shadowkat | Entries tagged with new year's

I should just go to bed, but it's hot in my apartment and I'm trying to cool it down first. I got the bedroom to 73, I think. The living room is 78. It does this whenever the temps rise above the forties. It's 48, and they are blasting the heat the same they would if it were in the 20s. But the good news is that they are installing a new computer system to regulate heat on the roof and in the boiler room.

I'm tired. And binging on GBBS Celebrity Edition. I only recognize the short comics. Everyone else? Not at all. Warwick Davis - I recognized, he was in a bunch of movies.

Well, maybe it stopped raining - because the celebration is happening in Times Square. I flipped it on for kicks and giggles. No one looks wet. Making me wonder if it rained. And just had lightening and thunder earlier.
The horrible singer on the stage - was Carrie Underwood? She's unrecognizable. There's about a million people (they aren't New Yorkers - they are tourists) - in Times Square. There's maybe 1000 New Yorkers in that crowd. NY is a city of 8 million, with about an additional 3 million who like to visit for undisclosed periods of time. It's also 45 F in NYC.

The booms happening now - are definitely fireworks in the area.

***

Let's hope next year which will most likely happen before I post this - so this year, will be better than we think or at the very least uneventful?
I don't know about anyone else? But I'm tired of change - but I'm guessing it's futile to hope for anything else at the moment. Maybe more positive change?? I kind of gave up this year on that. At least, with the recent "work-related" move to the city over with - the anxiety for the most part is gone. I've been a nervous wreck for months, it seems, between the election, work, and various things. Now, I feel calm. Like a load of bricks was removed from my shoulders.

I'm ignoring the National News, and the International News. Except for the stuff that I absolutely have to know. Stuff still seems to slip through. But for the most part it is helping keep the anxiety level low.

I don't really have any resolutions outside of just barrelling through and pulling away from things that make that harder than usual. Maybe reach out a bit more, meet new people, try some new things, take a trip somewhere, and pray all of that will be possible.

My niece god bless her - has taken to hiking to high places with my brother, and sitting on cliffs to get past her fear of heights. She appears to believe in confronting her fears head-on. Been there done that - it sometimes, it sometimes really doesn't. (I did zip-lining, and that will not happen again, nor will hanging bridges. And I do not plan on driving cross country.)

Ah, we're having a major thunderstorm on New Year's Eve in NYC. I do wonder how those poor tourists in Times Square will fare. Reminds me of BOSS (who retired in March) who told us in 2020 that if we survived, he would appear in the middle of Times Square butt naked on New Year's Eve.

I was seeing flashes, then realized, yes, lightening. It's supposed to pour, then drop from around fifty degrees to around twenty degrees.

I'm watching the Great British Baking Show Celebrity Edition (with British Celebrities that I neither recognize and have never heard of - they apparently exist. Britain has their obscure celebrities just like the rest of us. Speaking of GBBS - they were doing "Flans" but they looked like quiches to me.
( British Flan vs. American Flan )

That said, Celebrity Bake Off, which was done in the early years, and I found airing on the Roku Channel is hilarious. Thank you, your_librarian for the rec.

***

There's this meme - it asks you to pick the book nearest you, turn to page 125, the fifth sentence will be your life in 2025.

The first book I grabbed was one over, because nearest one was a bit hidden.

The first said: "Aware that it clashed with his religious beliefs, Hamilton always retained some nagging reservations about dueling, which became more pronounced in later years."

So I dug out the actual one.

"But I really was exhausted." (Considering that's been true of pretty much every year since 2015....)

*****

It's quite the lighting show - flashes and bangs, I'd think it was fireworks, except just white light. Very warm in the apartment - it's 79 degrees, with a window open, and two fans on. I also have the A/C fan on in the bedroom. Got it down to 74. (Oh, what I'd give to have central air - which I regulated. My heat would be set at 68-70.)

I'm tempted to watch the ball drop just to see how the handle the thunderstorm in Time's Square.

I'd say I'll be happy to say goodbye to this year? But I'm kind of terrified of the on-coming one? (Points at Icon). I would flee to another country - but alas, it's impossible. Also, wherever you go, there you are.

I somehow managed to get back home safely, without any major issues. A bit of a feat actually, considering I spent the whole trip terrified I'd break down in a coughing fit. It was touch and go there for a bit on the plane - we were sitting at the Savannah Airport Terminal for about thirty minutes, for reasons, which I was not privy too. ( Read more... )

Anyhow, I survived and made it home without a coughing fit, blowing my nose in public, or getting booted off a plane or out of a cab. The cab had a plastic shield between us anyhow - it's bullet proof and to protect the cabbie from crazy people.

Flying during a pandemic is a nerve-wracking experience. Any travel during one is nerve-wracking, I don't know how people did it. Mother backed off of pushing me to see me brother - since she figures I was stressed out enough just flying home.

***

To get to the taxis from JFK, you have to go up three escalators, walk through a kind of moving sidewalk ramp or skywalk to a set of elevators, go down three floors, and then hunt the line. When I exited the elevators, there was this huge line that wrapped around the median with elevators. I asked if it was the taxi line, they shook their heads and pointed.

It took me a minute to figure it out - it's the line to get rapid tests before heading into the city. (No I didn't get one - I already paid through the nose for a test. And I have one At-Home Test Box in my closet. Plus they offer free tests at work.)

When we passed Coney Island Hospital on the way home in the taxi - there was a line that went around the building for - you guessed it - testing.

Today 339,853 have been test in NY State, of that number, 76,555 tested positive, with 22.53% infection rate.

And tonight in Time's Square they've limited the crowd to 15,000 (keep in mind it's usually close to 2 Million).

Happy New Year!

**

After I got home, I went out again to get groceries from Flatbush Coop and Frontiere Health Store. Which is about a 20-30 minute walk, depending on traffic. I took off my mask for the walk - there wasn't that many folks, and I was alone most of the time on the sidewalk. When I wasn't, I pulled up the mask - but its hard to get it outdoors. Gray, gloomy day in New York. Was a gray day in Hilton Head too - when I left, with mist over the water. But prettier. Winter in New York can be grim, everything looks dead. If it rained or snow melted, the ground looks kind of gungy. Muddy, stained, and woebegone. Desolate even. Winter without snow in the Northeast is rather depressing. Particularly on gray gloomy days like today.

[Ah, I've the cough I had at the tail end of 2019 -2020 again. Lovely. Thank you so much, Mother, for the Christmas Gift. It takes me forever to get rid of coughs. I may have to contact the doctor and get either a chest x-ray or an inhaler. I visit my family - I catch a cold. Oh well, at least it wasn't COVID - according to the tests.]

Flatbush Coop had a line wrapped around the building - just to get in. Everyone wearing masks. One guy had on an air filteration system mask that I kind of envied. At least it was in the 50s, so I wasn't cold - kind of hot actually.

**

Tonight, I talked to mother (who is missing me), sent happy new year's messages to folks. Had Pizza - Against All Grains (it's basically a cheese bread pizza and the only gluten free pizza that I like). And rented "Free Guy" from On Demand, which bro rec'd as the best film he'd seen this year.

Free Guy starring Ryan Reynolds, Jodi Comer, Joe Kerry, and Takiti Wakitia - directed by Shawn Levy, is kind of a cross between Tron, The Truman Show, and Ready Player One. Although I liked it a whole lot better than either Tron or Ready Player One, and in some respects better than the Truman Show, which I felt took itself too seriously. It's about a Non-Player Video Game Character played by Reynolds, who becomes self-aware. (When we were watching another Reynolds film last night - Red Notice, mother asked who Reynolds was - and I said he's an actor who's been in a lot of comedies, and is kind of a lighter version of Jim Carrey without the silly putty face - or an understated Jim Carry. I actually like him better.)

"Red Notice" is not as good as Free Guy. It's okay, but the banter gets annoying, and the only person who can act in the film is Reynolds. We basically have Gail Gadot and Dwayne Johnson looking pretty and tough, and well Reynolds as comic relief.

Free Guy is kind of brilliant, and made me happy. It says a lot about our society, identity, and reality. And having dealt with a father who can't quite figure out his own reality on a day to day basis - I found it weirdly comforting. In other words, it's light satire, as opposed to dark satire such as Don't Look Up.

I did however feel an overwhelming urge to kick or shoot Takiti Wakitia's character in the head repeatedly throughout. He kind of takes annoying to a whole new level.

***

Anywho, I'm tired. My cold is still with me, dammit. But I got home at least without infecting anyone (it's no longer contagious and its not COVID). So going to bed, to read and sleep.

I'll see you all on the other side...with any luck 2022 will be better than 2021. Mother can't wait for 2021 to be over. I just hope 2022 will be better - it's not like it has to work that hard to be better. The bar is rather low actually. All it has to do - is do nothing. I mean have absolutely nothing of consequence happen. That would be nice. A nice quiet, normal year, with no big events. Can we have that?

I am however feeling very grateful. I got to see my parents. Not only that, I got quality time with both of them, hugged both of them, and was able to sit in the sunshine, and visit the beach. Granted I got a chest cold, but the chest cold did result in me - extending my stay - so that I got to spend quality time with my Dad, and see the beach with my Mom. We didn't focus on food, presents, doing things like movies, plays, shopping, entertaining or any of that stuff. We just enjoyed each other's company, and that was enough.

I'm grateful for that. It was a gift. Along with the beautiful weather.
As my cab driver (by way of Jamaica) stated on the way home - "I'm grateful to be alive and healthy this year, with my family, with my job, able to work, and live my life - this is a gift."

Happy New Year.

Random Photo of the Night comes your way via Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Mainly because New York is kind of grim and desolate at the moment.)

Hasta La Vista 2020, and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Although I agree with Biden - the next three months are going to be hard. Not helped by the crook in the white house who refuses to concede or leave.

Weirdly Times Square isn't as vacant as expected. There are people there in little socially distant conclaves. And celebrating in small areas. They are in little enclosed padded boxes with the folks they came with, with masks. No one gets close to people they don't know.

Meanwhile powerball went to a poor black family with two young daughters. I was kind of rooting for them. The others were a couple, an old white couple, an black couple, and a single girl.

I drank sparkling white wine from little cans - it's the only sparkling that agrees with me. I don't do champagne well, and it's not expensive.

Happy New Years Folks.

Thanks for sticking with me through this. Not everyone did. The pandemic kind of showed us all who cared. And who didn't, didn't it?

You being there - helped me survive 2020. I live alone. In a huge city. My family far away. I don't socially distance with friends - I've not seen any since March 8, and the last I saw my co-workers in person was in September. The last I saw my family, immediate family - was in 2019. And the closest I came to human interactions was with people I don't know that live in my apartment complex or my co-workers - who I kind of went through this with. Did we bond? Hard to say.

I saw the absolute worst and best in humanity this year. And struggled with the worst and best for myself.

My New Year's Resolution is the same as last year's - Be Kind Be Kind Be Kind no matter what happens. No matter how hard. No matter how angry.

And I hope I'll do better with that this year than last.

Being kind is the only way, I think.

I will try to be less opinionated, less judgemental, less critical, less angry, and less self-righteous.

I will try to help more. Think about myself less. Give more. Take less.
And be more supportive.

I will try to be kind to myself. To understand that I'm only human. And try to learn from my mistakes.

I will try to listen more. Talk less. Read more. Write less.

Today is the first of January. It's a beginning. A second chance to get things right.

I survived 2020. We survived 2020. Not everyone did. Over 2 million people around the world didn't. Some famous. Some unknown but worthy and kind all the same. I'm thankful that you and I survived. So thankful. Thankful my parents, my family, my friends, my co-workers, my super, all the people I know personally - survived 2020 and got out of the year alive.

Thank god.

It was touch and go there for a while.

Now, let's get out of 2021. And remember to be patient and kind with each other. The next three to four months are going to be rough.

What's that they say? It's always darkest before the dawn? Cliche perhaps, but fitting. I see hope ahead. Take a breath. 2021! Here's to 2021!

2020 is a bit of a blur, and I don't remember a lot. This is what stuck.

STUFF I WATCHED OR READ

movies

[Weirdly I didn't watch that many or remember them...]
( movies )

shows

new for me in 2020:
( Read more... )

[Those were the memorable ones.]

ongoing series:

* The Expanse - still need to see S4 and S5
* The Mandalorian - season 2
* The Crown - S6 (I think)
* General Hospital
* Grey's Anatomy (although on my last legs)
* Virgin River (assuming it gets a third season)
* Stranger Things
* Great Pottery Throw-down - if it gets another season
* Titans
* His Dark Materials (on Season 2)

re-watches:
Great British Baking Show

books
I didn't read nearly as much this year as in years past (working remotely took away reading time, also I found it difficult to focus after February, I've not been able to finish "reading" a book that was not a graphic novel/comic book since February.). But I did get some audio in - mainly due to audio books.
( books and comic books )
Did you watch or read any of these? If so, let's chat about it!

***

Books, Television Shows, Movies - to see next year:
( Read more... )
Everything else is up in the air, as it should be.

Except for me, 2020 didn't really begin until March 9. So it will be over on March 8. I go by my birthday. Works better that way - and guess what this year it kind of makes more sense than most. The roller-coaster ride won't be over until March, when the vaccine is more readily available and Trump and Republican party sail out of office for the most part to face State and International criminal investigations.

I'm baking today. I decided to see the year out on this crisp rainy day, by baking. I made a spinach, sharp cheddar, and fresh spinach quiche, and a pumpkin pie.

Tonight, I'm broiling ~~a lobster tail~~ filet mignon, and possibly having green beans and sweet potato. ~~I don't think~~ I can't do a lobster tail and a filet mignon. So saving the lobster tails for tomorrow night, perhaps. ~~Or will flip them.~~ [ETA - the lobster tails are still frozen because I bought them on Tuesday and put them in the freezer and forgot to take them out until 12 noon today.]

And I have cans of pink sparkling wine - Sofia, which I like. I don't like champagne and it does not like me - tends to give me a headache and gas.

Me: My vacation or staycation has gone by so quickly!
Mother: And you thought you'd be bored and struggle to find things to do..
Me: Apparently I have no problem doing nothing. I actually kind of enjoy just sitting and watching television shows, playing on the internet, working on my writing, taking long walks around a cemetery, and talking on the phone or watching stuff on Zoom. This is not a problem for me at all. It was very relaxing.
Mother: And you were so worried.
Me: I should have known better. I'm well-suited to this actually. I like routine. I don't need to busy. It's other people who make me feel that I have to be busy, silly people.

Also sleeping until 9, and staying up until 12:30, probably helps.

A found farewell to the rollercoaster ride that was 2020 - here's to 2021, which will hopefully be less topsy-turvy.

Found this to be an interesting analysis of what's been happening politically since well the 1980s..ie, the Regan era or the era of pronounced individualism.

Heather Richardson Cox is a Political Historian who sums it up as follows:
( excerpt )

Here's photos of my quiche and new garden..

Unfortunately, no lobster tails tonight, will have to be for new year's day. Since they aren't fully defrosted yet. That's all right. I'll have filet mignon instead.

Per the NY Times briefing:

As of this writing, 2021 has already arrived in much of the world, from a New Zealand free of the coronavirus to an England in lockdown.

In most cities, there are no roaring crowds, no gatherings for fireworks shows and, let’s hope, no strangers kissing at midnight. But people around the world are still toasting the start of the New Year. Here’s our live coverage.

In Australia, a fireworks show went on as usual. Big Ben, long silent while under renovation, chimed at midnight, as Britain left the European Union. The ball will still drop in Times Square.

Good news?

And on Friday, 20 states and 32 cities and counties will raise their minimum wage, which will reach or exceed $15 an hour in 27 of them. More places will join them later in 2021, bringing what was once a fringe idea into widespread reality.

Here's hoping for a better 2021.

Well, unless I decide to post later -- which is iffy at the moment. Still sick, but seem to be coming out on the other side of whatever this is -- not sure if it is allergies or a bad cold? Doesn't matter, as long as it goes away soon. Cold and rainy here -- although not as cold as it has been in previous years. According to the news, we have insanely warm temperatures for this time of year -- in the 40s, and will reach 50 before midnight. Too bad it's pouring. Can't be fun standing in the middle of Times Square while it's pouring. (I'm not. I plan to be in bed and asleep long before the clock strikes twelve.)

This morning -- while in the shower, a thought popped into my head...life is not a competition no matter how much the world, the media, and everyone wants to turn it into one. It's a journey. Not a race. So, New Year's resolution is basically not to compete and stay out of competitions.

With that in mind, the below are the entertaining and at times thought provoking items that I watched, read, and experienced in 2019 that I can remember and want to either recommend or share.
( Read more... )

2018 --Accomplishments
( Read more... )
So overall not a bad year, in some respects.

( family )

End of year donations, included Enviromental Defense Fund, Nature Conservancy, ACLU (as long as the GOP and the Doofus are in power -- I'm donating to the ACLU - aka American Civil Liberties Union), and my church (which is currently housing and acting as a sancturary for two immigrant families among other social justice issues.).

I'm trying to focus on the positives at the moment. Let the negative stuff fade away into the background where it belongs.

Hopefully 2019 will bring positive things its way and challenges that won't make me too crazy. (Looks pointedly at my work place.)

Happy New Year to everyone, or to those who celebrate. (Not everyone does apparently. Which is interesting.) Hope the new year brings good things your way or at the very least interesting lessons that don't hurt too much.

Current Mood: sick

New Year's is a weird holiday - much like that song everyone sings, Auld Lyne Syne. You approach with a combination of dread and anticipation, celebration and mourning - part of you wanting to move on - hoping better horizons lie ahead, part wishing you can stay put.

Wales is coming over again to hang out, drink brandy (multiple brandy) laced egg nog, watch vids and ring in the New Year with me, much as we did before. Neither of us is up to going to bars or into the City this year and rubbing elbows with the multitudes. The city is incredibly packed as it is due to the Euro being so high and the dollar so low - to the extent that Europeans appear to be treating it like a Costco or Discount Supermarket.

Since she's due over around 6:30 and it's 6:10 now, I'll make this baby short. And save the list making for New Year's Day. I'm not sorry to see 2006 go, as you know it has not been an easy year for me and while I've accomplished a few things they felt like grains of sand, slipping through my fingers. Did not finish my novel like I planned, but was distracted. And it's no biggie if I wait to finish it next year. Nor have gotten a job as of yet, but that too can wait for next year. I survived without doing anything dumb, met new people, broadened my horizons, made a few mistakes and learned a few new things. Not so bad, methinks.

Happy New Year's Everyone.

[*And man, I need some new icons. Preferably ones that aren't associated with tv show or movie characters. The one above, I believe is Billie Holiday. If you have any you don't mind me swiping - point the way!]