Chains!?

I kind of like the idea or at least promoting the idea that I live in a “gated” community. I DO live in a gated community the community just not a hotsy totsy. We have gates swing shut at a certain period of time. If I don't think much about where I live and the fact that I have fences all around the property I do okay. I just get a bit nervous when I have to really deal with the issue of locks gates and things like that. One of the things I like best about my apartment is that the apartment is at the back of the Complex and outside the back door is accessible sidewalk which leads to the back gate which opens to Redwood Road and Route 217. I love having access to the bus route. It's like my own personal ride. The past couple weeks of the challenge to me because for one reason or another my “clicker” electronic device which opens electric gate is not been working properly or the gate sensor has been off either case of not been able to use the back gate. That's not necessarily the end of the world not being able to use the gate was just an annoyance and one doesn't need any more annoyances that the world is dishing out right now.

This last week I noted with a little frustration that I could not open the rear gate and of course I reported it directly to that building management, as I should, and was informed that that was a common complaint and obviously for one reason or another the sensor or the clickers need to be reprogrammed. I'm not sure what that exactly means of ensuring the some sort of a process that changes a frequency or something that makes it so the gate sensor senses the clicker when pressed and opens or shuts. Yesterday Monday, I checked in with management to see how the progress was coming with the reprogramming. That's one I was made aware that hooligans had attacked the gate at some point in time during the evening and had told destroyed electronics on the gate. The gate was no longer secure. I suppose the many people a steel gate not only locks me in that also locks them out. We, our apartment complex, is right next to the skateboard park. The skateboard park, of course is a sanctuary to many young hoodlums, skaters and skater wannabes. I can imagine they see the gate as a threat and decided to break the gate just because it's there. I'm frightened that for sure the management of the apartment complex is going to say that it's not worth repairing just because the neighborhood hooligans will strike again. I guess I can understand their frustration. Fortunately, I can still access Redwood Road but I have to go a bit out of my way to do so and I guess I can. However that's willing good for a certain part of the day but after hours the other gates, to the parking areas on the other side of the complex close and when that happens the only way in or out of the building is to come in through the front and which is a long way out of the way and impossible during snow as I fed out this year when there is quite a length of time that the sidewalks backdate were not clear on either side. And I could not get to the market for at least a week. I of course survived. We do have a major gas station next door are building but usually shovels lower walks pretty quickly. So I can get potato chips, soft drinks and other fundamental food groups if I'm desperate.

So for the time being heavy, shiny chains are in place locking the back gate keeping the hoodlums out in the old farts in…

Dance All Night

The day started out feeling more like fall within the beginning of the second week of summer. Dark clouds covered my window as I waited for my home health person to show up. I was excited because she was showing up at 6:30 AM which is like an hour earlier than she usually does. Annette kind of apologized for having to come over so really what in fact I would much rather have her showing up consistently at 630 if not 6:00 AM. As you all know I function better the earlier even if sometimes I might enjoy sleeping in a bit. I just don't do sleep as well besides there's way too much to consider in this world to wasted on sleeping after you've already had your five hours. I've kind of been thinking of this a lot, the amount sleep that I get I know, I've rattled on over the years about my lack of ability to sleep. However once again I'm examining my schedules asleep and consciousness.

Billie, my good friend across the hall, whoever believes in her 80s but she still pretty spry but beginning to really suffer the slings and arrows of age. She's been talking to me recently about RLS or Restless Leg Syndrome, dancing legs. RSL is a phenomenon I get the impression which is often visited upon seniors, but a brief scan of literature reveals that RSL can strike at any time but often it is seniors who are the target. I guess, that usually attacks when you're in bed trying to get some desperately desired sleep in your legs become agitated and I guess painful but I cannot determine whether the pain is just frustration from spasms or if there's real actual hurt hurt pain associated with the restless legs. My neighbors beside herself about what to do. Biggest frustration as going to bed waking up at 3:30 AM or earlier, giving up and then wandering around her apartment eating and being frustrated. She can take a bath and sometimes that helps. I suggested a masseuse but she has tried that option and said the process was extremely painful and so she's gun shy of attempting that remedy again. Possibly, I thought, acupuncture. I always throughout acupuncture when dealing with bodily pain and other physical issues that Western medicine has kind of thrown its arms up in frustration at not being able to relieve the patient of the condition. Very few of those I've made that suggestion have actually gone through the acupuncture regimen by still can't believe it. When I was practicing with Dr. McIntyre years ago at the free clinic, Mac was very willing to look at all options obviously he had me working with him. Mac was fascinated with Eastern medicine and often indicated that Western medicine could take a few points from practitioners from the eastern portion of the world.

I don't think that I helped her at all with my suggestions of acupuncture and therapeutic massage maybe it was just enough that I spent time listening to her and her frustration. I gave her my opinion which I don't think she really appreciated which was maybe she has to just rear just urban lifestyle around her restless legs and just get used to sleeping in till 10:30 AM or later. I think I'm losing my counseling touch…

Suddenly Sunday

Slowly the apartment is getting back to normal in fact better than normal. The hard surface floors or delight to travel over in my power chair. The bathroom is bright with the new tile floor that it's taken me all weekend when I finally gotten most of the stuff off the table in the kitchen. It does not sound like much I grant that but for me it's been a lot. I just how ordered two more boxes I need to process and I'll be getting access to my “stick workstation” they'll be able to shore up a lot of sticks I use on a daily basis. Counting the black secretary I have in the bedroom I have about three or four workspaces that I didn't really have before. There's my computer station which is gone through some renovation today I had Mark Anthony, or and reduce electrical on the desktop so now I have a constant and steady stream of power. They got off-line yesterday and others having to do everything on the backup computer and best of all marks around the tablet. But back to normal computer and electronic wise. With the table cleaned off I would like to get to some serious cooking this week. Nothing spectacular but I did take out a pound of hamburger that I got from food bank last week and thawed it out. I was going to make sloppy Joe's today primarily because I found a can of basic sloppy Joe mix of weeks ago in my food pantry. I tried this before and what I got was a pretty bland sloppy Joe but my project was to take the can of sloppy Joe mix then add my own onions, green peppers and whatever else I can think of that might jazz up sloppy Joe mix..I'll assume of that for 45 minutes then add it to the fried hamburger. Then simmer the mess for a while. I'm banking that's going to make a pretty decent sloppy Joe. Now, I just have to get some fresh burger buns and of course the two digits for the Fourth of July.

So this begins the holiday week with the Fourth of July on Saturday. Last night there is a great wind which blew as a low front came into the area just before it got here there is an incredible fireworks show somewhere to the west of Taylorsville I watched it last night for about 45 minutes. The wind blew crazily for a couple hours and then resume this morning for a while. There's a great fire in Utah County remark lives Mark's living facility might be in jeopardy. Mark Anthony came over today and got my desktop up and running again. I'm so pleased. It's good to be a weird Fourth of July test because of the the Covid virus and everything else that causing reality to buckle up this point in time. Depending on how I feel come Saturday, the Fourth of July, I might cut me a steak, maybe Houston corn on the cob and for sure potato chips and quite possibly watermelon. Little worried about my butt but then again I'm always worried about my butt, I'll have a bit given a good scrubbing tomorrow and then apply skin saver are my famous “second skin”. Everybody, should still be doing social distancing this Fourth of July which means I won't see anybody – – though I never see anybody anyway – – but now there's a reason. And I guess that's just as good as it gets.

Bad Boy Bad Boy

Don’t you just hate it when something reminds you just how in adequate that you are? I’ve been having a lot of those feelings the past couple hours. I don’t know what I did, I probably bumped into the bookshelf the computers located on and somehow managed to unplug my desktop. There is such a jumble of wires under the computers tray that I can even see the wire that plugs the desktop into the power strip. Of course, when this happens it seems that only recourse pretty much when it’s after-hours, on the weekends or national holidays and that is to contact good old Mark Anthony. Of course Mark Anthony is currently living in Utah County but sometimes he wanders up to Salt Lake County to recreate or whatever he does open Salt Lake. That’s of course what I did tonight as I texted the boy. Doesn’t sound like he’s available this evening that might be able to drop by tomorrow and that’s cool actually. Theoretically I have all these backup systems but you know what I’m running low on backups. This is especially painful with the tablet missing. I was really hoping that when Annette came over today to clean that we would run into the tablet as we went through boxes. That did not happen. I really am kind of getting worried that I have lost another tablet. There is one facet of hope and that is I think that I hear the ping from somewhere in the bedroom. I know the machine has to be here somewhere but so far have not been able to put my hands on it. That would make writing this blog a lot easier than trying to do it on this laptop.

So tonight I’m stymied by the fact that I cannot physically monkey around power strip and plug the computer in. I suppose if I were a friendlier person I would have more support here the complex. That hasn’t seemed to be the case however. So it’s either Mark AnthonyOr my brother Carl both choices are a pain in the butt for them but in many ways my only option. I mean if I were to fall out on my floor I would call the fire department would come over and throw me back in my chair. I doubt they would come over and plug myDesktop back in. To make matters worse the laptop I am using doesn’t make me feel too comfortable. I was just updating my journal and putting data and for three days only to find that wasn’t recording anything or I didn’t hit the “save” button. It probably is just the latter but still, and I’m thankful for this laptop which I ran over and almost totally destroyed, it’s still pretty funky and I think it’s going to have to be only hit and miss as a true work assist. The tablet really is a great assist in the five lost another tablet I’m going to replace it relatively soon. I can actually do that right now and I kind of like would really like to do... my bad?

Frankly Friday

Another week down! The frequency just terrifies me sometimes about how often these Fridays pop up. I know it's silly to think that the frequency has increased, it's just my perception, but still I kind of freak out sometimes when I ponder everybody (who is still working) putting away their desks and saying goodbye to their friends for the weekend. Don't be a great summer weekend for relaxing and kicking back. (Of course I'm neglecting reality here and that a lot less people are at their desks working if they are put it away a desk there doing it at home in the spare room or just closing up their laptop that they been using to work from home). I still like the illusion of the week winding down. I listened NPR, religiously one show which is Market Place. And the guy always wishes his guests a happy weekend. I guess it's these allusions that get me by. I still like the feeling that tomorrow, Saturday is going to be different than the last five days.

I have to admit it has been a fairly productive week on my end, nothing I've done actually as much as workers of done for me. The actually finished flooring in my apartment this week and I did not have to be displaced one night. I was displaced a lot during the day but fortunately management had provided a backup apartment for me which I used only often on. The weather finally turned warm enough to enjoy some traveling on the bus going out the Costco and doing some shopping. For you regular readers I know this is nothing but rehash and that's cheap is essentially a doing anything today. Oh yeah, and talk about a consequence of the week. I got my glasses fixed and with the help of my son Mark Anthony was able to get my computer up and functional after the flooring end of the line boys left.

I was pleased this week at the arrival of a shirt that I ordered off of Amazon. I ordered a replacement horizontally striped shirt. I did not get the red one like I had but I got another white and black striped shirt – – I know makes you look like a mattress but point was/is I bought it ordered a 3 LT and seems to fit just right. Earlier this year I bought a number of T-shirts that were as big as five X! I'm wearing one today but I look okay perhaps that would be different if I walked around but sitting I can hide lots of fabric but more importantly lots of fabric can hide me. Now I'm serve contemplating ordering even more. On the downside, this week in the last two days I seem to displaced by Samsung laptop the 10.1 that I love. It's got a be around the apartment somewhere. And I've had it since Mexican Mutt and Jeff finished the floors. I'm hoping the laptop is sandwiched between two boxes or something. This weekend if I make a point of going through boxes to get rid of stuff and get stuff backward belongs I'm sure it will pop up but I got a bad feeling in the back of my mind that maybe not. That maybe it's time to consider another tablet. That would be the second one I've lost at this apartment complex sometimes things just make you wonder…

Costco Delights

I love a good hot dog! I mean who does not? The only problem for me is that hot dogs, I'm sure, are just fattening but they taste so doggone good. This morning once again I took advantage of the great weather and my stimulus money and headed back to Costco. I really wasn't intending to purchase anything. I think I would be in big trouble if I still had my van or access to some kind of motorized transportation besides my power chair. I love rolling into the place, right past the “card checker” just during the fool to challenge me. They usually just waved me through and Costco is set up so that you enter into electronic screens or flatscreen televisions. I've incorporated my little Visio screen into my computer monitor. I don't know if that's good or bad except for neither worked on my computer or watch something on the flatscreen but not really both. I've also seriously considering increasing the diameter screen to like a 50 inch or a 55 inch big screen. If I went for another Visio I can get a 50 inch probably less than $300. I could do that. I get a Samsung for just a little bit more but seriously I really enjoyed this little Visio that I've had for the past four or five years. Today probably if I had transportation I would have purchased said screen. I just don't want to purchase something and have it sit forever before I can install the screen on my wall. I was considering moving where I have the screen now kind of on the my black desk but when I started talking to Mark Anthony about hanging the big screen on the opposite wall he drew my attention immediately to the fact that I would need a long cord to achieve having the flatscreen on the opposite wall.

I spent a lot of time orbiting electronic section of the store. I have the same problem considering purchasing items from their grocery area. Like the packages are just so huge that they don't offer anything like bags or anything but today I promise myself to buy stuff I hardly ever do. Today I purchased red grapes which was certain frightening because I couldn't taste them first and I love tasting the grips of ripe purchase some to adjudicate their firmness. I even purchased a box of sirloin sliced steak (for that take a lot of self convincing but I finally did it). Then I also bought a big bag of pepperoni strips which I could barely even justify except for sometimes I just want piece of meat to eat without having to fix a giant meal. I got these items and you know what they do have boxes people used to carry their purchases out of their vehicles in my case I use the box to carry the item all the way home on the bus and it kind of worked. Shopping makes me hungry even if I'm not walking around and just driving around in my chair. Today, against my better judgment, I the hot dog. The hot dogs are huge and $1. 50 you can't go wrong except for if you eat the whole thing to put in on tons of calories. Again for that price it's a shame you can't pass up. Don't do anything for you except give you the condiments you want except for sauerkraut. I got a container of ketchup and mustard by the end of having the poor on to my dog be nice if they had access to and night will or spreading device of some sort, but oh no nothing like that. I didn't even want to drink but you feel like such a fool if you don't take the free drink well, drinks part of the meal and get for $1.50 I guess I could just give it to somebody or not even get to drink but I got a diet Pepsi and headed out driving a little bit stopping taking a bite of my dog and finally wrapping up about half of the dog put in backpack and heading for the bus.

I'm sure I ingested way too many calories, I spent too much money on frivolous items like sirloin steak and pepperoni sticks but you know what I'm glad I didn't…

PS: you know what I forgot was that my main justification for going to Costco today was to use have the eyeglass place people adjust and fix my glasses which they did in them about ready to make another purchase. I really have to slow down.

Taylorsville True Value

I have not really made a point of discussing my political views regarding the President of the United States and how I might feel about him. Having said that, I cannot say I'm not very impressed with the guy and I worry about where this nation is headed. But I don't go out of my way to bring them down nor do I try to engage with others positive or negatively. I have watched with interest and no little bit of poor at some of my family members who support this guy and his administration. Luckily, I have not been engaged too much physically with these folks to get stuck in a conversation or even be in the same area where such a conversation might be going on. I try to make a point to stay as far away from clusters and groups of folks which might openly be red Hatters or supporters. There is a restaurant not far from my apartment complex which I really like. It's across the street from the village in which I don't really like that much. Across the street from the village in is Dees family restaurant Utah staple for a couple generations. One of the best features of Dee's is just the homey atmosphere. Everything there seems a bit more authentic and I've enjoyed that feeling when I've gone there. I've been surprised at how many folks have shied away from the restaurant whenever I've suggested we have lunch or dinner at Dee's. Sadly, I'm beginning to know why. Dee's was one of the first restaurants in this area that went back to in-house dining after after the epidemic. That's when I noticed a lot of the folks didn't wear masks and they weren't going to wear masks. They were cowboys they were construction workers there were good old boys and gals I suppose. But that's not what this blog is about. Just for clarity however let it be said I did go to the village in yesterday and had breakfast.

On the same block are one block away from Dee's family restaurant is a hardware store, a national chain, but run very locally. In fact the store is owned by its not one numerous polygamist families. And this is not a big deal to me is just always little weird going into the place and shopping. They offer fairly decent prices but most of all their convenient directly across the street from my apartment complex. They offer little bit of everything. Everything is off a little bit. It seems like the clothes are factory seconds and there's nothing really constant. However often sometimes I can find something that I want just might fit me and usually the price is pretty good. So every three or four months and up going to this “family” store. I dive into the racks and racks of clothes. I have to push the round rocks and close toy can get to the end of the supersize hopes of finding a 3XL which just might fit. As is pushing through one of the racks I came upon this little weird section I had never seen before. In fact, you could not see the items on the shelves and racks from the regular store you had to know where to go to get their. What it was was a little shopping shrine to Pres. Trump! I could not believe it rack after rack of T-shirts and red caps and all manners of items Trump. It was like I was transported to another dimension. I backed out of the section quickly making sure my eyes did not deceive me I took an image into which I've posted here. I guess this is not a really big deal but still I felt worth mentioning. I can't wait to take some of my liberal friends over there to check out this shrine just to make sure I'm not delusional…

Contractors love hate relationship

I'm doing okay oh, I'm trying not to be frustrated after all I've worked with contractors before and I know there's always a glitch regardless of how will the work turns out. today has been a good a good  case in point. The boys showed up a little after 8 this morning to work on the project. There was two of them and expected it would take very little time at all probably just the morning. it really was not a whole lot for me to do again so I decided I would take off and see if I could find the patches for my shorts at Costco actually I really wanted to just get out and do some traveling but I did need to have my glasses looked at as well. I figured this would be the best way to make sure I didn't get into the way of the contractors. The trip was uneventful which is cool. And I totally enjoyed the time just cruising around Costco wishing I could purchase stuff but not knowing what to do with it after I got it. I did get in line for services at the eyeglass place and finally got my number called and the  little technician spent a lot of time monkeyed with my glasses and actually got them fairly presentable and usable. Finally after lunch I wandered back home after stopping off at the hospital playing with the idea of getting something to eat at their cafeteria but eventually declining. I figured I would get something at the Walmart area I eventually caved and got something from McDonald's a fish sandwich and I have to say as calorie-laden as it was it tasted wonderful.

I was not in a hurry so I waited for the bus and eventually got home wandering into my Apartments and impressed with the look of the floors but more so with the chaos that awaited me from the way the contractors stuffed everything back into the apartment. Granted, I have little complain about because if I wanted to have their help putting stuff back and direct them I should have stuck around but I didn't so now I'm having to pay the consequences. Perhaps the most significant is they totally disconnected my computer and how I'm connected to the internet. Plus all of the cords that I had things plugged in everything from my arm bike to the computers are undone. Luckily I'm able to get to a lot of the plugins and I've been able to get the basics plugged in like my arm bike and more importantly my bed. So I can make it through the night until Annette gets here tomorrow and maybe we can get blue bit more done. I have to be patient and realize this is what it's going to take the chaos which is my apartment is what happens when you do contractors. perhaps the most frustrating part of this trauma is the loss of the internet and my connection I finally got connected but it's a slow connection I think I'm using the internet from the apartment complex and not my Infinity connection and there is a major difference. I'm going to have to see if tomorrow I can get Ted to give me some time as well as and that maybe Marc Anthony if I can get ahold of him either way I've got a beautiful floor... 

Displaced

I spent the day feeling like a misplaced person. Kind of weird my home health person, Annette but very emphatic that she would be arriving early today because she's integrating a new person and do her system but she'll take care of right after me and wanted to get me done early so should be able to be on time to her new person. Of course did not have a problem with that since I've always indicated I would like to have the person come as early as possible to get me up as early as possible. But today she was later than usual I couldn't believe it. Because I wanted to make sure she was getting away enough time I didn't sleep well because I was worried I might sleep in or something. Anyway, we got our stuff done and cuz I was going to go up to the office I noticed one of the workers for my home project standing in the door and cannot get in so I let him in. I'll let him in my apartment and he was quite distressed that none of my Smith cereals have been moved away out of the out of the way. He spoke very little English althouLgh is really nice guy. So I contacted Jennifer the building manager Vindicated they have done that on purpose cuz they wanted to make sure they had a game plan for how the day was going to go. This little guy was just on top of it and ready to Start ripping up carpet. It took a few minutes but finally who started moving my furniture and getting their program on the way. There's nothing I could do so I just sort of removed myself from the Apartments making sure I had my cell phone in my tablet and a charging device and a backpack with everything I might need W away from the apartments.

I really didn't have much time to grab stuff I would have liked my new cryptoquote magazine, my bus pass one of two of my sticks and a urine bag or two. It's warming up which is good. If life wasn't the quarantine I can go to the movies I can do all kinds of stuff. I just spent the day in the neighborhood. This fairly large Asian Smorgasbord place has started feeding people again so I decided to have my lunch out since I couldn't get to my refrigerator. I visited the polygamous store they didn't have what I needed and I thought about taking the bus up to Walmart to see if I can find iron on patches there but like I said I didn't take my bus pass I did feel like I wanted to go through the whole rigmarole of paying a bus fare. End up going to the park but the idea of sketching a little bit. I do have my art materials in my backpack. I listen to and watched various YouTube presentations and basically killed the afternoon.

Just before 5 I passed Jennifer's office and she told me that they were looking for me about getting someone to move my furniture back into the Apartment. Teddy is our maintenance guy who's really great to work with he volunteered to help rearrange the furniture when Quan was finished. It took a while for headed to get back to the building after he left and I called him and reset to work putting the stuff anywhere in the apartment from the bedroom where everything I got stuck this morning into the finished front room and kitchen which was beautiful now. Tomorrow they will do the rug in the bedroom. My apartment is a total mess everything that just stuck anywhere I have corridors fashion through Furniture piles but we made it so I could get through to the bedroom and my bed is about the only thing left in that room but they'll be able to get onto the project tomorrow first thing. That's kind of exciting it'll all be done tomorrow afternoon. Then I'll have the rest of the week to repurpose the apartment. I think I'm really going to like the new floor coverings will make it a lot easier for me to get around and a lot cleaner I believe it's just another hard pill to swallow. I just keep reminding myself think of the joy you'll experience but this is finished..

Today At Walmart

This is Jody, she's a little spooky but I think well-intentioned I found her at Walmart or should I say she found me.

This is been a perfectly beautiful day. Finally the temperature is somewhere enjoyable. It's Father's Day but that means a whole heck of a lot in the scheme of things particularly in the time of Covid 19. But I had a really good evening, surprise, couple 1:30 AM and wasn't sure. We'll get back to sleep but I did! I woke up again at 430 and was not able to get back to sleep but I also feeling rested so I kind of dozed until 6 o'clock and got up. I don't know if it was the new bathroom floor or whatever but I feel great every time I go in there. It's so nice to have everything right there. So anyway, I actually produced a production from leftover ingredients last night's dinner the steak dinner. I had to half of the baked potato left with a couple pieces of steak one of which I took out sliced up, sliced up the rest of the potato added the rest of the onion couple of peppers from the Indian store across the street and a few other odds and ends. I even made a cheese omelette. This was a great breakfast too bad I didn't have anyone to share with.

I had two shirts with stripes, horizontal one was a white shirt with black horizontal stripes and the other was just like it but red with black horizontal stripes. Even though it makes you look like a mattress, a rolling mattress, I love the white and black striped shirt. The Red striped shirt disappeared and I can't find it anywhere in the apartment but it's got a be here, somewhere. I suppose the shirt will show up some day but not today and not lately. I've been on the Jag last couple of days trying to find other striped shirts, T-shirts that make me look like a mattress. I don't know why I just like the shirt and want more. To that end I scoured a little bit on the Internet and even found something which I've ordered in an and will see if I like it enough to keep it. In a weird bit of thought process I thought just possibly if I return to Walmart they might have some other shirts similar. I knew it would be impossible to find the same make and brand but I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm not been to Walmart in some time and I thought I'd check out the meat section as well.

You know when you feel something to just post to be everything works towards an end. I was getting that feeling this morning when I made the decision to check out Walmart I checked out the bus schedule and sure enough the 217 should be at my bus stop in four minutes. I dashed and oddly, I say oddly because it was well past the four minutes by the time I got across the street to the bus stop in front of the Tasty Phrase but I was there in time and soon the bus pick me up. I roll into the market and do a little shopping, as I always do, pulled over to the coffee makers. I checked out the Keurig coffee machines. I doubt seriously I would ever consider the coffee machine that makes coffee one cup at a time. However, Jennifer , our apartment manager, treated me to a cup of coffee Friday which was just incredibly good enough to make me consider such a possibility. Next I checked the flatscreen TVs and as I was looking at the 55 inch plus screens a woman started looking at me a little strange. Mind you it was somewhat difficult to tell because she was wearing a good-sized mask but she was definitely trying to make eye contact while she was trying desperately to end the phone call she was involved in. I tried not to notice but it was difficult not to. I should adjust spun around right there and took off as fast as my little corner go to and wheels could travel. I did not and soon she should walked over to me and asked if she could speak with me prefacing the conversation with “I know you're going to think this is weird…” I did but I couldn't leave her hanging so I responded as attentive as I could. She started telling me about how much I needed a new wheelchair, a new electric wheelchair. She told the story of her late father who had just passed away leaving a $70,000 chair (I found out later that the chair may have cost that much but not their family, the chair was a donation from someone else). She really push the hard sell on me that I needed this chair. She let me know how bad I looked in my chair also crunched up in sideways kind of. She mentions this three or four times and that I really needed this chair. On top of all this, the woman wanted to give me the chair, she said this over and over again almost begging me to take the chair. She kept telling me about all the fantastic features the chair had and that the wheelchair was wider than mine so therefore I would be much more comfortable. The woman almost seemed desperate I was beginning to become uncomfortable. I did not want to offend her. I did not want to have to go through the whole song and dance told her how important it is to get the chair measured for you so it's just right for you that many times one cannot just use a chair that given them, as kind and helpful as that seems. She was not going to give up I could tell this but I did start acting like I needed to go. I gave her my cell phone number and she asked that I text her. She told me if I knew anything, anything at all, please contact her she would be there.

I was relieved when Jodi left. I doubt that I will call her. I have no use for the power chair she has but perhaps I can give her some direction on how to get rid of it. I did got a picture of her for a left. I think it kind of freaked her out but I figured I deserve something for my time…

Almost Hot

It's another Saturday during this pandemic lockdown which means there really is the whole lot going on. Trying to be resourceful I decided to go over to the food bank and get what was available for today. I have to confess, I love the food bank. It'd been a couple weeks since I'd last used the service and staff were all excited because I was back. I'm always flabbergasted at what shows up at a food bank today I was excited to get container of clam chowder from higher class store here in Salt Lake. I was so taken with the clam chowder that I went immediately to the real market and purchased premium saltine crackers. I must be careful of my consumption of items like clam chowder just because they're so over laden with calories and there were no such least what I need right now. Loaded me up with hamburger and sliced frozen chicken breast fully cooked ready to, go for fajitasI intend to use the chicken for salad fixings. I got a huge bag of onions great big guys excited to use along with a number of avocados. Avocados are okay just wish I understood the better particularly in how to get into them. The avocados smaller than what most people would purchase but the free so what the heck I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the avocados but there too good to pass up. I remember Dianne would often use avocados at her salads that's a possibility. I have two heads of lettuce that I need to use quickly. I just have to force myself to eat some more salads. I quite like it when I get into them but just prepping could sometimes be challenging.

I think to myself what would I do if we were not on lockdown? I think first and foremost I would be going to more movies. I perhaps would go on a few more trips on the train or the bus. The temperatures are getting to the place where it's a delight to be outside. Now to make the most of the opportunity of hot dry weather. If the quarantines were not in place in the state was going back to its original status and programming I would probably still be doing the book club on Thursday afternoons. I don't necessarily know how much I enjoyed that commitment but it certainly gave me something to do on Thursday afternoons to assist me assure in the weekends. So as of is however, I am patiently waiting for the begin of the week. I assume they will begin carrying out the rug/carpet and putting down tiles for the rest of the apartment. I did not have Annette come in today just because quite clean up the place with all going get messed up next week. I may as will save the 40 bucks to use on the other side of the apartment renovation to assist me in getting my place back to normal. I took a chance today and I went online with Amazon and ordered another striped shirt. I hate doing this because it always leaves me with severe buyers remorse but the charge was only $17 and free return should I so desire I figured it was worth the risk. I really like my striped shirt and him on another to stretch out the striped shirt ownership especially since my red striped shirt disappeared. It's a nice Saturday afternoon, high clouds and temperatures probably in the high 70s it's not hot by any means but there is the promise sometimes a promise is good enough…

First Step Done!

The first leg of the renovation project is just about finished! I'm almost ecstatic well the operative word being “almost”.The bathroom floor is still curing from the last coat of sealant. However, the worker bees have indicated that I should be able to use my bathroom sink tomorrow as well as the toilet to night which will break retiring as well as doing my ADLs in the morning a perfect delight. I pretty much feel the bathroom with the kingpin of what's not the the rest of the project should be relatively easy and survivable. I'm assuming that everything will just be moved from one room to the other as they do the floors and hopefully my bed well pretty muchstay in place with just a passport or door for me to get through to the bathroom. Now that I've written this I hope I have not jinxed myself.

The weather has noticeably improved. High pressures building which means it's going to get much warmer which means I'm going to be a lot happier. Even today I was able to read in the sun out on the patio of the complex. Of course everybody's freaked out now because it's going to get hot at all well I live for this time of year. In the fit of celebration I actually took myself out to lunch Dell Taco. A kind of shot myself in the foot because I really wanted to get some Mexican fast food I don't know why I caved in at the last minute but I thought why not get a hamburger. I was hoping I would find a hidden secret of an excellent hamburger but all I got was pretty poor hamburger. It was okay and I think it was safe. I would've preferred the meat cooked a little more but all they had on the burger was some form of red sauce which was qualified Mexican I'm sure. There is no lettuce there was no onions or pickles all those things needed to make a normal hamburger and again perhaps the problem (and I don't mean this as a racist comment) but maybe a Mexican fast food joint is not a place to think I can get an All-America hamburger. Perhaps I've neglected mentioning the most important part of the lunch experience which is I was able to actually eat my hamburger inside the facility! The restrictions are loosening up I've noticed. Looks like you can eat in at village in now only if you do it before 2 PM and it looks like the Mexican restaurant across the street is also begin the serve in customers as well. I think it's a group we have to be careful that we don't get too comfortable and relaxed but I don't think were done with this beast at all by a long shot.

Well I understand and I know that I'm rattling and ramblingwhich obviously means I don't have anything real to say. I'm using this next step in the renovation project as the excuse for not doing some of the work on my projects I should be under the rationale that I don't want to get into anything to deeply because I'm going to have to post everything until the overall project is done. I'm talking primarily about my image scanning project. I'm afraid if I get to seriously into the project everything skill to get moved my computers go to get blocked and my printer/scanner and I'll just be frustrated so rather than doing my project I'm reading the Wadsworth book and watching Amazon prime.

What a better wayto enjoy the summer…

Progress ?

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Well the novelty of the remodel has worn off. I'm now at the phase where you just want to have the project finished. Even if not finished you want to know what you Cannot do. Today the boys came back to work on the tile in the bathroom. They had to applyy down another coat of sealant that they would begin laying the tiles. I was pleased because it seemed the pace of setting the tile was progressing swiftly with the hopes (my hopes) that the project might be finished before tomorrow. I should have asked the workers but I thought I would have an option later on during the day. I really have nowhere to go but I want to stay out of their way not be one of those hovering consumers. I have a meeting at 1 PM, one of the state boards I'm still on, but it was to be on Zoom. There is no way I was going to be able to participate in this meeting, in the apartment so I gathered up my equipment (cell phone and tablet) and headed to my other apartment. I feel so decadent when I say that. The meeting was little more than an hour, we get a lot of work done quickly when there is no meal involved, and I returned to the apartment, my apartment. The boys tile saw was still set up on the patio which means to me they're not done but it looks like the tiling in the bathroom is fairly well done. The sideboards me to the applied but the tiles are set up my question is: (can I role on the tiles and use the sink?) My life would be a lot easier were that the case.

So, I go through my cell phone “recent contacts” and tried to remember which of the numbers of any of the contractor. I vaguely remember on Monday morning the contractor calling my phone number under the pretense of loaded his contact information in case I need to get a hold of them. Obviously this did not work (or maybe it worked just right). I call all the numbers that time. That I don't really recognize and of the three numbers they all live back to the manager of the apartment complex which was okay because she knows how to get a hold of the contractor. She had the same time gave me the contractor's number. I called and of course all I got was an answering machine. I leave my contact information, which he should have, and have said about doing stuff around the apartment I should've done earlier in the dayI have written off working out with my rickshaw because the tile cutter is nestled right between the rickshaws handles. I guess I could pump my bike for a while, maybe later tonight. So really, it's no big deal. I still have my bed and I could do my ADLs at the kitchen sink and be happy. Tomorrow, annette and I will traipse down to my other apartment and do my shower in my dressing. If this is the as this project gets for me I am going to be one lucky duck. I assume on Monday the real nightmare will begin which is the moving all of my stuff out of the way and ripping out the rug and placing file down in the rest of the apartment. I do not think this will and well…

Kind Of Like Bizarro World

I'm becoming a little schizoid living in two apartments at once. Perhaps schizoid is not the right word maybe if I were to use the analogy of living in a Multiverse or the old DC Comics Bizarro world it would make more sense. But I seem to have to remember everything. This wasn't such a big deal this morning and yesterday when I could still use the bathroom in my regular apartment. Even if I could not use the shower or the toilet I can still use the sink and get to my morning routine i. E. Shaving and getting ready for my day. Today however they've actually began work on the bathroom with a semi vengeance. The contractors sealed the floor which is exercise of painting some sort of ceiling element on the floor and then they must leave at set for a day or a couple hours anyway. Tomorrow supposedly they will return and paint the next coat a sealant on the floor and then on Friday they will actually lay the tiles and hook the toilet back up and I should be back in business at least from that standpoint. I've asked a couple times and I sort of get an answer that after that is done( floor tiles installed) they'll be getting to work on tearing out the carpet and then putting down the tile in the rest of the apartment. At this point I don't see how they're going to be able to even begin to work on that project until next Monday. If that is the case continue living this Bizarro lifestyle.

Really kind of weird the apartment that I'm staying in in the other wing of the complex is just opposite this unit here. Actually, in a lot of ways I can survive maybe even transfer out of the toilet because the way it's set up I'll be able to make the transfers I think. The kitchen cupboards are weird but I could see myself surviving with them okay. What's really strange is the whole environment is quiet almost serene. The unit gets really good morning sun which is kind of meet I'm a little envious from that point of view. But I don't sense the excitement that I feel in my apartment with the skateboard park and easy access to Redwood Road and all the chaos that brings. I know I've been somewhat negative on that whole concept but you know what? I think I like it. I like the intensity and the randomness of life here on the West side. The market is close by and the bus it's just on the other side of the parking lot. I just have to remember to take what I need over to the other toilet when I go. The people are different to even though I know these people oh, I see him everyday down in the foyer and around the facility what's different when you're down the hall they live in. I don't really explain it very well but they're just quiet they don't seem as exciting as my neighbors are. Not that any of my neighbors are hellions by any means but the do like the Lively game of Scrabble I understand. I don't really interact with many of my neighbors. Maybe just the new one across the hall.

Finally the weather is going to start warming up again and be more summer like I look forward to that. I look forward to having a bathroom that we'll have a flat floor and not try to trip up my Lyft all the time I also am looking forward to the tiled floor in the rest of the living situation going to make for a smoother ride in my power chair and even in my manual chair if I get to that point again. And best of all I'll get my total self back from the schizoid state I'm trying to survive in now...

Now I wait

My other apartment I'm caught in the middle!

I don't know why I'm surprised, I really hoped my naivety had worn off by now this point in my life. But I'm getting a sinking feeling about this apartment renovation thing I'm supposed to be going through. The operative word of course it's supposed to be. I was kind of hopeful yesterday when we kicked off this operation when the contractor guy kind of showed up with Roy the worker guy. Actually that was a little suspect with para Roy just hanging around the front gate till I let him in I am not knowing what was going on until the contractor guy showed up I really didn't do anything except tell Roy to get going and that's the last I've seen of him. This morning I was kind of excited because I thought that guys would start showing up told me to get out of the way and where do I want this and where do I want that but of course nothing happened there was no one around. Then I figured I just had to wait until 8 or something. It came and went then around 9 I talked to the front desk person Jennifer department manager of course didn't know anything except that it was supposed to happen. She was heading out the door however to the other properties but said that she would contact the contractor and get back with me just as soon as she heard something it's now noon and I haven't heard anything. I'm hanging out at the other apartment the backup apartment. There's nothing here really except what I brought over so far and that's just enough the cath and a couple stick to pick up things I drop. There's nothing here except a bad odor. I don't know if Helen had cats or not something was bad here. I brought the tablet so I can watch movies if I want to or right like this. I'm carrying my cell phone I hope so I'll get the call but already I can see this isn't going to be a swift or deal that I'm going to be damn lucky to be back in two by unit by Friday. I did at least have the forethought to moved my art/Dianne art downtown where she keeps the door locked when she's not there. I don't know if we're going to move my bed down here I am going to have to move something down here to shower tomorrow if that's what I choose to do. That might be worth the trauma. So as it is now I'm going to fix my lunch at the apartment and hopefully something will be happening by dinner time. I need a trash can of some sort garbage box or something for the new unit or temporary unit. 

It's evening now the work day is done and of course nothing was done to my apartment. I was able to speak with somebody from management who really didn't tell me very much except that they will not even begin working on the rest of the apartment until the bathroom is finished which sorta says to me nothing will be done with the apartment until next week. They've already all but said the bathroom won't be done till Friday if we're lucky. I'm really getting the feeling that no one wants to take responsibility for doing nothing but I'm working very hard not to prematurely judge these folks.    This means of course I am going to have to figure out how I'm going to sleep in this apartment and do everything else I need to do at the other apartment. Actually tomorrow we will move the lift down there and I suppose do all my morning stuff at the other apartment dress and everything and play out the rest of the day down there and not really do anything because I don't want to get into anything than have everything all upset. I think I'm just being grumpy because it was cold and blustery and a little wet today I'm very anxious for summer to return...cx

Its Started...

6Well, it is started I don't know but I was really expecting but today work on the bathroom formally began. Of course, bathroom is just one part of the remodel or whatever it's called which is going to take place. But they started somewhat slow. I think around 9:30 or 10 what individual showed up a young guy by the name of Roy and then obviously the boss guy showed up. This is all kind of awkward because Jennifer who is the building manager and who basically runs honcho over everything had to leave and attend to some sort of emergency at another building. I finally established that the person wandering around on the other side of the gate was Roy and he was the worker guy. I let him in and he wandered back to the apartment with me. I wasn't sure what to do then his boss who I assume is the contractor shows up and he doesn't know what to do because you need to contact or visit with Jennifer. They all agreed that work was going to be done on the bathroom and when I showed them the bathroom they knew exactly where to start and that's what Roy did. Of course the contractor vanishes immediately and Roy Dives right in. I I sit around looking like a dork and finally wander down to the backup apartment that I can use as my apartment until my unit is finished. Since Roy is the only guy here I feel somewhat relieved. Is sweeps out the bathroom disconnect the toilet, literally pulls it up and sit sit in the shower and then starts removing the tiles. It turns out there's quite a bit of water underneath the tiles that seeped into the concrete which is going to have to be dried out so this isn't going to be a one-day project cuz I was sort of told and that's okay. I look in on Roy off and on throughout the morning. He's coming along is exposed to floor and has pulled the siding off the floor and it really really scraped the glue and everything else off the concrete. I Wander over to the market buy bananas for the week returning to begin my workout on the arm bike which I do a little bit after noon. I asked Roy if he needs anyting off and on but he's content to focus on us floor and that's okay with me. Following my workout I build myself a quick lunch the head out to the patios and sit and eat enjoy the Heat. Today is to be the hottest day of the week what's really cold air coming in on Wednesday Dragon the temperature to 60 degrees.

I read my book and listen to my radio show at 3 p.m. . I'm supposed to have lunch with my friend Lori tomorrow at the coffee shop across the street which is serving patrons again. The only problem is though date is for 3 p.m. and they close at 2 p.m. I don't understand I don't try to but that's going to make it a problem for Lori and me. Hopefully tomorrow we will  have to figure out where to move everything from one room to the other as they tear up the carpet and lay tile. As long as I can get to Electric Outlets I can drag my tablet and cell phone and even my laptop with me to the backup apartment and do everything I need to from there if I need to. I don't know how will work the sleeping Arrangements. I don't know if I have to drag my bed all the way over to the other apartment or we can figure out a way to do one room than the other. Jennifer the contractor are anticipating to have this project done by Friday I hope so. Either way I've got a place to stay and though I might be uncomfortable to some degree it's not bad and I'll have a great living space for the rest of the year...

Load of Crap

It's kind of nice that Amazon delivers on Sunday. I always forget that perk. I was doing something in my apartment enjoying the day when all of a sudden I hear the rapid knock back the door. I always sucker for that knock and think that there's somebody there, a real person, and shout out “Come in!”and nothing happens. Usually call out to her three times before I figure I better answer the door only to find packages resting on the floor just outside the door. Today, I received two packages. The most important is the headphones that I'm using of this dictation. For the last week and half I have been dictating my blog through my tablet. I have to admit that has not been a bad experience. I have done most of my dictating in the bedroom. I have been pleasantly surprised at how well little tablet does. It certainly a lightweight version as far as capitalization, editing etc. but it does a basic good job capturing my words. I've even been able to post from the tablet. The more difficult to post from my tablet and I've had to finagle the process by copying and pasting in a editor of the computer after I've finished dictating. What I liked best about the tablet is working in the bedroom by the window and be able to the outside. When I dictate from living room where I desktop set up the room is and a little oppressive. I kind of feel trapped. However, I do feel in my work mode in this room.

Because I've been busy with my scanning project I've been giving my desktop quite the workout. I really wanted to begin dictating so I tore into the package and be held my new headset. Of course my new headset looks exactly like my head old set so I unplug my set and wrestle in my new headset. I am excited thinking that new experience dictating will be incredible. But I'm dismayed because the new headset does not seem to be hearing what I'm saying almost like the one I just unplugged from the system. I go through the quaint little microphone check and it gives me okay but continues to act like the character my diction very well. I am kind of frustrated I really expected the new headset to work a lot better than this. In fact Dragon is all over the place and is quite frustrating. I almost get the feeling that the software market working appropriately but needs to be retrained. Actually, the software has been questioning me the past couple of startups wanting to do training and work on word recognition provider not want to take the time to do such a thing. Seriously I refuse to be strong-armed by my system! I mean really the problems I'm having with my new headset are very similar to the ones I was having with the supposedly broken headset. I wonder if software gets old start doing senile things. The software I'm using for about 15 years. I can't imagine the software where about wearing out . So I don't know what is worse crappy software or crappy hardware whatever it is feels like what I'm having to deal with is a lot of crap…

Bon Appétit

It Is almost 10 p.m. I never let it get this late before posting. I don't know what happened to my day it just sort of evaporated and it's a Saturday as well. Saturday's are always sort of laid back for me anyway. I'm not sure what happened unless it was my bus trip. You heard me right I finally decided I was going to expand my Horizon regardless of the threat of covid-19. My cleaning person was here today so that's where my morning went. I feel obligated to hang around the house / apartment while she's cleaning in case she needs something to assist her in the project.

I Justified my bus trip and that I needed to pick up some box milk that I get from the dollar store. I know it sounds strange but believe me it's true the name of the place is all a dollar of course. So shortly before 12 I jumped the bus head down a couple blocks to the dollar store. It was not a bad trip and I dutifully wear my mask. I was shocked after going up and down the rows two or three times and not finding the Box milk. I thought surely they would always have the milk. In its place, I finally figured out, or cartons of almond milk. I'm not sure if I'm going. Big proponent for almond milk. Diane used to drink up a lot when she wanted milk that was not fat based. I don't remember ever really ingesting any. But as little as I ingest up white stuff I figured a couple boxes wouldn't hurt. I know that Diane used the almond milk on her cereal and it worked so I figured what the hell it was worth a dollar risk. I felt good about myself I didn't really cave into the other desires that was sugar-based. I did pick up a can of peanuts which I can justify if my almonds ever get here. So on the way home I figured out also. At the Walmart and go through the grocery and pick up the lettuce I would be needing if I were to continue with salads.

I finally got home and decided I needed to use the broccoli that I got last week or maybe two weeks ago before the Brock goes bad. I find my onion and the Garlic's and was surprised Define that the garlic cut almost all dried up I did find enough to use for a basic garlic flavor. The process the onions and the broccoli and started the onions and the garlic sauteing. I did the first run through of the pantry and was shocked to find I could not get my hands on any chance of corned beef! I looked everywhere I know I've got at least three cans of the stuff but I couldn't find any. The vegetables are sizzling on the stove now and I had to make a decision La decided I would go back to the market. The market was a Fast Trip I got two cans of corned beef and rushed back home put the materials on the stove again this is what came back and I finished the dish. I haven't made garbarek and the longest time. I really like the stuff but I'm sure it's not what I need for weight loss but it sure is good and I was in need of some comfort food in a guilty minute.

The kitchen was clean when I started Annette did a a great job this week. Dinner was quite a shock to the kitchen I'll see if I can clean up tomorrow. I wish I didn't love cooking as much as I do but I love to cook so bon appetit...

New Wine Old Bottle

I have been luxuriating in my chair all day long. I know that doesn't sound like much but it kind of is. I had to technician Park my chair in the corner when he brought it back from the shop last night with the idea in my head that since I spent the day in my back up chair rest of the night would be alright and then this morning after a net finished with me in the shower I had her place me in the chair the shop Rock by last night. It's not like it was a new chair but it sure acted like one. I didn't realize they were going to refurbish as much as they did. In the end the price tag, if I had had to pay myself, would have been over $3,000! The big item was the controller which cost over a thousand. I'm so glad that they stuck in two new batteries to which makes a big difference as far as my chair holding a charge I went about two miles today and my old chair would be showing about half of the battery had been discharged but this chair at this point in the evening shows almost completely full still. That's amazing. And like you know it maybe my imagination but it seems like the chair is a bit more Zippy as well. That's outstanding. And again I wouldn't have thought but I realized I was getting a much better ride and I couldn't figure out until I saw that they changed out my drive tires as well as my what they call the casters which are the two small tires in front in the two small tires on the back of my chair. I had really worn them down big chunks head broken off and Fallen to the side and the process has been so gradual that I hadn't realized what is smooth ride New River would give but I enjoyed the right today. Other items included the armrests and even the watches that hook to the side of the chair to the armrest. Phenomenal.

The scripture talks about the Folly of putting new wine into Old bottles but I think this case is it good one to dispute that scripture. Everything about the chair is delightful now. The point was to do the upgrade and then have to drive this chair for at least the next six months at which time we can initiate proceedings of getting a brand new chair. At that point in time I will just a breaking in this chair come the holidays. I doubt that I'll even have put a thousand miles on the chair by then since there's nowhere for me to go with social distancing and everything still closed. However, there's been a few news reports about how a lot of the local businesses are beginning to open up to the public again but I am afraid that's going to be short-lived Hisense the virus will be back with a vengeance and everything will be locked down again come fall and winter. We can pray for a Magic Bullet but I don't think of coming anytime soon but until that point I'm going to enjoy this power chair with my new batteries and my controller and the fact that someone cared enough the dump $3,000 into my well-being...

The Subtle Second

The subtle second is that. Of time from when you switch your power chair on to the moment that your chair is operational to use. It's a bit frustrating to me anyway and something I had to get used to after I purchased another chair and quickie, in those days, decided to implement the second delay it's actually 3 or 5 Seconds something like that. The delay is long enough that really can frustrate you until you get used to it. I suppose it came about that too many people are getting themselves killed after jack rabbit starts when they turn the power chair on. What got me thinking about the subtle second this morning before I got up identify chair. Because my entry to the chair is fairly critical and I guess to some point risky I have to be very careful. I know this sounds bizarre but I have one of my sticks with me that I reach over and actuate the power chair that means I turn the chair on and then I always have to wait that hang time until the chairs ready to operate. I have to move the chair a few inches to a foot forward to make sure I have enough area the slide into from my bed. I've learned the hard way if I am not situated right I can actually slide off between the mattress and the chair and once that happens I'm almost guaranteed not being able to get up. I'm totally careful every morning especially the mornings when I know there'll be nobody coming around to offer supports.

My back up chair as I've wind about in the past is at best functional. The chair is squirrely I cannot really trust the chair. Does a control mechanism tends to Jack Rabbit when I push it forward or when I'm in motion and stop putting pressure on the control the chair tends to travel a bit farther which could be bothersome not fatal at stairways and Traxx stations, at many of the Trax stations you have to access the trains on the mini High blocks which is very frightening because you're quite a ways up in the air and there's nothing to prevent you from Rolling off the side of the platform if your chair decides not to stop in time. This is the biggest reason I don't go anywhere outside my apartment unless I have to but I'm in my back up chair. The subtle second can also get me into trouble my name in crowds of people not only does the Cher spring forward it tends to zip backwards to right after the chair turns on and you have to make sure you stop the backward motion before you actually run into people. People smile at you and quickly move out of the way and never quite treat you the same way as before the "accident". The subtle second oh, I know it's not a big deal unless you're the one The Hourglass is playing games with the grains of sand...