Dear So and So

BEcause I had sleep disruption and have had to attend to realigning my sleep patterns after my concussion, I find now that if there is a time zone difference of over 2 hrs.or more, I need to be more conscious of my sleep needs.

I'm the sort of traveller that likes at least knowing general travel plans to areas I don't know ..meaning things that we might see along the way, if right weather conditions, cycling, snowshoeing or hiking. I am not a totally outdoor traveller...ie. I want to escape to the wilderness for many weeks. After a few hikes and then in the evening, if there is no Internet, I get bored. Reading a book is nice, but doing many evenings of this, I wonder what else I am missing in the area that I'm visiting.

I do find people, culture, history and art very interesting to learn about an area. I like wilderness activities and trips which ALSO include an outing to a town, an historic point, etc. For instance in the Canadian mountain regions..there are historic markers for the Gold Rush, building of the national railway, Japanese-CAnadian internment camp sites during WWII, wineries, rail trails...all marks of human touch.

I understand some folks just want to see wild animals, vegetation, etc. in a foreign country outside of North America. Yes, the wildlife safari in Africa, etc. But you know, it almost sounds insulting, not even learn abit about the local culture nor meet the locals who live there. (beyond a local safari guide) To me that's ironic, and very "protected" way of travelling....NOT meeting the reality of locals and their real culture.

Wherever I travel, I like dropping by local bike shops, a local art gallery/arts/crafts centre, bookstore (because local books are not marketed heavily online) or if there's a farmers' market. The latter you really get a flavour of locals and foods, particularily outside of North America...but also in different regions....New Mexico market is very different from British Columbia different from Quebec! And may I add, Hawaiian farmers' market is totally different.

The best part of our recent trips were the farmer's markets in Provence and in Lisbon. I just used up the tapenade I bought in Provence.
I agree, Shooting Star. I also like to learn about local culture, even while on a bike trip. That's why things felt a little "off," on our trip to Provence. The cycling was all we hoped for, the scenery outstanding, and the food/wine, the best. But, we didn't really get to explore a lot in the 2 towns we stayed in. Some was because when we got back from riding, we wanted to chill out from riding in the heat; others did walk into town. But this was built in much more to our other trips. Having espresso at a cafe in a tiny little Portuguese village while riding was something you could not replicate in any other way. We even had to avoid a donkey that had broken lose from its owner and was running down the street, as we cycled out of the town!

We are musuem junkies, we've found just about any wide spot in the road has a museum/historical markers/historical societies... So fun to discover those tiny little places on our adventures!

We like learning about local culture, visiting local restaurants & farmer's markets, walking, hiking, and watching birds, and cycling in different areas (but of course)! We rarely travel more than one time zone at a time. On road trips, which is mostly what we do, we do short days and spend 2-3 days in each town/city, usually, if not a week or a month, so one time zone at a time. And where we are in Mexico is either 0 or 1 hour off from Eastern time, depending on the time of year. So I do get that. I feel icky when crossing more than one time zone too.

The last time we flew back east from Hawaii, I started having visual anomalies that next morning (after pretty much losing a full night of sleep traveling), and I was only 30 then! All was cured with a good night's sleep, but I had to take an extra day off work I felt so "off" and didn't even trust myself to drive. I can only imagine how well I'd do in my 50s. I decided after that trip that I'd prefer island destinations closer to home, so when we have gone to the tropics since, it's been the Caribbean.

Having lived in NC most of my life, over the pat few years I have been surprised to learn what a nomadic subculture there actually is out there. In addition to the obvious (RVers and sailboat cruisers), when we moved to Belize, we learned about other couples and families who were moving around nomadically with no set home base. We met two couples there who were living this lifestyle, which was all new to us. One couple moves to a different place every three months (they're now in Malta), and the other stays from 6 months to 2 years in any one place (they're now in Bali). And meeting them opened our eyes to how many others are doing just that -- from digital workers in their 20s to retirees. There are a ton of blogs written by these various nomads.

Since we have a dog, it's much harder to travel internationally, and thus we've limited our travels to within the US, plus Belize and Mexico so far, both of which are easy to take a dog in and out of. Most of the nomads we know of are traveling without pets unless they are doing it in an RV.

Crankin, I don't think there's a thing wrong with you for wanting to limit your travels to 1-2 vacations a year. I think most people feel just like you: they are ready for the comforts of home after being away for awhile. We're the odd balls -- not you! :cool:

Maybe, Emily...
One good thing, is that now that I've traveled to Europe quite a bit, when I go to California, the 3 hour time difference doesn't bother me half as much as it used to. That is good, since my son/DIL, former exchange student, and brother live there. We are planning a family vacation in Morro Bay for next August, so I don't think there will be any international travel this coming summer. But, you never know. I think we have some BA miles that have to be used soon, or we lose them, so that might be incentive for a quick trip.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

over the pat few years I have been surprised to learn what a nomadic subculture there actually is out there. In addition to the obvious (RVers and sailboat cruisers), when we moved to Belize, we learned about other couples and families who were moving around nomadically with no set home base. We met two couples there who were living this lifestyle, which was all new to us. One couple moves to a different place every three months (they're now in Malta), and the other stays from 6 months to 2 years in any one place (they're now in Bali). And meeting them opened our eyes to how many others are doing just that -- from digital workers in their 20s to retirees. There are a ton of blogs written by these various nomads.

Since we have a dog, it's much harder to travel internationally, and thus we've limited our travels to within the US, plus Belize and Mexico so far, both of which are easy to take a dog in and out of. Most of the nomads we know of are traveling without pets unless they are doing it in an RV.

Crankin, I don't think there's a thing wrong with you for wanting to limit your travels to 1-2 vacations a year. I think most people feel just like you: they are ready for the comforts of home after being away for awhile. We're the odd balls -- not you! :cool:

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It's probably easiest to let go the idea of owning a lot of personal possessions. Just keep the bank account solvent.

As for moving and travelling, living in different countries, I could see myself doing it for 2 yrs. And after awhile, it would wear me down. For sure, I'm not into longtime camping, chopping your own wood, wilderness living:

I think this is heavily influenced from raised in a poor, large family. I know what it is like and how tough, disciplined it can be not to have certain home conveniences. Imagine not having a dryer for a family of 6 children. This is in Ontario. I don't think I have to invent living back to the basics...when already I don't have a cellphone nor TV. :)

After several wks. of travelling, I like coming home.

Living a car-free life for last few decades, the whole idea of wilderness living and camping long term...doesn't turn my crank. But certainly RV'ing you can bring along creature comforts.

As a cyclist, RVs scare me. I really don't like being near them on the road when we're bike touring.

Crankin, I agree that last trip of yours overseas, would been even nicer to wander around in town among the locals. But I understand the feeling of being exhausted after a bike trip and resting.

Haaaaaaaaa!!!!! :eek:

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Originally Posted by Pax

We are musuem junkies, we've found just about any wide spot in the road has a museum/historical markers/historical societies... So fun to discover those tiny little places on our adventures!

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You might enjoy a peruse around my mom's blog - she hasn't had it going all 20 years… but enough that she's got a large collection of tiny places catalogued and mapped
http://rollinginarv-wheelchairtraveling.blogspot.com

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

As for moving and travelling, living in different countries, I could see myself doing it for 2 yrs. And after awhile, it would wear me down. For sure, I'm not into longtime camping, chopping your own wood, wilderness living

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Believe me, none of the people I mentioned are chopping their own wood or living in the wilderness! Most are renting very civilized flats and villas with electricity, heat, and indoor plumbing. :D But all are on a budget as one has to be to travel unless one is very wealthy. Still, there are plenty of budget-friendly accommodations out there that are nice. We also know one couple personally and know of several others who are "professional" house-sitters. They get to stay in houses that are often much nicer and larger than they could afford, while the owners travel.

As for RVing, we are interested in smaller ones, not the ones that scare you (and us!) when cycling on the road. If we do buy one, we won't be doing any wood chopping (we plan to follow warm weather) nor sleeping on the ground as in traditional "camping", but we will be living without a washer-dryer. That is an inconvenience to be sure, but is hopefully more than made up for by the places we'll get to travel to. A lot of RV parks and campgrounds have laundry facilities. We are already used to no dryer as we hang our clothes out here in Mexico and love how nice they smell after drying in the sunshine and breeze.

Attachment 17824

There are definitely trade-offs with any lifestyle. I am sure we will not be nomads forever, but for now, we have no real reason to be tied to one place -- we're retired and don't have children, so we might as well travel while we're healthy and able. And one big advantage for us is to be able to stay far away from winter but still visit places that have cold winters in the summer, if we so desire. We have yet to find one single place where we like the weather year-round, so we may always live in at least two places even when we finally do settle down. We met a lot of folks in Belize who were doing just that: six months in the US or Canada, six months in Belize.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

There are definitely trade-offs with any lifestyle. I am sure we will not be nomads forever, but for now, we have no real reason to be tied to one place -- we're retired and don't have children, so we might as well travel while we're healthy and able. And one big advantage for us is to be able to stay far away from winter but still visit places that have cold winters in the summer, if we so desire. We have yet to find one single place where we like the weather year-round, so we may always live in at least two places even when we finally do settle down. We met a lot of folks in Belize who were doing just that: six months in the US or Canada, six months in Belize.

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I'm sure you and hubby will find a place one day. I agree if one is healthy, go for it. Always better to travel when one is healthy.
I gave up camping for several nights on ground..about 15 years ago. On long distance bike touring, it just became an energy drainer after 3-4 consecutive days....after cycling for 5-6 hrs. with our loaded panniers, set up camp, rest and then next morning, de-camp. I always made sure such long trips by bike, 50% of accommodation was in hotel/motel/b'n b. On such trips one is so acutely reminded of Canada's vast terrain!

Just today, my former boss told me she sold her 3 bedroom house (after making sure her 2 adult children found their own rentals), sold/gave away her furniture (which meant removing frosted glass doors, etc. that the buyers didn't want) and whittled down her assets to 2 large suitcases. Rest in a rented storage rm. size of 1 small bedroom. She retired just 2 wks. ago. She's off to live temp. in Italy, then Greece and Paris.

She's not sure where she will land permanently. She did live in Greece for a few years with her lst child.

I admire her guts to sell everything. I'm not quite like that: I know a close friend who is close to 80, always been single her whole life. She has owned a home. But sold it about 15 yrs. ago.

Now...she's running out of money..she's had to downsize to a cheaper apartment that she doesn't really care for but has no choice. I know she must be living on the line because she's very careful to order modestly when we have coffee together.

I've watched my parents struggle so hard financially for us and saw that when my father died last year, at least my mother still has a warm home to live in that's hers.
At this time, I prefer just to consolidate my stuff in 1 city but that will not happen until after I retire. Much of my travel budget is spent jockeying between seeing my partner and also visiting family. Because Canada is so big and there are distinct regional differences, I do consider it as form of "travel" because I actively seek to see new things in cities /areas where I used to live (things do change!) and when I'm visiting people I know. My personal blog is one of the few blogs that blends in pacific northwest coast, prairies and Eastern Canada with very recent photos all in single blog post...because I continue to be in all those regions nearly each year and so I might as well showcase what I know/see in those regions.

British Columbia is a beautiful province and there are things I continue enjoy seeing ..and miss/know I would like to see at least once.

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Originally Posted by Eden

You might enjoy a peruse around my mom's blog - she hasn't had it going all 20 years… but enough that she's got a large collection of tiny places catalogued and mapped
http://rollinginarv-wheelchairtraveling.blogspot.com

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Too funny, small world time, I've been following her blog for a long time, and I "know" her from another forum.

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Originally Posted by Pax

Too funny, small world time, I've been following her blog for a long time, and I "know" her from another forum.

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Oh my - that is funny

Dear Small Town Florida Employers,

It seems a bit short-sighted to ignore highly qualified candidates for positions because a) they don't have enough community connections yet, b) they just moved here, or c) your cousins nephews daughter needed a job (so you rewrote the qualifications and then reopened the job).

Sincerely,

Highly Qualified Applicant (you've passed over repeatedly)



I'm having zero luck with finding a professional job here, so it's (with any luck) back to part time retail for me Just got done filling out the online application for Home Depot, uploaded my resume and answered about 25 resume related questions. Then I got to answer the "assessment questions", 145 multiple guess questions to see what I know about customer service, work culture, tools, and home repair.

I just can't, for the life of me, imagine 90% of the people at my local HD answering those questions even remotely correctly.

Well that stinks. I hope you're able to land something good soon.

Thanks, I'm just perplexed. Why would they hire a 20 something for a library job when they could hire someone with years of excellent library experience at one of the top three libraries in the world? Just really confusing.

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Originally Posted by Pax

Thanks, I'm just perplexed. Why would they hire a 20 something for a library job when they could hire someone with years of excellent library experience at one of the top three libraries in the world? Just really confusing.

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Because they can pay him or her much less? That's all I can figure. Sorry, Pax! I sure hope you'll find something decent soon. Does Home Depot have a good employee discount? That could come in handy, if nothing else.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Because they can pay him or her much less? That's all I can figure. Sorry, Pax! I sure hope you'll find something decent soon. Does Home Depot have a good employee discount? That could come in handy, if nothing else.

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Not sure, but good point. A discount would be sweet!

It's bad enough to have to deal with stupid drivers… but you, dude who just had to run the stop sign (and probably at least 3 others), so you and your no fender racer boy- wanna be (and yes I know you are a wanna be - because actual racers all have fenders - their teammates wouldn't tolerate otherwise) butt could pass me and spray goo in my face - that's really uncool. And you, old dude, who must have a death wish, it's equally uncool (and unsafe) to sneak up the side of the line of cars at the light, which I have joined, then yell "on your right" in my ear just as I've pushed off because, surprise (NOT) the one in front of me is turning right, and a sidewalk appears so you've suddenly no where to go.
Oh… and all you folks who've purchased ultra bright lights. It is really great that bike light technology has improved, but it is really NOT necessary to have 3 or more miniature suns pointed straight ahead when you are on the MUP. Please, please, spare my poor eyes and turn them down from the "exploring the Marianas Trench mode" and angle them towards the road surface rather than pointing them straight at people. I keep my L&M Stella on it's 50 lumen setting and point it away from your face. It would be courteous of you to do the same.

Dear Neighbor who owns the other 1/2 of our townhouse:

I get that you're old and hard of hearing - but must you have the TV at full volume against the wall of my office all.day.long? There's a lot of sound proofing in these walls - so god knows how loud you have that thing.
It's darned near impossible to work while listening to your "stories."

Love,
Your neighbor who is rapidly losing patience

PS: The next time you stalk me when I get off the bus to find out when my husband will be done with the (free) translation he is doing for your genealogy project we *will* have words - about stalking and the television. And perhaps the fact that your regularly block our driveway and drive down the wrong side of the road.

Oh man, that really stinks, Blueberry!

I absolutely hate having to hear other people's noise, smell their smoke, or whatever it might be that infringes on my peaceful home space, so this would drive me crazy.

We've rented and/or lived in enough multi-unit buildings since selling our house (on 11 wooded acres, where we had no idea how spoiled we were) that we're finally realizing that we do not want to share walls with anyone. We thought we chose really wisely in our current space, as it's a top-floor apartment in a small building where we are the only unit on the floor, so we don't share any walls, only our floor with the unit below us. But still, we can hear doors slamming, furniture moving, cabinets slamming, smell smoke coming up under our door from the stairwell, etc. Most people are just not conscientious! We try really hard not to slam doors, keep the TV turned down, etc., but others just don't seem to realize or care.

Anyway, I am sorry. I would be so stressed out -- sounds like you're getting to that point as well.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Anyway, I am sorry. I would be so stressed out -- sounds like you're getting to that point as well.

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Thank you :-) Glad to know I'm not the only one.

The last of the 4 exams in 16 days is tomorrow - really hoping my sense of humor comes back when it's over. :-) We'll be back to every -other- week exams - which I find much more manageable. We have some nice weather coming up - looking forward to getting back out on my bike soon!

Oh you are definitely not alone. There are many things to like about my condo but two things that I cannot fix persist in making me unhappy -- food odors from downstairs and next door and the fact that I hear every single footstep from upstairs. And don't get me started on the toilet seat slamming upstairs. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Sometimes twice in less than a minute. I can hear it from every corner of my house. Is she angry at the toilet seat? Punishing it for bad behavior?

Anyway, recently I was trying to read in my living room when the neighbors came home and started slamming stuff. I went and got my white noise machine from the bedroom and turned it on, and that helped. The other thing that might help is earplugs.

Good luck!!

Sorry, Blueberry. That neighbor sounds crazy.
We are the middle unit of 3 in our new condo. It was built when they put in special sound proofing walls between the units. I have been told this is not done anymore. But, I think it wouldn't matter. I think I am going to be living in a morgue when I move. I've spent several hours there, and it's like no one is there, in any of the homes. No cars going in and out, and you don't see anyone very often. I met one of the neighbors, but the other ones, a couple, seem to never leave the house, or be gone when we are there. It's kind of depressing. I mean, I don't want noise and issues, but after deciding not to live in an age restricted community, I've ended up in one, as there appear to be no younger people. It's a small community, of 15 homes, on its own street.
I guess young people who want to move to Concord don't want to live there, although, it's very affordable, compared to most of the homes and even other townhouses.

I could never live in a huge condo complex, though. My parents lived in a typical huge, 70s style condo in San Diego. There was one self appointed older guy who walked up and down the parking lot looking for cars that were in violation of the guest parking spaces. It drove me crazy when we visited, as I didn't want this guy looking in my car. So, one day, I left a little note on my dashboard, that said "If you are reading this, you are an azzhole." Probably very immature (I was about 30), but the guy also harrassed me when I was at the pool with my baby, and he didn't recognize me. Of course, I had the properly displayed guest pass and he went to the condo office to complain. They called my parents! My dad was diplomatic, but said he had had enough of the harrassment of this guy. I never forgot this.

NY Biker, did you ever find any solutions for the food odor issue? I remember your posting about it here and many of us trying to help with possible solutions. Hope you found something to help.

Crankin, your new condo sounds like the DH and my ideal! We would love to live in a very quiet spot with unobtrusive neighbors. :D Sounds like pretty much the opposite of where we live now. If you want lots of people around (most way younger than yourself) and tons of social opportunities, just come to Playa del Carmen!

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Originally Posted by Pax

Thanks, I'm just perplexed. Why would they hire a 20 something for a library job when they could hire someone with years of excellent library experience at one of the top three libraries in the world? Just really confusing.

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I’d think possessing a mix of the confidence and the wisdom you’ve gather in your years in that field would certainly make you a better candidate than a person new to the field. Would you think about doing some part time volunteering for a while to maybe even better make that point, make you a more compelling candidate for new openings and if your experience was threatening to someone to lessen that? In any case I do hope you find something you can enjoy doing!!!!

Dear Bella, I know you’re only here for a few days while your mom is traveling for work and it has no bearing on how much I luv you but do you really have to always be within a few feet of someone?
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/749/2...f5b3d3cb_z.jpg

LOL!!! Great pic, Rebecca!

Dear rebeccaC:

Yes. Yes I do.

Love, Bella

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

Dear rebeccaC:

Yes. Yes I do.

Love, Bella

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:)

and thanks pax....she is precious even when being a little needy for attention :)

Dear men on another forum,

Newsflash, just because you think/want it is so doesn't make it so, your mind boggling privilege is showing.

Sincerely,

Utterly disgusted by bigots

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Uh oh. What happened?

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Just endless passive aggressive refusing to call Caitlyn Jenner Caitlin, loudly applauding the vote in Houston this week, and going on and on with their usual "this is the end of our country as we know it" BS because, heaven forbid, gays or trans people have any rights. It gets very old.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Yeah, it does.

I've gotten to the point where I just refuse to read crap like that. You can't change narrow-minded, uneducated, low-intelligence people.

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Saw an article recently that said middle aged white americans are committing suicide more than any other group, it indicated it was skewing towards less educated people... I can see this, so many angry, intolerant, hateful people that hold on to their bigotry even when proven wrong over and over and over. It must be depressing to always think everything sucks.

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Originally Posted by Pax

Saw an article recently that said middle aged white americans are committing suicide more than any other group, it indicated it was skewing towards less educated people... I can see this, so many angry, intolerant, hateful people that hold on to their bigotry even when proven wrong over and over and over. It must be depressing to always think everything sucks.

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I read the same article. But I'm pretty sure it said men were the ones killing themselves.

I believe it. I've known of four male expats (three in Belize, one here in Playa) to kill themselves just in the past couple of years. In their case I don't think any of it was related to bigotry (one was gay, fer instance) but just deep depression. One was an Afghanistan veteran in his early 40s, so undoubtedly some PTSD there. I just find it very tragic when people see no other alternative. And I think people often come to other countries to "escape to a better place", and when they find out, as you do, that you bring your problems with you no matter where you go, they can't handle it.

More women attempt suicide, but more men actually complete it.
I find that I am getting angry, too, but at all the stupid azz bigots in the world! I now have 2 trans clients, and one woman whose daughter is questioning. It has been a privilege to work with these people, help them on their journey, and learn about something that is outside my experience. Sometimes, I wonder why I can tolerate differences, when others are so prejudiced against anything that isn't within their frame of reference. Ugh. I guess it's mostly because my parents were pretty cool about stuff and my formative years were spent in a super liberal environment.

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Originally Posted by Pax

Just endless passive aggressive refusing to call Caitlyn Jenner Caitlin, loudly applauding the vote in Houston this week, and going on and on with their usual "this is the end of our country as we know it" BS because, heaven forbid, gays or trans people have any rights. It gets very old.

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I rarely respond to those things posted online….my little way of denying some oxygen to those messages…but if I do it’s usually with kindness, a calm and intelligent response and even with thanks by pointing out those views just allow fair and reasonably minded people to more clearly see the person and those ideas for what they are.

But then….isn’t it a known fact that reason and humanism are just seductive tools of that ever crafty Satan. :eek:

Yeah, Rebecca, these are guys I've "known" online for years. In the beginning I was kind and gentle, over time they've become so full of hate and self righteousness that I no longer even bother to reply. They are just miserable human beings, many I've met IRL over the years but now would actively avoid at any gathering. They take up a cause like "Bruce is still a man so I'll call HIM that forever" and they actually seem to enjoy the discord they sow. Sad and disconcerting times, but I suppose people have always been this way... they just now have a global sounding board rather than their local watering hole of yesterday.

I just don't get why anyone is so up in arms about Caitlyn Jenner. Why are these men so threatened? Does she affect them or their lives at ALL?

It's one thing if they have a trans person in their family and struggling with accepting them as the opposite gender than they are used to. That would be difficult for anyone just because of the dissonance of it. But to get all freaked out, angry, or nasty about a public figure they don't even know other than through the media? I just totally don't get it at all.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

I just don't get why anyone is so up in arms about Caitlyn Jenner. Why are these men so threatened? Does she affect them or their lives at ALL?

It's one thing if they have a trans person in their family and struggling with accepting them as the opposite gender than they are used to. That would be difficult for anyone just because of the dissonance of it. But to get all freaked out, angry, or nasty about a public figure they don't even know other than through the media? I just totally don't get it at all.

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I think the only explanation is privilege. When you are used to calling all the shots in society you simply will not be told that your old way of thinking needs to be modified in any way, you ARE the authority and you will do as you please. Or, in other words, whiny dinosaurs that are having a hissy fit about being no longer relevant.

I agree, it's confusing to see how some people feel threatened by other people being given more acknowledgement. I could understand it if it actually meant that their privilege was threatened, but I just don't see how for instance recognition of trans people affects anyone elses privileges at all. It looks ugly because it implies that the privilege was based on keeping someone else down in the first place.

On a related note - there was a Octoberfest party at work recently, including a costume competition. I couldn't go. One of the men had dressed as a woman, 70s disco style, and apparently looked stunning. He's tall and lanky, and looked very glamourous in a silver lame jumpsuit with a halter neck, and a matching silver wig and make-up. The funny thing is I heard from several people afterwards, separately, that they felt a little uncomfortable about it because he "seemed to enjoy it too much". Which I found rather bizarre, because the whole point was to be in costume, and he was good at being in character.

Ok, so I wasn't there, but it struck me that people (women, in this case) seemed very quick to find a man in drag "creepy". Crossing gender lines seems to creep some people out a lot. I don't really think a woman dressing and acting successfully as a man would have had the same response. Is it that choosing to be feminine is choosing to be "weak" and therefore strange?

That could be it, lph, but I think it's more an uncomfortableness with anything outside someone's own framework of gender or sexuality. I can definitely see people describing that situation as creepy, because a lot of people have "strict" cognitive schemas of this stuff.

Well... there are lot of things I can say about Caitlin, transgender, queer what is it LGBTQ I think its called. I really don't care. But if a man dresses up as a woman and "hit" on a woman, I would have some serious issues. I don't think that ever happens. But ya never know. As for the office guy as a glam woman, I think that's pretty funny even if he really got into the act.

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Okay dear ISP,

YOU *&^%!! You said, I would have Internet connection by Nov. 3. My old ISP went out of business and now I don't have 4G connection at home. It's a good thing I still have my old personal hot spot WiFi. I've reactivated after 4 or 5 years. so I can be on the internet. And yesterday, I asked over the phone after ** minutes of wait what was the expected dated and said Nov. 19. Really!!? R U kidding? Didn't realize, there are no wires to my house and they have to install new line. Wait, there was a crew on Oct. 30 installing cables from the street to my house. Noo ma'am, there are no available lines in the street.

EXCUUUSEEEE MEEEE!!!

How much worse can it get?? oh yeah, they'll charge me $$ while I have no internet connection.

I'm not thrilled with personal hot spot either. $$$ for limited data transfer each month. And my network at home is having some issues. All my printers are on WiFi connection and now I need another WiFi for the hotspot. Windows machine no like!! Even my Linux box is no like. I hope the fiber ISP gets straightened out by the date they said they would.

AARRRGGHHHH!!!