life in the old lane

By this time next week I must be completely packed and ready to move to our winter camp. No wait – I am getting ahead of myself. It is only Thursday. Heck. It isn’t time to panic yet. That happens tomorrow.

Flu shots have been easing off – we had time to pose for a Flu Fighter Foto.

Random ponderings from a chilly afternoon.

1. What the f … was Mrs Justice Thomas thinking when she called Anita Hill? Is she off her meds? Off her rocker? Off the wagon?
2. I am going to miss Christine “That’s in the First Amendment…?” O’Donnell.
3. Been watching Bill Gates. The man says he allows himself two “luxuries” all the books he wants and an airplane. Nevermind that he has a killer house. 95% of his massive fortune in going to his foundation and not to elect himself to some public office of the other. As I recall Bill has purchased some damn good books. Including the Codex Leicester. The man is living his life well. And, in my own smaller fashion so am I. I have a really fine apartment. I allow myself almost all the audiobooks that I want. I am trying to travel with a little more ease and style. I’ll never make it to a private plane or even a NetJet – but can still travel anywhere I want. And, I have been moving more money to my foundation. And, like Bill, I am directing my foundation monies to  low visibility/low overhead causes. Susan G. Komen doesn’t need my money to help support their 85% overhead.
4. Isn’t it interesting that Americans spend more money on Halloween than on Xmas. And that the “Crystal Cathedral” went bankrupt. But, I am sad to hear that the world will not end on Dec 21, 2012. I have been looking forward to the end. It is good to be a non-believer.
5. And sure, I’d like one of those new badass MacBook Air’s. But not right now, thank you.

It is flu shot time at the volunteer job. I worked Sunday, Monday and today. Went in at oh-dark-hundred-hours this morning.

I took the new camera with me today. No time for pictures or anything for that matter. But, I did play with the camera while waiting for the bus.

When I returned from the volunteer job today – where I must confess – I was a prima donna or even a bitch – my camera had arrived. 130 minutes after I started the battery charging up – I was out on the porch – taking this afternoon’s fall watch shot. This camera – which is water and shockproof – has less zoom than the PS camera I took to Japan, but it is a close relative. Hummm… if it is really shockproof… the camera should be able to survive the midterm elections. I don’t think I will.

I think I forgot to take my annual birthday picture this year. So, here it the 66.5 year edition of the “Ravages of Time”.

Taken with the new camera. Everything looks worse in black and white – so – I picked color.

Same excessive post processing as the other day. Different camera.

Went to the volunteer job this morning. Kicking off a week of giving flu shots. Then after lunch, I went went out and snoozed the afternoon away in my deck chair.

Step away from the post processing… and no one will get hurt.

Isn’t this title a bit redundant? Don’t you have to be a dummy of the first order to run a marathon? Don’t they know that the first Marathon Man died upon the completion of his run. There is absolutely no reason to run any distance unless you are being chased by something akin to a sabre tooth tiger.

Two weeks from now – I should be all ready to go move to winter quarters. I haven’t even started. Well, I asked the hotel to ready our humble room. And, I notified Carlton’s volunteer job that he’ll be back and they should keep him busy for me. And, I ordered a new underwater camera. Guess I could rouse myself enough to make a 2DO list.

Carlton does not like presents. Well, it is really surprises that he doesn’t like. And, good presents always have a element of surprise. And, he doesn’t like to incur any obligation that a present might convey.

So, we don’t do Xmas presents. Or birthday presents. Or anniversary presents. Or anykind presents. No cards either. Most of the time I am OK with that. That is just the way it is.

Nevertheless – every year  I make him a Solstice Present. I make him a spreadsheet of this investments with projected payouts by month for the upcoming year. I worked on his annual Solstice gift this afternoon. It is almost done – assuming he doesn’t do anymore investing this year. A good enough way to pass a rainy afternoon.

Speaking of presents – I ordered myself an early Solstice gift. An underwater camera. See, I am not bereft of gifts. Just bereft of givers…

The good news, Christine I am not a witch O’Donnell is behind by 19 points.
The bad new,  Christine I am not a witch O’Donnell is behind by 19 points.
Good for the republic. Bad for political theater.

Maybe it is starting to look a little autumnal.

Carlton returned safely from his hike up Old Rag. He sadly reported that that was most likely his last trip to the mountain. 75 years must be catching up with him.

Exercised my franchise today.

HoHum… another day – no autumn color action.

Today, for the first time ever, Carlton used a cell phone. Well, he has started to use my cell before but always right after “Hello” – tossed it down saying it didn’t work.

Today, I dialed the number for him. Showed him how to hold it. “The sound comes out here”. And, he had a complete conversation. Next trick teach him how to dial. And then – the biggie – how to answer.

Tomorrow Carlton is going to hike up Old Rag Mountain with several friends. If he doesn’t survive – well, he was good while he lasted.

Not much happening fall color-wise. Better start happening. Because 3 weeks from now – I’ll be hanging out by Kailua Bay.

Spent the day tweaking the Airness. Making it ready for the trip. Freed up disk space. Removed unloved programs. Took the pledge to not install any software until we are safely back home. And promised to not run WINE. No need for any Windows weirdness.

I am not a witch. Wish I were. But, I am not. I am not a Nazi either. Interesting the things that the teapotheads have to say they are not.