Pen and Ink

Productivity.

Sometimes, owning a home really isn't worth the trip.

Over the weekend, we realized the air conditioning didn't seem to be working.  The temp in the house was 82, with barely cool air blowing through the vents. Investingating the compressor outside the house, we discovered there was cooler air blowing out into the atmosphere than into the house.

Then I turned on the gallery lighting that I have to illuminate my photography collection.  The lights by the front door didn't come on.  The front light, part of the same electrical box, worked just fine.  But no gallery lights.

This was particularly frustrating because I take pride in my home and the photography I have assembled. Someone new was coming to visit and I really wanted the house to stand out.

So I took a personal day today to deal with it all.

While the system problems are vexing, I have to say that I'm having the most productive day. Laundry is getting washed and folded (the latter is a major feat for me).  I'm reorganizing closets and finally packing up Christmas ornaments that my ex forgot when he moved.  Paperwork will get done this afternoon.

It was so tempting this morning to turn on the tv, but rational behavior prevailed.  To reward myself, perhaps a little visit to DQ is in order after my chiropractor appointment.

Idiots running amok.

It's been a week since I returned home from two weeks in the Mediterranean and I can't believe this is the first time I've been able to blog. 

As soon as we got home, I got sick with some intestinal thing. I suspected it could be a parasite, but it went away completely yesterday.  There was also the yard. I have someone who helps me with the gardens. He was supposed to do a lot of work while we were gone, but he never came by. Something about ghosts in his house. 

But here I am.  There's so much to talk about.  Italy, Egypt and Greece with lots of pictures to share.  Patti Lupone, who performed on our cruise, and the new tv season, including the new guilty pleasure Glee.  There's my friend Sheila who does amazing things, and the unbelievable passing of one of the most creative people I've ever met.  I want to talk about my birthday and about the fortune cookie I had at P.F. Changs tonight.  And then there are my sorta-kinda "step kids" (I can't believe I'm even writing those words).

I'll get to that in the coming days.  But there was something in the Miami Herald today that warrants a little rant.

I'm embarrassed for the little city -- Oakland Park -- in which I live.  A local chef noticed a small group of homeless gathering in one of the city's parks.  The chef, out of the goodness of his heart and at his own cost, started serving them breakfast. 

The yokels nearby started to complain. Now you have to understand something.  These outdoor breakfasts take place in a somewhat residential area.  One side of the park where this takes place -- across the street, actually -- is residential.  Immediately abutting the park are some wherehouses and some electrical lines.  Across another street is another park. 

City officials came down on the guy, telling him he needs a permit. He can do four events a year for free.  For the other 361 days of the year, he will have to pay.  The cost is $900 per week!

The yokels and the city should be ashamed of themselves.  Because we're not talking about hundreds of people.  No, not at all.  There's only a dozen or so.  A DOZEN! 

How embarrassing. 

Back to Rome

Our vacation finishes with two days in Rome.  We're staying near the Trevi Fountain and splurged by hiring a private tour guide for a seven-hour walking tour of all the historic sites, the Vatican, the piazzas and fountains...the works.

 

[This is the end of these silly pre-vacation posts that I created. I'll be back with new posts about the actual vacation starting September 11.]

Last dance.

Today's the last day of the cruise. We hit Naples today and a cruise along the Amalfi Coast and a visit to Pompeii and Salerno are on the agenda.

Dames at sea.

We're back at sea today.  Tonight is the night when Atlantis has their surprise guest star.  Last year it was the incomparable Chita Rivera.  No clue who it will be there year.  After is the White Party. 

 

[They'll be wearing white tonight. And so will we. What I won't be doing is blogging. New posts start again next week sometime.]

Do it like the Greeks.

Today we begin three days in the Greek Isles.  Rhodes, Mykonos and Santorini. I hear it's stunningly beautiful.

Walk like an Egyptian.

It's Monday and we're in Egypt.  Cairo, pyramids, the Sphinx...the whole thing.  Gonna be amazing.