Sunday, January 31, 2021
Storm 2021
The weather people own the news tonight with their forecast
of a big storm.
Based on their map of where I live and the line that is either way, we might get 8-14 inches of snow or 4-8.
This process is very inexact. I have no idea how much we will get.
This is just another annual event that is a little late
this year. We always get snow to some degree.
Friday, January 29, 2021
Those 2021 Calls
Whenever I stay at home for several hours, I'm always
shocked at the relentless calls from telemarketers. It never stops.
It's always about lower credit card interest rates or an extended warranty
on a car I haven't owned for a few years.
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Decision For Tokyo
The International Olympic Committee said the Tokyo Summer
Games are going forward.
Nobody knows what the pandemic will be like in July.
Will the vaccine have a positive impact?
Billions of dollars are at stake with having the games.
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Those Running Days
I'm into my 52nd year of running. It's a lot different
now than when I was younger.
I missed more days in 2020 than I ran. Couldn't help it with injuries.
All I want to do is move forward
and run more if I can.
Will they have the Boston Marathon in October? There is no word about the NYC Marathon.
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Not Cleaning Up Well
My vacuum cleaner is over 15 years old and showing its
age. The suction is poor.
I thought I could fix it with a new air filter and cleaning the bristles of the brush.
There was some improvement,
but I'll be watching it very close. It might be time to buy a new one.
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Two Quarts For Now
I went to the local market today to buy some milk because
the expiration date on the quart I had was now.
They didn't have any quarts with dates more then a few days away.
I ended up buying the store brand of skim milk and got a great deal. The only problem is that it's
a half gallon.
It has 13 days until expiration, but I can't imagine
it lasting that long. I will never use it up.
Saturday, January 23, 2021
When To Adjust
I have new eyeglasses and
sunglasses. It's all about getting the right adjustment. I hope it's right with both pairs, but I'm not sure yet.
They need to be worn for at
one week.
Friday, January 22, 2021
Another Cable In 2021
I finally bought the correct cable to charge a phone
in my car. It takes forever, but at least you get connected if the battery gets low.
Not sure why I never bought this sooner, but things don't
always happen timely.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
The Great Penn Station
I got a DVD from my local library about Penn Station
in New York City.
It was such a magnificent building that was torn down in the early 1960's when there was little support for
preservation.
The outrage it provoked when it was removed helped have Grand Central Station and started the preservation
movement that we see today.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Tub Water
I have rented the same apartment for almost 45 years.
One consistent thing was the periodic slow drainage from my bathtub. Today was the day for that.
Over the last few days, I noticed water wasn't draining while I showered.
It reached a point today where I had a few inches in the tub.
They say never to use a plunger, but I did. The pipes in this 1920's building are so
old.
I poured Liquid Plumber into the water. I have no idea
if this will do any good. It works great in the commercials.
Ironically, it happened on the same day that my property management company said they
were putting a hold on non-essential problems. They would focus on heat issues and water leaks.
Without saying, it sounds
like they had a Covid issue. They have been providing tremendous service throughout the pandemic.
It happened so suddenly. They
have been in my apartment several times. I always wore a mask, but they were here and resolved the issue.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Standing With The Dock
I bought a Hard Drive
Docking Station to view files from a desktop pc which crashed last summer. It's sold as being plug and play, but it didn't
happen.
I assume the hard drive is ok, but you never know. All the videos I watched made it look so easy to view and transfer
files.
More work is needed on my part to resolve this.
Monday, January 18, 2021
Trolley Time
Trolley lines were so critical in the early 20th
century. Many cities and towns had them. Tracks are still underneath some streets.
They provided such a critical service, but met their demise with the
increase use of cars and development of highways.
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Leave It Alone
Whenever I'm in the fruit and produce section of the
local market, I always notice things I have never tried and wonder how they taste.
I never heard of Nopal Cactus Leaves until today. There are many ways
to prepare them, but I don't think they're on my list of things to try.
Saturday, January 16, 2021
There Was Interest
Last year, the IRS
extended the tax filing date to July 15 in light of the pandemic. The news had reports of the slow processing of returns.
I mailed my paper return a week before the due date and finally got
my refund in October, which included $18.94 of interest.
The IRS sent me a notice for reporting it on my 2020 tax return. I already knew that, but others
might be confused over it.
I'm still ahead of the game, even when they take their
few dollars of it.
Friday, January 15, 2021
No Winter Mountains
I saw the pictures on Facebook about hiking in the White
Mountains today. It looked so cold out there.
I never had a desire to hike in the winter. Walking in snowshoes locally is
fun and a great workout.
Mountain hiking causes the body to undergo too many temperature changes.
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Just Reboot
I will never understand
why I had so much trouble with my website tonight. I was unable to login after several attempts.
The only solution was to shut everything down and reboot the modem.
It seems to be fine now.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Coat Ready
One of the first things I did when I retired on January
3, 2009 was to buy a winter parka at LL Bean in Burlington. It was a great jacket that wore so well.
After 12 winters, I finally donated it to a thrift store back in August.
I didn't give much thought to buying another one until it got cold.
Winter has been nice so far. Temperatures have been reasonable. I dress in
layers.
It would've been a challenge if it it got below 20.
I'm ready now.
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Burial In The Park
I enjoy reading about the history of New York City. It's
interesting to note that Washington Square Park was a potter's field in the 1700's before it became the focal point of Greenwich
Village.There are thousands buried there.
Other potter fields at Madison Square and Bryant Parks had bodies exhumed in the 1800's.
Nobody ever thought that the city would grow as it did
and real estate would become so valuable.
Unfortunately, so many are buried without any indication of their name.
Restaurants & Covid
Many restaurants
will never reopen after the pandemic. There are so many horror stories out there of places that couldn't make it.
People will only put up with so much to eat outside in cold weather.
Takeout is a lifeline for those who are able to do that.
Where will we be in one year?
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Those 2021 Games
Nobody is talking
about the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games which got postponed last year in light of the pandemic.
When it happened, the plan was to hold them in 2021. They thought everything
would be fine and wonderful by then.
While watching NFL playoff games tonight on NBC, they were promoting their broadcast
in July.
Will
the Games go on as scheduled?
Saturday, January 9, 2021
All The Tools Needed
I follow a Facebook page that has some great videos of
taking objects and turning them into something else. They had one today of making a hatchet out of a circular saw blade.
The person doing this has tremendous talent as well as the tools and
machines that nobody else would have.
They make it look easy, but it's not.
Friday, January 8, 2021
We Need Penn Station
I'm a big believer in historical preservation. It wasn't
popular in the early 1960's.
We
saw the destruction of the iconic Penn Station in New York City and replaced by the current Madison Square Garden.
Penn Station had no advocates back in 1962. Old structures were looked
at being old. It was all about the future. Historic preservation was not in vogue.
The loss of this great structure created a movement to preserve special
buildings. It was so difficult with Urban Renewal of the 1960's.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Back To The 1200's
I always marvel at structures built throughout history.
I saw a show tonight that featured ruins of former great places.
Castles are very interesting. The show featured one built in the 1200's. They did great
work which lasted to this time.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
More Chicken Please
I love Indian food, but it's hard to find any local places.
A friend recommended one in the next town over.
I checked it out yesterday and got an order of chicken marsela, rice and nan bread.
The food was delicious, but wish I got more chicken.
The other dishes are probably the same size, but I'll go back.
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Dry Skin 2021
I have many traditions. Some are not always for the better
like having dry hands this time of year. Skin cream really helps.
This is nothing new. It happens every year. I could've written this back in 2009.
Monday, January 4, 2021
Podcast 2021
I have been listening to a podcast about New York City
for the last few months. They cover many topics with its history.
I'm not sure if driving is the best time to listen. Operating
a car, requires so much concentration. When I listen to a podcast, I want it to be more than background noise.
It might be better off at home.
Sunday, January 3, 2021
We All Read Differently
It's a real challenge to keep up with my reading. I have
a book on reserve from the local library which is 380 pages and can only be checked out for three weeks.
I read at a slow rate. If I go any faster, there is less comprehension
on my part. Will I finish it?
Saturday, January 2, 2021
The Elusive Coat
Back in August, I felt good about donating my 12 year
old LL Bean parka to a thrift store. Always thought I would buy another, but it's January 2nd and no winter coat.
Thought I could resolve this today by driving to a store in Burlington
and making my big purchase.
When I arrived, there was a line going out the door filled
with customers waiting to make returns.
It might be better in another week. Will they even have anything in stock for me?
I have no idea.
Friday, January 1, 2021
No Ocean 2021
So many people I know decided to take their annual plunge
into the ocean or some other water body. I can't imagine doing this.
They say you can't get a cold from a wet head, but I think I would get so
sick.
I don't even want to try and see what might happen.
