Thursday, July 31, 2014

Wednesday

Tonight on the way home from my fantastic chicken paprikash with nockerli dinner I happened to glance at my dashboard and noticed that the "Low Pressure" light was on.

This indicates that one of my five tires (spare included) has low air pressure. The car does not tell me which one so now I have to guess or assume all of them are loo on air.

I hate these complications. All the way home I was looking at the light hoping it will go out that it realized it made a mistake. But no such a luck.

When I got to the garage I checked all the four tires but was not able to determined which was low. To me they all looked normal. But what do I know?

Now, tomorrow morning I'll pull the car out of the garage and check the pressures with my tire gauge. Unless tomorrow the light will not come on.

Then comes the inconvenient part. Finding a gas station which has an air pump. There was one near me that was always free but a little while ago they changed their mind and now there is no pump.

Other places have pump that work wit money. I think it is 50 cents and it stays on for five minutes. That means you have to run around the car, do all the tires and check them for the pressure. Five minutes is not that much time. And it usually shuts off in the middle of the last just a little more air.

Hate these complications. The last time it happened was in early January when it got suddenly very cold and I guess the pressure went down with the temperature.

I have over 36,000 miles in the car and I hope these tires are good enough for a few more thousands because I just don't feel like spending any big bucks on new tires just when my lease term is about to end.

Speaking of lease terms. This car is leased and the term is up in December of this year. I really like the car, it took care of me in good and bad and I am seriously thinking of keeping it.

But the taste of a new car is in my mouth already and I might just exchange it for the latest model, that being the 2015 model. It is not out yet but I heard it was due shortly.

The thing is if I keep this car, at my age that might be the last car I ever own. And I am just not ready to call it quits.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Tuesday

I had a very busy day today. Today I had to go to Manhattan to see my doctor. There was nothing wrong with me but I needed renewals for my prescription medications (blood pressure).

My health insurance company requires that I use their mail order feature for these prescriptions.

At first I was fighting them but when eventually they kind of read the riot act I complied. Now thinking back it is not such a bad deal. It is only bad for my local pharmacy because they lost my business.

This one is convenient and cheaper, too. I get a 90 day supply and they renew it automatically. Only at the end when there are no more renewals I need to send the new prescriptions. And that is why I went to see the doctor today.

This time I used the subway to go into the City because it was more convenient and cheaper. I really don't mind using public transportation when it is better than driving. Beside I have a senior discount card and this way it really do not cost much at all.

Drove enough yesterday and spent enough on tolls also. When I take the subway it is usually during the day, not rush hour. That way the trip is fairly pleasant and quick and always get a seat. And that is important because the ride takes easily 45 minutes and who wants to stand all that time. Stood enough when I was a member of the working class.

Today it was absolutely no beach day. It was cool, partly sunny and pretty dry. During the night the temperature went down to the low 60s, I slept with the windows open and it was very pleasant.

I'm watching the weather forecast because I owe myself a beach day. Haven't been out this week yet.

And I owe that much to me!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Monday

Today I went to New Jersey and that made think about something.

We all remember the traffic fiasco a last year before Election Day that backed up traffic to the George Washington Bridge on the Jersey side. Everybody claimed it was politically motivated on behalf of the governor. As far as I know there are investigations going on right now about this whole affair.

Well, here is something that I think is totally unfair and I don't believe it is legal.

Over a week ago my cousin was involved in an accident in Jersey where thankfully neither his wife or him were hurt. Not even the car. The accident involved a few motor vehicles and was caused by something else.

I am trying to be very vague purposely as you can imagine.

Police came within minutes and because there were other injuries they conducted an accident investigation. My cousin was told that he had to go to the police barracks to prepare a statement but since the investigation was ongoing he had to leave his car right on the road even though his car was in perfect condition.

The police assured him that there was nothing to worry about and they would take him and his wife back to the car when everything was done.

Sounded good, besides this was not a multiple choice proposition.

They went went with the police and prepared all the necessary paperwork. When all was done they did take them back but not to the road where the car was left but to a yard where their car was towed by a private towing company.

The entire thing took about two and a half hour but in order to get the car released they had to pay over $300. The rate was about $110 per hour and the clock started running from when the towing company got the call from the police.

Now I ask: is this a racket between the New Jersey State Police and the towing company or what?

Can you imagine a poor tourist decides to drive to New York, gets involuntarily into an accident, him or his car are not hurt at all but at the end he is still clipped for several hundred dollars.

I guess this takes the place of the old speed traps!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Sunday

Just some observation following my yesterday's visit to JFK Airport.

I does not matter what the economy does people are traveling. I went to see the departure area. There were lines at every single counter that were open. These people went to every corner of the earth. Single people, couples or larger families, they were all traveling.

Downstairs at the arrival area there was a continuous stream of people who just arrived to New York coming through the door. These people as well arrived from all parts of this Earth of ours.

Even though very likely there are no two people sitting an any given flight next to each other who happened to pay the same fare because of the various discounts still air travel is not inexpensive. But people still come and go.

My advice to anybody who still thinks that the economy is in bad shape, go out to any airport and watch the people as they are leaving or arriving and then make your own opinion.

Other thing.

Today was Sunday. Since yesterday I was at the airport, we decided to do Saturday's chores today. Bought gas, went to the supermarket and then we went out to eat.

This time we visited Freeport on Long Island which is famous for its seafood restaurants and its general nautical ambiance.

Unfortunately Superstorm Sandy caused enormous damages to the area and some of my favorite restaurants never opened up we were still able to find a nice place to eat. Right on the water, nice view, no crowd it was very pleasant.

We both had oysters, a nice Caesar salad and two large pots of mussels in wine sauce. It was really filling but not fattening.

Since I never saw a fat mussel I don't think they are fattening.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Saturday

Today is Saturday and I had a very interesting day. Early afternoon I went JFK International Airport because friend and her daughter were returning from a week vacation.

Actually, before going out to JFK I stayed home and did almost nothing useful. I puttered around the house but then I left.

I really like the airport and spending time out there is something I gladly do. Since their flight (JetBlue) was over an hour late I had ample time to do whatever I wanted.

So, I walked around, looked at the people, looked at the multitude of airlines leaving to various corners of the earth and arriving as well. I also took a ride on the Austrian that circulates the airport and stops at every terminal. It also gives a bird's eye view of the surroundings.

Then I sat at the terminal (#4) and waited. In the meantime listened to the announcements about arriving flights. Cairo Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Sri Lanka etc. All these faraway places came together in that one terminal. It was very interesting.

Watching the people arriving is another thing. I don't think there is another place where one can see such a microcosm of humanity. Different races, different colors, different cultures and different beliefs and all under one roof. If people could stay like that there would be no animosities in the world.

Maybe that is the solution. Throw everybody in one huge hall and let them get along with each other.

But I did come to one conclusion. There some cultures where they either don't care or don't know how to admonish children or they just don't believe in it.

I know waiting is not easy not even for adults much less for kids. But to let little kids run amok in a public place and not even trying to restrain them is unforgivable. That just show that the parents don't know the firs thing about raising their children.

These idiot kids think that an airline terminal is their private playground and run, scream, jump all over the place without their idiot parents telling them that it is not customary to do this.

But my friends eventually arrived safe and sound and we left the airport and those retarded kids.

I did become a grouchy old man, right?

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Friday

I'm a great drinker. I really like to drink but within reason and I don't drink just anything. We are talking about alcoholic drinks.

I'm not a wine connoisseur so a good wine, any wine is wasted on me. I don't drink scotch because to me it is disgusting. It is an acquired taste and I just never acquired it.

Beer is OK, I can take it or leave it.

Cognac is good but I can't tell a good one from a bad one. It is still good because it gives a nice warm feeling in the pit of my stomach.

My favorite is anything mixed with vodka. Bloody Mary, vodka and tonic, grapefruit juice and vodka, screwdriver etc.

I also like various tropical drinks.

When I'm home I occasionally fix myself a nice vodka and tonic. When I'm on vacation I have a few every day as well a few rum punch.

I try not to overindulge with the vodka when I fix my drinks because I just feel miserable afterwards. Oh, I also make a real mean Bloody Mary but can not drink too many of those because it is very bad for the stomach.

Last week when I went to the supermarket I could not resist a six pack of Margaritas. They just looked so summery and inviting that I had to take a pack.

It has 5% alcohol per volume which is pretty low but it really tastes good. Now, while I'm writing this I am sipping one. It is pretty week yet, it puts me in a better mood. And, that is all I want.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Clean Thursday

Today I did laundry and cleaning my environment. That in itself is a pretty mundane list of events. But I did something that was bugging me for months because I had no clue how to get into it and do it successfully. But today I prevailed.

This thing had nothing to do with society or with the well being of humanity. I really have no interest in any of those things. Leave it up to the rich and famous.

We at home, here I mean had a porcelain/china bird collection of about fifty pieces. To be truthful two of those pieces are carved wood but the rest is porcelain, glass or metal. They started with my first wife then we continued adding to it. The collection include various named brands.

My big problem was how to clean the two shelves they were on. I saw dust building up around them but was afraid to touch these birds because I knew I couldn't put them back the way they were. And, they were placed in a good way.

So, time went by and the dust kept settling. And every time I looked at the shelves it was bothering me. Until today!

Today was the day when I saw the light at the end of this hopeless tunnel.

I took photographs of the two shelves, removed the birds, washed them, cleaned the shelves and replaced them following my "sheet music".

Now, aren't resourceful?

In all honesty, by the time I finished this particular operation my back hurt, my legs hurt. This was harder than cleaning the rest of my apartment. I can see now why my Wife only occasionally did this.

But when I was done it really felt good and I was very proud of myself. Like I said before society didn't benefit from this but I did and that's all that matter.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Wednesday

I know it is getting boring because I describe every day full of enthusiasm. But today was a good day.

It was almost tropical hot and because of that I again went to the beach. The day was good, lots of sun, water was was almost warm, no people. What else can a person ask for?

Today I decided to go to another beach, not the one I and we always frequented. This particular beach is on the south side of Long Island in a huge State Park.

We used to go there a lot but for some reason we unliked it and didn't go back there anymore. I remember why, there was always a lot of seaweed washed out to the shore and it was a little disgusting walking through that stuff. That's why we didn't go back.

Today I decided to revisit the place and I really enjoyed it. This place makes sunning very pleasant. Because one has to sit facing the water and looking at the nautical scenery while getting sun.

The other place we have to sit with our back to the water if we want sun and looking at the stupid people around us all day long.

These are very important details one has to consider when one chooses the right beach.

Like I said, the place was pretty empty and I found a good spot off to the side with nobody near me. That is until three women with their brats showed up and decided to stake out their territory close to me. They were probably unwed mothers with their illegitimate kids who chose to sit on almost top of me.

These people had one sound level: very loud. They talked to each other if they were on the opposite ends of the beach. And they talked to the kids as if they were deaf.

Fortunately, I only had to put up with them a short time because about an hour they showed up I decided to leave.

I guess I have this magnetic personality that attracts people. I never realised it.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

A Good Tuesday

Today as the title says was a good Tuesday. I wasn't home most of the day, I went to visit a friend.

And, because she does not live near me, I drove and drove and drove more. The good thing is that after more than fifty years of driving I still like to drive. Today I had the chance to enjoy myself.

I went to New Jersey to about a hundred miles away. But it was not the distance but the getting there what was the fun. I took the New Jersey Turnpike and then local roads. The Turnpike is great for high speed driving and the local roads are good for looking around and enjoying the areas.

It took a little more than two hours getting there and just about the same time getting home. But the weather was good, not much traffic so everything worked out fine.

I visited a friend whom I know for over fifty five years and her daughter who is a very lovely young lady. Actually my friend is a very lovely lady, too.

We had a great time. We talked, reminisced, ate good Hungarian food that she cooked and just generally enjoyed the day.

When I got home I had a message from another friend who lives in Georgia. It's Georgia US. I called her back and had a nice conversation.

It is a shame that all these good friends live spread all over the country. Why don't I have some good friends living in the same street where I am?

I think that only happens in small towns where people grow up together and then stay put and don't spread all over the country. But when opportunity knocks people must answer.

I grew up in another country, I don't have any school friends nearby. Most of my school friends are now in different parts of the world. Probably wouldn't recognize each other if we had the chance to meet.

But probably I wouldn't want to meet another old guy like me.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Average People

My Wife and I were very average people. Never stood out in a crowd, never did anything that people could remember us. And we liked it that way.

That is why I was very surprised today on the beach.

But to start at the start. It was Monday morning and I got up all gung ho! Decided to go to the gym and being a very nice day after the gym I was to go to the beach.

Well, by 10 o'clock the gung ho fizzled and I talked myself out of the gym part of the program. That was very easy since there was nobody arguing with me.

After 11 I started off to the beach which I reached shortly after noon. It was nice and empty. Found myself a nice spot away from kids and people but nearer to an older couple.

I settled down and relaxed big time. Went to the water a few times which was very refreshing. Refreshing is my terminology for not warm. But still, the water was fine.

I recognized the couple near me because throughout the years I saw them out there. Recognized them because the man has that memorable look that I don't have.

After a while, I don't remember why, we started talking and the man said to me that his wife was telling him that she thought I was a "regular" because she did see me several times out there and she also remembered I was never alone but with a lady.

I explained the situation but it felt really good that somebody out there noticed and remembered us. They were very nice, expressed their condolences and then we did have a nice conversation.

I stayed on the beach for about three hours then went home. Bottom line, I did have a good time this time even if I were alone.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Sunday

Today I had a very quiet day. Not that other days are noisy so to speak but today was very relaxing. First time in a long time I slept fairly well. Woke op a little after nine in the morning which is very unusual for me.

On the other hand, yesterday I was up at 4:30 and it was very long day.

So today I went to the gym late in the morning. I came to the conclusion that only people who have no life go to the gym on Sundays. I felt very much at home there! But, I had a good workout which was needed after yesterday's Turkish/Hungarian fiesta.

After the gym I went to the supermarket because I had no chance to do it yesterday. Did a pretty large shopping and at the end I didn't buy anything useless. Only good and healthy stuff I bought.

The afternoon is being spent home with doing things. The terminology of "doing things" is very vague. I am using it to describe doing this and that, basically not much useful stuff.

If the weather turns nice for tomorrow I plan to go to the beach for a few hours. Haven't been there for a week and my tan is beginning to fade.

This afternoon I was paying bills. I don't hate too many things in this world but paying bills is an exception. I hate to do it with a passion.

Wouldn't be nice to live in a Utopian society where all services would be free? Would only spend money on frivolous things and not on necessities. I think that would be a perfect world.

Well, one can only dream!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Saturday

It's been a very long day. I got up at 4:30 in the morning to take my friends to JFK airport. Since I sleep very badly anyway, I was not able to fall asleep until just about wake up time.

I left my garage at 5 am and it seemed I was the only one up at this time. The areas I drove through were really desolate and it felt really funny. The only beauty of it was that driving at such an early hour is really pleasant unless the City creates a traffic slowdown or some jerk creates an accident. But none of these happened and shortly after six I was back home again.

It was too early to stop for breakfast, nothing else was yet open so I just went back home. My problem was that I couldn't go back and sleep, I was too keyed up for that. So, I made coffee and watched TV.

Later in the day I met some friends in Manhattan for lunch.

For years we used to have brunch in a nice Italian restaurant in Manhattan but a while ago they went out of business so new place had to be found.

My friends found a nice Turkish restaurant in the same neighborhood. Now, I never ever had Turkish food and I went there with some reservations. But I'm glad to say it was very good. I had lamb (naturally) with a dark sauce and rice and it was very tasty. It was so much that I took part of it home and I'll have it for dinner.

After lunch we went over the Hungarian pastry shop for dessert because the Turkish place has only their coffee and that is so strong that it would keep everybody up all night long.

But that was fine since we were all Hungarians and we liked the pastry.

I had a good time. Good friends, good conversation. What else one needs when companionship is missing.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Friday

Yesterday that poor Malaysian Airlines plane crashes and the stock market crashed, too. everybody was running for the hills. It dropped so much that they said it was the worst in about three months.

Why? What did an airplane crash had to do with the economical outlook? I guess there is no real explanation it just happens.

Today it seems the whole affair is forgotten, at least by the investment world because at the end of today the market went back up 123 points. Investors have thankfully very short memory.

Something else.

Today was a very quiet day. I really didn't do much. Actually, I didn't do anything at all. I was supposed to meet a friend but he didn't show up so I was without any other plans. For his excuse he is really advanced in his age and it was possible that he didn't feel good.

My friend is going on a week long vacation Saturday and I will take her and her daughter to the airport. That means I have to get up 4:30 in the morning because after picking them up we should be at JFK by 6 o'clock.

So, after finishing this writing I will try to go to sleep. Since in the past several months I am unable to have one good night's sleep it is very unlikely that I will be able to sleep as early as 11 pm.

I almost forgot. I have a visitor while my friends are away. I am fish sitting for a siamese fighting fish. She, and they swear she is a she, is a very cute little thing. The perfect guest. Don't ask for anything, don't have to be entertained and don't eat much. Like I said, the perfect guest! And she is pretyy cute, too.



Friday, July 18, 2014

Thursday

It is Thursday afternoon and I am home sitting on my laurels. Actually I am sitting on a chair writing but between the chair and me are my laurels.

I'm pretty satisfied with my actions right now.

Nothing earth shattering or changing of history just plain house cleaning. As you might remember, yesterday my bathroom was painted. For some people it is not a big deal but I am not some people. For me it was a huge deal!

The mess left behind was not restricted to the bathroom alone. The man went in and out of the apartment, I walked around thus the dust and and other unnamed particles that were found all over the place.

I got up early this morning, really early and started the cleaning very diligently. And, by 12:30 I was done. Cleaned the whole apartment top to bottom and now I am sitting on my laurels.

Actually, I am afraid to move around because everything is so nice and clean and I'm afraid to mess things up. that's why I'm just sitting.

Another thing.

I heard on the news about the Malaysian Airline tragedy. The one that crashed in Ukraine. It is terrible and the sad reality is that very likely nobody will ever know why it crashed. Politics can sometimes be real cruel.

But what I just couldn't stand was the news. I had the TV on and every major network had their people involved with this event. They talked and they talked. They just talked so their voices could be heard while they had no idea what they were saying.

They kept speculating, spreading ideas, each one was making us the viewers believe that he or she was the expert while none of them had any more information about what really happened.

It just turned my stomach so I shut the TV off. These news people are unbelievable. They can talk forever about anything without any real information without any idea of what really happened.

I truly believe that they thrive on panic and because of that they love to spread it. Nothing is worse than a slow news day. Now they are in their elements.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Painting

Those of you faithful readers who read my yesterday's outburst and impatiently waiting for news of my bathroom.

Wait no longer my friends, good new is upon us! My bathroom has been finally painted!!!!

Well, it wasn't as easy as writing it down, it took an entire day.

First the super said it would be after lunch so I have been home all morning, afraid to move just in case he changed his mind.

Then at 1 pm he called telling me he would be up by about 1:45. He showed up at 2:30. Fine, I was glad he remembered to come.

He started work, we talked, he worked, we talked some more and then he worked some more. Eventually, the job was done by 5:30 in the afternoon.

I didn't care. The long wait, the planning, the anticipation they were all worth it. The bathroom looks beautiful and clean. Actually the walls and ceiling are clean the rest is a huge mess. It's a good thing Thursday is when my cleaning person is here and he can clean the apartment starting with the bathroom.

Oh, I remember now, I am that cleaning person.

I'm just sorry my Wife couldn't be here to see it because She would have just loved the results of this work.

Actually, She is here with me in my heart and what I see She sees.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Tuesday

A few years ago, thanks to a real jerk who lived above our apartment by two floors, our bathroom got soaked. He very nonchalantly let the toilet run without really noticing that it had been flushing for like a half an hour and thus we got soaked. Thankfully not with waste water but fresh, clean water. But nevertheless it was water through the ceiling.

This happened more than once and eventually he was kicked out of the building.

In time the building superintendent knocked down part of the ceiling and it was re plastered. He also said they would repaint the bathroom when we wanted it.

Time went by, we kept pushing it out and out and with the problems we were having at home scheduling the painting of the bathroom was the furthest thing from our minds.

But now I need excitement in my life!

Bravely, I decided to go ahead with this "project". I told the super about a month ago that I was seriously thinking about it. Now, just that statement was a huge step forward.

Finally, two weeks ago I bought the paint and we agreed on a date for the work.

The date was today!

By normal standards the job should be finished by now. Right? It's only a bathroom! One painter used to paint our entire apartment in one day and was almost done by this time. And that included all the rooms and inside of the kitchen cabinets, too.

But why should things work out when they can go the other way?

The super came up on time this morning but decided that he had to sand the previous plastering and then he re-spackled it. And then the spackle needs time to dry and since today is an exceptionally humid day that will take time.

So, now it is four o'clock in the afternoon and we are in the drying mode. I'm sitting here and watching the damn thing to dry. It is like watching the grass grow.

He said he would be back tomorrow after lunch to -hopefully- finish the job.

What is life without hope?

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Love

Love is a very funny occurrence. First we take it for granted. Then when we have it we don't even notice it. But, and here is the but, when it is gone it leaves a terrible emptiness.

At a later age people don't think of love. Just like when Tevye asked his wife: Golda, do you love me? And she was stunned at this question. She clearly thought he was nuts to ask. But thinking this out it was not such a stupid question.

We all assume that after living with someone for a long time love is naturally there. We can not grasp it, we can not weigh it, we can not hold it. But we always assume it is there.

But suddenly, when it is not there that is when the world comes crashing down. The empty house, the empty bed, the lack of an embrace or a kiss or a peck is terrible.

I look around at the faces of the people at the Hospital when I attend this monthly session and those who lost a spouse are all in a terrible confusion. The confusion is about life itself. They really don't know how to continue living without their partners.

They are afraid just as I am of life. Nobody knows how to act, what to expect from tomorrow, how to behave, how to do things.

Some have jobs which they do perform but when the day is over or the weekend comes that is when the world closes in. We all are like ships that lost their control and just running around aimlessly in circles.

The women that I know lost the person who was strong and made their life good. The men lost the person who was strong and gave life a purpose.

Without these elements we are that ship.

The lack of love is a terrible feeling. It is combined with loneliness and abandonment and makes life very difficult. The only salvation is good friends who are there when needed and who provide a shoulder to cry on.

I am lucky because I have good friends who fill this criteria.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Sunday

Today is or was Sunday. I really didn't do much simply because I had no real desire to do anything. Actually, I went to the gym in the morning and had a fairly good workout. After that I came home and in a while had lunch.

I have so much stuff here in the house that I really didn't want to eat out some junk. And in the afternoon I watched the soccer World Cup final which turned out to be pretty interesting.

I had an invitation to go into Manhattan to a restaurant and watch the game there but I declined because I had no desire to sit for two or more hours in a noisy restaurant with people screaming around me and watch a TV screen that's probably not as good as mine at home. At the end I'm glad I didn't go. It was a lot more comfortable at home.

Lately I really like to stay home alone. It is my choice and I am living with it.

Something else.

Last Friday I got a parking ticket because I overstayed my welcome by six minutes. Actually, I was getting a haircut and I guess I did not calculate the time needed very accurately. The fine is $35 but that's not the issue.

New York City has a five minutes leeway they give before a ticket is issued. I got the ticket for the extra ONE minute!

Now that is what I call a dirty break. The bastard ticket agent must have been standing by my car waiting for the time to pass.

Today I wrote a letter saying that I plead not guilty because I overparked by only one minute. With the exception of an atomic clock no timepiece is that accurate. Maybe it was only five minutes and not six.

The City must be in a very bad shape if they need my money so badly.

We'll see what their decision will be.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Saturday

The mysteries of life and the universe never seize to amaze me. Things happen that have no logical explanation and we just have to watch them with awe. And, get used to them as well.

Here is one for the books.

A week ago, Saturday we went to the supermarket for our weekly shopping. I don't like to go to the stores during the week because it takes a lot of time and refrigerators were invented for the purpose of storing food. The whole world knows that with the exception of a few older and very traditional people who still believe that shopping should be done daily.

I on the other hand always, during my first and second marriages, did the weekly shopping.

Anyway, we like to go to this nice and pleasant supermarket where the prices are good, they always have everything and the fruits and vegetables are as fresh as can be in the supermarket world.

It is important to know that I love peaches. It is their season now and they are in abundance and the prices are good, too. Last week I bought nice, large and juicy peaches. I think they were New Jersey peaches.

Today they had the Jersey peaches again as well as another type. I got ready to select my pieces when I noticed that every one of them was very-very hard. Actually, too hard for even to leave them outside. They were hard enough to use them for bowling balls!

Now here is the mystery. What happened with last week's merchandise? Why the sudden change from pleasant to unedible?

Aside from the lack of good peaches it was a very good day. We did some shopping, did some chores and then went out to eat to a nice Italian restaurant. I am not a great fan of Italian kitchen but once in a while it feels good and today was one of those days. Yet, I am glad I'm not Italian because I couldn't eat it every day.

Now, Hungarian food that's a whole different story!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

A Little Philosophy

A little soul baring is today's subject.

When I go to these monthly sessions at Memorial Sloan Kettering at the start of each gathering we all introduce ourselves and in a few words tell why we are there. The counsellor also wants us to tell in two words what we feel.

To some people it is not that easy to express such thing in two words but to some of us who have been coming there for a while it is not that difficult, since we already have the experience. Interestingly, those feelings change as time goes by.

When it was my turn I said "angry and cheated".

I explained the angry part as I am angry at whatever or whoever made the decision that I had to lose my Wife. I am angry at god I am angry at any supreme being who did not use their power to help her to get better. I am angry because I can not see how this was part of a bigger picture.

I also feel cheated. Cheated out of life, cheated out of the pleasure of living our life together as it should have been. We were both retired, we both looked forward to a happy time together and that was cheated away from me. I never thought far ahead how we would die. I always thought we would die together maybe in an airplane crash holding each other's hands.

These were my two cents into that big pot.

But I came up now with a third word: scared.

I am scared of life, I am scared of the future. I don't know what the future holds for me, what kind of life will I have, how will my life turn out.

Everyday is an adventure. Not the exciting type just the ordinary kind. I wake up in the morning and I have to think that what does the day hold for me, what am I going to do today, what will I eat, who will I talk to and other similar things.

And for someone who never really lived alone in his life it is very scary. I have to make decisions on things I never had to worry about.

But I always believed that no matter what happens the sun will still come up the next day and life must go on. Meaning I have to be strong, very social and not to be depressed. Easier said than done but I will do my best.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Annoyed on Thursday

I am continuing yesterday's subject of being annoyed. Today was a beauty!

For about three weeks I was scheduled to go for this defensive driving course the completion of which reduces my automobile in surance premium.

I had it marked in my calendar, switched my schedule around, like did housecleaning on Wednesday instead of Thursday.

It was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. so I got up at seven and got ready. That means I had my usual coffee but no breakfast.

Fought traffic and got there about fifteen minutes to spare. Then I was informed at the door that the class was being cancelled because the instructor for some mysterious reason could not make the class. Me and about other thirty people were really pissed.

There were no excuses, no explanation, no word about when and where the replacement class would be held.

So here I am at nine in the morning with nothing to do, no place to go.

Well, at the end I took care of my day but it is unbelievable how irresponsible people can be. Some individuals just don't care how their actions inconvenience others. And that is what annoying me.

They really pissed me off. I will not become a defensive driver, I will remain an offensive driver!

At the end I picked up stuff from the Chinese laundry and went to the paint store and bought a gallon of paint what's going to be used next week when my bathroom will get painted.

And then in the evening my friend and I will go out to dinner to celebrate the successful non-completion of that stupid defensive driving course. It took me about five years to finally decide to go and take the course. And then at the end this.

Life just ain't fair.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Wednesday

Annoyed, annoyed, annoyed!

I hate this that whatever I seem to need, they do not make anymore. Come on, I am not that old and the stuff I need are not replacements for some ancient things.

But lately everything I want to buy is no longer being made.

I have been looking for a pair of exercise shorts. They are making them by the millions. Every store have them in every color and shape.

BUT what I need can not be found! I need a pair of such shorts with a zippered back pocket. Sometimes after the gym I go to the beach or go to stores and I need to put my wallet in the back pocket. A few years ago they were all over the place. Now I can not find a single one.

I guess the manufacturers in order to save a dollar or less decided not to make them with back pockets. Thanks, economy!

The other thing I am looking for is a pair of exercise gloves. I lost a half a pair and now I need a new pair. I went to the store where I bought mine a few years ago and was told that they didn't carry that brand anymore. What they did carry was absolutely not to my liking.

I'm getting really annoyed that whenever something one likes it is replaced by something else that is not even similar.

My list is growing in leaps and bounds. First I wanted a new small stereo. Not being made! Then I wanted a robe. Come back around Christmas! Now the shorts and the gloves. What is this world coming to?

It seems to me that we should replace everything in every few years regardless of their conditions. Sound stupid, doesn't it?

Something else.

On the way home tonight I was listening to the radio and they interviewed somebody who wrote a book about bees. Not the birds and the bees, just the bees. My trip took about twenty five minutes and all they talked about was the bees. Actually the program is an hour long and all of it was spent on those little things.

I can not imagine anything more boring to discuss except maybe the economy! Actually I think the bees are more exciting by a long shot.

But as I heard they could be a disgusting bunch. Eat each other, some males can masquerade as females, attack unsuspecting other bees and a lot more bad things. I am surprised they never made a TV series about these creatures.

But who knows?

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Tuesday

Today was the day (the second Tuesday of the month) that I went to the bereavement counseling at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I am kind of looking forward to these sessions because I really like the atmosphere and the people.

Today there were six people. Three from previous sessions and three new arrivals. Unfortunately the interest for such counseling will never abate. People will always die and there will always be family members who need help.

We will not graduate from this. There is no final exam. It just goes on and people come until they no longer need support from others.

There are people whos loved one passed away quite a while ago and then there are people who lost loved one just recently.

Two women lost husbands, two men (incl. me) lost wives and two women lost mothers. That was today's composition.

It is very interesting to see that women take the loss of their mothers extremely hard. In all cases they lived together and the daughters were there until their mothers' last minute. The loss of their mothers really left these ladies in very bad shape. Physically as well as emotionally. I really felt sorry for them. Actually, I feel sorry for everybody in that room.

We are not there to socialize, we are there because we all need help and understanding and an understanding ear. We tell things that we don't tell our relatives, family members and friends.

We talked and talked, exchanged experiences and came to the conclusion that we all have a lot in common.

We all loved the person we lost and we all find it difficult to go on with life without that person. We all agreed that life goes on one day at a time. No long range plans because nobody have any idea how life will turn out.

So for the time being just put one foot forward before the other.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Monday

Today is Monday, July 7. The reason I write it because for me days come and go without much importance and this way at least I know where I stand.

Actually, today was an exceptionally good day. In the morning I went to the gym for a little exercise. It really felt good.

After the gym I went to the beach. It was brilliant sunshine and very hot all day. I was to meet a very good friend and his wife out there and her daughter here from England.

We met and spent the day together. Stayed out there until about 5:30 which was really a long time for me. But it was worth it. We talked a lot, laughed a lot and I just had a really great time.

Something else.

I always chase something that I find that is not made anymore. This time I am looking for a particular pair of exercise shorts. Not too long but not short either. Just above the knee but with pockets and a pocket in the back for my wallet.

I need the back pocket because I sometimes use these shorts on the street and there is just not enough room in the pockets for my stuff.

I looked in two different stores and at Sports Authority I was told by a young sales lady that they don't make those anymore.

Lately I seem to be hearing this kind of answer a lot. Getting sick of it!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Sunday

I guess one can get "sick" of all the good weather. Maybe in Saudi Arabia where there is sun every day and over 100 degree temperatures people can get fed up. But here it is never enough. Today was another very nice day. Clear skies, sun and heat.

But in spite of all this beauty there is always something that can stain a day.

In my case it was the thing that I had to wear slacks.

You see, today is my bro-in-law's birthday. I invited him and his wife to brunch in Manhattan to a place of his choosing. The place was very nice in the middle of Manhattan but we didn't know how to dress. So we both decided that not taking the chance that there might be a dress code we would be wearing slacks.

Now, to me who decided that I will not put on slacks until Summer is over that was a big thing. But I agreed. It wasn't the most comfortable because I'm not used to it but what the heck!

The brunch was at a Greek restaurant and I have to admit it was really good. I had lamb salad. That was slices of lamb an a bed of spinach salad. I really liked it and we had a good time.

Afterwards I went on a hunting expedition.

There is a Hungarian street vendor who has a food truck and sells something on the streets of Manhattan. He lists on his Facebook page where he is every day so I went to find him and, I prevailed!

There is a Hungarian food item called langos or scone in English. Fresh dough fried in oil and various toppings on it. This is not as heavy as pizza, a lot lither and fluffier and crispy. Can be had with cheese, sour cream, mushroom or only garlic.

My choice is garlick alone. That's how my Mother made it and that's how I love it. The only place I had good langos was in Budapest. Over there it is very popular.

Anyway, this guy makes it on his truck and that was my dessert after the brunch. Man, it was great!

Now I am beginning my diet.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Saturday

Today, the second day of the long weekend turned out beautiful. Started cool and dry in the morning but then it just got fantastic. Brilliant sunshine, not a cloud in the sky. Yesterday's mistakes are forgiven.

I had my car washed on Thursday and naturally it was raining right after the wash. But the rain was so hard that the car still looks as good as just after the bath.

Since all the Saturday chores were satisfied yesterday today we decided to go on a little longer trip.

There is a little place in Long Island called Port Jefferson. Lovely place, right on the water. More specifically on the North Sore of Long Island. One of its interesting items is that there is a ferry boat run between Bridgeport, Connecticut and Port Jefferson. Two big ferry boats run between these two points and it is always interesting to see when they arrive.

Compare to a cruise ship they are small but compared to the boats in the area they are huge.

Anyway, Port Jeff. is a cute and rustic little town with many good restaurants and shops. We had lunch in a seafood place that I knew from before. We ate there several times years ago and was always satisfied. This time we had fresh oysters and clams and fish and everything was really good.

After the late lunch walked around a bit, had some ice cream then back to the car and drove to Queens. Actually, took a slow and scenic road on the way back.

The ride was very pleasant. No traffic, no yo-yo drivers this time, and the sun still fairly high in the sky.

Fairly long day, fairly tiring but very enjoyable and worth every minute of it.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Fourth of July

Today is Fourth of July. Until about five o'clock in the afternoon it was the crappiest day ever. Rain, rain and more rain. But then after that is started to clear up and it turned out to be pretty nice. Too bad that by that time it blew most of the day. But heck with it, this is a long weekend and the know it all weather people swear that the rest will be nice.

I still say that is the best job in the world. Absolutely no responsibility! If they miss it, well, it can happen. Not even a sorry. Anybody performing like them at his or her job wouldn't last more than a week.

It is evening now and I feel like I am in a civil war zone. Even though fireworks are forbidden in New York City, it seems that everybody have them because I can hear the cracking sounds all the time.

Just like guns. It is illegal to posses one but still too many people have them.

Anyway, today being a lousy day we decided to switch our Saturday chores for today. And it worked out pretty good. Went to the stores, got gas, had a great dinner and good conversation.

Tomorrow, Saturday promises to be a beautiful day so we are planning a little tour out in Long Island.

These holidays are funny things. They really mean something to those who work and get an extra day off. For me it means absolutely nothing.

For me any day I wake up alive is a holiday!

On a day like today and the entire weekend it means that there'll be more yo-yo drivers on the roads. Not the regular week day drivers. These are the people who don't regularly use their cars and only get behind the wheels on weekends. They are convinced that they know how to drive while the reality is that they have no idea.

They are the dangers on the roads, not the 18 wheelers.

Happy Birthday America!

Friday, July 4, 2014

Thursday

The most annoying thing in the world is when something happens to one's computer and it is beyond one's control. At least that's the way I feel right now.

This morning for no apparent reason my printer didn't work. I really don't know if it worked yesterday, but when I needed it this morning it just did not. I had something that I wanted to print out and just couldn't do it. The printer just sat there quiet as a church mouse and did not react.

After I spent a very long time trying to fix it but to no avail. Now I really don't know much about computers, I know how to turn it on and how to turn it off and that's just about does it. I went down on my hands and knees to look behind the printer to see if all the wires were in place but beside dust I could not see anything out of place.

Now, I am convinced that somebody who understands this blasted thing will just take one look and find out what is wrong but until that time I am without a working printer.

There are two people on my floor who I am sure know exactly what's wrong. One is two years old and the other is just over one. But they probably already know more than I do.

The annoying thing is that there is nobody I can ask because none of my friends are computer savvy.

So, I will just have to keep trying. Maybe accidentally I will find the solution. But then I will have to remember how I did it, for the future. And, that's not going to happen.

Other thing.

Today I stayed home for the better part of the day because it was cleaning day. I started before 9 in the morning and by 10:30 I was soaked in sweat. Not because of the heat, had the a/cs going. But because I worked so hard.

Then I realized that I really enjoyed doing the stuff. The bending downs, the moving arounds, the lifting things. It was better than a workout in the gym.

Maybe I am getting nuts, but it felt good. The fact that everything is clean makes it doubly good. It's a real achievement.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Thursday

It is Thursday evening and it is raining cats and dogs and there is thunder and lightning. I just got home from my friend's house where I had dinner, and a good one too and I drove through rain and the other stuff.

When I was driving the dark roads there were a few lightnings. Honestly, they were gorgeous. Some looked like a spider with all the arms. They were also gorgeous because they were there and I was here. Most of these natural and disastrous phenomenons look a lot better and safer from afar.

Other thing.

Another happy JetBlue event. My friend is going to Mexico on vacation in a while. Purchased her tickets back in March but never signed up to that place I wrote about yesterday for keeping a tab on the ticket price. At my insistence she signed up today. Right after registering it turned out that the price of the plane ticket dropped by $160 per ticket. She right away saved $320.

Good doggy, JetBlue!

Other thing.

The first tropical storm this season is called Arthur and he is here. Not in New York but way down South. It is formed and they say it is gaining strength and will travel up the East Coast. I had a cousin who's name was Artur but he was not a mean person so I hope this storm will also mellow out. It is a hell of a time to have a storm now just when the long weekend start. Actually it is never a good time to go through a tropical storm or hurricane.

I just hope we will not have any scare while we are down in St. Maarten. Through the years I went through a few but thankfully never a real hurricane. Only storms. I want to keep my record clean on this front. But this is why I always take travel insurance. Just in case!

There is and old Hungarian saying and since I am an old Hungarian I abide by it: the devil never sleeps!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Wednesday

JetBlue is a great airline with a great system.

Saturday I purchased the tickets to St. Maarten. All paid for, all set. Right after bought them I signed up with Yapta website. This is free service where they monitor airfares before purchase for planning and after purchase for rebates. I did this in past years and it worked like a charm.

Well, Monday night I received a notification that the ticket price just dropped by $90 per ticket for the total of $180. That's 11% reduction.

I immediately called JetBlue and got the money back. Actually they deposit it in a Travel Bank account where it is kept for a year and is available for future travels. So, I already have $180 for next time.

And if the price drops again and again until departure time they adjust the ticket price and put the difference in the account. If the price goes up I'm safe, that will not affect me.

Now, isn't this a great system or what?

Something else.

Today I left the country. Well, my immediate environment, that is. I crossed state lines and went to Connecticut to visit a friend. She is a friend I know for probably about 55 years. Her husband and I grew up in the same neighborhood and our mothers were friends.

Her Husband past away about eight years ago and now she lives alone. So, the nice, lonely guy that I am, I went to visit her.

I and I hope her too had a great time. We talked a lot, went to the local beach and then had a great dinner in her house. I was with her for about eight hours. A full day's work the way I see it.

The drive both ways was very easy and pleasant. It is beautiful country where she lives. The houses are huge, nestled in large wooded acreage. There is no poverty there at all.

Sadness and loneliness might be but no poverty.

But I was glad when I got home to my own memories.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Beach

Today is Monday and another beautiful Summer day. What is one to do when he has absolutely nothing pressing on the calendar? Go to the beach. And that's where I went.

Yesterday I went to the gym so this morning I decided since I didn't want to look like Arnold S. I'll skip today.

Therefore, I went to the beach. This was my third visit since the season started and summing up the day I had a great time.

Well, almost.

Last week that miserable bitch with her brats sat on top of me, today it was another thing.

When I got to the place it was fairly crowded. Probably because schools are closed and this is a holiday and short week so lots of people take days off. But I parked O.K. and walked a little on the boardwalk to be away from the families.

Found a nice spot, close to the water, quiet, clean and very few people around. So I settled in for a day of sun and surf. Well, there is no surf out there but it's nice to call it that.

I felt good and relaxed. Was in and out of the water and really enjoyed the day. Until...

This Hispanic young guy show up with a considerably older woman and they settle down in my neighborhood. I was convinced that they were mother and son until he started applying the suntan lotion on her. Nobody but nobody puts lotion on his mother like this guy did. And then I realized this was no family outing.

Still, none of my business. But then he turns on his boom box. Not extremely loud but loud enough. That really pissed me off. And, when they went into the water (holding hands) he still had the music on.

Do I care about loud Hispanic music? No! Do I care about other people's music? No! This thing kind of did it to me for the day. I wanted to move, but was too lazy so I just stayed and fumed. But then three o'clock came and I went home.

The other thing was that the old woman was all over him. Practically giving him oral sex right on the beach.

Maybe they heard the name sex on the beach and didn't know it was a drink.