Monday, January 6, 2025

Travel As of 12-30-2024

 

Travel Log





1963- NYC- World’s Fair
1964- NYC- Radio City Music Hall
1965- NYC- Radio City Music Hall
1966- WV- Black Water’s Falls; NY (Margaret’s cottage on the lake
1967- Quebec, Canada- World’s Fair
1968- VA- Williamsburg
1969
1970-
1971- Beach Haven- 28th street
1972- Beach Haven- 24th street
1973- Italy- Milan, Rome, Florence, Assisi, Pisa, Venice; Rhode Island 
1974- South Bend, IN- Notre Dame with Kathy; WV – Greenbrier Hotel; LBI
1975- LBI
1976- New Orleans- Mari Grad- Spring Break
1977- Florida (Key West- Spring Break), Massachusetts (Boston)
1978- Germany, France, Belgium, Holland with Barbara Matthews, NYC (New Year’s Eve, Time Square)
1979- Arizona
1980- Michigan (Women’s Music Festival), NY
1981- Canada (Montreal)
1982- England and Scotland- London, Bath, Castle Combe, Durham- PSU program
1983- CA- with Sam- winter break
1984
1985
1986- Arizona (Thanksgiving)
1987- England with Deb Green (winter break)
1988
1989- CA, CO (science Olympiad contest), LA (New Orleans-school conference)
1990- Italy, CA, Missouri (Science Olympiad)
1991
1992- Thailand, Texas (school trip)
1993Florida (conference), Ohio (PSU game0
1994CA (Sorensens), Semester at Sea Program- Bahamas, Venezuela, Brazil, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, Kenya, India, Malaysia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, CO (Colorado Springs with Sally Stark
1995CA (Rose Bowl); NY- Sarasota (Ed Leadership conference)
1996IL (Chicago)
1997- Spain, Chicago (St Patrick’s Day), TN (Nashville, Graceland), France (Paris), Alabama
1998- LA (New Orleans- school trip), Spain, Portugal, England, Missouri, Costa Rico with the Sorresens, sailing the Chesapeake Bay
1999- Tibet and Nepal, NC, CA, Canada (school trip)
2000- Ireland, CA, Boston (school trip), NC, British Virgin Islands-winter break
2001- Southern Africa-(South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe), New Mexico- spring break, NC, CA- (winter break; Christmas Bird Count)
2002- Italy, Peru (The Amazon River), Maine (Windjammer Cruise), Oregon- spring break, Ecuador (Galapagos Islands- winter break)
2003- India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Germany, SC-spring break, Belize-winter break
2004- Washington- spring break, Canada (Inner Passage), Panama- winter break
2005- Viet Nam and Cambodia, Wyoming- spring break, CO (Steamboat Resort- 50th bday celebration), Turks and Cacaos- Thanksgiving, Iceland, Panama- winter break, England (London for a four day weekend)
2006- Mongolia, Georgia, NC, Canada-spring break, Chicago (Sharon’s 50th bday), Aruba- winter break
2007- Canada (St. James Bay), Antarctic, Argentina, Utah, Alaska, Poland, Czech Republic,
2008- South Korea, Morocco, Greece, Canada, VT, NH, GA
2009 Bermuda- Christmas Bird Count, CO, NY
2010- Egypt, FL (Key West and Everglades National Park), CO, Road Trip with Jameson (OK, TN, AR, NM, TX), Nebraska- spring break
2011- Central America (SAS- Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Costa Rico, Panama, Guatemala) CO (Telluride Music Festival)
2012- Germany, Austria, China, South Dakota, Canada (Nova Scotia), Spain, CO, VT, NH, ME, DE, NY, MD
2013- Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Latvia, Germany, England, Haiti
2014- Jamaica, Nevada, California, Haiti, New Jersey, New York, Williamsburg (VA)
2015-  Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, India, China, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey

2016- AZ, Tanzania, VT, NY, NJ, CO, UT, DC, WY, ID, MT, GA, 

2017- Bhutan, Nepal, 
Germany, Puerto Rico, NY, DE, MD, PA, CT, GA, VA, AK, WA, DC
2018- Nepal, Wales, England, Jersey (UK); IO, WI, MN, AZ, VA, CO, DC

2019- Jordan, Israel, Palestine Territory, Bali, Indonesia, Canada, Bangladesh, Haiti, FL, DE, 
2020- Mexico, Belise, Honduras, Costa Rico, FL, SD, ND, MI
2021- UT, Route 66 (IL, IN, KS, NM, OK, AZ, CA, NV, NE, CO). PA. DE
2022- Barbados, Ireland, NV, CO, DC, NJ, VA, DE, AR
2023- Antigua, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, Azures, CO, NJ, DE, NY, DC, VA, TN, AL, WV, ME, RI, MD
2024- Switzerland, Lichtenberg, Rwanda, HI, PA, NJ, DE, VA, NY, MD (Ocean City)

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Highs and Lows of 2024

 Highs and Lows of 2024


  • I finally bought a new Apple computer and I love it. It's dark blue.
  • I got a notice from Amazon that my book review of the bible was offensive to someone and it was taken down and I've been warned not to offend people.  I thought my review was reasonable.
  • I went to see Bonnie Raitt in June.
  • I scored tickets to the Rolling Stones concert in June.
  • I scored tickets to Joni Mitchell's concert at the Hollywood Bowl in October.
  • Jim is diagnosed with prostrate cancer. he makes a full recovery.
  • I traveled to Switzerland and Lichtenberg for a week in March.
  • My trip to Henan Province, China was cancelled again.  Our program, WAFW, was expelled from SIAS University for a second time in six months.
  • I booked a trip to Rwanda to see the Silverback gorillas.  I travel in September.
  • There was a solar eclipse in April and this time I was prepared for it. But the showing was mediocre.
  • Kellys v Cancer: 6 and 0.
  • Quentin and his wife are expecting their first baby in December.
  • My good friend, Rosina, had a brain hemorrhage. It's hard to watch my high school classmates get so damn old so damn fast.
  • I signed up for a personal trainer to help me get in to better shape for my Rwanda trip.
  • There was an assassination attempt against Trump.
  • Biden dropped out of the presidential race in July.
  • Kamala Harris stepped up and stepped in to the POTUS race and half of the USA took a deep breathe of relief.
  • Our family Christmas in July(ish) Party was August 3 and it was a big hit.  I hosted the party.
  • I'm having numerous nose bleeds. So I had to have my nose cauterized which was unpleasant.
  • I need hearing aides and that annoys me because old people need hearing aids and I am not an old person.
  • My trip to Rwanda exceeded my very high expectations.
  • The November Presidential Election was a disaster.
  • I beat my Brewery Day PR, on November 2,  I went to 6 brewery in one day.  I am going to let this record stay. I have no interest in betting this record.
  • I went to Hawaii, my 50th state and I didn't like it.
  • My depression has been a problem since the election.
  • My cousin, Pam and her husband, Doug surprise me with a quick visit.
  • Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100.  I had a great deal of respect for him.  I didnt follow his career as the POYUS but he was an extraordinary elder statesman.
  • Sidney Vincent Staudt joined us and the world on December 29. Kathy now has a grandson.

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Photos of 2024


First snow in two years


The Wolf Moon
 

I was driving along a road in January and I saw this old house in south Delaware.  It caught my attention because I lived in a house that was the exact architecture when I lived in Williamsport, PA forty years ago.  I loved this ugly, old house.


The stars were out tonight- 2-24-24- Tylersville, PA


Zurich, Switzerland- March

NYC, NY




I understood the assignment.  I bought the beer for the family party.

Friday, January 3, 2025

Breweries 2024




 Breweries 2024


  1. Midnight Oil- Brewery- DE-  I had a porter, Hazy IPA, a watermelon ale and a heathen dark ale. I like to come to this brewery at least once a year.
  2. Victory Brewery- PA- we went to try the new Tastykake brew.
  3. Be Here Brewery- imperial stout, wild berry sour, water crest west coast IPA, north of here IPA. I come here in a yearly basis and always have, at least, one beer that is outstanding.
  4. Will & Bill's Brewery- Crown Tavern- DE
  5. Brick Works- DE- Ive been here before so I knew to expect good beers.  I had a stout and then a chocolate stout.  They tasted similar and both were high alcohol content so i didnt drink the second stout. And I had an Imperial IPA and a Winter Ale.  I left with a little buzz.
  6. Sly Fox Brewery- PA- my flight was delicious. I've been here a few times and the beers are always good. I added my IPA to my yearly list of favorite beers.
  7. *Swedesboro Brewery- NJ- my flight was delicious.  I had a stout, a winter ale, a hazy IPA and an IPA.  I liked all of them.
  8. Brealock Brewery- PA- I've been here before and my flight was good today.  I had a coffee porter, a hazy IPA, a DIPA and a blueberry Sour.  I have come to the conclusion that I will no longer order a soar.  As much as I like to try to like them, they never taste like a beer to me.  From here on, I am going to work on improving my palate for pilsners.
  9. Stolen Sun Brewery- PA- I go here a few times a year.  It's a place where Sally and Stacey like to go.  I had a flight of two IPAs, a coffee stout and a cherry dubbel.
  10. Wrong Crowd- I like the beer.  I don't like the vibe of this place.
  11. Artillery Brewery- Im not thrilled with the beers but I like the vibe of this place.
  12. Ironhill Brewery- WC, Ardmore
  13. Jakl brew works- DE
  14. *Devil's Backbone Brewery- VA- I had a flight and Brian had a flight and we shared a third flight and I took home a 4 pack of an IPA.  Yes, our beers were great.
  15. *Desperate Times- PA- I stopped here in the way home from Brian's house and had a flight of two IPAs, a winter ale and a stout.
  16. Dogfish Head Brewery- DE- I have a Berry IPA, a Hazy IPA, a Pumpkin Ale and a DIPA.  All of them were delicious and I brought home a growler of the hazy IPA and a bottle of an Imperial stout that is 15% alcohol.
  17. *New Trail Brewery- PA- Monroe County- I had two flights: a stout, a porter, a few hazy IPAs, an IPA and a Pale Ale.  Liked all of them.  But flights are too expensive.
  18. LeVante's Brewery- PA- I drank too damn much.  I had two flights and half of Barbara's beer and an 8 oz pour (I think. I remember holding a 1/2  pint glass.) They consistently make a great IPA.
  19. *BierWerk Zuri- Switzerland- I had a DIPA and a pale ale and both were good.  This was a popular place with a nice vibe but I didn't talk to anyone because of the language barrier.
  20. *Naked Brewery- PA- my coffee stout was delicious.  I had a DIPA, a west coast IPA and an east coast IPA and I can not distinguish the taste between these two beers.
  21. *Sunset Hill Brewery- PA- Bucks County- this place was just OK.  I wouldn't go back again.
  22. Sineputexent Brewery- MD
  23.  Bald Birds- PA
  24. *Columbia Kettle Works Brewery- PA
  25. *Local 315 Brewery- NY
  26. *Prison City Brewery- NY
  27. *Copper's Family Brewery- PA- Lackawanna County
  28. LaCabra Brewery- PA
  29. Workhorse Brewery- PA- my beers were mediocre.
  30. *Cheshire Brewery- PA
  31. *Tannery Run Brew Works- PA
  32. *Lonely Planet Brewery- PA
  33. Dewey Beer Company- DE- I went with Tricia and I had a flight and she has a sample of a sour beer.
  34. Crime and Punishment- PA- I was here about 8 years ago so it was nice to go back.  They don't offer flights, but like many others breweries they are offering 8 oz pours so I ordered two IPAs and a delicious stout.
  35. Blondes and Brewettes- PA- their Imperial Stout made my top five beers list.
  36. *Brewery ARS- Philly- I had a flight of hazy and imperial IPAs.  They were all delicious but mostly they tasted the same.
  37. *Truth Beer Company- PA- I liked the vibe of this place.  I had my usual IPA flight and the bartender offered me a pilsner to try and the conversation was fun.  I may go back there in the fall for their pumpkin beer. And I bought a tee shirt which is something I haven done before.
  38. *Eclipse Brewery- NJ- I really liked this place. I liked the vibe, the people and teh beers.  I had a DIPA, a coffee ale, a pale ale and a peach sour.  All of them were delicious and the flight was only $7. I was encouraged to come back again as the brewmaster thought their hazy IPA was their best beer.  And they make a pumpkin ale so I may have to go back in the fall.
  39. *Liquid Noise- PA- Perry County- a flight was only $10. I had a West Coast IPA, two hazy IPA, and an orange sour that I didnt drink becasue it was just too sour for me..
  40. *Axemann Brewery- PA- Snyder County 
  41. *Pineknotter Brewery- PA- Northumberland County
  42. *Turkey Hill Brewery- PA- Columbia County- I did not like the vibe of this brewery.  That's because the staff was not interested in the beer and the customers.
  43. *Fat Lady Brewery- PA- my 400th brewery to date. I was not impressed with the beers.
  44. *Drowned Lands Brewery- NY- I went here with Heather and her family and beers are sold in 7oz or 12 oz beers so I bought 7 of the smaller beers and Steve and I drank them and they were delicious.
  45. *Winchester Brewery- VA- I had a flight and I liked all of my beers but I particualry liked the West Coast IPA.
  46. *Leffe Brewery- Belgium- When I was in Rwanda, my guide told me that Leffe was his favorite beer. Do I was so delighted to be in the Belgium airport and saw that there was a brewery right by my gate. My beer was delicious.
  47. *Country Trail Brewery-PA- Susquehanna County- I only ordered a DIPA and it was delicious. And the bartender offered me a tasting of thier stout and porter.
  48. *Here and Now Brewery-PA-Wayne County- I did not like any of the beers in my flight.  I did not like this place at all.
  49. *Jam Room Brewery- PA-Pike County- this place as a friendly vibe.  I had a flight of a porter , a pumpkin stout and two IPAs.  I liked these beers.  I didn't love them.
  50. Yard's brewery- PA- It was Mary G's 70th bday party and what better place to host this big occasion.
  51. *Greystone Brewery-PA- this is a small restaurant that only brews one beer.
  52. Bar Hygee Brewery- Philly- this place serves mostly sours so I didnt get a flight.  They had a ginger IPA that was delicious.
  53. *Twisted Irons Brewery- DE- I came here with a friend who does not drink beer so i felt rushed. I will have to come back.
  54. *Ola Brewery-HI- my flight was so damn colorful but my beers all tasted the same.
  55. *Man Full of Trouble Brewery-PA- the only had sours so I won't be back but I like their commitment to opening this historical tavern.

Countries: USA, Switzerland

Best Beers of the Year

  • Arctic Fox- Sly Fox
  • Knucklehead DIPA- Columbia Kettle Works brewery
  • Mean Jean Flying Machine Imperial IPA- Copper's Family Brewery
  • Red Devil Backbone- Imperial IPA- Blondes and Brewettes
  • West Coast IPA- Winchester Brewery.

Beer Day; November 2: 6 breweries - new PR

400th Brewery- Fat lady brewery in Philadelphia

Beer Month: February - 9 breweries ( PR: 11 breweries- 2023

# of New Breweries: 32- new PR

Brewery of the Year: Truth Beer Company- I just loved the vibe fo this place. it is small but it has enough of a selection of beers to make the visit memorable. of course, the staff were engaging and encouraged me to come back for thier pumpkin ale.  I bought one of thier tee shirts which I have never done.  I enjoyed this place.

Accumulative Brewery visits to date: 410






Thursday, January 2, 2025

A Year in Review- 2024


2024

 A Year In PHOTO Review 



January


We had our first snow storm in 2 years and it was fun to be in the moment of this wonderment.  And then I got tired of it.


February


Brian, Cindy and I went to the Presidents' Heads museum in Williamsburg, VA.  It was so interesting and creepy at the same time.


March


I spent a week in Zurich, Switzerland

April



There was a solar eclipse on April 8.  I drove to upstate New York to be in the path of darkness.

May


I had dinner with my high school friends. It's been over 50+ years and we are still talking to each other.

June


The Rolling Stones Concert, June 11 @ the Linc in Philly. You cant always get what you want but if you try real hard you get what you need.,

July


I spent much of this month getting ready for my family's Christmas In July party in August.  Of all the things I had to get for the party, I was most confident in buying the beer.  But I have to admit, I went overboard with this assignment.

August


Our yearly family Christmas in July(ish) party. A lot of us showed up but not enough of us.

September




I went to Rwanda to see the silverback gorillas. I have wanted to do this trip for 20 years but never had the courage or confidence to do so. But one day, I made up my mind to sign up fro the trip and just do it.  i started with a personal trainer in May and went once a week and then I went to a stretch coach for two months prior and I was in the best physical conditions I have been in years.


October



I flew to see the one and only Joni Mitchell at the Hollywood Bowl in LA. My good friend, Sam, joined me there and I loved every damn minute of the concert. She played from 6:30 to 10PM. Brandi Carlisle, Elton John, Annie Lenox, John Baptiste, Ann Wilson, Lisa and Wendy, Mark Mumford and others joined her on stage.

November



I went to Hawaii, my 50th and final state to visit. I didnt really like this trip and I dont think I will return to Hawaii. It was too commercial and expensive.


December 

A star is born: N&N, the next generation, # 12.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

January 2024

January 2024

New Year, New Start, Same Bad Habits

PA, DE, NJ

1- M- PA

Happy New Year!

I woke up to a text from Quentin telling me that he has covid.  And then Kathy texted me to tell me that she also has it.  So I decided to stay in my apartment for the day to see if any symptoms emerge. 

Mason also texted me to thank me for joining him for dinner. I think we finally have a connection. And that thrills me.

Two days ago, I picked up anther book that retells the story of the January 6 Insurrection.  So most of my day was spent listening to Liz Cheney's book, Oath and Honor. Just like my last book, Enough, these stories fill me with anger.  How dare people jeopardize our constitution, our democracy and national well being.  This horrible event has divided our country to a point that I will never see a return to a bipartisan civility in my life time.

2- TU- PA

There is no turning back.  We are now entrenched in to 2024.  I am going to have to get used to writing this new number on all my documents.

I started my Mitt Romney book.  When I finish this book, I think I will move on from my January 6th obsession and move onto reading about the Israeli/Palestine conflict.

I tried my new AeroPress coffee maker and love it. There's no bitterness or coffee grinds in the cup. Any my press is a travel press so I'll take this to China with me.

I went to the front office because my scheduled clothing drive is not on the January newsletter as promised.  Since September, I have been trying to get a clothing drive up and going for an organization that supports Great Dames.  I asked in September for an October event and then was told that it had to be rescheduled for January.  Now I am being told that we wont have the drove until February.  I am embarrassed that I cant get this event off the ground.

Sharon, Gina, Susan and I sat in the lobby and chatted.  We all can't hear so lots of details in our stories have to be retold.  I am getting old.

3- W- PA

I drove to Delaware and bought a new Apple Laptop.  I was able to trade in my other Apple for $335 so this new one only cost $650.  I am so damn excited. It's midnight blue.  I think it looks like black.

Along the way, I went to the Newark farmers market. I love to go to this place as it is filled with all sorts of wonderful, exotic foods.  I didnt buy any food but I did buy a new mako 6 cup coffee pot. 

When I got home, I hung in the lounge and Kristen came by. I gave Kristen a THC gummie which she tried and then complained because her dreams were too wild. 

4- TH- PA

I'm reading Mitt Romney's book about his fall from the Republican party. The GOP is filled with cowards.

I read the Birding book that Brielle and Quentin gave me.  The book was terrible.

I waited all day for my new laptop to be ready. But I didn't get a call from Apple.  And they have both of my laptops. I’m without my laptops and I feel lost. 

Twitter: It’s not the time to discuss gun reform, immigration reform, Trump’s crimes. We only have time to talk about drag queens.

Quote
ACycledLife
@chillywillyh20
Mike Johnson to Jake Tapper: Now is not the time for immigration reform...it's too complicated.

5 -F- PA

I hadn't heard from the Apple store about my new computer so I was antsy. I called them and it was ready to pick up. I went there, got it, had a session with an IT guy and took off, just about dancing with excitement to finally have my new computer in hand.

On the way home, I made a stop at the Midnight Oil Brewery (1)- hazy, pumpkin, porter, watermelon pale ale and a heathen holiday dark ale.  I picked up a lobster grilled cheese sandwich from the food truck.

When I got home, I headed to the lounge.  A group of people were attempting to get something going on in the lounge tonight and while people showed up, the frustration of the TV's capabilities to show a movie on demand frustrated most of us.

I did hang and had a conversation with Kevin and Steve which was disturbing.  It appears as if Connie has dementia and is so bad now that she has to move to a facility to accommodate her needs.  She will leave this month and Rick will follow her next month.  This news is upsetting to me.

I finished my Mitt Romney book.  I think I have to move on to a theme other than the demise of the GOP and the deplorable January 6 Insurrection. The cowardliness of this party is just maddening.

Twitter: NY AG filed a brief arguing that Trump should pay $370,000,000 for “ill-gotten gains through their unlawful conduct.” she also seeks to “impose statewide permanent industry bar on Trump and 5 year bar on Eric Trump & Donald Trump, Jr.” #TrumpCrimeFamily

6- SA- PA

It snowed today. And it screwed everyone up for fear that this would turn in to a blizzard but it turned in to rain and now it is cold, windy and wet and miserable.

I slept in my dark bedroom and listened to podcasts.

But in the evening, I made it to the lounge and hung with the pool players.

7- SU- PA

I had another damn restless night. It was insufferable. I was wide awake until 8 AM. So I put on a new audiobook and slept until noon. I hate these long nights. My eyes are too tired to read. I don't have any energy. I am on the verge of falling asleep but I just cant get there.

The Eagles are playing and they are playing poorly. And everyone here is mad. So, no one watched the game and there was lots of interest around the pool table. Andy showed up so I went upstairs and grabbed a few beers for us. Then Barb went and got me another beer and I finished the might with a buzz.

Today was supposed to be Heather's birthday celebration. But she cancelled it because of her concerns with covid.

8- M- PA

I had a productive day (for me!!). I had to get blood work done today so that I had it for my Wednesday Prolia injection. Of course, I didn't have an appointment so I had to sit and wait at the blood lab. The wait wasn't too bad. Now I'm anxious to see if my protein levels are up. Last time I had blood work, I had a protein deficiency.

I went to the dentist and everything looked good and I was dismissed but the damn dentist chimed in and said he wanted to do an X-ray on my cap (the same one that gave me a problem while I was in Greenland). I should have never told him about that situation. Now I have to get a new cap and my insurance is shitty so I have to shell out $345.

The I went to Aldi and picked up a few things and didn't go crazy with buying stuff I don't need.

I got a notice from Main Line Health. They are imposing a mask mandate for anyone who comes in to the facility. Covid is such a pain in the ass.

Kevin and Joanna stopped by the lounge. It was nice to chat them up. We made arrangements to go on Thursday to Jake's to get new 2024 tee shirts and then to Victory to try their tasty-kake crumb cake beers.

I sent out my survey for the Christmas in July party. I anticipate comments and ridicule to start arriving soon.

9- TU- PA

I slept so well last night. But I did have another of my reoccurring school dreams.

CS sent us an email, telling us to take things off our balconies as a wind storm is coming our way. Whenever I receive one of these emails, I always think it is directed at me personally since I have the most junk on my balcony. I did move things but I am sure it is not to management's liking.

I got to my mammogram appointment in plenty of time only to discover that I signed up for the wrong service. I need a diagnostic mammogram which is a bit more sophisticated than the regular exam and it is only done in certain locations. So now I have to reschedule and the only available time is Friday, Jan 19 which is the date I am supposed to go to PSU with Jaye, Dom, Sharon and Glenn.

On Tuesday, the Movie Tavern in Exton has $7 movies. I went to see The Boys In The Boat, a book I read about 10 years ago. The movie was a real feel good movie.

I came home to about an hour of the electrical power flickering off and on.

Sharon and I chatted on the phone. And then I listened to podcasts in the dark.

I got my new lease for this year. My rent is going to be $2127. When I signed my first lease in 2017, it was $1700/month. Fortunately, my SSI check can still cover my rent.

Twitter: Yes, that’s my plan!!

Quote
Dan
@Dancthoms
Would you piss on trump’s grave, given the opportunity?

Twitter: I wonder how much time Trump will get for sharing data with Russia and others.

10- W- PA

It's Prolia Day. I got my shot and I have high hopes for continued success with this dangerous drug.

As I was getting my hair cut, there was a woman across the room from me who was dedicating her hair to Locks For Hope, a cancer organization that makes wigs for cancer patients. All of the hair is donated by other people. this woman was under the impression that hair salons give free haircuts for these participants. But this salon doesn't. So I left her money for her haircut.

Larry and I had Sharon's beer that she gave me for Christmas.

Debbie came in to the lounge in good spirits. She kicked Jeff out of the apartment. He is off the lease. She is filing for divorce. He is off to Costa Rico until further notice. And there seems to be some peace with her.

11- TH- PA

I slept well but I had yet another reoccurring school dream. This time, I had to take a group of kids to Asia.

I had a surge in readership on my blog; 276 people viewed my posts today. I wonder who they are and what they are reading.

Kevin and I went to Victory Brewery (2) to try out their new Tastyskake brew. We stopped at a WaWa along the way to pick up the cakes so that we could do a comparison of the taste. And I have to say, the two products tasted similar.

I didn't go down to the lounge until after 10PM. In the past few months, the pool table has become very popular and the lounge has been crowded ad this has distracted me form getting anything done. So I decided to go later.

Kim stopped in and talked to me about her mother's recent health scare. Kim found her at home, passed out, vomiting and incoherent. Her mother is 80 and without a will, power of attorney or a living will. So, of course, I had to be a know-it-all and offer her my legal advise. I wonder if I will ever reach a point in my life where I just keep my mouth shut. I doubt it.

12- F- PA

I had ambitious plans for today. I was going to drive to the new Hindu Temple in NJ and then find a brewery. I went here in October when it opened up. But at that time, they were only letting Hindi people in and I didn't fit their profile of a Hundu so I was turned away at the gate. But now, they are letting the non-believers in.

I slept well and I didn't wake up until 12:30PM and it took me a few more hours before I was fully functioning. So I scaled back my plans and decided to to the Amish Market in Oxford and then zip over to the Be Here Brewery for their Imperial Stout that's on tap now. I missed that opportunity as well.

I was distracted my an email from Kevin W. Something happened at SSD and Dan T appears to have been fired. The email informed the entire staff that Dan was going to be released because of budget cuts. And he was going to finish the school year remotely. He had been banished from the district. Sue called me and then Karen contacted me and I chatted with both of them. Then I had to call Sue back and give her the gossip that Karen gave me and then we had to complain about the injustice of the district administration and that they could go fuck themselves, And then it was dark and I didn't want to set out on a 45 minute drive to go drinking. So I hung in the lounge and hung with my neighbors.

Twitter: The Orange idiot was ordered to pay The New York Times and its reporters almost $400,000 in legal fees. it's not enough for all of the damage he has done to this country. #LockHimUpAlready.

13- SA- PA

OMG, people are reading my blog.  I wonder which posts they are reading.  I better work harder on what I am posting.  Who are these people and how are they access my blog in light of the fact that I have everything posted on a dead platform.  Yesterday there were1288 views.

I met Bill and Pat at Kelly's Art center in Haverford.  The John Byrn Band was performing a salute to Shane McGowen and the Pogues and the music was great. I would like to come back to this venue more often.

14- SU- PA

In the afternoon, we had a beer tasting tasting in the lounge.  There were 7 of us and we tried about 14 different beers and I didn't like most of them.

As we were drinking away, Gina came in to talk about a woman sleeping on the sidewalk, right in front of the Rite Aid. Gina went up and got her a pillow and I got her a mylar blanket and we walked up to her usual bench on Gay Street.  We couldn't see her but we saw all of her junk on the ground.  It wasn't until we were right in front of the pile when we realized that she was the pile.  She was wrapped up in blankets and sleeping right on the sidewalk.  I had to bend over to talk to her. And I was blown away to think that someone who lives down the street from me, sleeps on the sidewalk.  She refused our help.  But I tucked my blanket in the fencing bear her.  Maybe she will use it after we leave.

15- M- PA

It's snowing.

I had plans to go to the Uptown Theater tonight to watch Selma, a great movie about the Civl Rights Movement.  But the snow eat away at my motivation.  I was supposed to go with Sharon E and at a low point, I suggested that I drive the two of us to the theater, just a five minute walk away.  I was too damn lazy to face the cold, the wind and the snow.  That silly solution to the weather was enough for Sharon to back out of going.  And so I jumped on the opportunity to cancel as well.

I spent this new found time on making phone calls.

I checked in with Cindy and Brian and I am going there for his birthday in February. We are going to the state park that holds all of the statute heads of prior presidents.  It should be a fun, funny and creepy exhibit it.

I checked in with Caitlin and confirmed that August 3 is the best date to hold out family's Christmas in July party. We also made plans to get together fro dinner.

I checked in with Kathy to make sure this date is good for her. I also told her that she is not sending enough photos of the little girls.

The Eagles are playing tonight and they are bombing the game.  If they lose tonight, they are out of the play offs.  If they win, we continue.  I'm sort of hoping that they lose.  I am growing tired of this season.

Twitter: He’s slipping. In 2020, the orange idiot won Iowa with 97% of the votes. It looks as if he’s losing some of his base this time. #VoteBlue2024 #TrumpIsATraitorAndCriminal

Twitter: Convicted rapist. Serial liar. Serial sexual assaulter. 91 counts. 4 indictments. 3 failed marriages. Sex with a porn star. Hateful. Bigoted. Pussy grabber. Stole classified documents. Incited an insurrection. Sucky-baby whiner. Loser.

16- TU- PA

It's fucking cold today.  It snowed through the night and we now have 3 inches of snow everywhere. Tricia and I were supposed to have dinner tonight to celebrate her retirement but she does not want to go out tonight.

I just hung in the lounge. But I did get stuck on a podcast about a woman who faked pregnancies so that she could abuse doula workers in Canada. The situation was disturbing.

17- W- PA

It's fucking cold today and I am not going outside.  Ice is everywhere. I was supposed to have dinner with Sue tonight.  But she called me and asked if I was worried about the snow. That means she is so I cancelled. We will reschedule and have something when Kevin gets back in town from Germany.

Sharon and Jaye cancelled our weekend trip because it is projected to be cold and snowing like hell.

Sharon E came to the lounge, looking for me.  We had made plans in the afternoon to watch a movie together.  She couldn't get the lounge TV to work so we watched Ruskin in her apartment. About a year ago, we went to Uptown to see the documentary about this man who was an effective, invisible leader of the civil rights movement.

18- TH- PA

We are still in an arctic freeze and I have been shut in my apartment building for days now and I am climbing up the walls.  I have to break out or die. I looked up breweries in Montgomery County but decided to go to Be Here Brewery (3) in Avondale.  I've been here a few times and it's an easy place to hang.  My beers were good but I was so full for some reason that I had trouble finishing my flight.

19- F- PA

We had 3 inches of snow fall throughout the night. Now, everything is a mess. Schools are closed.  The roads are empty and I have a 3PM mammogram appointment. I got a call from the Breast Center, asking if I could come in early.  So I was at the office by 2 and everyone was being pushing through as quickly as possible.

A radiologist read my results and found nothing but also added that this test may not be an effective measurement. I think mammograms are a waste of time.

When I got back to CS, two people were heading out to drink away the afternoon.  They asked if I wanted to join them.  I suggested that they text me later and I would catch up with them.  And I did and eventually so did Larry, Greg, Barb and Michelle.  We went to Saloon 151, the Social Club and Bar Avalon.  The rest of the group went on to the Square Bar but I called it quits at that point. i was finished for the night.

Twitter: Why wouldn’t Melania let the orange idiot in the car with her at her mother’s funeral. Does she hate him as much as the rest of us?

20- SA- PA

It's still very cold and snowy so I am going nowhere today.

I got a notice from Amazon that my book review of the bible was offensive to someone and it was taken down and I've been warned. I can not believe my review was removed.  There was so foul language or a personal attack on anyone. I wrote something like "this book is filled with violence, intolerance and hate.  If you re looking for a book to guide your life, may I suggest you try reading a variety of books."

In the evening, I hung in the lounge and Kristen brought me some gummies to help me sleep.

Twitter: "We see that Biden has changed so much in 2 years. But last night Trump is at a rally & he’s going on & on mentioning me multiple times as to why I didn’t take security during the Capitol riots. Why didn’t I handle Jan. 6 better? I wasn’t even in D.C. on Jan. 6." Nikki Haley🤣😂

21- SU- PA/DE

I had a dream that I got hit in the back of the head by a lead pipe and the attack was so vicious that it woke me up and I was a bit bewildered.  I couldn't tell if I had actually been hit in the head or not.

It's cold but not as cold as it has been this week.

Sharon, Glenn, Jaye, Dom and I met for lunch at the Crown Tavern which is an upscale restaurant for Will & Bill's brewery (4).

DeSantis dropped out of the GOP Presidential race.  That puts a squeeze on Nikki Haley to stay in.  Trump is really going to turn on her now.  But I hope she stays.  I dont think Trump is gigot o make it to the election.  His health and his mental state seem to be falling apart right before our eyes.

I told Kristen that my bible review was taken down and she is stunned that I actually spent any time in writing a view of the bible.  I started getting in to a discussion about my concerns about Evangelical Christians becoming too powerful in our country.  And I am feeling squeezed out as a non=Christian.

In other important news, I finally found a complete list of PA breweries that include the brewery, the town and the county.  It is going to be a great help as I move along with my goal to visit a brewery in every county on PA.

22- M- PA

I had high ambition for today but nothing materialized for me.  I am a lazy ass. I did do some cleaning in my apartment.  But, of course, I could have done more.

23- TU- PA/DE

I went to Bombay Hook in search of my snow geese.  And, of course, they weren't there.  I knew they were further down the road and I brought my toiletries with me so that I could stay overnight if I wanted to do so.  But I didn't. So I surrender in frustration and just came home.

But, on the way home I stopped at Brick and Brew (5)- DE.  I rediscovered this brewery last year and I liked it.  again, I enjoyed my beers today.

Twitter: Before the 2020 election, Trump predicted a Biden win would cause “a stock market collapse the likes of which you’ve never had.” Biden tweeted a clip of this prediction with a clip from Fox News announcing record #s for the Dow & the S&P 500. “Good one, Donald,” he wrote.😆😂😅

24-W- PA

OMG, I slept so well and I didn't wake up until noon. And I couldn't get out of bed until 4.  And I had to hurry at that because I wanted to get a good seat in the lounge for the big pool tournament.

The pool tournament was well attended and fun.  There were six teams and expectations were high. Pete and Kevin won the tournament again this year.  And the younger male players were pissed.  They thought for sure that they would beat the two old men.

I spoke with Jerrie last night.  She is fumbling to keep things together. She's opening new programs in both Mexico and India and there doesn't seem to be enough structure to the programs.  To add to the situation, China will pick up its program in late February and will only run for 4 modules rather than the 8 modules.  So now, no decision has been made as to what I will be teaching in two months.

25- TH- PA

Sharon held two Great Dames events this afternoon and I attended both of them.  Joanna joined me for one event and I was sorry I invited her becasue it was more  of a maintenance meeting rather that a presentation.

In between GD events, I snuck off to the Sly Fox brewery (6)- PA.  I am adding the Arctic Fox IPA to my list of favorite beers for the year.

I thought about Pat Tancredit today so I looked her up on google and sure enough, she's died recently.  The number of people I worked with at one time are now mostly dead. I am getting old.

26- F- PA/DE

I had another one of my damn reoccurring school dreams.

The fog is intense today, as it was yesterday. It's a bit creepy. Driving is a challenge.

In the afternoon, I went to the movie with Jaye, to see American Fiction. This film was great. Afterwards, we went to dinner at Anthony's Pizza.

Trump was ordered by the court to pay a woman $83,000,000 for defamation of character over an allegation that he raped her years ago.  Good and fuck him.

Twitter: "I want to say about Trump's exit today, that might be a surprise or drama on TV, in real life in federal court it is mind-boggling. It just doesn't happen, it just drips with contempt for the whole process, for the plaintiff, for the jury." Litman, DOJ attorney

27- SA- PA

It was another dreary day and I just laid around and listened to an audiobook. I started this book last week and then I didn't listen to it for several days is I had to go back and listen all over again.  The book is by John Greene who writes about adolescents.  And this story seems to be the same story as another book I read that he wrote.  The characters have changed names but the plot seems to be the same.

When I realized that I hadn't seen Tricia since before Christmas, I made arrangements to have brunch with her tomorrow.  I decided against meeting up for dinner since it's been so foggy.  I know she wouldn't go out at night if this fog keeps up.

I sat in the lounge in the evening and Greg had his friends from his bible study group.  They were playing pool and I was listening in on thier conversations.  They were kind men.

Twitter: Why aren’t more people laughing at the orange idiot for his stupid idea of a dome across America? This should be the #1 example of his dementia. The idea is ridiculous.

Twitter: Trump is a cancer on our country.

28- SU- PA

The sun didn't come out and join us again today. I can't rememberwhen I last saw the sun. It's been so damn gloomy. And it looks as if we may not see the sun fro another 5 days.

I went to pick up Tricia for our celebration lunch and Bill joined us. We went to an Indian resturant and over ordered and overate and the food was delicious and I was full before my entree even made it to the table.

We ordered a crepe with chick peas and potatoes and a grilled chicken appetizer and onion naan bread. I ordered a chicken marsala and could barely eat any of it. So I will eat it tomorrow. Can't wait.

When I came home, I went to the lounge to see who was around. There were a few people there but there were two younger women who were hanging and they get on my nerves a little bit. So I left them and went upstairs and tried to watch a movie on my phone but I just don't have the attention span anymore to watch anything when I am in my apartment.

Trump is twitting today that he lost his law suit becasue he had a lousy lawyer. And yes, he did have a lousy lawyer. But he is an ass who wouldn't keep his mouth shut and when you are in the midst of a defamation lawsuit, maybe you should stop defaming the plaintiff.But that is just too much to expect of Trump.

In light of the fact that Pat Tancredi just died, I looked up Liz Burack, another coworker from years past. And, yes, she is also dead. She died 15 years ago. So, when I started as a high school principal, there were 6 principals in the district. Now, three of them are dead and three of us remain. I am getting old. And I have to stop searching to see who's died in my former life.

29- M- PA

I slept well last night, woke up late, got dressed, make something to eat, watched Jeapardy, planned out my day, went down to the lobby to pick up a package, came back to my apartment and slipped back in to bed to listen to my audiobook for five hours. And then it was dark and the day was done for me.

The whole country is abuzz about Taylor Swift. She is dating one of the football players on the Kansas Chiefs and he is going to the Super Bowl. Now Republicans are afraid that she is going o be asked to perform at the Super Bowl and at half time, she is going to get on the stage and endorse Joe Biden. Some people have accused this billionaire woman of being a gold digger because her boyfriend got a $70,000 bonus for making it to the Super Bowl.

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30- TU- PA/NJ

It was another gray, cold, windy, damp day. I need sunshine and warmth. But on a positive note, I slept well and I got up a little earlier than usual.

My tee shirts for China came in today. I ordered three of them for some of my students and it is so hard to figure out their sizes as they are so damn tiny. But I still got them a M. The shirt is black with white lettering: The Future Is Female. I think they are going to like them even if they swim in the shirts.

I made it to NJ to the Swedesboro Brewery (7) and I liked it. I had a flight of a stout, a winter ale, a hazy IPA and an IPA. And I left with a slight buzz. They offered 8 oz cans to go but they were $3.75 each and that was just too damn much.

I finshed my book, Paper Towns by John Greene. I can't decide if I liked it or not. He's written several books and I'v read two of them and they seem to have the same plot. The female character is mystiuous and aloof and suffers from depression. And males are attracted to her mysterious ways and go to extraordinary lengths to be with her.

One of my WAFW/ULAb students posted this on LinkedIn: Excited to share that I'm now a mentee in the UNESCO & Women@Dior women empowerment program by Christian Dior Couture! This fantastic initiative brings together over 2,000 talented young women from 59 countries, uniting us in a mission to empower ourselves, support each other, and contribute to a more sustainable world. Thrilled to be among the 120 mentees selected worldwide for the 2024-2025 cohort. 

What an honor and opportunity for her!!! When I think of all the good things that happen to so many of our WAFW women, I just cant believe it. We have one student studying in Canada, England, the USA, and Wales and great things are happening for them.

Twitter: In Illinois, GOP board member Catherine McRory voted to allow Trump’s name on the ballot but said she “wanted to be clear that this Republican views that there was an insurrection on Jan. 6.” THERE IS SOME HOPE FOR THE GOP!!!

31- W- PA

I got up today, got dress and ready for a full day. It was my intention to drive to Robbinsville, NJ to explore the new Hindu temple. It's the largest temple in the world, outside of India. And then there was a new brewery I wanted to try. But just as I was about to leave my apartment, I saw a text from Jerrie that she wanted to hold a zoom meeting tonight. And while the meeting wasn't going to take place until 9PM, I was hesitate to be that far away from home. So I made new plans.

I went to Braeloch Brewery (8) in Kennett Square, PA. I go here about once a year. The beers are always good. I had a coffee porter, a hazy IPA, a DIPA and a blueberry sour. All were delicious but I have decided that I am no longer ordering sour beers. They just don't taste like a beer. So, instead, I am going o wrk on expanding my palette for pilsners.

I came home and watched some of the trial of the mother who is being charged for manslaughter because her son murdered four of his classmates and the mother knew he had mental health issues, was angry and despondent. And then she bought him a gun for his 15th birthday. And on the day of the shooting, she was called to school and told that he was drawing bullets and guns and a mental health assessment was suggested and she denied that request and let him go back to the classroom. He had the gun in his back pack and within the hour, he gunned down his four classmates. What a fucking mess for this whole family. Her husband is also being tried for the same crime. The whole family is in jail.

Jerrie held a zoom meeting to discuss what we will be teaching in China. The program is a year behind and in great disarray. It looks as if I will be teaching Module 2 which is what I taught in Bangladesh. I wish I had saved what I taught. Now I have to start anew.

Twitter: I was born in 1955 and there were 2.8 billion people in the world; today there are 8 billion people. We better come to grips with the reality that migration is going to be a never ending issue. This is a worldwide humanity issue. #ImmigrationReformNow

Twitter: Haley's campaign manager told donors that her fight against Trump is a battle for the future of the GOP & the country. Ankney warned that nominating Trump could cost the GOP not just the WH but control of Congress as well. #VoteBlue2024 #TrumpIsATraitorAndCriminal