December 31, 2013

Can't believe it will be 2014. This will be my second New Year without her. Will do what we usually did: Grand-kids, food, Twilight Zone and staying home. Today at work: an eggnog fest.

December 30, 2013

Will be hosting the Grand-kids tomorrow, been buying appetizers and cleaning up a bit.



Twilight Zone Marathon on SyFy starts at 8:00 a.m. with One for the Angels with Ed Wynn as Lou Bookman and Murray Hamilton as Mr. Death.

December 29, 2013

Yeah, won $25.50 last night.

December 28, 2013

Today is Laundry Day, One load in, one to go.

December 27, 2013

I am a little down today, have to get back on Happy Avenue.

December 26, 2013

Today is Boxing Day: In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys' diary entry for 19 December 1663. This custom is linked to an older English tradition: since they would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts and bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.

It is also my annual Box Calendar day. Barnes and Noble puts their yearly calendars at 50% off today. I wind up buying 16 or so to distribute at work. A yearly tradition.

December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas !

December 24, 2013

Have to look for A Christmas Carol tonight, I prefer the Alastair Sim version. Maybe I'll have some Boston Brewery Old Fezziwig Ale while watching.

The Reginald Owen version is on today, TCM at 1:15 p.m.. DVR has been set. At least it has Leo G. Carroll as Marley's ghost.

Found the Alastair Sim version on FX Movie Channel tonight at 7 and 9 p.m. Channel 257 on TWC, NYC. DVR was set.

December 23, 2013

This week and next, Wednesday Holidays preceded by Eves. Will break up the week. I usually work and am quite productive during this period, lots of people out and few distractions.

December 22, 2013

Well, I went to Sephora for their gift card set to finish the Christmas shopping. A female bartender had told me you can't go wrong with that and it includes a nice compact case with a mirror. I am done.

December 21, 2013

Laundry Day, one load in dryer, second load in wash.

December 20, 2013

Some close friends are thinking of retiring soon. A lot of my old childhood friends have been retired for a while. I can do it today but I'll keep plugging away. Fix up some finances and keeping busy. I do enjoy what I do. Feels good to know I can go when I want. 

December 19, 2013

Been on an emotional roller-coaster lately and hope to level off. The season brings back many memories.

December 18, 2013

Well, money is just flying out of my account. Giving cash to kids and grand-kids. Tips galore: paper deliverer, garage crew, work cleaning staff, work administrative staff , holiday parties, and now a work luncheon. It is all good, I even put in extra to give the administrative staff $100 each.

December 17, 2013

In between Christmas shopping, I took in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. More action than the first installment, I like the female elf-warrior Tauriel played by Evangeline Lilly even if she is not a JRR creation. My only complaint is that Beorn had so little time on screen. Maybe he comes back in the 3rd installment. At least he wasn't edited out like Tom Bombadil. Each character was introduced in a set piece that really didn't set the plot moving but terrific characters nonetheless.

December 16, 2013

My annual day of shopping and purchase of Christmas Tree. Hope to see Grand Central, Bryant Park and Union Square. Also, will stop in on the latest Machiavelli exhibit.

December 15, 2013

Google maps street view has some great views from around the world. You can get on a Gondola and boat through Venice. Or, take a virtual tour of Florence. I always liked the view from Piazzale Michelangelo.

December 14, 2013

 Laundry day, one load done, one to go.

December 13, 2013

Paraskevidekatriaphobia rules today.

December 12, 2013

Well, my yearly rituals start today. I have about seven in-house parties to attend over the next two weeks. Mostly afternoon stuff but a couple of breakfast soirees. Hope to enjoy myself ,take it easy and get work done in the morning. With e-mail and Blackberry, I am always on and connected.

The NYT had a piece on office parties by an anthropologist the other day: A Bad Idea We Can’t Live Without.

“liminality” is a cool word.

December 11, 2013

 


The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug starts Friday. Maybe I'll go see it next Monday after Christmas shopping.

December 10, 2013

First snow of season. How much ? 2 - 4 or 3 - 6.

December 9, 2013

Really overwhelmed at work and at home. Too much to do. I am not stressed about it, just going to take it one step at a time. Will try and accomplish what I can each day, and see if that works.

December 8, 2013

Feast of the Immaculate Conception is today, one of the more interesting bits of dogma from the Catholic Church. What does the say about their view on Sex ?

December 7, 2013

Laundry Day, two loads. Then to Greenmarket.

December 6, 2013

Yeah, party time. The month begins today. Will have to pace myself.

December 5 , 2013

It has now been over a year, I took the wedding ring off yesterday. I am not married, no need to display that I am. Not looking to see anyone else at this point. But, sometimes life takes unusual turns and I always keep in mind to expect the unexpected.

December 4, 2013

I put a lot of thought in the gifts I give. Unfortunately, I also have some people I just don't have a clue what to get. So, I wander around and hope I stumble onto something.

December 3, 2013

Been a rough year but there have been some fulfilling moments. Trying to keep moving forward.

December 2, 2013

Holiday Season and Office parties. I have too many to attend, so I pick and choose. Small sections of my job each have individual parties on different days. It winds up having about two weeks of parties. I take it easy, not like when I was young and I would at least drink enough to cover the price. Now , I am more interested in food.

December 1, 2013

Memorial mass this week. It has been a year since she died. You really don't fully appreciate someone until they are gone.

November 30, 2013

Laundry Day, Three loads. Special wash for a jacket with a stain that calls for a different dry cycle. One thing about me, I read and follow directions.

November 29, 2013

Now on to Holiday Music. I always start with The Nutcracker. Can't wait to try the Sirius/XM stations , right now channels 17 and 4.

November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving ! I have a lot to be thankful for and that is what I will concentrate on rather than looking backwards or feeling regrets.

November 27, 2013

So far, not much of a nor’easter: A nor’easter is a cyclonic storm that moves along the east coast of North America. It’s called “nor’easter” because the winds over coastal areas blow from a northeasterly direction.

Not going to stop my Pie trip. Also picking up some great looking Jelly doughnuts for a colleague's Thanksgivukkah feast.

November 26, 2013

Wild Turkeys off the road. Thanksgiving will have the usual start: Chips, Pretzels, Cheez Doodles and Wine and Cheese. Then to March of the Wooden Soldiers.

November 25, 2013

I need more motivation to do what I need to do. It will come from within. That is for both life and work. How to motivate different age groups at work is also important. My Boomer perspective is not the only one.

November 24, 2013

My chore for Thanksgiving is to bring wines and pies. Purchased the wines yesterday and I'll pick up the pies on Wednesday. Terhune Orchards is my pie place at the Greenmarket.

November 23, 2013

 Laundry Day, Two loads, then off to the Greenmarket.

November 22, 2013

Seeing Walter Cronkite choke up as he announced JFK's death still makes me tear up.

November 21, 2013

Can't believe that it was 50 years ago. That day was a Friday too. I remember seeing Oswald shot live. My friend ,the conspiracy buff, was always into the amazing Organized Crime connections of both Ruby and Oswald.

November 20, 2013

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November 19, 2013

Been real busy at work lately. Don't have the time to do what is needed. Don't care either.

November 18, 2013

Was a little down yesterday even with The Giants' win. Good food , wine and beer helped me fight it. Today is a busy day and lots of hanging out. Should also help.

The above quote was written by Rudy Toombs and originally recorded by Amos Milburn. John Lee Hooker added stuff and changed the order from "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" to "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer."

November 17, 2013

I was looking for Key Lime Pies in preparation for Thanksgiving. Came across Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies. Was able to get one at Garden of Eden on 14th Street. It was delicious. Now I have to make some fresh Whipped cream.

November 16, 2013

Laundry Day, Coffee on, go get 'em.

November 15, 2013

Finally over. Got discharged at one. Went to the movies, saw Ender's Game. Senior ticket was only $10. When I traveled a lot for another job I had gotten used to to eating alone at restaurants and going to movies by myself. Not hard, just a little unsettling at first. Looking forward to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

November 14, 2013

Still on Jury Duty, should be released today. Finished over 250 pages of The Bully Pulpit. Sort of like a mini-vacation.