Monday, A Good Day After All :-)

    Yesterday turned out to pretty good. I did take my crankiness with me when I went out, but by the time I picked up my mail and headed for lunch I was feeling a bit better. I had bean soup and an egg salad sandwich. Soup good, sandwich adequate :-) I have been trying to do better when I eat out and had only water as my beverage. I was wishing for coconut creme pie, not sure why, maybe because the restaurant reminds me of a diner, and everyone knows that diner's have coconut creme pies. Sure enough as I am paying for my meal I see "the pie". I ordered a slice to go. Later I had it with a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, it was not diner worthy, too thin to feel luxurious on the tongue. Oh well, what can you do?   Am working on a very odd subject for someone and starting to feel a bit stressed. Plus, I have been working on the computer since early a.m. and my eyes are burning, that seldom happens so it must be time for a break. I have already put in my 5 hours, maybe I will just stop and start again tomorrow. 

I still need a good coconut pie. (deep sigh)

A Ho-Hum Morning:-(

    Deep sigh!! I woke up feeling peevish and cranky this morning. It doesn't help that I got a splinter in my heel last night (ouch) and this morning it's hurting and promises to hurt more as the day goes on. I still have not changed channels so I am listening as cops arrest people in New Orleans for doing stupid things on the street. What things? Peeing in the street, spiting in a doorman's face; a man thought someone might want to see his private "jewel" and decided to show it; another couple was feeling amorous and used the alley as their bed.  Sadly, every person was from out of town. I wonder if the New Orleans police dread Mardi Gras?  

A little earlier it was 18 degrees, now it is 20, I would say that's a brrrr! Still the sun is amazing. Right now, I am just moseying around, I can tell it is going to be one of those days where I have to push myself to get things done. Maybe a cup of coffee will help to get me moving. When I was working 9-5 and I had days like this, I would get to the office early because I knew everything I did would take minutes longer. I do know if I don't get to the library early this morning all of the good spots will be taken. When I feel like this, it affects everything I think and do, right now I am thinking that I don't want to prepare for a meeting a couple of weeks away because I need to start gathering materials today. Obviously, I must make some changes to make this day work for me :-(   

I Love the Newark Museum :-)

   A friend and I went to the annual Newark Museum Board meeting this week. The museum member audiece was so small attendees were asked to sit up towards the front of the room. As always, the buffet was very good.

Later we stopped for drinks at a nearby place and stayed out quite late (I won't do that again) Things went downhill for me as I tried to get home. We missed a bus and I took one that left me in spot that I knew but the streets were empty. After waiting for at least 20 minutes I started to call my taxi company (mine?? yep-they will pick up regulars out of the area) when I saw what I hoped was my bus. It was. The young driver chastised me for being out so late, she told me that this was the last bus and so on. Then she said that I looked just like her mother. She really was a sweetie. As I walked my 1/2 block home, I was moving so quickly that I did not notice the big patch of ice. I stepped on it and went down so hard the sound echoed. A man got of his car and asked if I was o.k. and a young woman stopped to make sure I was not hurt.She yelled out "Are you sure you are o.k? I was watching you walk, you were really stepping." I am sure that I was I don't like being out late at night. It was so kind that they both watched until I walked up to my building. But, I was not afraid because I had talked to the caring bus driver about her mom, etc. I am sure that does not make sense and can't explain it or maybe I just choose not to.

Yesterday I was a little sore, but not damaged. I was happy to see that my beautiful NM program was not torn or wrinkled when I fell. I plan to frame it. It shows a graphic of a piece of work that is on display now. On paper it looks like a beautiful flowing robe. The actual piece is made from discarded aluminum and copper wire. It is by artist Ghanaian sculptor, Al Anatsui; the piece is titled Many Came Back. 

Profile of artist:  http://people.africadatabase.org/en/person/1874.html  Interview:  http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Publications/CL_anatsui.html Newark Museum:  http://www.newarkmuseum.org/pages/toc2.html

Life Imitates Art Or Is It The Other Way Around?

    This morning the funeral home director who sold body parts, to a bio-medical firm is in the news again. The trial is coming up. There is a J.D. Robb novel about harvesting body parts. However, in Robb's novel, the parts removed from the living. Tough cop Lt. Eve Dallas always gets her man or woman in the "In Death" series, so of course she takes down the bad guys in her usual kick butt style. This kind of thing is gruesomely exciting in a novel, but you never think anything like this could actually happen. When I first heard this story on television, I thought, Nora Roberts (J.D. Robb) is amazing, she has done it again; she has envisioned the possible from the unthinkable.

This is when I wish I still had the Court TV channel. I would like to see and hear the justification of this terrible act. I wonder if he will take the "I did it for science" route. I hope not.

So Sad

 As I was watched the news this month and last, I have been saddened to see that there continues to be so much misery unhappiness here. That has to be the reason for the terrible abuses that are being inflicted on children they are supposed to be protecting. Later when they are arrested they hide under the cover of their jackets or brave it out by smiling smiles, that don't reach their eyes. Ugly despicable business that is shown again and again. I wonder if we can blame 9-11?  I have remembered a song, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by a group who called themselves "The Undisputed Truth". There have been others who sang this song, including the tempting "Temptations", but it is the TUT version that is so eerie and haunting. I recall that it is a Motown 70's song. I also recall that I found the lyrics and the music foreboding. Still do.

Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend; Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within; Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes;
They don't tell the truth uh; Smiling faces, smiling faces;Tell lies and I got proof.

The truth is in the eyes; Cause the eyes don't lie, amen; Remember a smile is just; A frown turned upside down; My friend let me tell you; Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes; They don't tell the truth, uh; Smiling faces, smiling faces; Tell lies and I got proof; Beware, beware of the handshake; That hides the snake; I'm telling you beware; Beware of the pat on the back; It just might hold you back; Jealousy (jealousy;Misery (misery); Envy.

I tell you, you can't see behind smiling faces; Smiling faces sometimes they don't tell the truth; Smiling faces, smiling faces; Tell lies and I got proof.

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes; They don't tell the truth; Smiling faces, smiling faces; Tell lies and I got proof ;(Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes); (Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes); I'm telling you beware, beware of the handshake; That hides the snake; Listen to me now, beware; Beware of that pat on the back; It just might hold you back; Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes; They don't tell the truth.

Smiling faces, smiling faces; Tell lies and I got proof.

Your enemy won't do you no harm; Cause you'll know where he's coming from; Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya; Take my advice I'm only try' to school ya.

Good Expense Summary

     I just looked at some expenses for 2005. I held the information for two days before I opened it. Spent so much time down the shore, I was hesitant do a look-see. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. My 2005 expenses were down as I had hoped, but thought I had missed the mark. This budget thing has become a test, an adventure to see how well I can live on less ;-) I must say that I am really enjoying this. These past 4??? years have been positive.

Maybe I will take a week off and treat myself to a good hotel and fine restaurant eats.. (LOL)  Nah!! Life is good.

Bootleg Betty and Bette Midler Meet Vannie :-)

    This link was sent to me with a short note "Van, have you seen this?". Actually I did come across it once http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?p=2273 I may have mentioned it here. It is a site about Bette Midler. I don't remember when I saw it.  That's the up side.

The down side? I have also seen my one of my Asian recipes on an "adult site" because the name of my food column is "Hot and Spicy".  I do have a problem with the name, I would like to call it "Hot and Spicy Foods", but I was told changing the name will do something bad to the ratings, the H&S site and the entire BellaOnline site :-(  By the way I don't know if arecipe appears on the site, I have never checked. I only hope the person(s) looking for the Kim Chee recipe will actually find the recipe there.

People Still Don't Get It??

     I was reading AOL news this morning and read an article about a childish e-mail respone gone wrong. People still don't seem to understand that e-mail, while very useful, may prove to be harmful to your livelihood. It is not nice to respond "Bla, bla, bla" in the legal community. The e-mail exchange between Boston lawyers William A. Korman and Dianna L. Abdala is like the shot heard round the world :-(  (http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060219091809990005&ncid=NWS00010000000001

This is  reminiscent of the leaked Bryant Gumble internal memo concerning weatherman Willard Scott  All of this happended in 1989 or so and it is still floating around on the Internet. When Abdala's potential clients do a search by typing her name in "search", they will find her now famous e-mail exchange :-(

Okey. I Admit It is Cold!

    Everyone knows that I love winter. I seldom where heavy coats, big boots and any of the other gear that most folks dig out for cold weather. I do wear a scarf because I like them. I wear gloves, when I can remember them or have not lost them. But generally I don't bundle up. I had to go out for a bit Saturday and was extremely happy that I wore my long wool coat and snug hat. It was cold!! 

While out this past Friday the weather wonderful. I was delighted to see two birds singing (and talking??) high up in a tree. I looked up and was able to see that they were a beautiful pale yellow and quite pudgy. As continued watching them and saw other people do the same, probably because they wanted to know what I was looking at. The birds fascinated me and I stood watching until I became embarrassed. I came home to see if I could find out the species. It turns out that Jersey has 450 so I knew that was not the right way to go with my search:-)  I found that the Goldfinch is the NJ State bird. Don't if I had been told that and forgotten, but the GF has black on it. Not sure if they change color in winter months. Saturday I was wondering how they faired this very cold 28 degree temp. While searching I came across an interesting NJ site titled "Did You Know" site http://www.state.nj.us/travel/facts&fun/didyou.html

An Interesting Day

      The day started and ended on the up side. For some reason feeling excited, not sure why. This morning as I was getting ready to toss an old newspaper, I saw a picture of jazz pianist Rio Clemente. I don't remember him wearing a hat, maybe he did and I did not notice. Called a friend immediately to let him know, cuz I want to see and hear Rio. I checked online and see that I missed him at Trumpets in Montclair last week. Not crazy about Trumpets but would go to see RC. My friend can't understand why I don't like the jazz club; I don't either. I guess I don't have a real reason except that it feels "close" like the old jazz places I used to go to in the City. Maybe I never enjoyed those clubs either?? But I saw such great musicians :-) Just wondering if he still plays Suicide is Painless. My goodness that was a long time ago, it was my song. Very cool to walk in and have someone switch to your tune when they see you. But things change, it's been a long time. I think we will go in March, not sure of date RC is appearing.

Finished my anchor site for Watkins this morning. Yah!. Later, I stopped by the Library to see what it looks like on WXP Professional version PC. It really looks OK. I felt good about that. This evening I started sending the site to search engines and the system started to update right in the middle of the process. (grrrr)  Then it told me I needed to reboot, yada, yada. This computer continues to bully me, but I did manage to do some sending.        

Moving Forward Slowly

    It's a pretty good day. My skin is so dry from the heat in my apartment. But, at least, I can breath today, my allergies have been terrible. Since it snowed over the weekend things are better for me. I guess moist, clean air??

Since I received some sound business advice from a member of my foruum, I am moving forward, bit, by bit. Just one foot, in front of the other. My new business web site is almost complete. Right now it is a freebie web page. I will see what ads appear, I may have to make it a premium. We'll see in a week or so when ads are placed. It seems no matter how much advice and counsel you pass on to other people, sometimes you have to reach out for help. New eyes can help :-) 

Oh yeh. Got my Valentines virtual hugs :-) I needed them.
 

Valentine's Day and Empowered Women

 I have stopped looking at Valentine's Day with dread. I did that for a while. When everyone says what are you and your honey doing for Valentine's Day and you have no honey, it can be tough for someone like me because I am girly. I love getting presents and I really love giving presents. It is truly the one thing I miss. I get the urge to buy "him" a present when I walk through the men's department of big stores.  I now find cute and funny Valentine's online cards from men (and women) without a 'honey'. Where do I find them? I don't have to look far, they find me by way of my many friends, who have chosen the same path as I have. Do men have a problem with Valentine's Day? You betcha http://ucomics.aolsvc.aol.com/news/cathy/

I never worry though, I know that I will get calls today from a few male friends who will remember what day it is, and say to themselves, "Ooops, I gotta call Van". They call between meetings, or on the fly out of the door. And that makes me smile and giggle like a girl because they remembered that, while I do not like candy or roses for Valentine's Day I do like to hear "Hey. It's Valentines day. Did you think I would forget?" Nope.Of course I didn't. I counted on it. You are my Valentine too.  

p.s. When this is read by you-know-who(s) I don't wanna discuss it :-) Hugs and thanks.    

Happy Valentine's Day

       People will go to great lenghts to find their one true love. Author Mark Twain was right when he said "Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."

Valentine’s Day legends, facts and more. How did Valentine's Day get started? Why is it celebrated on February 14?

Legend: Valentine’s Day commemorate the anniversary of the death of St. Valentine, a Roman clergyman who was executed on Feb. 14, about 270 A.D., for secretly marrying couples in defiance of the emperor.

Legend: Valentine’s Day began as a Roman fertility festival.

Fact: In the 1840s, Esther Allen Howland (1828 - 1904), a native of Massachusetts, began to sell the nation’s first mass-produced valentine cards.

Did you know:

* There is a 'Valentine, Nebraska' and a 'Valentine, Texas'. How about 'Loving County, Texas' or 'Lovelady, Texas'. It seems that the State of Texas is just full of love.

Reprinted in-part with permission of yours truly.

Blizzard of 2006 Eastern States

  The sun is so bright today, the snow makes it seem brighter.

Who would have guessed the snow I welcomed Saturday would have turned into this? I read my entry of yesterday, I could change it but I won't, it's how I felt then. Today I wonder if I would have felt the same knowing that I would have to get to my office early this morning. I think I would have because I like this kind of weather. However, watching the news yesterday just blew me away. I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing because from my real window on the world I looked out and saw kids playing. When I looked across from me I saw someone using a snow plow in the parking lot, later I saw about 8 men cleaning snow from cars in the same lot. I wondered about the one car that was left covered with snow. If figured there was a story there. Maybe all of the other car owners had paid for the service; or maybe the men lived in the building and this was just a happening and they cleaned cars because they liked the owners of the cars, except?  I wondered about the owner of the remaining. So it was a pleasant day of snow watching on one hand and hearing about the blizzard chaos on the other hand. 

It's 10a, by this time I would have been in the office at least 45 minutes already, sharing "I had a rougher time getting into the office than you did" stories.. I am grateful that I did not have to make the trip today.

Snow Falls, Finally.

     It's snowing (Really big smile)  I am sure that I will be sick of this same snow next week when it becomes packed, brown and ugly. But today, it is gorgeous. It is already 9:30a and I have not felt the need to go outside and trample in the snow. MMmm. Maybe I am getting to the stage where I more enjoy looking at the snow more than walking around in it. I picked up a few things from the supermarket yesterday. For some reason there had been a run on frozen waffles. As I walked towards the door to enter the store a woman coming out waved to me and gave a heads up. "You are just in time, it's just starting to get crowded."  Little acts of kindness like this, always bring my mood up a notch. When I walked out of the store, the snow had started, not heavy, but the kind you knew would stick. 

This morning we have the kind of winter I remember as a child. I woke up in the middle of the night and looked outside, very quiet, the sky was blue-gray and I could see the snow falling. I watched for a while then went back to bed. Right now, I am looking out and see a woman cleaning the snow from her car. Her small child is with her and 'helping' mom. He has a small shovel and is running around, digging in odd spots all over the yard. He just decided to walk through a mound of snow almost as tall as he is. I thought for sure mom would yell but she didn't. She just stood talking with hands on hips--from up here I could almost feel her smile as the kid flopped down and made a sort of a deep dish angel by moving his tiny arms and legs.   

I did a quick search of the word "snow". Why?? I don't know.  I found a link with sweet uncomplicated poems about snow. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/1133/seasonalpoems/snow.html  

It's a good day :-) Maybe that's because I don't have to shovel the car out or the sidewalk. Still it is a good day.  Apologies for all the happy talk to those who will have to get out today or the coming week in this. I know the feeling :-( 

Some Things You Can't Change

   I was invited to attend a meeting the other night. I came away a bit disappointed with the turn of things at the meeting, but not so much that I would not join the organization or support it and its cause.  Even as I am stepping back from some things, others remain important to me. So anyway, I make out a check at a lesser amount than I had planned, seal the envelope and put it in my purse for mailing.  I wake up very early the next morning and the first thing on my mind is guilt about the amount in the envelope in my purse. I get out of bed and pad over to my purse, open the envelope and write a new check, then force myself to go back to bed and sleep. Very hard to do. The thing is when I awakened it seemed like a dream, so to be sure I had to open the envelope again. LOL. I can't imagine what will go through the minds of those who handle much taped envelope. (smiling). Oh, well. Just one of my "you have to be fair and share" quirks.  Yep--I know whose fault this is.

This morning I saw the tail end of a human interest story about hoarding stuff and things. It's a two-part story and what I saw was very interesting. I would love to see part 2. Alas, I don't know what channel I was watching. :-( 

End of the Week Talk

    I had to run out this morning to a coffee meet with yet another potential client. I hope this one works out. The other one would have been too big for me to handle alone. Will still do some piece-meal things though. I would love to have a firm consult by March. Short term would be good. I will cross my fingers and keep moving. Also checking around for another mystery shopper gig. The movie thing was perfect ;-)

Last night I dreamed of a friend I have not seen or heard from in ages. It must have come from me going through my old year book. I had looked at a picture of her posing in her leotards. At the time I thought, gee she was so short and wondered if she really wanted to be a dancer maybe she did not realize that she was not tall, I never did about myself until I was in my 30's (smiling) Pleasant memories.

A few days ago I received a request to use one my articles for a Mental Health/Mental Retardation employee newsletter. I would love to see that happened. These people are located in Texas. If it's a go would I have asked that a copy of the newsletter be sent to me. If it's not a go--it's nice that someone was interested.

I read that the young man who was nearly starved to death by his adoptive mom will face her today in the Camden, NJ . I hope he asks her just one question, "Why?" In just a short time he has gone from 45 pounds to 150. His brothers will present written statements. Turning television on now, but I have missed the noon news. But suspect that is important enough for a news flash on the bottom of the screen. It's so funny, as I change channels, I see soap opera faces that I remember from the time my mom watched soaps. Say what you will about the shows  they are obviously lucrative. The actors never leave :-) 

Fell of my diet last week. Disappointed in myself, but back in line now. I hope. I think.  I AM!

I received this as I was shutting down.As a cat lover I had to read the story because of the headline Kitten Goes Undercover in Vet Scam Probe By TOM HAYS, Associated Press Writer 
NEW YORK - He came from the streets of Brooklyn, a cool customer on four legs, the perfect bait for a sting on a fake veterinarian. Meet Fred, undercover kitten. Oh, come on Bloggie, you know that's funny.  (smiling)  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060208/ap_on_fe_st/undercover_kitten 

Think Big

     If you don't like the incentive award you received from your company think about this. Mary Kay Ash (Mary Kay Cosmetics) once received something called a "Flounder Light" from the company she worked for. So what is a flounder light? It is a light that you to pin on your hip boots when you fish at night :-) Later, at the same company she was passed over for a promotion. The man she trained got the job :-(  Still later she found out that the some of the men she was training were pulling in $50k, while  she was making $25k.

What did she do? She took a month off, took $5k from her savings and started her own company. Mary Kay Ash's company hands out a little more than Founder Lights; her associates get pink Cadilacs  for a job well done :-)   

I found this on Anecdotage.com, a very odd site.

Early Valentine's Day Card

    I took my mail from my mailbox last night and found a lovely Valentine's Day from my youngest brother, or as he insists on being called "my baby brother". Never mind how old he is (LOL) What a nice way to end my day. It's no wonder I love men. In the old days when my friends and I used collect toys for kids at Christmas, my best bud used to say "Let Van get the toys for the boy children, she loves boys". And she would smirk, but I would laugh because she was so right. I really do love boys.  

I went to the movie theater yesterday. I wanted to see a mystery-type movie to review for March. I saw If a Stranger Calls. I do not enjoy this kind of movie. It was scary and unsettling. I know that's the purpose, but jeeeze! This is not the movie to take your little one to see. Speaking of movies. My secret shopper gig up. I finished at Loew's. Yep. That's where it was. Now the this chain is owned by the AMC folks SS is history. I used my last ticket and have $2.05 left on my food card. Well, now I won't have to remember what Susie the ticket take said when I handed her my ticket. But it was interesting. I picked up my biz mail and was glad to see that the labels ordered had arrived. Can't wait to use them. 

re: yesterday's breakfast. The Risotto was so good I decided to check out the brand further. Of course I checked the real price first since I bought it for .75 at the reduced stand, something I never do, but it caught my eye. The actual cost is $2.49 a box.  Pretty good dea, huh? l. Also, I think I am on to something good with Lundberg products. This was on their front page: "Thanks for stopping by to see us. While you're here, be sure to visit our Products page to see our great variety of deliciously healthy rice products. See our Recipes page for appetizing ideas on cooking side dishes, soups, salads and dessert. Visit the Farming page and get to know more about our farming practices or see our Company page to learn more about Lundberg Family Farms. Whatever you do, have fun and thanks for visiting us on the farm!"  Happy I took a chance on this product :-)

A Slight Sore Throat and Other Things

     Yesterday I had a slight sore throat and some nose congestion, that I find more annoying than feeling really ill. I think it may be my allergies causing it. This seems to have started when I started pulling old papers and shredding it by hand. Maybe the little particles when the paper is torn? I wonder if there is such thing as dry-paper dust? I am looking for an inexpensive shredder because I can't just toss this information. A lot of it contains old financial and tax records. Some are old records from my home business. I wonder if it is the the ink that is bothering me? I know I have been handling carbon paper too.  This morning the soreness is gone. Last night I mixed a little Lemon extract (Watkins, of course) in cold water and sipped it. This morning, no sore throat, no nose congestion. How odd. Maybe mom's perculiar remedy really does work.

I am starving and all I have is cold cereal:-(  I need something hot and savory for breakfast. No grits, but I do have Risotto Parmesan I bought on sale a few weeks ago. I am preparing it now. I figure grits, risotto--they are both grains. Right bloggie? Besides for me, cold cereal is best for lunch or dinner.  Ooops I think my breakfast is ready.

Well I am back. This is a good delicious breakfast. It will take me through lunch. I will have to have again in early a.m.    

 

Looking Back With Fondness

      While cleaning and tossing I came across my high school yearbook. I have a picture of my girl friend tying a bow in a sophomore's hair. I have my commencement graduation notice. I did not remember commencement being held at 8:15 in the evening!?  What's really interesting is that I looked at the first and second honor roll lists and found that some of the people who years later indicated that they were on the honor rolls were not listed.   I found old news items of teachers and school mates engagements and marriages. I have a clipping from showing girls leaving school because of a fire. The article says "More than 1,400 pupils from the all-girl Battin High School... evacuated within 90 seconds...". Wow! We all went out in "orderly fashion". How good were we? But our Principal would have it no other way. LOL   I also found a leaflet from England sent to me by my high school pen pal. I wonder if my friends had a pen pal? I went to the 5 year class reunion and have that paperwork as well. Lots of stuff. How strange to see it again.  Of course, I won't be tossing this out :-) I even have the pieces of the rose each of us carried.   Apparently I was impressed with the fact that I had learned to tint photographs because the whole yearbook is tinted.   I was on the school yearbook art and photography staff; looking at my picture, I look like a real nerd, we all do. I have never seen so many cardigans and plaid skirts.  In my home-room picture I am wearing pearls.  Groan.

I found a more recent card (15 years old) from a former co-worker.  She moved to Maine. Re-reading the card makes me think she and her husband were homesteading or something similar. Thinking back now, it does not surprise me. When she was in Jersey she used to sell fresh eggs (really fresh, they had feathers still attached to the shells) from her small farm. In Maine, it seems that she and her husband had  (or have) a couple of cottages near the water that they were renovating for summer rentals.  She also sold beautiful  handmade Christmas wreaths. I am sorry that we lost contact. She was  talented, funny, charming and just a little off-center. Just the way I like my friends :-)

Weigh-in Time - Part of Decluttering Plan

    My declutter project is moving along, maybe crawling along are better words. I am trying to declutter more than papers, clothing, etc. I figure I might as well get rid of  everything excess at one time, including my extra pounds, so tomorrow I get on the scale again. I have decided to do this once a month only. It's hard to loose weight when you enjoy eating out and are no longer running around like I used to do. Still I will give it my best shot. My girls online are most helpful and encouraging. When I lose a step they say "I know you can do it." The best thing is they can't see me so they can't say "You don't look fat." That's very helpful because I know that I am overweight.

I am home all day. I will tackle another bin of papers too old and outdated to be useful. I have made a folder for information I must keep. It doesn't matter what old folder I pick up there is always something there I have removed from a magazine or a news article I had planned to read but never did. I found a 1996 article about Loida Lewis who inherited the TLC Beatrice company; that will go into my copy of Reg Lewis's bio "Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun". Some things were worth saving.

NJPAC - A Good Week

  What does letter-writing and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center have in common?

This past Wednesday, members of the NJPAC were invited to a reception at the PAC from 5 to 7ish and preview the 2006 offerings. The new series looks good as always. I am happy to see that the PAC will continue to have broadway come to Newark. Of course they will bring back the favorites, and one of my favs are the Kodo Drummers (of Japan). A long time ago I promised myself that I would be open to new experiences and they are one of the most pleasant.  The reception was nice. I was surprised that we were directed to a welcome table where we picked up name tags. I am not a fan of name tags but, in return we were treated to wine, fancy hors devours and a very nice evening. Not a bad deal. NJPAC CEO Goldman pointed out to the audience that the PAC is in its 10th season. Wow! Time really moves.  

It's ironic that just a few days ago I found a letter I had written to the Newark Mayor about a kid I saw on the street wearing the most obscene tee shirt I had ever seen in my life. He was kind enough to answer and explained that there was an ordinance prohibiting "...lewd and demoralizingly graphic clothing to individuals under 18." He also stated that "...we must come together..."., yada, yada. My feelings were "o.k. at least he did respond." However, within a month the sleazy tee shirts were off the streets, instead the vendors had shirts that said "Brick City". So what does one thing have to do with another bloggie?  Now I am not saying that it was my letter that caused this change, but I am sure that it gave food for thought. In my letter I did mention those gym-going, golf-playing out of town visitors who would be bused in from the burbs to our new and glorious NJPAC and I wondered on paper what those visitors would think of the tee shirts and our City fathers.  

I Did It. I Have DSL

      Well, I did it.  I can now answer my telephone while I am online. Will soon see if that is good or bad. Yesterday I decided to take the plunge and just do it.  I have had the equipment here since January 19 :-( but kept putting the actual hook-up off because deep down I thought that I would have trouble and could not do this by myself. But I did it. This morning my telephone has a bit of static but I can fix that (I think). I really do love AOL because of its service and help desk people, but it is so very slow. Now I feel I have the best of both worlds. I do have to have my CallWave service discontinued. I will do that today. This new DSL service should cost no more than I am presently paying for AOL because it is  partnered  with AOL. I will have to keep my eye on things though.

I have been getting rid of so many little things that we tend to forget cost real money. For me, they are what eat into your hard earned money. They cost so little that you feel "no problem", but a few dollars here, a couple of dollars there, can add up to considerable money at the end of the year.  So for me, this really is the year to make major cuts--Again! I don't know what happens. These little things just creep in and bam!!! I know that I do this every year or so :-(  This time, I believe that I will stay on the right path. I can't wait to call and cancel my CallWave next. I hesitated because I did not want to loose my CW Fax service, then it hit me. I have had CW since early 2003 and not one Fax. LOL. it's got to go.

The news folks have been talking about computer virus scare. I understand that February 3 is a heavy computer e-mail virus day. They are calling the virus "Kama Sutra" and you are cautioned not to open the e-mail. I am of two minds about this virus and the computers that "catch" it.  My sweet mind says that a computer virus is so terrible and please don't let it happen to me or anyone else. My fresh-mouth mind says serves you right for opening sleazy porn-type messages, so suffer the consequences.  Anyway I am going to do a virus scan right now.

Mmm, I see that it is still raining. What an odd winter this is for this area. It is in the 50's again, and we have only seen a touch of snow. If snow does come I am hopeful that it won't be too bad. On the up side, I won't have to be in it unless I choose to. It's just one of the perks of being retired. So very cool. Of course, knowing me, I would definately go to the store.

Happy Groundhog Day ;-)

I could not find a freebie picture of a groundhog :-( I believe that I heard the groundhog saw his shadow today. I can't believe that there are so many sites regarding groundhog day. But, then again, why not? If people like me go online to find "Ground Hog Day" information, I guess I can't complain (LOL)  http://www.fvsd.ab.ca/stm/groundhog_day_links.htm there is great fun stuff here. Putting it on my journal is one way to save this link. Just when I think I am all grown up I find something that brings out the kid in me. I am soooo greatful for that.