Computers and Computer Training
For the past two evenings Maureen and I have been researching and buying her new toys (computer external hard drive and new notebook). So we researched and went to Staples in our neighborhood and up by Nancy C's neighborhood. We sat at Starbucks and enjoyed cool drinks in the cooling night air, and quickly escaped the cigarette smoke at the quickly-occupied next table last night.
I helped her back-up her ailing computer last night, and helped her do a skeletal set-up this evening before going to help Mom with travel computer questions. I also made reservations tonight for a fantasie musical.
Today for the best part of the morning involved a group training computer class. Renae was there, it was fun to see her again. Quite useful information.
Labels: addiction, computer, dining, friends, music, school, theater, transportation, travel
Putt Putt Golf
I've been up since ~ 4.00 this morning.
Last night Nancy and I met up and went to putt putt golf in North Park. It was great fun. We played both courses (I even got a hole-in-one on the 16th on the Tropical Course), and watched the mini Grand Prix, bumper boats, and carousel.
We went for a snack of rolled Caesar salad at a bar/cafe which her hubby will most likely not visit soon, as there was a smoky atmosphere there, and he has recently kicked the habit.
Mom, Dad, and I sang a "Happy Anniversary" to Joyce and Greg into their answering machine last night.
~~~
Napped from 7.00 to about mid-morning.
Labels: addiction, anniversary, dining, games, jewelry, phone, singing, sports
Smoking Ad
A recent NYC smoking ad brings the reality home.
Labels: addiction, health, smell
Jonathan's Choir Farewell party
Last night, after babysitting Beatrice and Solomon with Mom for a bit (and enjoying Marissa's cheese pasta), Maureen, Karina, and Jonathan retrieved me for a bit of celebrating with the choir for Jonathan's farewell party. Sara, our waitress at the Claddagh pub, was patient, organized, and nothing short of amazing as we drank and ate our way through the food and drink menu and shots< in the dark>.
Jonathan was instrumental in---no, singlehandedly accomplished---my return to choir in Lent 2005. With a simple invitation from Jonathan, another Jonathan and I were in choir by the end of Lent, 2005. Of the two, I was the only one who stuck it out. NOW, who will be our main choral recruiter?
We four departed last night making plans for Indian food before his departure next Saturday.
Labels: addiction, Choir, friends, international culture, Ireland, Pittsburgh, St. Paul Cathedral, travel
Bicycle frame
All sorts of nicknames are arising out of my new hip replacement.
"I'm a hip chick!"
"I'm bionic woman!"
"I have a cobalt-chromium implant, with a polyethylene liner in the socket....I feel like a bike frame!"
As for the first quote, Mom commented to the resident, Dr. Hany, that I make that joke to various people.
Don's response to my calling him "cancer stick boy" yesterday was, "Brass [hip] girl" and, as our group moved inside from a thunder and lightning storm,
"[That umbrella is a lightning rod and...] she's electric!"
Labels: addiction, BAD, exercise, friends, health, surgery, weather
Smoking Ban in 90 Days
HOOray! Yesterday, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed into state law a statewide ban on smoking, which will take effect in 90 days.
I hope this ban holds longer than the last one...I recall William and I dining in a small mom-&-pop establishment (The Original Oyster House in Market Square) on the day of the last ban. The next day, that particular smoking ban was lifted. William pointedly noted to me that that particular small establishment may not be governed by this law, so we may never again be able to dine-in smoke-free at that restaurant.
Labels: accessibility, addiction, American history, dreams, family, health, Pittsburgh, politics, smell
The Smoking Neighbor
of my parents is causing us health problems. There are lots of upper respiratory problems that the smoke is causing, including raspy voices, coughs, and occasional blood in the sputum of those exposed to the second-hand smoke.
There's a lot we have tried, including mentions at building meetings, writing letters, and other gentle forms of persuasion. No luck.
I arrived this afternoon to the whole floor at my parents' building smelling of cigarette smoke. The neighbor's door was open; the whole corridor reeked of cigarette smoke. I don't know what the fate of the smoker is. I truly don't. But I know that the grande machina known as the tobacco industry will continue to peddle their wares to people, who continue to get addicted, smoke up our planet, and pass on [to the next smoker]. The industry is bigger than any one individual addicted smoker.
I don't know what happened to their neighbor. But I don't want to have people I care about to be addicted that badly to tobacco. And I sigh every day that I hear the raspy voice of a neighbor of the smoker.
~~~
~9pm
We were informed that the smoker is no longer with us.
Labels: addiction, Faith
Paki patay ang ilaw
or, "please turn off the light" in Tagalog. I guess--in my limited knowledge of Tagalog--- that would be "please extinguish the light." It would NOT be "please extinguish the [flame]," nor the opposite of "to light up," nor "please extinguish [your] cigarette." I had to ask Mom about that word..."paki patay ang sigarilyo."
Last night, I had a discussion with Paulette (and have had prior discussions with my smoking friends) about how nicotine is more addictive than hard street substances. "You have to treat it as an addiction," I told Paulette, "It's not easy to quit." She confessed that she had been smoking since she was very young and that EVERYONE around her smoked...I indicated that there are medications to help people to quit...I have another friend who used to smoke. She now has trouble breathing. "They lied to us [about the dangers of smoking]," she intoned to me.
Labels: addiction, languages, light, Philippines
