Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Wordless Wednesday

Greetings of the season.



 


I've told this story before.


It was such a simple thing, but it gave me such frustration.

In the fall of 1992 or 1993, Dunkin' Donuts ran a promotion. If you made a purchase in the store you could buy a glass cookie jar shaped like a pumpkin for about $5.

It wasn't a big deal, but I wanted one.

There was a Dunkin' Donuts on Queens Blvd., across the street from our apartment. I'd stop in several times a week to buy coffee and a donut. And every time I went in, they had just run out of the jars.

Finally, one afternoon ....I scored pay dirt. they actually had the jars in stock.
Made my day. Made my month!

Took the jar with me when we moved to Long Island, and took it with me when I moved back home with my parents. The lid broke when the kids were little. I was so upset, mostly because of all the trouble I'd gone to when I bought the jar.


They're readily available now, all over the internet.  The one in the photo came from KMart.




Wednesday HodgePodge

 1. What's one part of your everyday routine you'd be better off without? 

Do you mean something I wish I didn't have to do?  Or something I do that I should not be doing?  I'll answer the latter.  I drink far too much diet soda.


2. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. So what did you/will you do? 

I'm going out tonight.  Maybe I'll bring home some cannoli for Drew...

3. What question do you hate to answer? 

This one.

4. Do we have control over technology or does it have control over us. In that same vein, have you watched The Social Dilemma (available on Netflix) and if so what did you think?

I haven't seen The Social Dilemma yet.  It's on my list.   I think we have become very dependent on our technology, but I think we are still in control -- for the moment.  I can't help but think about all those science fiction stories I read in college, where technology took over...

5. What are three small things that make your day better? 

 -- Coffee

-- Scott Shannon on the radio during morning drive time (I listen at home these days)

-- and last but not least



Duchess has become  my favorite office assistant.


6. Insert your own random thought here.

Candy corn, yea or nay?  I've got a whole jar of it in the house right now.





Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Another this and that

 So it looks like I'll be working from home for the indefinite future.  Our CEO likes having people in the office, he thinks that the social aspects of work are very important, but...the people who are considered "essential" are already in the office, and since they make up about 1/3  of the workforce, there's no room for anyone else under current guidelines.  

But Covid is keeping me busy.  The types of claims I'm handling lately ... if an employee request accommodations like remote work because they're at a higher risk of contracting the virus, and the request is denied, the employee is likely to file a discrimination claim under the ADA. And that claim might land on my desk.

Drew has been back at school for about a month now.  Long Island is doing a hybrid approach, half in school and half remote learning.  Drew is in the building every day.  Right now he's not happy.  He retired from full time teaching several years ago (he was a special ed teacher) and took a job as a permanent substitute.  Being a sub is supposed to be easier, no grading papers or writing IEP's, etc.  But because there were a lot of retirements, he was asked to take on three special ed classes, with all the work that entails.   But the good news is, they have to move him out of that assignment by the end of the month, or he becomes a "leave replacement" entitled to more money than a sub gets.  I suspect they will hire someone for the position, and he'll be back to his normal routine soon.

As for our kids...Becca works for a law firm, and has been working remotely since March.  Jen is a civilian employee of the police department, she is "essential" and has been working at  police headquarters, with no opportunity to work from home.

Sigh.  I'm getting used to the "new normal" but I am not liking it.

Monday, October 5, 2020

Music Monday

 And it's a "your choice" week.


It's also "Rocktober".


So today's playlist  is from an 80's band we all know and love.


The Go-Go's.


Let's start with  a vacation.




Our lips are sealed



Head over heels?



This next one was supposed to be a song by the band, but wound up being a solo hit for Belinda Carlisle



The ladies are still rockin' in 2020



And for an encore...

Two years ago I had the chance to see a Broadway Musical, Head Over Heels, based on the music of the Go-Go's.







Here's the cast at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:









Saturday, October 3, 2020

Saturday 9

 

What's Love Got to Do with It?

Welcome to Saturday 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!   
What's Love Got to Do with It? (1984)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 
What's Love Got to Do with It is also the title of Tina Turner's film biography, which tells of Tina's escape from her abusive, controlling husband, Ike. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Spread the word that help is available.
 
1) The video was shot around New York City in spring. Kids are seen jumping rope. Were you good at jump rope? Has it ever been part of your workout routine as an adult?

I wouldn't say I was good at it, but I did enjoy jump rope as a kid.  I don't use a jump rope as an adult.

2) In real life, Tina Turner played basketball for her school. Were you good at team sports?

No,

3) In the video, Tina Turner wears a little black dress topped with a denim jacket. That jacket is a fashion staple 36 years later. Do you own a denim jacket?

Several, actually.  My favorite is a stretch denim.  I have one that's "distressed denim".  It wasn't "distressed" when I bought it, but I have had it for so long that...well, you get the idea.

3) This song was first offered to Cliff Richard, a major pop star in England who never enjoyed gained superstar status in the US. Perhaps, if he had recorded "What's Love Got to Do with It?," he would have been better known on this side of the ocean. Tell us about a time when you said "no" when "yes" might have been the better answer.

Can't think of anything right now.

4) Tina's first marriage, to Ike Turner, was a painful one. Her second marriage, to German music executive Erwin Bach has been far more supportive. This has been a blessing, since Tina has had serious health problems in recent years. Do you have any medical/dental appointments scheduled?

Thanks for the reminder, I need to schedule a few things.

5) Tina met Erwin at Heathrow Airport in 1986. He was there to help her prepare for her London performances. They immediately liked one another, but didn't become romantically involved until months later and were surprised to find themselves falling in love. Have you ever had a romantic relationship that crept on you?

Yes, in college I was friends with a guy...then involved ...then just friends again.

6) The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards referred to Tina as his "favorite aunt." Is there anyone who isn't a relative of yours by blood but you refer to as aunt, uncle, brother, sister, etc.?

My sister's best friend has three kids.  Her kids and mine have always referred to each other as cousins. 

7) Former President George W. Bush is also a big Tina Turner fan, and has praised her for having "the most famous legs in show business." What do you believe is your best physical feature?

My eyes.  I have hazel eyes. 


8) At home, Tina often doesn't always play music or TV because she appreciates quiet as much as music. What about you? Do you enjoy quiet?

Yes, sometimes.  But usually I have music or the tv on as background noise.

9) Random question: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "very lazy" and 10 being "very productive," what number are you?

About a 5.

Friday, October 2, 2020

#skywatchfriday

 Interesting cloud formation.



#skywatchfriday

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Rocktober

 


Rocktober begins on a bittersweet note as we remember the lives of Helen Reddy and Mac Davis.  











Here’s Helen singing a song Mac wrote.





Here’s Mac











Bet you didn’t know he wrote this one



And close it out with an encore











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