Tweet from Delaware's Progressive Senator

I donated a little bit to his campaign and so happy I did. I am proud of my President, and equally proud of my Senator in Washington.  It's been too long since I have been able to write or verbalize that sentence.

And so it goes.
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Netgear, Network, & New Toy

The Netgear router was on the porch when I arrived last evening, and though I was apprehensive about my skills to set it up, I took off the work drag and wrestled it to the floor, trying not to injure the back crawling around.  This means I got it connected to the Intertubes on the third try. Actually, it makes browsing much faster than before.  How that happens I haven't a clue.

Pleased with myself - for not burning the house down or causing an electrical fire - I sat down with a couple of olives. Then on the spur of the moment, I knew what I had to do.  I had to give it a test run with a real, honest-to-G*d, wireless device.  An excuse, maybe, but I did it. Blame Staples or my co-workers who insisted this was the one for me. I think they were right.

I am the proud owner of the Kindle Fire you see here. Setting up was a little bit of a challenge with my fat fingers on the small keypad, but I got it done and downloaded 3 free books.  It is a Birthday gift, so there is no 'buyer's remorse' here.  I deserve a gift.

By the time I came up for air it was almost an hour past my bedtime and I hadn't taken the evening meds yet. Letting the Kindle charge, I went to bed. Sleep was illusive. I picked up the Kindle and just played around for a while longer.

Needless to say, I am paying the price this morning.  Hell, I'll live!  Besides, those books won't read themselves, somebody has to do it.

Happy Birthday (2 months early) to Me!

More later.
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LAN & WiFi. Who, Me?

What?  Yes, really.  What?

I will soon find out since I just ordered a wireless router this afternoon (to be delivered in a day or 2) and will attempt, before your very eyes (maybe not) to install and create my very own local network. LAN stands for Local Area Network.  Am I smart, or what? I will need it to use the Kindle and, if I can ever afford one, a laptop.

I was going to purchase the router locally, but the local salesfolks  (ahem!) seemed clueless about specific details. That's why I went online and glad I did.  The router being pushed by local stores, a D-Link had few, and pretty bad reviews (I don't like complications) so I found a Netgear (well known from my previous life) that had over 900 reviews; over 800 were happy customers and the cost was $30. less, with free shipping.  What could I lose?  Don't tell me, I know...$50.00!  That I don't have right now.

And I wonder if my DSL connection will be fast enough to handle a network.  I'll find out soon enough.

A friend was supposed to do the deed, but with the season upon us, we are being pressed into service and our scheduled days off are not compatible.  He told me what I needed and what had to be done,  and if I cannot finish the install myself, (or you smell smoke!) I will give him a key and he promised to fix whatever I may f**kup.

Now I can focus on the Kindle model I want and order it by the end of May. The charge won't appear on the credit card statement until the June billing date, so I ought to be home free on that one.

I am very excited about all of this - setting up the network, exploring the wonders of the Kindle - stretching my knowledge of scary technology that I have been unable to afford and thereby not interested in understanding it's advantages.  Why bother to learn about a technology if you can't afford to use and enjoy it?

We are creatures of repetition and the more we use a technology the more we learn from it and can move forward to the next new change. I am so far behind right now.

When there is some new thing to be learned, I love change!

And so it goes.
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Post Cinco de Mayo, Aches - Pains, & 2 Olives.

Woke this morning at regular time feeling rested - until I tried to move - then the old body screamed in pain.  It was only then I realized that I woke in the same position as I fell asleep. Everywhere hurt.  Everything hurt (no, not there!) Back, legs, hands rebelled when I tried getting out of bed. Finally made it to an up-right position. 

Gathered up my nerve and made a path to the shower. I felt like a hunchback walking those few feet from one room to the other.  It seemed to take forever as I climbed into the bath and turned on the water; when it reached proper temperature I simply stood under the spray and soaked.  Eventually, everything seemed to loosen up and I felt better as I brushed teeth and even better than that as I enjoyed not one, but two coffees.

Hobbled to work and prepared for another brunch, same as yesterday but it was NOT Cinco de Mayo (praising whatever G*ds you care to invoke) and as we were busy for both brunch and lunch - again, nothing like yesterday - eventually all the kinks and soreness left me.

A 24 year-old server complained about being tired after serving almost 1600 dinners last night and when I chastised her in a fun way, she put hands on hips and said, "well, with all the extra money you're making, that Kindle will be on your doorstep in no time." And we all laughed.  She's probably right.  Maybe by mid-June, and that isn't far away. Birthday isn't until July, so there's lots of time.

Note:  Almost everyone on staff now owns a Kindle and use it for school, language, entertainment. News travels fast among the Latinos and Europeans here and they are quick to jump on something new. I love them for that.

 Walked home tonight feeling better, no aches and pains detected. I hope that remains the case when I wake in the morning.

Sipping on a couple of well-deserved olives as I get supper cooked.  It's going to be another early night, but at least I don't have to be at the restaurant until 10 am.  Yay, for me!!!

(Oh, there is laundry to be done...(sigh!)

And so it goes...eventually.
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Cinco de Mayo; Oh That's Right

At work at 7:30 am this morning.  Did the prep for the wait and kitchen staff and got coffee brewing for their arrival. Everyone - kitchen and wait staff - was on time and got down to the business of opening the place.
Between 9 am and noon: Served 36 Mexican Brunch dishes.

By comparison, from 12 to 4 pm:  549 meals were served  from regular menus. A real madhouse! While it was crazy-making, it was also instructional and enlightening; giving me insights for dealing with large parties on a busy day.

After clocking out,  I ran from the place and into the quiet peace of my home-street.  I didn't want an AS  cocktail; only peace and quiet. Made supper listening to music and sipping on a cocktail. One has to do what one has to do, right?

ibuprofen is in my immediate future; as is a nice hot shower to help me sleep soundly tonight.  I have to be at work again in the morning at 7:30 am.

And so it goes.
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Social Network Caturday

It could be worse.

More later.
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Happy Birthday Keith Haring

Google celebrates what would have been his 54th birthday today.  A nice remembrance.

Not forgotten, and that's a good thing.

And so it goes.
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Non-Stop Week & Cinco de Mayo

There's not been much time for a personal post lately, mostly due to that annoying thing called "work" which seems to get in the way of life in general, (not that I have one) blogging in particular. I've gotten to read a few faves, but haven't gotten my fix of all.

Aside from proof-reading lunch, take-out, and full menu changes for days and days (seems like months!) the restaurant has been gearing up for Cinco de Mayo - as well as the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and the kick off of the Summer here, and around the country.

All the menu changes have been corrected, edited, and hit the tables this week. The Cinco de Mayo preparations have taken up the past 3 days - decorations, drink and food specials, extra staffing, etc. - and it all came together today. Thanks to the gods, goddesses, and all shiny things throughout the universe.

Though there were calls for reservations for today and tomorrow (yes, our celebration starts today!) all week, the steady flow became a flood this afternoon.  The end result is the restaurant is totally booked for the weekend - yes, even lunch - and I was forced to cope with a few very nasty callers who were outraged (outraged, I tell you!) because there is no room at the inn.  Not until Sunday, which was not acceptable.  Pity.  Wait til the last minute, why don'tcha!

Oh, I almost forgot, we begin serving weekend brunch tomorrow morning at 9 am.  The final menu was approved today. It's a lovely brunch and I hope everyone enjoys it.  However...This means I have to be on site by 7:30 am both days.  Yes, I am an early-to-rise person, but this means an extra 2.5 hours on my feet each day, and with my back issues, well, we'll see how it plays out.

When I finally came up for air it was a half hour past my shift time and I had a splitting headache (reading tiny print and listening to screaming, irate people can do that to you) so I slipped out quietly without an AS cocktail and took the quiet walk home.  Both apartments (in front and behind) are empty this evening, and that means all is quiet on this side of the building. Only the sound of birds in trees nearby intrude on the quiet. Heaven.

Supper is in the oven and a cocktail awaits.  Cheers!

And so it goes.
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Humpback Whale Rescue: Amazing!

There isn't much to add that isn't included in the narration and video proper. Just seeing one of these giants in the ocean is breathtaking, but to actually have a close encounter and know that they understand that you're trying to help them, is a life-changing experience. This video took my breath away and brought tears of joy to my eyes.

If only humans were so giving and grateful.  Nah! That's too much to ask.

Be sure to view the entire video as suggested at the link.

And so it goes. *

Stopped Me In My Tracks

WOW! This sure gave me pause.

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Kindle, The Lightness of Being Me, & Transfer of Funds

Spent last evening investigating Kindle E-readers, prices, and features.  I've narrowed the field to 2 models - Kindle Fire w/ colour screen with WiFi only (@$199.) or the Kindle Keyboard 3G with standard e-ink text and pearl screen with both WiFi and 3G (@$139.) - which means it can be used without a WiFi hotspot.

If I choose the Fire, I will need to install a wireless network on my computer and that means the purchase of a router - an additional $100. (give or take a few), and I'd have to pay to have it set up and installed because I don't know how to do that stuff. A friend said, "go with the FIRE, you'll love it for the movies alone." Well, let me just say that the screen of our first television set when I was a boy was the size of the Fire's screen and I don't see any sense in going "back to the future" when I can view movies on my large screen (36") TV in their original format.  So, that's not a selling point.

From what I can tell, if I go with the Kindle Keyboard 3G I will have the best of both worlds, could download to, and use the reader right out of the box. Both offer access to the Net and Email.  Both are quite tempting. Both offer free shipping.

Before my tiny brain exploded, I checked out availability of authors in the Kindle format (or whatever it's called) and was amazed by my findings. There are  hundreds of thousands of titles that are free or less than $5. to download. C. S Lewis, Anne McCaffrey, Charles Williams, Robert Heinlein, Melville, Twain, Tolkien, and on and on.  Very exciting, since I would like to read many of them again, but have no room for a huge library of books.  My mind became quite numb and I finally shutdown the computer and went to bed with way too much information sloshing around in my skull. 

 Slept like a stone and woke refreshed, skipped a coffee but had an oatmeal while cranking up the computer. Transferred the SSA monies into the savings account this morning; afterward, I felt relieved and a little sad. Their tiny screw up could become a real SNAFU if I'm not careful for the next few months.  I know, I'm paranoid.  But that doesn't mean they're not out to get me!

The heavy rain pounded on the skylights as I dressed to make a dash for the supermarket.  I didn't want to leave at all, but items on the list couldn't wait another week.  Of course, the rain was a drizzle as I carted it all back to the apartment, everything soaking wet - me included. The rain came down again a few minutes later and I felt relieved that it got done early; the rain has been a steady downpour ever since. As the Pet Shop Boys song goes, "Home and Dry!"

So...If you're an avid reader and have experience with a Kindle, I'd appreciate any feedback you care to offer. I know friend Peter has the Kindle DX with the larger screen, but that one is way beyond my budget.  Who am I kidding?  They are all beyond my budget until June or July.

I am off to iron shirts and slacks for the work week ahead while listening to light jazz on the Victrola Sony.

And so it goes.
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Social Security is a Mess

This has been one of the most ridiculous experiences of my long life.

Since registering for SSA benefits just before my birthday last July, I have received mostly form letters informing me that I make too much money at the current job to receive checks from them. The maximum one may earn is $14,620.00 gross income. This boils down to about $300.00 weekly (also gross income) and I can't find anyone who could live on that unless they live in their parent's basement and eat Cheetos every day.

About 2 weeks ago, another letter arrived to remind me that I still make too much money (a rich bastard, I am!) to receive benefits. So, can you guess what arrived in today's mail? Yes, letter reminding me that I chose direct deposit for benefit checks and that a check had been deposited in the account (not the full amount) without explanation. But wait, here's the kicker. There was another letter from the SSA similar to the one received 2 weeks ago, again informing me that I make waaaay too much to qualify for benefits.

Just to be safe, I am going to follow the advice given by the Credit Union and just transfer that money into savings, in case the left hand at the SSA suddenly finds out what the right hand is doing, and I have to return the cash. I will take no chances. No, no. Not with my luck in dealings with the gub-mint.

Hopefully, this will be cleared up after my birthday this summer when I reach the required age to receive full benefits. That is, if that required age isn't bumped up another year or 2, which wouldn't surprise me at all. Meanwhile, I will continue to live as I do, in absolute amazement of the incompetence of bureaucrats.

 Hell, it's 5 o'clock somewhere! Cheers.

 And so it goes. *