You're Doing It Wrong

Last week when we went to Idaho, co-worker and I sat next to each other on the aisle. We didn’t talk to each other except once before the flight took off when I told him about a story idea I had and asked if it would be more interesting if it was set on a spaceship. I had interrupted him from reading that dazzling piece of literature known as the in-flight magazine. He gave me an annoyed look and said he didn’t care where I set my story.

Meanwhile, this man sat down behind me who did not stop talking from the minute he sat down. It was amazing. He talked about work. He talked about weather. He talked about looking for a job and needing some classes but he didn’t really like to study. He talked about going to the gym and working out but said he didn’t really like to exercise. He also didn’t like to get up early. He said he was married and I felt sorry for his wife.

After the plane landed but before we deboarded, I pulled my backpack from the overhead bin and accidentally bumped co-worker with it.

He said, “Watch out or I’m going to sue you.”

I said, “Go ahead. I’m not afraid of you.”

All the people around us went silent, including talking man. I guess they didn’t realize we know each other and talk to each other like that all the time.

I tried to find some stylish way to display my glasses together but all I accomplished was getting my fingerprints all over them so we’re going for the side-by-side view.

I finally got my eyeballs checked. I think it was in August. I spend so much time looking for my glasses that I decided to buy some extra pairs so I can have one in my backpack and one by my bed and one by my desk, etc.

A long time ago I read this post about buying cheap eyewear online.

It’s been a long time since I bought glasses but I do remember them being absurdly expensive. Especially if you wear the graduated lenses or whatever they’re called. I can’t find the folder right now and don’t really want to look up the proper terms. I bought bifocals from the eye doctor place and even with insurance and the doctor office discount I still handed over a wad of money.

If you read the article linked about about eyewear mark-up, it’s a little disturbing.

I tried the bargain method using eyebuydirect.com and I just bought plain old reading glasses with the scratch-free coating and those two pairs, shipping and all, were $68 together. They are a tad “plasticky” and possibly not the most stylish but $68 for two pairs. I’m happy.

The sun is shining so I’m going to run out and do some work. Then I’ve got cooking projects.

I have got another insanely busy week ahead up-to-and-including every day next weekend. I’m not going to have time to pull my socks up until next week.

I have a list here of things to write about but nothing sounds very interesting.

On Tuesday I stepped off the bus and there was some mighty cold air blowing through my slacks. I guess snow level is down to 2000 feet or something. The TV kept showing pictures of snow up at Government Camp. Yesterday I dug out the giant coat and put on my heavy wool socks, wool pants and wool sweater and tromped off to work all cozy and pleased with myself. When my elevator arrived a woman got off wearing a linen sleeveless dress with pockets, a 3/4 sleeve sweater and high heels.

I almost have the Ann Taylor business off my list. I still don’t love her but we’re speaking again. I had this gift card I needed to finish up and I was striking out at the stores downtown so I decided to buy a pair of pants online. $12 for turtle-speed shipping (2 weeks) for a package that said it weighed zero. I know there are companies whose entire business plans rely on making money off of “shipping and handling” but I haven’t found to be true for stores like this. So I was already tweaked and then the pants arrived in a size that I have at least a half dozen of in my closet and I put these on: too small. I took them to the downtown store where someone actually helped me find something but I still have a credit because it’s also cheaper to buy stuff in an actual store.

I’m thinking of trying one of those crazy casseroles with melted cheese and bacon and Tater Tots. Mostly because it would be easy and Bob would like it. I’m into large one-pot meals at the moment.

Does anyone really make voting decisions based on automated phonecalls? “This recorded voice tells me that Delphina McToaster is a registered nurse in favor of Proposition 762. I guess I am, too.” Does anyone even listen to them?

I forgot to tell this story about our visit with the elder last week. You know how you kinda treat elders like children sometimes? Bari and I had never used the recording equipment before so we were figuring it out as we went along. It all went well except at the end we couldn’t get the camera off the tripod. Bud asked to look at it so I handed it over to humor him and about 4 seconds later he popped the camera off and handed it to me. I should have given it to him first.

Lila! have you heard of Brain Harvest the Almanac of Bad Ass Speculative Fiction?

I know. I love it, too. Sure, I’ll get you your own t-shirt.

My husband has posted on several things that I had on my mind:

We had a wonderful little market in our neighborhood TP Market. It was family run forever and they finally sold it to some people who I’m going to guess were not local who quickly ran it into the ground. We went in there one time and never returned.

It has new owners and they’re dismantling it and trying to make it into something else. Hopefully something good.

Also Bob and his Mom helped arrange a backstage zoo tour with some favorite local kids. Check out the close-up of the polar bear.

This post is about Marcelle’s, a local small business success that I’ve been meaning to write about for a long time. A ton of businesses have tried to make it in that location and Marcelle figured out how to do it. A really nice neighborhood destination.

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I tend to be fanatical about turning off lights and watching the thermostat. Except for two lights in our house that I like to keep on pretty continuously during the dark time of year.

One is a light in the garage right where the stairs to the basement are. The basement is Bob’s man-cave and he goes up and down those stairs at all hours of the night and day. I do not want to get up one morning and find his twisted body at the bottom of the stairs in the dark.

The other is a light above our kitchen sink. It’s a nice nightlight for when we get home after dark or during the middle of the night when I’m wandering around wishing I could sleep.

Several years ago I put in those “save-the-planet” light bulbs that manufacture energy as they work and last for 20 years. Except that the one in the garage finally burned out and I replaced it. I didn’t understand that there are different types of “save-the-planet” bulbs and the one I bought is really bright and has a bluish tint. So now it looks like there’s a space ship emitting bright light in our garage. I’m going to see if I can buy a different kind because I don’t like it.

This week is medium busy. We’ll see how it goes.

I was going to write a really good post today. One with not too much complaining but a bunch of super funny observations. Like I was going to try to make a story out of this dream I had which had many bizarre elements but the strangest was Obama was over for dinner. Then I woke up with a toothache. So now I think of it as the Obama toothache.

But I’ve been up to my elbows and eyeballs in projects all day so this is going to have to do. I’m going to leave with a much loved quote from the Simpsons a few weeks ago, that I’ve written on a little card and set by my computer.

A Simpson never gives up until he’s tried at least one easy thing.