Shootings and "Occupy"

 Well Sweet Things, although it’s been a while since I’ve last posted things have been extremely busy for me, so busy that it has been hard to even make the time to post.

But last week I had a hard time getting to sleep.

I received a phone call very early in the evening; usually I’m not home before 6 p.m. unless I go into work early and I had one of those days, when I got home there was a message on my answering machine.  

A friend of mine, Liz who lives several blocks away asked if she could spend the night at my place, she was frightened by an event that happened and couldn’t talk clearly on the phone.  I called her back right away and asked her what happened and she told me that there had been a shooting just a few doors away from her home.

A Shooting??  In my quiet little Town???!!!  In a way that explained Joe’s earlier message on my cell to call him ASAP, I had assured him that I was fine and he said that a situation had happened not too far from my place and he wanted to be sure I was O.K.

I drove to Liz’s home but could not get close to her place, the area had been cordoned off, I even had to show my I.D. and explain why I was there.

Liz had packed a bag with what she would need, and locked her home, in the fading light I saw as we walked back to my car the apartment building that had bullet holes in the wall.  

I put an order in for dinner to be delivered and calmed her down with a cup of chamomile tea as she told me what had happened.

She had put in a half day of work taking the afternoon off for a dental appointment, and came directly home, she doesn’t do dentists very well, at about 5 p.m. she heard a car screech up and someone yell out a name of a person, then after a moment a series of shots rang out, and the sound of car tires squealing away.  She looked out her window and people were coming out of their homes, she came out and eventually found out that someone in a car had targeted someone in the 2^nd floor apartment building, had called their name and that person came to the window, the next thing is about 10 or so shots rang out all aimed at the person but no one was hurt.  The car with the shooter then sped away. 

I said with 10 rounds, a clear target and still they could barely hit the side of the building and miss???  I guess the way I said it struck her as funny as she began to laugh, we were making jokes like ‘I guess the guy is not going to get his security and cleaning deposit’ and other things.  Although a very serious situation, laughter helped relieved the stress of fear that she was experiencing, but still it was not something to take lightly.

The sad thing is when I’ve gone to visit Liz, I’ve always seen Asian family members at that building, so I was concerned with the idea of Asian gang violence coming over from our near by city.   Someone was obviously targeted.  It was a miracle that no one was hurt or very poor shooting.   The police were all over the place and a helicopter had been circling over head, Liz gave her statement to the police but she felt nervous and alone, her room mate was out of town for a sisters wedding and Liz didn’t want to be alone.

So with a hot dinner, watching Season 2 of “Castle” followed by rocky road ice cream, Liz relaxed and fell asleep on the couch, I called Joe, left him a message on his phone and told him of our overnight visitor.

It was only briefly mentioned on the radio and nothing on Television although I was sorry to see that Lloyd LaQuesta from our local T.V. station was retiring but I’d have to say after 36 years of hard news reporting, he has more than earned his retirement.

Liz took the next day off from work and Joe took her home, I’ve called her to see how she’s doing and she felt better, except for the holes that she has seen in the stucco in the walls of the apartment building, but she’s feeling that this was an exception not the rule in our town, things like this happen, but happen rarely.  Joe was going to listen for any “buzz” on this, but our feeling is that there will be few clues on this, especially if the potential victim doesn’t want to give up any information.

But we shall see Sweet Things, we shall see.  Although I love my little town certain elements have been creeping in like an insidious cancer, tagging for one thing is cropping up, and there are more break in’s.  A change in attitude by the public both as pedestrians and as drivers is creating a more dangerous living situation, both walking and driving, its like people don’t care anymore; this does have me concerned, so much so that I’ve been changing my driving and shopping habits to avoid as much of this “anger” as possible, it’s like seeing mice in an overcrowded condition that is so bad that they start to kill and eat each other.  That is what I’m feeling at this point. 

On another front, Occupy Oakland and Occupy San Francisco plan to disrupt things again tomorrow May 1, the minute I heard about it on Sunday, I called my assistant, talked to her and her grandparents and advised that she pack a bag for 3 days and we’ll stay at a hotel that I know near our building, she and I will share a room, then on Wednesday we can go home after work.  Her grandparents felt better that she would be safe with me and not lose any work time.   The hotel has a nice little spa so I told her we’d have a little treat and it’s on my dime.  The dear thing is looking forward to it and I want to brain-storm with her about things at work. 

Frankly the “Occupy” groups are more of a nuisance than a benefit, they plan to block the bridges and that is a federal offence, frankly if they do, I’d like to see the book thrown at them.  If you want to change things do it the right way, there are channels.   To me they are like little children throwing temper tantrums for not getting their own way, rules are there to prevent chaos, but if you don’t like the rules see if there is a legal way to make it better, don’t harm the 99% that have to get to work to pay the bills, the mortgage, put food on the table, shoes on the children’s feet, because that is what you are doing…you are not hurting the 1 % because you are not tackling the problem correctly.

If anything the “Occupy” groups are adding to the problem, look at the increased expenses that the S.F. and Oakland groups have caused and who is paying for that??? The 99%....so what are they doing?  NOTHING.

A friend of mine said that because their home is underwater and because they don’t meet all  the rules for re-financing they have asked the bank to go ahead and sell their house, to go ahead and foreclose on it, even if it means damage to their credit rating.  They’ve looked at their income and the situation they are facing and in the end it was the only result, they and several other friends of mine have found it to be a relief and have been able to start fresh, and a lot wiser.

Another who managed to pay her home mortgage on time all the time, but knew her credit rating was not very good was approached by her bank that holds the mortgage on her home about refinancing, she said she wasn’t sure if she would meet the requirements, her bank said all she had to do was answer a number of questions and they would know if qualified or not, the worse that would happen is that she would stay at the same rate and nothing would change.  So she thought she had nothing to lose, she qualified and was able to lower her monthly payment drastically, the entire process was done within 3 weeks, all by e-mail, fed-ex, a couple of phone calls and her lawyer’s notary.  And no fee, 30 year, fix rate.

But what about the others who are being foreclosed, we don’t know the full story, many claim the bank is unreasonable, when in truth they didn’t qualify for one reason or another or didn’t fill out the paper work correctly.  Then there are others who were victims by scams, who didn’t understand the process.   I’ve always said go to a legitimate financial institution such as those banks that everyone says are the guilty parties like Wells Fargo which seems to be helping a lot of people in need; B of A I would not trust if my life depended upon it, if need be go to a credit union and see what they can offer, find a real-estate lawyer who comes highly recommended they maybe able to stop the whole process and get you on the right path.

But does the “Occupy” groups offer that?  I certainly have not seen that happening with them.  In some cases they have made the situation worse, have criminalized their situation, the protestors can walk away, but not the former owner of the home and they maybe worse off than before.

Any solutions?  All I know is that I have to plan my commute very carefully if I want to get to work and cover my responsibilities that I need to maintain.

“Occupy” be damned!

Until later Sweet Things.  Kisses.

Easter Doings~~~

Hello Sweet Things,

I'm posting from my parents home, took the train down here on Thursday.

Mom and Baby sis left on Monday by train to get things back on par. Dad missed them a lot.

I had hoped he would be able to come up and visit but several of his staff were ill, flu, so he's been putting in extra time.

We are going to make sure that he does take this whole week off to rest, his co-workers are back and have taken up where Dad left off, so this is a good thing.

We went to early mass this morning, so wonderful. And for once I was not wearing black or very dark colors, but tropical coral and yellow with splashes of green and white, it had me thinking of taking a trip to Hawaii, which I might do this year.

Baby sis looked wonderful in her pale yellow and spring green dress with matching hat, Mother made them just as she made my outfit and Mom looked so dignified and graceful in her dress of spring green with pale yellow trim and matching hat.

She is even sewing up gloves, said she had to master that skill, she had bought some old gloves that looked good but had serious moth holes that made them un-usable, so she carefully took them apart and designed the pattern.

Now that Dad has been home and sleeping regular hours he looks refreshed. We just had pastry, coffee and juice for breakfast, and won't have dinner until early this evening. Ted is with his folks right now and they will join us in a few minutes.

Mom has packed a light picnic lunch in case we get peckish and we are all going for a drive in our Easter outfits in just a few minutes, where too I'm not sure, but Dad will be driving one of Ted's vintage and Ted will be driving his other vintage car, we'll stay in touch via (cell phone) but Ted and Dad want to take us for an old-fashioned Sunday drive and damn the high gas prices, Ted's folks are also dressed up vintage style as well and although it's a little chilly we'll be fine. No rain and plenty of sun. Even Trixie the dog is coming.

Lillian and Heather are with Heather's folks for their Easter gathering.

I felt bad leaving Joe behind but he's not retired yet, although he's started the process, it will take 3 months to complete all the paperwork to get his benefits and retirement pay. So he's covering for an officer with family that has family coming to visit. He said to go and see the folks, when he gets off duty he'll join Lillian and Heather later so he won't be alone.

I've been so busy with work and family that I've not had a chance to sit down and post, but I have to say I'm doing well. Joe, Heather and Lillian are doing well and so is my family. Mom's little business is keeping her busy just enough to make life interesting without overwhelming her.

The Vintage Fashion show was wonderful, Mom and Baby sis made some excellent contacts and found some beautiful things as well as dress patterns.

Things in my little home town have been upsetting, that maniac who killed 7 students at that private university, the grandson of a respected retired city council killing a elderly man the grandson is a paranoid schizophrenic had really gone off the deep end as they say. A fire near my house that killed the home owner and his dog. And of course power outages caused by birds and a Mylar balloon.

It was interesting reading the 'tweets' one of them said "boom+power out+police sirens=zombie invasion?" but the news paper said that no zombie invasion was on the police log. I have no idea what is this thing about zombies unless it's the way people feel that is what the world is coming to.

I can hardly wait for the weather to get warmer, I need to go to my country home although things are going well my caretakers would like me to see things personally and the historical society wants to rent the house and grounds for a special event in July, so I'll have to go up in a week or two and I have a new car! And Joe is fixing up the old one for me to drive around town.

So much happening and so much to do. So much to comment on and think about.

But right now Dad is calling for me to "get off the phone" as he calls it. Right now when he said that I felt like a teenager---what a good feeling!

Kisses Sweet Things.

A slight cold and an update~~~

Hello Sweet Things,

Well I have a little cold, or it might be allergies, I'm going to see my doctor in an hour, fortunately her office is close by.

My Mother is visiting me for a few weeks, and Baby sis is using the commuter flights to come and visit, she came up Friday and left on Monday. We went to the Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale, and had to get there very early, Lillian and Heather drove us and since Lillian has a handicapped placard we could park in the handicapped slot, so Heather, Baby sis and I went hunting for coffee and pastries. We all had so much fun and I found some things I can put into my office, Joe was on duty, so he went on Sunday.

Mom and Baby sis found things for their "business" Heather found some very interesting artwork and Lillian just enjoyed herself at the jewelry counter.

I just love it, and the next day Sunday was so nice that we went to the Antique Faire that is held once a month. Mother found patterns and things that she could use, Sis found some vintage clothing as well.

Then Monday Sis flew back home but she'll be back in two weeks, we are all going to the Vintage Fashion Faire in the City. And I hope to be better from this cold or allergies or whatever it is.

Joe has made a decision~~~he's going to leave his job, he has had it~~~not to worry he has another one lined up, he has enough to retire on and with this new job he will be in an excellent position financially. He's also moved into a new studio apartment, that's in easy walking distance from my place. I thought he'd want to move in with me but we both admitted that my place is not big enough for both of our interests, but the studio is more of a holding place and it's close by. I can understand, sometimes he needs his own "Man Cave", a place he and his buddies can get together without imposing on me, I hadn't realized that he felt that way. But yes, during the games they can let off steam without worrying about doing any damage by accident. But he's keeping his cars here.

In a way I'm glad that he's changing jobs, but he will still be in touch with his friends, and still be in the know with what they are going through. It relieves my mind.

And what have I been doing? Working Sweet Things, Working! Maybe that is why I'm not feeling so well. I want to travel, to drive someplace in my new car, but the demands of work are preventing me from doing it.

But to be able to have Mom here is a pleasure, and she's not alone, she and Lillian go off on their little excursions and Mom always comes home with a find.

Now I must go, my appointment is in a half hour even though it's only 10 minutes away, but I don't like to be late.

Until later Sweet Things. Kisses

Happy and Sad~~~

I know Sweet Things,

How can one be happy and sad at the same time, it's not impossible, but it is the way life is.

Nothing is ever one or the other, it is a combination of both, and each are passing at the same time or goes in cycles.

Each can be brief or long.

I am sad for two reasons, Whitney Houston, a voice and a gift of music, gone forever to never have a chance to regain what she lost, but her music lives on.

The other reason is I just received word that one of my teachers who helped me get my scholarships to college passed away. I had asked when was the funeral I wanted to go, but was informed that she didn't want any funeral at all. She was cremated and her ashes scattered to the four winds. She had done what she wanted to do, influenced those that she could, saw the results and was pleased. She paid forward as they say. And I can only do the same, I'll miss her, I called her, wrote to her, visited her when I could, and discovered right up to the end she still was helping those that needed help, quietly, no fan fare, just doing little things to make the world better. I, and those whom she helped can only do the same.

Happy at the same time, yes, I had a wonderful evening with people I know and love, and saw the silliest movie "Munster Go Home", completely juvenile, silly and yet with some double meanings. I felt like a kid and the little beast "Baby" decided to sleep in my lap and would growl in its sleep if I moved too much. Maybe someday I'll have a dog of my own, but in the meantime I'll enjoy the company of others.

Joe has the Ford running right now, it is ready to "go for a spin". I asked him about all the other parts like breaks, steering etc. and he says that they are fine, so this will be a test run. But we are taking our very warm coats and our triple A cards---It's just going to be around town, nothing on the free way. Which is good, I have to do some shopping close by. So for a little while we will induge in nostalgia and be like there were in the '40's before Pearl Harbor.

As a matter of fact I saw a house up for sale here in town that's '40's vintage and I'm seriously considering buying it. It will need some work but it's open house today so we are going to take a look there first and have a serious talk about it. Joe liked the looks of it and it's drive way and garage space. He wants to get out of his apartment in Oakland, and if he's thinking what I'm thinking and I think he is we maybe on the same track, he'll have his own space when he needs it and I'll have fun doing up another place. And I can get my own garage back for my new car.

Joe is ready, so am I.

Later Sweet Things, Kisses

A 3 Day Weekend and~~~~

And Sweet Things, I am putting together all the things that must be done to do my income tax return.

But all was not lost, Joe insisted that we go for a little while out of town, where to? To a Gun shop where I saw a lovely .38 Smith & Wesson 5 shot Body Guard with laser and hammerless.

Joe was insistent that it be purchased. And why, I ask him.

One always needs a back up he said and I came across the gun safe of my dreams, can it be delivered? I ask. For a small fee yes, well considering that gas is now over $4 a gallon that's understandable.

They did have a .38 special by Charter Arms, as well---in Pink! with a sign next to it saying "Yes! It's Pink!" Several ladies were admiring it and I think one of them will buy it.

I have GOT to get to a Gun Show! I'm missing the smell of cordite in the morning.

So a new gun, which I'll pick up in a few weeks and a new gun safe that will be delivered tomorrow and I have the perfect spot for it. And it is extremely fire-resistant---very important.

Joe is now grilling two lovely steaks on the outdoor grill, we'll have a little wine, the salad is made, I asked him if he wanted me to prepare a vegetable but he's grilling peppers, tomatoes and something else. He said he wanted to do something that passes for normal after all the insanity that he's been going through and for him to have this time off is precious to both of us.

Tomorrow he's going to work on the Ford while I do the mundane things.

But tonight it's going to be ice cream and popcorn over at Lillian's to watch of all things "Munster Go Home" on Svengoolie, with Lillian and Heather and the little Beast.

I feel like a kid again, enjoying a childhood that I never really had, not that I begrudge my parents on that, but it seems right to enjoy childhood things. I want to go on Merry-go-rounds and Ferris Wheels, Drive the bumper cars, and eat cotton candy that's so sweet it makes one's teeth ache.

Joe is not perfect, we have our arguments, but we never go to sleep mad, we try to find out why we argued. Joe has said he's never tried that before, trying to search for the "why" of things.

I can only agree, why yesterday I had a "hissy-fit" at one of our people, she always gets on a "high-horse" about something or other and wastes time complaining about it.

Yesterday I and my Assistant had bought several boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, and I know people have issues about that, but it has become a tradition for me and Joe loves the Shortbread ones.

So do several other people on the staff, when Miss High-Horse started complaining about all the unhealthy things in Girl Scout Cookies, and that they were made in China, when on the box it says Kentucky.

Finally I had had enough and said "If you are not happy with the cookies, write a letter of complaint to the National Office of the Girl Scouts and complain to them, do not waste my time, other peoples time or create an uncomfortable atmosphere in this office. With the time that you wasted complaining you could have looked up the address, wrote it out on an envelop and started drafting a letter of complaint----Those that want to, do so----Those that just want to take up air, complain---and it seems to me that you are doing the latter, so do something or be quiet and let us enjoy these so-called unhealthy cookies once a year."

And with that I took a bite of one of the Samoas and thoroughly enjoyed eating it right in front of her. I am happy to say so did the rest of the staff, while she went back to her desk.

I documented the situation and sent it on to H.R. this person has more than once created an uncomfortable situation by her belligerent attitude, and I am hoping that she will get a "side-ways" promotion. Which more than likely will happen.

Fortunately the feed back I received from the rest of the floor was positive on this situation so right now Girl Scout Cookies rule. On Tuesday I'm going to buy a box of Thin Mints.

And now the steaks are ready and Joe has poured the wine, and he's put on my favorite Dean Martin CD. Hmmmm I wonder what he's up to.

Kisses Sweet Things.

Film Noir, Chinese New Year and Whitney~~~

I know Sweet Things, So much in one "headline" for this post.

Whitney Houston, so sad, a talent lost, I have a couple of her CD's I had hoped she'd make a comeback, but it almost seems like she was on a path to self destruction. Information on her death is still sketchy, but still sad.

I am also getting over a mild headache---Chinese New Year's parade so much fun, and crowded, Yoshi, her husband and I went to the one in S.F. I had wished that Joe could have come but they were expecting their own sort of Fireworks.

Everyone seemed to want to be a part of this year's celebration, the year of the Dragon (water Dragon), hoping for prosperity. This time Yoshi earlier had taken me to several religious ceremonies and they seems so right, this year I feel that it will be a turn around, slow, hard, thoughtful but fighting to get back on track. Everyone jostling around, cheerful, calling out happy new year in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, some one passing by gave me a small red envelope with a golden dragon on it, in side a Chinese good luck coin. Just a young person, a young man really with a big smile on his face, just from happiness or making a pass, who knows.

Yoshi's husband Brian was worried that I had been pick-pocketed, but I keep my important things in a very small wallet, Velcro inside a pocket inside my jacket. They'd have to get very physical to remove it. Oh the food, so delicious at Yoshi's Grandmother's home, and I'm afraid I had a little too much wine, good thing I slept over her Grandmother's and had them bring me home. We all did, Grandmom insisted, wisely too.

Now I have a vase with blossom's in my living room and Yoshi insisting that I have my entire home looked over to have the proper Chi analyzed by a Fung Shui master. Well it couldn't hurt.

Joe is up and insisting that we go and have a late breakfast, I think I can eat bacon and eggs, I know not exactly healthy, but I could go for the protein. Then he wants to go to this place for parts for the Ford, I'm bringing a book, because I know when he get's to talking about car parts, I'm a little lost. But that Ford is coming along beautifully.

Joe wished we could have driven it to the Film Noir Festival a few weeks ago, but what I did is work and then went over to the theatre and meet either Joe or Heather and Lillian there, it was wonderful seeing a number of old films that have not been released to DVD like "Mr. Dynamite" or the 1931 version of the Maltese Falcon or Alan Ladd in the Great Gatsby, I was having fun wearing my 1940's outfits, my hair up in those 40's hair do's. And Angie Dickinson being there she looked fantastic!

I joined the Film Noir foundation, that and the Art Deco Society. Joe in a Trench Coat and Fedora, is my Sam Spade becoming no longer just a fictional thought? Who knows.

Joe has given more thought on retirement, his friend Frank has too, they both have put in a lot of time and are in good positions to retire and although he is tempted to seek a position in the Gold Rush country his heart is still here in the Bay Area, many people have inquired with him about security of their properties and he's given advice but now he's thinking in the private sector, so is Frank---I've come to call them "The Dragnet Squad".

They both are trying to put in for a few days vacation, so we can go the the PEERS "Film Noir Ball", I hope he can do it, it's been hard having time together.

And now it's time to grab a bit to eat, thank goodness my headache is fading fast.

Until later Sweet Things.

Kisses!

P.S. my gosh he wants to go in the Jeep!!! I have to wear a heavier coat and pray it doesn't rain!

Thoughts and Chinese New Year

Well Sweet Things,

Joe put in another long night last night, I woke up and was glad he had come home, to not wake me he fell asleep in the spare bedroom, He just had enough time to crash on the bed, I made sure he was warm enough.

Heather and I took our Sunday morning walk on the beach with the little beast with us, of course it meant carrying the little thing after a bit. We had coffee at our favorite coffee shop and talked about things. Her classes are going well, if there are no disruptions, but she is not happy with the campus----too political among the students she says, all she wants is to study get her degree and get a job, which is very competitive right now.

I've had her go to seminars about what to do and not do to improve her chances of getting work, "On my dime" so to speak, she considers it a loan I told her 'it's an investment'.

There is something about the aroma of coffee that is comfortable, conversational and warming, with comfortable chairs, soft music and just the right atmosphere one can talk on a lot of things.

We had walked so far that Heather's legs were hurting, so we caught bus back to our homes, Heather invited us (Joe and Me) to dinner and we are finally going to see "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken", nothing special she said it's all take out.

I told her we'd chip in, Joe is awake, Heather said she called in the order and we are going to go and pick it up in a few minutes. Joe has the next few days off and is planning to go and get parts for the 1940 Ford, he is close to having it running.

Baby Sis and Ted are planning to come up and visit during their next school break, and are going to stay with me, Ted wants to get together with Joe about the Ford, Baby Sis and I can only sigh.

Am I sounding so 'pedestrian' ? Family this, friends that and Boy friend another thing, well Sweet Things it's the way my life is going right now. But this coming weekend Yoshi and I are going to take in the Chinese New Years Parade, it will be fun seeing her and her husband and family. I wish Joe could be with me but again he's pulled duty it being a Saturday and who knows what Occupy Oakland will be planning.

My caregivers at my country place say things are going well, just a few minor repairs, I'll have to plan on going up there soon.

Time to go, take care Sweet Things

Kisses