DISAPPOINTMENTS & NETWORK TV

Every year at this time I go through the same ordeal - TV Shows I have invested my time in have been cancelled - yet again.  Over the years I have been frustrated by it and even driven to write-in campaigns (Jericho - reruns available on Netflix).

I say I have "invested" my time because my time is rather limited.  I work two jobs and so my TV time is carefully chosen!  That doesn't mean I choose the most Intelligent thought-provoking shows - no - I really do enjoy a mindless sit-com after working a 12 hour day of "customer service".   Some people like to escape with "The Simpsons" or other animated adult cartoons, but I prefer something like the ABC line-up "Modern Family", "The Goldbergs", and "Blackish".  But ABC ,being the genius network that they are, have broken up that powerhouse lineup and are using each of these shows on separate nights no doubt to rope viewers into watching some new (possibly lame) shows.  Since most people now days have DVR's and subscribe to streaming services, we don't have to be held hostage to actually watching a show when it airs anymore.  I personally rely on HULU to see my shows on weekends when I have free time.   Nothing ABC has to offer in-between these established shows will lure me away at the moment.  After all - if I do get attached to a show - well - they'll probably cancel it.   I just got attached to "The Crossing".  Yep ....Cancelled.

Most notably ABC has also cancelled "Designated Survivor".  A drama that made you think and was engaging for an hour.  In recent years they cancelled another clever show called "Forever" Unfortunately they were not shows geared to the ADHD crowd or the "fast-food" generation who can't sit still or concentrate that long.    They would rather watch thought-provoking shows like The Celebrity Family Feud or The Match Game. 

But ABC is not the only network that has let me down - they all are guilty of questionable judgment.  Thank goodness for the Twitter fans who helped to save "Lucifer" from the Fox Execs, and many thanks to Netflix for picking it up!!   I actually did a happy dance in the Pharmacy @ Rite Aid when I was told it had been saved! 

Again - I am sure we all have been let down by the networks, PBS killed "Mercy Street", HULU killed "The Path", Amazon killed "Mozart in the Jungle", FX killed "The Tyrant", and SYFY killed "Defiance" .  Just because I haven't listed NBC, CBS, The CW, whoEVER - it doesn't mean they haven't let us down somewhere along the line. 

And, I'm not saying everything that was cancelled should have been saved - NO.  Some shows most definitely were "tired".  A long-time favorite of mine is "Nashville".  When it premiered it was a great show - but whatever has happened these last two seasons is an embarrassment to the original seasons. The same can be said for great books that are made into Television series.  In an effort to make MONEY,  the "idea" of a book is kept, but the "series" doesn't resemble the book.  Case in point - "Under The Dome", "Zoo"  and "The Strain" .  Instead of keeping to the true story and making them a LIMITED SERIES, it was necessary to insult everyone who read the books with a drawn out story line that fell short.    I can only wonder what is is store for the readers of "The Passage" (book 1 of a trilogy)

My recommendation would be - read the books.  And especially before you watch "The Passage"  - it's a great trilogy that spans over a century.   Fox will probably cancel it anyway - unless, of course, they think they can drag it out that long......?

Anyway - was your show cancelled?  Check out the entire list - everything you need to know about every TV show!   You can scroll through every show from A to Z and see the shows that have been cancelled, and the shows that have been renewed! 

I will sleep better this evening knowing "The Gong Show" hasn't been cancelled.........

Friends, Acquaintances and Reunions

 I've never had much of an inclination to go to my High School Reunions.  Having gone to an all-girls school, my husband wasn't "invited" to the first few,  and as the years past,  I realized there were very few people I would be interested in seeing.    I wasn't a "popular" girl in high school.  Back then people would say I was shy, definitely naive and only had a handful of real friends.   Or should I say just friends?   These girls who I spent most of my waking hours with,  have all disappeared from the face of the earth.    What I have found  is that the best friends I have, have been made later in life.

I was 29 when I met my Best friend.  I can call her my best friend after 38 years of always being there for me  She is probably a better friend to me than I am to her since I am pretty much of an air-head  and she has it more "together" than I, but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her.

I was 66 when I met my Second Best Friend.  It is never too late to form close friendships!  I am blessed to have been this lucky.

Over the years I have had "work friends" but most of them evaporated once I was no longer working with them.  (like when I graduated from High School)    Funny how that happens.   Losing these "friends" was as much of a blow as losing my job.  What it taught me was that after 16 years at a job and walking away with one "friend" is that I've tried not to get too close to the people I work with now.  I now have work "acquaintances" (and a couple do call friend - I am a slow learner!).

Real friends aren't necessarily people you see all the time.  They are the people you share some kind of history with and are so comfortable with you that you can pick up where you left off whether it was yesterday or two years ago!    And that's what happened this weekend with friends I've know for 38 years!    I haven't seen them in at least a year, but we sat and caught up like it was yesterday!   Funny how we talked about all the good times we had and what was going on now.   That was a real Reunion.  People you really want to see and spend time with.

I would prefer a Palmetto Street Reunion - a Holy Innocents Reunion (although they did have one recently), a Bridesburg Reunion, a Boulevard Pools-Brookline Reunion....The "Kids" I grew up with.  A few of us have reconnected on Facebook which is nice, but it's not the same as actually seeing and talking and sharing old times!  But NOT my High School Reunion - there's only a hand-full of people I would like to reconnect with there.

Dog Walkers at Wyntre Brook Apartments

Dear Neighbor,

I am so sorry you felt I tried to run you down last evening when I was returning from work at 9:15 P.M.    Unfortunately I did not see you walking in my lane – in the dark – wearing a black t-shirt - with a black dog.

Possibly, if you had been walking on the grass or on the side with traffic it may not have been such a close encounter.  Please understand – I did have the right of way – it is a driveway after all, and not a walkway.  Maybe the next time you should try carrying a FLASHLIGHT  like other neighbors do when they walk their dogs at night. 

Since my dog has recently passed, I have no use for the flashlight, but I would be glad to give it to you so your dog doesn’t get hit by some poor soul driving on the road.

I am sorry if you were frightened.  Just as frightened as I was at suddenly seeing you and the dog in my lane.  Just as terrified when I got out of my car and you were standing there waiting to verbally accost me. 

Please take some responsibility for your own lack of good sense. 

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Dear Neighbor,

I appreciate that we don't have sidewalks to walk on - but there is plenty of grass and driveway available that you do not have to walk right next to the apartment windows!    It's been over a year now and I think it is way past time that you will ever have control of your yapping dog.   

Yanking his leash up and hanging him will not stop his uncontrolled barking.  Telling him SHUSH, Be Quite, Stop.....doesn't work.  It is like trying to negotiate with a two year old.    Ain't happening!

Since you choose to walk by my bedroom window before my alarm clock goes off every morning - and since you walk by on weekends I can actually sleep in, might I direct you to A very good book by Cesar Milan: (the  REAL dog whisperer)  "Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems" .  

If that's not an option I will be drop off a Muzzle until you get some lessons on how to handle your pup!  They have classes regularly at Petco or Petsmart who can help you out.  I am sure I am not the only neighbor who would thank you!


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Dear Neighbor,

What a lovely BIG dog you have!  I am sure he is a loving pet, but outside he is a terror!  You must know that because you have a restraint around his muzzle.  I don't understand why then you walk him on a 30 foot leash!    That may be good when you are walking the trails, but in an apartment complex - with other (smaller) dogs around - it might be more "neighborly" if you kept him on a short(er) leash!  You had a hard time pulling him back from almost eating a small dog awhile back!  And he came charging at me when I walked out the door - you might have been able to see that if he wasn't out the door WAY ahead of you on his 30 foot leash........

Hint Hint......

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Office Bathroom Etiquette

I seem to be on an etiquette kick lately.  Or maybe I just assume people know what's right and what's wrong in certain given situations.  I'm not talking extraordinary circumstances - just regular daily living situations.

Take using a shared bathroom in an office.  Lately I feel like I have been using a truck-stop ladies room.  Seriously.  Not that many "women" here use the room, so I'm wondering who is wandering in suddenly who has no concerns for anyone who might be following them.

The first most obvious thing is the toilet-paper roll.  We have a stall with a "double" roll.  Any time I go in there is at least one empty.  The reach for a new roll is really a stretch......they keep extra rolls between the stalls on the floor.

Just reach down and grab one!!!

Then there is the one who will actually take the paper off the roll and stand it on top of the holder.   I'm thinking maybe their fingers are too arthritic to squeeze the holder to slide the roll on to it.   I guess I can forgive Old, arthritic, fingers.....

Maybe then because of age your can't bend down and pick up the toilet paper that is all over the floor.    Did you miss getting it INTO the bowl?

And my favorite is the squatters.   This is NOT a truck stop or public facility open to the general public.   If you are intent on squatting then please - PLEASE - dry the seat before you leave.  You would be the first one to scream foul if you sat on a wet seat!    Try lining the seat with toilet paper then - and remember to flush it before you leave!

And lastly - LADIES - please - LOOK 👀 before you leave. 

Nothing more to say about that.......

Drive-Thru Etiquette

Some things just never change.  I guess that's one thing you can count on in life.  At least at a drive-thru pharmacy.  But I am guessing it's the same at ANY drive thru location.

At our particular pharmacy when you drive up we are alerted by a doorbell-type ding (like the old-fashioned gas station for us old-timers).  It is NOT necessary to ring the bell the moment you pull up to let us know you are there!  This isn't fast food - we don't have someone standing idly at the window waiting for cars to pull up - please give us a minute!

When you pull up in your LOUD truck or souped-up car, please turn it off.  It is next to impossible to hear you over the roar of your machine, and you get irritated when we ask you to repeat what you said thinking we are deaf or just plain stupid.

Please put down the phone.  You know you are in line to pick up your goods -so wait until you are finished to make your phone call.  We really don't care to hear your conversations.  Actually, we shut the microphone off until we have to converse with you.

Same goes for the radio - turn down your music - most times we don't care for your selection anyway.

Please LOOK at the person speaking to you.  There is something very shady about a person who can't look you in the eye when you are speaking to them.    Maybe if you LOOKED at me I wouldn't have to repeat what I said.  (Receipt is in the bag.....told you twice)

If you are in the passenger seat, please speak up!    You are sitting in  a vehicle with the outside elements drowning you out and our speakers are not top quality!    I personally don't remember every customer's name, so in addition to speaking up - speak clearly please. 

Working in this environment has taught me to be a lot nicer to the people at the drive thru  - bank, fast food - whatever - I've been on the receiving end of Rude and it's not nice!

Gaston

                                             September 8, 2003 ---------------------January 24, 2017               

Well, a week has gone by since Gaston died and it's still difficult to put into words the loss I feel.   When Carmel died a few years ago I at least felt prepared.  Even tho he was 13 and slowing down, he wasn't really "sick".  I think that's what makes it so difficult.   There wasn't any warning - I wasn't prepared - he just got sick and died in my arms.  

So - after 13 years he is gone.     When I returned from the Vets I came back to a dark, quiet apartment with just his collar and leash in hand -  I never felt like I lived alone until that moment.

No more music playing on the radio to keep him company while I'm gone.
No more lights on timers so he's not in the dark while I'm gone.
No more chewies strewn all over the floor to step on  in the dark.
No more blankets bunched up to trip over.
No more tufts of hair all over the place.
No more humpy elephant.
No more long slow walks visiting every tree and bush in Wyntre Brooke.
No more treats from the leasing office.
No more sharing my Cheerios every morning.
No more being chased down every time I have a plate in my hand.
No more being guarded in the kitchen in case something falls on the floor.
No more.......

Thank you for coming into my life.   Thank you for your unconditional love.   Till we meet again.

Trump?

I really thought I could ignore blogging about the new President,  but it's a hard topic to ignore.  It's very difficult to log on to Facebook or Twitter anymore without some "Trump discussion" going on. What I have noticed tho is how much more vindictive the posts are.   Don't get me wrong - I enjoy "rude and sarcastic", but I'm not enjoying the changes I've seen on my feed.  I was not a fan of either candidate or the last POTUS, but at least Obama was diplomatic and a dignified statesman.   Unfortunately I'm afraid those are terms that will not be applied to this president.

 It doesn't seem to matter that his "platform" is actually worthwhile and as a Republican, I support most of it, it's just hard to look up to a petty, defensive bully which is what is has shown himself to be throughout the campaign and his most recent news conference.

And isn't President-elect Trump part of that same "1%" that controls the media he so mistrusts and the "swamp" he wants to drain?  Will the White House be good enough for the Trumps?  Or will the new center of our Government be moved to Trump Towers?

If the President-elect truly wants to "Make America Great Again", then he needs to put down his smart phone, stops behaving like a petulant child and DO what he said he would do.

I'm willing to see what happens, but I don't really have a choice now do I?  I'm just buckling up for the ride.