November 2024

 November 2024

PA/ DE/ NJ/ HI

Hawaii: My 50th State

1- F- PA

I cleaned out the truck of my car.  I found stuff in there that I have completely forgotten about.  There is so much junk in there that I could live in there for a long period of time.

At one of his rallies today, Trump fantasized about executing Liz Cheney with 9 rifles. It is going to take years to recover from the damage he has done to our country. I hate him. I cant wait for this election to be over.

2- SA- PA

My standing personal best record has been broken after 9 years standing. In 2015, I  went through Philly breweries with Jen Hogan and we visited 2nd Story Brewery, Yards Brewery, Philadelphia Brewery. St Benefice Brewery and Evil Genius Brewery.  I didn't have any intervention of ear breaking that record but Jim pushed and poked at me until I agreed to trying to break my record and we did it. We started with Jim, Barb, Kevin, Paulo and me and during the course of the day we picked up Andy, Andrea, Kristin, Shane and Christina. We visited Stolen Sun Brewery, Levante Brewery, Wrong Crowd Brewery, Artillery Brewery, and Greystone Brewery. And that is it.  I am not breaking that record.

I posted my annual All Saints Day Memorial List of students who have died.  Usually, I get comments all day long but there was very little interaction today.

I walked 6900+ steps today.

3- SU- PA

I hung in bed all day.  I didn't turn the lights out until 5:30 AM and woke up around 1:30 PM Daylight Savings started this morning at 2AM so now it is pitch black by 5 PM. I hate when it gets this dark, this early.

Harris is coming to Philly tomorrow night on the eve of the election. I'd love to go but the crowd will be too much to handle.  The event starts at 6PM but the roads will be closed by 5AM. Lots of celebrities will be there.  And I went to this event for HRC in 2026. But I think I will just watch the moment on TV.

Twitter: "Washington State governor Inslee has activated the state’s National Guard so it will be fully prepared to respond to any civil unrest before or after the election." HRC. Sadly, this is our America today. Trump has destroyed our confidence in our sacred election process.

4- M- PA

It's one day before the election and I wish I could be put in an induced comma until next Monday when most of the results will be in. I anticipate that the next week is going to be unbearable for all of us.

Twitter-A friend of mine just told me that he is reluctantly voting for Harris because she is the lesser of two evils. He asked me if I felt the same way. I told that I was proudly voting for #HarrisForPOTUS . She will move the country forward.

5-TU- PA

Election 2024 #HarrisForPOTUS

I am up and ready for a win. I voted and voting always makes me nervous. I was #750 at my polling location. I work the polls in the afternoon for District 4. I weep for our country.

6-W-PA

I am numb and filled with disbelief and deep sadness. How could there be so many people in this country to have so much hate that they would vote for that orange idiot. I fucking hate him.

In the PM, I had to go to the ENT to pick up my monitoring device to measure my sleep apnea. I have to wear the ring tonight as I sleep and my breathing patterns will be monitored. I know my results will be off the charts.

Then I had to hang around for a hearing aid exam. It's been three weeks since I have been wearing my hearing aids and I feel as if this assignment is a life sentence which is funny because I am OK with wearing my eye glasses every day, But I don't really hear the difference the hearing aides are making. I am finding that I am not asking people to repeat their comments as much. And when I take the hearing aids off at the end of the night, where is a new level of dull silence. My audiologist tells me these are signs that the hearing aids are effective.

I walked my steps today and I also did a few more exercises. I have to do this every damn day.

Twitter: I’m ashamed of our country. We owe the world an apology. #ThankYouHarris/Walz

7-TH-PA

I had to get up earlier than usual to return my sleep monitor. But something went wrong and my information wasn't collected so now I have to do it again and I have to get up early tomorrow as well to return the damn ring.

In the evening, I ushered at Uptown and I am finding that I am moving away from connecting with people there. There are so many ushers now that it is hard to get an assignment. Is I am not seeing any of my regular gang. And one of the women I worked with tonight seemed to be bossing me around a little bit tonight and that got on my nerves.

I conducting my sleep test again tonight and I seemed to have mastered the task. The sleep ring immediately turned on and began reading data.

Twitter: I'm filled with grief. I am so disappointed but I will get through this mess. I fucking hate him and he is doing everything he can to destroy our country. And I will survive but now I am fairly sure that I will never see a female president in my lifetime and that saddens me.

Twitter: I’m numb!

8- F- PA

I returned my sleep study equipment and and now I am all set to go back to the doctor on Monday on to let him tell me how dreadful my sleep patterns are. I can't wait.

Sharon asked me to come to the city so I left 3:30 to make it there by 5PM. We went off to Bar Hygee Brewery for dinner. The food was mediocre but I had a squash and ginger IPA that was delicious.

Afterwards, we went to the Keene Exhibit on Fitzwater Street. The owner has an obsession with collecting old kickbacks and the exhibits were great fun. He had old toasters and radios and children's toys and paintings and lots of things to look at. I had sensory overload.

We went upstairs to a make shift movie theater and watched the movie, Hollywood Breakfast, a 1945 movie about a radio show in Hollywood. The chairs were terribly uncomfortable and the movie was silly so we left at some point in the movie. But that movie matter because the movie was so predictably written.

When I got home, I had a text from KF. Ray has had a stroke and just got out of the ICU. He's lost some mobility but Kathy seems optimistic.

9- SA- PA

Since Ive gotten back from Jon Mitchell, I have been suffering from an episode of low grade depression. I just don't want to do anything and I have been sleeping too, too much. Today was the worst. I slept or stayed in bed for almost 20 hours. I didn't drink anything during this time so dehydration is just adding to my lethargy. I need to go see a doctor.

Sharon text me around 7:30PM to invite me to Peter's impromptu birthday party on Sunday morning. My sweet, little boy turned 4 yesterday. I love that kid.

So, the invitation prompted me to get up, get dressed and go to the Acme store and get birthday gifts. I found a cute stuffed animal and I got him a jar of black olives. The kid loves olives.

I came home and went the fitness center and rode the exercise bike. I am slipping in maintaining all the gains I made with my personal trainer.

10- SU- PA

I got up bright and early (for me) and got to Sharon's party for Peter. He looked adorable and Theo was able to say my name and announce to everyone, "Bridget is here." And I just about cried with joy.

The party was chaotic and loud and busy.and we had pizza and olives and cupcakes with too much icing. I was happy to be a part of the fun.

Deirdre gave me a little bit of an indication that there may be a baby next spring. That would be great as Theo us just adorable.

I came home and spent the afternoon playing solitaire and listening to podcasts. Mostly I listen to Spooked and there was one episode after another of people who talked about the ghosts in their houses.I wonder how much bullshit was in each of these stories.

In the late evening, I got to the fitness center and biked 3.5 miles.

Every year, WXPN holds a top 885 songs. This year, the eligible songs have to be from the 21st century.  I submitted my list this evening. Now I will wait to see if anyone has my taste in music.

11- M- PA

I had an appointment with a sleep apnea doctor and he told me that my test results come back as having moderate sleep apnea.  He was somewhat surprised when I told him that I was pleased with the results.  The last time I took this test, my results were horrible. However, I finally made this appointment because I thought my apnea was getting worse.  I can no longer sleep on an airplane. My snoring is so loud and robust that it rallies me and I wake up startled and embarrassed

Twitter: He doesn't want this job.  He just needs a stay-out-of-jail card.

12- TU- PA

I am struggling with my depression and stayed in my apartment until the evening when I went to meet up with Tricia.  We went to a lecture about the impact the Lenape Nation had on the development of Valley Forge.  And honestly, I am not sure I got the full impact of their impact.

I came home and biked 3 1/2 miles in the fitness center.

13- W- PA

I am despondent and I am no longer functioning and should really seek professional help at this point. But I probably won't. I can't read the news.  I can't listen to Colbert or Kimmel.  I was supposed to meet up with Bill and Mark and talk about the election but I was afraid that discussion would only exasperate my funk.

And if I am not going to seek professional help, I have to step it up and get me out of this mess.  I think much of my problem centers around having nothing to look forward to at the moment.  for the last year, I could hardly wait to o on my Rwanda trip, to see Joni Mitchell in convert, to see Sam, to go back and teach for WAFW, the election. Now, that is all behind me and the election has filled me with sadness. I feel lost and I have nothing to amticipate.  I just see long days ahead of me.

I need to go to bed at a more reasonable time.  I need to get up earlier than I am.  I need to get out of my apartment every day and I need to go outside every day.  I need to interact with more people. I need to spend more time in nature.  I need to volunteer more. And I need to plan some trips. I need to get back in to life.

UPDATE: I booked a flight to Hawaii this evening.  I will leave in two weeks so I really have to work on snapping out of my funk.  Hawaii will be my 50th state to visit. Ive put this trip off for so long becasue it is just so damn expensive to travel there. But I got a good deal on the flight and hotel for only $2000.  I didnt rent a car because that is frequently so burdensome at a hotel. i'll just take ubers.

Twitter: Melania did not accept Dr Biden's invitation because she isnt going back to that WH. Elon is moving in. So he should be invited. Cant wait to see how he decorates for christmas.

14-TH- PA

I'm better today. I seemed to have snapped out of it a little bit after I booked my trip to Hawaii.

I got up a little earlier today and I am not as interested in playing mindless electronic games on my phone. I went searching for my Bose ear buds and found them. So that brought me a monet of relief. I made arrangementsto visit the Bombachs. I went to the lounge in the late afternoon. So I am moving on.

Twitter: It seems as if the orange idiot just filled a bowl with the names of all his loyalists and he is just pulling out names and assigning cabinet positions. Boebert for DOE??? As a former school administrator, I wouldn't hire her as a duty aide.

Twitter- The orange idiot has selected Gabbard to serve as his director of national intelligence. Didn't HRC warn us during the 2020 primary season that Gabbard has Russian ties. So, is this a confirmation that Putin is in charge? #IWeepForOurCountry

15- F- PA

I went to see the movie, Conclave again with the Maggs and Sue Descano. And I enjoyed it just as much the second time. And I was able to follow some of the missed nuances from my first viewing.

16- SA- PA

This afternoon, I went to Delaware by mistake. I thought I was meeting Annum today for a late lunch but we are getting together tomorrow.

It's William's bday party. He is 33 years old. How did that happen.

PSU won its football game. I think we are ranked #4.

17- SU- PA/DE

I spent the afternoon with Annum. We started at a sushi place and our food was delicious. We went to the Twisted Irons Brewery and Annum watched me drink beer. I had a pumpkin ale, a porter and two IPAs.

18- M- PA/NJ

I took a quick visit to LBI to have lunch with the Bambachs. John has cancer and is going to have major surgery soon. So I wanted to see him/them before they left the area. They are anxious to get back to Florida.

When I got home, I called KF and she is devastated. Her life is never going to be the same again.

19- TU- PA

We had our yearly Friendsgiving Dinner at CS. I bought roasted chestnuts for everyone and no one liked them. I had to throw them all out. The party was fun. Kevin made margaritas and I only had one because I have to get up early tomorrow to go to a funeral.

Twitter: So, do you have to have a history of sexual misconduct to be on the orange idiot’s staff?

20- W- PA/NJ

In the morning, I picked up Tricia and we went to Moorestown, NJ for Kathleen Staudt's funeral. Jim lost his first sibling. He's one of 11 and they are all in thier mid-60's to late 70's. it's unusual for a large family to have benn this lucky.

In the evening, Kevin, Pete, Paulo and I went to a Women's Basketball game at Villanova. Pete had his son's seasonal passes. It was fun to sit on the floor but I worried all night about having the players stumble into us. Fortunately, I had a few photographers on the floor in front of me. So they would have been the first point of contact. Villanova won. The guys were happy and the evening was fun. But I don't need to go to another basketball game and sit on teh floor.

21- TH- PA

I am still in my depression funk. I seem to be a little better but I need some miracle/medical intervention. I need to find a professional who should be monitoring my depression. I saw a physiatrist 30 years ago. She prescribed medicine which I have been taking on a daily basis for 30 years and there has been no follow up to this treatment plan.

In the evening, I had an assignment at Uptown. A woman had an exhibit of her art and she gave a fifteen minute talk. There were 15 people at the show but they all seemed to be her good friends. There was nothing for me to do but sit and offer any help that she needed. And she didnt need any help so I played spider solitaire while she talked. I have got to curb this damn compulsion to play this mindless game. It's mindless and a waste of time.

22- F- PA

I went to Walmart to buy some shelving and it was sleeting. It's crazy because it was so mild last week that people were walking around in short. This weather is miserable.

When I got home, I canceled my invitation to go to Stacey's house to drink together. I had a sore throat and I didn't know if I was contagious and I have to be so careful around Sally.

I weighed myself today. I don't remember when I last weighed myself. Maybe I weighed in right before I went to Rwanda. But I am down 12 pounds. That can't be right.

23- SA-PA

When I got up this morning, I felt lousy so I walked to Rite Aid in search on some medicine. I am sneezing, congested, achy, tired, exhausted and miserable. I leave on Tuesday for my trip to Hawaii and so I want to jump on top of this situation. The pharmist got on my nerves and I dont think she made the best recommendation but I took her advice anyway. And then I waddled home and went back to bed.

I did stop in to Taco Mar and got a burrito. After a few bites, I was full. I will eat the rest tomorrow.

Penn State won the football game. I think we are 9-1 this season.

24- SU- PA

I stayed in bed all damn day. I felt lousy and chilly and lifeless. I did get up and weighed myself and now I am down 15 pounds. I have no appetite and am doing everything I can to stay hydrated.

One of my memories on FB was a shot of my garden last year at this time. It was still thriving and so is my garden 2024. I wonder how much longer it is going to last.

25- M- PA

I made a huge effort to get up, get showered, get dressed, eat and get out of the apartment. I bought a burrito on Saturday and I still haven't finished it. I weighed myself and I am down 17 pounds. I want to go to my doctor to get weighed on her scale to see if this measurement to real.

Twitter: My trump voting friends are walking around in shame.

My Kiva profile to date: I've lent $34,66 to 1,381 micro loans. Last year, at this time, I was hoping to reach 1,000 loans. I find it so rewarding to be part of these loans.

26-TU-PA

I leave to start my trip to Hawaii tonight. I’m feeling better and ready to go. This will be my 50th state to visit. Another milestone will be achieved.

27-PA/HI

The day started at 4 AM and I was tired. But today is the busiest travel day of the year and I was prepared for the crowds. 

The flight was ok. I got here to Hawaii in just 11 hours so that wasn’t a bad deal.  And when I stepped off that plane, i was smacked with a wave of heat.

I called for an Uber and a car picked me up quickly. And when I told the driver that this was my 50th state, he broke out in laughter. He asked me if I saw his license plate which I hadn’t. It’s Alho50. What an omen for this trip. 

My hotel accommodations are so nice that it makes me nervous. I didn’t expect it to be this upscale. And for some reason, I have Expedia VIP status and the clerk made a big deal about that and I don’t really care. But he did upgrade my room to the 6th floor which has an ocean view. 

I’m exhausted but I can’t sleep. There is a five hour time difference between here and Philly. 

I went to the bar to grab dinner and tried the fish collars which sounded gross to me but they were delicious. I also had an excellent IPA. 

And then I went to sleep, slept well and had wild dreams. 

28-TH-Hawaii

It’s Thanksgiving but I don’t have a sense of the holiday here. There is a Thanksgiving buffet for $85 but I am not paying that much for a turkey dinner. 

I had lunch at the pool bar and had a whiskey bacon BLT. That will also be my dinner. 

I looked at trips to book but I didn’t want to book anything yet as my cold and fatigue have returned and I have no damn energy. There is a day tour that will be great. It covers the entire island. I’ll book it tomorrow. 

I went to the pool in the PM but the water seemed too cold so I went in search of the hot tub and found it. And then the sun started to set so I watched that and the moment was beautiful. As I took a dozen photos, I promised myself that I wasn’t going to take these same photos every night.KF sent me photos of their family dinner in the rehab center. ray is in a wheelchair which was hard to see. 

Jane wrote to me to tell me that John’s surgery went well. 

Kathy sent me photos of her Thanksgiving at the rehab hospital with her family. Ray is making some progress.

So it was a good Thanksgiving. 

29-F- Hawii

I went to book my island day trip and nothing is available until next week. I looked at the snorkeling option and that requires a wet suit and I think I still done have the demands and energy to get out there. So I’m going to pass on that option. I did schedule a Layla you dinner for Monday. 

I was going to go to a brewery this afternoon but decided to put that off until later in the day. When I went back on Uber, the fees had more than tripled in price. I don’t know if there are slow hour prices and rush hour prices but I couldn’t bring myself to spend $50/RT to go try beer. 

30-SA-HI

I got up and walked to the nearby mall. It’s a mile, uphill and I was disappointed upon arrival. I went to a tavern for a beer, then I went to an asian food restruatn and then off to the grocery store for drinks to bring back to my hotel.  I took an uber home just in time to see the sun set over the ocean.

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