Still Sweltering

 

It's October 14th and it's still in the nineties. Hot.  The last week of September was in the mid-hundreds.  What the actual fuck?  The people who don't believe in global warming need to come to Tucson because I've been here for 40 years and it's definitely hotter than when we first moved here.  

I can't stand it anymore.  It's so unpleasant.  I can't be outside without being miserable.  Just going to the store is a hassle.  I come home drenched, hair like a wet rat.  The sun just never stops shining.  And even when it does, it's still hot.

On top of that, our air-conditioner went out and we had to wait TWO weeks for the part.  TWO WEEKS with no air conditioning!!!!  The fans are going all over the house and Ed bought a window AC unit for the bedroom, so at least it's cool enough to sleep, but the first three nights were brutal.  It'll be fixed by the end of the week.

That will provide some relief.  And they claim it's going to get "cooler" next week.  Which means low nineties.  C'mon.  I need winter weather.  And even though winter is still too hot for me here, I wish it would just hurry up and get here.  I can't take it anymore.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Edible Jewels
2018:  Run, Roll, And Rain
2017:  Bee Stop
2016:  Prepping The Butt
2015:  Strangled By The Capital Beltway
2014:  Even The Deer Are Bored
2013:  Happy "Columbus" Day!
2012:  Not So Subtle
2011:  Satan Called. He Wants His Weather Back.
2010:  If Only I Looked As Good As He Does
2009:  What Grandmothers Do When Their Grandchildren Grow Up
2008:  The View Of The Valley And Meadow
2007:  A Beautiful Dimple In The Earth
2006:  Dive The Sky
2005:  G-Y-M

Abandon Every Hope, Who Enter Here

This is the first bronze cast of The Gates of Hell sculpture by Auguste Rodin, located at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The original plaster model is at the Musée D’Orsay in Paris. 

The plaque nearby says, "In 1880 Rodin was commissioned to create a set of bronze doors for a new museum in Paris.  Inspired by The Divine Comedy, an epic poem written in the early 1300s by Dante Alghieri, Rodin planned to decorate the doors with characters that Dante met on his fictional journey through hell.  The sculptor eventually discarded the idea of a strict narrative and instead created a weightless, chaotic world filled with more than two hundred figures in the throes of pain and despair.  Although the planned museum never came to fruition, Rodin worked on the sculpture for early thirty-seven years, periodically adding, removing, or modifying elements." 

On an unrelated note, I feel like I'm living on the other side of The Gates of Hell right now because the air conditioning in our house went out three days ago. Yes.  Hell.

The part to fix it will take two weeks to get.  Two weeks!  Sure, it's October, but it's October in Southern Arizona.  It's been in the mid to high 100s for weeks.  The temperature inside the house is currently 84 degrees, which is a picnic compared to the 102 degrees it is outside, but nowhere near the level I usually keep the house at when lounging around daily.  We keep the house between 65-70 degrees during the day, and at night, I drop the AC down to 53.  I could easily live in Alaska.  

I was in the kitchen the other day making dinner and I felt like I was in the Bronx in the late 1960s - there I was, in my muumuu, standing in front of the oscillating fan, cursing under my breath in Italian, and dripping in sweat.

Ed said this is how he grew up.  He's not bothered one bit.  I grew up with a father who kept the house freezing cold.  I obviously inherited the hot gene from him.  When I was a teenager, our summer house didn't have air-conditioning, and even if it did, my step-father wouldn't have been running it 24/7 like my father did.  We would go to sleep at night, moving as little as possible, directly in front of the fan.  I survived.  But now I don't want to do that. I don't want to move slowly like they do in the South to deal with the heat.  I don't want to feel my head surging with heat and the sweat dripping down my back. 

I am considering sleeping in the semi-truck since the AC in the sleeper works, but I guess I'll see how it goes over the weekend.  It's there if I need it.  I'm not at the point of abandoning every hope yet.

But I'm close.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Pure Eddie
2017:   Make Time For This Market
2016:   Capture The Flag
2015:   Arizona Dinosauria
2014:   Twilight In New York
2013:   The Sun Also Sets
2012:   Summoning The Mountains
2011:   The Power Of Gold 
2010:   Where’s The Beef? 
2009:   If One Could Love A Convenience Store 
2008:   Eddie Home On The Alien Range Friday 
2007:   N Is For Nanny. Oh, And Negligent. 
2006:   The Answer Will Be Revealed In Nine Months 
2005:   Lipgloss And Cocoa Puffs

Freedom From Bullshit

SOURCE

The chart seen above is a perfect way to celebrate Independence Day (click for a bigger version) because it gives you a way to free yourself from the bullshit you take in from the offending news sources that feed it to you on a daily basis.  It lays out the most popular sources (beware of your local offenders) and shows where their bias lies.  It was put together by MarketWatch, a company listed as one of the least biased sources of information.

I follow almost all of the neutral new sources in the green rectangle - AP, Reuters, Bloomberg, AFP, NBC, ABC, CBS, The Christian Science Monitor.  I follow the ones that lean left - Politico, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and I even follow the ones that skew conservative - The Hill, The Wall Street Journal.  I want to know what's happening on both sides.

The yellow rectangle contains organizations that provide a fair interpretation of the news. Of these, I follow The Guardian, The Economist, The New Yorker, CNN, and The Atlantic.  A little from each side there, too.

I don't follow any liberal sources in the orange or red boxes, but I do sometimes read articles from The Huffington Post if it's been re-tweeted by a journalist or person I follow on Twitter.

The most important part of this chart is the organizations that fall within that red rectangle - sources that are called "Nonsense damaging to public discourse". 

Nonsense damaging to public discourse.  Let that sink in.

These sources are watched and quoted, over and over and over again, by Orange Mussolini and his minions.  Trump and his supporters, repeatedly and with conviction, disseminate information (and use it as their source of "facts" when debating) from these sources.

These are the sources, ironically, that most often provide what these people like to call "fake news". 

Prior to Trump, these people, these conservatives, these right-wingers, these Republicans, got their news from the people in the middle. ABC, NBC, CBS, even CNN was what everyone watched before the 24-hour news cycle came into existence.  They trusted people like Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather and Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw.  Journalists who were the best of the best.  Dan Rather began his career as a journalist in 1950.  He's been reporting news longer than I've been alive.  He was and is a trusted source.  But things are different now.

Now, if the news comes from a source Trump doesn't like, or it portrays him in a negative light, he deems the information fake.  It's ludicrous.  It's even more mind-blowing to see these people being led willingly, in cult-like fashion, by a person who lies as often as he draws breath.  Even when he's fact-checked by, well, almost anyone, often by playing audio or video of him telling the lie, his supporters still believe him.  It's unreal.  

It's mindblowing to hear people say - with a straight face! - things like, "Michelle Obama is a man." and "Hillary Clinton ran a child sex trafficking ring out of a pizzeria."  It's as if they can't tell the difference between truth and bullshit.  Shocking.

If you can't tell, I am no fan of Donald Trump.  I despise him.  But if you told me he was running a child sex trafficking ring out of a pizzeria, I'd tell you right to your face that there's NO WAY that was happening, that I don't believe it, and that you're crazy for even repeating and spreading something so fucking stupid. 

It's just preposterous the utter bullshit people believe.  And the reason they believe it, is because the dissemination of the lies is constant - through Trump himself, over and over again at his rallies, from his supporters, through Facebook, on Twitter, in person.  I have eavesdropped on conversations where it took every ounce of restraint I could muster to not scream,  "HILLARY CLINTON IS NOT TRAFFICKING CHILDREN FROM A PIZZA PARLOR!!!!"

So again, those in the red box are:

Fox News - almost EVERY Trump supporter watches Fox News.  It's like their very own news cult.  Trump even tweets things he hears on this channel, often in real time.  They report it, two seconds later he's tweeting it.

The Daily Caller

Breitbart

Newsmax (the National Enquirer of "news")

The Blaze

The Daily Caller

Drudge Report (he's in the orange, but may as well be in the red)

and InfoWars - where nutjob Alex Jones spews his filth from.

Let's remember what they're saying about the companies in the red rectangle in relation to how they report the news:

NONSENSE DAMAGING TO PUBLIC DISCOURSE

So if you're a diehard follower of any of the organizations in red, you might want to consider moving to the top of the chart and start watching/reading some of the companies in green.  The ones in the middle.  Even if they skew conservative, it's likely you're getting actual news and not some crazy bullshit.  

If Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Judge Jeanine Pirro (God, help us), or anyone on Fox & Friends is your favorite "news" person, you really need to do yourself a favor and wander into reality.  Those people are entertainment personalities.  They are not journalists and they're not news reporters.  They host OPINION shows.  What they're telling you is their opinion, supported by guests who share their views, which are often very light on fact.  It's the epitome of spin.

So please, when you read or hear something, think about words you've undoubtedly heard in your lifetime - CONSIDER THE SOURCE.  And do your homework.  This is just one chart, but there are other places you can find minimal bias.  Before you forward an email, share something on Facebook, or repeat a story to your friends, check your facts. 

You're entitled to your own opinion but you are not entitled to your own facts.

Don't spread nonsense damaging to public discourse.

Now go have a great fourth of July!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Life, Liberty, And Ribs
2016: Happily Celebrating Beautiful Things
2015: Bring On The Bright, Bursting Skies At Night, Bring On The Thundering Booms
2014: Have A Berry Happy Fourth Of July!
2013: Relieved Of Civic Duty Just In Time For America's Birthday
2012: Blind With Patriotism
2011: Independence In The Town Of The Big House
2010: It’s So Much Prettier
2009: Soap Box Derby – Spavinaw Style
2008: Eddie’s Independence Friday
2007: Miss Independent
2006: Independence Day
2005: The Mother Road To Independence

Visual Aids

I haven't been in a truck stop in almost two years.  Because we're self-contained in the truck (bed, kitchen, toilet, shower, etc.) there's not really any reason for me to go in one anymore unless it's absolutely necessary - like getting a scale ticket or a receipt for fuel - but it's rare. 

We recently took a load to California and I decided to go in and reacquaint myself with truck stop goodies - I've always like to cruise the snack aisle, see what they have for sale for upcoming holidays, decide on whether or not I need some kind of clip-on, stick-on, velcro-on window gadget.

And then I went to the ladies room and saw the sign.

What the hell, people?  I'm gone for 20 months and truckers have sunk to a level where they need signs about how to dispose of trash?  I'm well aware that truckers (mostly men) pee in parking lots and leave jugs of urine for unsuspecting travelers to find, but I didn't think the women needed to be told to not throw toilet paper on the floor. 

Someone told me the signs were for foreigners coming from other countries who aren't used to good septic systems, so they don't put the paper in the toilet.  I actually knew two families - they lived in Arkansas and Kentucky - who never threw paper in the toilet, which I thought was odd at first because I'd never seen anyone do that, but once I was told why it made sense.  I just figured it was a Southern thing.  Guess not.

Shrug. '''\_(°°)_/""



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Ostentatious Chariot

2015: Self Service
2014: Lube 2
2013: Making Mud For The Two Wheelers
2012: Have A Delicious Thanksgiving!
2011: The Boneyard Of The 309th
2010: These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things
2009: I’m Only Interested In Breasts
2008: What Price Fun?
2007: True Blue
2006: Hitchcockesque
2005: The Borscht Belt

Note To Self: Shut Phone Off Before Bed

If it's the weekend, and sometime between six and seven in the morning, there's likely a text message on my phone from my friend Kim asking me to exercise.

Sometimes there are bribes, like "I'll bring Dunkin' Donuts." Or in this case, movies.

She's known me for thirteen years, which means a) it's unlikely I'm up at six on a weekend, and b) bribes don't work.

Don't even think about it.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Where You Live When You Love What You Do
2015: The Best Snark On Screen
2014: The Only One Working Today
2013: Only The Lonely
2012: Tunnel Of Love
2011: A Stinking Welcome
2010: The Star Of The Spinning Centerpiece
2009: My Nizzl Fa Shizzl
2008: When You’re Smiling
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Decision Dilemma
2005: Alaska Later!

Hello From The Other Side

Please don't focus on the dust on my dashboard.

Look at the temperature.

That says 116 degrees.  116.

Today was ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN DEGREES!!

I was out running errands.  What the everloving fuck is wrong with me?  I clearly didn't plan well.

This is killer heat.  

Heat that grounds planes.  

Heat that kills people.

Heat that breaks records.

If you know anything at all about me, anything, you know I hate the heat.  HATE.  Can't think of anything I hate more.  Well, except maybe the short-fingered vulgarian.

Our friends are coming to visit next week and I've already told them not to expect me to do anything outside.  In this heat, I leave leave the house for grocery shopping and emergencies only.  And if I get talked into going out for any other reason, I start the car remotely to cool it down and make a beeline from the air-conditioned house to the air-conditioned car, then from the air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned store, and repeat the process on the way back home.  Or I send unsuspecting people on errands.  That doesn't happen very often, though.

FYI - there's nothing you can do to escape this heat if you're outside.  Misters at restaurants, shade (it's still over 100 degrees in the shade), cooling towels, lightweight clothing.  They all do nothing.  In fact, I don't even know what "dress for the heat" means.  What the hell does one wear for 116 degree day?  I was so hot today - inside the car, with the air conditioning on - that I wanted to peel my skin off.

This is Tucson.  Actually, this is the Southwest most of the time but especially in the summer.  This'll be the second time in 14 years that I've been here for the entire summer.  I am really missing over-the-road life right about now.

I'm thankful I have a job that allows me to keep the house as cool as a meat locker.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Stick It To 'Em
2015: Links To Food Dominate This Post
2014: 30 Miles To Spokane
2013: Truck And Sky
2012: Not Despicable At All
2011: Slice Of Summer
2010: Time Suck
2009: The Spirit Of Sharing
2008: Sailor Boy Friday
2007: Cozy Dining
2006: It’s All About Me
2005: Alien Land    

Don't Even Go There

Approaching Chicago, IL

I often get emails from people asking me if they can share articles on my site, write guest posts for me, or share graphics their company produces.

Last year I got an email from a guy named Chris from Zehl & Associates, a law firm in Texas, who wanted me to share an article he wrote about commercial drivers and sleep apnea.

He was very nice and sleep apnea in our industry was and is a current issue, so I was considered doing a feature on it. He tried to sell me by saying it'd be good for my blog and audience.  Humpf.

But then I did a little more research on his firm and found that they pride themselves on suing commercial drivers and/or their companies, and the more I thought about it, the more annoyed I got. Why would I want to promote a law firm that sues the hardworking drivers in our industry?

It wasn't until he followed up with an email to ask again if I was interested that I knew I had to say no.  But I just didn't feel like saying no without a reason.  And I didn't feel like being overly nice about it. Sure, he was pleasant regarding his request, but he was also working for a law firm that helps others screw people just like me.

So here is my reply to him:

- - - - -

Chris,

I sincerely apologize for not getting back to you sooner.  I've been saving your email intending to respond but I let it get away from me.  

I just had a chance to read your piece.  I understand the concerns with fatigue and commercial drivers, but I'm not inclined to share an article written by a law firm that aggressively represents clients suing commercial drivers and their companies, especially when 81% of the time accidents between passenger vehicles and big trucks are the fault of the car driver.  

81% Of The Time It's Not Our Fault

I understand that's not always the case, but when you're on the road over 300 days a year like my boyfriend and I are - he's driven over 3 million miles, and I've driven over 500,000 accident-free miles - you see up close and personal the reason car drivers are usually the ones at fault for these accidents.

It's frustrating to see the constant barrage of fear-mongering commercials, billboards, and advertisements urging car drivers to get the "millions" due to them.  Sometimes I think it even encourages dangerous driving, as I personally witnessed a car driver in Houston, on Interstate-10, pull in front of us and intentionally brake to a stop.  As you well know, being rear-ended by a semi can result in a sizable settlement.  

People like you and your law firm are capitalizing on the commercial aspect of this industry, suing drivers and companies alike, requesting exorbitantly high settlements based on the fact that these companies have the funds available for payouts.  Truckers do not have aggressive lawyers backing them and are repeatedly demonized in the media.

What this does is cause the life of a commercial driver to be exceedingly difficult by creating myriad regulations that penalize an entire industry based on the actions of a few careless drivers.  

We are professionals and our industry boasts some of the BEST drivers on the road.  I doubt you've ever met a car driver with over 5 million ACCIDENT-FREE miles, but I've met truck drivers in my own company with 3, 4, and 5 million miles, driven without incident. 

In fact, at our last company event, they honored a driver who logged over 6 million accident-free miles.

SIX MILLION. 

They've Mastered Chocolate And Cheese...

Thanks again for reaching out, but I think I'll pass on this one.

Sincerely,

Salena Lettera

- - - - -


Never heard from him again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Pretty Purple Prickly Pears
2015: Visually Artistic Lighting
2014: I Lost Sleep Looking At All These Links
2013: Five Facets Of Comfort
2012: The Daily Rant Brings You The Daily Commute
2011: Not For The Shy
2010: A Barge And A Lady
2009: Easter Preparation Takes Its Toll
2008: Eddie In The Blue Friday
2007: The Man Filter
2006: There Is Still A Chance
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

This Is Everything

It should have never happened, but it did.

WTF is happening?  It's twenty-fucking-seventeen, people.

You're not going to shut us down.  


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Shocking
2015: Waiting For Turistas
2014: The Still Before The Storm
2013: Sizzle, Drizzle, And Pour
2012: Dreams Explored Over Dinner
2011: I’m In Love And It’s Not Even Valentine’s Day Yet
2010: Eddie As Fisherman Friday
2009: Birds And Barbells On Muscle Beach
2008: A Girl On The Shores Of Cozumel
2007: I’m Not Exactly Sure What You’re Proposing Here
2006: The Blizzard Of 2006
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

One More Day

Blue is the only one getting any sleep these days.  Oh, how I long for the life of a kitten.

We've been off since December 22nd, and I haven't had ONE day to myself.  NOT one.  I am behind on my blog, haven't gotten my nails done, haven't finished Christmas shopping yet (I have a few who will be late), and haven't had a nap since November.

I still have my Year End Meme to complete - which I know I won't get done before the end of the year - and by that time, I'll have three more posts to catch up on.  Argghhh.

My mother is almost moved in to her new place, so once that's done a lot of the running around will be eliminated, but we still have so much to do for our house.

I've been complaining for days. Months, really.  Not so much here on the blog, but to almost everyone around. I'm pretty sure luck is on my side since I've made it this far without waking up with duct tape on my mouth.  I have one more day.

I sure hope 2017 is better than this year has been.  But then again, there's that whole new president thing.

Oh my God.  We are so screwed.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: I Hope You Feel Small When You Stand Beside The Ocean
2014: Palm Print
2013: Give Me Ten Minutes, I'll Give You A Year
2012: Doesn't Look So Bad From A Distance

2011: They Really Mean It When They Say, “We Come To You”

2010: It’s Only Snow

2009: Once In A Blue Moon

2008: Have Wet Saw, Will Travel

2007: Spiritual Motivation

2006: Who Needs Paint Chips When You Can Just Use An Old Flag For Inspiration?

2005: The Promised Land

I Am One Of The Safe Ones

The thing this election has changed for me: for the first time, I walk my America and, meeting eyes, wonder if they are among the safe ones.

— Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites) November 15, 2016

Sadly, there are reports that support this feeling all over America. It's always been there, but since the election, the deplorables have come out in the open. They're bold with their hate. They seem to enjoy it.

It's unacceptable.  And what's even more egregious, is that the person at the helm, steering the ship, claims he's unaware and thinks it's a "very small amount".

I stand with Anand Giridharadas.

I stand with the victims of anti-Semitism, xenophobia, homophobia, racism, bigotry.

I stand with the victims of harassment and intimidation.  

I do not stand with hate mongers.  I do not stand with supporters of hate.  I do not stand with the people who voted in the hate.  You're on your own.  You created this backlash.  You emboldened the monster who terrorized our country for the past 18 months.  With your encouragement and support, his behavior, and this behavior has flourished.  It's disgusting.

I am one of the safe ones.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2015: The Birthplace Of The King
2014: A Whole Big Lot Of Love
2013: When A Pig Wraps Himself Around A Chicken Deliciousness Ensues
2012: Let The Stockpiling Begin
2011: From The Island To The Desert
2010: The Town I Was Dying To See
2009: Gleaming Curve
2008: Color Me Casual
2007: Eddie Goes Running Friday
2006: Forever Yours
2005: Home Away From Home

The Haunted Trade-Off

The Clougherty Packing Company is the West Coast's leading pork packer, making products sold under the Farmer John brand name.  This was their location in Tucson, Arizona.

The murals on the building have always been of interest to me.  Located in an industrial area just off the interstate, it was never a place I was in very often, but now we are in that area often since it's just down the street from where we have work done on our truck.

In recent years it's been used as a haunted house called The Slaughterhouse.  I had never been since haunted houses have never been my thing, but this year Ed really wanted to go.  But I really didn't want to go.  So I had to make a deal.  With the devil, apparently.  I needed him to do something for me and he wouldn't do it unless I went to the haunted house.  He flat-out refused to help me unless I agreed to traipse through this abomination.

So I sucked it up and went.  And I made it out alive.

Sometimes compromise works.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: High Shine
2014: Operating Empty In The Scenic South
2013: The Sun Shines For All Cyclists
2012: Lured Into A Tourist Trap
2011: Dining At The Buckhorn
2010: Ancient Details
2009: Framed By Fake Fall
2008: Let’s Hope This Five Year Old Is As Accurate With His Predictions As He Is With His Aim For The Toilet
2007: Belated Greetings From The Great Pumpkin Pile
2006: Working Man
2005: Black And White

He Needs A Personalized Plate

Really, dude?  

This guy parked like this right in front of the restaurant we ate at.  Prime spots, one lane over from the door.  

I can understand if you're paranoid about your car and don't want anyone parking next to you, but park like this on the other end of the lot, where it's wide open and you can take as many spots as you'd like.

This guy chose to be a douche. 

Why?

This is why people get their cars keyed.

He probably should consider a personalized plate.  I have a few ideas.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Get Down With Oscar
2014: Embrace The Heat Of Miami
2013: Oh, To Be A Kid
2012: Kind Of Like A Virtual Celebrity Bodyguard
2011: Jack & Jill Went Up A Hill To Fetch Some Aircraft Parts
2010: Live Longer. Live Better. And Be Sure To Have A Devil Dog Once In A While.
2009: How Can You Not Be In Love With The Man Who Invented Kisses?
2008: And We Wonder Why We’re The Fattest Nation On Earth
2007: Star Gazing
2006: Only A Southerner
2005: Do You Take Wolfgang Winkelmeyer To Be Your Lawful Wedded Husband?

The Short List

I found this illustration while flipping around the Power of Positivity website.

It was among several drawn by Gemma Correll to accompany an article about anxiety and depression.  Luckily, I've never suffered from either of those disorders, but I did chuckle when I saw the drawing because it made me realize that as I get older I say no to a lot of things.

My friend Kim is usually the one asking me to do those things.

"You wanna go to Laff's on Saturday night?"  

"No."

"What about Downtown Saturday Night?"

"Ugh.  I've been so many times.  I don't think so."

"How about the 4th Avenue Street Fair?"

"Why? So I can wander through crowded vendor booths looking at things I have no intention of buying while being harassed for money by homeless people with dogs? No."

"Well, what about the mall?"

"I don't really need anything. And it's so far."  It's ten minutes from my house.

"How about we hike Catalina State Park?"

"Did you just meet me yesterday?  Besides, two people died hiking in the park earlier this week.  Who goes hiking in the fucking blazing heat??  No."

"Wanna have Sweet Tomatoes for lunch?"

"Really?  A salad bar restaurant? I guess.  I'm not really in the mood for salad, but if you want to go.... Really?"

Don't get me wrong, Kim and I do a lot of things together.  But I do find myself saying no to a lot of other things.  It's not like I'm sleeping the day away or eating Cheetos on the couch, I'm just really more of a homebody and prefer to entertain myself (or others) IN my home.  

My entire life for the last twelve years - with the exception of the last few months - has consisted of being somewhere new almost every day.  I'm always on the move.  I'm always doing new things.  And I love that.  Miss it, actually.  But now that I'm home almost five days a week, I'm kinda getting used to being here.

Some people have a hard time saying no.  They need suggestions on how to master the task, or learn how to do it.  I'm not one of those people.  I'm not opposed to a "social life" or making new friends, but I'm very selective about who those people might be and where I have to go to meet them, and I don't like doing things I don't LOVE.  My time is valuable to me and I want to spend it mostly doing the things I like to do.

I need to start working on a list of things I can say yes to.

But I have a feeling it's going to be a very short one.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: From I Love Lucy To The Lily Of The Valley
2014: We Were Ear!!
2013: This Disturb's Me 
2012: Not Sure The Money Will Follow
2011: Trucking Al Fresco
2010: 3000 Miles To Squidland
2009: It Could Be Africa If It Weren’t For The Schlitterhahn
2008: How To Ace A Job Interview
2007: Diver Down
2006: Day Tripping
2005: Nipple Rock

The Populace Of Winter

La Placita Village in downtown Tucson

Iowa, Alaska, Wisconsin, Indiana.  These are some of the license plates I see around town.

Snowbirds.  Everywhere.

Blue hair, electric wheelchairs, early morning traffic.  Where are they going so early in the morning??

You're either stuck behind one in traffic because they drive so incredibly slow - what Ed would call "the safest driver in Tucson" - or you're trying to get out of their way because they're veering into your lane.  Just yesterday in the Kohl's parking lot, Ed was trying to get the attention of some old guy who was driving next to us with a coffee cup on his roof.  We couldn't catch him.

They're not the only hazards on the road, though.

This type of year also brings college students.  They drive way too fast, with screaming loud music and hoards of kids spilling out of open top jeeps.  Sometimes they also veer into your lane.

Driving around Tucson I realize I am the in-between.

I am not young, like the college students.

I am not old, like the snowbirds.

I'm right in the middle.

Where annoyed lives.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Two If By Sea
2014: Beauty And The Bleak
2013: Don't Even Ask
2012: Click Mouse, Make Money
2011: Buttons Beware. There’s Someone Cuter In Town!
2010: Eddie Dials Up The Lunch Order
2009: Trucking Superhere And Sidekick
2008: I’m Just A Goy In Love With A Boy
2007: When Pork Goes Pornographic
2006: Now Where Did I Put Those Underwear??
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Rock The Moc

Last night at dinner, Ed and my friend Kim decided they were going to walk Tumamoc Hill.  As always, Kim asked if I wanted to join them and as always I said, "Ummmm.  No."

In the wee (very wee) hours of the morning, because Ed couldn't sleep, he tapped me on the shoulder.  I turned toward him and he tapped me on the tip of my nose.  "Wanna come with me and Kim to Tumamoc today?" he asked.  I think I grumbled an answer.

It was 3 a.m.

At 6:45 a.m. I woke up, arranged my hair in a 'do that wouldn't scare strangers, and threw on my walking clothes and shoes, which are essentially regular clothes and shoes since I don't own clothes specifically for exercise.

We picked up Kim, drove to "The Moc" as the local freaks call it, and met up with our two other friends. Then we started up what Kim called "the easy part".

Fuck her.  It wasn't easy at all. 

The "easy part" was the longest hill I've ever walked - for exercise - in my life. I did a few hills like this in Italy, but c'mon, they were in Italy, where at the top of them you have the opportunity to reward your efforts with something quintessentially Italian - a panino, coffee, a cornetto, gelato.

But at the top of The Moc, from what I've been told since I've never been to the top, there's nothing.  Not even a soda machine.  At the one-and-a-half-mile mark there's a water fountain and a porta-potty.

Everyone went ahead of me, at my insistence, and I kept trudging on.  Step by step. 

People passed in droves.  Old people.  Young people.  Fat people.  Thin people.  As each one passed, I thought to myself, why the hell do people do this?  

I knew I was making a little progress though, because when I looked back I saw a considerable decline and a view.  I was actually higher than where I had started.

It wasn't hot, so that was a plus. And the people watching was interesting.

I eventually made it to the halfway point - see the yellow "You Are Here" star?  That's where I called it a day. Ed, Kim, Corey and Andy continued on, but only Andy and Ed went all the way to the top.

The one switchback was enough for me.  

My Map My Walk app clocked me at .97 of a mile, so I walked around a bit more to bump it up to a mile and waited for them rest of them to come back down. Before I plopped myself down on a bench to wait, I noticed a mailbox enhanced with a saguaro.

There was a question on it - I don't know if they change the question since this was my first time up here - that said, "What stereotypes are there about your community?  And how do they make you feel?"

Interesting idea, but I don't know how many people are hiking with a notebook. I'm usually fully equipped for any situation - pens, paper, safety pins, baby wipes, Sharpies, gum, etc. - but even I only had my phone and water bottle with me.  I did not leave my story.

Overall, I guess it wasn't horrible, but it just seemed like a chore, something to do and just get over with. At this point, I can't really see myself wanting to do it again.

The only positive comments I can make are that I had a good time with Ed and my friends (who were extremely proud of my effort, which made me feel great), it wasn't hot, and the view at the top was expansive.

You can see for miles and miles, which I suppose is nice, but I've seen this view before and once is really enough for me.  So there.  You have that.

Even friends thousands of miles away seemed to question my sanity.  At 7:59 a.m. as I was ascending the hill, I got a text from Marlaina that said, "Are you climbing that mountain?????"

FIVE question marks.  FIVE.  I kid you not.

She can see where I am because we keep track of each other through the Find My Friends app.  I'm sure she thought someone stole my phone.

I texted back, "I'm trying.  It's a bitch.  Kim, Ed, and Kim's friends Corey and Andy are way ahead of me."

"Jeez.  That's a little ambitious.  Are you drunk?"

She knows me so well.  Because, really, what other reason could there be for me to be climbing a 3,000 foot mountain at eight in the morning??

Her last text on the subject said, "I wouldn't even do it if I were paid in Stuart Weitzman shoes and Longchamp bags."

This coming from a very tiny, very fit person.

Then she sent me this article.

Just in the nick of time, too, because Corey sent me a Facebook event invite to "Walk The Moc" next week.  Now I might just have a really good reason for not going.

I don't want to die prematurely.



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2015: Hustle And Bustle In Ancient Guatemala
2014: The Flakes Got Up Early And Stayed All Day
2013: Headed For A Slow Boat To China
2012: A Roaring Forties Tasmanian Devil Of A Blue
2011: Waiter! There’s A Beer In My Soup!
2010: I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Wolf
2009: Eddie Getting His Licks Friday
2008: The Place Is In Ruins
2007: Winter Shadows
2006: The Angels Of The New York D.O.T.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!