Friday, December 1, 2023

December 2022




 December 2022

Lauren Gets Married

It Gets Cold

PA, NV, DC, DE

1- TH- PA

I joined Truth Social, Trump's bogus twitter site.  Don't ask my why I joined; I just did. But i dont have any followers and it looks like my posts aren't visible to anyone.

OMG, it was a gorgeous day.  It was in the high 40's and sunny and it felt warm.

I met Fran T at the DK diner (bday goal) for lunch.  He wanted to talk about his road trip through Route 66.

After Fran left, I went to the BMFI to watch a movie, Amragenden

La Cabra brewery (1) now has a taproom in Bryn Mawr.  So I stopped there after the movie, Amragenden

Kristen stopped by the lounge as Steve was chatting me up.  She said she was willing to drink two more pumpkin ales and I was so damn happy for her offer.  So I ran upstairs and grabbed two beers and we sat by the fireplace and drank them and had fun.

2- F- PA 

I had two more of those damn school dreams.

For lunch, I went to Carmines Pizza (bday goal). I had a cheese grinder. It was good but I don't think I will go back here again.

In the afternoon, I called and had a conversation with Andy about our trip to Colorado in January. Clay and I are going there and I am going to drop Clay off at Andy's house so those two can do some winter sports things.  Thank god for Andy.  I have no interest in skiing, sledding, ice skating or cross country skiing.

The annual Christmas Parade (bday goal) is back after a two year Covid hiatus.  It wasn't too cold but I think Christmas things are only fun if you have a kid with you. Next year, I am going to have to find some kid to hang with me for this event

Debbie had a party.  It was loud, crowded and fun.  The food was great.  She hired a bartender who made all sorts of drinks for us.

3- SA- PA/NV

Debbie texted me early this morning to tell me that Diane Palladino died last night.  Diane had a brain bleed. She had just had brain surgery and was still trying to stay on top of her six year battle with cancer. Im going to miss her.

We leave for Vegas this evening. Lauren and Mike are getting married on Monday.

Yard's Brewery  is at the airport (2) so William and I sat down and had a beer and then split another and that was enough for me.

4- SU- NV

I had another reoccurring school dream.

Vertigo plagued me today.  I was so damn dizzy that I was a little afraid to do anything.  I was afraid of falling.

We had dinner with Mikes family @ Joe's Steak and Stone Crab Restaurant.  I ate like a fucking pig. Mike's dad ordered three plates of the stone crabs for the table.  Each plate was $199 and those prices make me nervous.  That's too much food and too much of an expense.

5- M- NV

It's Lauren and Mike's wedding day. They will marry in Valley of the Fire State Park.

Our reception is at Marth Stewert's restaurant

6- TU- NV

William, Tricia and Bill went off somewhere early in the morning.  Islept in.  But in the afternoon, I walked down to the Trustworthy Brewery (3).  It was stunning to be in the place and the prices were reasonable.  All of the casino prices are offensive.  But this place was good.  The beers were good and I ordered a brisket mac and cheese.  So life was good.

Then I walked to the Beggillio's Hotel glass exhibit

7- W- NV/PA

We head home today. It's a full day of travel as we check out of the hotel, return our rented car, wait to get through security, wait for the plane to arrive, board, wait some more, fly for 3+ hours, wait for luggage, wait for the car parking shuttle to pick us up, take the shuttle, load the car, drive to Berwyn and split up, drive to my apartment and finally open my apartment door.

Tweet: Do you think Herschel is home in TX already? #WarnockDelivered #Warnock51

8- TH-PA

Last week, Kristen gave me a gummy to help with my sleep.  I wanted until last night to try it and I slept well and late into the afternoon.

In the evening, Kristen joined me in the lounge and we tried more pumpkin beers and now I am out of options to give her.  We will have to wait until next year to try our sailing again.  But we did decide to drive to NJ on Monday to buy some THC dummies.

An American basketball player was released from a Russian prison today.  She was picked up in a russian airport in February for having a vape cartridge and arrested for drugs.  She was trained for an arms dealer and now there is great controversy that she doesn't deserve to come home because she doesn't stand for the flag.

Tweet: #TrumpFailed to negotiate a release for #PaulWhelan .

9- F- PA

This morning was Diane Palladino's funeral. Her brother spoke for about 20 minutes and then a priest gave a blessing and told a few jokes about marriage.  Afterwards, we had a reception right here at Chestnut Square and it was a nice salute to Diane.  I wish we had just one more time with her.  told her son that no one was surprised by her death but we were all heartbroken.

In the evening I was ushering at Uptown. They had a dreadfuls, silly christmas show. OMG, it was awful. I hate christmas shit.

Tweet: It’s hard for me to understand why we aren’t all celebrating that we were able to free an American from the horrors of a Russian prison. Welcome home Brittany. Still hoping for #PaulWhelan to return as well.

Tweet: A real American would celebrate the safe return of another American from the claws of Russia.

Tweet: John Bolton, who was the national security adviser under the orange idiot from 2018 to 2019, told CBS that the Trump administration had the opportunity to trade #PaulWhelan for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout in 2018. But declined the offer.

10- SA- PA/DC

I drove to DC to pick up Many Tao. She quit her job in China and is staying in AZ with Jerrie but is trying to find a job in DC.  We went to a Thai place for lunch which was delicious.

In the evening, we went to Franklin brewery MD- (4) where I had a delicious flight and chicken wings.

11- SU- DC/MD/PA

On the way home from DC, I stopped at the Mob Town Brewery - MD (5)- A flight was 5 pours of 5 oz beers.  That was too much for me to drink and then drive. So I just had two hazy IPAs, one coconut stout and one dry stout. I liked them all. The place was supposed to close at 6 which is about when I was leaving.  But the crowd just kept coming in and packing the place. it was happening here.

Twitter: Every time I post anything about the orange idiot, Twitter asks me if I want to reconsider my choice of words. Little do they know that I have considered my choice of words. I didn’t use “fucking”.

12- M- PA

I started out late to go to Bombay Hook to see the snow geese.  They are back.  But I started out later than I had planned and there was a huge accident on the edge of town and it delayed me even more.  And I wasn't going to get to Bombay until 15 minutes before the sun set.  That was too, too late.  So I texted Kristen and told her that she had to go to Ironhill Brewery (5) with me as they still had pumpkin ale on tap and I jus knew this was going be my last pumpkin all of the season.  As it turned out, they were out of their pumpkin  ale so my pumpkin ale season is official finished. And now i shall move on to Russian Imperial stouts.

13- TU- PA

I had a noon dentist appointment and most of the people are new to the office just since I've been there in June 2022.  My dentist wasn't there but there was an Indian dentist who looks similar to her and has the same vocal tone. I found it confusing.  She found a small cavity and wants to watch it.  I should have told her that i wanted it filled.  Then she said that a piece of a crown fell off but didn't offer a solution.  When the dental hygienist came in, she noticed it and asked when I was coming back to get it fixed. So I asked her to fix it right now.  I think I may look for a new dentist.

Someone asked me if I was ready for Christmas and I had to stop and think about how to answer that question. Do I tell the truth that I dont give a shit about christmas or do I just answer to keep this discussion off my back.  after a long pause, I just said, "Almost" and left it at that.

Afterwards, I went in search of my missing scarf.  I went to Pandera's and the movie theater in Wilmington and neither place had my scarf.  I am so damn annoyed with me.

I booked a trip to Greenland for late September. It will be for 14 days.  I will have to be placed with a stranger for a roommate and the trip is going to cost about $10,000+.  Im excited and frightened at teh same time.  I booked a kayaking trip and that may be a bit too dangerous for me.

Pete came down to the lounge and we probably talked for three hours.

14- W- PA

It was our community holiday party and it was well received.  I think 60 people showed up. We were back to our pre-covid crowd. We had so many people that the caterers ran out of food.

Afterwards, I brought down some beers and Kevin, Pete, Rick and I tried out some beers. And then we decided to get together tomorrow and go to Jake's Bar and LeVante Brewery.

15- TH- PA

Our beer rondavez was cancelled due to road conditions and hours of operations.  We shall try again tomorrow. I'm looking forward to Jake's bar.  I may buy a teeshirt.  And it's always nice to go to LeVante.

I found my BOSE ear buds.  I am so happy as they are my favorite buds.  Now I have to find my lost, favorite scarf.

It rained all day and temperatures hovered near freezing so I stayed in the lounge all afternoon.  The roads were just too bad for travel. Debbie got home early from work so she came down to the lounge as well. Dom was here. Jeff, Sharon and Steve stopped by as well.

My trip to Colorado with Clay is booked except for a hot springs visit.  I can't figure out if these places don't book that far in advance or if they close fro the winter. We are going to take a train ride through the Rio Grande Gorge.

In the 1970s, A Separate Peace was a book every high school kid read.  I tried to listen to this audiobook last week but it was so dull and I couldn't get through the first hour of the book. So I watched the movie and it, too, was a bit dull.  It's funny how dated the movie is.

Last night, the orange idiot let the world know that he had a big announcement to make today.  People speculated that he was going to announce the he was going to run for Speaker of the House. The position opens up on Jan 3, 2023.  If he were to get this position, that would put him in 2nd in line to the the POTUS.  So he would only have to assassinate Biden and Harris in order to get back in the WH.  I don't think he would ever be elected for this position.  But he is such a dangerous person that anything is possible.

Instead he announced that he is now selling digital, virtual cards of himself dressed up like superheroes.  And each digital card costs $99. What a smuck.

Tweet: The #BigGrifter has lost his mind. There is no bottom to his aberrant behaviors. He has eradicated all dignity to the office of POTUS. What an embarrassment to every American. #TrumpIsALaughingStock #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace

Tweet: "I can’t believe I'm going to jail for an NFT salesman." Gionet (AKA Baked Alaska) pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading and picketing inside the Capitol building, for which he faces up to six months in prison. #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace #TrumpIsAGrifter

16- F- PA

Today was a really fun day. it started at noon where Pete and I met Kevin in P1 parking lot and then we were off to Jake's Bar - bday goal.

In the late afternoon, we finally made it to LeVante's Brwery- (6) two flights

I drank too much beer today.

17- SA- PA

I had a damn school dream.

It's the girls' play this afternoon. Teresa's daughters are in a play at The University of the Arts and many of us are going to see it.

Then I had an early dinner at Sharon's house.

Tweet: I am so grateful to see that #RepMTG is using her time to rid the world of dildos and other sex toys. She certainly has her finger on the pulse of important issues.

18- SU- PA

I had yet another damn school dream.

I woke up with the intention of meeting up with Lisa and Deb at some brewery.  Plans were made to meet at 3:30 but I just couldn't rally myself to get up and go. So I texted them and told them to drink without me.  I think that must have shocked them as I never turn down a chance to meet up for a brewery visit.

Later in the day, I heard from my cousin, Pam.  She is finishing up her yearlong driving trip around the USA. We are going to meet at Iron hill Brewery in DE tomorrow.

19- M- PA/DE

I had a dream that was something similar to my reoccurring school dreams.

I met Pam and Doug at the Ironhill Brewery (7) in Wilmington, DE.  We sat there for over six hours and had a great time, catching up.  I think I last saw them in the summer of 2019 in Atlanta. We sat at our table for so long that we cleared the place out of the lunch crown and then the dinner crowd started coming in.  So we just moved to the bar and ordered more drinks.

She showed me photos of her mother, Aunt Jo and I was stunned at how awful she looked.  Her expression was vacant.  She's been having mini strokes and is on hospice. Pam is hoping that she lives until Pam gets back to GA.

Aunt Jo is the last of my aunts and uncles. When I was born, there were three generations ahead of me.  When she dies,  my generation will be the oldest and there are two generations behind me. She is the last of the Mohicans.

The January 6 Committee is recommending four charges against Trump for his involvement in the failed coup in 2021. I hate Trump.

Tweet: The January 6 Committee deserve tremendous credit for presenting so much important information to so many of us. Their hearings were riveting and clearly laid out the facts. The testimony from Trump's allies undoubtably showed us what an extensive part he had in the failed coup.

Tweet: What a shameful moment for our country. Our former, fucking POTUS may have committed the following crimes: 18 U.S.C. 2383, insurrection; 18 U.S.C. 1512(c), obstruction of an official proceeding; and 18 U.S.C. 371, conspiracy to defraud the United States government.#LockHimUp

20- TU- PA/DE

It was a perfect day to go to Bombay Hook to see the first of the snow geese this year.  There had been lots of photos of them up on FB and last year, at this time, I saw more there in one day than I had ever seen.  So I got in my car and got there in plenty of time to see them begin to settle in for the night.  And when I got there, I didnt see one damn bird.  They were nowhere to be found.  I was so disappointed. I could hear them off in the distance but I just couldn't locate them.

On the way home, I wanted to go to a brewery but there weren't many options since it is not the weekend.  So I decided to stop in at Brick Works Brewery (8).  I was here over ten years ago and hated it.  I swore I would never go there again.  But I decided to give it a try and my beers were delicious.  I had an IPA, a pumpkin ale and a white stout with vanilla bean.  I really liked al three beers and now I think I may have to go back here again.  And I had a brisket sandwich which just added to the moment.

Kathy called me and we chatted for almost an hour.  She wants me to come up for a visit over the holidays but I don't think I can squeeze a visit in.

21- W- PA

I cleaned a little bit today.  I hate to clean my apartment but it really needs it and a maintenance crew in coming in tomorrow and I dont want them talking about me.

In the afternoon, I met Kevin and Fonda for drinks in Springfield.  We went to a crab place and I was looking forward to a great seafood dinner.  But we just ate the deep fried happy hour appetizers. They were ok but they were no snow crabs.

22- TH- PA

We are bracing for an ice storm today and tomorrow.

The maintenance crew had to come in to my apartment today to service my hot water heater. I hate when they come in to my apartment.  So I got up at 10AM and left the building to get away from them. My first stop was to drop things off at Green Drop Recycle center.  I love to give things to this place.  I feel littler when I drive away with four or five bags of things I unload on them.

From there, I went to the Two Birds Cafe (bday goal) for breakfast.  I liked it.  Service was good.  I had eggs benedict.  The price was alright but I don't think I will go there again.  It's just a little too far out of town and parking is a problem.  There are other options for me.

Tweet: Sean Hannity testified under oath in a deposition that he did not believe the orange idiot’s claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 election, according to the New York Times.

23- F- PA

It's cold, cold, cold today.  It's windy, 8F and a few snow flakes. I am not going outside today.

I got aa text from Liz to join Pete, Kevin and her at the Square Bar. I can't stand that place. I dint go. It was too damn cold to go to some place that i don't like.

Sharon E organized an impromptu happy hour in the lounge. Five of us just showed up and brought wine and beer and cheese and crackers. I brought eg nog and whiskey.

Tweet: "The central cause of January 6th was one man, former President Donald Trump, whom many others followed. None of the events of January 6th would have happened without him."

24- SA- PA

I slept for 8 hours straight. And then I stayed in bed all day.  It was too damn cold to do anything else.  At one point is was 4F.

I didn't want to go to the lounge this afternoon because I didn't want to talk to another person about christmas. I'm tired of this conversation.

I got a text from Liz.  The square bar crowd was there yesterday for 7 hours. I am so damn glad I didnt hook up with them yesterday.

Tweet: Passed this year: Inflation Reduction Act, Electoral Count Reform Act, Safer Communities Act, CHIPS and Science Act, Respecting Marriage Act. Thank you #Biden, #Pelosi and #Schumer. #VoteBlue #DemocratsDeliverAgain #USA

25- SU- PA

It's Christmas Day, the day I loathe the most.

Sharon called me to tell me that Glenn had covid.  Damn  That has derailed our dinner to tonight.  Sharon apologized but I interrupted her and told her that I was still joining her. She had made a 7 Fish Chowder and I wanted to try it.  So Glenn hide on the 4th floor and Sharon and I had dinner and watched a documentary about the deplorable Roy Cohn

Then I went home and watched Dead Poets' Society. I always like to watch movies about high school kids.

Tweet: He is just batshit crazy! #TrumpisaNationalDisgrace

Image


26- M- PA

The Christmas madness is over but truthfully, it wasn't too bad this year. I think I isolated myself from all the hype.

I am attempting to contact my dentist.  I have a tooth that is bothering me and I feel a root canal procedure coming on.

I tried calling the dentist again and again, I got no one on the phone. So I decided to floss the hell out of my tooth and it bled like hell and the pain subsided.

27- TU- PA

It's 37F and it feels balmy outside. It feels like a spring day.

The dentist called me first thing in the morning and my damn tooth isn't bothering me anymore.

Sue texted Kevin and me to see if we wanted to come to her house to see if we wanted to finish up the last of her eggnog. I did and I went and it was delicious.  She took a regular container of eggnog and added half & half and rum and whiskey and it was so smooth, I could just cry.

28- W- PA

It’s balmy today.  It's up to 47F and people are walking around like it's March.

Bday goal- La Tritino for a bacon, egg and cheese crepe.

There was a street person on Gay street who was painting portraits  In his bare, left hand, he held his painting and he painted with his right hand.  His acrylic paints were in bottle on the ground.  I passed him on the way to the drug store and I made a point of looking more closely at his paintings on the way back.  It overwhelmed me to see this disheveled man, sitting in the cold, being creative.

When I got back to the apartment, there was a crowd in the lounge. Then just Kristen and I were chatting.  Then Sharon came down with food and Gina and Carol joined her.

I checked up on my Greenland trip and it appears as if my deposit never went through.  It is not showing up on my bank statement.  I tried calling them but they were closed by the time I got around to calling.

29- TH- PA

Today would be my parents' 71st wedding anniversary.  It's also Kevin's 42nd birthday (the day I became an aunt).

It was another balmy winter day (44F) and a few people walked around in shorts. I, on the other hand, spent my afternoon with Sally at Victory Brewing Company (9). We had a great time and Sally has committed to going to Ireland in March.

I paid another $4000 on my Greenland trip. I only have $3000 more to pay and the there is the air flight to Iceland.

30- F- PA

Dom called me first thing this morning, in a panic and worried about Jaye. Her year of intense cancer treatment has got her down. And he just wants to get her out of the house and doing something. So I canceled my trip to visit Kathy and Jaye, Dom and I are going out to dinner tonight.

Later in the evening, Dom and Jaye came over and Jaye has lost her spark.  She seems joyless as she battles this life sentence of an incurable cancer.  I told Dom that I miss her laughter.

Tweet #IAcceptNothingLessThanFullBodilyAutonomy.

31- SA- PA

I am in hiding today as I am with most times like today. I hate New Year's Eve celebration and now have to hide to avoid them A friend was having a party and I dint want to go and it seemed as if she wasnt going to take no for an answer. So I told her that i was still gong to be at my sister's house in NY and wouldn't be around. So I stayed inside my apartment all day and hide. You, I am 67 years old and I still have to lie to my friends.

I ended this year by watching the movie Thirteen Lives. It’s the story of the young boys in Thailand who got trapped in a cave in a monsoon storm. I watched the coverage of this story as it unfolded for almost three weeks in July 2018. I listened to a podcast about it. I watched the documentary film released last year. And I still found this movie to be riveting. There were still moments that have me goosebumps. It’s a remarkable story about humanity. And a great way to end 2022. On to 2023.

No comments: