Last night Wanda and I were talking about media and how some things don't transpose from one form to another. For example, the Stephanie Plum books. We both enjoy the vivid characters and thought the movie based on the first book was terrible. There was no way anyone was going to capture Grandma Mazur or Lula on film. I think I do a pretty good job with the written word. Now I need to think of what to do about it.
This morning I was Mr. I can't get my ass in gear. We needed a few things from Safeway but nothing we couldn't live without. Tomorrow I have my monthly 'go to the doctor for a prescription appointment' so I'll be driving by the store twice. Wanda is off on Friday and we usually go together which makes shopping much easier. I get a latte' and go sit in the corner while she pushes the cart and puts items in it. I could wait until then but I really wanted apples and Fuji's were on sale.
I took a shower, put on clean clothes, and made myself fairly presentable. I even looked to make sure my fly was closed. By the way, the entire four days at Disneyland I only discovered it wide open once. Wanda slipped a little as the zipper checker. Oh, and while there I was in the men's room when a boy about five came in with his dad. They went into the stall next to my urinal. After a minute I heard the little boy say, "Look Daddy, I can reach this. Can I splash?" Ah, youth.....it's the simple things in life.
Getting back to my morning procrastination. I picked up my car keys and sunglasses and put them down at least four times. I put on my shoes and took off my shoes twice. After thirty minutes of indecision I finally set the alarm and went out the front door. I drove the mile and a half to Safeway. Getting out of the car I pulled the sweatshirt hood up protecting my head from the mass of circling seagulls. I also put my hand over the top of my coffee cup. One of these days they're gonna get me. I made the door without incident, grabbed a basket and went to the produce section.
Last week end I picked up a couple of avocados. If there is a magical mystery way to make sure this fruit is good I have yet to discover it. Someone told me to remove the little pit and make sure it's green. Someone suggested the 'squeeze test.' The Haas Avocado web site has a four part explanation on how to pick a winner. I'm buying something for my salad here, not a car for gods sake. Anyhow, both of last week ends were half rotten.
The Safeway produce workers know me and Wanda. I never take advantage of them but when something is bad I let them know. I approached the fellow working the area. "Hey man, how are you doing? I said. The other day I got a couple of pretty bad avocados. I couldn't get one out of the two of them."
For half a minute Steve the worker continued to stock the salad bags. Then he glanced up, recognized me, and said. "Oh hello, go ahead and grab a couple. We have some good ones over there." He waved me over to one of the large display areas. Just as I was about to pick up my first item he said, "Did you watch the State of the Union speech last night?"
Crap. The guy is giving me two bucks worth of free produce. Sure, it's replacing something, but really, who's fault is it I haven't taken the time to read the Haas dissertation on picking a ripe product? Racking my already addled brain while attempting to get my things and get away without more distraction, I said. "No, Wanda doesn't like political rhetoric flooding our personal space." OK, that's not exactly what I said, but now that I've had time to think about it, that would have been a great response.
What I actually said was, "Not yet, I can watch it on line later." And that opened up a conversation I didn't want to be part of. Actually it was more of a monologue with me adding the appropriate nods, ummm's and ah ha's at the proper times.
It wasn't worth the two bucks.
Maybe if someday down the road the people that represent us will actually work together and accomplish something, I'll have that conversation. For now, all I can think of is this; Everyone seems to want what they want without giving anything up. And frankly, I'm weary of it.
Jeez, did I ramble a little this morning?
My espresso machine blew a gasket two weeks ago. The frothing arm started leaking hot water as the espresso is brewing. It still works and I collect the water in a cup but it'll go soon. I don't want that to happen as I'm a latte addict. Having all this technology at my finger tips I sent an e mail to Mr. Coffee.
I wrote, "Dear Sirs, I have been using the MP-50A espresso machine for several years. Recently it developed what I think is a gasket leak. Aside from collecting the water in a cup, do you have any suggestions as to what the problem might be?" Mr. Coffee sent me the link to service centers in the area. I called one yesterday.
A new machine is under $100. The repair will take a drive to and from the store. With the price of gas and the fix it will most likely cost more than a new one.
When I was a kid we took burned out light bulbs and broken electrical appliances to the Detroit Edison store for replacement, no charge.
Now we simply throw them away.
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