ART, RAT, TAR

ART, RAT, TAR -- It's all mixed up! I spent a day or so in Davis at the CCACA* (it doesn't really have anything to do with Mexican excrement) with Marylin and Morag, viewing ceramic art from California colleges. I seem to have two scales of judgment: Would I like to have it in my home and look at it every day? or Do I think it belongs in a museum somewhere? Seldom do the two coincide. I guess that is because a lot of art is disturbing, and I want my home to be a place of peace. I'm attracted to color, a certain flavor of whimsy, and I do like to know the story behind the piece. That said, I loved Morag's piece and it fits all the criteria. There were many many pieces, particularly in the more "prestigious" galleries, that were beautiful, or clever, or technically spectacular, but a lot of things that seemed to my amateur sensibilities like none of the above. And there were a few bits that I loved in the high-school student exhibit which was in the Ace Hardware Store! I guess I'll never be a patron of the arts, which is a good thing because I can't afford it anyway.  *California Consortium for Advancement of Ceramic Arts (I couldn't get the underline to turn off!)

https://picasaweb.google.com/teacherlin18/Collages?authkey=Gv1sRgCI-UgrHZ6Myy5gE#5736884184214632210 

Maybe I am too tired

Terrorism?

I believe the definition of terrorism is the attempt to instill extreme fear in innocent populations. By this definition I believe dental offices are terrorist organizations. Look at the language they use: maloccusion, deteriorating restorations, laser curettage of inflamed tissue, amalgam tatooing. For the amount of money I spent on dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, crowns, night guards and prescription toothpaste last year, I could hire someone to chew all my food for me! I find it very hard to say no to a recommended treatment, although it is easier to draw the line at cosmetic procedures because I have never been too invested in a "beautiful smile". 

Why can't I stick to a strict routine of home care: flossing, rubber tipping, and tongue scraping, etc.? Mainly because I find the whole thing vaguely disgusting. My hygienist Amy is wonderful, with lots of suggestions, such as floss in the shower, or tie your floss to the t.v. remote, wear your toothbrush in a holster! (She even suggested flossing while driving -- and corrected herself to clarify "only while stopped at red lights"!) However, I can't get over the idea that if I did everything perfectly and never had another cavity or bit of plaque again, the dental profession would keep inventing new terror words to keep me cowering with my teeth chattering and my checkbook cringing.

Boo Toyota, boo California, boo me

So the computers that are taking over the world have already taken over our cars and they perpetrate their tyranny by a little doodad call the Check Engine Light. This has nothing to do with checking the engine (looking under the hood) and everything to do with hooking computer A (in the car) up to computer B (at the dealership's service center) so that Computer C (at the dealership's cashier's desk) can make a raid on Computer D (at my bank account). 

Case in point: Shortly after I filled up with gas, but a thousand miles or so before my car was due in for 60,000 mile service, my evil little light went on. The last time said light blinked on, it turned out to be the gas cap was loose, and the dealership "reset" it as part of my prepaid service. So of course, this time, I immediately checked the gas cap, made sure it was on, and tightened it until it clicked. Check Engine Light still sneered at me. So I did what you're supposed to do and called the dealer, was told "this means there's a problem with your engine" (Note: not "a problem with your computer") and scheduled an appointment ASAP.

When I arrived at the dealer's I told them about the previous event, and they told me that there would be a $145.00 charge to "diagnose" the problem, and them if something needed to be fixed, there might be extra charges for that. It struck me as steep, but naively I assumed that if it were something as minor as a loose gas cap, they would find that so quickly that all those labor charges would not even reach the $145. They said it would take about an hour an a half for the service. I thought that was a bit long to plug in a computer, but I sat around in the waiting room, managed to find a few old newspapers to read and a package of peanuts to eat. 

But when 2 1/2 hours had passed, I began to fear something serious had been found, so approached the service manager. He said that the paperwork had just come back, and it was just the gas cap, but of course they had to check all the systems attached to it and were required by law to check the tire pressure! I told him I'd made sure the gas cap had "clicked" but he said I hadn't turned it past the click, which was necessary. I said I thought that was a poor design (on the part of Toyota) and he said, "It's not our design, it's required by all the environmental protection laws of the state of California." (I forgot to ask whether the State of California required them to charge me $145.00). When I paid my bill I remarked to the cashier that I'd be taking my business to Auto Zone if the Check Engine Light ever went on again, because they advertised "Free Diagnosis". No reaction.

I have had good service from Piercey Toyota for the past 13 years, and would hate to see this relationship terminated, but this ticked me off big time. My friends suggested approaching 7 On Your Side, or Yelp, or even making a music video (Piercey Toyota Rips Off Old Ladies), and my anger has spread to the State Legislature. But mainly I'm angry with myself, for being careless or gullible or too lazy to do the research to find a better option. I can think of a lot more things I'd rather spend $145 on!!! I don't know what to do. Boo-hoo.  Boo-who?

Crastination

My microwave died last December. I couldn't remember how to live without it! I borrowed one from my son's roommate, and eventually got around to shopping for a new OTR (over the range). But when the Maytag deliverymen/installers brought it several weeks later, they claimed "the holes didn't line up" with my old GE and they weren't authorized to do anything about that, so it couldn't be installed. So I sent it back with them, expecting to get a refund on my next credit card bill. Or the one after that, or the one after that. Instead I got late payment charges. 

Taking care of this kept rising on my Things I'm Avoiding Doing list, and today was the day! Enlisting the help of my appliance maven friend, and her former colleague at Home Depot, I got the missing MW tracked down, the paperwork straightened out, and the refund (including late charges) credited. It's supposed to show up on my next charge statement, or the one after that. Meanwhile I bought another GE model, presumably with more compatible holes, and scheduled delivery and installation by an authorized installation crew, for a larger fee. Perhaps this time it will stay crossed off my list. I'll be cookin'! Next project, buying a new dryer that doesn't smell like it's burning or make noises like a saber-tooth cat with indigestion.

Occupy:lap

 

I am a lap:

If I move I get a furry groan.

My arm goes numb

From fifteen pounds of blackness.

In front of the t.v.

I have to shift the remote control

From hand to hand

As he demands attention.

I type one handed, too:

If I don’t embrace him

He will walk across

The computer keyboard

Sending incomprehensible

Updates on Facebook.

If my bladder calls,

I dump him on the floor,

And he waits stealthily

For me to settle in the chair again

Before he scratches at the door

To be let out to do his business,

And waits again, to request readmission.

His purr drowns out

Dialogue and despair.

120410

Making a commitment

I now have a personal trainer! Jenny Craig got a deal with Fitness 19 to encourage us to add resistance training to our physical activity. (Mine has consisted of water aerobics once or twice a week, a 30 minute walk or two, and the odd bit or yoga). So I went in for my free one-hour session, and ended up signing up for $300.00 worth. But I don't feel ripped off (after all, I spent $700 on tires a few weeks back, and I need new treads more than my car did!) What I feel good about is making the commitment to be there at 8 a.m. twice a week and really give it a shot. The people seem much more knowledgeable and interested than they did at my previous gym -- which went out of business shortly after I joined. The place is very clean, and relatively quiet, and not particularly crowded. It adds needed structure to my life.

In addition I am getting Light Box Therapy  for my psoriasis twice a week at Kaiser and using a horrible scalp treatment every night. I am goig to be so ready for Hawaii in July!

Scammed in SF

Scammed in SF: After a delightful celebration of son Matt's 28th birthday at Fisherman's Wharf, I got ripped off  at the Powell St. BART Station when I tried to use my new Senior Clipper Card in the fare machine. A guy (I didn't actually see him, but witnesses report him to be toothless!) behind me was "helping" me figure out the machine, and he told me I was "done", but when I tried to go through the turnstile, it wouldn't take my card and said "See the Attendant." When I did that I was told I should have tapped my card again (actually, I did that) and that if I wanted to file a police report, I could, meanwhile, I should just put more money on the card. I tried again, I still couldn't get more value put on the card, and this time was out $20.00! I went back to the attendant, really frustrated, but more in angry than pitiful little old lady mode, and he said I shouldn't get angry with him and he wouldn't talk to me anymore! No sympathy whatsoever. Whatever happened to "The Customer Is Always Right."?  

Some nice girls found my $20 (which the machine had returned to me, taking its sweet time), and with the help of my friend and her credit card I got enough value on the card to get me back to Fremont. We figured out what happened was that the guy who advised me first time around must have told me I was done and should tap my card again before I hit the Confirmation key, and after I left the machine, he hit confirm and then quick tapped his own card in to suck up my $5 value. I felt: angry, yes, that there are people who would rip other people off like that, and stupid that I should be a victim, and angry again that a supposed customer helper should be so impatient. But I'll chalk it up to experience and count it as a charity donation to help out homeless mentally ill con-men.