Hi Signs

Being acknowledged is one of the most simple pleasures of life. On walks, in stores, out in "life." It's nice when folks say hi. I do. I also naturally express some sort of "oh I see you there crossing my path" gesture. It's a fine line though. Can't say hi from too far or wait until you're already in their space. They'll think it's an afterthought. A late attempt at being pleasant. Having lived in various regions of the planet there are many cultural differences about acknowledgement. I've been in long elevator rides with silence that would deafen. Huh? You know what I mean. Awkward non acknowledgement. In Italy when folks passed on the street there was always a Buon Giorno, etc. The south too, "how's it goin'?" Good day, etc. Here in Socal I guess it's a mix. 'Sup? Hey, Good morning or a chin up nod. Even an "hola"! There are the occasional "ignorers". If i see them so as to not mess with their juju I do the same. I see your sign. I'd say we live in a pretty acknowledgy area which appeals to my connection with mankind. Man. Kind.

Germaphobic Grip

I've noticed lately that I am more aware of "germy" situations. I try not to be over obvious about it but I do have a few "Howie Mandel" books on our bookshelf. I didn't used to be this way, didn't used to think about stuff like:

1/ jacuzzi's (human stews)....
I know they clean them regulary where we live. Not really a need to go into further explanation. One can already think about it, or not:)

2/ money...who knows who's gambled with this stuff, sneezed in there hand, then handed the cashier a benjamin. They've been all over the world, markets, circuses and Kohl's. I may consider laying my money out in the sun to sterilize it. This may take a while though, as I'd have to do both sides. I guess I could throw it in our High Density Washer, would this be considered money laundering?

3/ the armrests at the movie theater
I haven't yet, but I'm going to bring two antibacterial wipes in a ziploc for them. Then I'll wait for them to dry before putting my clean forearms down for the movie. Hmmm? What about the seat? Would it be tacky just to bring a beach towel and place it over the chair? Sort of what you do at a picnic with a picnic blanket? This could get crazy.


4/ shopping cart handles (now they have wipes for those) You wipe it, then it's wet so you put your hands on the now wet and clean (or is it?) handle. I'm thinking the inside of the cart needs to be cleaned too. Maybe a shopping cart "huggie" like they do for babies in high chairs or in the front of the basket.

5/ our dinner tv trays (those are our germs!!!!)

6/ public door handles Let's just say I can now open the door with my elbows. Any sort of handle, anywhere. This is also a time when one really appreciates chivalry. Why thank you hubby. Little does he know I just didn't want to get my elbows dirty.

Here's Your Sign

Dips, Humps for miles etc. I get such a kick out of these street signs. I run into the funniest ones and I'm so happy that I've had the advance notice of what is up ahead. I wonder if I'll ever see: Careful, random potholes, Gooey Jack in the Box bag up ahead, Nearsighted pedestrians jaywalking,

Italy had some very funny ones. Mostly symbols and curving arrows. Sometimes we'd have to stop for hours to figure them out. We didn't want to get in any trouble. I know the one with the exclamation point probably meant "watch out for people trying to figure out this sign."

I'm always on the lookout for these I suppose. I'm hypersensitive to wordy gurdy stuff anyway. It really beats sodoku.

Sense of Census

I received a piece of snail mail yesterday. It had 2010 Census written all over it. I was so excited to fill it out and pop it back in the mail and do my small part. I eagerly opened it and found that it was just a letter saying that they will be sending a form to fill out and that we should fill it out. Well I'm so glad they told me. I wouldn't want to all of a sudden get a Census form without notice. Why waste that money sending to all of us just to warm us up to the idea and the importance of filling it out? Our nation is slightly informed that we are doing a Census this year aren't we? It's been all over the airways, news, internet, soccer fields etc for a while now. Now I saunter over to the recycle bin and do a Pau Gasol and make it in the first time. (I'm in Laker territory now).

Keep Steppin'

I got a new pedometer, stepometer, calorie meter, kilometer, milage counter today. I'm hoping that this will entice me to walk more, exercise more, become a slim person. I just love that word and have always dreamed of what it'd be like to be called "slim." She's so "slim." What a thought. I've now been home for a few hours and already have 116 steps under my belt. The pamphlet says something about 10,000 steps a day. This is an ideal goal for walking per day. I'll gage where I am to start with and go from there. Baby steps. Yes, and I have a short stride, so I'll have to see if it says something about doubling the number if you have short steps!!!! I can walk for half of what it says. I'm on my way to sheer fitness. I've checked going upstairs, (only half credit for that), so that's another doubling factor. I haven't actually gone on a walk yet but I do plan to. Really!!!! I'll be off the charts if I do since my 116 steps were just home on the computer playing Cafe Town and Making a Taco Chili Dinner.

Coastal Rules

Was at the waterfront recently trying to secretly eat a small nachos from Taco Bell. Yes, I made a run to the border and wanted to do a scenic and sly eating session of my modest meal. I went to "kid beach" a nice cove near the beach with ample parking and well ample seagulls apparently. This spot is great for watching boats of all sizes go by and yes of course birds of all sizes too. Since it was a wintry day here in semi-socal (below 70) and winds over 10mph, I opted to dine "in." That is, "in" my car. I parked, took off seatbelt and tuned into a great radio station. Ah, I'm now ready to savour my nuclear cheesy nachos. I'm comfy and thinking "this is so much better than in tv tray and tv eating." I barely get to dip my first chip into the frommage when out of the clear blue, six seagulls appear. I've only got my window open an inch and frankly thought it coincidental. I then dip and induldge and to my amazement now find four more seagull cousins appear. I'm surrounded by them. One is on the hood of my "escape". "Escape" is what I'm about to do if they don't leave. I honk once, then again. Not a flinch from these winged beings. I did, however startle the one other person in the parking lot. These seagulls apparently are familiar with Taco Bell and wanted some generosity from me. Oh heck no!!!! I will not share. I'm outta here. I felt their persistence and figured I was not going to win or be able to eat non-discretely. I started up my "thank goodness it's white" Escape and fled. With cheese in right hand and steering wheel in left, I figured it okay without a seat belt for a few blocks (to a hopefully well fed bird beach). I didn't have time to even think about puting the lid on the cheese. Still want to have it hot, etc. I went around the corner to Silver Strand. No birds were in sight and I was able to savour the gastronomical moment. I still think the "Coast Rules" but will have to flow and follow the Coast Rules.