Here's Your Sign

The no parking signs appeared yesterday afternoon.

I moved the jeep to Painted Rock Lady’s carport and went on with my life.

Heading down to the Community Room this morning, to take photos of today’s craft session for the residents’ facebook page, I saw the painters power washing the carport area, with one car still parked.

Some days are better than others, and I was struggling this morning. So, thinking that car belonged to the neighbor that moved into the upstairs across the quad cursed unit, I had the urge to backtrack, walk up the stairs, alert him to move his car, but my body wasn’t up to it.

I kept going, arrived in the Community Room to find the craft today was Ceramic Tile Art.

I usually just watch the girls work, take photos, because I don’t want a collection of self-made arts and crafts thingies cluttering up my unit. However, tile art looked like something I could actually utilize … in the kitchen as a spoon et. al. holder, even though the tile is not curved for a spoon, so I joined in.

Looking at the blank tile, what came to mind was a southwest desert theme.

While some of the ladies used stencils, I freehanded and created a scene that I like; except, instead of cacti in the desert, I’m seeing more like wooden tombstones in the desert, a cemetery.

Oh well, cacti or wooden tombstones, I’m going to modge podge it and soldier on.

Here’s a pic of what we all created.

Di was in attendance and, when I asked if Kesha had helped her get her utilities turned back on, she gave me an are you serious look, said Kesha is only good for distributing potato chips (she’s not wrong), and that she herself had managed to figure it all out, paid the $1400 arrears from her savings.

Thinking if she had savings, that she must have a bank account, I suggested it might be a good idea to set up automatic payments.

She didn’t seem too keen on that, used the excuse "I don’t have a phone".

"Why don't you have a phone", asked I because people come in here and give free phones to residents …… actual free cellphones to those of extremely limited income.

"I have a phone, but it doesn't work", she countered

Truth be known, she doesn’t need a phone because, just like she went where she went, paid the $1400, she could go there, or to the bank, and set up automatic payments in person; but I didn’t pin her into a corner by saying that. I dropped suggesting anything further to prevent future problems, said no more about it, because she obviously didn't want to hear it. But I’m beginning to think the girls were right when they said, "She creates her own problems".

After the craft session, heading back to my unit, I saw the painters were hard at work on the carport, with that lone care still parked, and they’d not bothered to at least cover it.

Having had coffee and conversation with the girls, my body was now amenable to knocking on neighbor in the curse unit’s door, alerting him.

Turns out it wasn’t his car … he’d moved his car the night before, like I did and said it was probably the car belonging to the downstairs neighbor, next to where Red Light used to live.

I knocked on her door …… it was hers; she quick fast flew out of her unit to the carport, moved it.

My good deed done for the day, I ran an errand to pick up water, modge podge, dirt for the skeleton planter, and a replacement adapter for my Beats Flex Wireless Earphones, cause I somehow returned from the stay in Hollywood without the adapter.

Target is going through a massive store remodeling …… currently no gardening section for dirt, no modge podge.

I walked out with the adapter and three impulse purchases …… a pair of summer shorts and two wicker baskets.

Did not remember the water until I was halfway back home.

I hate when that happens.

Don’t Sh!t Where You Eat

The Activity Calendar indicated today, Kesha Tuesday, was to be "Easter Celebration, fun arts and crafts session".

There was no fun arts and crafts, but the tea was banging.

To start with, I wore the Lock Him Up tee to see if it would trigger our MAGA neighbor.

Walking into the room, I was met with the smell of fresh pizza and Kesha running up to me, clipboard in hand, before I’d even got to a seat, asking me to sign her attendance sheet.

I was tempted to pass on signing, pretend to be writing and not do it, but it was just the Usual Suspects in the room, not enough residents to get away with that.

Had others known Kesha would actually show up, no arts/crafts but there would be fresh pizza, others would have come.

MAGA did not attend. However, at one point, I checked mail, saw I had lots of mail and packages — because I’d not checked the box for a while, went to the car for a bag to be able to get the haul back upstairs.

Heading back to the Community Room, I heard someone call my name.

It was MAGA.

Coming up on the rear to greet me, she had to have seen the back of the tee, which depicts her Lord and Savior's August ’23 Booking Photo.

No reaction.

I made a point to stop, turn around, so she could see the Lock Him Up front.

I mentioned there was pizza in the Community Room, but she said she was on her way to take another resident to pick up medication and continued on with still no reaction to the tee.

DAMN! She’s good at holding it in.

Arriving back at the Community Room, I told Talker I’d just run into her stalker, and that MAGA had no reaction to the tee.

Talker said she too had recently tested MAGA ……… walked up to her and said something about Two Dolls not being Jesus or the Pope, and got no reaction from MAGA.

Interesting.

I don’t think MAGA has reformed. Just knows that, thanks to all that’s going on, she no longer has legs to stand on in supporting him, has wisely decided to sit down, keep her mouth shut, opinions to herself.

Checking with the ladies as to how Crafty Lady is doing with her heart issues, it’s still not good. Looks like she’s going to have an operation … something about putting a watchman in her chest to help with blood clots heading for her brain.

Lu did not attend the event, but Dream Lover did.

In chatting with him about nothing in particular, he suddenly blurted out "I'm no longer with the other".

I knew he meant he and Lu are no longer a couple.

"For now", said I.

"Forever", said he and went on to say the relationship was like a light switch … turned on and off, off and on, on and off, off and on, and that he couldn’t take it any longer.

"Which of you turned it off this time", I asked.

"She did", said he; and went on to describe a situation where she broke it off because of money, that she is a "gold digger", that he had a heart to give her, but not the money.

The straw that broke the camel's back was her wanting to celebrate his birthday by taking him to dinner; whereupon he'd said, "For someone who is always complaining about needing money" he didn't think it was a good idea, after which she telephoned and broke up with him.

At this point in his story, he kind of slumped over and seemed on the verge of tears.

He was obviously hurt/hurting.

I told him how sorry I was; that I didn’t realize Lu had meant that much to him.

He admitted that she meant a lot, that he’d given her a ring and was thinking of marriage.

GEE WILLIKERS!

DREAM LOVER WAS ACTUALLY IN LOVE !

I didn't know old people did that kinda stuff …… hearts, flowers, courting, love.

I asked how he’d handle it if she tried to lure him back.

He’s all heartbroke. Says he can’t take any more, is working hard to stay busy, move forward, and stay away from relationships period, "especially around here".

Anything can happen when you screw around where you work or live, said I. It creates problems if there’s a breakup. You still have to see the other person, deal with it when you see them with someone else. It’s why we are told, "Don’t eat where you sh!t".

That brought him out of the doldrums. Dream Lover laughed and laughed and laughed, told me of having heard that phrase before but put in different words.

"She has demons you know".

WHAT?!

"Her daughter told me she has demons".

Good Lord! I was shocked to learn Lu was a hoarder, now I’m even more shocked to learn she has demons.

"What does that mean …… how does it manifest itself?", asked I.

"I don’t know", said he. That he had never seen her when that was happening.

I guess he's lucky she broke up with him, rather than have an episode and sacrifice him to some demon.

Church Lady used to live in the unit next to Lu. Church Lady complained of bad spirits/demons being there, and got away …… relocated to the opposite side of the complex.

I wonder if what Church Lady felt was coming from Lu.

So anyway, after having been a shoulder for Dream Lover, lifting him out of his doldrums, I told him to take care of himself, said goodbye to everyone and returned to my unit with a full teacup.

Tomatoes, Kale, Eggs, Strawberries and a Proposal

The market …… not at the corner, but a branch of the same market located further down the road, in the heart of where the homeless congregate, surrounded by quite a lot of high iron fencing — like a prison, to control access, keep the unhoused out, is fast becoming my favorite.

Why?

Not just because, due to redlining, the produce is fresher/lasts longer, but because it’s where blog worthy things have happened to me — like that young man who stopped me to say, "My friend said you’re pretty" and where today I was referred to as "Chocolate ice cream" and received a proposal of marriage.

An old guy coming into the market, as I was exiting, looked at me and said "Chocolate ice cream …… I love chocolate ice cream …… marry me" and didn’t care who heard him say it.

I began laughing, which seemed to encourage him because he turned, took a few steps to follow behind me (don’t worry; I wasn’t going to let him follow me to the car), still talking, giving me his qualifications, starting with …… "I’m 62".

Appreciating his boldness in getting straight to the chase I said, "I’m older than you" which seemed to slow his roll.

He left it at "God is good", which I took to mean I was looking good for being older than his 62, then he walked back towards the market entrance, repeating "God is Good" twice more.

Other than that, nothing’s shaking …… especially here at the complex.

Before heading out to the market, I went to detour to the mail room and then to check on the folks in the Community Room on this Kesha Tuesday, but ran into the Baker who indicated everything was closed off due to start of the exterior upgrade of the complex …… painters working on the main building and the mail room.

Baker also tells me the rooms being roped off today doesn’t matter, because Kesha hasn’t been around on a Tuesday for quite some time.

Hmmmmm????

The current paint on the exterior looks fine to me, not in need of a paint upgrade, but what do I know other than Management seems to spend a boatload of money on the outside, penny pinches on upgrading or making repairs to the inside, and spend practically nothing on events.

Their priorities are F’d up.

But for the Baker hosting Easter Luncheon, there would have been nothing for the seniors, because Management did absolutely nothing for Easter. Not even the usual bag of potato chips.

So, anyway, in conversation with the Baker, I asked about Dream Lover and, sure enough, he and Lu are fighting again …… have broken up.

She said she can’t keep up with which one is mad at the other and for what reason as it happens so often, LOL, only that they are currently not a couple; but instead of chasing someone else’s tail this time around, Dream Lover got a job …… two actually.

He works at the hospital in Loma Linda, escorting people around and volunteers at one of the senior centers in Fontana.

She said she’s booked Dream Lover to man the grill at the Memorial Day BBQ by which time, if he hasn’t hooked up with someone else, he and Lu will probably be on again.

Management doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to prep the vacant unit across from me. I’ve not seen anyone come in to clean, paint, new carpet.

However, that tacky doormat is gone; but only because I couldn’t take it any longer, grabbed the red cover on my way to the trash bin last Friday, left the doormat that was beneath the red cover in place, tossed the cover in with the trash.

The More Things Change

The more some things remain the same.

It’s been a while since I’ve venture out, so long that the jeep had to be towed by a pimped-out tow truck and battery replaced from having not been driven for weeks and weeks and weeks.

Emotional wreck that I was, having gotten through that inconvenience, finding myself able to handle contact with the tow truck driver and the dealership’s sales manager, I saw on this month’s activity calendar "Tuesday, March 17, Social: St. Patrick’s Day Paint and Sip, join neighbors in the Community Room for painting, festive snacks and refreshing beverages, 12:00- 1:30 pm".

Is there really going to be a paint and sip or is this another one of Kecia’s scams?thought I.

Do I dare try to get through a social?

You won’t know if you don’t try so baby steps .... not wearing green lipstick or the annual four-leaf clover top, I headed for the Community Room this morning.

Though I didn’t see Kesha or anything that looked like paint, canvasses, festive snacks or refreshing beverages, the handful of usual suspects I encountered said Kesha was on the premises. None had a clue about painting but said refreshing beverages was going to be juice.

To me, a refreshing beverage is coffee, but that's just me.

So, anyway, I stuck around/waited for about 20 minutes before deciding some things never change, that it was another scam and headed out to Starbucks, for a refreshing beverage.

At least I got to see the cute tree management set up in the lobby.

End of Cuffing Season

Life has been pretty sweet last few days — no Ernie, no Crafty Lady.

Cuffing Season generally ends between February and March, so not seeing either of the two around may indicate the season is winding down early.

In fact, I've had no irritants other than the Clown in the Oval Office, but I’m more and more convinced the end is near for him.

In fact, he may be gone already and what we're seeing is A.I.

Posts on facebook last night were all about the Danes wanting to buy California.

I myself am flattered that out of all the states to choose from, they chose us Californians.

No surprise, others expressed wanting in on the deal. Comments were along the lines of …………

"Can Oregon jump in on this? Maybe like a free gift with purchase?"

"Missouri is worth 7 cents ………… please buy us, it's a bargain and we'll be taking offers".

"*Raises hand in Austin, TX*".

"The pastries sealed the deal".

"Great Danes: Will you take Oklahoma?"

"Alabama will be cheaper. Where do I sign".

"Do the residents already living in California get Denmark citizenship? I will literally move to Cali immediately!"

On and on and on, with one commenter pointing out — "Craziest part is they technically can. Because California doesn’t technically belong to the US. It was an island that smashed into the U.S.A. and it just kinda became one of the states".

That being the case, give me the signal and I’ll start learning the language.

In other news, the Activity Calendar indicated "Winter Crafts" for yesterday’s Kesha Tuesday.

Busy doing nothing, I didn’t even bother to go downstairs to check. Instead, I called the Baker, asked if she was in the Community Room.

She was and evidently couldn’t talk freely, just kinda grunted yes that she was in the room, grunted no when I asked if there were crafts.

After moving away from where she was seated, so she could talk freely, she said Kesha had stayed long enough to give them bags of potato chips and then disappeared, that it was not worth my time to get dressed, come down.

I wonder if, when we become Danish territory, we can get a better Manager and Activity Director to go along with "universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries".

Late Saturday night, I got a sweet message from ex-Trainer.

He went to the trouble of putting that compilation together.

I think he misses me.

He could talk to me on a level he couldn’t with any of his other clients, nor even a level his wife could understand.

I miss him too and, if he ever moved to a different location, where he once again had space dedicated to personal training, I’d go back because, though I have exercise equipment up the wazoo in my unit, what I don’t have is motivation to get off the couch and workout.

By The Hair of My Chinny Chin Chin

Insofar as I know, not a lot going on around here but, still in my hibernating era, what do I know.

I’d have to hang out with the seniors for tea, and I’m not yet ready to jump back into the peopley world.

This month’s Activity Calendar, which is no longer delivered to our doors, no longer emailed to those of us who signed up for Rent Café, but now can be picked up from a newly installed wall box near the office, indicated on Kesha Tuesday, "New Year Celebration. Join us to start of 2026 with food, fun and community".

I wasn’t going to be suckered into nothingness again but, heading out to run errands that morning, I checked the Community Room to see if it was another scam.

Saw it was not exactly a complete scam, but seriously overbilled.

There were only eight of the Usual Suspects in attendance, saw no sign of Kesha, didn’t see any food or fun, but the group said Kesha had ordered Pizza.

I didn’t stick around long enough to find out if it was one large pizza to be shared amongst those in attendance or what, but it looks like what Kesha does is wait to see who shows up at her so-called "food fun" events, then order something for them to eat. Fly by the seat of her pants so to speak.

Remember Thanksgiving, when Kesha's "food fun" turned out to be a small bag of potato chips?

Those potato chips came in handy a few days ago when, looking for a binder for the turkey meatloaf I was making, I came across those chips, broke them up in the blinder, added to the ground turkey.

This morning was my Recertification appointment. I had to gather bank statements, sources of income records, prove to the office that I’m still poor enough to be living here.

The way qualifying income is calculated seems grossly unfair, causing me, on paper, to look wealthy, which I am not.

First, they add up what one has coming in monthly through sources of income, THEN they add any savings one has in the bank to come up with qualifying income.

Problem for me with this is that the same money is being considered income twice. First as what is coming in, and then again if any of that money is not used, but saved.

Do you get me? Did I explain that clearly?

So, anyway, once the Assistant Manager totaled everything up, I came across as a rich b!tch and qualified by the hair of my chinny chin chin.

She said I almost went over, was less than a hundred dollars under the cap.

"What happens when one goes over?" asked I, knowing full well it meant, I’d be kicked to the curb, have to move out of this income restricted community AND unable to afford the high price of living in other communities, who knows where I would have landed.

"I don’t know. It’s never happened before", said she.

I find that hard to believe, inasmuch as we had a few millionaires living here at one time. They must have had a system where us residents knew they were plush, but the office did not.

The three millionaires I knew of have passed away, and inasmuch as management seems to be bringing in more from the county roll, fewer actual retirees, I seriously doubt we currently have any hidden millionaires.

At any rate, I’m qualified, still poor enough to continue living here, which may not be by the hair of my chinny chin chin for much longer.

My sources of income were set to be distributed over a period of 15 years. I’m living too long. Those 15 years are rapidly reaching their dates of expiration, after which I’ll definitely be poor enough to qualify as income restricted.

So, anyway, Recertification is over until this time next year.

Table for One

Today’s Management/Kesha event was scheduled for 11 am.

I arrived around 10:55, found residents waiting at the entrance by the office to get into the Community Room, another group of residents waiting at the entrance by the outside patio.

"What’s the hold up", asked I.

"They won’t let us in until they finish setting up", said someone.

The group waiting by the patio seemed the more lively, so I waited with them, and we chatted as the minutes rolled by.

I’m not a person to wait. Told the group that, when I was in the dating world, if a date showed up five minutes late, he’d find me gone already.

As the minutes rolled by, I gave it my all but, when 11:15 rolled around, with us still waiting, I stood up, said, "I don’t have time for this shit", went back to my unit; where I exchanged my "I’m on the naughty list and have no regrets" shirt, for an old top and shorts.

The phone rang at 11:37, it was Crafty Lady saying they were still setting up, but had let them in …… was I sure I didn’t want to come down as there was food and drink.

"I can’t eat anyway, and I’ve already changed into my comfortable clothes. So you guys have fun, send me pictures".

Phone rang again at 11:43, it was Lu saying "Come on down, there’s plenty of room, empty tables, and they haven’t even started yet, still setting up".

I said I’d think about it, then decided to get dressed again, head down, arriving around noon.

Folks were just lining up to be served fried chicken and sides, so I guess they'd finally finished setting up an hour later than indicated.

I counted 34 residents … more folks than Kesha has ever seen at one of her events.

I didn’t see her passing around a sign-in sheet, which was a good thing, because I planned not to sign because of having initially wasted my time … 11 o'clock is 11 o'clock, if they weren’t going to be ready until noon, then they should have scheduled the event for noon.

At any rate, I chose one of the empty tables, sat alone, observed, took pics.

Ernie was a no show, probably out with his son, so I didn’t have to "endure" any of his hugs, LOL.

After years and years with no one seeing her around, Church Lady made an appearance.

She’s totally disabled now — for why I do not know other than age, is being cared for by her youngest daughter, who wheeled her in.

Asking about Hell on Wheels, I’m told "she’s not coming back". Something about the people at the facility she’s being cared for are working on getting her to where she can sit up in the bed, roll to her side, it’s not going well and the call is "she’s not coming back".

The event was hosted by Kesha, Assistant Manager, the two Maintenance Guys …… Manager has been out ill for some time, problems with her kidneys.

If you're into the Cause-and-Effect theory, and even if you're not a believer, Louise Hay breaks it down thusly …… "Criticism, disappointment, failure, shame, reacting like a little kid" is the root cause of problems with kidneys.

Feedback on manager has always been "unprofessional/childish". She walks around openly displaying feeling sorry for herself, crying "Nobody likes me", sends staff in to host, when we did have an event, locked herself in her office so she didn't have to attend, always has something negative to say about us old folks …… bemoaning "You don't know what I have to put up with them", that theory fits her kidney problems to a T.

With Manager away, the atmosphere of the event was jolly and most of what had been promised (warm feast and sweet treats … coffee and cozy cocoa … games galore with fab prizes … bingo … name Santa’s Reindeer … Snowball count) came to fruition.

There were not games "galore", no snowball count, but there was bingo and name Santa’s Reindeer.

It was enough. Folks were happy, satisfied.

Name Santa’s Reindeer almost turned into a blood bath.

As sheets of paper were handed out, with the instruction to write the names of the reindeer, first person to finish wins, BUT do not start writing until called to do so, there were cheaters. Some immediately began writing, others turned on their phones, began googling the names.

Some of us, myself included, called out the cheaters by name. Demanded they be issued brand new sheets, instructed to put the phones down.

I was appalled that some would actually cheat, and it took a minute for the organizers to get things under control.

When all was said and done, I finished first BUT inasmuch as I spelled Rudolph incorrectly (Rudolf), 2nd place won the round.

Tonight and tomorrow is going to be insane. I’ve got pics up the wazoo to sort through, post to the residents’ FB page; and a money box to make … Twin 1, who will again be arriving at 3:30 am, necessitating I slap myself awake, head down, open the gate, liked the idea of a money box so much that she commissioned me to make one as a gift for someone who took care of her when she was ill a short while ago.

If I survive tonight and tomorrow, next up will be the Christmas Party us residents host for ourselves on Friday.

I may not make it to this Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa event and, for sure, it’s not looking like I’ll have the time or patience to build a gingerbread house this year.

A Five Hug Kinda Day

I finally got off my butt and, spurred on by Dawn’s post about Christmas Tamales, instead of thinking I should carve out some time to make tamales, I actually made the time, got it done.

While the chicken filling was cooking away in the crockpot, I headed down to catch the lady mail carrier, give her a Starbucks holiday gift card.

It being Craft Monday, I saw folks in the Community Room making door decorations.

They had Christmas music blaring, and the room just felt so jolly that I stuck around, took photos for the FB page.

The Assistant Maintenance Man came in, gave everyone a hug.

That’s one.

Of course Ernie made his way down, gave me a hug.

That’s two.

With Ernie was a young man, around 19/20, whom he introduced as his son.

The son does TikTok and wanted to take a photo, for his page, in front of the Community Room’s Christmas tree.

Yes …… Management splurged, put up a tree.

I’m just as surprised as you.

Also surprising is the flyer Management posted to our doors this morning, indicating tomorrow, Kesha Tuesday, is going to be a big deal — "Delight in a warm feast and sweet treats … sip on coffee and cozy cocoa … games galore with fab prizes … bingo … name Santa’s Reindeer … Snowball count".

We’ll see but, if so, I’m a shoo-in for naming Santa’s Reindeers as the names Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen are permanently etched on my brain.

I used to know all the names of the Smurfs, but lost that data many moons ago, along with the names of the Seven Dwarfs.

I no longer kid speak, but Christmas speak I can still do.

So anyway, as Ernie’s son was setting up his camera, I engaged the kid in conversation, while his dad off/on took the opportunity to hover around where I was seated, hug me again.

That’s three.

When the kid was finished with what he was doing, Ernie and the kid got ready to leave, Ernie hugged me yet again.

That’s four.

Then the kid walked over, said "Look on TikTok for the photos I took", reached over, gave me a hug.

I wonder where the kid learned that from, LOL, and that makes five.

Back in my unit an hour or so later, it was time to wash/soak the corn husks, mix up the masa.

For some reason, today's masa was giving me grief …… didn't spread as easily as it should, even after adding more broth and oil; but, when all was said and done, I got er done, am set through the holidays and then some.

On the 8th Day of Christmas

Out of eggs this morning, it was like Oh, goodie. I have to go to the market.

I settled for potatoes and a faux sausage patty, made from ground turkey, which I make ahead and keep in the fridge for as needed. Then, after my morning ritual, suited up, headed out to hunt the elf.

Detouring through the office to turn in recertification paperwork, I checked the bulletin board and found an Activity Calendar for this month.

So that’s how it is now. Instead of emailing, as they said they would for those of us who’ve signed up for Rent Café, and instead of posting to our doors as was the previous practice, management prints one copy, posts that copy to the bulletin board.

In addition to saving money by not hosting events for us, I guess they’re saving money by printing only one copy of the Activity Calendar.

Speaking of events, I saw on the calendar that, on Kesha Tuesday, December 2nd, "Hot Cocoa, Cookies".

Today being Crafts Monday, I saw the Usual Suspects in the Community Room and asked did Hot Cocoa, Cookies actually happen.

Not exactly, I was told. There were cookies, but no cocoa. It turned into cookies and pizza.

That’s at least something. A pathetic something, but better than a bag of potato chips.

Scanning the Calendar to see what if anything management was doing about a Christmas celebration, what I found was another Kesha Tuesday thing — "Tuesday, December 16th, 12:00 am – 1:30 pm, Social: End of Year Winter Celebration, Join us for a festive end-of-year holiday celebration with the whole community!".

Yeah, sure, and I’ve got a bridge to sell you.

Of course I’ll check it out for blog fodder but, unless it lives up to the hype, I’m not wasting much time in the room and I won't be signing Kesha's attendance sheet.

Finally making my way to the market (my regular store), I found they too displayed no signage to say there was an hidden elf.

Nevertheless, just in case, I kept my eyes out as I moved along and VOILA! As I turned the corner by Dairy, there he was.

I hope this lack of signage is not an indication they’re losing interest in promoting this tradition, that they might drop it altogether next year — no hidden elf, but time will tell.

Linda in Kansas: I see Travis is catching a lot of heat. You know I’m not a fan of Kelsie … I sense he’s pompous, arrogant, and I don’t like how he treated his ex-girlfriend; he went Black and then went back. Nevertheless, despite my not being a fan, I just want you to know his latest trials/tribulations are not my doing. I’ve not focused bad things for him, no voodoo doll, my hands are clean. Maybe it’s the ex-girlfriend working her Black Girl Magic or the hundreds/thousands of others who don’t appreciate how he treated a Black Queen.

All in all, sorry not sorry.

Pizza and Potato Chips

Yesterday’s "Thanksgiving Social and Tenant Council Meeting" did not disappoint in providing the disappointment I’d expected.

Scheduled for noon to 1:30, I was back in my unit by 12:15.

Arriving just before noon, with my notepad to document what management had to say in the meeting portion, I found only seven residents in the room, and all seven were of the Usual Suspects. (Talker was in attendance, MAGA was not, so no tea to report back).

There were no decorations, no coffee, no nothing prepared for us.

Kesha didn't know anything about a "Tenant Council Meeting", said she didn't know why the office even put that on the calendar. Then she began walking around, having us sign her attendance sheet, so she can get credit for hosting an event, as she gave out little bags of potato chips.

Adding insult to injury, they're not even turkey flavored.

I did hear Kesha order a pizza for the few attendees, but I didn’t stick around long enough to see it delivered. As stated above, I was outta there at 12:15, saying I had better things to do — like laundry while there’s a break in the rain and steam clean the bathroom (both of which is what I did with my time).

Painted Rock Lady laughed, said in a sarcastic tone, "I got up early for this".

Will I ever learn not to waste my time buying into management posting event on the activity calendar that rarely come to fruition.

Ernie did a walkthrough while I was in the room, saw me sitting at a table off to myself, said out loud to the room, "I have to go hug this beautiful lady". I didn’t stand up, so he bent over, hugged what he could, then kissed me on the cheek.

Hmmmmmm??????

Crafty Lady was in the room, seemed to have gotten over being salty towards me for ghosting her that day.

In fact, when the Baker was telling me we’d be doing something different for Christmas, that instead of a big party, she’ll make lasagna, salad, and we’ll be doing crafts and cookie decorating, Crafty Lady walked over to add she’d be teaching attendees how to turn something or other into another something or other involving jewelry, and that she’d picked out a witch for me to work on.

Hmmmmmm??????

Seems I'm taking up space in her head; she's thinking of me even when I'm not around which, ordinarily, would be nice but feels a little creepy coming from her. At any rate, I very much fear she's going to get her feelings hurt yet again, because my job at the Christmas event will be that of photographer. I'll be focusing on who's coming in, who's doing what, capturing memories for the Residents' FB page, with little time for crafting.

If by chance I do get a minute to participate in crafts and the choice is decorating cookies or participate in what she's doing with jewelry, you can probably guess I'll go for decorating cookies.

Next up is Friday’s Thanksgiving event that us residents are hosting for ourselves. We’ll probably get quite the turnout for that. MAGA might even show up, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Kesha walk in to take names/pics, give us candy so she can steal credit for the event.

This management group is soooooo tacky.

For My Next Trick

We are 13 days into the month and us residents just this afternoon had the Actvity Calendar for this month posted to our doors.

I guess it really doesn't matter inasmuch as there are no activities listed, LOL.

Except, "Thanksgiving Social and Tenant Council Meeting with Management, Tuesday, November 18, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm".

I'm not expecting much from another management meeting or a "Thanksgiving social" but, if the Starbucks strike is over, I'll grab a cup, head down to the Community Room, just to see what Kesha and Assistant Manager are up to.

Hopefully, I can manage to listen, take notes on the meeting portion, keep my thoughts about management to myself, because voicing my frustrations, at previous meetings, has been a waste of energy.

HOWEVER, if there is any mention of our paying for lightbulbs, garbage disposal, toilet, that will be my opening to tell them I've learned it's illegal for management to charge us for those items — simple wear and tear; and ask what have they been doing with the money collected from that illegal practice.

Now that work on that never ending project came to an end, for my next trick Twin 1 has tasked me with designing a cover for this bathroom accessory ……

I haven’t a clue where to begin but, while I’m waiting for an idea to pop into my head, I thought I’d start with purchasing fabric.

After getting my BP checked yesterday (121/58), I drove over to the homophobic, racists, antisemitic Knit for Jesus craft store (don’t judge me for giving them my business. They’re the only option since Michael’s and Joann’s went out of business).

I picked up a bolt of Kente Cloth, cause I know Twin 1, with her afrocentric self, would like it.

Then saw a different print …… somewhat similar, but a little more muted that I thought she might like.

Not knowing which she’d like best, I took both bolts up to the little strait-laced grandma looking lady manning the yardage station.

She oohed and aahed over the Kente Cloth fabric, said she likes color and had in fact told her daughter she was going to make for herself a top and pants out of that specific colorful print.

Sensing she didn’t know what she saw as a "colorful print" actually was, I said, "It’s Kente Cloth".

Seeming not impressed, she said "I just like all the colors".

"Wearing pants and a top is a lot of color, and I don’t see you wearing that much color", said I.

She was a tiny little lady, and that much color would have swallowed her up. Her little body didn't exude the power to carry the print off.

She laughed said her daughter told her the same thing, that it was a lot of color, and now hearing it from me as well, maybe she’ll just make a top.

Thinking it might not actually be safe for a basic white strait-laced grandma type walking around in Kente Cloth, I added "Kente Cloth is pretty ethnic. They call it cultural appropriation now days".

We left it at that, as another customer approached, oohed and aahed over the Kente Cloth.

Later that night, I got to thinking about that conversation, wondered if I’d spoken incorrectly.

So, I asked Google …… "can white people wear kente cloth?"

There wasn’t an exact ye or ney. It was more or less, do it at your own risk, because inasmuch as the cloth symbolizes Black Excellence, to see a white person wearing is "conflicting". That you’re likely to get a lot of side eye because some do see it as cultural appropriation.

The internet also reminded me of the hew and cry that was when "with the introduction of new federal police reform legislation, Democratic Congressional leaders came together in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol to kneel together in support of the fight for racial justice. In addition to the symbolic gestures, the leaders, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, wore kente stoles …… In doing so, they meant to honor Black lives. Instead, they appropriated African culture".

They’d meant well, but caused quite a stir.

I imagine if that strait-laced granny follows through with either a top or pants or both, her circle of friends might think it cute, even some in the general public might think it cute/cool; but for me, I’m big on respecting the various cultures.

Like when I was training at the Thai culture Pain Cave. When told it would be deemed disrespectful to walk across the floor in shoes, I’d take shoes off in an area provided at the door, walk to the back training area in socks, slip athletic shoes back on AND repeat the process leaving — take off shoes in back room, walk to the front in socks, put shoes back on in area provided.

Once, Trainer said he’d ask the guys if an exception could be made for me, but I requested he not do so because "I believe in respecting the culture".

Later today, I messaged Twin 1 photos of the two prints; she chose the second one, the not Kente Cloth one.

Go figure.

The Kente won't go to waste. It will eventually come in handy for something I make in the future …… not pants and a top, though I myself probably could carry it off.