I live very close to main roads in Queens, New York and it is not unusual to hear and see various motor vehicles running on the streets with sirens blaring and multicolored lights flashing.
The rule is that cars in their way move over and allow these emergency vehicles to pass.
I agree to this rule and whenever I am involved I try to move out of their way. Ambulances are easy to identify, fire engines are easy to identify. Even marked police vehicles are easy to identify. The problem is with unmarked vehicles with lights flashing and sirens blaring.
In my are a there is a volunteer Jewish ambulance service who responds to many emergencies and many times they are on the scene before the regular ambulance service arrives.
I really don't know who is who when I hear the noise and see the lights. Is it police or is it somebody responding to a medical emergency. Oh, I didn't mention the unmarked police cars who only identify themselves when they put their lights on.
The other day I was driving home and not far from home there was a larger vehicle behind me with lights flashing. The good citizen that I am I cleared out of their way to let them answer the call for help.
I was very surprised to see when he got next to me that it was a plumber's truck. I wondered what kind of emergency they were responding to. A backed up toilet or a clogged up bathtub? I know they feel like emergencies to the people it is happening to but I have yet to see a plumber who will rush to any job.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Tuesday
There came up a requirement where I had to prove my Jewishness. I needed some documentation saying that I am Jewish. I was totally convinced that I have a birth certificate somewhere here where they listed my religion. You see back then when I was born they listed that kind of details.
I looked everywhere in the apartment, in my safety deposit box and couldn't find a damn thing.
The only real proof that I have and had all my life, minus eight days does not seem to be acceptable.
So, I looked up the Budapest Jewish Central Agency (or something like that) and wrote them an e-mail. I figured I would be there in a few weeks maybe I could go in a pick up a copy.
I was totally flabbergasted when I received a reply in a day from a nice lady asking for information about me like date of birth, my mother's maiden name and telling me that they would be looking for it. Naturally I responded with the proper information.
This morning she answered back that the stuff was ready for my pickup for a nominal fee of about $8.
With the general bureaucracy rampant there this was a very pleasant surprise. I guess $8 goes a long way!
Something else.
Tonight we went out to dinner with some friends. There were the five of us and that means one was stag. Unfortunately my elder friend is a widower but I was glad he joined us. He doesn't have too many chances to go out and when we invited him he immediately accepted it. He doesn't want to go out with anybody except us and we start to look at him as part of our family.
This was an Italian restaurant and there was no shortage of food and good conversation. We had drinks, soups, salads and main courses. All of us ate well and interestingly none of us took any food home, meaning we all finished our portions.
My GF and I finished off a pitcher of sangria and that was gooood!
I like these midweek soirées.
I looked everywhere in the apartment, in my safety deposit box and couldn't find a damn thing.
The only real proof that I have and had all my life, minus eight days does not seem to be acceptable.
So, I looked up the Budapest Jewish Central Agency (or something like that) and wrote them an e-mail. I figured I would be there in a few weeks maybe I could go in a pick up a copy.
I was totally flabbergasted when I received a reply in a day from a nice lady asking for information about me like date of birth, my mother's maiden name and telling me that they would be looking for it. Naturally I responded with the proper information.
This morning she answered back that the stuff was ready for my pickup for a nominal fee of about $8.
With the general bureaucracy rampant there this was a very pleasant surprise. I guess $8 goes a long way!
Something else.
Tonight we went out to dinner with some friends. There were the five of us and that means one was stag. Unfortunately my elder friend is a widower but I was glad he joined us. He doesn't have too many chances to go out and when we invited him he immediately accepted it. He doesn't want to go out with anybody except us and we start to look at him as part of our family.
This was an Italian restaurant and there was no shortage of food and good conversation. We had drinks, soups, salads and main courses. All of us ate well and interestingly none of us took any food home, meaning we all finished our portions.
My GF and I finished off a pitcher of sangria and that was gooood!
I like these midweek soirées.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Monday
I knew the Turks occupied Hungary for only 150 years and not 400 as I wrote. I just wanted to see if anybody will correct me. And somebody did for which I am very grateful.
Now, it is Monday and so far nothing exciting happened for which I am also grateful.
Every morning when I wake up I am full of plans that I decide to do during the day. And, today was no exception. The sad reality is that out of those plans very little gets done. I am still lazy. I can sit front of this computer and eventually realize that hours went by and I accomplished absolutely nothing. Maybe honed my skill at playing solitaire or Mahjong.
Not that those are useless skills but knowing them will not help me cleaning the apartment or just getting my affairs in order. But now the weather is turning nice, there are blue skies above and warm spring air around. I could pay a short visit to the beach to get a little color. I also have things to take care of before I leave.
Now what is more important, a visit to the beach or taking care of things? Not an easy choice but since I like multitasking I'll deal with everything in its time.
Since I started to write the day came to a completion and thankfully things remained status quo.
Now, it is Monday and so far nothing exciting happened for which I am also grateful.
Every morning when I wake up I am full of plans that I decide to do during the day. And, today was no exception. The sad reality is that out of those plans very little gets done. I am still lazy. I can sit front of this computer and eventually realize that hours went by and I accomplished absolutely nothing. Maybe honed my skill at playing solitaire or Mahjong.
Not that those are useless skills but knowing them will not help me cleaning the apartment or just getting my affairs in order. But now the weather is turning nice, there are blue skies above and warm spring air around. I could pay a short visit to the beach to get a little color. I also have things to take care of before I leave.
Now what is more important, a visit to the beach or taking care of things? Not an easy choice but since I like multitasking I'll deal with everything in its time.
Since I started to write the day came to a completion and thankfully things remained status quo.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Sunday
As I mentioned Saturday on that night we had a date with the past The music past that is. We went to a doo wop concert.
I love doo wop music mainly because the songs they sing have melodies, they are understandable and they don't bark as pregnant dogs like today's singers do. Actually I do not like, I hate today's music.
Some of the music we heard was from before I came to this country and many were new after I got here. Since I worked from the beginning I never had much time to spend on such entertainment but I heard the songs on the radio and got to like them.
There were about six groups from yesteryear performing and every one of them was good, each received standing ovation from the audience. And believe me, to some of the audience members standing up was no easy task.
Easily my girlfriend was the youngest in the auditorium, I blended in.
Most of the groups performing had about one original member. I guess these people owned the name and that is how they survive. The additional members are maybe a slightly younger ones but they are all qualified for Medicare.
Looking at these performers I was thinking that they all looked like dentists, accountants, maybe engineers, without exception grandfathers. But none looked like singers or performers.
Regardless, they sang oldtime favorites and all sang well.
I have never been to a concert like this and I enjoyed myself immensely. Would like to see another one when the chance arises.
Maybe at one there will be dancing in the isles.
I love doo wop music mainly because the songs they sing have melodies, they are understandable and they don't bark as pregnant dogs like today's singers do. Actually I do not like, I hate today's music.
Some of the music we heard was from before I came to this country and many were new after I got here. Since I worked from the beginning I never had much time to spend on such entertainment but I heard the songs on the radio and got to like them.
There were about six groups from yesteryear performing and every one of them was good, each received standing ovation from the audience. And believe me, to some of the audience members standing up was no easy task.
Easily my girlfriend was the youngest in the auditorium, I blended in.
Most of the groups performing had about one original member. I guess these people owned the name and that is how they survive. The additional members are maybe a slightly younger ones but they are all qualified for Medicare.
Looking at these performers I was thinking that they all looked like dentists, accountants, maybe engineers, without exception grandfathers. But none looked like singers or performers.
Regardless, they sang oldtime favorites and all sang well.
I have never been to a concert like this and I enjoyed myself immensely. Would like to see another one when the chance arises.
Maybe at one there will be dancing in the isles.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Saturday
Today is Saturday and tonight we are going to a concert. Its theme is Rock, Pop and Doowop from the 1950s and'60s.
I have never been to a concert like this and I'm very curious what it will be like. I saw many on television and did notice that the audience do get very involved so I hope this will be just as informal.
The concert is on Long Island with a few old groups participating. It also means that parking should not be a problem.
The next time I write I'll let you know what it was like.
Otherwise today was a very pleasant day. Last night we went to Manhattan Beach to spend the night there. For dinner we went to a Turkish restaurant where we had a very good dinner.
If my life would depend on it I would not be able to name what we had with the exception of the Turkish beer Effe. I know that she had chicken and I had lamb but the name of the courses I don't remember.
The important thing is that they were good and we liked them.
I told them that I was Magyar and Hungary lived under Ottoman rule for over 400 years and because of that I should receive some kind of restitution.
At the end they didn't charge for the beers. For me it was a reasonable thing for my 400 years of suffering.
I have never been to a concert like this and I'm very curious what it will be like. I saw many on television and did notice that the audience do get very involved so I hope this will be just as informal.
The concert is on Long Island with a few old groups participating. It also means that parking should not be a problem.
The next time I write I'll let you know what it was like.
Otherwise today was a very pleasant day. Last night we went to Manhattan Beach to spend the night there. For dinner we went to a Turkish restaurant where we had a very good dinner.
If my life would depend on it I would not be able to name what we had with the exception of the Turkish beer Effe. I know that she had chicken and I had lamb but the name of the courses I don't remember.
The important thing is that they were good and we liked them.
I told them that I was Magyar and Hungary lived under Ottoman rule for over 400 years and because of that I should receive some kind of restitution.
At the end they didn't charge for the beers. For me it was a reasonable thing for my 400 years of suffering.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Friday
Today I got a real taste of family life. Not that I didn't taste it until now but this time was a little different.
My girlfriend and her little girl live with me almost full time now. Let's call the little girl Abigail. That is not her name but I really never mention any names to protect the innocent, as they say in the movies.
Well, Abigail is 12 and 12/13th years old very opinionated and self conscious. Every morning I wake her up around ten minutes past seven, prepare her breakfast and snacks for school and then around 7:45 I drive her to school. Dressing up and fixing hair is always a very important part of the morning routine.
I love doing this, it gives some purpose to my days and also start my days at a reasonably early hour. It also gives me more time to do not much during the day. Actually I also pick her up from school or from visiting friends at different times of the afternoon. Just the way she commands it!
The morning waking up is always a torturous affair. Abigail loves to sleep and many days I physically have to drag her off the sofa where she sleeps.
Last night she decided to get up early this morning because she wanted to curl her hair with an electric curler. Miracle of miracles at 6:45 she was walking into the bathroom all dressed and ready to work on the hair.
By the time I got up at seven she was still in the bathroom and when her mother got up a little bit later she was still in the bathroom curling. Like good family members we both patiently waited our turns to get to the bathroom until the beautification of Abigail was completed. Actually it took almost an hour.
When a little girl wants to go into the bathroom to fix herself up there is no possible emergency that will move her away from her assigned task. But when she needs the space we all have to jump.
Now that is family life as I see it.
My girlfriend and her little girl live with me almost full time now. Let's call the little girl Abigail. That is not her name but I really never mention any names to protect the innocent, as they say in the movies.
Well, Abigail is 12 and 12/13th years old very opinionated and self conscious. Every morning I wake her up around ten minutes past seven, prepare her breakfast and snacks for school and then around 7:45 I drive her to school. Dressing up and fixing hair is always a very important part of the morning routine.
I love doing this, it gives some purpose to my days and also start my days at a reasonably early hour. It also gives me more time to do not much during the day. Actually I also pick her up from school or from visiting friends at different times of the afternoon. Just the way she commands it!
The morning waking up is always a torturous affair. Abigail loves to sleep and many days I physically have to drag her off the sofa where she sleeps.
Last night she decided to get up early this morning because she wanted to curl her hair with an electric curler. Miracle of miracles at 6:45 she was walking into the bathroom all dressed and ready to work on the hair.
By the time I got up at seven she was still in the bathroom and when her mother got up a little bit later she was still in the bathroom curling. Like good family members we both patiently waited our turns to get to the bathroom until the beautification of Abigail was completed. Actually it took almost an hour.
When a little girl wants to go into the bathroom to fix herself up there is no possible emergency that will move her away from her assigned task. But when she needs the space we all have to jump.
Now that is family life as I see it.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Thursday
Today was very educational for me. You see, I have a carpet in the bedroom that is about 7'10" x 10'9" in size. It was bought several years ago not for much money and most of it is not visible because it is hidden by the bed.
We decided to buy a better looking and thicker carpet which brought up the question of what to do with the old one. I immediately said we shouldn't throw it out but try to give it away to a charity.
That is easier said than done. Half the morning was spent on calling one charity after another. It turned out that they are so selective that it really turned my stomach.
I called Goodwill and was told they didn't pick up anymore and they didn't take furniture and household items. I called a Jewish charity and was told they were not interested. It sounded like if it was not money they were not interested. I called the Veterans and was told no. I called a few others and they all said they were not taking rugs.
Actually the Jewish organization said they would take it only if it fitted into a washing machine. I said it would fit into a gigantic one!
Finally Salvation Army said they would accept it. The only problem was that if I wanted them to pick it up it couldn't be before June meaning I have to deliver it.
Aside from that the day was pretty good. We made arrangements for our Grand Canyon visit while we are in Las Vegas and we also reserved a table for us at the Stratosphere restaurant.
Something else.
Yesterday I decided, again to assemble that thing we bought for the bathroom and was missing some part and was replaced by another "sealed" box. I opened the box yesterday morning and started to put the thing together but noticed that a little package containing all the screws was missing. You can not imagine how pissed I was. Those frigging Chinese pay absolutely no attention to what they put in these packages.
I had to go to two different Bed, Bath and Beyond stores until I was able to find a good package. But now it is assembled and stands proud in the bathroom.
Since this was yesterday today was a good day.
We decided to buy a better looking and thicker carpet which brought up the question of what to do with the old one. I immediately said we shouldn't throw it out but try to give it away to a charity.
That is easier said than done. Half the morning was spent on calling one charity after another. It turned out that they are so selective that it really turned my stomach.
I called Goodwill and was told they didn't pick up anymore and they didn't take furniture and household items. I called a Jewish charity and was told they were not interested. It sounded like if it was not money they were not interested. I called the Veterans and was told no. I called a few others and they all said they were not taking rugs.
Actually the Jewish organization said they would take it only if it fitted into a washing machine. I said it would fit into a gigantic one!
Finally Salvation Army said they would accept it. The only problem was that if I wanted them to pick it up it couldn't be before June meaning I have to deliver it.
Aside from that the day was pretty good. We made arrangements for our Grand Canyon visit while we are in Las Vegas and we also reserved a table for us at the Stratosphere restaurant.
Something else.
Yesterday I decided, again to assemble that thing we bought for the bathroom and was missing some part and was replaced by another "sealed" box. I opened the box yesterday morning and started to put the thing together but noticed that a little package containing all the screws was missing. You can not imagine how pissed I was. Those frigging Chinese pay absolutely no attention to what they put in these packages.
I had to go to two different Bed, Bath and Beyond stores until I was able to find a good package. But now it is assembled and stands proud in the bathroom.
Since this was yesterday today was a good day.
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