I Have a Package or Two for You.

I give up.

I can't keep up no matter how I try.

Oh sure. Up until today I thought eventually I would get a grip on new things and a younger way of life, not any more. Oh sure, I thought eventually my thoughts and feelings would be shared and appreciated by the younger generation, not any more.

Yesterday John left a comment on the blog that I was preaching to the choir.

And I am.

As of today I've officially retired from trying to live a very modern and totally relevant life.

The other day I was watching an HBO production about a hip group of twenty-something kids living, loving and dealing with life in New York, City. The show is Friends with swearing and sex. In one scene a prominent characters mother was taking pictures with her smart phone. It was enclosed in a case/holder that looked like a set of brass knuckles and I started laughing.

I thought it was a joke.

My god, I thought, how ridiculous.

I guess I don't get out enough.

Phone cases like these have been around for at least three years. One of the manufactures has a disclaimer posted.

This product is to be used only as a handle and protective accessory for an iPhone. Any other use of the product is considered a misuse, resulting in the forfeiture of any express or implied warranty of fitness for purpose. By purchasing this product, you agree to hold the Company harmless for any misuse of the product, which results in damage to yourself or third parties.

*Travel Warning: TSA loves Knucklecases!  Although they supposedly they no longer confiscate them, we are still getting reports of problems, apparently not everyone at TSA got the memo. We advise checking them with your luggage.

**International orders please allow 2-4 weeks for standard shipping depending on customs

The mere fact that this is a viable product, that human type people actually buy and use items like it is making me very temperamental.

It is finally time to face the music, pay the Piper as it were and make that long overdue statement.

I'm old.....and I'm not getting any younger. And now I know why the blog hits are down this last week or so. Young people can't relate to my writing and people my age don't need a daily reminder of my slow surrender to the depths of anguish and despair.

Did you know you can buy phone cases like this?

Have you ever made a phone call at the exact moment one came in?

Yesterday was not unproductive as I had two important calls to make, one to my doctor's office and the other to check on a restaurant reservation.

Around 9 a.m. I called and left a message for my doctor. A few hours later I called the restaurant.

I picked up the phone and pushed the buttons (we still have a real telephone, albeit cordless) to connect me with the restaurant. As you know it is physically impossible to hold a receiver to your ear and 'dial' and that my friend should shake up a few memories. 

I put the phone to my ear and heard, hello.

I didn't hesitate. It was lunch time so I thought it was probably busy, "Hello. If possible I'd like to add two to my dinner reservation at 5 this Saturday."

After a short silence the hostess said, "Hello."

So I repeated my request thinking our phone issue returned. See, people kept saying they couldn't hear me.

Once again I heard, "Hello?"

Now I was frustrated.

"Yes, hello. I have a reservation this Saturday for two people and I'd like to add two more if possible." Now thinking I may have 'dialed' the wrong number I asked.

"Is this the Walnut Creek Yacht Club?"

"No, it is the doctor's office returning your call."

"OK then. I guess you can't help me with the lobster."

Last Saturday morning while I was patiently waiting for the Comcast/Xfinity service person Wanda went to Safeway. She is a very good shopper when going out alone, where as I am not. 

I just noticed on my last solo adventure I purchased paper towels that do not have the perforations down the middle of each sheet. 

As is, I don't like using paper towels but got tired of trying to keep my various rags separated. It's always a problem trying to remember which rag I used on the kitchen counter and which one I used in the toilet bowl so I am willing to make some concessions. But aside from cutting the 10 1/2" X 11" squares in half I'm now stuck using a large piece every time I need one. I just can't be trusted in the grocery store on my own.

Wanda is a thrifty, efficient shopper. She studies the Just4U list and makes notes of specials. I simply "get stuff." She takes advantage of sales and almost always comes home with something free. She's found a great way to try new products and some have actually been very good. I didn't think the strawberry fruit in a squeeze tube tasted anything like petroleum.

She picked up a container of fresh individually wrapped fruit. Three 1.25 oz. blister packed itty bitty containers of blueberries. It was free, very good and much better than a sugar laden snack. Foods packaged like this may be a good thing, especially for kids, but is it just me that thinks the cost and increasing proliferation of convince items is getting to be too much?

Snacks like dried fruit have been around for years. I remember when you had to go to an official Health Food Store to buy them. But now it seems anything and everything comes in a wrapper. Last night I once again had several frustrating moments trying to get at my string cheese.

 
Are people so busy now? Is cooking and peeling a hard boiled egg that freaking hard?

Just think of it as brain work. 

Sort of like constructing a jigsaw puzzle in reverse.