February 2023

February 2023

PA/ DE/ MD

1- W- PA 

I was up  little earlier than usual today as I had an agenda.  I wanted to go to Middle Creek Resevior to see the snow geese.  The road through the reservoir isn't open until March 1 but the pond where they hang seems to be filled with the geese.  So I decided to drive the hour to go see them.

But then I stopped in to the lounge to get a cup of coffee.  Debbie and Pete were chatting each other up.  I thought I would join them for just a moment.  But then Debbie slipped away and it was just Pete and me.  And then Gina stopped by and grabbed a seat.  And then Connie stopped by and stayed a bit.  And then two hours passed and it was too late to go all that distance.

We spent a lot of time complaining about the ills of our country.  A discussion on immigration came up. Apparently, people from Cuba are just coming over and sailing up to the beaches and taking over key West. I asked if Pete and Gina had any solutions as to how to address/handle this situation.  But like me, they didn't have any idea.

I left the lounge, a bit frustrated.  I was ready to go somewhere but I had nowhere to go. So  I drove to the Be Here Brewery- (1)- PA. I go here about once a year and I like their beers.  Last year, their pumpkin beer was one of my top five beers of the year.  This batch was good but it wasn't outstanding.  The Imperial Stout, on the other hand was delicious. I bought two growlers for $24. I think I am going to reconsider buying these beers.  They are just too expensive and then the bartender have me a copy of the bill and a 30% tip was suggested.

We have having another surge in police brutality.  A young man was killed last week and now there are more videos of cops beating up on a compliant, handcuffed man.  What is wrong with them.

Twitter: "Do you think our world has become so dangerous that too many police have PTSD and just automatically resort to brutality as their survival mode? How can they be so brutal when they know they are being watched. This is inexcusable".

2- TH- PA

It's a gorgeogous day and it would have been a perfect day to go up to Middle Creek but I have to usher tonight so I feel stuck here at my apartment.  So now I am in the lounge, tweeting out a ton of shit to the Speaker on the House who is complaining because Democrats will not vote to condone socialism.  We have so much going on in out country and the republicans are wasting everyone's time on a stupid vote.

But on a good note, we have a new coffee machine. Hopefully, it won't break down as much as the other machine did.  It looks as if there are the same offerings but there does seem to be a learning curve to using the damn thing. There is the option to read the selections in English or French.

I ushered at Uptown. It was the opening night of our play bout Martin Luther King.  It's a stunning performance and several audience members left crying. It was my using responsibility to warn people that they couldn't leave the theatre in the middle of the performance and get back it.  So if they had to use the restroom, now was the time.  Most of the women were most grateful for this tip.

Pete and his daughter-in-law, Dev, showed up.  They are going ti become ushers.  So they got free tickets to tonight's performance.

3- F- PA

It's sunny and beautiful today but the umbrellas on my balcony are flapping like crazy so I know it is damn cold outside and I am staying inside until I go to Tammy and Mike's house for dinner this evening.

4- SA-PA

We had a Jake's Drinking Day. Sally and six of her friends and about 10 of us from CS met there in the afternoon and drank all damn day.

I broke down and ordered an Eagles tee shirt for the Super Bowl.

5- SU- PA/DE

In the afternoon,  I went with Jaye to the movies.  We went to see 80 for Brady which was silly but timely as the super Bowl is next week. Afterwards, we had dinner at Jaye's house.

The super bowl vibe is growing. that's all we talk about around here.

6- M- PA

In the evening, I ushered at Uptown.

7- TU- PA/DE/MD

I went to Delaware, looking for snow geese and really didn't have too much luck.

So, in frustration, I went to Bethany Brewery (2)- MD- I tried to come here before and it was closed for covid.  But today it was open.  And I really didn't like it too much.  None of the beers jumped out at me

i got a hotel room for the night and I was the only person in the hotel. That was a bit creepy.

Biden's state of the union address was great.

8- W- DE/PA

Thompson Brewery (3)- for lunch

I found my snow geese

First State Brewery- (4)-DE- a coffee stout, a prickly fruit sour and a hazy DIPA

9-TH-PA

Bday goal- pine and quill store

Lunch with jaye, dim, and the Kanes at split tail. 

I checked on Pete this afternoon.  Today would have been his 50th anniversary with Diane. I asked him if he needed any company but he is sick and hanging low.  We are supposed to get together tomorrow to celebrate Diane.  We came up with this idea in January but I wonder if he will be up for the moment.  Mostly, he is pretty good with his grief but, of course, he had days where he is really struggling.

Kathy called me to congratulate me on my high school Distinguished Alumni Award. Later, she sent an email to all of her boys. She made me sound distinguished.

10- F- PA

It's warm enough that my balcony door is wide open right now.

Since Pete wasn't able to come out and play today, I went to see the movie,  Women Talking. Some of the comments were so profound and too many of the scenes were too slow. Fran McDonald, my favorite, was in the movie but she only had a cameo role. That was a disappointment.

I went to Las Vegas Pizza bday goal for dinner and my food was delicious. Im coming back here.

11- SA- PA

Tonight is Stacey's 60th bday party

Twitter: Its been two years since the orange idiot left the WH and he is still a national security risk. #TrumpIsALoser #TrumpLaptop #TrumpisaNationalDisgrace #trumpBelongsInJail #DJTIsAPussyAssBitch

12- SU- PA

It feels like Football Christmas here at my apartment. It's Super Bowl Sunday and the Eagles are going to win their second championship.

I'm in a bit of a panic and disgruntled mood today.  I didn't sleep well.  I tosses and turned and woke up at dawn.  Then I rolled over and it was 12:45PM.  How did that happen?  Now I feel rushed to get things done before tonight.  And there is really not much to get done before the game but I feel this angst anyway.

The big game didn't start until 630 but people started showing up in the lounge around 4 and the excitement was exhausting.  Mike and Tami came over around 6.  Maybe 40 people showed up. We found seats amongst the crowd and watched as the Eagles started out strong and then lost in on the last play. It was a disappointment for all of us.

13- M- PA

OMG, I slept too, too late today.  I woke up around 9AM, checked on my social media life and rolled over and fell back to sleep until 1:30PM.  I hate me when I sleep that late. I sent another hour, in bed, listening to my audiobook.  I am listening to an author I really like but this book just isn't doing it for me and I am 5 hours in to the book and I have 7 1/2 hours to go.  I think I have to give up on this book.

I walked over to the homeless shelter with a bag of toiletries.  However, there is a new rule that is posted.  I have to make an appointment to make a donation.  So I walked back home with my donation bag.  I wonder how many months it is going to take me to get it together and make this appointment and drop this bag off at the facility that is a mere 800 steps away from my apartment building.

A new TikTok has captured my attention.  People are showing their top 5 books of all times.  So I spent the afternoon watching these videos on my phone and then trying to switch to my library account and find these books.  So far, I have 30 titles on my "to read" list.

A few lounge people checked in with me to ask for my take on the Super Bowl party. I told them it was fun but I am glad all of this hype is over.  It became exhausting.

14 - TU- PA

I went to Middle Creek to see the snow geese and they did not disappoint. Some onr reported that there are 58,000 of the geese here at this point.

On the way home, I stopped at Fetish Brewery (5) . I've been here before and liked it then and liked it today.

I spoke to Annum.  She is having some landlord issues. 

Alma Weber died this week.  I thought she would live forever.

15

Yards Brewery (6)

McGillian's Ale House

My fucking car was towed.

110 half siblings

16

My day centered around the fucking car. I had every intention of taking an uber down to the towing site at 7 Am but I just couldn't sleep and i was foggy by the time I finally got out of bed.  Steve took me there around noonish and it went more smoothly than I had anticipated.  But I am glad that I thought to take an anti-anxiety before I took off to Philly.

Once I had my car, I headed to the Navy Yard to take photos.  From Route 95, I see hundreds of old ships.  But once I was in the yard, it was hard for me to find all these ships.  I may have to go back there again as I dont think I saw enough.

On my way home from Philly, I stopped at the  China Palace  Restaurant which is one of my bday goal- the shrimp steamed dumplings were delicious and I would go back there again to just get them.

I filled out my report to the MD prosecutor to see if he will reduce my fees for not filling out my campaign report.  I am so greatefull to finally put this behind me.

17- F- PA

It's Brian's birthday.  He's 53.

I ran a few errands and was unsuccessful in getting my blood work done.  I need the results before Monday.

Stacey, Sally, Callie and I met at 5 at the VK brewery (7) to rectify the ending of our day of celebration on Wednesday.  This was a much more pleasant ending to the day than Wednesday.

My visit to the VK brewery counts as a birthday goal and a brewery goal. And it is a place where I will probably never go again.

Late in the night, I got a text, telling me that there was fraudulent charge on my credit card.  Now I have to get a new one. This will be my fourth card in two years.

My posting in Mrs Weber's obituary notice: I thought Alma Weber was going to live forever and work in the high school until the day the school closed its doors forever. She will always be the iconic image of SHS. I am filled with insurmountable gratitude to Alma for her dedication and commitment to help thousands and thousands of students. It was my good fortune to work with Mrs. Weber. Now may she rest in peace as she reunites with her husband and daughter.

18- SA- PA/DE

The day started with getting some routine blood work.

Later, I drove to Newark to met up with Annum. We went to the movie,  A Knock on the Cabin Door, and it was brutal, bloody and dreadful.

For dinner, we went to my favorite, IronHill Brewery(8). I had a vanilla porter, a stout and a peach IPA and an IPA.

When I got home from Newark, I discovered that I lost my purse.

It was announced that Jimmy Carter is no longer going to reaceive any health interventions.  He has entered hospice care.  

Facebook Post: "I know he is 98 years old and he has cheated death several times. But I wanted him to make it to 100. But now that he has accepted hospice care, I hope he goes quickly and peacefully in to the night."

19- SU- PA/DE

I was up and out of my apartment on on my way to Newark, DE by 10:00 AM to go to Ironhill in great hopes of finding my damn purse.  I made such good time that I was there before they even opened to the public. Their door was unlocked, I walked in, blurted out my concern and a man said, "Yes you did.  You did leave your purse here.  I have it."  I grabbed and I was out of there and home before noon.

I spent the rest of the day in bed as I am fighting off a cold and cough and sore throat.  I should have stopped on the way home from DE to pick up some meds but I didn't.

Sharon wanted to meet up with me to go to a brewery but I didn't feel well enough.

My facebook post about Jimmy Carter is getting lots of reaction, just as I had anticipated.  Around the world, people are commenting on what a great humanitarian he is.

20- M- PA

I went to bed with a planned a full day of things to do.  The first thing on my list was a visit to the ospeperosist doctr.  But I felt so lousy and called and told them my symptons and they wanted to reschedule me until next week. So I went back to bed for a few more hours.

When I got up,  I read an email that informed me that my hotel reservatoin in Ireland next month was cancelled due to an overbooking.  So I spent the aftrenoon on the phone with Bookings.com and was as nasty as I could be.  The issue is resolved to the best that we could resolve it.  We are now staying in aa sweet, thatched roof cottage by the sea.  There is only one bed so I will be sleeping on the couch.

21- TU- PA

I slept all day.  I think the abundance of stress this week and my damn winter cold caught up with me amd I slept soundly all day.  I only got up to take cough medicine. And then I would roll over and fall in to a deep sleep for several hours at a time. 

I had lots of dreamn. I had one of my reoccurring work dreams. I had a crazy dream about my upcoming high school reunion.  And when I woke up and checked my email, there was am email about the reunion. Coincidence?  I don't think so.

22- W- PA

My second hotel Room in Ireland is cancelled. DAMN!!!

In the afternoon, I went to the movies to see Living, and it was boring which surprised me becasue I really wanted to like this movie.

Bday goal- Mexican - El Comalito

23-TH-PA

Joanna, Kevin and I were at Jakes by 7:45AM o that I could get the first pour of the day. Yes, this was a ridiculous goal of mine but I reached it so that's a good thing, right?

Riggtown oven- bday goal

In the evening, I had dinner with Sue Descano.

24- F- PA

My senate campign of 2014 is finally closed for good. I really fucked up this situation and got out from under it with very little pain.

I wasted most of today.  I did laundry but that is about it.

Mike Romano popped up in my mind.  I haven't thought of him for years.  I knew him from PSU and we were administrators together at Stroudsburg. For some reason, I had a feeling that he was dead and sure enough when I looked, he died in 2019.  He was only 66. There's another one gone from my past.

In the evening, I sat in the lounge and Carol and her friend came over and chatted me up. The security guard also came over and I finally found out her name, Kim. In the process of telling them about my first pour event, we came up with another damn goal: first pour/last pour day. Damn. That's too much and I wish I had thought of the last night.  I was still up at 2 AM.

My computer is dying right before my yes and I don't want to surrender it. I can't use the microphone.  I can't access my photos.  Typing on it has become erratic.

25- SA- PA

I had to return an item amazon item to Kohl's this afternoon.  I was given a 20% discount coupon in retirn.  I started looking around and had contemptplated getting a winter coat since they were already 30% off.  I don't neeed anothr coat.  I dont need anything.  So I looked around and found a wooman who had a cartload of clothing.  I gave me my coupon and got out of the storre as fast as I could. That was one small victory for me: I left without any more junk to bring in to my apartment.

I also stopped at American Pie resturant , a b-day goal. OMG, I had a shrimp, bacon and avadaco hoagie and it was delicious and I can't wait to go back to this place and try this sandwich again and many of the other options they have.

I got an email from Uptown theatre. The artistic director and the executive director are both gone as of this week.  Some shit is hitting the fan there. I hope this little theatre can make it. It's really a great service to the community.

Teresa called me last night.  On Thursday, we are going to have dinner together in town with her 76 year old friend and then we are going to go to Georgia's school play at Mastermann. I'm looking forward to our date.  I told her it sounds as if we will be three kooks.

26-SU-PA

I had plans in the  back of my mind of going to the movies or a brewery but Jaye invited me down for leftover pasta for dinner so that's the plan for today.

I finished my audiobook.

27- M- PA

In the morning, I had a Dr appt so that got me up and out earlier than usual.

I completed another Bday goal: I went to the  car wash and say in the car as my car was ushered through the conveyer belt and this huge, wet, soapy mop enveloped my car. It was a bit unnerving.

There was a going away party in the lounge for Charles, our maintence person.  He is moivng to Florida.  And I just didnt feel like going to his party. So I hid in my apartment 

28- TU- PA

I went to the movies this afternoon to watch the oscar nominations short documentaries.  I liked all five fo them and I think the documantrayabout the white nationaist who was plotting to blow up a Muslim Mosque but through the kindness of the people, converted to Islam.

mexican resturant- La Rancherita

DF Mexican grocery store- bday goal

In the evening, I sat with Pete and talked about world issues. It always surprises me when he says something that is not true. I have such an urge to correct him and then I have such a need to avoid any conflict. So I just let him get away with his crazy ideas.