Getting Back in Sync

Me at one of my favorite activities - at my computer

As regular readers of this blog now know, I've been absent from the blogging scene for a few days.

There were several reasons why.

• My family reunion (which was held last Sunday
• My work situation (had a meeting with my boss and manger yesterday)
• My health situation (I have an appointment with my urologist tomorrow morning

The family reunion went off as planned on Sunday.  I was disappointed and saddened that one whole branch of the family didn't show up, not a one.  This branch always shows up but for some reason, they all found something else to do this past Sunday.  None even had the courtesy (except one) to even tell me.   In spite of their absence the reunion was a success.  Sunday was a 79 degree sunny day. We could not have asked for a better day for a reunion.  My blogger friend Mark H. was there to take photos while I mingled with family members, introducing new family members to each other, which is one of the main reasons I asked Mark to take photos so I would have time to talk to everyone.  I will share some of the photos Mark took in future blog postings.  You have been warned.

Yesterday afternoon I met with my manager and the owner of the hotel.  We aired our concerns and now I am much more comfortable with my work situation.  I will continue working there.  I didn't really want to leave but if I didn't get a raise I was ready to walk.  The owner had some concerns too which he put to me. I understand his concerns and will do my best to implement them.  

My appointment with my urologist finally arrived. In today's medical establishment one has to make an appointment at least two months in advance.  Yep, we got the best health care in the world.  Really?  Anyway, I have my appointment tomorrow for my digital exam.  Not looking forward to it but it is necessary.  I'll probably get another blood test to see if my PSA count is still high.  In the past two months I've been receiving a lot of advice as to what course I should take since I found out that I may have prostate cancer.  I'm on overload.  I hope this all come to naught but if it doesn't, then I'm ready for this next chapter of the Life of Ronald Tipton.  

And that reminds me, my former friend and neighbor who was sent home to die a couple of weeks ago.  He died last Thursday.  He was the same age as me.  Not a comforting thought.  

Now to put all this activity of the past few weeks behind me and get back in synch and begin anew.  One good thing, while I was visiting in Downingtown this past weekend I found a new cemetery that is almost virgin territory.  It is the Catholic cemetery for Downingtown.  I saw many familiar names from my Previous Life in Downingtown.  I was among friends.  I took some pictures but I will be back in a week or two for a more complete visit to finish my photo taking.

There are three activities that I find very relaxing and calming at this time of my life:

• Blogging
• Visiting cemeteries and taking photos
• Working in my backyard

I plan to do a lot more of these activities in the next months.  I need some soothing.

Life After Steve

My friend Larry and his cat Thorne on FaceTime this morning

I am still saddened by the death of Steve Jobs.  I only just recently discovered Apple products this year after years of urging from my friends Larry (pictured above) and Don V.

This past year I have purchased an iMac, TWO iPhones and TWO iPads (one for Bill and one for me).  Our lives are infinitely better now that we are freed from the traps and quicksands of the Windows based operating systems and the second rate computers like Dell.

No longer do I have to call my Computer Guy to make a house call to fix the latest freeze up on our computers just because we happened to hit the wrong key.  I've saved hundreds of dollars plus countless hours of frustration now that my daily living experience is no longer dependent on Mr. Softee's (Bill Gates of Microsoft for those of you unaware) non user friendly software.  In fact my Computer Guy mentioned to me a few months ago that he "hadn't heard from me so you must be happy with your Mac."  YES I AM.

I am  truly saddened by the death of Steve Jobs.  I felt like I lost a personal friend who cared about me.  Steve Job's genius was creating a product that was user friendly and "fun to use."  No longer did we of the naturally non-tech persuasion have bow down to the arrogance and domination of a few nerd computer geeks who had their hands gripped tightly on our balls.  FREEDOM BABY!  That's what it's all about.

My only hope now is that Apple doesn't deteriorate into the usual Corporate Bog that happens to most companies when the original founding genius dies.  And we all know what that is.  Meet those quarterly goals, maximize the top executives' stock options and screw the public.  We'll know when this is happening when Apple outsources it's Help line to India.  If you call Apple Support and you get a person on the other end of the like that says "Hi!  I'm Brad.  Can I help you?" and Brad has one of those happy, tongue tied, high pitched Indian accents, then you know the End has arrived.

In the meantime, the next time the corporate executives do a new Apple product rollout, leave the jeans at home.  That only worked with Steve.  Jeans on you guys looks just plain weird.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs 1955-2001

I woke up about a half an hour ago.  I couldn't go back to sleep.  It is now 2:50 am in the morning.  I normally get up at 6 am.  Today is different.

Last night as I turned on the Lawrence O'Donnell Show on MSNBC, a news bulletin flashed across the bottom of the TV screen.  It said "Steve Jobs Dead at 56 years old."  Immediately a wave of sadness washed over me.  I knew then that this would one of those days that I would remember where I was when I heard the news that a very public figure has died.

In the future I will always remember that I was in my bedroom at 8 pm in the evening of a fall day, preparing to listen to the latest analysis of the political news that is consuming this country.  The date and time I heard of Steve Jobs death will be added to the time and place where I first heard of the deaths of Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, John Lennon and Princess Diana.  Now a new name has been added to this sad roster of larger than life figures who are no longer among us.

Perhaps why Steve Jobs passing has affected me so deeply is because this is one man who has made my life and millions of others so much easier.  Until I switched to Apple products last year, I struggled like millions of others to harness the new technology of computers.  Up until Steve Jobs, computers were designed and built for techies, normal people need not apply.

After years of frustration dealing with Windows based computers and thousands of dollars paid to a "computer guy" to fix the glitches, and hours on the phone for tech help with people who didn't even have English as their first language, I finally switched to Apple products last year at the urging of a friend and my life has been made immensely easier and more pleasant.

So much in todays world is unpleasant, and frustrating.  From our government that doesn't work for the common man to Wall Street which has systematically robbed the dismantled the middle class of this country, to today's version of the Republican Party whose goal it is to destroy the president and further enrich the top 1% of the rich of this country, a flag waving Republican Party that boos a soldier serving in Iraq after that soldier declares that he is gay; this ugly world in which we live in today a person like Steve Jobs was a shining beacon of USER FRIENDLY.

I am under additional stress today because today is the day I meet with the owner of the hotel where I work about the way disrespectful way he treats me and the fact that I haven't had a raise in pay in over four years despite the fact that I am on call 24/7 and go above and beyond what is called for as my job as a part-time front desk clerk.  I am a professional man who is about to turn 70 but I am treated with contempt and talked down to like a child.  That is today's business environment in which so many of us tolerate because we need the job to pay our bills.  I doubt if I will be working after my meeting today to air my grievances.

Thus it was appropriate that I heard a quote from Steve Jobs last night that is exactly applicable to my situation today:

'Your Time Is Limited, So Don't Waste It Living Someone Else's Life'

 Thank you Steve Jobs for all that you did to make the lives of millions of your fellow human beings more tolerable.  Rest in peace dear man.

Occupy Wall Street

I try to refrain from making political posts but I feel I have to make an exception this time.

The last few days I have seen a few of their spokespeople appear on cable TV (don't look on Fox because you won't see them on the so called "fair and balanced" network) who are very articulate and say just the way I feel.  This country has been screwed by corporate greed run amok and it is only getting worse.  Both political parties are brought and paid for by Corporate America.  They are owned lock, stock and barrel by Corporate America.  No, I'm not a Communist or even a Socialist but I am an American and our freedom has been hijacked by a few corporate vultures and this country is going down the tubes unless we reverse course.  There, I've had my say and tomorrow I will go back to my usual self-involved fluff like my job problems at work, which actually is connected to the Corporate Greed Culture that dominates this country today.  I haven't had a raise in my pay in four years and nor do I expect a raise.  That has to be resolved.  Now I really am done.  Here is their manifesto:

What follows is the first official, collective statement of the protesters in Zuccotti Park: As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies. As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known. They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage. They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses. They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one's skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation. They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization. They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless animals, and actively hide these practices. They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions. They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right. They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay. They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility. They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance. They have sold our privacy as a commodity. They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press. They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit. They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce. They have donated large sums of money to politicians, who are responsible for regulating them. They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil. They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives or provide relief in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantial profit. They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit. They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media. They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt. They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad. They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas. They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government ontracts.* To the people of the world, We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power. Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone. To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal. Join us and make your voices heard!

Team Kristenballs - Out!

Team Kristen Balls 

Kristen Calvallari and Mark Ballas, also known by the oh to cute name of "Kristen Balls" was voted off "Dancing With the Stars" show a few minutes ago.  Thank you.  Now I no longer have to watch the smug, show boating Mark Ballas dancing in his white spats, making faces and doing flips while supposedly "dancing" with his celebrity partner Kirsten Calvallari.

Oh I know some of (or maybe all) of my blogger buddies disagree with me about Mark Ballas.  Cubby thinks he's hot.  Another one of regular blogger reader whose opinion I value recently told me that Mark is a nice guy.  Sorry folks, the guy just rubs me the wrong way.  From the first time I saw him, I didn't like his showboating ways.  I wasn't going to say anything more about him but since he was surprisingly voted off the show tonight, I felt the need to say "I told you so."

Was Team Kristen Balls the worst dancers?  No, they were absolutely not the worst dancers.  In fact, they were pretty good, much to my chagrin.  The worst dancers or dancer is Chaz Bono clumping around the dance floor.  He is painful to watch.  But when I see a really professional dancer like Derek Hough (who I heard the other day that Howard Stern can't stand for many of the same reasons I couldn't stand Mark Ballas), the contrast is to great to ignore.  Derek compliments his celebrity partner Rickie Lake, he doesn't take the spotlight off of her with selfish, showboating acts like doing a flip at the end of a dance routine.  I don't know Derek. He might just be the biggest jerk in the world.  But what I do know is that I enjoy watching him dance with his partner as a TEAM, not as a professional dancer scene stealing from his celebrity partner.

All right, enough beating up on the "wonderful" Mark Ballas.  I've said all I'm going to say about him except that I am glad I won't have to watch him anymore (I did fast forward through his routine tonight when I played back my DVD recording of the show last night).  The two so called professional dancers that I didn't like were Mark Ballas and that Dutch guy from last year who didn't come back this year.  Now that the two most annoying professional dancers are off the show I can enjoy the show without having to fast forward through any of it.

By the way, this week's show was very good.  All the dancers with the possible exception of Chaz, were very, very good.  I am very impressed with how hard they work to perfect their routines.  It's more than I could ever do.  And that my friends, is why I'm watching and why they are dancing.

I wish them all happiness, even Mark Ballas.  Maybe he learned a lesson tonight and, if he comes back next season, acts like a professional dancer who is there to compliment his celebrity partner instead of trying for his own reality show.  Good luck Mark!

The Mark Ballas pout - just one of his many annoying facial expressions - so "professional"

Halloween 2011

Me, Halloween 1980

That Halloween party invitation still hasn't appeared in my mailbox.  Whatever could the matter be?  Perchance I don't have any friends down here in Gayberry to would be considerate enough to invite me to their Halloween party?  Would they really be that thoughtless and rude? Me thinks so.  Oh sure, there are the Halloween parties where you PAY to go.  No thanks.  I'm at the age where I need to be invited.  But alas, I think my chances of receiving a Halloween party invitation are about as likely as someone inviting me out to dinner to celebrate my 70th birthday which occurs nine days after Halloween.  Yep folks, I have a Halloweeney birthday.

No folks, I'm not hinting, just stating a fact.  In fact, if anyone invites me out now, I will turn them down flat.  In fact, one of my acquaintances (and he knows who he is) has said he "owes me a dinner."  Well folks, no one OWES me anything.  This was a birthday dinner from a couple of years ago.  He says to contact him but when I do he's never available.  He's always busy.  No time seems to be a good time for him.  You're wasting my time "friend."  One knows when one isn't interested.  If he was really interested he would make time.  That's like friends who say "Call me and we'll get together."  But when you all, they're never available.  Never.  Get a clue Ron.  They're NOT INTERESTED.  Been there, done that, tired of that, won't do that anymore.  Bye bye.

To be very frank with you all, I'm going through a transition right now.  I'm fed up with my job and the way the owner treats me.  Fed up.  Last night was the last straw.  I won't go into detail here because I still work there but for how much longer I don't know.  Come this April I will have worked at this establishment FIVE YEARS and only had ONE raise and that was three months after I started.  Since then...nada.  Yes, I know I'm very patient.  I put up with crap that hardly anyone else will put up with.  Maybe that's why I set myself up so often to be taken advantage of.  I'm on call 24/7.  I work part-time but am frequently called to go in and fill in for my co-workers for a variety of reasons.  I always go in.  I've never turned them down in the 4 1/2 years I worked there.  I do an excellent job.  I go above and  beyond.  Never a word of thanks, never a sign of recognition.  I've had it.

I'll be 70 years old nine days after Halloween (which I do believe I said before but it bears saying again).  Perhaps it is time for me to take stock and assess where I stand now.  Do you know the number one reason workers are dissatisfied with their job?  No, it's not the money.  The number one reason is a lack of appreciation or recognition.  I don't get the money nor the appreciation or recognition.  All I get is grief because I don't have the ability to read someone's mind.  At this time of my life do I need this stress?  Especially when I'm looking at a possible case of prostate cancer?  My appointment with my urologist is October 14th.  Yep folks, that's what I'm looking at, another Journey.

So here is the situation.  I've stocked up on candy for the little neighborhood munchkins.  All chocolate mind you.  I know what I liked when I was a kid, none of that cheap candy, give me chocolate!  I have my costumes.  Maybe I'll put one on when I answer when the little darlings ring my door bell Halloween Eve.  Lord knows I won't be going to any parties.  One would think living in Gayberry I would be inundated with invites since Halloween is the big GAY HOLIDAY.  I may not of inherited the gay gene that gets a hard on over Broadway musicals but I certainly do get INVOLVED with Halloween.  So if I'm going to have a happy Halloween this year, I'll just have to make it myself.

By the way, I didn't have a chance to watch "Dancing With the Stars" last night because I WAS WORKING LAST NIGHT. Yep folks, I was called in again to work nights that I'm not usually scheduled to work. I'm working again tonight so I won't be able to see the elimination round.

Do I sound a little bitter and cynical today?  All I can say to that is that you all are very perceptive.  One good thing, I do see the sun shining outside for the first time in what seems like weeks.

Have a great day everyone! Maybe I'll be more upbeat and cheerful on my next blog posting, but then maybe not.  Just like Forest Gump said about life being a like a box of chocolates, "You never know what you're going to get."  You sure don't.

Me (on the right!) with my neighbor Barbara - 2009

Rehoboth Beach October 1, 2011

Getting ready to feed the gulls this morning at the edge of the continent

Under the cover of the early morning darkness, Bill and I stealthily drove out of our still sleeping development to deliver food for those Rehoboth Beach seagulls that loiter around the beach.  I had some food past its expiration date in my refrigerator and it was time to Feed The Seagulls.  Oh yes, I know we are not to Feed the Birds but I do anyway, lawbreaker that I am.  Report me.

Last summer I made the trek to the boardwalk in Rehoboth just about everyday. When I realized that I was paying about $30 a week for gas (Rehoboth is 10 miles each way from our home), I cut back on my trips to the boardwalk.  Plus, I was growing uneasy with the high traffic on Route 1.  It would just be a matter of time before I had a fender bender or worse, what with all the crazy drivers on One.

This past summer I think I made maybe three trips to the boardwalk, each one worse than the next for fighting the traffic and the Summer Hoards of Touristas, bless their money spending hearts.  I have to say I didn't really miss the stress of driving to and fro the beach.

Now that the summer season is ended, I figured it would be safe to return to the beach and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the Atlantic Ocean which I am so fortunate to have so close.  Today was no exception.  I feed the seagulls and got dirty looks from some of the early Beach Traffic.  I ignored them.  Get over it folks.

Then I took a walk "on the boards".  Oh it was good to have that spring in my step again and the exhilarating feeling of getting my blood flowing again from my brisk walking pace.  I love walking on the boardwalk.  If I lived in Rehoboth, I would walk everyday. I walk almost everyday in the development behind where we live, but it's not the same as walking on the boardwalk, listening to the gentle waves rolling in on the beach, the seagulls squawking and the smell of salt air.  I never tire of that experience folks, never.

Not many folks on the Boards this morning - just the way I like it

Bill waited in my car while I took my Stroll on the Boardwalk.  The Usuals were on the boardwalk this morning.  The women who use that ridiculously funny arm movement while they walk, thinking that silly action is going to reduce the size of their hips and fat asses.  Doesn't work ladies.  Then there are those ancient (I guess that would include me) Old Folk who are exercising by walking, hoping to prolong their lives by a few more years by getting their circulatory system going.  And how can we forget the grossly overweight who waddle up and down the boardwalk, hoping to stave off a heart attack and maybe lose a few pounds.  Again, it ain't happening folks but if that's what turns you on, go for it.

The Boardwalk Show never disappoints.  It's all the Humane Drama and Comedy all rolled into one, me included of course.  I don't exempt myself.

At one time I kidded myself that perhaps, just maybe, I might meet a Fellow Walker.  You know, a FRIEND.  HA!  That ain't happening either.  Oh sure, I have received some LOOKS, but look what was looking at me.  No thank you.  They are either too young or too old (and fat).  Isn't that the name of a song?  Oh well.

In a few weeks it will be officially Fall and the last remnants of the Touristas will be gone and I can go into Rehoboth and enjoy all the natural wonder of living near the Atlantic Ocean without the stress of traffic, people and oppressive heat of summer.  Fall truly is the best time at the beach.

Sunrise on the Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, October 1, 2011