"European Vacation...Part Three"

En route to Downtown, from the Amsterdam suburbs, the scale and texture of the architecture, the flowering gardens (even in the winter), and canals got better and better...the mid day traffic was heavy between the autos and cable cars especially with the "bicyclist terrorists"!!!   My friend's wife would normally avoid the traffic by taking the buses to a point where she would cycle the rest of the way to her post-collegiate Dutch classes...

While walking toward the Van Gogh Museum, I ran into friends and joined them for a glass of wine, while observing the beautiful (tall) people and modern architectural elements of the museum zone.  My camera was brought into action from posing in front of a full-scale mural of Van Gogh's childhood village, in front of the "I Luv Amsterdam" central park zone; in the sky-lit atrium of the Beautiful Riijks Museum; in front of the Bull Dog Cafe (where coffee wasn't the known menu item) while nearly getting a "contact high" while waiting for my friend to arrive; on top of some of the canal (in this city of canals) pedestrian bridges, en route to the infamous "red light" district; not in front of the street-front glass case partner selection sex booths; while trying to capture some of the essence of this special place.

We walked down a three foot wide alley to a small outdoor bougainvillea covered courtyard to one of my friend's favorite restaurants...Le Bleu.  We sampled the red and white wines, rabbit, rock oysters, quill, and an incredible chocolate dessert!

Near midnight I was taken back to my third-story dormer bedroom to get some rest...the rise to run ratio of the open winding staircase never meet U.S. Codes...the bath was on the main floor...the windows were open (because the homes are not normally air-conditioned) for the unseasonably warm weather for Amsterdam  which with my running cool system meant use a comforter!  After viewing my photos this far, I fell asleep!

By the time I awoke the house was quiet, and I went down to a delightful continental breakfast (people have "tiny" refrigerators and shop daily for fresh foods). My friend brought out some of his clothes to take unless my luggage would not arrive. Then airline called to say that my luggage had arrived from Stockholm, so in lieu of joining my friends for a canal cruise tour, we went to the airport for the first of a few times before it actually did arrive about an hour before my cruise was to depart!

I boarded the beautifully recently "Solsticized" updated Celebrity ship, ran to the muster drill, had a late lunch, unpacked in the beautifully appointed balcony cabin, had a swim and cardio workout, enjoyed an incredible sunset over a flat sea "sail-away party",  had a delightful dinner in the upper level Tuscan Grill, and enjoyed the welcome aboard show... 

"European Summer Vacation...Part Two"

Our take-off was only delayed about 1/2 hour, and when we reached our travel altitude we were informed that headsets would be sold for $5 to watch the in-flight movie (I had seen it), and that the beverage "service" would begin soon, and that the airline was pleased to offer a selection of "gourmet" snacks for purchase. The air temperature was cold (the fan controls were broken) and a passenger was informed that pillows and blankets were no longer available on domestic flights.

Note to self...as I did this time, always remember to bring a blow-up neck brace pillow and a warm sweater in your carry-on!!!

The attendants "charged" out from the galley with their cart hitting my elbow and leg as the aisle was nearly as narrow as the seat legroom!  No apologies were offered.  As the attendants and their cart returned from the front of the plane, with each couple of rows, less beverage selection remained. By the row in front of mine they ran out of everything but water and hot tea! (note that on the next leg of the trip I went back to the galley, dehydrated, and  when I mentioned the story to the attendant, I was scolded..."it's always about you...the passengers...this is my break time..." as she tossed me a bottled water!

Note to self...TRY not book reservations on American Airlines...or one of their soon to be merged other airlines!!!

We landed at JFK late at about 5:00 PM, at the furthest gate from the next departure gate, so by the time I exited from the rear of the plane, I had just enough time to arrive to board the next flight at 5:45 PM.

Once again I was at the rear of the plane, in a seat with no leg room, but with a plastic-encased pillow, blanket, and headset, and individual entertainment screens!  Again, the flight was full, and the attendants had not improved for this international leg!  Five movies, three tiny meals, and a glass of wine later, and after 7 hours (5 hour time change), we arrived at London Heathrow...

Now the rush to the World Alliance British Air connection...RUN the length of one terminal...descend to the lower level... hop on a bus...wisk while being tossed along with the other passengers from side to side to another terminal...ascend and go thru a security check point...run the length of that terminal and descend to a "people mover train" to yet another terminal...ascend thru a security check points while repacking my carry-on small containers of liquids into provided plastic zip-lock bags and then thru Passport Control...and finally RUN to the LAST gate  of that terminal to arrive 1.45 hours after landing,  for the final boarding call of the flight to Amsterdam!   I was winded and my clothes were soaked from sweat as I entered yet another chilled cabin!  Little did I suspect where my luggage was headed...

Note to self...make every effort to not connect thru Heathrow Airport!!!

The flight was in an OLD and broken jet (so much for my previous "like" of British Air!) with attendants modeled after the new U.S. domestic variety, some in-flight cartoons, and a small snack of British "cuisine"!

Yeah...22 hours after departing my home, I had arrived in Amsterdam!  Happily, we did not have to go thru Customs again as we were in the European Union, so I headed directly for the luggage pick-up.  I was so tired that I could barely locate the carousel number on the screen. 1.25 hours after arriving at the designated carousel, the first piece of luggage arrived.  Luggage continued to SLOWLY come out for the next 2 hours and then it stopped...and my suitcase was not there!

Luckily there was no language difference as I spoke to the airport rep...my itinerary, luggage claim number and contact information were taken..."We will locate your luggage, but it might take a few days...where will you be in two days?"..."In town overnight with friends, boarding a ship at noon and departing at 4 PM the next day...and then a sea day, before arriving in La Rochelle France in 3 days!"..."We will phone, e-mail and "text" you once we locate it (oh boy...with no "roaming" plan for the international cell phone use!) , and will get it to you wherever you are!  Here are some toilet accessories and a sleeping t-shirt as a gift!"

Then I used the agent's phone to call my friend who had taken off from his executive job, and was waiting outside of the "secured" exit for 4 hours, wondering what had happened to me!!!

My luggage had arrived in Stockholm on KLM Airlines!

Note to self...take a few change of clothes along with all irreproachable personal items and travel paperwork in the carry-on...BECAUSE if you have international connections today, there is a high incidence of lost luggage, and I was to later learn, an even greater chance with British Air thru Heathrow!!!

Now...off to my friends' home for a shower, a change of clothes into an outfit borrowed (my friend is about the same size!), lunch, and a drop-off in-town to meet my travel friends at the Van Gogh Museum!



"European Summer Vacation...Part One"

Wow...a different itinerary, with a cruise that departed from Amsterdam; headed south to La Rochelle as a port access for the Bordeaux region of France; to Bilbao, the city of design in northern Spain; La Coruna, Spain; overnight in Lisbon, Portugal; Cadiz, Spain as the port for Seville; overnight on the Island of Ibiza, a renowned international "party crowd" destination; and then arrived in Barcelona, Spain.  The September departure had appeal because the European travel crowds of August would have reduced, and the weather would have cooled...

 

I had started to accumulate frequent flyer points on American Airlines, and they had an itinerary with a direct return flight from Barcelona to Miami for what had been considered a modern-day reasonable cost of $1,050 in coach. 

 

The mid-day departure from Miami had appeal because any later in Florida at the time of year, risks a passenger and luggage loading and take-off delay due to developing thunderstorms (that close the airports until they pass, nearly daily).   With the suggested three hour terminal arrival prior to departure for international flights, and the 1.25 hour leisurely drive from northern Palm Beach County, I allowed 5 hours.  As this meant driving during Interstate 95's rush hour, and for her change of pace activity, I took Mom.  This allowed us to travel in the high-speed lane.  Nevertheless we ran into some anxiety-producing all-lanes traffic!  We picked up my brother in Fort Lauderdale, so that he could drop me off at the terminal that would save over $200 for parking for the two weeks.

 

Miami International is a "gateway to Latin America" and the departure passenger drop offs are spread out.  From the American sign it was quite a walk with my one-piece of rolling lightest weight luggage and small carry-on to the LAST passenger check-in area.  I arrived to the large "Disney-esque" switch back coral check-in line.  45 minutes later, I was at the counter; my luggage weighed in at 45 pounds (under the 50 pound extra fee limit); and the attendant was able to switch me from center to aisle seats for all THREE flight legs to Amsterdam.  "Security" had another long switch back line; and after "undressing" and hands over head x-ray scanning and titanium shoulder implant wand scanning I made it thru, and to the LAST departure gate in the terminal in just over 2 hours!

 

I was in the last boarding group to be called that probably meant that the overhead bins would be full!  The plane was full!  A number of the passengers apparently cheated because I was the first in line for my group but when I arrived at my next to the last row from the back, most of the seats were already full!  Ahhh...the carry on was put under my seat; the baby was already screaming behind me; the passengers beside me did not acknowledge my smiles and hellos (nor did they speak for the 3-hour flight, but did jab me a few times in the ribs!); and I "wedged" into the smallest seat with the least leg room I've yet to see, to prepare for take-off !  My...aren't the flight crew members young, attractive, thin , smiling, welcoming and attentive?  The taped security instructional animated video played and we were ready to depart!

 

We taxied away from the gate, and I noticed the storm clouds building, and the pilot related that we were in a long cue to depart...would we best the storm and would we arrive in time with less than 2 hours of connection time at New York's JFK, to make the next leg to London's Heathrow?  To be continued...



"My Birthday..."

Yesterday was my 59th (next year will be BIG!) birthday!  True to form for this Leo, I started the celebration over a week earlier with lunches and dinners out (and speaking of out, my lifting belt buckle had to be moved out a notch!).  Last night, I arranged a dinner gathering for thirteen (my lucky number and in this 2013th year) local family members and friends at a favorite, regularly frequented indoor/outdoor restaurant on the Intracoastal.  I delivered a cake, selected the price fixe 3-course and beverage menu choices, and arranged for one long (wanted a square for ease of conversation but none were available) table, in the afternoon.  The celebration went well...

 

Simultaneously, my sister and her spouse were preparing to drive my nephew to Portland, Oregon to begin college, and my youngest brother and spouse were preparing to take my other nephew to begin his college in Deland, Florida.  My sister's daughter has already completed college, and my brother's daughter is applying for college entrance the following year.  Both households will be "empty nests", and it seems like we were all in college together!

 

In our contemporary world I received over 300 Facebook and other e-mail birthday greetings.  I also received a few calls from long-time friends, during which we reflected on "where has the time gone?"



"In The News..."

Bagged salad from Mexico, as used in a few national restaurant franchises, has been causing illnesses and has resulted in a National alert.

Ground beef from a national grocery store franchise has been causing illnesses.

Strawberry yogurt coloring is from the ground dried blood of beetles...check ingredients for carmine...high in protein and low in fat (lie other insects)...and determined to not be too harmful.

An increase in Millipedes has been observed in Palm Beach County.

At a marinelife lecture the guest speaker stated that 75% of the shark attacks are in Florida...the highest number is in Volusa and the third highest number is in Palm Beach counties respectively...but you have a much greater chance of dying from a coconut falling from a palm tree onto your head.

A genetically mutated type of "super-sized" mosquitoes has invaded Central Florida.

U. S. Post Office mail delivery to single family residences is being phased out, and is expected to be gone by 2022.

Costco has a new car buying department that obtains vehicles for a small service charge over dealer invoice.

This year's pro bodybuilding show in Tampa has over 200 competitors...the largest previous was 179.

Nationally 30%  of college educations are funded thru scholarships...70% by parents...loan rates have just been raised while savings institutions are lowering their interest payments.

 

The popular recreational drug methamphetamine contains Ephedrine, Sudafed, Draino, and ground battery contents; hydrochloric acid among other things.

 

Palm Beach County has 70% of the dispensed pain killers in the southeast U.S..

13 professional baseball players were fined and banned from playing due to their use of performance-enhancing drugs.

 

Traffic signals at train crossings along Alt A1A are more commonly breaking..I'm hitting them regularly.

 

2013: housing starts up 22% from 2011 to 861,000 while household formations increased 1.2 million.

 

2013: consumer debt has decreased slightly.

Only one non-hybrid car brand sold in the U.S. currently gets over 40 miles per gallon on the highway...and it is a Korean car.

The U.S. has closed their embassies in over fourteen Arab countries, and has issued foreign travel warnings based on an intercepted message from Yemen.

The U.S. Military Spouses Choir received a standing ovation on America's Got Talent...Yeah!!!

"Friday...Some of This week's Observations..."

The week's continue to "fly" by...relatively it seems like every other day I'm taking a 11:45 PM break to watch Jay Leno's "Monday Night Headlines"...I love that segment and particularly Jay's delivery...and that too will be changing...once again he is being taken off the show...in 2014...and this time the show will be moved to New York City with its new host, Jimmy Fallon...

 

Per routine, last Sunday, we attended morning Mass...this time only about 15% of the pews were occupied.  Then we went to the $7.85 brunch at our local open to the public golf club, and other than a few golfers at the bar, my mother, brother and I were the only ones eating! It's definitely "off-season" in South Florida! 

 

My brother then took me car shopping to see what is currently available as a replacement for the fall.  We looked at 13 cars (2013 models in the year 2013!) in the $20,000-$29,000  price range.  My "want-list" would be easily achieved (I thought!)...a 4-door, automatic, with sunroof, tilt-in side-view mirrors (a narrow garage entrance), cranberry, forest green, or deep blue, with tan leather but dark material carpets and steering wheel (to hide dirt), fold-down rear seats with legroom, HIGH REGULAR GAS (actually-achievable) MILEAGE, great music system, and relatively moderate-tech operating controls and navigational system,  sedan where I could stretch out my legs horizontally (knee relief) while driving!   I remain AMAZED that NONE of the cars met the list!   One that came close, only came in horrible exterior colors.  Another only had light carpeting and a steering wheel, ONLY one offered combined (city and highway) mileage over 30 miles per gallon!  One dealer stated that (in South Florida!) there is no market for sun or moon roofs!  ALL of them really looked the same on first glance!  Once again, it would SEEM that a real market would exist for a company that would do it all correctly.  What was pleasing, was that the sales personnel all appeared to be non-pushy, helpful, and courteous! (to be continued!)

 

Monday morning, I went to the gym...the + 40,000 square foot facility was fairly full.  "Tuned in, tuned out" has intensified...I only noticed less than ten people that did not have their phone out and they were talking or "scrolling"!  I even noticed one doing dips, another deep squats, another decline abs, talking!!!  A good turn of events was that none of the six personal trainers were on theirs, and at their $70+ per hour billing rate (they make $12 per hour), they seemed to be paying attention  to their clients' exercises (but I didn't say that the clients weren't talking on their  phones!).

 

Thursday night , a seminar on "Branding" was attended...that will be part of a future blog...

 

Off to the gym...

"Headline News, continued..."

Happy 5th of July!!!

 

There is even SOOOO much to do in South Florida even during the summer "off-season"!  To celebrate the 4th of July yesterday, I woke up; did 45 minutes of AM cardio; went to part of Lake Worth's 100th continuing anniversary celebration at the homemade raft team races; toured Delray's latest ever-growing "art in public places" additions; viewed Delray Beach's sand sculpture contest; distance swam in Boca Raton's LA Fitness pool; went to a cruising buds' cookout in western Broward County; drove to Jupiter to continue eating with friends and watch the "live from NYC" fireworks; and then went over to Jupiter Beach to watch the continuation of the private fireworks at 11 PM!!!

 

I slept in and awoke to some of today's headline news:

 

In the last two years the wild pig population from Central Florida and Georgia at 1.5 million has increased to 8 million and extends into 47 of the United States'!  They are the fastest multiplying group and are resulting in over $1.5 billion in crop damage!

 

Actress Eva Longoria who started "Looking For Love" "reality" TV show, discovered it for herself with a new Nicaraguan beau!

 

A car manufacturer is developing a latest "James Bond equipped" presidential limo as the current one is an outdated 2009 model!

 

Tennis superstar Venus Williams is marketing a small sports towel that is a bout 15 degrees cooler than the ambient air temperature to cool down during matches, and is now available for the "weekend athletes"!

 

A computer artist has developed a comparison "Barbie Doll" that has the shorter, heavier proportions of an average U.S. young lady of the same age...I wondered if it has piercings and tattoo art too???

 

Finally, an ad interrupted to show a museum display of how people "used to" socially interact prior to their current cyber virtual I-phone lives!!!



"Another Family Reunion..."

2013 is another big year for our extended family...

 

After graduating from college and touring Japan for an art show, and volunteering on an eco-farm in Hawaii, my sisters' daughter moved from San Francisco to Portland with her b/f to start her new life.  Her brother graduated from high school, and from Sacramento, is also moving to Portland to start college in the fall.  My brother's son graduated from high school in Winter Park and is also starting college in the fall in Central Florida.  His sister has narrowed her college choices to a few out of Florida colleges for next year.  Time is passing so quickly...

 

We decided to have a family reunion before everyone spread out even further...A "confirmed cruiser" I had investigated a family cruise for eighteen to Alaska.  Meanwhile, my youngest brother suggested renting two homes at New Smyrna Beach, near Orlando and Daytona. He found a three-story oceanfront home and I found a three-story ocean to intracoastal waterway pool home, separated by less than a quarter mile. 

 

My mother, and I drove 2.5 hours from Palm Beach County; my next brother drove 3.5 hours from Fort Lauderdale; my sister, her spouse and their son flew from Sacramento; their daughter and her b/f flew from Portland via a wedding in Los Angles to Orlando airport ; my youngest brother, spouse, their son, his g/f and her parents and his buddies, and daughter and her g/f, his mother, father, and brother-in-laws drove 1 hour from Winter Park; my cousins flew from Atlanta; and a couple of other families also drove...altogether approximately 30 people spanning 65 years of age arrived at the beach rentals during the week!

 

Our Mom was "beaming"!!!   My sister has become quite a photographer and took over 900 photos to record the reunion!

 

My sister-in-law and I shopped "sales" for a few weeks before the trip to amass food and household supplies, and still some of us were driving daily the six miles to the nearest grocery.  Meals seemed to be continuous from 6:30 AM to midnight!  We stair-climbed (3 stories in each house), walked, ocean and pool swam, ran, wave surfed, skim boarded, kayaked, fished, played golf and bocce, played board and other group games, watched DVD movies, read, and cleaned LOTS of towels! 

 

I reflected...how fortunate were we as a family to be able to come together like this, for a week of beautiful weather, LOTS of eating and drinking, LOTS of story-telling and laughing (and some teasing as we reverted to our childhood roles!), during this memorable week...Dad was looking down from Heaven above!

 



"Headline News..."

One of my favorite weekly TV shows is Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" Monday night "Headlines"...Jay's presentation of outrageous newspaper cut-outs sent by viewers is very entertaining!  A debate is going on as to whether they are real or fake because in some instances they seem unbelievable!   But in our contemporary world, I often say that "unbelievable" should be removed from our vocabulary, because every unnerving,  absurd and illogical event usually is believable!  Indeed, "fact is crazier than fiction"...

 

Part of my daily morning routine has been to watch a few minutes of the news (the daily TV news headlines)...The following are a few of the recent news items...

 

A national run of funeral robbers have been reading the obituaries to see when families are at funeral services, so they can rob the homes of these family members. The news reporter suggested that last names not be included of the deceased or their families, or the times of the services be disclosed in the obituaries.

 

For those who still are finding it difficult to give up smoking, there are now "electronic" cigarettes on the market that can filter-reduce the amount of cancer-causing agents...and the smokers can run their extension chord behind them.

 

Our president concedes that times are financially difficult for the U.S. citizens. Meanwhile he, his wife, and daughters have decided to take a second trip to Tanzania, Africa for a vacation.  With the entourage of secret service agents, the trip is expected to cost the U.S. taxpayers $100,000,000.  They are being encouraged not to take a safari while there for another $50,000,000.

 

Approximately 15% of American companies allow one to five days paternity leave for fathers!  Germany allows 51 weeks and Sweden allows 62 weeks paternity leave.

 

The largest American air carrier with one of the lowest customer satisfaction ratings has just announced that they are going to reduce the size and leg room of seats again, even though most can passengers already have a difficult time squeezing into the current seats. 

 

With the increased fear of terrorism on planes the Transportation Securities Administration (TSA) had announced that they would their screening would allow passengers to carry knives in their carry-ons (this decision may be reversed!).

Florida's governor has just enacted a state law that requires recipients of welfare checks to pay (they are reimbursed if they are drug-free) for and take a drug test to be approved for welfare.  There is a movement to declare this unconstitutional.

 

This blog will be continued...

 

 

"Back To The Dealer..."

After no success with the brake light bulb replacement at the auto "service "center, and since I needed to have a clip replaced on my center storage console, I scheduled an appointment  at the local Hyundai dealer service center.  I arrived Monday morning at 9:20, and what a difference from the shop where I had the tires aligned...one young man directed me into an arrival line and welcomed me.  One came over to get the keys and put protective floor coverings in the car. And one told me to take a seat to wait for the service manager.  By phone number, she had my appointment.  I related the story about the five service techs attempting to change the bulb and she stated that I could expect up to an hour labor time to change it. "That totally makes sense that it would be difficult to undergo a routine service item like that!" I had checked Parts before scheduling the appointment and they had it for the manager.  She said the clip was also slightly tricky to install too...I added " the last two times that I replaced them they were done by your shop in 15 minutes!"  She continued that it would be $100 to switch the bulb, and $65 to replace the clip (that I had previously purchased for $18 from Parts)..."That will be $165 plus 6% tax"..."You have got to be kidding?  And I bet the checkout still adds a 10% clean-up fee...$192.39 to replace a brake bulb and a console clip?  Every time I come to this dealership I get "highway robbed"!"..."We do impose the clean up surcharge, BUT we are not really trying to rob you!  Let me call me manager." ...After a few minute conversation and some number crunching on her computer..."We can do both for $77, total!"..."Go for it...I'll be in the waiting area for the 1.5 hours promised to finish the work..."

 

The waiting area was very comfortable with separate partitioned work areas with desks and some with computer stations, coffee, TV, and clean restrooms.  I caught up on my periodicals reading and work calls.

 

I received a tap on my shoulder at exactly 1.5 hours after arriving..."Your car is ready.  I need to mention something..."..."Oh no....don't tell me I have to replace the engine?!?"..."No...but the service technician related that the consoles in these vehicles were incorrectly designed, these aren't under warranty, and as such you can expect that you will be back with another broken clip soon!"..."And why wasn't I informed of this before the work was done, and don't tell me, it will only cost me about $500 to replace this console?!?..."..."Maybe more!!!..."" I KNEW I should have sold the car!!!  I think I'll wait !!!:

 

I paid the  $77 and walked to the car that also had been washed to return...Off to the 25 meter pool for my 100 de-stress laps...

"The Only Thing You Can (Temporarily) Count On Is Hummus"

I'm back (I hope!)!  It's been too long since I've written, and there is soooo much "material"!  Jay Leno can't retire...and Jerry Seinfeld should start a show again...our daily lives are "out of control" with potential stand-up comedy material!

 

As I was recounting some of the absurdities of this Monday, a good friend suggested this entry's title..."The Only Thing You Can (Temporarily) Count On Is Hummus"... I enjoy a serving of the Roasted Pine Nut variety a few times a day as part of my post cancer increased vegetarian-based diet!  I purchase the large container size at my bi-weekly shopping visit to one of our "big box" discount (no service) warehouse chains.  Each time I "get out" with the applied yellow marker on my viewed receipt and shopping cart, I quirk to the "exit guard", "They're letting me  out of the big house (jail!)!

 

Per routine, I awoke this morning, meditated about the blessings of each family tree (consecutive from my grandparents) member and friends, and gave thanks for another day of live.  Then I jumped out of bed, and refined my "to do" list for the day... I read the paper while watching "Today", shaving, and preparing my oatmeal with chia seeds, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, banana, three egg whites, fiber, "Jusuru" and generic fiber, while checking the e-mails received after midnight, checking in with Mom  and my "contract" employees by phone,  and showering and dressing...

 

First stop: drop the car to have the tires balanced and aligned while I jog to the gym for a light leg and cardio workout.  Note: I had pre-called for a car appointment a few days before (this took 40 minutes with three hang-ups, store computer issues (including not being able to locate my records); and a few "holds")...Monday at 10 AM..."Can you complete my "paperwork" so I don't need to wait 30 minutes when I drop the car?"..."No...it's a store policy...we need to complete your paperwork when you deliver the car to check the mileage".  When I showed up I waited 15 minutes with no one in line as the two service reps were on the phone.  One put his call on hold and asked how he could help...I responded that I had scheduled an appointment for checking the tire balance and alignment for the tires I had purchased about six weeks ago, because at highway speeds the car shook and swerved to the right. First he couldn't find my appointment, then by both of my phone numbers he couldn't find that I had been in the last three years (even though I had been to have my tires replaced twice in the last three years!  The short tire life that I had experienced was explained to be caused by poor alignment.  Of course they were supposed to have corrected that each visit!).  Finally he found my records and checked me in.  During the last visit I was told that the brake light bulb on the rear window ledge was out, so I asked the cost to replace it.  Told $16, I asked him to do that task also.  He said that I should be done in an hour, so I left for the gym (after a 35 minute check-in after my phone check-in!)

After two hours I returned to notice that my car was still in the shop with the doors open.  I looked out and saw 4 employees  and a manager climbing in and out, and noticed that the rear split seats and ledge had been taken apart and that there was a lot of discussion occurring.  I went to open the door to the shop and was told that I couldn't do that by another manager.  I said that his employees seemed to be confused and asked if they had any idea what they were doing?!?  He responded that of course but that changing the bulb seemed to be more difficult than they had initially thought!  I reflected on an old joke..."How many _____ does it take to change a light bulb?"  I stared through the glass for another 15 minutes and told them to STOP and to try to put the seats back together and that I had just missed a meeting at 1:30 and had to go!  15 minutes later they were done (perhaps!) and I was told that the tires had been balanced and aligned and that it would take 10 minutes to complete the "no-charge" receipt!!!  I asked that he show in my records that they had TRIED to change the bulb in case the seats had been broken!  Then it started to POUR!!!  I ran to the car and noticed grease stains over the fabric roof and seats.  I called the store and after two dial-arounds and hang ups I got the manager and related my experience...he said, "I don't understand what I expect him to do about my experience..."...I can hardly wait for the e-mail follow-up..."please take our customer satisfaction survey!!!"

On the way home for a late lunch, I stopped at the printer to pick up a check set of CAD drawings for an architectural project...I told the printer not to print multiple sets, because most likely there would be mistakes (even though they had been corrected by me multiple times!)!!!  I opened them and the first five things that I checked on the first page were wrong, so my lunch would once again be "red-lining" to give to my contract employee for hourly billed additional corrections!!!

The next stop was a department store to return dress shoes that had been purchased a few days before, and I handed the receipt to the salesman..."I am returning these because after one wearing to church they seem to look nearly as bad as the five-year old " discontinued "pair that I had purchased there and I am wearing today!"...The salesman responded "you get what you pay for! That's what you get for buying a discount brand" ...I said (in disbelief of what I had heard)..."No I don't get what I paid for!  Just because I purchased these at a 50% off sale, you will notice that they are now on your shelf priced at $120 and are one of your most expensive pairs of shoes today, and one to two wearings is not a bargain!  It is the same with nearly all of the merchandise these days!  When my four-year old leather belt wore out, I had replaced it in your store, twice in one year...after a few months to leather (or whatever it is!!!) scuffs or tears and the belt cannot be worn!  Nothing is sold here now that is as good as what had been sold years before!"..."Well before I refund your money, maybe I can help your find another pair of shoes to try!!!"..."No thanks...I have looked at all of the shoes and the ones I am returning have the best design and were what I had paid for!  I'll probably just take the old ones to a shoe-maker to have them reconditioned!"

"I stopped for, and pumped gas...the first pump was empty...at the end of filling with the credit card at the second one..."See clerk for receipt!!!".

And then it was time to return to work, and that's another blog entry that can only be written in my post-80 year old retirement years...

 



"I-Phone and Me..."

For the last few years when asked if I text, check e-messages on my phone, use my phone "GPS", do I have that "app", I'd proudly respond "I don't have those features on my rotary-dial cellular!  BTW: I still "hand draw" my architectural designs, even though it's getting harder to buy velum's and drafting leads!"

 

About a month ago a landscape architect friend who like me was using a "flip-cover" cellular phone, joined me for dinner and proudly showed his "user-friendly" latest design I-phone.  "This is so simple and intuitive to use that even you should be able to use it!  (I briefly recalled that he said a similar thing when he coaxed me to rent a moped to tour a Southern Caribbean island, and I crashed on it that day!) "Just talk to it and it converts your voice into texts or e-messages!".

 

Coincidentally,   I had just attended a motivational business presentation..."Welcome "change"...use it to boost your success...if you fear it, schedule it on your to do list, and "attack it", and get it done!"  The next day, I stopped by my cellular store, and scheduled a future appointment to buy one.  The associate that has the same birthday as I, and knows my love of technology personality said that I should allow at least 2.5 hours to have my service switched and to be taught some basics of the new phone's use.

 

A week ago, a self-professed "tech geek" made a presentation to our real estate company's commercial department.  He showed about seven of the "thousands" of available "apps" that could be "down-loaded" for free or a minor fee.  As he whisked from one to the next..."These will revolutionize your business and make doing it a breeze!" For a moment,  he crossed over to my principal business...architecture...and showed an app to produce as-built floor plans.  "Simply hold out your I-phone or I-pad, let the GPS find your location, point the camera eye at the four corners of the room, then turn in a circle while surveying the room, and WA-LA, in minutes a scaled floor plan of the room appears.  Just send it to your printer or e-mail it to your clients!" My associated said this would put architects out of business!!!

 

"Well, you know I have a scheduled appointment in two days to get an I-phone, and this incredible presentation reinforces my decision!"  My associates congratulated me on my decision to BEGIN to enter the current century!

 

 The anticipated Wednesday arrived...I arrived for my 10:00 scheduled appointment, and by10:30 I was called to the work station of my understanding sales associate.

 

"Here is your new phone in "conservative black".  Since you have a bundled service with us, the phone will only cost you $200.  (note: that when I signed up for bundled service with my phone land line, desk top high-speed Internet, my TV cable, and my unlimited cell to cell calls, I was told that my monthly bill would be $99!  It is $255!).  As the phone is easily dropped, and will shatter on impact, you should get a ballistic cover for $50!  Since it is very likely to be stolen, you should buy the insurance policy that is $7 per month and allows stolen replacement for $200 instead of $650 for the first two years! The battery SHOULD last for your two year contract, but it is not covered, and if it does go our you will need to pay the $650 for a replacement phone!  Your monthly bill for limited texting and use of the Internet, will increase $30 per month. I don't recommend buying a stylus (to point to the right section of the phone with my reduced vision and arthritic fingers!) for $13 because they are always lost and also not covered by the "insurance"!  Oh a car battery charger is extra. Let's see...that will be $289 for the equipment with the $450 phone reduction, and a $10 coupon!"

 

After an hour, MOST of my phone numbers that had been stored on my last phones Sim-card were transferred!  ONLY about 50 of my most-recently entered numbers did not transfer!  "When you  have free time you can scroll through your old phone and new phone to determine which ones are missing!  And I cannot understand why I cannot seem to have all of the contacts listed by either their first or last names!  There seems to be a programmatic failure!"

 

Another one and a half hours of BASIC use instruction followed..."JUST PLAY WITH IT!  DON'T BE AFRAID OF IT!  IT WON'T BREAK (unless you drop it without the ballistic cover, or it gets too much moisture or heat (in humid Florida???), or falls in a pool or toilet which is very common here!"

As I drove out of the store, the phone rang over my car bluetooth speaker! "How do I answer it?"  I pushed the control button, got to phone (I thought!) and snapped a photo by accident!  The caller tried back three times, and by accident I was able to answer and talk!  But then I had to determine how to hang up!

 

I went to workout...I had to take the now 2.5 by 5 inch device with me into the gym for fear of what would happen to it if I left it in the car!..."YEAH MAN...LOOK AT YOU...YOU HAVE ARRIVED...YOU GOT YOURSELF AN I-PHONE!  YOU WILL SOON REALIZE THAT YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YOU LED YOUR LIFE WITHOUT ONE!  It does EVERYTHING!  A smart phone for we dumb people!!! (How little did I anticipate how true this last statement was...as a people we are VERY dumb to turn over ourselves to equipment!) 

 

Per my instructions, I plugged in the phone into its battery charger overnight (14 hours). I was now ready to start using it.  The next morning I thought I was getting used to the phone app.  Press the button at the top right hand of the case; oops, I held it too long and the English accent on the speaker asked how it could help me;try pushing the control button for a shorter time; wait a few minutes for the apple logo to appear; scroll your finger from the left to the right; push the phone app; go to contacts; unsuccessfully try to use the 1/64 inch tall alphabet letters at the right of the screen to get between the letters; then scroll down to the letter; determine that this contact must be listed by the first name instead of the last; get there and find the contact didn't load from the old phone; turn on the old phone and find the number; go to the new phone and repeat the first few steps; go to the keyboard; enter the number; press call; press blue tooth; don't have an accident if driving during this; and then hopefully the person answers; press the + sign on the side of the phone to adjust the volume; converse; oh the screen has gone dark; scroll from left to right to unlock the phone again; press "end" to hang up;and realize that this is improving my life!!!!   Make a few more phone calls and turn off the phone (I thought!)...

A few hours later I turned on the phone and was informed that the battery was nearly dead! Drive to the phone store; sign in; see the next available assistant..."What kind of piece of junk is this?  I charged the phone all night and the battery went dead so quickly!"..."You must be using too many apps as this can drain the battery in hours!"..."No, just the phone!"..."Oh I see the problem.  a few apps are on!  Double click on the control button; press down on the apps until they start scrolling; when the minus sign appears in the upper left corner of each app, try to hit the sign to turn off the apps; this will allow you to get more battery time; do this each time you finish tasks and want to place the phone in "sleep mode"; press the top button; scroll from left to right; these steps will become second nature to you!!!"

I reflected that the instructor that demonstrated the apps to our office must have been wearing a battery charger to use as many apps as he did!  Day two, and I can already see how improved my life is!  For my two year contract my new life will be my "I-Phone and Me" and my six hours of daily sleep will have to  be reduced to three to attempt to use my phone!  Cups attached to an extended string improved my life!  But I am now the proud owner of the invention that has been determined to be the most innovative piece of technology ever!!!

 



"Accomplishment..."

This past weekend, at a Jusuru Regional Training Conference I had the opportunity to listen to a presentation by a nationally acclaimed motivational author and speaker.  I took the following notes, that I felt were well worth sharing with you...

 

Accomplishment...

 

1. How strong is my desire to achieve my goals?

2. What sacrifices am I willing to achieve my goals?

3. Am I willing to put together a plan to achieve my goals?  Create a series of "small steps", and "track" your activities. Do you know everyday what you need to do to achieve these goals?

4. Am I willing to employ the discipline to achieve my goals? This is the number one difference between failure and success.

5. Am I willing to become the person that I need to be to achieve my goals?

 

Action plan...

 

1. Make a commitment to become a disciplined person. Do what you don't want to do!

2. Focus on your goals.

3. Make the decision in advance to do what is required.

4. Do what you don't want to do first.

5. Learn to control your energy levels.

6. Find an accountability partner.

7. Make it a routine.

8. Do not allow excuses.

9. Reward yourself regularly.

10.Don't wait...START NOW!!!

 

Appointments...

 

1. "Did you put our appointment into your calendar?"

2. "Do you agree to notify me 24 hours in advance if you have to cancel the appointment?"

"Reflections, Today..."

At the gym I was walking up the stairs to the second floor cardiovascular equipment mezzanine beside an elderly couple holding hands..."I'm hoping the elevator stays broken so that I can continue to help Marjorie climb the stairs for exercise!"...At the top a woman inquired about how long they have been together?..."67 years and counting and we are still in as much love as the day we met!"

 

In the news...

 

"1/3 of Americans do not have a penny of savings...and over 50% are currently on government food stamps."

 

"United Way is partnering with IRS to complete tax returns in West Palm Beach for those who earn less than $51,000 per year."

 

"The State of Florida is attempting to raise the median teacher's salary from $36,000, one of the lowest state averages in the USA, to $46,000."

 

"Florida is a right to work non union state, with no state income tax, and abundant resources but due to attempted over-regulation, businesses are continuing to depart from the state."

 

"Within a short number of years the freshwater Florida Everglades is going to be a salt water swamp."

 

"For the first time in recent history Florida has a $80 Million surplus in its $70 Billion annual budget, so the House and Senate are trying to determine how it should be directed."

 

"Walmart announced that they are limiting the sale of ammunition to 3 cases per person per day, due to the fear of oncoming gun control ."

 

"Brio Tuscan Grill is eliminating their bread dipping oil with Italian spices."

 

"Cruise ships should be avoided because some of their employees with gastric-intestinal disorders have been not following their medically directed isolation."

 

"On his wedding anniversary it was announced that former Miami Quarterback Dan Marino had fathered a "love child" seven years ago, but has spent millions of dollars in child support to its mother."

 

 

"A Friend's Passing..."

This afternoon, I  attended the gathering of friends and family at a local funeral home of my friend and my real estate broker, in that order...  his mass of Christian burial is tomorrow...

During my morning meditation in bed, I reflected on his life, and then I went to the computer to send the following...

 

Cutting edge, technology embracing, ZEST for living, true friend, a contemporary "Renaissance Man"...

 

"Ed (slapping me on my back)...It is GREAT to see you...where are you going, and what a re you doing next?  You are everywhere doing everything!"

 

"Chappy, what are you doing?"

 

A not too far from his reality answer...

"Water sports in Costa Rica, taking an Air Force stealth plane to Romania, hot air ballooning to Bordeaux for a fine wine, hopping over to Sydney for a concert and to study their real estate auctions, flying to Scottsdale to attend a motivational seminar, then to Munich to study a new real estate technology, back to take Emma to a fashion show...not too much this week (he grins)!"

 

In 48 short years, while living life to the fullest, Chappy positively touched the lives of so many...and set the groundwork for a legacy to live on...

 

The day after tomorrow, I'll be attending the memorial service of another friend who lived a full impacting life and also passed much too early...

 

 

Every day that we are given is a blessing...TREASURE it...

"Pre-Spring...Winter Cleaning Time..."

During today's daily morning (before getting out of bed) meditation..."It's partly cloudy...nothing specific is on my schedule...I've got to jump out of bed and complete a "To Do" list...it's just mid-winter, but it's a good day for "spring cleaning..."

 

Wash the car...clean the ceiling fan blades...clean the sheets...wash the wood floors...clean the bathrooms...after making a typically hearty" breakfast while watching the morning news and reading today's newspaper...

 

Open every closet...open every drawer...make a list of what's broken...it is said..."If you don't wear something in a year toss it"...my brothers are great at this...one due to his compact accommodations...one because  he took what the other did to another level (I always say that each consecutive sibling in our family absorbed from the previous and I'm the oldest!!!)...their closets are organized (looking like an expensive boutique display)...so are mine...but stuffed..."If I don't wear something in 20 years I "consider" recycling it...and if I see an item that I know I like, I may purchase it, but I leave it in the box because it takes me longer to switch to something new!"...this applies to all of our "tech" electronics...once again my tech younger brother is able to sort through chargers, adapters, electronics, accessories, etc. and suggest what goes with what and what can be recycle it!...

 

Purge drawers...toss financial records after their 7-year IRS mandated availability...check architectural drawings and projects..."But these may be needed if I become famous and someone needs to develop a museum of my career !"...haven't read a magazine  all year? Toss it!...Open cabinets...donate unused items...humm...tax deduction, and someone should be able to use my "good stuff"..."This is easier for me to do for others than for myself!"...TOSS, TOSS, TOSS...

 

This is empowering...liberating...refreshing...

 

While at it...limit associations with negativity in any of its forms...

 

CHARGE...I'm ready to attack another day...Are you inspire to do the same???

"More Observations..."

Sunday afternoon I decided to take my new bicycle (replaced, after the last two were stolen) for a ride, and  stored it in the locked garage (instead of protecting it inside the house) ,  and then I left for an hour at the beach. Afterwards, as I returned home I noticed two police cars in my driveway! "Oh no...I hope I was not robbed again!"   Leaning over one of the cars was a heavyset man handcuffed.  "Officers, what seems to be the problem here?"..."Nothing!!!"  Afterwards a neighbor related that this individual  tried to steal a car from the rental agency at the end of my street, tried to break into the prep school across the street, and then was spotted trying to break into my neighbors' homes before mine...Nothing worth reporting... in spite of telling the officers that there had been six other attempted break-ins on the street in the last few weeks!

 

Earlier that afternoon, I had purchased a two-pack of ink cartridges for my mother's printer for $72 $76.32 with 6% tax).  When I got home I discovered I had purchased a #96 (black & white)  and #97 (color) rather than buying two #97's ...I returned to the office supply store the next day to exchange the # 96 for a second #97.  The cost of two #97's was $86 ($91.16 with 6% tax), and the cashier at first could not subtract to to determine the difference was $14, and then was really flustered when the difference with the 6% tax had to be determined! 

 

From the last elliptical exercise machine on the balcony cardiovascular area of our gym, I'm able to have a good overview into the operations of the facility.  Of interest is the "floor mopping maintenance man".  He fills a rolling mop bucket with soap an water and proceeds to wash the entrance area tile...then the cafe area tile, then the "spin room" tile, and then the base of the treadmill, then wipes their handrails, all without changing the water!  Then he rolls into the restrooms and washes their floors once again without changing the water!

"2013..."

Happy New Year!!!
2013..."13"... a controversial number...most either love it or fear it...

It's always been my favorite number...and one that has had lots of importance and meaning in my life...Friday the 13th, September and December, 2013...wow...lots of positive energy...should be experienced on those days...unfortunately the full moon won't also fall on either, too...July 13, 2013...the scheduled last day of our entire family's reunion... 

This New Year's Eve, I chose to usher the year in with a small dinner gathering of Mom, my next brother, and a few close friends at the house; and then a champagne toast with chocolate and cheesecake while viewing West Palm Beach's fantastic waterfront fireworks display from the "flying bridge" of friends' yacht...

New Year's Resolutions...I don't make them on the 31st (hum...13's digits reversed!)...but instead make them continually through the year...daily reflection...

What have I accomplished in 58 years? How can I, and what can I, personally improve? What do I want to accomplish next? 

As a Country, where are we, USA?  Where are we heading? 

We have LOTS to do...

Surprisingly the "remnants" of out local newspaper has even had some positive "headlines" and "editorials"...Meanwhile the news was full of contradictions...murder rates are down...a national outcry for weapons government control...real estate is experiencing a value "upswing"...Florida still has the highest national foreclosure rate...burglaries are down...teachers should be given classroom weapons...the "fiscal cliff" was avoided in the final hours by Congress and the depressed stock market had a one-day large rebound....budget cuts weren't made...taxes went up...the President signed an across the board government employee raise...while expenditure cuts desperately need to be made...the country is experiencing record snowfalls, while the purported global warming is eliminating our glaciers...health insurance should be available to everyone...but good doctors and nurses are still not affordable, if they even can be discovered...child obesity is decreasing, but the cost of groceries has "shot through the roof"...jobs are  more available, but most I know are still looking for work, or are "under-employed"...educational testing scores are on the rise, but most young people can't "make change" or calculate a percentage gratuity...we have more electronic daily life "aids", but  I question how people can afford them, and when they get them, they spend more time trying to make them work...our world is getting more "global", but most people are afraid of the other nations and their people...

Wait a minute...turn back time...Merry CHRISTmas...turn back time again...the unifying, motivating London Summer Olympics are underway...crank it way back..."This country is founded based on the principals of..."