My MAN APP

I don't know much about it, but I don't like AI.  I keep seeing ads and Serious Segments discussing pros and cons and, oh my, the possibilities; but I'm not buying.  Sure, it's easier to read the AI-generated answer to a question I'm Googling; but I really don't mind looking up things myself.

Besides, as far as I can tell I can't get rid of AI on my laptop.  Even while typing this blog, there's an annoying blue circle with a pencil and a plus-sign obscuring my words which doesn't go away.  So any typos I can blame on AI...ahh, I get it!

Something else disturbing are segments discussing young men; their anger issues; and their AI-generated girlfriends.  What a warped generation (we're) raising.

So this morning I'm watching an Amazon ad, clearly instructing how to point the phone at a CHAIR and - BLIP  - several similarities pop up immediately; you can even change the color.  That's when I thought:

WHY don't they invent an APP in which I can point my phone at a MAN I'd be interested in dating

and - BLIP - I'm immediately shown availability in my area. Where I can add my own filters, let's see what I'd like:

AGE:  Over 55
SEX:  Occasionally
HEIGHT:  Taller than me (5'2")
WEIGHT:  Able to fit in a single airline seat
HAIR:  Not necessary
EYES:  Preferably two; sexy eyepatch a plus
RACE:  No, thanks, I'm not sporty

Those are the Basics; now for Advanced:

SENSE OF HUMOR:  Gotta have
EDUCATION:  I don't care about a bunch of diplomas on the wall, but someone who can carry on a conversation without constantly inserting the word, like.
WEALTH:  Money's nice but it doesn't buy taste or manners; which are required.  Someone who can pick up the tab for dinner, at least; I'll reciprocate.
FAMILY:  Ugh.  By this age, the chance of dealing with another difficult Mother-in-Law is slim; but kids? Hmmm...that's a tough one - grandchildren leashed.
PETS:  Absolutely!  Leash not required.
RELIGION:  A spiritual soul, but nothing extreme.  No guarantee which direction I'll be heading.
POLITICS:  Boy, if I insist on a Democrat I'm liable to miss out on the rest.  Well, a moderate Republican or Independent might fit, but we'd have to lay some groundwork first.  Foreigners welcome - actually preferred.
PHILANTHROPY:  Someone willing to explore the world and volunteer along the way.

Oh, and most importantly:  NOT ATTACHED TO THEIR SMARTPHONE

There's more, but I don't want to appear too picky.  Mom always said, "Put it in your consciousness."

That's all - no moral to the story.  I'm just trying to keep from dwelling on,

"I can go one more day without heading to the grocery store." 

5pm Update:  Oregon SNAP was loaded today, yay!

HOLIDAY BLUES

I've been feeling a bit lonely of late, but by now I recognize it as the annual

HOLIDAY BLUES

It's such a common phenomenon....and now that the Christmas commercials, snacks, Hallmark movies and baking competitions are in full swing, it's only liable to get worse unless I

SHAKE IT OFF

Which is why I'm writing.  I just finished watching one such movie early this morning; I think I do this once a year because

YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM HALLMARK

Set in Ireland, of course, it was a nice escape from today's election updates, Dick Cheney memorials and

NO $$ IN MY SNAP ACCOUNT

So I'm scrounging through the cupboards, finding cans of this and boxes of that I bought because they're

NICE TO HAVE ON HAND

Like a Kleenex in a pinch, but I'm good.  I don't expect seeing any SNAP benefits for maybe a week; anything sooner will be a nice surprise.  And by that time half the month will have gone by, almost; so it'll be about whatI I'd have left to live on during 'normal' times, what a joke.

But what a pretty ballroom we'll have on Pennsylvania Avenue to entertain Saudi princes and Silicon Valley millionnaires (145,000 in the Valley alone, imagine).  At some point we'll say

ENOUGH

Starting with Mamdani.

Close to the Grave? Not Me!

I recently turned 70.  Many people poo-poo the idea that 70 year olds are practically in the ground, but there's lots more who do feel that way.  I remember when Mom and Dad were in their 40s - I thought that was old.  You all know what I mean. I certainly don't feel the way I thought 70 would be.

But it seemed like a good milepost to make some changes to myself, for based on my theory, I've still got another 30 years to hang around.  Might as well be prepared.

I began by cutting my hair shoulder-length, eventually deciding to get a perm - my first in 30 years.  I was much more relaxed about the whole thing for I'm not dating or heading for a job interview, but I wanted a 'lighter' feel in my hair, as I feel in my life.  The perm gives it much needed body, and as it grows out I'll decide how I like it best.

Speaking of body, I lost some weight, too, since I was huffing and puffing up a single flight of stairs, let alone walking around the park.  I didn't quite reach my goal, but congratulated myself on my solid loss; and since SNAP bennies may not arrive next week, I shouldn't have much trouble losing the rest.

I needed new pants; I'm not complaining, for Goodwill took care of that.  But as my mood was lifting, I wanted to brighten the colors of my wardrobe, and this was the perfect excuse.

For years I've said to my manager,  "I want to feel the way I did 30 years ago - not in looks or situation, but with my drive."  We'd been discussing me getting another dog after BC died, but I didn't want to until I felt comfortable being on my own again, and not adopting another pet merely to fill a void.

I'm getting there.  I'm very glad I didn't head for the shelter, nor am I about to anytime soon.  I miss BC, but life is less complicated (and frankly, less expensive).  I remember having to decide on basic necessities for myself or BC, which was always no contest.  My consin once declared, "When I die, I want to come back as your dog."  And during these uncertain times, that's one less worry for me.

For my birthday, (among other things) I gifted myself this pair of Saddle Shoes, a favorite style since childhood. Several weeks ago I had the thought of purchasing, at full price if necessary, a pair of shoes I could wear all the time and which truly fit (I usually check Goodwill).  I considered what style I'd like and these popped into my head, so I went online to see if they could still be found.  Well, I must be the last person to know Saddle Shoes have remained popular over time and are readily available.  Each time I wear them I hear (sic), "Ooooo...I love(d) those shoes!"  Who doesn't?  I hope they're easier to keep clean - remember the white shoe polish?

I want to be cremated in these shoes - they'll complete my burial outfit.  I've since sold the sparkly heels originally earmarked for the occasion, for after 12 years on Ruff Life, they fit me like Cinderella's sisters.

My No Kings 2 Experience

I live in a relatively small town on the Oregon coast, so it's not like we'd have the same crowd size as Portland; but still, 1200 people was a great turnout.  We definitely received more toots than fingers; and there wasn't a whiff of trouble anywhere that I could tell.  Nothing bad on the news either, and local websites showed shots up and down the coast with similarly peaceful results.  I'm telling you, it's only the out-of-town crazies which come cause the trouble.

So first off, SHAME on President Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who characterized Democrats as,

 “ made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals,” or at least that's who we cater to.  Simply because we're invoking our constitutional right to assemble peacefully.

We met at a local Congregational Church which allowed their Sanctuary be used for speakers; tables with information and buttons were in their lobby; and their parking lot was open for participants.  Kazoos were offered, but I'd brought my own.

State Representative David Gomberg (l) spoke a few words of encouragement, along with local civic leaders.  One remark in particular received a round of applause from this mass of "Senior revolutionaries with our PBS tote bags" (I do own one); something to the effect,

"If nothing else, today shows us that we are NOT alone (in our thinking)."

I'm One of the Anti-American, Antifa, Radical Insurrectionists They're Referring To

Because I plan to attend the second No Kings demonstration this Saturday in my little town?  I'm not going because I'm anti-ICE, but because of what the President is doing to erode our government.  For those of you who have been paying attention to Trump's never-ending edicts and lawsuits, and what's been going on in the courts, I don't need to explain.  For those of you who are scratching your head at WHY we're demonstrating - well, all I can do is show you the threatening terrorist Trump is willing to send armed troops to put me in my place.

Aren't I scary?  Look at the people around me - this was from the first No Kings Day last June; and even then some drivers thought it was funny to speed up and drive very close to the curb to scare us.  Our fellow citizens.  I can't imagine what the 18th will be like.

Someone came in to the office the other day, and while talking about himself ad nauseam, he mentioned his two dogs used to bark when he said, 'Commie.'  I thought I misheard him, until he added,

"Now they bark when I say 'Democrat' - it's more fun."  He left before I could say anything - not that I can say anything at work.  We've got a nice working environment without overt religious or political interruptions.  But will the President and his Cabinet's haranguing of Democrats lead to more and more instances of crazies watching out for people wearing too much blue?  I even hear things like (sic) we're Demon-driven or Satan followers.

Expat Life in Puerto Rico

My other blog, Ruff Life at Sea, contains posts describing my cruising adventure from Florida to Puerto Rico on  a 1971 33-trawler.  It was written during Covid, and I've rarely posted there since.

But while cleaning up my website the other day I saw how many photos included really need stories attached, so I've begun with Ruff Life in the News, here's a snippet:

Tour boats would slowly putter by in the hopes of catching 95-pound Czar lounging along the gunwhales, nonplussed by the attention he'd grown accustomed to.

One day I heard,

"Saw you on the news last night. It was a story about people having fun on the water, and it showed you in the dinghy with Czar."

While you're there, look around for stories you may have missed.  Enjoy!