Yiddish for Newbies

So, I could plotz!  What does this mean? I  am including a link to a Yiddish glossary.  Enjoy:

Yiddish for Newbies

I am plotzing about the house and all the good things, Kaynahorah.

Zen Judaism...

Mr. Popowitz is called as a witness in a trial.

"How old are you?" asks the D.A.

"I am, kaynahoreh, ninety-one."

"Excuse me? What did you say?"

"I said, I am, kaynahoreh, ninety-one years old."

"Sir, please just answer the question with no embellishments," yelled the frustrated D.A.. "I ask you again, How old are you!?"

"I told you. Kaynahoreh, I'm ninety-one."

The D.A. is very angry. The judge is also losing his patience. He instructs, "The witness will answer the question simply and plainly or be held in contempt of court!"

The defense lawyer rises and approached the bench. "Your Honor, I think I can resolve this. May I ask?"

"If you can get this trial moving, please, be my guest."

"Mr. Popowitz, let me ask, kaynahoroh, how old are you?"

Popowitz replies, "Ninety-one"

Happy New Year.

Touching lives

I have been listening to, again and again. the song I linked yesterday, Angels by Nanci Griffith.  And, of a sudden, I was thinking about Uncle Leo Levine and his second wife, Carol, who had an affinity for angels. Their house was filled with her paintings of the angels she envisioned.  And, equally of a sudden, I was thinking how easily our lives are touched by others, in seemingly small ways.  Both Uncle Leo and Carol are gone now, perhaps with the angels (yes, there are angels in Judaism) but the song brought back the last summer my dad was alive and we went to Milwaukee to visit them and had a swell time.  That is to say we got to go to a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game (they were playing the then National League Houston Astros and the Brewers lost).  That was in 2003.  Then the whole world fell apart.  I got sick, first with ulcerative colitis which lead to the discovery of renal cell carcinoma on my left kidney, and my dad being diagnosed with lung cancer.  By spring he was gone , as was my left kidney.  But we had that last summer in Milwaukee, in a crappy motor lodge with bad electricity which kept going out.  With Uncle Leo and Carol and her angels.  And, thus another link and wishes for a happy year to come.

Hard Times Come Again No More

Just Plotz!!!

I am so excited about the new abode I could just plotz!   PLOTZ I TELL YOU!!!

Went to Art Van's last night with Sophie and picked out all my new furniture.  $6,000 later I have a home, save for the kitchen.  Still it is fifty months same as cash so what is a few dollars a month?

I also consulted with my "interior designer" and ordered a rug today for the dining room and a rug  and a table lamp for the bedroom.  Took advantage of a coupon and ordered a patio set for the front (maybe the deck) porch.  I am still pondering another set for the porch (deck).  Why not have two?  Anyways...the next big deal will be the kitchen.  Appliances and remodel.  Refinish floors and paint.  This will all make the winter speed by I am hoping.  Closing is less than two weeks away.  Must touch bases with the insurance agents.

Normally spending money on this scale would depress me (and maybe it will later) but I am just manic high and in a gregarious mood.  Mandolin lesson tonight and I am ill prepared.  Oh well.  And dang!!! I get paid tomorrow.

Life is good...wait for the crash...ah, well, life is good now.

Malvolia

Only sniped once today and not to me so maybe the time off mellowed her a tad?  Oh, crap, who am I kidding.  I only made a few calls today.  Still waiting to hear about the house insurance.

Gastric and I are going to run my errands:  Picking up my new eye glasses, and then out to Art Van to shop for furniture.  Other than getting the house insurance all the paperwork is in.  I will call tomorrow about the insurance.  Two more days this week then a quiet four days off.  I will save as much of my vacation time for the house, moving and the like. 

Okay, I am going to endeavor not to deliberately antagonize Mal.  But she complains about my sneezing, the way I blow my nose, and my own gastric endeavors so it is difficult to tell when and where I antagonize the woman.

So, in the spirit of the season, a song that bears repeating.

Angels

Malvolio

Or really tis Malvolia, and she is out the rest of the week.  Her last coal fueled email to me read "Your CONSTANT phone calls are ANNOYING me".  Poor baby.  I was trying to arrange for insurance for the house, on which I close on two weeks from today.  So time is of the essence and her annoyance at my phone calls will just have to go to a higher authority who might or might not give a damn,  God, she is an Unpleasant woman and I am sure she received lots of coal for Christmas.  I really haven't met such an unhappy person, with the exception of the Soul Sucker, which would explain Why they got along so well.  Hypocrite that she is, the Soul Sucker would run down various people to me and then turn around and call then dear and darling and go to lunch with them.  For example, the woman, now retired, she referred to as "Frog Face" and called lazy and incompetent, she now enjoys retirees lunches with on a regular basis.  Mal and the Soul Sucker hated each other yet when Mal was about to become a grandmother was given a receiving blanket and onesie for the baby from the Soul Sucker.   Seems the only ones the Soul Sucker's  wrath could not forgive was Gastric/Sophie  and me.  And now that rift is so large it is irreparable.  Soul Sucker came in for two recent parties for people she didn't like at all but now likes enough to have a meal with them..  Soph and I stick close to each other on those days.

Speaking of Sophie.  She is out all this week, all three days, and today she is taking me furniture shopping and then I shall take her to dinner.  The condo lacks a dining room as well as bedroom furniture as I converted the bedroom to a music room.  Been sleeping on the couch or the new recliners for years.  Now I need a bedroom set.  I may still sleep on the couch or in a chair but at least I will have the option of sleeping in a bed.  Also, I'd like to get a new couch or sectional for the living room.  Art Van's is having a huge sale through today and I may see if they will hold the furniture for delivery in March.  Oh, excitement.  I have a few items like porch furniture to order from Amazon.  Oh, excitement.

Must now take my excitement to work and annoy as many people as possible.

Ah, my joy was short lived as she is indeed here and I am sure I will here her ill wind blowing later today.

Shit.

THE HOUSE

After sweating out the short sale of the house and getting  it, I find out last Tuesday tht closing is January 12th,  wow!!!  Now I am rushing to finishing the dealing with all the little details, like getting homeowner insurance and utilities.  Hopefully we can get the floors refinished first while waiting for th kitchen cabinets and countertops to be special ordered.  Pick out my appliances.  And basically attend to the details of the house.  I anticipate being in three by April 3rd for the first of that weekend celebrations, the 3rd of APRIL is Passover and the following Monday is opening day of baseball.  Then I think I will take that Tuesday off to enjoy the new house.

As for moving the cats.  My first idea ws to move them to the basement first ad then clear the condo out, now I think I will lock them in their room in the condo and transport them last.  Either way they will be stressed.  I may ask the vet for some kitty tranquilizers.

But basically I am very excited.  And in a tizzy.  Sophie will be off the next week but I shall see her and Ethel tomorrow for lunch and some errands,  Monday Soph is taking me to look at furniture for the new abode,  I need a dining set and a bedroom suite and I think a new sofa.  Fun, fun, fun.

So I spent today in a minor tizzy and headachy after yesterday's dinner party at my place, probably the last of the parties in the condo.   Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow petty pack but the ne t three weeks are just going to speed by.  I am also hoping my new glasses will be in Monday.  No Hyphen for two weeks,  I need to decide if I want to take Jerry with me or scatter his ashes before I move.  I need a few Hyphen session s to work that through.  And, NTW, Mal, who will be gone next week, complaining about my phone calls annoying her last week.  Bitch.  I wish she would just retire.  She is the most unhappy person I hVe ever met and I don't think I have heard one person say otherwise,

Alright,  time for the last cannoli of the year.

The Amazing Adventures of the Soul Sucker ( and her friend Patricia (a.k.a. The Viper))

It never ceased to amaze me that the Soul Sucker continued to exchange Christmas cards with my Ex, even though they had never known each other prior to knowing me.  And the Soul Sucker even tried to facilitate a rapprochement between the Ex and me just prior to last Christmas,  so it shouldn't have amazed me that she, that is the Soul Sucker, sent a Christmas card to Gastric's mother and sister, ere know Gastric (and me for that matter) are not on speaking terms.  What possesses the Soul Sucker to maintain relationships to the exclusion of me and Sophie with people we are/were closest to? She would have to know that Sophie's sister Ethel would tell Sophie she had received a card from said Soul Sucker.  I guess I don't understand maintaining secondary relationships when the primary relationship has ended.

And what possessed Patricia, with whom I haven't spoken to in months, to send Sophie, not a holiday card but a note saying something to the effect that she hoped Sophie was retired and that I wasn't missing her too much.  What the fux? I laughed my egg roll filled mouth off when Sophie told me this last night.  Why write to Sophie, when she had to know Soph would share this with me. Oh, maybe I do get it.  It is a sly way of staying in touch with a former colleague.  It annoyed me to no end, not so much that the Soul Sucker exchanged cards with the Ex but that she delighted in telling me about this and that the Ex still wanted to get together to be friends.  Why?  The Soul Sucker collects people it seems.  Patricia needed to reach out to someone who is in daily contact with me.

Which brings me to the new house.  I think.  I was going to slip a note under Patricia's door the day I move out, telling her I am moving (but not to where).  I don't want her calling me once I move.  It's bad enough that she used to check my outgoing mail.  Thus, I will have to do all my change of address cards away from the building.  Which is another reason to move.

So, on this the seventh day of Hanukkah, I ponder this.  Patricia...that I understand.  She is lonely, alone and I have deserted her.  The Soul Sucker deserted us and yet maintains relationships with people to whom she had only secondary attachments.  Why and what the fux?  And where the hell is Hyphen to not hear me whine about this?

Another (short) week.

I asked the cats how they would like it if I worked three days and and took four off and they nodded in mutual affirmation,   No Hyphen today, but I will have a lesson tonight.  I had great news on Friday,  the short sale of my "dream house" went through so now we start the process of a regular sale.  I am having an inspection tomorrow and will give a down payment.  So...things are progressing nicely.  Over break Sophie and I will hit a few furniture stores and get an idea of prices for a seven piece dining room set and a bedroom suite.  I have a few pieces picked out on Overstock.com but I'd like to see a few to see what options I have.  And then Soph and I can do a lunch or early supper.  Now that things are a go I will need to budget both money and time a little bit better.  I hope we can get a closing date soon and begin the remodel. I would like to be in by April and have the condo on the market by February or March.

I got up at 3:00 a.m.  Got all set for work,  practiced for about an hour, which is good as I haven't done so for a few days.  I was so tired last week I couldn't see straight in the morning. My new glasses won't be ready until after Christmas.  Maybe Friday and that would be nice. I would have a few days at home to get used to the new lenses.  Apparently there is a big change to the left eye and that was why I kept having to close that eye to see better.  When I am not so tired, like this morning, I do see better.  And I slept a great deal this weekend.  I will still need a few four day weekends to get up to speed.  Winter will be easier this year with the promise of a new home with a new kitchen and new places for the kitties to explore.

Okay. I have time for a nap before I leave for work.  TTFN.

The new glasses

Well, I did need new glasses and they ended up dilating my eyes so by the time I came home to finish cooking my Hanukkah dinner I couldn't see straight, so I winged it when it came to the veggies and latkes.  And, in my not so humble opinion, everything came out pretty good, but like any holiday party, I have a shitload of sweets left.  Rugelach, macaroons, pie, fudge and so on.  At work today I have my menorah lit and some sweets brought it.  It was a good party and I think all had a good time.  I can't wait until I get my new house and can really throw a bash.  My dining room set that I covet has six chairs and it would be nicer eating around a table than sitting around a small coffee table and chowing down.

My current union, APA which is affiliated with the NEA and MEA, has asked to to come on board as a new Area Rep.  And I said yes, after pondering the issue last night.  Why not?  Aunt Marilyn, who was the union president for her school and was also a member of the MEA and NEA, would support that move.

Not much more to report.  Had a lovely day off yesterday and will enough a few four day weekends in the near future.

Happy Hanukkah.

Another one of those night

Yepper, it was.  Had a miserable headache when I got home from work and ended up canceling my mandolin lesson last night.  Fell asleep in my chair and woke up fully alert a little after midnight and couldn't get back to sleep.  So I played the mandolin for about an hour.  Finally showered and dressed and fell back asleep around 3:00.  So rested I ain't.  I have tomorrow off for my Hanukkah party and a shitload of errands.  I need and have an eye exam at 3:20 and I suspect I will need new glasses as right now to see clearly when I am tired I have to shut one eye so I don't see double.  Like now.  Sophie is going to meet me at the optician's office and help me pick out new frames.  Two years and it is time for a change.

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah and I will light the candles before I leave tonight to get a haircut.   Maybe a latke with dinner.  Lots of latkes tomorrow for the party.   I am having six people in for a chicken dinner, latkes and two veggies.  Francis is bringing a fruit salad.  Brody's Mom a nice challah bread.  Everyone else gets to bring themselves.  Going to have mulled cider for a beverage as well as coffee.  And Sophie is bringing g homemade rugelach and macaroons.  We might even play dreidel.  Cats will probably hide out in the bedroom.  I will save the. Some chicken.  I am making a chicken and garlic braised chicken, something I can do in the slow cooker.  Soph is taking me shopping tonight for the last of the ingredients for the supper.  Then a haircut and a little nosh.

I think I have some time on my hands before work so I should practice that Bach Bouree I have been have problems with.

Argh! Back to work

Yo, long day yesterday.  Went with a group from my synagogue, KI, to West Bloomfield to eat deli (very good) and see the show...Old Jews Telling Jokes (very funny).  I would grab Sophie's knee for every punch line I knew was coming and by the end of the show she couldn't walk.  God, they were funny.  Our group was good and the folks we drove Down With were fun.  Toba and Stan are a fun couple and Stan and I plan to get together to play music sometime as he is also a guitar player.  They may want me to be available Mondays for community sing.  And why not.?  I can always change my mandolin lesson night, although pulling myself together after therapy to play guitar at a community sing might be asking a lot.  But...why not???

Off to work (argh!)....more to more.

One of the many joys of insomnia

Infomercials!  I swear there is nothing on TV late nights on Saturdays and Sundays.  Infomercials provide the bulk of my entertainment.  That and  cooking shows.  But last night I had a genuine trip down memory lane with a commercial for the Best of the Carol Burnett Show.  I was a big fan when I was growing up and would be on my best behavior Monday nights so I could stay up late and watch her show.  Grandma Dorothy and I would sit in the library and laugh our collective asses off.  But then the magic happened...Tim Conway was added as a regular. Carol was a brilliant comedienne but it was Conway who put the twinkle in my eye.  Every week it was a waiting game to see when he would ad lib some schtick that would absolutely break Harvey Korman up.  The classic of then all, relived this morning, was Conway as the dentist and Korman as his patient.   You know the one I am referencing.   I think that bit went on for twenty minutes, but in reality is was less then a ten minute bit, available on You Tube as Conway added layer upon layer of comedic business and Korman turning various shades of red as he tried to stifle his laughter.  I think the kicker ws when Conway accidentally injected Novocaine into his hand and while reading a textbook laying on Korman's chest, used the numbed hand to kill a fly.

I was so enthralled I almost plopped down the $100 for twenty five classic episodes.  But then I remembered somewhere in the deep dark recesses of my mind that they were going to release the whole of the shows from her variety show.  God knows how much that would run but better that than missing one of Conway's bits.

In addition to Conway, I did have a warm spot for Ms. Burnett.  Often wishing that she were my real mother and that the rest of my family had perished in a fiery explosion.  She is a great comedienne, who did a nice turn on a Law and Order SVU episode a few years ago.  But her dramatic turns weren't as impressive to me a were her turns as Scarlett O'Hara, wearing a curtain for a dress, replete with curtain rod.  Or the various skits that were take offs on Sunset Boulevard.  Yep.


Here's the link now: Tim Conway Dentist

So, that's what I get for not sleeping last night.

The re-naming

Alright, folks, y'all that follow me and this blog, pay attention;  the names have changed to protect the innocent.

Gastric is now Sophie Handelman. And the Sherpa is Danielle Handelman .  The Evil Nutella is now Ethel Nusbaum,  JB has morphed into Frances Greenbaum.  LAD is now Leah Tabaschnik.  The Kimster, who didn't even know I was writing about her, is Effie Kleinman.  And so on.  Sophie's mom is Phyllis Horowitz.  Again. And so,on.  Hyphen will still be Hyphen

I now have lots of Jewish friends.  Sophie and I are going to a show tomorrow with member of my synagogue, Kehillat Israel.  And I am fluctuating as to how to introduce Sophie as that or Gastric.  She will truly be Gastric after lunch at on great deli, the Stage.  Me, too.  Love the food but it doesn't love me.  I think I will have a pastrami on rye.  I have informed Soph that there is no such thing as mayo in our brave new world.  Tomorrow the weather promised to be lovely for a long ride.  It should be fun.  And by the by, my real name is Soshana, which means Lily. Which I am about to gild.

Over and out

It's official

I am dead tired and taking Friday off.  It was a easy decision as I had to do two Five Hour Energy Shots before 8 a.m. just to stay alert enough to help with today's holiday social at work.     I will go home and take a nap, have a lovely dinner of Chinese food and go back to sleep.  Tomorrow, rested, I will be able to see well enough to play the mandolin and to read and follow the music.  Then maybe another nap, then go to the bank and then go to Kroger's.  Then take another nap and call it a day.  I want to be well rested for Sunday's trip to West Bloomfield for deli and a show.  Monday I will most likely be tired again and be in need of rest but at least I will not have to deal with Hyphen.  I am also debating taking the last two Mondays off from lessons of the year just so I can have some time to myself for the holidays. On the 17th I am taking the day off to make a Hanukkah dinner for friends and to get my eyes examined and to get new glasses.  Then two short weeks leading to the end of the year.  And then no paid holidays until Memorial Day.  Oh well, eight days off out of eleven is a lovely break.

And so I go and so it goes and pop goes the weasel...

Je suis fatigue

God, am I tired.  I tried to practice but I was seeing double and that is my for sure sign of my tiredness.  Today is our holiday social at work and I can only hope I can make it to 3:00.  I just took a Five Hour Energy Drink.  It hasn't help.

We went to a very nice holiday dinner last night.  Almost a three hour feasting.  Food was great, company was better.   Too much food and if I had was a drinker I would have floated out of there on a cloud of wine.  I resisted.

Today before the social I will go and pick up sandwiches for Sophie and the Captain's Friend.  I better wake up soon or I am in deep doo doo.

If I could see I would keep writing.  Maybe later.


Later...I am more awake.  Mal is busy CONSTANTLY CLEARING HER DRUG ADDLED THROAT.  My iPod is charging so I can't block the noise out yet.  Sophie's sister, Ethel Nussman, formerly Nutella, is about today with Sophie's car, although it will be Soph's son who will be picking us up at work.  Which is a good thing as he can carry up a heavy box for me when we get home.

So I am waking up and was thinking about taking tomorrow off but I did promise to do a Jimmy John's order for the crew.  Maybe we can just leave early.

Green Tuna envy

Ya know I have been reading my friend's blog, Green Tuna, and I have Green Tuna Envy.  I believe this is a true medical condition.  I post self imploding stuff of minimalism.  Green Tuna has beliefs other than mine (which is to take another pill...yes, The Soul Sucker was right.  I only see my shrink to get drugs...what the hell is wrong with that?).  Green writes about things I only ponder in the deep dark recesses of my mind.  Peace and justice.  The meaning of life.  What is the meaning of my life?  To take a other pill and to hang with  Mrs. Handelman.

So, in an effort to emulate Green Tuna, I tell you today I am all fuxed up.  Still waiting to hear about my house. Upset with some friends, and having Holidays Blues.  Yes, my cube at work is decorated but my heart is heavy.  Oh, this might be worthy of Green Tuna. Why heavy, you ask?  Two yahrzeits in December and generalized depression caused by this time of year. Being Jewish is difficult during the Christmas holiday.  I always feel like I am the only one on the planet not in a festive mood.  I feel like  an outsider. Oh, sure, growing up we use to drive around and look at the pretty Christmas lights, but the actual day was filled with Chinese food and some idiot rat bastard cousin thinking it was funny to dress as Santa for his two daughters.

So, a la Tuna, what do I want for Hanukkah?  Nothing material.  Just to have my friends around me for another year.  At least.  Gastric, Mrs. Handelman, Brody's Mom, JB, LAD, the Kimster, the MP,  Captain Morgan's friend, et cetera.  Other than that, what is there to want?  Material things can be replaced.  Life can't be.

My dear friend Sophie Handelman

We are going to see a show at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield on Sunday called Old Jews telling Old Jokes.  My buddy Sophie Handelman is going with me. I have know Soph (I call her Soph) for years.  She is my oldest and dearest friend.  More so than Gastric you ask.  Mayhap.  Or perhaps, oh no, I can't even verbalized it.  Prior to the show we are going to the Stage Deli for a heavy lunch and Soph is under the instructions to not ask for mayo for her sandwich.  That might be the giveaway that there is some Gastric in Soph.  But I am not saying...

Tonight Gastric and JB will be my guests for dinner at the Kellogg Center for their Dickens Holiday Dinner.  Now next Wednesday is the second night of Hanukkah and I am having several people over to share food and comraderie, as well as some Hanukkah gifts from Hanukkah Harry.  For Christmas I am having people over for an Italianate supper.  Even if that is not my holiday I don't like being alone.  Jerry and I used to share a rib roast but he has been gone almost two years.  Last year I started a new tradition of Italian dinner with friends on Christmas. 

But back to Soph.  She is always there for me...all my hopes, fears, dreams and desires are but a question away with Mrs. Handelman.  She is my secret best friend.  Especially now.  Well, there is Hyphen but she is a professional and not like Mrs. Handelman, who might best be described as Pseudo-Hyphen.

Last night I wanted nothing more than to take some Valiums and just blank out for the night.  Which I actually did.  I am afraid that I upset Hyphen with some ill themed emails but I hope I have rectified the situation this morning. 

So on to a big day and night.

One of my favorite nightmares

Is one in which I am totally misunderstood.  It starts where I make a vague comment and ends in a shouting match.  This has happened in reality a few times, most notably when my dad misunderstood an action on my part (I "yanked" a plug to a radio out of the socket) an he proceeded to yell at me so out of proportion to my action that I had a meltdown and was weeping hysterically.  While that actuality hasn't occurred too much of late I still have that nightmare.  CHICKENSHIT ALERT: This seems to have been the case with Brody's Mom.  While I was giving her space to deal with a relationship and her work issues, it was misunderstood as me not caring about her.  And when it came to light that her mom is not doing well at all, it was assumed I didn't care enough to ask when the actuality was I had no real knowledge of her mother's state. 

I guess each of us plays the victim in the situation whereas there really is no victim, just a misunderstanding of epic proportions.  When my reaction to meeting her beau was to say I had plans for that evening, her understanding of situation was that I was being unreasonable and she would just not push the issue.  The actuality was I DID have plans for the evening and she offered no alternative dates for a meeting.  The perception was I didn't want to have a meeting.  My reality was I had other plans and I perhaps should have said pick another date.  Total misunderstanding. 

When I had listened and supported Brody's Mom during her crises at work, of a sudden these discussions stopped.  I am not a mind reader but I guess I maybe should have inquired about her work situation.  Again, the perception was I didn't care; the reality was I was accustomed to her telling me about this and not having to guess things were still bad.  I did email a few times indicating that there was an job opening that she coveted.  My intent was to show concern.  It was perceived as not caring. 

Brody's Mom and I are good friends and I would hate to see this friendship disappear because of some misunderstandings and miscommunications.  Perhaps a hug of forgiveness on both our parts is needed.  My sense of the situation is that my actions were totally misunderstood.  I was giving her space to deal with work and relationship issues.  I did care.  And not about the issue of it being a long distance relationship but rather that I felt she was rushing headlong into a situation.  I gave space rather than acknowledging my sense of discomfort.  My reaction to a lot of situations to to give the other person space and not to impose my sense of situation.  And to be there regardless of the outcome.  Brody's Mom's mom may not make it through the end of the year.  My reaction was to give her the space to deal with that reality.  Not to say something like "...but we had plans and you didn't follow through".  My actual reaction was to say the hell with those plans and be your mom.  Give space where it is needed.  And if succor us needed, and I am not the most sentient of people, let me know   

I am hoping Hyphen can read this or we can discuss at length at out last session of the year.  I know both Brody's Mom and I feel like we are victims of apathy on the others part.  I am not being apathetic, just giving latitude where I feel some space is needed. 

All I require

All I require from a friendship is a that person be forthright with me.  Being superficial to avoid conflict is no way to enhance and maintain a relationship.  Gastric and I have that agreement and I really thought Brody's Mom and I shared the same feelings.  Perhaps I am a daunting figure.  But I have always said saying No is an acceptable form of communication.  Oh, well, wusses be wussy.

My Hanukkah decorations are falling down:  a sign from above or a poor job of taping.  I suspect the latter.  I don't know what the deal is with some people.  Maybe if I were more forthright myself I could get some answers.  What do I really want to know?  That is something to ponder and perhaps discuss at dinner on Wednesday.

Re-taped the decorations.  I have a lovely Northrup Pine tree in the area and I was going to make it a Hanukkah bush but common sense took over and I decorated the rubber chicken as what can say Hanukkah better that lights on a rubber chicken.

Back to the salt mine.

No sleep

Up at midnight unable to sleep any more.  Did my morning rituals.  Then went shopping for the new house.  My current music room is virtually exploding with stuff for the new house.  Finally fell back to sleep around 3:30 and got up for good at 4:00.  Practiced a little as I have a lesson tonight.  So, what did I buy...a scanner for organizing my documents, and a nice oak writing desk to put it on with the laptop and that will go in the new music room.  Gastric is going to run me around to some furniture stores so I can look at dining rooms sets, bedroom sets nd a new sofa.  I still will probably order on.i e most of the stuff but I want w better idea of what speaks to me.

Wednesday is the Dickens Dinner, a veritable feats for th tummy, eyes and ears,  Brody's Mom is going with Gastric and me.  And then the following Wednesday is my Hanukkah. Party.  Christmas Day I am having friends in for an Italian supper.  Same group as last year except no Brody's Mom.  One of my friends who is coming is bringing her daughter and and the daughter's boyfriend.  He plys guitar so I am looking forward to playing with him.   So from disaster to delight it should,be a better day thn I originally hd planned.

Anywho, I love my new chairs but definitely will stick with leather chairs ere k ow the cats scratch it up.  They put holes in the fabric chair.  Six of one, half dozen of the other.  It are a crap shoot.

Okey dokey Smokey.  I is off.

Sunday

Of late I have been very lonely.  I think Gastic and I speak two to three times a night but I still need more contact.  This time of year, especially waiting to hear about the house, is very draining.  I have my grandmother's yahrzeit yet this month,  trying to stay up and not having a lot of success.  Having friends over for the second night of Hanukkah.  I guess I am looking forward to that.  Basically looking forward to the first of the year and hearing in the affirmative about my house.  Kinda been dealing with a headache all day.  I ws going to go to breakfast this morning but couldn't muster the desire to go out.  Next Sunday Gastric and I are going to a show In West Bloomfield and prior to the show a lunch of actual deli.  Looking forward to that but not the drive there and back.  Of course if I die I will have nothing. More to worry about.  I will just straw about taking the freeway and having a stranger driving.  And passing Gastric off as Jewish.  My shabboth goy, as it were,  I think for that event we will call her Sophie.  Sophie what, though, that is the question,

I have Hyohen tomorrow and a long day Tuesday,  this week is the staff social.  And so it goes.

One year ago

Ale-ha-Ha-shalom Aunt Martha.  Passed a year ago today.  And, in part, sitting Shiva at work, such as it was, was the set piece for the demise of a friendship of almost thirty years, all for the priorities of the Soulsucker.  Today is a day  of remembrance for Martha and relationships.

Seems I have lost a few relationships in the past five years.  Some, like Patricia and Aaron, I had to end as they were literally taking my lifeblood and draining me dry.  Some, like the Soulsucker, was meant to be.  There were too many things wrong with that relationship that I tolerated for years; the racism especially, that was anathema to me but I endured for the sake of harmony at work and Gastric's friendship at the time with the Soulsucker, which has also since ended.  And while the Soulsucker thinks our relationship can never be repaired she is hopeful, at least to her in-laws, that she and Gastric can work things out.  Not so much, says Gastric; irreparable.  Some, like the Urinal's spouse, was lost due to the machinations of the Urinal himself.  I was unfriended on Facebook and took that as a not so subtle hint.  But Gastric and me, we are "just because" buddies.  Growing closer by the day.  Another relationship is on the brink but we are ignoring the brinkmanship signs and pretending that things are alright.

But...I digress.  A year ago...how fast the time has flown.  I have a bad mental habit of imagining people dead in the coffins, decomposing faster than Mozart could erase.  I have physical photos and mental images, both hard to shake.

I suspect Mal is here but I haven't heard her clear her throat for the first time yet today, a process that goes on and on to the point of delirium.  Most get to work so I can't be accused of being a Malcontent..

Long day turned short

I did end up leaving work a little less then  the. planned ten hour day.  Two chairs were FedEx'd to the front porch and fortunately Gstrics's son was able to carry then upstairs.  He will put them together later this week, taking one of the old chairs with him.  The other old chair will go to my housekeeper. Thus I will have two new chairs.  Ready to be moved to the new house, which I am still hoping to be in by spring 2015.  So that is my story and I am sticking to it.

Gastric is taking me a-Krogering today and then we will pick up dinner before going to a concert tonight.  Mannheim Steamroller.  How festive.  I have yet to hear from Brody's Mom about whether she will join us for dinner.

I am also thinking about my Trust.  I may change the trustee to a younger person, maybe making Gastric and the Sherpa co trustees with the Sherpa taking over the ultimate duties when she is a little older.  Just thinking,  I hate to be changing trustees every few years and having the Sherpa as the trustee makes a great deal of sense.

So that is about where I am at. Unsure of the future, as forever.  Also, on a totally different matter, the fish tank is clearing up since I discovered the body of the decomposing fish.  Too much death.  Tomorrow will be the one year Yahrzeit of my aunt Martha,  still not time to remove her death notice from my inbox.  I'll light a candle tonight.

Okay. Work calls.

Lesson and practice

Had a nice lesson last night.  And actually practiced longer this morning, basically because I am having problems playing a Bouree by Bach.  Need to take it slower and play more deliberately.  Trying out a new pick and I like it but it is taking some getting used to.  I get better sound out of it but it is thicker and well takes some getting used to.  Have a nice long day at work today.  Over ten hours.  Should get me caught up from the day off I had to take last week.

Still haven't heard from Brody's Mom about the concert on Wednesday  and if she wants to do dinner first. Love struck the poor girl is and being a little, shall I say neglectful, of some social responsibilities.  Ten days ago she said she'd be available for the concert, for which I have all three tickets.  Doing dinner is an option Gastric and I plan on doing.  She gets back to work tomorrow with an overflowing mail box full of received and bounced emails.  So I have done all I can do to get in touch with her.  Can I say I am disappointed in the ways in which she has treated me in the last few weeks, not even as an afterthought.  It's like high school all over again.  I am a good friend and I really deserve to be treated better and with more honesty than she has shown of late.  And I understand being in love, lust or like whatever, but that doesn't mean you neglect your friends who had been like family to you until recently.  I alluded to this a few weeks ago.  I never seem to know if people are afraid of me or of hurting me but this slight has hurt me far more than the lack of honesty.  For example, we spent a whole evening together at dinner and a symphony and she might have mentioned that she was thinking of spending Christmas with the love interest.  Instead she made an announcement at a monthly card game the very next day and that was the first I had heard of it.  I deserve better than that. Yes I do.

So, rather than calling or sending another email I am blogging.  Chickenshit on my part; I could be more direct.  But she seems so out of touch.  But this is really chickenshit...if this keeps up I can find others to go to concerts with and be treated less as an afterthought than this.