Lazy Day

Just reporting in that I have nothing to report. I was lazy today, had to put forth a real effort to work, That's what a summer Friday can do.

What I'm Reading

the summary: The delicious, New York Times–bestselling book of the summer: an irresistible, deftly observed novel about the secrets, joys, and jealousies that rise to the surface over the course of an American family’s Mediterranean holiday.

This book is actually from last summer, and I'm about halfway through. I think I may have had my fill of dysfunctional families, and I can't say there's any character whom I particularly like, but this is very light reading. 

Anybody read Sherlock Holmes?

When I was driving, I heard an NPR interview with a murder mystery writer. The host was talking about murder mysteries (which I love) and said something like "Of course, I cut my teeth on Sherlock Holmes." I have never read any SH, and asked around and most people hadn't. Lane said she read Hounds of the Baskervilles in high school, but doesn't remember it.

I went to Amazon and for one cent, plus $3.99 shipping, I bought Volume one of the complete works... which includes short stories and three novels. So I guess I'll see what all the hoo-hah is about. The stories have survived for decades so there has to be something there.

Latest Annoyance

Today I had an appointment with my nurse-practitioner who comes to my apartment. At the end of the visit, I pay via credit card. My card, which I knew was current, was declined three times. Finally I gave him my Anex and that was fine.

When he left, I went on line and I had planned to look into my credit card situation later, but I had an email from Citibank which said there was suspicious activity... fraud alert! on my account. And it was the charge the NP was trying to make. (Somehow he uses his smartphone for accepting payment.) As I'm digesting the email, the phone rings and it's a recording saying there has been fraudulent use suspected of my card and the account was closed until it got cleared up. So I followed the instructions (press one if you are Patricia) sort of thing... and pressed that it was a valid charge.

What's irritating is that tonight was probably the fourth or fifth time I'd charged his fee on this card. So after the phone call, I went back to the email and there was a link to press if it were a valid charge so I did that too and got the message that my account was now available to use and how I should ask the "merchant" to put it through again. Too bad, he was long gone.

Part of me appreciates that Citibank is being vigilant, but, as I said, this was NOT the first time I'd used this card for this fee. Having said that, it's embarrassing to have your credit card declined. I forwarded the fraud email to the NP to show him what had happened. He replied something like these days he assumes it's some electronic glitch. Which is true, but it still irritates me.

Not Much to Report

First day back, laundry getting done, catching up with work, and that's about it.

"But it's for your protection..," yeah, right!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig

I made it! I met Marilyn at my apartment and proceded to West 58th Street. This time the security check of the car was a thorough one... if you recall, this parking garage is in the CNN Building... and they had those mirror things that they stick under the car, check the backseats, the trunk, etc. Of course, 5 minutes later, I come hobbling up this ramp, cane in hand, not exactly a terrorist, but I understand.

The retnal car guy annoyed me. This rental car place is really deep underground, a ramp which is probably a block long and steep. So the guy comes up to my car and asks me if I want a printed receipt or an email receipt and I said, "whichever is quicker" as the amount of time I'm standing and sturdy and walking up that ramp is limited... so instead of choosing, he repeats, "Mam, this is your decision. Do you want an email receipt or a printed receipt?" And so I just said "email" and he said, "then you can go." Why the hell couldn't he have just said that?

So I make it up the ramp, but there's no way I could have done it with my luggage, but I didn't stopto rest, did it all at once (Ok, this is important to me that I have built up endurance) and got out on the street and then watched the cabs. My beloved Crown Vics are a rare commodity, it seems... and I was checking out the rear doors to see how difficult it would be for me to get in. Then the sky started getting dark and I thought that I better get my butt in any cab before the skies opened up. So I hailed one... it was a Camry... I have to see what the front looks like (so I can hail one coming down the street) because I didn't have a hard time entering or exiting. I had a very nice driver who kept telling me to take my time...but I really just did it.

The best part was that Marilyn was in my apartment and we unpacked ALL of my bags and went through ALL of my mail and recycled and shredded and put the suitcase away. What a treat. Really, when you live alone and are used to doing everything yourself, I so appreciate the help. I hate unpacking and it was done in about 15 minutes.

There's no place like home.