I Am Now Half a Century Old

July 29, 1958-A day that will live in infamy!!! ---at least to the individuals who had the dubious pleasure of being around me as I grew up and some others that sauntered thrugh my life after adulthood.

What other important milestones occurred on my birthdate? THIS DAY IN HISTORY Check it out....

So what does reaching 50 mean? For me it means gratitude that I am still alive and have not killed myself with as many stupid stunts I have participated in. I will not list them here, but instead have documented many in about 15 journals so far which will not see the light of day until I am dead and cannot be held responsible for whats in them.

On the other hand, I have done many good things that I am proud of and in the acknowledgement of perhaps another 50 years on this earth, I hope to do as much good as possible before I depart.....

Im grateful for my parents, my sisters and their families, my children, and the handful of individuals I consider to be friends...and you know who you are.

So Happy Birthday to me and here's to another great 50.... Please fasten your seatbelts, its gonna be a bumpy ride.

The Big Apple----Never Disappoints.....

Today we decided to go into the city, as is our habit when we are visiting here. My parents were closer to the city before they moved, requiring only a short (3 mile) bus drive to the Subway station. But now, they are about 45 miles north and requires us to get on a commuter train to get to Grand Central and THEN use the subway system. Interesting change, and beautiful ride, but expensive especially if you do need the train to get into the city everyday....Our initial cash outlay for 2 round trip tickets PLUS 2 metro card fares for the subway=$49.00. We probably added about another $8 to that by taking more subway rides than we had

planned. But still, its worth it.

As always, I look forward to the eclectic collection of performers to be found in New York City's unique "underground arenas". Here you will find string quartets, comedians, card sharks, a capella singers, and of course the ubiquitous hip hop/ break dancer genre of entertainment.

And did I mention that they are also cute? What great personalities. The best part? They were working!!!!!!! Yes, they were soliciting money in the form of donations, but they were not on a street corner or a busy intersection just panhandling. I think the next "Americas Got Talent" should be held underground at several key NYC subway terminals--they are obviously overlooking a substantial source of talent.

We went to the upper east side to visit friends and have lunch, to SoHo to shop at American Apparel (Why? Because they charge $20 for shipping when you order online, so flying to New York to shop made sense----okay, at least to my daughter), to Times Square to have our usual photo op with "The Naked Cowboy", but we couldn't because he is in some kind of litigation with the Mars company over them dressing up an M&M like him or something. (Naked is featured in the latest issue of Time magazine-Aug 11) and finally anywhere I can get New York Pizza and perhaps an Italian ice- or 4.

and last but not least, since Lulu couldnt take her annual picture with the Naked Cowboy, she had her picture taken with his wannabe body double

Love In the Afternoon...And the Afterlife...

After taking it easy from Fridays travels (and recovering from Fridays self medication after effects), I was eager to spend time with my parents and catch up....My daughter wanted to get out and explore since she had never visited this particular area since my parents moved. She took off and came back a couple of hours later with a great story....

My parents live in Carmel, New York; an area rich in history related directly to this country's early establishment. Surrounding towns have plaques and signs with dated information as far back as 1788, by my own observation. So it stands to reason that the nearby cemetery would be a pretty interesting place to visit . She walks down the hill and around the winding roads and goes to the Raymond Hill Cemetery.

She's walking around, taking photographs of some interesting tombstones, etc and she happens to see a couple sitting among the grave markers. She continues to stroll and snap pictures, and occasionally glances at the couple. All of a sudden she notices that the girls head is no longer visible. Circling around as unobtrusively as possible, she notices that the girl in question is still there, as is the boy, but she is uh, "otherwise engaged". With that discovery, Lulu hot foots it home to tell the story, to the amazement of my mother--not so much me, but you knew that....

Here are some pictures of some of the markers...

Obviously the one on the right is fairly recent....but great nonetheless...
NOT what she expected in this small town, but what the hell...she's my daughter and likes the twists and turns that life throws her....

Frequent Flyer VS Infrequent Flyer

The down and dirty---I used to jump out of planes about 31 years ago. Once I had kids, I became skittish and did not fly (or take unnecessary risks) unless necessary-unless I could have a parachute. Since a parachute is not considered carry on luggage, I became a white-knuckled, martini drinking, sociable passenger. The better to numb the anxiety. Here is what it took to get to New York: A bottle of wine before leaving, 2 martinis at PBIA, 2 scotches on the plane, 2 martinis at ATL and 2 scotches on the plane to Westchester County Airport. I had to practically be poured into my mom's car. I make no apologies. I also did not consume as much as a root beer during my stay....Nuf said.

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!! (Film at 11)

Summer time....and the livin's easy......for me, not so much. I have been working summer school (If not for the money, to keep me out of trouble). Annette=Trouble magnet. Just ask my pal Joe: AKA the trouble accelerator :)
Now that summer school is over, I am traveling home to NY to see my parents and sisters. I haven't been there in a while in spite of my Dad having a stroke last year. I did the balancing act of "do I stay or do I go, now". My family said no, not yet...so I didn't. But now its time....

Im flying up with my daughter and driving my Dads car back. We usually have a good time just kind of messing around, stopping anywhere we want, and eating strange things. My daughter introduced me to "Walking Tacos" on our last road trip. this requires a knowledge and prior planning to be able to visit many 7-Eleven stores between West Palm Beach and New York City.

This makes it easy to construct the "Walking Taco", to wit:

1. 1 small bag of fritos

2. 2 pumps of hot dog chili from the hot dog condiment dispenser

3. 2 pumps of melted cheese , also from the hot dog condiment dispenser

4. Close the top of bag, shake, grab a fork or spoon and ENJOY.

Heres the problem....

GAS!!!!! in the CAR!!!!---CONTINUOUSLY.......until the next scheduled 7-eleven stop, which of course means another round of Walking Tacos....oh well.....stay tuned for pics and updates......and requests for a good car detailer....

Happy Belated Anniversary----To Me!!!!!

How in the hell did I do that? I MISSED my one year blog anniversary by 2 days. I was so looking forward to it...damn.
Oh well, I guess I did celebrate in a way... I was out having a good time, right? That's all that matters....
In my search for an appropriate picture for this occasion, I came across this picture of Marilyn....I aspire to do this with my drink glass while I'm waiting to take the next sip, or a refill, or for a good looking man to notice or for someone to bring me my pants.
By coincidence, its the same knee that I had surgery on one year ago today....
I have had the best time this year...I hope y'all have as well.
Here's to more mindless frivolity...and I'll have whatever Marilyns drinking..

PLENTY....OF.....FISH!!!! Come on in..the waters fine....

Plenty of Fish -->International, easy to use, nice people and it's FREE!!!! I have been a member for about 4 years and have not been disappointed. I have met quite a few nice men and have made some friends. All worth the price of membership, which, if i haven't mentioned it, is FREE!!!! There are scheduled events for Fishys to gather and splish splash in the dating pond. I attended my first one ever last night.....
It was held at Club Safari at the PGA Marriott in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I had sooooo much fun, and am thrilled to report that Disco is alive and well at Club Safari, complete with experienced, confident and fun loving singles. I was in heaven...there was not one person I spoke to that was not having a good time whether they were on the dance floor or not.... I was there for only 2 hours, but went home feeling pretty optimistic about the availability and openness of singles in my community to meet, mingle and feel good....
If you happen to go to Club Safari's website, you will notice the "Pole Dancing Contests" are advertised. Apparently wet t-shirt and other sophomoric type activities are held there. None of it in evidence last night---Thank God. Not that I have not participated in them in the past...But that's for another post another day...

The 305-561-954-407 SCAM-Cuz After All, We ARE Bigger Than Nigeria

Just when you thought we, as a people could not get any stupider or unoriginal, comes the South Florida Craigslist Scammers. Jesus, we already can't operate a voting machine, we are a hurricane magnet, the world looks at us like we have 10 fuckin' heads and now we think we are Nigerians......

I have posted some very inconsequential ads on Craigslist in order to get rid of some stuff we no longer needed. One was for a car and the other was for an unopened shipment of Nutrisystem meals.

I should have known there was something up when I got normal responses followed shortly thereafter by emails outlining how the funds would get to me, how the shipping would be done, etc, etc, etc----oh and of course that matter of me cashing the check and forwarding the funds to the shipper...hmm, forgot about that part....

By this time, I understand whats going on and should probably leave it alone and chalk it up to experience....But noooooo....not me....., Im thinkin' "Its time to fuck with these assholes...." and fuck I will....

I went to the bank, asked about the availability of funds for that check (never intending to cash it), got all wide-eyed and flustered when the bank manager came to tell me that the check was no good and that he was afraid that I was being scammed---SCAMMED!!! Heavens to Mergatroid!!! The indignity of it all.....Imagine me...scammed...

He explained how there was a rash of these situations and that I had to be veeerrrryyyy careful. He also suggested that I file a complaint with the sherriffs department. I thanked him and told him I would take it under advisement.

I went home to find an email from from my friendly buyer, wondering where I was in the process as he was extremely anxious to conclude the deal.. I responded by expressing my amazement that there would be a problem with the check, lightly referencing the fact that law enforcement had expressed an interest and that perhaps they should send a money order for the exact amount and that I (in my extreme benevolence) would take care of the shipping myself....yup, I said that.

Later, there is an email suggesting that I just sell the item to someone else......Did I let it go at that? Of course...NOT!!!

The following is my exact email back to them....

From: Sent: Wed 7/16/2008 5:13 PM
Annette
Subject: RE: SHIPPER'S INFORMATION!!
You can cell the item to another person bye

To:brain bab [mailto:brainbab6@hotmail.com]

From: Annette
The Palm Beach County Sheriffs department and Bank of America have solicited my help to begin an investigation in this case. I have not responded as yet because I went out of town today. I told them I had alot of aggravation and running around incurred in this deal without any financial renumeration to show for it. If I decide to go through with it, they will get the check, the UPS envelope, the remittance info, the ad,the emails and my personal banking information, in addition to my full cooperation plus perhaps a Crimestoppers Reward. They apparently have had a lot of other instances of this happening and are anxious to prosecute, as evidenced by their arrival at the bank yesterday when called by the manager for a check that they could not verify as being good.
I'm sorry that we were not able to work anything out....best of luck in the future
Annette

Happy Belated Fourth! A.K.A. 5G's in Fireworks Up In Smoke

One of the spectators tents erected on my front lawn for, well, the spectators...like me. The fireworks go on you know rain OR shine.....

So Im waiting for the pics from Friday you know? Waiting, waiting, waiting......The my bouncing baby boy alerts me to the fact that they are on his MySpace...I ask you is this anyway to treat the woman who suffered through 13 hours of labor to bring you into the world? That she should have to schlep to your MySpace and "steal" the pics? Enough kvetching, I promise...

I kept hearing about this great Fireworks party thats held every year by my friends, but which I had never attended. they were not kidding. This was overkill!!!!

My friend Sean spends about $5000 on fireworks and his neighbor Craig spends another $5000 and it becomes a fireworks dance off...for about 2 hours or more.....No breaks...gotta get your eating and drinking over with before dark..its all about the gunpowder after that....The picture to the right is SOME of the fireworks in the road that had accumulated. The Police did stop by----to ask us to sweep and clean up some of the used canisters so that cars could go by. Are you kidding? Not one car wanted to turn down that street. between the fireworks and about 50 people partying, it did not seem like a good idea.

This pic illustrates abut 1/5 of the amount of fireworks ONE of these gentlemen had stored up to use---unbelievable.

And another picture of the aftermath. The best Fourth of July I have had in years. People were wonderful, my kids and their friends were there. Food was great and in great abundance.....

When it was over (and i have to tell you that all the fireworks were not set off), everyone-I mean everyone-swept, bagged, picked up, disassembled and otherwise assisted in setting things right before leaving the are to go home. I think that was the best part and would make me not think twice about hosting another party in the future....