Unexpected Post-Birthday Celebration

As I wrote earlier, our GM and friend, Linda (the Irish Lass) planned to take me out for dinner on my birthday last week - and we know how that turned out. And over this weekend she suggested we try one more time and planned for last night (Monday) after work at the Henlopen City Oyster House a few blocks away.  I agreed to the idea and looked forward to yet another Happy Hour, and another new venue while in her charge.

But, it wasn't meant to be.  Seems the LocosGuys had other ideas. Without knowing of her plan, they dragged Linda into the office and lamented the fact that no one could have bought a drink for me on my birthday, because I was so sick, and how awful that was to miss out on my special day, and blah, blah, blah.  They wanted to make up for it, but had family coming to dine at the restaurant last evening, so would Linda mind taking me out for drinks & dinner.  It would be on them.  How nice (convenient) is that?

So, the bosses shooed us out the door as our shifts ended, and sent us to OUTBACK for a no-holds-barred dinner evening.  But first, we stopped at the Oyster House for Happy Hour and boiled shrimp. A glass of Pinot Grigio, a half-pound of spicy boiled shrimp later we're relaxed, laughing and joking with the bartender - who promptly bought another round in celebration of my birth. When he learned the reason for the late timing, he almost bought us a full bottle.  Seems he had stones in his past, too.  We talked him out of that, hit the road for my first visit to an Outback Steak House.

Our server happened to be the girlfriend of one of our DL servers (small world!) who took very good care of us. After a surprisingly good meal (and yes, a bottle of wine!) a troop of servers popped up at our table with a huge slab of cheesecake slathered in raspberry sauce. A lit candle was on top and they sang a rather bawdy rendition  of "Happy Birthday" to me then smothered me with kisses and hugs. (See the embarassing image above and notice I am alone.  Linda dislikes photos of herself even in frames with one as dazzling as myself.)

Having totally demolished the wine, a bloomin' onion, filet, lobster, and baked sweet potato, I could do little damage to the cheesecake.  Still we did our best. I haven't a clue to the total cost - I wasn't allowed to see anything.

Linda was tipsy.  She twice missed the turns while driving me home.  Maybe I was too excited; having visited 2 new places in one evening and enjoying both the company and the meal.  I didn't begin to feel a buzz until I was out of work drag and in shorts and tee shirt.

So, what was I supposed to do?  Go to bed at 8 o'clock? Nah!  Phooey on that! I made myself a festive Bombay Sapphire martini with 2 olives, listened to James Taylor, and smiled at the way things turned out.   Having today off was just another treat and I've made the most of it.

Only 5 more weeks and it's all over. Actually, 4 weeks and 6 days...but who is counting?

And so it goes.
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One Hand Washes The Other

Over the years I have shopped and purchased items from many categories at Amazon-dot-com, and over the years I have received good service, nice perks, special offers, coupons, and free shipping from that company.

Same is true of Staples and JCPenney to some extent.  Working long hours - 6 or 7 days -that I do, it's difficult to find the time to shop in stores.  In the summer season it's impossible with the tourists out and about, clogging the roadways and parking lots of all venues. (I do my grocery shopping in the early morning on a day off, or before going to work - usually at about 7 or 7:30 am.)

So, I find it more convenient to shop online.  No hassles, free-shipping and occasionally a coupon or two.
Recent purchases at L.L. Bean and Jockey resulted in 40% savings, and today I received an additional 15% savings when I ordered work slacks from JCP.

With my new Kindle Fire came a free 1 month membership to Amazon Prime which, I decided to join after considering the advantages and perks. Free books & streaming of movies. Free 2-day shipping on purchases (really a savings of time as well as money) and all for $79. annual fee.

I bring this up because, as most know, JCP chose Ellen as their spokesperson and announced their support of LGBT issues and families. 

Not so well known is what Jeff Bezos, along with his wife did just last week.  This is from Box Turtle Bulletin:

Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, and his wife, MacKenzie, have joined the list of prominent Washington businesses and CEO’s that have come out in support of marriage equality in that state. And all because former employee Jennifer Cast – one of the company’s first – asked.

On Sunday Cast emailed Bezos asking for a contribution to the campaign in support of Referendum 74. “We need help from straight people. To be very frank, we need help from wealthy straight people who care about us and who want to help us win.” Bezos’ reply:

    Jen, this is right for so many reasons. We’re in for $2.5 million. Jeff & MacKenzie.

I’m sorry. I should have given you a tissue warning.

Oddly enough, NOM’s blog site seems not to have gotten the news. They’re still talking about chicken.

Don't get me wrong here.  I still shop for the best deals I can find, it's just that most of them happen to be at online sites rather than brick & mortar stores.  I feel good as an Amazon frequent shopper knowing that my money is going to support causes I believe in.

The deciding factor in choosing the Smartphone and service at Virgin Mobile over CREDO was Sir Richard's video PSA in support of marriage equality.  That Virgin offered the best deal (with no contracts) was icing on the cake. I always love a win-win, don't you?

And so it goes.
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Dog Days Surprises

The barking and sniffing around these here parts has little to do with the dog-days of summer and a lot to do with our tourist equivalent of O.M.G.!  Can't say it hasn't been fun at times...

1. Came upon a rather obese family of 5 on the walk to work. They had in tow: 2 carts of beach accessories, 3 large coolers on wheels (you know the kind) and 1 cart of umbrellas.  We meet at a fork in the road where my street dead-ends into a street that will (depending on your direction) lead to the ocean or out of town.

The clan leader, huffing, puffing and short of breath asks if he is heading in the direction of the ocean/beach.  I tell him,  "yes, it's only 5 blocks away." I thought he was going to faint.
HE: "I was told the beach was within walking distance of where we're staying. We've already walked 6 blocks and I still don't see the ocean."
ME: "I don't know where you're staying, but all those living in town consider the ocean within walking distance."

I could almost hear his mind weighing the options.  Turn around and return to their rental, or walk the additional distance, enjoy a day at the beach, then struggle on the walk back.

Turns out, they were staying at a health spa - and victims of a cruel joke. Sometimes I hate humans!

2.  Three elderly women are laughing it up (after enjoying lunch at the restaurant and wolfing down 2 pitchers of sangria), taking pictures on the avenue, sitting on the back of street-side benches, when one of them decides to have a "hey, watch this" moment.  This is when she stands on top of the bench and promptly falls, ass-first, into the trash can conveniently located behind the bench. Head is just about kissing knees (yeah, you had to be there and unfortunately, I watched the whole thing happen.  Without sound, of course.) 

Two tipsy old broads storm the doors demanding assistance extricating the hapless dame from her predicament.  After getting the pickled old broad unplugged (as it were) from the can and plastic bag, I became the center of abuse as the entire incident was blamed on ME - the restaurant came in a close second.

Pick your battles carefully, as my grandfather used to say, and there was no win on this one.  I made up for it by getting the old bitch cleaned up, giving them another round of sangria on the house and made a promise never to tell anyone what happened...Well, of course not!

3. This happens all too often. Family/party of 14 arrive. 4 baby strollers - all twins.  Do the math, that meant 8 babies/toddlers and 6 adults;  they insist there is "no way" they are leaving strollers outside.  "You WILL accommodate us and the strollers will remain inside."  (2 babies asleep - great excuse, right?  Wrong.)
ME: We will do our best to make sure you receive the best dining experience we can offer, however, the strollers WILL remain outside the building.  Now, if you would prefer to wait until those currently napping are awake, that's fine, just give me a name and we'll prepare a seating arrangement for you at whatever time you choose.
HE: You. Don't. Understand.  We are here NOW and are staying and you WILL serve us.
ME: If you don't mind leaving those who are sleeping in their strollers outside the building, I have no problem with taking care of your dining needs.
HE: Tell me, do you want us to eat here, or not?
ME: ( I felt like saying that I hope you fall into a very deep pit and die, but...) That sir, is up to you.  These are our house rules and those of the fire department.
HE: What if we all just sit down and demand service? (Is this a Woolworth's counter in 1960?)
Me: You may remain until the police arrive to ask you to leave, as well.

(The GM arrives on the scene, takes in the situation)
SHE: Is there a problem here?
HE: (All ruffled feathers) We have 2 sleeping babies and he won't allow us to bring their strollers into the building.
SHE:  (In her lilting Irish accent) Right he is, you take those babies home and let them sleep in peace, then come back and enjoy food and drink. We'll take good care of you!
HE: Slack jaw.  "I demand to speak to the manager, NOW!"
SHE: That's me.  What? Is there a problem?
HE is defeated and knows it.  They have lost.  They leave quietly and quickly. 
After they leave: I am about to burst!
SHE: Did I miss somethin'?
ME: I love you!

4. Young Gay couple arrive looking a bit apprehensive and quietly ask for a booth in back of the dining room. There is one popular with couples getting together and/or about to end the relationship. I seat them there and they smile at each other and then at me. That they are happy and grateful for the privacy and intimate space is clear.  I leave them alone and head back to my duties.

During their meal I visit a few times to make sure the food and service has been good. They smile a shy smile and nod that all is going well.

Toward the end of their time with us their server nervously informs me that they would like to talk with me.  The server is afraid he's done something wrong.  When I arrive at their booth, they are holding hands, I notice plain gold bands on their ring fingers, and I guess I almost ripped my face from jaw to jaw because it came to me that they had just made the ultimate commitment. 

They had been together for 4 years. Decided to take the plunge. Their families didn't know. They took their vows on the beach at dawn, witnessed by the waves, a few seagulls, and the officiant. No family.

They asked that I join them and sit a while, but I couldn't; we were too busy. So, they drop a bomb. 

It was I who introduced them 4 years ago as they sat enjoying Happy Hour at the bar Hi-Tops.  Seems they were with different groups of friends.  One straight, the other gay. Of course, I didn't remember, or know that at the time.  I pay no attention to those things anymore. Somehow, they exchanged information and the rest is history.

They thanked me and we shed a few tears, because they also knew (from the gay group at the time, I don't know how) that I had been in a long-term relationship that ended on an ugly note. Somehow they felt  stronger for knowing that information.  Don't ask.

They invited me to Happy Hour, or dinner when they return to the beach after Labor Day.

Sweet, Young, Love!  May they happily grow old together and find comfort in each others arms.

FIVE more weeks of summer, but who is counting?

And so it goes.
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Caturday Beauty Tips

 I prefurrs natural beauty, myself

More later.
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"Colored Only": Will This Raise its Ugly Head Again?

I remember when this was the law of the land. My memories go back to the mid-fifties and through the early sixties before I fled NOLA for New York.

I remember the "whites only" and "colored only" drinking fountains everywhere.  Not happy memories.

 I remember trying to hail one of these in NOLA during a heavy, summer rainstorm so I couldn't make out the lettering, and the driver yelling as he drove by, "man, you lookin' to get me lynched!"  honest to G*d, that's what I remember him yelling in a very fearful voice.

I later learned that there were KKK "sting operations" trying to nab black cabbies who had the nerve to pickup white folks as a fare, just so they could have a little fun on a boring Saturday night. Of course, nothing happened to the white folks.  They were told that a mistake had been made and a proper cab would arrive shortly to take them to their destination. The untold story is what happened to the hapless black cabbie caught in this "crime" against white people. Gotta keep'em in their place.

I remember being shaken and appalled for what could have happened to that poor man if I was spotted in the back seat of his cab.

I hope we never return to that climate, but the rhetoric of the GOP candidates seems to point in that direction. The fear of black people is again being instilled in the minds of Americans who, by this time, ought to know better.

Surely, it couldn't be Fox News induced, or internalized racism in this day and age, could it? (wink, wink, nod, nod.)

Just a little brain cramp from my past.

And so it goes.
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Smart Phones

I know the feeling and frustration. My neck hurts.

I'm doing better. Even know how to end a voice call now.

And so it goes.
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200 Year Old Shipwreck Found off Gulf Coast

Oh how I love stories like this.  The information that the ship may have had some involvement in the War of 1812 or the Mexican - American War, are especially interesting to me.



From Discovery:

Ocean researchers exploring the depths of the Gulf of Mexico have discovered a wooden shipwreck laden with anchors, navigational instruments, glass bottles, ceramic plates, cannons and boxes of muskets.

Resting on the sea bottom in about 4,000 feet of water, some 200 miles offs the northern Gulf Coast shore, the wooden-hulled vessel "is believed to have sunk as long as 200 years ago," the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in a statement.

"Artifacts in and around the wreck and the hull's copper sheathing may date the vessel to the early to mid-19th century," said Jack Irion, a maritime archaeologist with the Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

Originally identified as an "unknown sonar contact" during a 2011 oil and gas survey for Shell Oil Company, the shipwreck site was fully investigated in a recent NOAA-funded 56-day expedition in little known regions of the Gulf.

Scientists on board the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer used a state-of-the-art multibeam mapping sonar and a remote-controlled underwater explorer, Little Hercules, that is equipped with lights and high definition cameras. They were able to view a variety of artifacts inside the ship's hull.
"Some of the more datable objects include what appears to be a type of ceramic plate that was popular between 1800 and 1830, and a wide variety of glass bottles. A rare ship's stove on the site is one of only a handful of surviving examples in the world and the second one found on a shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico," Irion said.

Historic events in the Gulf of Mexico that may have been responsible for the sinking include the War of 1812, events leading to the Texas Revolution, and the Mexican-American War.

"We explored four shipwrecks during this expedition and I believe this wreck was by far the most interesting and historic," said Frank Cantelas, a maritime archaeologist with NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.

Maybe this is part of what draws me to the ocean. Who knows.

And so it goes.
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Can I Get a "Do-Over"?

I mean, if one is forced to sleep through most of their birthday, do they get, or apply for a "do-over" later? Or, do I skip a year?

Although yesterday was to be a celebration of my birth, I was most grateful that it was the birth-date of the most recent kidney stone, instead. I was simply the happy host-mother, exhausted and weeping with joy (not) that the little darling was finally out in the world. If I had the energy I would have slapped the sh*t out of the little bugger.

Of course, I saved the little darling wrapped in swaddling clothes  in a plastic bag, to be sent by the doctor for analysis.

But I really wanted to know if I get a 'do-over' a second crack, if you will, at a celebration of my own birth?  Well, apparently, I do.  I was just informed that I will be guest for a dinner evening with (no names 'cause I ain't been told) at the Henlopen City Oyster House next Monday evening. I also learned that it was to have been a surprise  last evening, but the kidney stone birth took precedence and the surprise fizzled.

I'll not complain, since I will be in great form by next Monday with not a trace of pain, soreness, or discomfort of the past 2 weeks. Oh, Oysters Rockefeller, you shall be mine!

Oh, and while I was recuperating, the birthday fairy stopped by last evening and left a bottle of Bombay Sapphire on my doorstep. That fairy is no slouch, believe me!

Ready to put the Mary-Jane's on and get back to work tomorrow and into the rhythm of the season.

And so it goes.
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Relief, Reflection, and Rest.

Note (this is what the aftermath of passing a kidney stone looks like. It isn't pretty. Like death warmed over, eh? I want to remember it and tape a copy to the bathroom mirror as a reminder.)
I've spent most of today in bed (no, didn't work) resting and nodding off whenever I felt like it, without pain. Called the GM early and asked for the day off.  She said she'd cover my shift, that I just rest. Easy advice to take, believe me. I didn't move a muscle for 3 hours and when I did, the soreness spread throughout the body. I slowly drifted off to sleep, again.

The stone took the longest time to pass, by far, than any others.  Eleven Days!!! That the body is ravaged and weakened by pain, soreness, and blood loss, and that I lost 5 pounds (the hard way - I don't recommend) over the 11 day period, I awoke hungry. Very hungry.

Don't feel up to cooking anything right now and there is no comfort food in the freezer that would fill the bill. I had a cup of chicken soup with crackers and a hot cup of green tea as I checked email and began typing this post. Much better now.

There is a small salmon steak in the freezer and leftover brussel sprouts that sound more tasty by the minute.

I hope to get tomorrow (my regular day) off too. I've not done laundry or other chores in 2 weeks and I need another day to rest, get grocery shopping done. I also need to pick up some new undies to replace a couple of pair ruined by all the blood. No going "commando" at work for me these days.

I'll be re-evaluating my diet, as well.  Found a few sites containing info on kidney stones and how to reduce the chances of getting another one.  However, if one is prone to them (as I must be, having had 5) there isn't much else to do. Already drink plenty of water - all day - ever since I gave birth to the first stone, years ago. It's just a habit now.

With the exception of Tonic & Cola (as in Gin & Tonic or Rum & Cola) I hardly drink carbonated beverages. As far as I can tell, Gin doesn't cause the formation of stones.  Thank G*d for that, at least. Wine is OK, too, but beer can be problematic in some cases.

While I don't ingest lots of sugar or salt (even on margaritas), I do eat too much animal protein and not enough fish.  If I had my druthers I'd eat crab, lobster, salmon, flounder, and Ahi every other day, but they are expensive, certainly not in the budget.

I love veggies that are otherwise healthy choices, but are known for forming stones.  Like spinach and chard - 2 of my favorites - of course.

All that said, I may not get much done tomorrow, either.  Depends on my strength and how sore I may be.  Eleven days of pain and nausea - not to mention decreased food consumption have taken their toll.  And I am not getting any younger.

And so it goes.
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Update:  Called the restaurant and was greeted by a rousing (off-key) chorus of "Happy Birthday" instigated by the locosguys and sung by half the kitchen & floor staff.  Cheered me up a lot. Made me laugh. Tuesday off is OK, so I am going to make lists as I prepare the salmon, then go back to bed after a hot shower.  G'night.

Bubbles in Space & The Rock

The rock has finally left the building body and I am finally able to see properly. I watched this while in the passing process to take my mind off the pain and nausea. Watching it again gives me great joy as a film buff.

Michael Andrews - Bubbles In Space from Josh Hassin on Vimeo.

What happens when you give 100 teenagers art supplies, a general frame-by-frame outline for a story, and strict instructions to express their own personal style in their drawings? The chaotic-yet-wistful, colorful and absolutely unique music video for musician Michael Andrew's new single, "Bubbles in Space," which you can watch above. The artists come from San Diego’s High Tech High International’s class of 2013, and together they drew the video's 3000+ individual frames, according to VisualNews.com.

Now for much needed rest and healing.  May not work tomorrow.  Very sore and shaky, and there is still blood.

And so it goes.
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Movies at Midnight?

Question:  WTF were 3-month, 3 year, 6-year, and 11-year olds doing in a PG-13 rated movie at MIDNIGHT?
This from the official website of the film:

"Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community. I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families."
-Christopher Nolan

Who (in their right mind) takes babies, toddlers, and young children out in public at midnight? I don't presume to know anything about the parenting skills of the parents of those children shot or killed in the massacre, but I have my own opinions of them. Let's just say, they're not good ones.

And so it goes.
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Caturday Confession

Not a biggie as cat confessions go, but at least he's honest. That's admirable, isn't it?

And so it goes.
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