I know that in the blog I wrote a few days ago, I said it would probably end my blogs for the month, which I also know has not changed. (Happy Birthday to my nephew!) However, if you’re new to my blogs (never read me when I was at Xanga), you should know I “live Improv” beyond the point I get sick of sayin’ it, so you can’t really trust anything I say regarding the future.
One thing I can almost-guarantee nobody else has read is a piece I wrote years ago called, “What Gets Me Is…”. I originally planned it to be a series, perhaps published/printed in either the local Tribune or the school paper. However, I believe I only ever wrote the first one, & I have the only printed copies of that in a folder in my bedroom closet.
Even so, recently, I thought of a few new subjects I want to cover in that sort of piece. Therefore, I now present to you…
“What Gets Me Is…”, Version 2.0 - Issue 1
Part 1: “The Concentration”
Let me start by getting a few things out of the way. When I write about “the concentration”, I am not referring to “concentration camps”, or anything regarding the Nazis or the Holocaust. I also am not referring to Dr. Phil & the millions of others out there who seem to focus on males being the physical/sexual abusers of their girlfriends/wives.
Hypothetical Situation That Really Happened #1: A few days ago, I was walking around a store at the local Mall “complex”. At the time, I was a legal adult citizen of this state with legally-achieved “disposable” income. Walking through this store, I noticed a bunch of clothes hanging. Above them was a sign, saying the store was having a sale with big discounts on their “maternity” clothing.
In my entire life, I can guarantee you I have had no need for “maternity” clothes. (Perhaps my sister… But with her birthday over a month ago, & Christmas a few months ahead, that sale would have done me no good this month.) I also don’t frankly care one bit about wearing clothes to give me a certain “look” or do anything else to attract any sort of potential romantic relationship.
All that being said, I spend a lot of time at the Mall stores & other local shopping areas. Looking at stores specifically based around maternity (saw one at this same Mall closing yesterday) & others based around either women or guys whose lives seem to hover around attempting to attract these women, I want to walk up to a Customer Service desk, & quote “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back”, asking, “When’s gonna be my time?!”
Part 2: “When Trash Is Trash”
The thing I remember I was going to do when I originally began this series years ago is mainly look at not everything that “gets me”, but largely popular ideas & phrases & the like. With that original intent in mind, I have the one for this “Issue”: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
Now I’m not about to lie; I get the basic idea of that, & it could be largely true. For instance, my Mom loves both dropping things off at the local Goodwill stores, & buying things from these same stores. (Especially around times like now, when she is doing a play locally, & needs something for her costume.) Also, within walking distance of where I type this is an old store where, at least once a month, they have sales put on by the Easter Seals Society, where the place is filled with things (mostly, I think, picked-up by people given that task) no longer needed by the original owner that others can now purchase and use. (This is where my Mom gets a ton of toys & things for when my nephews stop by.)
But here’s the “thing” for me… I am not against the idea of someone else being able to use something I have later (though they often actually can’t, as I hold onto it, still having use for it myself). Also, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention the large number of CDs & DVDs I have I bought at Buybacks (originally called CD Warehouse) that had all been owned by someone else previously.
Even so, living where I do, I see two sides of this. One is the fake fireplace in the lobby. There, people place all sorts of food, drink, & clothes, available for nothing on a “first come, first serve” basis. However, when I make my regular walking trips to the local Mall, I am sure to pass at least 1 (if not 2) giant, blue Dumpsters. At least once a week, Mom or I has a garbage bag to take to one of them, filled with things (mainly pop cans, in my case) that we once had obvious uses for, but haven’t needed now, in some cases for days. If indeed “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, how have I lived here 6 years now, & never seen a single person taking anything out of one of those Dumpsters?!
OK… Think that’s all I wanted to write for this one. (Actually, I know I had some more ideas, but they’re just not “coming down the pike” at the moment.)
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
After The Ending
Hey, everybody! Welcome to my first blog of the official new Fall TV season. (Well, sort of; I know some shows don't premiere until next week. The CW Network is delaying some premieres until late next month, I think, & I think "Nikita" will return sometime after Thanksgiving! Meanwhile, USA Network seems to be premiering a new season of a show once every 6 months at least.)
As I watch the premieres this week (both of brand-new shows like "The Crazy Ones" & starts of new seasons of faves like "Big Bang" or "NCIS: Los Angeles"), I am (semi-ironically) thinking about endings. For one thing, some shows had cliffhanger endings that made it seem the new season would continue on the same fictional day as the last one ended ("NCISLA"), whereas others just leave you with questions some fans want answered. [While I watched every episode of "Burn Notice", I never considered myself a "shipper". I don't really care that "Michael" & "Fiona" ended-up in the same building, nor do I care if Maggie Lawson (AKA "Juliet") ever comes back to "Psych".]
That makes me think more about my own endings... And yes, I do mean that to be plural! For one thing, I am not anywhere near suicidal. (I don't believe I ever will be again; As I've told many counselors/psychiatrists, "When I get depressed, I get lazy, & won't do anything at all.") For one, I don't think it will bother my sister to tell you my older nephew is celebrating a birthday this coming weekend. I have every intention of making the party (gift bought, but unwrapped & card yet to be signed), but for many years, I have wondered if you're supposed to be celebrating the year you're ending or the one you're starting. (Doesn't help that my birthday is practically smack-dab in the middle of the last month of the year!)
Also, I am thinking about when my play is getting performed. For any unaware, I don't mean one I am acting in. I made a decision a few Winters back I was done being on the stage. This is one I wrote... At least, as much as it's been written. I've "lettered-out" the music for the songs in the first act (have the notes by letter in order, but not staffed), & have yet to even do that much for Act Two. Even so, I have already developed a list of, say, a half-dozen people I would happily have in it or working on it with me, as well as at least 3 people I may try to get some form of restraining order on, keeping them "X-number-of" feet/yards away from the show.
I (with, I think, perhaps, some help from a relative) am also trying to get my "guardians" to get moving on this computer-buying thing. Once I get my own computer again, I will continue a few stories I started writing "X-number-of" years back. (Someone tell me if you know how to contact Random House or one of the big, non-"vanity" publishers about publishing your stuff so you get paid, & maybe don't have to pay them.) Also, then (when that's done), I will get to the ending I really want... The end of my relationship with the "guardians"!!! (I've taken to thinking of them as "The Law-Evading Lawyers", & have even considered prosecuting him/them for stealing from my accounts.)
Well, for now, that should cover it, & will be the end of my blogs for this month.
As I watch the premieres this week (both of brand-new shows like "The Crazy Ones" & starts of new seasons of faves like "Big Bang" or "NCIS: Los Angeles"), I am (semi-ironically) thinking about endings. For one thing, some shows had cliffhanger endings that made it seem the new season would continue on the same fictional day as the last one ended ("NCISLA"), whereas others just leave you with questions some fans want answered. [While I watched every episode of "Burn Notice", I never considered myself a "shipper". I don't really care that "Michael" & "Fiona" ended-up in the same building, nor do I care if Maggie Lawson (AKA "Juliet") ever comes back to "Psych".]
That makes me think more about my own endings... And yes, I do mean that to be plural! For one thing, I am not anywhere near suicidal. (I don't believe I ever will be again; As I've told many counselors/psychiatrists, "When I get depressed, I get lazy, & won't do anything at all.") For one, I don't think it will bother my sister to tell you my older nephew is celebrating a birthday this coming weekend. I have every intention of making the party (gift bought, but unwrapped & card yet to be signed), but for many years, I have wondered if you're supposed to be celebrating the year you're ending or the one you're starting. (Doesn't help that my birthday is practically smack-dab in the middle of the last month of the year!)
Also, I am thinking about when my play is getting performed. For any unaware, I don't mean one I am acting in. I made a decision a few Winters back I was done being on the stage. This is one I wrote... At least, as much as it's been written. I've "lettered-out" the music for the songs in the first act (have the notes by letter in order, but not staffed), & have yet to even do that much for Act Two. Even so, I have already developed a list of, say, a half-dozen people I would happily have in it or working on it with me, as well as at least 3 people I may try to get some form of restraining order on, keeping them "X-number-of" feet/yards away from the show.
I (with, I think, perhaps, some help from a relative) am also trying to get my "guardians" to get moving on this computer-buying thing. Once I get my own computer again, I will continue a few stories I started writing "X-number-of" years back. (Someone tell me if you know how to contact Random House or one of the big, non-"vanity" publishers about publishing your stuff so you get paid, & maybe don't have to pay them.) Also, then (when that's done), I will get to the ending I really want... The end of my relationship with the "guardians"!!! (I've taken to thinking of them as "The Law-Evading Lawyers", & have even considered prosecuting him/them for stealing from my accounts.)
Well, for now, that should cover it, & will be the end of my blogs for this month.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
"See Me, Feel Me..."
Hey, everyone! I'm back again! (A while back, on my old blog, I set-out an aim for myself to do 1 a week. That is what I am aiming for again here.)
Another thing I did a lot on my old blog I am repeating here is "stealing" titles. For anyone who may not know, my title this time comes from a song by The Who. (Or, as my Dad often called it when I was growing up, "Who-music".) I actually can't tell you the last time I listened to any "Who-music", largely because it's near the end of my largely-alphabetized CD collection, & therefore VERY hard to get to.
The reason I chose this title is those are my two best hopes to communicate with anyone right now. I finally did get my hearing aid the other day, but the audiologist had VERY specific instructions about when I should/shouldn't wear it. Mom & I (long story short) kinda broke those the day of the appointment, so I'm kinda wondering where to go from there, how, etc.
Another thing that continues is my ongoing effort to get a computer. Actually, perhaps that should be "effortS". See, a key part of this is timing. I am simultaneously wanting to get a new computer & get entirely rid of any connections to my "legal guardian(s)".
-[The explanation for the quotes is a long story... The explanation for the "(s)" is not so much of one. If I call the office of Mr. Letson, who I was first told was my guardian, I am asked if I wish to talk to him, schedule an appointment with him, etc. If I E-mail him (the address is on his business card), however, I will pass about 50 birthdays before I "hear" from him again. Meanwhile, E-mail another man in the same office, & he fully answers all questions within a day. Ironically, this is one of the main reasons I wish to get rid of my connections to all of them.]
I was told long ago (during 1 of maybe 5 times I've actually spoken to Mr. Letson) the steps that needed to be taken for me to get a computer (since he/his office has control of my financial accounts right now). I was never told how I might be able to do it if I remove any & all "guardians", but I'm betting that accomplishment would involve more of me & much less of my "representatives" (& all that jazz), & yet still (in some semi-ironic way) be more difficult for me. Therefore, if any of them actually find my blog (got a weird paranoia-like feeling they Google me, etc. once in a while), take this as a warning that getting my new/next computer will be THE LAST THING YOU EVER DO FOR ME!!!
Anyhow, as I alluded to early on, this blog was mainly set to hit the one-a-week aim, & mention the new hearing aid. I have no medical appointments this upcoming week, so I may skip blogging 'til October.
Another thing I did a lot on my old blog I am repeating here is "stealing" titles. For anyone who may not know, my title this time comes from a song by The Who. (Or, as my Dad often called it when I was growing up, "Who-music".) I actually can't tell you the last time I listened to any "Who-music", largely because it's near the end of my largely-alphabetized CD collection, & therefore VERY hard to get to.
The reason I chose this title is those are my two best hopes to communicate with anyone right now. I finally did get my hearing aid the other day, but the audiologist had VERY specific instructions about when I should/shouldn't wear it. Mom & I (long story short) kinda broke those the day of the appointment, so I'm kinda wondering where to go from there, how, etc.
Another thing that continues is my ongoing effort to get a computer. Actually, perhaps that should be "effortS". See, a key part of this is timing. I am simultaneously wanting to get a new computer & get entirely rid of any connections to my "legal guardian(s)".
-[The explanation for the quotes is a long story... The explanation for the "(s)" is not so much of one. If I call the office of Mr. Letson, who I was first told was my guardian, I am asked if I wish to talk to him, schedule an appointment with him, etc. If I E-mail him (the address is on his business card), however, I will pass about 50 birthdays before I "hear" from him again. Meanwhile, E-mail another man in the same office, & he fully answers all questions within a day. Ironically, this is one of the main reasons I wish to get rid of my connections to all of them.]
I was told long ago (during 1 of maybe 5 times I've actually spoken to Mr. Letson) the steps that needed to be taken for me to get a computer (since he/his office has control of my financial accounts right now). I was never told how I might be able to do it if I remove any & all "guardians", but I'm betting that accomplishment would involve more of me & much less of my "representatives" (& all that jazz), & yet still (in some semi-ironic way) be more difficult for me. Therefore, if any of them actually find my blog (got a weird paranoia-like feeling they Google me, etc. once in a while), take this as a warning that getting my new/next computer will be THE LAST THING YOU EVER DO FOR ME!!!
Anyhow, as I alluded to early on, this blog was mainly set to hit the one-a-week aim, & mention the new hearing aid. I have no medical appointments this upcoming week, so I may skip blogging 'til October.
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Other Part Of Reality
With my last blog ending in (semi-) current events, let me start this one in a similar way. About 20 hours ago, I was sitting on my bed, watching the TNT series "Perception". For any unaware, it stars Eric McCormack (the male half of "Will & Grace") & Rachael Leigh Cook, most-famous to people (at least those my age) for "She's All That". (I actually "follow" her on Twitter, & she occasionally posts old pictures of that cast.)
About-as-recently, I had an appointment with my endocrinologist yesterday morning...
Before I cover that, excuse me for this related note. In my closet right now is a green T-shirt I bought that says, "Notice: Whatever you're doing, saying, or thinking, I'm not interested". I've never worn it, & it actually still has tags & things on it. I thought about wearing it yesterday, but chose not to, since I planned to ask her 2 questions, which I thought she wouldn't answer honestly if she read the shirt. Now, I never asked the questions, & therefore, SO wish I had worn the shirt.
Since I bet you're curious, one question was how I could keep my blood-sugar numbers under control while gaining weight. (My numbers fly to the point I consider FAA contact, but I agree with the office I've lost FAR too much weight!!) The other was how she & my former endocrinologists could look at me, sitting in their offices, telling me how to care for my Diabetes, knowing I truly never had it?! (If you're new to my blogs, know I was diagnosed over a dozen years ago, but don't recall a single second including this one I actually believe I have/had it.)
Back to "Perception", though. I've seen Season 1 on DVD at Target several times, & considered buying it. When I do so, another 2 questions hit me. One is why the box for this drama mentions Eric's Emmy win for the sitcom "Will & Grace"? The other is why to call it "Perception"?
It is the second question I think about often. I've read the saying about "perception" & "reality". In 90% of the episodes, they are investigating at least 1 murder, of a person who certainly won't be at work next week.
On the side, though, I think about the all-lower-case word "perception" & the "reality" I can't watch on Bravo, E!, TLC, or VH1. This is partly because Eric plays a college professor of neuroscience. (I've been diagnosed with a neuro- issue literally as long as I can remember, & never denied it.) I also wonder about what I see as reality, what my doctors see that way, what my family sees that way, & how much of each is correct.
About-as-recently, I had an appointment with my endocrinologist yesterday morning...
Before I cover that, excuse me for this related note. In my closet right now is a green T-shirt I bought that says, "Notice: Whatever you're doing, saying, or thinking, I'm not interested". I've never worn it, & it actually still has tags & things on it. I thought about wearing it yesterday, but chose not to, since I planned to ask her 2 questions, which I thought she wouldn't answer honestly if she read the shirt. Now, I never asked the questions, & therefore, SO wish I had worn the shirt.
Since I bet you're curious, one question was how I could keep my blood-sugar numbers under control while gaining weight. (My numbers fly to the point I consider FAA contact, but I agree with the office I've lost FAR too much weight!!) The other was how she & my former endocrinologists could look at me, sitting in their offices, telling me how to care for my Diabetes, knowing I truly never had it?! (If you're new to my blogs, know I was diagnosed over a dozen years ago, but don't recall a single second including this one I actually believe I have/had it.)
Back to "Perception", though. I've seen Season 1 on DVD at Target several times, & considered buying it. When I do so, another 2 questions hit me. One is why the box for this drama mentions Eric's Emmy win for the sitcom "Will & Grace"? The other is why to call it "Perception"?
It is the second question I think about often. I've read the saying about "perception" & "reality". In 90% of the episodes, they are investigating at least 1 murder, of a person who certainly won't be at work next week.
On the side, though, I think about the all-lower-case word "perception" & the "reality" I can't watch on Bravo, E!, TLC, or VH1. This is partly because Eric plays a college professor of neuroscience. (I've been diagnosed with a neuro- issue literally as long as I can remember, & never denied it.) I also wonder about what I see as reality, what my doctors see that way, what my family sees that way, & how much of each is correct.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Space For Rent... Or Lease... Or Renovation?!
Hey, everyone. Welcome to my first free blog... OK; So technically, it's not my first free blog. I mean, I posted blogs for free at Xanga for years (at 3 different URLs, thanks to some still-unidentified hackers). The last few weeks (not sure exactly how long), I've been going to my old blog site to try & post a new one, only to read that "Xanga 2.0" was "coming". (Like "Sharknado" or something!) Anyhow, the site now claims it's here, but best I can understand, it'd cost me to be able to post anything new there. As I like to say, "That's NGH: Not Gonna Happen!"
So here I am, back at an old blog-hoster I used years ago that appears to be still free. (If anyone here can find any evidence of "The Monkeemaniac's Blog", as I think I called it then, let me know, & how!)
Anyway, here's a slightly-edited version of the blog I was gonna post at the end of last month...
"Space For Rent"
If you’re one of my regular readers (which/who I’m not even sure I have), don’t worry; That title is not meant to make you think I’m planning to stop writing this blog. If I had planned to sell my site, I wouldn’t know how to do it so that I could make any money off of it. (Not even to sublet it to Richard Dreyfuss, like in "The Goodbye Girl”! My sister is the most-likely to enjoy that reference!)
So, since I’m not planning to do that, what is the “space” I refer to in the title that is “for rent”? The one I’m occupying now… If you wanna “get tech”. When I originally wrote that title, I was sitting in the local Mall, near the Food Court. Since then, there have been several changes of location, day, time, & everything I’m wearing.
Those aren’t the only changes, however. There’s also been a change in my “employment status” (as they call it on forms at several of my doctors’ offices). For years, if anyone (usually doctors) asked me if I worked/had a job, I’d say “No”, & that was 125% true. Now, if anyone asks (perhaps that psychiatrist I’m seeing semi-regularly), I’ll say “Yes”. When they ask me what it is, I’ll say I’m a “space-filler”. I know that has yet to bring me a paycheck, & I’m not expecting one. But think of it this way: Last month, I walked through a huge bunch of dirt on my way from here to pay the cable bill. If I did that next month, I’d literally run into an auto-parts store. Sounds like a big deal to me!
On to “current events”:
Truth is I fill about the same space now as I did when I wrote all of that a-week-or-two ago. I got a haircut today, but it was all (clearly) on my head, so a lot of it took up the exact same space. I also think I got a bit taller lately, but if you ask me (I know you didn’t), I think I shrunk over the last few years, so it adds up to “breaking even”. (That’s sort of a “favorite phrase” for me; Long story.)
Well, I guess that’s really all I have to write this time. I know I thought of a ton more over the past few weeks. (Don’t be surprised if I post yet another blog within a week of now!) But I think that covers “the basics”.
So here I am, back at an old blog-hoster I used years ago that appears to be still free. (If anyone here can find any evidence of "The Monkeemaniac's Blog", as I think I called it then, let me know, & how!)
Anyway, here's a slightly-edited version of the blog I was gonna post at the end of last month...
"Space For Rent"
If you’re one of my regular readers (which/who I’m not even sure I have), don’t worry; That title is not meant to make you think I’m planning to stop writing this blog. If I had planned to sell my site, I wouldn’t know how to do it so that I could make any money off of it. (Not even to sublet it to Richard Dreyfuss, like in "The Goodbye Girl”! My sister is the most-likely to enjoy that reference!)
So, since I’m not planning to do that, what is the “space” I refer to in the title that is “for rent”? The one I’m occupying now… If you wanna “get tech”. When I originally wrote that title, I was sitting in the local Mall, near the Food Court. Since then, there have been several changes of location, day, time, & everything I’m wearing.
Those aren’t the only changes, however. There’s also been a change in my “employment status” (as they call it on forms at several of my doctors’ offices). For years, if anyone (usually doctors) asked me if I worked/had a job, I’d say “No”, & that was 125% true. Now, if anyone asks (perhaps that psychiatrist I’m seeing semi-regularly), I’ll say “Yes”. When they ask me what it is, I’ll say I’m a “space-filler”. I know that has yet to bring me a paycheck, & I’m not expecting one. But think of it this way: Last month, I walked through a huge bunch of dirt on my way from here to pay the cable bill. If I did that next month, I’d literally run into an auto-parts store. Sounds like a big deal to me!
On to “current events”:
Truth is I fill about the same space now as I did when I wrote all of that a-week-or-two ago. I got a haircut today, but it was all (clearly) on my head, so a lot of it took up the exact same space. I also think I got a bit taller lately, but if you ask me (I know you didn’t), I think I shrunk over the last few years, so it adds up to “breaking even”. (That’s sort of a “favorite phrase” for me; Long story.)
Well, I guess that’s really all I have to write this time. I know I thought of a ton more over the past few weeks. (Don’t be surprised if I post yet another blog within a week of now!) But I think that covers “the basics”.
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