I Think

I would think she would be a "moderate" conservative, and not in sink with the Tea Party-type of extremism.

That would be my guess also, CI.

I spent ten minutes writing something, but erased it. Oh, well.

Punchline (Portnoy's Complaint): "Und now ve are to begin."

I have mentioned before a thought of cataloging books and movies as a way of making a sort of scrapbook of one's life. For me, the earliest books were escapist and I don't remember many titles, until a teacher began reading to us The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. Later I became interested in biographies, such as Jedediah Smith and Ben Franklin. When they became personal began with the discovery of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. I was no orphan, but I had lost a father and gained a cruel step father. When I found The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, it detailed the world my mother grew up in. A Fishing Trip by Erskine Caldwell, one in a series of novels on race relations such as I encountered in the south. Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss for moral and political turmoil I felt. Midnight Cowboy (the movie) captured the angst of my brother Sam and I alone and travelling the country and the way situations could become lonely or desperate. Born on the Fourth of July, the Tom Cruise Vietnam War movie and Good Morning Vietnam movie with Robin Williams for that war as it affected my life. But I am out of time.

I did my goodest to be ready for tomorrow's owners visit to the job. I plan to take today for my work on the house and also give Punkey the dog a bath. After going with Mrs edgarblythe to the grocery store, that is. Also have to stop at the health food store. It's a good thing the sun goes down so late.

Had no gumption, when I got home yesterday. Consequently, I did as little as possible. Ate a sugary confection yesterday. Also sausage, eggs and biscuits.

Watched The Mentalist last night. One more episode due next week, in which the season closes, apparently setting up a final season. It's just as well. That time slot is not conducive to success for such a program.

I don't know why The Big Bang and Two and a Half Men are so popular. I'm guessing its because there is not a hell of a lot out there.

My young coworker timed it to help me load a heavy mattress into the dumpster. I had doubled the mattress over and tied it to stay like that. There are times when I welcome such help. This time, I dragged the mattress over and then leaned a couple of 2x4 boards against the dumpster. It took minimal effort to roll it up this makeshift ramp and let it fall in. No strain, no biggie. My friend arrived just after I restacked the boards. "It's not necessary to be tough," I said, smiling. I think he was happy to know he would not need to strain over lifting that heavy weight. On the topic of heavy weights, we put a new stackable washer in the model, up the stairs last week. It was mentioned during the owners visit that we might need to take it to other apartments when theirs go out. One of the owners said, "Just buy more washers as needed." He understood the challenges of swapping out heavy items and I am grateful.

The Texas legislature killed the state lottery in a quick vote last week. Then somebody asked where they were going to get the billions of dollars that would shortly be missing from state operating funds, 2 billion for schools, for instance. The original argument that "those least able to afford it are the ones playing the lottery" went out the window, a few hours later. The lottery was restored.

Tomorrow, the weather is expected to hit record low temperatures, here. I will take it.

I think this is a very fine thread and wish I had seen it sooner
I think I also would like to meet Edgar
I think I disagree with # 63 As I am addicted to James Bond flicks.

I was a big fan of Ian Flemings books, and got many people hooked on them as well. When the James Bond movies came out, I watched all of them, but my favorite was Sean Connery, and named my son after him.

You named your son after a poncy actor. Sheesh!

Those are precisely the type of brain dead people US governments like. Hang a shiny bauble in front of their noses and they can get away with murder - no pun involved or intended.

Poncy? From Wiki.



You don't know poncy.

You can disagree all day long, but it doesn't alter my thought re James Bond.

And has handled many many more than that.

I think I just like the credits

I worked inside an apartment with a serious alarm system yesterday. I was given a code to disarm, once I got inside. First, I had to find the keypad, which was inside a very dimly lighted bedroom. We old geezers need more light than that to function fully enough to be on the job. I touched the screen in the wrong spot and spent some frantic moments getting it to display a keypad for me to punch. I wanted to leave the outside door ajar, for the carrying of material, but had to prop it closed to keep the cat from getting out. I removed the defunct microwave and after putting up the wall mount, stood on a stepladder and lifted the new one into place. Holding with one hand and getting top screws started, I heard my radio. "Edgar, the resident in XXX just called and said her alarm is reporting you did not close the door."
Holding on with one hand, I grabbed my radio to reply. "I have it propped shut."
"Oh, you're still in there?'
"Yes."
"You could close the door."
"It's okay as is. I am almost done."
The other office person takes up her radio. "You can still close the door."
"I am on a ladder, holding up the microwave, trying to get the screws going. I really don't have time for this conversation."
"Oh." Hang up.
My coworker came in at that time and helped me hold it in place while I tightened the screws. He showed me how to reactivate the alarm.
"We have sixty seconds to get out of here now," he said.
I guess I will do better if there is a next time in there.

My hat goes off to you ... truly. I can't imagine the frustration you must've been having there. Perhaps your doing better isn't the problem? Though, in the future, once you see what you have to juggle, you might want to consider asking for help a bit earlier.

Sometimes I think when I read what you relate with your work experiences that it's like a script from Survivor reality show.

The new microwaves are not that heavy. By the time my friend arrived I already had the screws halfway tightened. For me, the real drama was an unfamiliar alarm and somebody in a different building imagining they need to direct me how to accomplish the job.

How frustrating that must have been. All I can think of was that the dispatcher on the other end was dealing with an annoyed tenant who was getting an alarm code and they had no idea how full your hands were. And worse apparently, they didn't ask.

But....microwaves though not heavy...are still bulky. Personally, I cant tie my shoes if anything is in my one of my hands...but that's just me.