Well, not really, but I so rarely go see movies in the theatre that I had to report on this one. My friend Ken came over to visit. We talked and ate and walked and laughed and drank coffee and then went to see "The Bucket List".
Rob Reiner knew at whom he was aiming this movie. Morgan Freeman (Red in Shawshank Redemption) and Jack Nicholson (Five Easy Pieces) share a room in a hospital. Both are dying of cancer. The premise is easy - what do you want to do before you die? Most items are predictable (given that cost is no object), but the movie is sad and sweet and at moments very funny.
The most memorable line was made by Jack's character to a younger man: (paraphrased here)
Three things to remember as you get older:
1. Never pass up a bathroom.
2. Never waste a hard on.
3. Never trust a fart.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Life lessons
One of those e-mails that get forwarded to anyone and everyone, I did however editorialize.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Be on time. Don't keep friends waiting - they may not.
34. You are loved you because of who you are, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable for them.
38. Read.
39. Get outside every day.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you've loved and been loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Be on time. Don't keep friends waiting - they may not.
34. You are loved you because of who you are, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable for them.
38. Read.
39. Get outside every day.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you've loved and been loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Getting Old!
...and I'm not talking about myself.
More lookers today. My house has been on the market since late July and I've had to keep the house fairly neat and clean, beds made, dishes put away and toilet scrubbed the whole time.
I do hope that today's prospective buyers appreciate the house for what it is - a two bedroom, one bath house built in 1952. I've had families of five come look at the house thinking that the basement can be made in to three more bedrooms. Well, I guess it can, but it would cost about as much as the asking price to do so.
So another Sunday morning was spent cleaning rather than sitting around in my underwear drinking coffee and watching football. I imagine that it's good for me.
More lookers today. My house has been on the market since late July and I've had to keep the house fairly neat and clean, beds made, dishes put away and toilet scrubbed the whole time.
I do hope that today's prospective buyers appreciate the house for what it is - a two bedroom, one bath house built in 1952. I've had families of five come look at the house thinking that the basement can be made in to three more bedrooms. Well, I guess it can, but it would cost about as much as the asking price to do so.
So another Sunday morning was spent cleaning rather than sitting around in my underwear drinking coffee and watching football. I imagine that it's good for me.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
No diving
The kiddie pool is gone. The hum of the dehydrator and air movers (why don't they call them fans?) fill the house 24 hours a day. My tinnitus rings clearly that I've heard enough of that tune. When I empty the bucket there is always a little water, but not much. I will let the equipment run the prescribed amount of time to ensure full recovery from the flood.
Joey says there are now two people interested in the house. I doubt I'll hear anything until the new year.
I love to hunt for bargains. Prowling the thrift shops is an almost daily regimen. I have filled my son's closet with new or nearly new upscale clothes. A North Face jacket, Kevlar lined Draggin' Jeans (specifically made for motorcycle riding), a regulation Navy pea coat, many Halloween costume accoutrement. Sometimes I find a bargain for myself. Yesterday I thought I hit the goldmine - a BOSE Wave radio for only $24.99. I tested it at the store (no return on electronic items), but when I got home - nothing. I guess I'll see if BOSE will help me out even though I didn't pay $300 for it. Got any ideas?
Joey says there are now two people interested in the house. I doubt I'll hear anything until the new year.
I love to hunt for bargains. Prowling the thrift shops is an almost daily regimen. I have filled my son's closet with new or nearly new upscale clothes. A North Face jacket, Kevlar lined Draggin' Jeans (specifically made for motorcycle riding), a regulation Navy pea coat, many Halloween costume accoutrement. Sometimes I find a bargain for myself. Yesterday I thought I hit the goldmine - a BOSE Wave radio for only $24.99. I tested it at the store (no return on electronic items), but when I got home - nothing. I guess I'll see if BOSE will help me out even though I didn't pay $300 for it. Got any ideas?
Friday, December 14, 2007
Once more
As the family gathered in the great room of the apartment building in which my Mother lives, I received a phone call from my favorite realtor - Joey. He stated that he was going to show my house at 1 p.m. and wanted to ensure that this was acceptable. I replied that as my son and I were in Everett and wouldn't be home anytime soon, feel free to sell my house.
I did not hear from Joey right away, so I assumed that the prospective buyer was not interested, or unable to accept the fact that basements sometimes flood. A few days later Joey did call to let me know that Zacharia was indeed interested in my house - and maybe my truck as well. Of course Zacharia had already made plans to fly home to the east coast for the holidays, so I won't hear more until the new year arrives. Although financing was arranged before he left town.......
I didn't even bury a St. Joseph icon in my yard.
My son Thom bought a new (to him) motorcycle. It is a red, 2005 Suzuki V-Strom (weestrom) DL650 that previously belonged to the maintenance department manager of Aurora Suzuki in Seattle. As such it is outfitted with lots of bells and whistles like a Givi monokey trunk, Leo Vince exhaust, Givi crash bars, skid plate, high performance disc brakes, hand guards and heated grips. His only complaint is that it goes too fast, too easily.
I did not hear from Joey right away, so I assumed that the prospective buyer was not interested, or unable to accept the fact that basements sometimes flood. A few days later Joey did call to let me know that Zacharia was indeed interested in my house - and maybe my truck as well. Of course Zacharia had already made plans to fly home to the east coast for the holidays, so I won't hear more until the new year arrives. Although financing was arranged before he left town.......
I didn't even bury a St. Joseph icon in my yard.
My son Thom bought a new (to him) motorcycle. It is a red, 2005 Suzuki V-Strom (weestrom) DL650 that previously belonged to the maintenance department manager of Aurora Suzuki in Seattle. As such it is outfitted with lots of bells and whistles like a Givi monokey trunk, Leo Vince exhaust, Givi crash bars, skid plate, high performance disc brakes, hand guards and heated grips. His only complaint is that it goes too fast, too easily.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
December blues
It's that time of year. I don't have a bubbly/perky persona in the best of times and the holiday season brings out the worst. I really dislike the forced friendliness and well wishes, the required gifting and the once a year need to help others. There is no regulated time period for these things.
Ten inches of rain in twelve hours following a couple inches of snow the previous day have left the area a quagmire. My basement is a kiddie pool - no diving allowed. Water from the storm drains was gushing up through the floor drains of my basement. Others had it much worse and I count myself among the lucky. All I lost were some photographs and childhood mementos.
Adding to my sour attitude is the fact that I wasn't supposed to be here for another winter. The housing market is dead and I fear that my house won't get sold until spring and at a substantial discount. Perhaps I am fated to stay put.
Ten inches of rain in twelve hours following a couple inches of snow the previous day have left the area a quagmire. My basement is a kiddie pool - no diving allowed. Water from the storm drains was gushing up through the floor drains of my basement. Others had it much worse and I count myself among the lucky. All I lost were some photographs and childhood mementos.
Adding to my sour attitude is the fact that I wasn't supposed to be here for another winter. The housing market is dead and I fear that my house won't get sold until spring and at a substantial discount. Perhaps I am fated to stay put.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
No sale
I guess I really got ahead of myself. I tried to not get overly excited about the pending sale, but...
In the opinion of the inspector hired by the prospective buyers, the roof will need replacement in the near future. As the buyers did not have money for a down payment or closing costs (I had agreed to pay closing costs), they did not have money for a roof and rescinded their offer.
I have another buyer in line, so we'll see what happens.
I guess I'll be in the area for Thanksgiving after all.
In the opinion of the inspector hired by the prospective buyers, the roof will need replacement in the near future. As the buyers did not have money for a down payment or closing costs (I had agreed to pay closing costs), they did not have money for a roof and rescinded their offer.
I have another buyer in line, so we'll see what happens.
I guess I'll be in the area for Thanksgiving after all.
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