A Nothing Week
Mon., September 18, 04:04 PM
You’ve got to understand how little takes place in my life right now. That is, how little of consequence. The one good thing about working was that I got out of the house more often. I’ve gotten into the habit of staying in if it rains, or if I feel less than perfect, or whatever. It stunts my motivation to write. More and more I admire those diarists who manage to produce something every day.
So I think of possible subjects, save a note, and… I’ve got to start picking up some of these pieces. I’m just cleaning up a little.
Friday the 13th came on a Wednesday this month, so I felt I was safe in doing a computer clean-up. I ran Spybot, Adaware, and Clean Up! and Norton did the equivalent of yelling, “hey, what about me?” So I ran Norton, and then Windows updated too. Sheesh! I’m spent half the morning looking for my passwords! (The hard part is remembering which program will accept one of my default passwords. Short or long? – or _? )
U.D. has been helping a neighbor with computer-related issues, and he has taken to phoning at odd times (because he works at night) and saying, “Are you coming over?”
“It’s like dealing with a twelve-year-old,” she says. “Oh,” I said, “a play date.” Huh? Well, she didn’t pick up on it right away, but his mother laughed. She and I remember the days when a “play date” consisted of someone knocking on the door and saying, “can Johnny come out and play?”
I still have to put together some thoughts regarding the immigration issue(s), but a question occurs to me: How come people can insist we have no more room to add citizens or immigrants, yet those same people can continue to have large families? Isn’t that another version of “we have to have more individuals on my side than on your side”? Gee, I love humanity, but sometimes I really hate people.
If you know me, you know I have no interest in dating. Not only am I not available, but I’m supremely grateful I don’t have to go through that again, especially in today’s climate of relationships. But I still get a kick out of some of the jabs, like a “Blondie” I saw this week. (“Blondie” is not regularly on-line, so I can’t print the strip.)
Sales meeting between Blondie (the caterer) and a couple who tell her they met through a dating service. Blondie says, “I didn’t know those services really work.” “Not exactly,” says the woman, “I was a secretary there…” and the guy finishes “…and I delivered the water bottles.” I know, Blondie, I didn’t trust those services either.
Then there is this description that I saw a few months ago:
There are three possible parts to a date, of which at least two must be offered: entertainment, food, and affection. It is customary to begin a series of dates with a great deal of entertainment, a moderate amount of food, and the merest suggestion of affection. As the amount of affection increases, the entertainment can be reduced proportionately. When the affection IS the entertainment, we no longer call it dating. Under no circumstances can the food be omitted.
– Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behaviour
I spent the much of last week running errands: supermarket, Costco. (I have to go back, because I forgot things.) Insurance agent – twice because I forgot the check. (Well, I don’t carry the checkbook with me; I keep it in a safe place, and anyone who won’t take a credit card will wait a day or two.) Pharmacy – twice, but this one wasn’t my fault. The doctor didn’t call in the refill. Finally, of course, the ever-needed milk – which only one person uses here – and it’s not a female person. Friday morning I’m back on the road (less than five miles altogether) for pharmacy and supermarket again. If there really were a home transporter system, like the one on “Star Trek,” the pharmacy would be on speed dial.
About Islam – which, I’m sure you know, I respect in its basic creed. Have you noticed how certain Muslim people get so angry about what they perceive as insults? The Pope said Muslims were violent – a poorly worded speech, but not intended as it was taken – and Muslims responded by bombing churches. And blaming the U.S. and Israel, because of course both countries have such complete control over what the Pope says.
It’s not the first time the Muslims have been insulted, but something else has occurred to me. How come the rest of us don’t start lobbing grenades at mosques when some extremist Muslims start talking about destroying the infidels? And in the back of my mind, I wonder, aren’t there some moderate Muslims who have any influence over the extremists?
Somebody is trying to tell me something. First, I found out that I couldn’t do the kind of physical work around the house that I used to do. Okay, I’ll do what I can and stop when I’m tired. Then my knee began to hurt, which I’ve treated a little and mostly tried not to run up and down the stairs so much. It’s okay, because I can still walk. Then yesterday I caught my toe on the door (typical empress accident), and now it hurts to walk. It’s a new kind of entertainment, I guess; watch the old lady slowly fall apart.
Enough for one week.
