue, and barely a cloud creased the horizon.

The shoes I bought mother - finally arrived on her doorstep, just in time for Xmas. But the paperback book that I bought her - has no delivery date and has yet to appear, and seems to be perpetually stuck somewhere in the USPS postal system. Annoying, but hardly worth fretting over - it was only $20. If it is never delivered, I'll get a refund. It's kind of amusing, that Amazon which started out as a book distribution organization - has managed to misplace a book.

Dreadfully behind on the Question a Day Mememage - so below:

December Question a Day Mememage

12. Do you have a range of different glasses for different types of drinks or just one type?

Not really. I tend to grab whatever is available for the most part. I have a couple of metal glasses, and a tall green glass, that I use a lot. But mainly I drink out of a variety of water bottles.

13. When you open your front door to a guest, what is the first item (apart from you!) that they see when they come inside?

The rug on the floor before the pantry door. I have a long foyer hall, with no real views of the rooms within, which I adore. Provide much more privacy than my old apartments did.

14. What’s your favourite type of biscuit/cookie? Ever made biscuits/cookies at home from scratch (for example at Christmas)?

Chocolate chip. Sometimes double chocolate chip. Yes. As a child, we made and decorated sugar cookies (don't any longer). Also about twenty different kinds of cookies.

Made chocolate chip all the time when I was growing up and well into my forties. I have some wonderful childhood memories revolving around cookie making. In recent years? I've made gluten free - which are harder to do well. Actually if you can pull off gluten free cookies that are low in sugar, and vegan - you are ahead of the game.

(Biscuits in the US - look like THIS.)

15. Do you have any maple syrup? What’s your favourite way to use it?

Yes. Pancakes

16. Do you still use post-it notes to remind you of things?

At work, yes, but not as often as before.

17. Do you use a tablecloth on your dinner table?

Don't own a dinner table [no room], so no.

18. Have you ever been ice skating?

Yes, many many times. But not recently. Not really a fan?

19. What’s the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

Buffy, I think? I've been rewatching. Actually something mother said on the phone.

20. Have you ever had to wear a neck tie?

Not that I recall - maybe once as a costume?
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I don't know what it is like elsewhere? But this is turning out to be a bitterly cold December in the Northeastern US, specifically New York. It felt like 18 degrees F or -7 C with windchill today, in actuality 34 degrees F or 1 degrees C. Bitter, bitter wind. But sunny and pretty outside with a blue sky and scattered white puffy clouds.

Mememage - Question a Day (because I'm slightly behind, too busy writing about Buffy for the upteenth time. You'd think I'd get bored of it eventually, but apparently not? I can't remember where I left off? I had to go back and check - can't have any repetition, can we? I might contradict myself.)

8. Today is Green Monday: the most lucrative shopping day of the year. This is usually the last day that people can shop online so that the purchases can still arrive in time for the holidays. What’s the last thing you bought from an online retailer?

Sudoko Book and Calendar for my mother, and I did on Thursday (as in today), but it can still arrive in time for the holidays.

9. If you have a battery smoke alarm in your home, do you check the batteries regularly?

No, it's one of those newfangled ones that has batteries which last ten years. Combo smoke/carbon dioxide detector. Although, now that I no longer have a gas stove/oven, less chance of carbon dioxide poisoning.

10. Do you have a blanket you can snuggle under on your couch/sofa?

Yes, but I don't own a couch or sofa. I own armchairs. And an ottoman/coffee table.
Read more... )

11. How often do you chew gum (or bubble gum)?

I no longer do. I can't - high in sugar. Also it sticks to my teeth, and loses it's taste too quickly.

***

Knee was hurting last night, but it's better today. I've also been off of it more, giving it a rest. Did some exercises, but once it began to ache, pulled back a bit. Iced it as well.

***

Making headway through the Paul Newman Memoir - which is a lot better than the Ethan Hawk documentary, also a lot kinder to Newman. Making me think Hawk is a bit of a judgemental prick? Read more... )

Also making headway through "Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem" which is more romance than mystery, and there's no mischief or mayhem. It's okay. I'll most likely finish it? But I wouldn't rec it to anyone?

***

Me: So where did you get that strap that we're using for the exercises?
PT: Amazon.
Me: What do you call it?
PT: Stretch Strap for exercises or stretching strap.

Sure enough that's what it is. Stretching Yoga Straps for Physical Therapy

I've noticed a pattern of late? I see something I want, I ask people where they got it, and they state: From Amazon.

Damn. Amazon is doing well.

I also bought humidifiers. My skin is drying out, I have a dry cough, and my lips are chapped. Time for humidifiers.

***

Saw a stray cat (at least I think it is - might not be) on the way home. It's fairly healthy for a stray, so may be just out and about. But thought, it's awfully cold for a cat. Granted they have fur but still.
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I have to make dinner - but alas, I am procrastinating. Probably due to a late lunch of salad and snickerdoodles (gluten-free softbaked, tiny snickerdoodle cookies courtesy of Trader Joes). I did go grocery shopping and scored Beechers World Famous Mac and Cheese (gluten free), Capullo's frozen almond crust pizza, Capullo's almond dough spinach and cheese ravioli, spicey salad greens, grilled salmon, and almond/coconut creamer.

Managed to watch a bit more of Down Cemetery Road with Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, it's not as good as Slow Horses. By the same guy, Mike Herron. But it drags in places, Ruth Wilson (Sarah) is getting on my nerves and I can't decide if it is the actress or the role? She's gotten on my nerves on everything I've seen her in - so it may well be the actress? Emma Thompson on the other hand is excellent in it - I'm watching for her. I don't like the plot though. (I've seen it done one too many times, I think?)

Outside of that, haven't done all that much? I did manage to clear a space for the upcoming steam oven/air fryer. That I'm hoping works. It should.
It will help tremendously with the nutritious gluten free cooking - if it does. 98% of cooking nowadays is having access to the right appliance.

December Question a Day Mememage

2. Are there Christmas lights in your local town/city? Post a photo if you have one.

Weirdly enough, not. In previous years everyone lit up the outside of their houses in my area, but not this year.

I do have lights on in my apartment, and they have them on in the lobby of the building - which is insanely decorated. (Not sure that's the same thing, though?)

Insanely Large and Decorated Lobby of my apartment building )

Think 1920s Pre-War Art Deco, with Christmas Decorations.

3. Have you ever hand made a gift (or a card) for someone?

Yes. From the age of four roughly to the age of 21, my brother and I handmade all the Xmas cards that our family sent. My father joined us in later years, then eventually, my mother printed off a watercolor of my Dad's and sent that out. We were famous for our hand made cards.

We did block prints, finger paints, watercolors, drawings, everything. My brother, myself, and my Dad are all artistically inclined. My mother handled the mailing, addressing, signing, and printing if required, also the coordination of the effort.

I don't do it now. Don't have addresses for anyone to send them to - even if I wanted to do it. People just don't provide addresses any longer - hello social media and the internet.

YMMV.

4. International Day of Banks. Do you use more than one bank for your investments/savings/general bill paying, or is everything in one place?

One bank for all the bill paying. Savings/Investments is in more than one place.

5. Do you own anything with fake (or real) fur trim?

Fake fur trim. I don't own real - can't afford it, and...not a fan. I'd rather spend the money on travel or something/anything else.

6. Do you own a microwave oven? What do you use it for?

Yes, contemplating using it to heat up gluten free mac and cheese at the moment. I use it to defrost and heat up items. Sometimes to steam - but the steam oven will do away with that issue. I usually use it to melt butter, heat up stuff, and do it quickly. Don't use it that often.

7. Have you ever tried an alcoholic cocktail, or a non-alcoholic mocktail? Do you have a favourite?

Yes. Both. Favorite? Either a lime Margarita, or a Vodka Tonic with Lemon.
I used to like Cosmopolitians, and for a while Cranberry and Seltzer.

Now? I don't drink any of the above. Off sugary drinks and alcohol for the most part.
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Leg and knee didn't hurt as much today as they did on Saturday, making me think arthritis may be a factor, and sigh shifts in the weather.

The Super decorated the lobby of the apartment in style - we have poinsettias, a tree, a mechanical elf climbing a ladder to decorate the tree, and a carousel on top of the mail boxes, among other things. It's quite festive. Never thought I'd say this?? But I actually prefer a pre-war building of 77 units to a brownstone. Also the building is older - it's 100 years old, and quite sturdy all things considered.

And Momma got a Xmas present for me - today - I know what it is - she got it on Cyber Monday before it went up in price. kitchen appliances and where to put them )

I did partake of Cyber Monday. Got shoes for $22 on Lands End, and a pair of pants fo $21. And some underwear via Amazon. Yesterday at Walgreens I bought a cup warmer for work - worked like a dream. Plugged it in and it kept the cups warm. My tea, decafe coffee, and matcha lattes kept getting cold fast. Now they stay warm. It was only $5.

I'm embracing my love of my city and neighborhood. I love NYC. I was talking to Breaking Bad today, and describing how my entire family is spread around the US and lives in suburban and rural areas (ie. you need a plane and car, or in the case of my brother, a train and car to get to them).

Breaking Bad: So you're the sole urbanite?
Me (I think about it): Yup pretty much. I like cities.

I read on Calm or somewhere recently that anxious folks tend to prefer walk in city streets or places where they know all the threats instantly than a nature walk outside of the city. They feel safer. Read more... )

***

December Memage:

1. Do you use serviettes/napkins when you eat, or are they just for fancy meals/when you have guests?

When have guests or fancy. I rarely use them other than that. Don't have that many, and I can't find them?
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Somewhat accomplished? I managed to get laundry done, switched out my torn padded bed pad, for the new less padded but not torn one. The torn had to be thrown out - it's not salvageable, unfortunately. I loved it - but can't find a similar one. Took out the recyclables. Washed the linens - it was mainly just the linens. Only two loads. So not that expensive.

Played more Mahjong. I lied when I said I don't like games? I do, but it depends on the game, and who I'm playing with. I can play that one for hours. Except it lies when it says it doesn't have ads - it does. Worse, to get out of the ad, I often have to offload and reload the game.

I also managed to schedule my flu shot for tomorrow. (I don't get the side-effects outside of a sore arm - I think I have a VERY strong immune system? But I'm doing it on Saturday morning, just in case.) Other goal is to clean out foyer closet and put up my Xmas lights in the window (if I can find them, I may need to get new ones), and the little Xmas tree with its lights, and take away the Thanksgiving decorations. Sent off Xmas list to family members, waiting on theirs.

Apparently sisterinlaw and niece's Thanksgivings included a Nantucket Pie. It's basically a fruit upside down cake with cranberries. I don't like cake and I like it even less now that I require substitutions, so I'm glad I had my pecan and pumpkin choices.

Watching Dancing with the Stars - which has some excellent dancing this season. Read more... )

Dinner was left-overs. Breakfast was fried eggs over spinach leaves, lemon, and grits. I combined Breakfast and Lunch.

Angel S1 Re-Watch - Episode 2 - Are You Now or Have You Ever Been

I remember being less than thrilled with this episode the first two times I saw it. But now, I see a lot of interesting things in it that I'd not seen before. Weirdly, I find I appreciate it more without the echo of others in the background or my desire to compare it against Buffy. The two shows are very different series, with different goals and aims. Distance helps, I think?

cut for length )

Question a Day Mememage - November

Catching up on the Mememage - I'm dreadfully behind.

24. Do you have throw pillows/cushions around the house?

Yes. Although apartment.

25. Is lunch a snack, a light meal, or your main meal of the day?

Snack or light meal - I'm not a lunch person. I even skip it sometimes on weekends.

26. On National Cake Day – what is your favourite cake?

Flourless Chocolate Cake - which is technically the only cake I have any longer.

Or

Angel food, but I haven't found much in the Gluten Free versions. It's hard to find. I like it because it is light, and can serve it without icing. Also butter mochi cake, which is kind of similar.

27. Have you ever slept in socks at night?

Yes, and I always end up kicking them off in the middle of the night. So I don't.

28. November is part of World Vegan Month – have you tried any vegan food this month?

Yes. My chocolate chip cookies that I get from Insominac Cookies are vegan.
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The Community UU Church of NY's sermon today (which I watched on my television set via Youtube - youtube kindly thrust it at me, as recommended, and I didn't have to look for it and I finally figured out how to watch my community's UU church services via youtube on my television set) - stated that we're all tired because there's so much happening constantly around us, and it's overwhelming.

I thought, okay, that's probably why I've been feeling exhausted lately, sleep deprived, and kind of ill? Too much happening all at once, none of which I have control over.

I've even stopped the good news posts, mainly because I can't seem to get myself to weed through the hundreds of comments and links on the social activist's facebook page or in the Nice News or Waging Non-Violence emails, any longer? I find it all to be overwhelming, even if it is good news? I just want to close off the news media and forget it all exists for a bit.

And, it's getting darker earlier now. Dark at 4:30 pm, and 5:19 feels like 8. Shorter and shorter days. I'm not a fan of darkness, I have a tendency towards seasonal depression and require light. It's why I can't live that far North and have veered away from the North Pacific. NYC is about as far North as I can reasonably get, I think.

Anyhow, the church services on Youtube motivated me to donate to the Food Bank of NYC today. So far, I've donated to Food Bank, ACLU, and National Parks Conservation Service this year.

***

Tomorrow is the doctor's appointment. Read more... )

***

Made Chili last night with Chili beans, Classico Marinara Sauce, Jasmine brown rice, red onions, dark chocolate, and chili seasoning. It was smooth and excellent. Served with shredded cheddar cheese, Mary's Gone Crackers, and chopped red onions. Also cheese and crackers on the side. I might do celery and carrots with it tonight.

I don't understand my body? I couldn't handle the idea of putting ground beef in it. The thought turned my stomach, so rice was used instead. I used to love ground beef. Now, I can't stomach it. Instead, I love celery sticks, which I used to hate. Now I eat celery constantly?

Also, I used to hate beans, and avoid them like the plague - because gas pains, now my stomach wants beans but not meat. Somethings happened. Doctors are happy. Cardiologist and Endcrinologist - want me on a plant based mediterrean style diet without red meat at all, and beans instead.
Meat is bad for high blood pressure and diabetes.

After hemming and hawing, over whether to buy a cornish game hen, a duck or a rainbow trout for Thanksgiving or order something premade via Fresh Direct, I finally caved and bought a Rock Cornish Game. Read more... )

I did learn that my church, the UUA of Brooklyn, not the Community Church of NYC, has about fifty people signed up for its annual Thanksgiving Gathering, and I thought, nope. Read more... )

****

I don't know about anyone else? But the period between November 20 and March 20 is tough on me, emotionally and mentally? Between the shortening of the days, the cold, the stripping of the flowers and trees of leaves, and the holidays...I struggle with depression. Read more... )

I make little plans to get through it. Read more... )

Sometimes life is in the enjoyment and love of small things, small pleasures, small hobbies, completion of small tasks, and small moments.

***

Question a Day Memage:

[Shout out to kazzy_cee who found/came up with all of the questions - I really appreciate it. I can not come up with them well at all. I've tried. It's not as easy as it looks. I appreciate and am grateful for those that do. Thank you.]

21. Do you have lots of layers of bedding on your bed?

Yes. Read more... )

22. It’s Jamie Lee Curtis’s birthday! What did you last see her in on TV/film?

The Bear - she's amazing in The Bear. Plays the abusive alcoholic mother of the chef. It's a raw vulnerable no holds barred realistic portrayal of a recovering alcoholic. It's a joy to behold. I've a crush on the actress, who just gets better with age. (The Bear is a hypo-realism series about the running of a Chicago Restaurant, and the lives of all of those involved in running it.)

23. It’s National Cashew Day – do you like cashews? Have you used them in a recipe?

Not really, they are really hard to digest and lead to stomach cramping. Again, not a fan. I tend to use almonds instead.
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I keep flirting with books - and I do not need to acquire any more books.
I have 100s of books on a TBR list as it is.

Latest? The Botanist's Assistant by Peggy Townsend

Blurb: "A murder in the science lab shatters a woman’s quiet and ordered life when she decides she must solve the crime herself in this entertaining and uplifting mystery.
Read more... )
And this review via Smart Bitches got my attention.

"This is a book about a quiet, steady woman in her 50s who is dogged in her pursuit of justice. Margaret is a research assistant and she’s perfectly suited to the job: she’s methodical, reliable and devoted to science. When her boss dies unexpectedly, it is Margaret alone who suspects murder. In the way of these things, she is dismissed and not believed.

As to that disbelief: the book is frank about how older women who don’t conform to beauty standards are invisible to the greater world. When they are seen, they’re a topic of pity or ridicule, depending on the viewer’s degree of kindness. Margaret is a figure of fun to many of her colleagues. She’s a big boned tall woman and she’s called ‘Big Bird’ as a cruel nickname."

Hmm, I've not really run into that? Or no one has said that to my face? Of course I work for an organization that you could get fired for doing that.
And people aren't "pretty" or "striking" in Civil Service - that's only in the Glamour Industries, High Finance, and Advertising. I didn't think it was true in science or academia, though?

Although this review and the blurb may be enough to talk me into purchasing it. I don't want the audiobook though, I think I want the Kindle? Or I'll hunt it at Lofty Pigeons.

***

Today's Question from Question a Day Meme:

20. How often do you declutter? Is there somewhere you need to declutter, but haven’t got around to it?

Sigh. Constantly. I'm waging a losing battle against paper clutter. Partly due to the insane amount of junk mail that I receive.

Ugh, how do I get it to stop?

Right now, I need to declutter a pantry, and television stand, and a end table.
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After a rainy morning, it appears to be clearing - so I may go grocery shopping later - running low on eggs and salad greens, which are my staples. (Note, I only do greens that are high in protein, not the greens that are basically fiber and water. Mainly because my digestive system doesn't appear to like them, and I don't.)

Sinus congestion appears to be getting slightly better, or the vertigo is lessening. I can't seem to convince the doctors that this is congestion related not vestibular related. But the medicine I was provided, which is an antihistamine, is working.

Question a Day Meme: November and December

16. Are you a fan of ‘fast food’? When was the last time you visited a fast food restaurant?

No. The last one was Chipolte, which is not really a fast food franchise.
And has everything fresh, and separate. It's kind of like a make your own salad kind of place?

I can't eat fast food any longer, even Chipolte - I'm tenuous about, although can do it in a pinch, if required.

Last time I ate from an actual one was sometime prior to 2005. And it was most likely a Wendy's.

17. Do you use placemats when you eat at the dining table?

No. Don't own a dining table. I eat on trays - on a coffee table. (Small one bedroom apartment). I own place mats, but rarely use them on the trays.

18. It’s Margaret Atwood’s birthday (born 1939), the award-winning author of The Handmaiden’s Tale. Have you read the book or seen any onscreen adaptations?

I've read Atwood, but not that book. I've tried to read it, and tried to watch the television adaptation - gave up. I've seen the film adaptation and honestly, that's part of the reason I didn't feel the need to watch the television series or read her book. I'm not a fan of the subject matter, and not really a huge fan of the writer. That said, I've read two of her books and a few of her short stories - she can be a bit...strident about her views, and even though I may agree with her - I don't like being hammered over the head with it?

19. It’s US actor Jodie Foster’s birthday – have you seen any of her films?

Yes, most of them. I have a huge crush on Foster. I think I've seen almost all of her films? I did skip a few (every actor does bad films here and there, it's the law of averages).

One of my favorites of hers is "Silence of the Lambs".
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Slept most of the day, and wrestled with dizzy headache brought on by shifts in weather, sinuses, and shifts in blood sugar. The weather couldn't make up its mind - it was clear and sunny, then cloudy and dreary, then sunny, then we had thunderstorms, now drizzling. No wonder I felt dizzy.

Read more... )

The movie I just watched was Carmello - it's on Netflix US, and a Spanish film about a stray dog who changes the life of a young aspiring chef spoiler ) The principle love story is between the dog and the chef. I found it touching. (It's not sad and has a happy ending.) Spanish Hallmark.

Question a Day Meme - November

12. Are there any natural red heads in your family?

Yes. My brother's hair was red like a copper penny when he was a kid, as was my niece. My hair is reddish brown. And my Aunt K's hair was red when she was younger.

13. Have you ever played card games? Do you have a favourite?

Yes, but I have no memory for the rules. No favorite.

14. It’s National American Teddy Bear Day! Do you have any teddy bears?

Not really at the moment. I used to. Got rid of them. I do have a small beany bear somewhere.

15. Do you give names to inanimate objects such as your car, your computer or other items?

Not really. I'm not into naming things. I did name the robot vacuums Spike and Buffy but I keep forgetting that I actually named them.
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1. My union is odd? We get Election Day off but not Veterans Day, this actually true of the entire Railroad, while Transit and the other agencies due get Veteran's Day off.

I don't care? I'm not a Veteran. And I'd prefer election day? But it's still odd.

2. There's this odd trend in which people bake cakes that look exactly like their pets or a cat, parrot or dog that resembles their pet, or another breed, and they cut into it while their pet is present - and video tape their pet freaking out over them "cutting" into the realistic cake.

I can't decide if it is AI or not? Guessing it is - because I just don't see any animal sitting there while its human cuts into a realistic cake, but what do I know? Whether it is or not - it's sadistic.

Social media has proven to me that there are a lot of sadists on the planet. Who like to torture various living things. Also a lot of folks who should not be allowed to own pets.

Have you seen this trend? The humor is lost on me. I find it anxiety inducing and feel sorry for the pets. They require nicer owners. I want to launch a pet rescue campaign. Rescue the poor animals from sadistic narcissistic owners.

For some reason the dogs seem less phased. But I still don't find this funny? Horrifying, yes. Sadistic, yes. My god. Humans are sadistic.

Aliens: Should we save the human race?
(Watches Youtube and Tiktok Videos of people torturing their pets)
Aliens: Eh, let's not. We'll come back in another few thousand years and see if they've evolved any or better yet, their pets have finally rebelled and killed them all off.

***
Question a Day Memage - November

9. The Austrian-American actress Hedy Lamarr was born today in 1914. She and composer George Antheil invented an early version of Bluetooth technology. Do you have any home accessories that use Bluetooth (earbuds/headphones, speakers, fitness trackers, personal scales)?

Yes. Diabetic sensor, earbuds/headphones, and speaker are all bluetooth. So is FIRE HD.

10. It’s Sesame Street Day! Who is your favourite Sesame Street or Muppet character?

Eh, hard to choose? Fred & Ernie. Big Bird or Kermit. Doc - the head of the band.

11. Do you insist that everyone uses coasters for their drinks?

No, I often forget to use them. As a result, my wooden furniture is a bit worn around the edges.

***

Do random snippets of story ever come to you out of the blue and usually when you have no way of writing them down?
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I felt like doing meme's but not the Question a Day Meme, since I'm all caught up on that already.

This Weeks Friday Five:

1. What’s harder to live without, chocolate or alcohol?

Considering I've given up alcohol, chocolate. I've tried to give up chocolate but have never succeeded.

2. Does the colour yellow remind you of anything?

Childhood (it was my favorite color and more importantly the color of my blanket when I was small child) and now? Spring flowers. Daffodiles, dandelions, and Sunflowers, also the sunshine.

3. Who most annoyed you last week?

Sigh. DOT (Department of Transportation) and the idiots who insist on parking near the orange cones blocking off the construction on the curbs, making it impossible to safely cross the street.

4. Do you have a cutesy romantic nickname for your partner (or previous partners)?

I don't have one. And when I did - no. I don't cutesy nicknames? My parents didn't do them? My brother does them - but he's a lemming, I march to my own drummer.

5. What is your favourite Stephen King movie?

Either Stand By Me or The Shining

I've seen both more than once. Those are the iconic King films.

***

Last Week's Friday Five

ack politics )

***

Mainly rained today, and was dark, gloomy, and chilly. So I layabout and did little. Work kind of exhausts me, as does the commute, and I had the added joy of doctor's appointments on Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. I discovered I'm spending more money than usual on health care this year, and may or may not have a heart problem - since I now have an abnormal ECK and have to see a cardiologist every six months. They just don't know what it is. Also, the sciatic nerve running down the right leg, and the fatigue and the eye doctors and the struggle with sleep. Getting older is harder on some bodies than others, or so I've discovered.

I am slogging through Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver. Her stream of consciousness, multiple character first person point of view writing style isn't working for me? Read more... )

On the television front? I've finished up to and including Angel S1 Eternity - and I realized watching it, that I've completely forgotten most of the Angel episodes. I didn't watch them as often as the Buffy ones. Although I have forgotten some of the Buffy ones as well.
Read more... )
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When Fandom's Collide

Well this is interesting and pushing me towards getting tickets for CHESS?

Sarah Michelle Gellar's post on FB:
Read more... )

Ironically, I started watching Buffy because I'd fallen in love with Anthony Stewart Head in Chess. My Buffy and Chess fandoms have collided?
I was obsessed with CHESS in the 1980s. I'm not now though? But it is intriguing that it's Gellar's favorite musical and she was flying all over the country to support Danny Strong (aka Jonathan from Buffy).

Another case of fandoms that have collided? Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine, just stated in a recent interview that she comfort watches Buffy, specifically Season 6, and even came close to calling her most recent album - "Season 6". Someone in the comments to the video where she announces this - wondered how you can comfort watch S6. Folks, we all have things that comfort us? Some people like Hallmark Movies, some baseball games, some Buffy the Vampire Slayer...

I found Season 6 Buffy very relatable and comforting - and it's what brought me into the fandom. Don't judge. It's okay if you don't get it.
The fact that one of my favorite musicians does...is more than enough for me.

Oh from the Calvin and Hobbes Fandom - Bill Waterstone who drew and wrote Calvin and Hobbes, states that the two versions of Hobbes aren't meant to convey Calvin's imagination vs. Reality, but rather Calvin's perception of Hobbes and other's perceptions of Hobbes. Waterstone wanted to get across that we all see the world or perceive the world and reality differently, and literally drew those differences into his comic strip. [I've only really been a huge fan of Calvin and Hobbs when it comes to comic strips.]

********

Optometrist appointment was obscenely expensive - it was the contact fittings and new contacts. My insurance refused to pay more than $51 for it. And the FSA wouldn't cover it. [I need contacts, because glasses give me a headache and I have no depth perception with them.]

But I rewarded myself with a trip to Planted to pick up a blueberry muffin, apple tart (about the same as the fruit tart, but better crust and a touch sweeter), corn bread, and a chocolate chip cookie. I ignored the Matcha glazed donut and the brownie (didn't much like either last round). Then took a long walk to the Seventh Avenue Subway Station (as opposed to the Carrol Gardens station) through Gowanus and Park Slope. It was a lovely afternoon - in the low sixties with clear blue skies, and the trees aflame with color, so why not?

****

4. Have you ever received a birthday present that was just perfect for you? What was it?

Probably? But no real memory of it at the moment. My brain is blank.

5. Monopoly went on sale for the first time on this day in 1935. Have you ever played it?

Many, many, many times while growing up. Multiple versions. Not really a fan.

6. Have you ever listened to a play on the radio?

Yes, Star Wars radio play, along with a few others here and there.

7. How long can you stand on one leg – is it easier on your left leg, or your right leg?


Been doing a lot lately due to sciatic nerve - so about twenty-thirty minutes, maybe longer or as long as is necessary? Lately it is easier to stand on the left - because the right has sciatic nerve.

8. Have you ever collected pinecones to display in your home?

Not since I was a child. I have a small home now, so no space, also no pine cones that are readily available.


Photo from Today's Walk. Six to ten blocks down from my old brownstone apartment - they've really built a bunch of luxury apartments along the Gowanus (which smells like rotten eggs), and have a walk way along it (even though it still smells like rotten eggs). I'm so glad I moved to Kensington, better apartment, more trees, and it doesn't smell like rotten eggs.

shadowkat: (Default)
1. Eye Doctor. I got up early, made it to the eye doctor's office at 7:55 am, with my appointment scheduled at 8:15 am, only to discover that the doctor was no longer working at NYU Langone. They'd left.
And NYU Langone was calling me to reschedule with yet another brand new opthamologist literally twenty minutes before my appointment.
Read more... )
I could have slept another hour. Although they did do the vision test, and the dilation around 8:30, with the Doctor seeing me around 9:30. All in all it was two hours. I knew it would be - that's why I didn't try to schedule the knee doctor on the same day.

After a five minute vision test done at the speed of light.
Read more... )

Doctors? Its basically hurry, wait, hurry, wait. It's why Breaking Bad refuses to see them, and my Aunt did. My mother has persuaded me to see them - because she's convinced her sister, my Aunt, died because she refused to.

I'm going to have to find an opthamologist/optometrist duo, because NYU can't keep an opthamologist to save its life, and the optometrist - I noticed that office was temporarily closed and people were being redirected to the horrible Tisch Center for Men's Health.

The Good News? My eyes are fine. I mean I still need bifocals, and contacts. But there's no other issues. This morning, while putting in one of the contacts I got a piece of hair caught between my eye and the contact - which was excruciatingly painful until I got the contact out, and the offending hair out - but apparently it didn't result in any damage to the eye.

One down, four to go. (X-rays tomorrow, knee doctor tomorrow, then two weeks from now, on Saturday - the Optometrist, then in December, the PT.)

I feel like I've spent a lot of money on copayments to doctor's this year.

I did however accomplish two things at least? Eye doctor and laundry, also set up optometrist appointment in two weeks.

2. Still rewatching Buffy and Angel, and noticing things I didn't notice before? Not being obsessed with the stories or worried about where they are going - makes certain bits clearer? Also knowing what will happen - makes other things clearer? It helps when you aren't overly emotionally invested in what happens to the characters - or worse writing or reading fanfic about them. Makes the story as whole and the big picture much clearer?
Read more... )

3. I am not used to it getting dark by 4:50pm. It's throwing me off my game? I keep thinking it's 7pm when it's actually just 5:45pm. Yes, I know it being dark at 7:30 am in the morning was an issue. But I honestly wish we would just stick with one time adjustment, and not keep doing this flipping back and forth.

Clearly I'm in the minority, or it would have changed by now. But I wish.

****

November Memage:

1. In the UK, the 5th of November is Guy Fawkes night, which is celebrated with fireworks. The firework displays and parties usually start this weekend and may continue for several days of November. When was the last time you attended a firework display?

Hm. I think sometime in 2010? It was the 4th of July display in NYC.

I have watched them out my window at home - but not sure that counts.

2. Do you have anything you love so much on TV that you record all the episodes?

I don't need to any longer with streaming. Also the DVR doesn't always work?

But, when I had a VHS recorder - yes. I recorded all the episodes of Buffy, and Angel. Also Farscape. Those are three shows I loved enough to record all the episodes and own the DVDs (for a bit).

3. What’s the weather like today?

Partly Cloudy, Cool, potential for rain (but mostly sunny). In the upper fifties, high was 60 degrees.
shadowkat: (Default)
Voted finally. It was fast - took longer to get there. It's technically a ten minute walk if that, but with the sciatica, it was more like twenty minutes. I researched what and who I was voting for ahead of time, and marked up a cheat sheet. So I didn't have to read the ballot proposals.
As a result, I was pretty much in and out within ten to fifteen minutes, almost no wait time.

On the way back, picked up more groceries from Met Fresh (and it cost more than Trader Joes, of course I did pick up different things...). Came home and had the Salmon Gluten Free Cesar Salad from Trader Joes, put my feet up and relaxed.

On TV front - just watched the Angel S1 Episode: Expecting. (No, it doesn't really improve upon re-watch - but is worth a look just to see how it builds the relationship between Angel/Wes, and Cordelia. I realized that Cordelia's boyfriend (Wilson) who impregnates her with demon spawn, is the same actor who played Hollinger on The Residence.) And realized something (other than recognizing guest actors)? Read more... )

End of the Month Question a Day Memage:

27. What is your favourite thing to walk on with bare feet or do you hate walking barefoot?

With bare feet? Grass or the beach. Also in water.

28. The American costume designer Edith Head was born today in 1879. She won eight Oscars for her work, and her last one was for her work on Paul Newman/Robert Redford’s film The Sting. Have you seen it?

Yes. Didn't know that was her last one...interesting. I love The Sting. If you haven't seen it? Go see it. It's among my favorite movies.


29. What kind of toothbrush do you own?


Multiple. I had electric - but they aren't working at the moment, so need a new one.

30. Can you click your fingers (and are you doing it now – LOL)?

You mean like snapping. No.

31. Do you have a favourite aroma you love (a perfume, something baking, a flower etc)?

I like the smell of lemon, chocolate chip cookies, vanilla, eucalyptus, and pies baking.

Not a fan of floral scents - I sneeze.

Also musk - gives me a headache.
shadowkat: (Default)
I didn't go out at all today - even though it was for the most part, clear blue skies, and in the mid-fifties. Combination of a sinus headache verging on a migraine, and my right knee. I've put a knee compression sleeve on it, to provide support, and I'm icing it.

Commuting is becoming difficult, because Transit failed in making its subway stations fully accessible to anyone with mobility issues. The R train is the worst line in this regard. I thought the G line was bad, but the R is worse. Install ramps, not steps. RAMPS. Transit and I are going to have words on this issue, soon.

Only watched "Great British Bake Off" episode 9, and proceeded to go to sleep during it. So had to rewind (which is close to impossible on Netflix - I swear Netflix has the worst interface). Then watched church service, which also put me to sleep. (I actually fell asleep during it.) I've not been sleeping well - due to the knee issue. Last night, I turned and somehow moved the left knee into a position - it really did not appreciate, and it woke me up. (Note to younger self - never ever run on a tread mill - and if you do, and your knees go out - hunt down an orthopedist to fix them?)

Then, after the service, I made lunch, and clocked into the congregational meeting live-streaming on Zoom. (Gotta love technology.) It was unexpectedly interesting and in some respects informative, in a positive way. Read more... )

After that, I tried to watch Murder in a Small Town on Hulu (it's a new Fox series, about a Police Chief and a Librarian, based on a series of books published in the 1980s. Read more... )

October Mememage

23. How do you dry your laundry? Indoors, outside or in a drier?

Indoors. (Outdoors is impossible where I live.) On a clothes drier hanger in my bedroom for clothing that can't be dried in a drier - and need to be laid flat, and in a drier for everything else. Occasionally, I send it out to be cleaned.

24. Do you own a calculator, or do you rely on your mental arithmetic skills?

Calculator. I can't do math in my head.

25. Have you ever had surgery?

Tonsils and wisdom teeth. Ages ago. Also a skin biopsy - it was negative. (Fingers crossed - that it never goes beyond that.)

26. Do you have a go-to ‘comfort’ novel you will return to again and again? Or do you prefer reading new fiction instead? Do you often reread books?

Yes - I have a go-to comfort novel(s). Read more... )
shadowkat: (Default)
I managed to get a referral for physical therapy finally - but couldn't schedule an appointment until December 4. It's about ten-fifteen minutes (walk, train, walk) from work. So not too bad. Assuming there are no delays, in which case, I'm screwed.

After raining most of the night, it cleared by mid-morning and was a windy blustery day with bulbous white clouds latter in the day. So blustery - that I put my hood up, and I felt the wind cut through my wind breaker during my walk at lunch time along the pier.



It's cool in the apartment tonight, around 68. Which means the wind and chill have carried into evening. And the chill and damp may be aggravating the arthritis in the spine and knees. I don't know.

Because of where I work - I get more on the political front than most? For example? There's a huge Freight Rail Merger - which the Doofus was fond of supporting, but now all the manufacturers, specifically the chemically manufacturers, have pleaded with him not to support it - because it will create a monopoly in regards to rail transportation - and raise their costs.

My brother went to a No Kings Demonstration in upstate NY over the weekend, and informed mother that most of the protesters were Baby Boomers, the one's she saw seemed much younger. He also keeps seeing Sam Waterson (Law and Order, among others) in passing. I wouldn't have recognized him. If I see someone out of context, and don't interact with them daily - I have no idea who they are. I barely recognized a minister at my church on the subway.

Mememage

17. Have you ever bought something via the Internet and regretted it?

Yes, more times than I care to think about. Usually bags or clothing, also knitting supplies. I keep thinking I can knit, and keep forgetting you kind have to be able to count in order to knit, and I can't count without skipping over numbers. Also I suck at threading needles.

18. The definition of an antique is something that is 100 years old – do you own anything that old?

No. At least I don't think so? No.

19. Are you wearing any finger rings today?

No. I don't wear jewelry. No rings, no necklaces, not even earrings any longer. The appeal of rings is completely lost on me? They get in my way and having anything on my fingers irritates me. Good thing I don't have to wear them.

20. When was the last time it rained where you live? Has it been drier than normal for this time of year?

Last night. Not really, although we've had dry spells this year. And it threatens drought, but then it rains. I live on islands? And we just had a Nor'Easter.

21. Do you own a wine rack? What do you keep in it?

No. I no longer drink alcohol and I have no space for it.

22. What size is the smallest decorative ornament in your home?

I have no idea. I can't measure to save my life. If I had to guess? An inch? I got a wooden Russian shell doll from Moscow Mentee some time ago, and it has a tiny little doll, and I think that's the smallest. So whatever size that is?
shadowkat: (Default)
Diddy-dallying prior to taking off for massage. Also, spent time revising novel. Making some progress?

Friday Five...(I'd say I'm happy it's Friday? But I wish I had five more days of vacation now that the sciatica is getting better, and I can walk without too much pain?)

1. How long ago did you join LJ (or DW)?

I joined Lj in August of 2003 then DW about eight years later - when a Russian firm bought LJ, and it began posting ads and making it like FB...and kind of went downhill from there? So both combined? 22 years.

2. How did you find out about LJ (or DW)?

Through the ATPO_BTVS & ATS Board or Buffy fandom Voy boards.

3. If someone introduced you to LJ (or DW), is s/he still on your friends list?

Sadly, not any more. She was on FB for a while, but disappeared from it shortly after the pandemic or during it. (Social media friends much like real life ones - can at times feel like a revolving door? Or folks you meet on a hike - but eventually part ways with - because, well, everyone has to do their own hike?)

4. Have you introduced anyone to LJ (or DW)?

Yep. Quite a few actually. I had a bunch follow me from LJ over to DW.

5. Is your LJ (or DW) public or friends only, and why?

If it's about my workplace, or really personal - about family or personal friendships - it's usually locked. Everything else is public - I've made a few new friends on both sites because they've seen my unlocked posts.
shadowkat: (Default)
Well, the Sketchers UNO Black Sneakers finally got delivered. That was a lot of stress and bother over a pair of sneakers. I'm not ordering that again. Read more... )

Also I turned my mattress, and made the bed up clean this morning. The heat came on around 9, so I had to turn on some fans. But it's off now, and the apartment is a comfortable 73-76 degrees. No A/C, no heat. One small fan, and the window fan in the bedroom which I reversed the air flow to the outdoors.

Sciatica is slightly better? Still hurts when I get up, and I got to walk for a bit. I'm definitely taking up chair and bed yoga again. I'm hunting a balance disc.

***

Made a pot of chili last night - using my mother's recipe, with some tweaks and from memory. Read more... )

Today - Had wild albacore tuna fish, celery, chopped onions and Helman's Mayo mixed together on seeded gluten free sourdough, toasted in George Foreman grill for lunch. It was a tasty lunch.

Breakfast was fried eggs, greens, and radishes. And some apple cinnamon almond flour muffins with walnuts.

Snack - green apple dipped in dark melted chocolate and walnut butter.

***

I indulged another actor crush today - and watch Cillian Murphy's latest film - Steve - which just popped up on Netflix. Read more... )

(My actor crushes are: Read more... )

Christian Bale and Cate Blanchette are in another flick that just dropped on Netflix - "Knight of Cups" - which I found today. I thought - oh, goody, then oh damn - Netflix. Netflix has the worst interface of all the streamers. It crashes. You can't find anything on it. It's almost impossible to fast forward, pause, or rewind. It has a tendency to keep going to the next episode without telling you. And it is often unavailable - while I have no issues with Hulu or Disney + or HBO. Prime is getting wonky too.

You will have to pry my streaming channels along with my books and Apple music account out of my cold dead hands. Read more... )

Memage

9. Did you ever have one of those ‘magic’ painting books where you used water on the paper to bring out the colours when you were small?

I asked my mother about it. She had one. But I didn't, nor did my brother. So maybe they weren't a thing in the 1970s? She also didn't bother with coloring books, paint by numbers oils, or any of that - preferring to encourage us to draw and paint our own things, finger paint, use paints, brushes, pencils, and blank paper.

My mother was a frustrated artist and art teacher, who had horrible teachers - who told her she wasn't any good. rant about evil culture vultures/arbiters of taste who deserve to choke on their tongues )

10. It’s World Porridge (oatmeal) Day! Are you a fan?

I am. But I don't think it likes me all that much? Read more... ) I eat eggs over greens instead - easier to digest. Or coconut yogurt and nuts.

11. Do you own/use a food processor or blender?

Yes, but I rarely use it. I am single. It's huge. And I don't process much. Food digests better when I don't?
shadowkat: (Default)
It was supposed to rain today. It did? But barely. Then cleared off - and we have no clouds. We were supposed to be cloudy - but it is clear, and the temperature is supposed to drop - so far just to 65.

Debating on what to make myself for dinner tonight. I don't really want the tuna or hamburger in the fridge, I want pasta or beans. Basically I want vegetarian.

Had salmon last night and in salad today.

***

Shirley Jackson's the Lottery was adapted into a comic book by her grandson. (It's notable because it's authorized (I thought she was dead? She is - I guess he got it before she died?) and the art is decent - scans daily scanned most of it.) I don't know - it's been adapted a lot? It has been a 1969 movie, 2007 movie, full cast audio in 2025, television movie in 1996...

It does not lack for adaptations. Not sure why everyone adapts this one over so many others, but they do. It's a good story, scary, and apropos for any time period. It was first published in 1948 in the New Yorker, just after WWII.

***

I fell asleep at work - long after all my meetings on MS Teams. I didn't sleep well last night, so that was part of it. Also had three back to back Teams meetings - where I was explaining complicated processes to folks.

Breaking Bad was happy with my performance at the Teams Meeting this morning.
Read more... )
***

I'm allegedly getting Sketchers UNO Sneakers from FedEX tomorrow. (One never knows with FedEx - reliable - they aren't.) It requires an "indirect signature". Read more... )

***

Mememage

4. In 1957, Russia launched their Sputnik satellite. Do you receive your TV or broadband via a satellite, through cable, or via an aerial?

Cable. Also internet. I have a smart tv.

5. What’s the temperature today where you live? Is it warmer or cooler than average?

It's been in the 60s all day long, hovering between 69 and 65 degrees. It's been warmer than average, although 65 is an average high. But it was in the upper 70s and low 80s until today. It's supposed to be cooler tomorrow - and gasp drop down into the upper 40s and low 50s. (I hope they don't turn on the heat.)

6. Jenny Lind, the Swedish opera singer (the Swedish Nightingale), was born today in 1820. Operatic arias are often used in advertisements (e.g. the airline company British Airways used an adaptation of the "Flower Duet" from the opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes), do you recall any ads using opera arias?

Nope. Not an opera fan or into ads...

7. Do you often wear scarves? Draped around your neck or tied artistically?

Not really? I might wear it in the winter months, outside. I have a nice cozy muff. But I'm not a scarf person - I can't arrange, drap or tie them to save my life, and I don't really like things around my neck? I find it confining?

8. If you didn’t have access to a car, could you get around easily where you live?

I don't have access to a car, nor have had any access to one (unless you count cabs and car services) for a very long time, and get around easily with no issues. Actually it's easier to get around where I live - without a car than with one. No traffic. No need to find parking. It's crazy to own a car in NYC. And expensive.

I've not driven since I moved to NYC in 1996. I sold my car, and never looked back. There's a 24/7 subway and train system that basically covers the entire city, plus there's buses of all sorts, cabs, ubers, lyfts, car services....and ferries.
shadowkat: (Default)
1. Do you ever wonder if the way you see things visually aren't how other people see them?

Yes. All the time. Read more... )

2. What kind of sounds are the most annoying?

Squeaking sounds. Chalk on a chalk board. Squeaking wheels. High pitched sounds. I don't like high soprano - it's why opera doesn't work for me for the most part, that high squeak. Sirens. Car Alarms. Fire Alarms.

3. When walking through a store, do you shop with your hands by touching/feeling the texture of things

I try not to, but often do. Most stores don't want you to touch things.

4. If you could only smell three scents for the rest of your life, what would they be?

fresh sea breeze or water, sunshine, and laundry

5. What sorts of things do you savour when eating them?

chocolate mousse, apple or pumpkin pie, a good muffin or cookie, savory meal...matcha latte (drinking),

Off to bed. I hope.




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