Another Typical Week Down the Drain

     I'm relaxing for a little while after working this weekend. I find myself writing a blog post most Sunday nights, after a few days of story ideas simmering in my head.  There's a lot going on, so this post is kind of a hodgepodge of thoughts and news.

     First of all, I'm glad the weather has cooled off. It was just too sticky, and it was bringing me down. I actually had to wear a sweatshirt this morning when I went to catch the bus. It's a reminder that summer will be over soon, and I'll be complaining about the cold!

     I went shopping the other day, and boy, was it fun. I guess most women like to shop, but I don't get out too often. When I do, it seems like I want to buy everything I see!  Of course, I like bargains; I don't want to buy overpriced items. We went to the Ocean State Job Lot, which is a discount store that has really expanded it's chain in the past few years. We went to the newest location in Waltham, MA. It was great! I had a limited amount of time, so I didn't look at everything. But the selection seems to be much better than the store in Dedham, MA.

     I bought a 20 pound bag of thistle seed, to try and attract those goldfinches I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. I haven't seen them for awhile now.  A little research on the web revealed that goldfinches don't migrate for the winter. I didn't know that. I also didn't know that the bright plumage is only during the summer months. 

      I sure hope the feeder does the trick. I will never forget the first time we went to Maine in 1990, and we were looking for our rental. While driving up a side street, there was a feeder with dozens of goldfinches on it. I have never seen anything like it.  I wish I had gotten a picture of it!

     Hmm, what else did I get? A set of sheets, that I didn't like (not soft enough). Nobody seems to sell flannel sheets anymore.  I got really lucky with some quality socks. They are Nautica brand, soft, stretchy and I think they're a closeout, because they don't sell them at Marshall's anymore.

So, I stocked up on them, they were only $5.99 for a 3 pack. I might even go back and buy the rest of them, just to be safe!  

     My mom came across an unusual item: coffee that's ready to microwave, in one of those microwave cups like the Campbell's "soup to go". They were only 75 cents, so I bought one. Haven't tried it yet. I've been in a quandary lately over coffee, because the latest cost-cutting measure at work is for the employees not to be allowed to have any of the coffee that's in the lobby. I hate to say that I feel deprived, but I do sometimes. Usually I have my coffee cart that I use to distribute coffee to residents in their rooms. But there was a change, and now my co-worker is doing the job, and there will only be one cart. So there won't be enough coffee for me to sneak a cup. Guess I'll be picking some up at 7-11 on the way into work, or else brew my own pot.

      Sorry to hear of the passing of Johnny Pesky, who you probably know was with the Boston Red Sox for decades. What a sweet, humble man he was. I never knew just how talented he was until this week, watching the tributes to him on TV. I'm sure if you Google his name, you'll find more information, if you are interested.

      Only three more episodes of "Breaking Bad" before it goes on hiatus again-boy does time fly. Looking forward to watching it later tonight.

     I'm cooking a turkey tonight, one that I defrosted that was a Christmas gift from my company.  It smells good, and it's nice to be able to use the oven without overheating the house.  

      I updated my LinkedIn account this week, but I still have more to do. There are lots of jobs out there. I still have to update my appearance (translation: I need a makeover, as my boss keeps gently reminding me). I also have to update my resume, and get the national exam for my certification done as quickly as possible.  I would really prefer to stay where I am: I never realize how lucky I am to have a job close to home until I talk to somebody who commutes and has to spend 20-30 hours a week sitting in traffic. No thank you! I'll deal with the little annoyances I have now, and bide my time.  I can afford to be selective in where I go.

     Until next week, take care, and appreciate all the little things that are going right!

Karin

Happy Birthday, Tricia, wherever you are!

     Today is my best friend's birthday.  I haven't seen her since 1996, but I still remember her birthday.  Her name was Patricia, and she was the first best friend I ever had.

     I met her in Junior High, otherwise known as "The Hellhole".  Does anybody have happy memories of Junior High?  I have very few memories of Jr. high worth remembering, but she is one of them.

    We were in the same Spanish class in the eighth grade.  As I think back, we didn't actually become real friends until the 9th grade, our first year of high school. As it turned out, we were in the same home room, and became good friends.   My high school memories are mostly about her, and the fun we had at the library, in homeroom, and free blocks sitting outside talking.  We didn't have many classes together, ironically.

    We were both quiet, shy people, but came out of our shells together.  Around her, I could be myself.  She understood me, and I understood her. We both loved the Celtics, and she didn't mind listening to me rave about my latest passion, the Bruins. We both had our difficulties at times with the popular crowd, and we bonded by making fun of ourselves, and how unfashionable we were. I confided in how mortified I was at having to wear my sister's hand me downs, and how my peers laughed at and made fun of me because I did not wear designer jeans or Nike sneakers.

      It's hard to believe how much damage that type of negativity can hurt a sensitive person. It doesn't bother me now because I think it made me stronger, but at the time, having a friend like Patricia who accepted me as I was made all the difference.

    Tricia was extremely intelligent, but she didn't flaunt it. She got straight A's in all her subjects.  She was a math whiz, and also was in the singing clubs at school.  She had a great sense of humor.

     After high school, I saw her twice. Once, in 1991, we met for Chinese food, and then walked all the way back to my house, and she met my cats.  The second time she and our mutual friend went out to eat, and before they left we took pictures in my driveway. 

Previously, Tricia had gone to college, and was very successful. She moved to Washington DC, and I think she still lives there.  Since she's African-American, I wish I could talk to her and find out how she felt about Obama being our first black president.  We were never diligent about writing, and we lost touch.  

    I haven't found her on Facebook, though since I'm not a member, she may be out there somewhere. 

   Wherever you are, Patricia, you are the best! I will never forget you!!

Love,

Karin

     

Enough already with this humidity!

     I don't know about you, but I hate hot humid weather. I can't stand being sticky and sweaty. Yuck.  I understand it's summer and I shouldn't complain, but enough is enough!

     It wouldn't be so bad if the weather men didn't take such delight in telling us how it's going to be 95 degrees with a 72 dew point, and we're going to have an official heatwave! They LOVE hot sticky weather and think everyone else should, too. They also have an air-conditioned studio to work in all day. Not all of us are that lucky, and some people can't tolerate too much air conditioning.

    I guess the best way to deal with it is to try not to think about it too much, but it's hard to forget when you stick to the furniture, and you're constantly wiping off the sweat. People that like enjoy type of weather I just don't understand.

     Let's just say I'm looking forward to cooler weather. In the meantime, I'm going to have a Popsicle!

Stay cool!

They Could Rename "Breaking Bad" "Breaking Sad"

     As you probably know, I am a fan of "Breaking Bad". I have written more about it recently not just because it interests me, but because whenever I do, my page views spike up significantly. I'm hoping that new people will read my regular blog posts as a result.

    Anyway, we are already halfway through the stupid "half-season" of eight episodes. The premiere was very exciting, and the subsequent episodes were kind of weird. The most recent one, entitled "fifty-one" which signified the main character's birthday, was the most depressing yet. 

     As good a show as this is, I hate it when they focus on the crumbling marriages of the main characters.  It makes me uncomfortable to watch, even if it's not real. Yes, it's just sad.  I wish the writers would concentrate on the investigation, or the conflict between the drug manufacturers.  I don't like watching "relationships", especially when the people are intentionally hurting each other. From what I've been reading on the other blogs, most of the other fans don't like it either. 

     People are speculating about the big showdown that is inevitable between Walt and Skyler, if they are capable of killing each other.  Hopefully it won't come to that. I'm just sick of watching the wife moping around. I don't envy the actress who plays her, but she is convincing. It must be hard to play a character that everyone loves to hate.

      One reason this show has me hooked is because it's the biggest adrenaline rush I get all week. Just when you think things may turn out OK, the crap hits the fan. 

     Let's hope next week's episode is a real nail biter! This past one just made me cringe. If you watched it, what do YOU think?