I Only Have First World Problems Really

 

I know, you've all moved past Halloween, mebbe even Autumn, I'm still clinging on a bit, I miss it already.  *LOL*  And, I still have some Images to use as Blog Fodder, so let us mingle some Holidays and Seasonal Images, why not?  *Winks*  I watched a Docuseries called "Wild, Wild Country" and it was thought provoking and really good, but, I didn't know exactly how to feel about it, I was quite conflicted.  Parallels a lot of what's going on right now actually, tho' I'm not conflicted about my Opinions on any of that in the here and now.  The Docuseries covered what happened Circa the 1980's in Antelope, Oregon.   With that Situation there was such a mix of decent good, but decidedly different, people, AND bad Actors on both sides, that it wasn't clear to me how I landed on anyone's "side" at all.  A lot of Bad Decisions were eventually made, some potentially deadly and illegal, or just plain Wrong, by the Rajneesh, dubbed a "Cult", and by the U.S. Government, and other Local Townspeople too.  It was a Hot Mess all around, nobody was Blameless.

 Some good people just wanting to live out their lives and Beliefs their way on both sides, and yet bad people within both camps exploiting the whole thing or having their deep biases and crossing Lines, often covertly, escalated things to a breaking point.  All mixed and mingled together on any "Movement", "Lifestyle", "Religion", whatever, can just make for a very complex and explosive Situation that will eventually go Sideways and spin out of control.   I didn't like what EACH Side ended up doing to each other frankly, but, not everyone was involved or aware and I felt sorry for those folks on each side.  They just knew they couldn't Live side by side, or in Harmony, that's for sure.  I tried to Imagine what Group I'd be more aligned with and how I'd feel about how it all played out, so, it provoked Thought.  Just becoz someone is different doesn't threaten my existence, but once Lines get crossed or become violent/dangerous, well, everything gets blurred and becomes a Crisis, doesn't it? 

 I think Lines clearly got crossed on both sides of what happened and it was unfortunate in ways that just left me feeling that it could have been handled and ended differently and not so badly.  Where nobody ended up being a Winner, everyone Lost at the end of the Conflict, between Two factions of Humans that felt they had a Right to just Exist, Live out their Lives differently and their version of The American Dream and what that represents to them... but... clearly couldn't within close proximity to one another.  It was a Big Experiment gone Wrong... with Utopian Ideals, and a lot of backlash, does that sound familiar?  And, if the Government is out to get you, depending on their viewpoint at the point in time, even IF you didn't do anything Illegal, you're screwed, coz they will get you one way or another.  And any marginalized Group of Humans can never get too Powerful, too Successful, or too Big of a Majority, before they're put in their "Place", American History has proven that kind of Oppression against True Freedom and Human Rights in it's Idyllic form.  

People wanna Live how they wanna Live, and be who they are in Peace, they can't always without Social pushback tho'.  Anyway, the Series was longer than I expected, so I had to binge watch it in Two Sittings, but in One Day.  *LOL*  The Man and I talked it over afterwards, coz we remember the Actual Real Situation during it's Era.  He could draw some parallels and so could I, he from a different and yet similar standpoint actually.  So, we were in Agreement that Humans just tend to have lower tolerances for anyone or anything different and not familiar and they become Fearful of.  Especially if it disrupts how they are or changes anything of the Status Quo, or they can't find mutual commonalities and common ground that can form actual Harmonious Communities that Work long term alongside one another. 

 Conflict will arise, some people will go too far.  I had Sympathies for both sides, but could see the insidious power hungry, illegal leaning, internal population of each Group too, that was eventually gonna unravel and end badly for both.  The bigger Problem I had is the Govt. Seized the Property from an Eastern Religious Sect and Sold it to a Christian Parachurch Billionaire, and so it was all more about Religious Persecution, Xenophobia and Racism... Surprising, Nope.   Now, we all know some Alt Right Radical Christian Fundamentalist Groups are pretty Out There too, only, America doesn't have as much of a problem with them.  Why?  More Mainstream and more predominantly White and not "Foreign" Religions that they put different Standards upon and Fear more, that's all.   So, this other Religion benefitted from a previous Religion's persecution and pressure put on them after they spent a ton of Money to improve and developed the Land to be more desirable and not so worthless... humnnnn... yeah... Labeling worked Wonders to benefit some folk and bias or vilify others and steal something they Legally Bought, Improved and Owned.

Anyway, I am enjoying some of the new NetFlix Docuseries I've watched so far. That Female Comedian I couldn't remember the Name of in my last Post was Lynne Koplitz BTW.  I haven't wanted to be out and about too much in Public still, so, have watched more TV than usual.  Tho' we did finally make a run to the Antique Mall to put Inventory in and tidy up my Showroom.   It was messy again as if someone is intentionally messing it up, not just regular Shoppers untidy, you can tell the difference.   And this last Pay Period that ended on Saturday was Abysmal, I've only probably Owed the Mall Twice before in all these Years, minuscule amounts to be sure, but, still... means you didn't Make Money and Lost Money or even break Even.  So, I Owed just over Thirty Bucks, which isn't horrible or catastrophic financially, but, makes me realize during and around the Election it has inhibited Sales noticeably!

Had I worked all the Shifts offered and not felt Sick for my own Shift that One time during the Two Week Pay Period, I would have gotten a Check instead of Owed.   But, that would ONLY have been becoz of getting more Rent Comped and sometimes, for Ten Bucks an Hour of Comped Rent, it's not worth all that effort, Sales should be better.  And, The Mall Management shares in the reason why it's not, they're not doing anything much to stimulate trade anymore and bringing Customers in.  The Eastside Mall that is, becoz they have better Owners/Management in place, and making it therefore a Destination, they're Killing it, so, Customer will come if you give them a reason to show up and drop Money.  You could tell what Season it is in their Mall, in ours, barely noticeable, so Vendor Merchandising is suffering as well.  The Partnership between Management and Vendor has to have common Vision and Work, it's not at our Mall lately.

I made mine look like Autumn and Halloween, during this Season, so, I Sold a lot of Seasonal Merch and had at least better Sales than if I hadn't developed a Seasonal Atmosphere in my Showroom.  I will do the same for Christmas now and switch the "Theme" to a Seasonal Vibe for the upcoming Holiday and get folks in the Spirit and appropriate Seasonal Atmosphere.  So, I'm Hoping this Pay Period will Kill it to make up for the last piss poor one.  I need that Supplemental Income from my Sales to offset some of the higher prices having to be paid for essentials.  We're being frugal and just doing without some things to stretch the Grocery Budget, but, some things you can't eliminate, like Toilet Paper and Laundry Detergent.  Luckily had big Coupons for each of those and Saved myself about $15 to purchase them in the larger sized packaging.

I'm working 5-9 this Thursday, accepted an extra Shift and that should cover what I owe them and Wash Out last Pay Periods Neg.  *LOL*   I don't mind Working extra Shifts when I feel good enuf to and I'm on the upswing now Physically, Emotionally and Mentally.  I also wanna pack in some Merch to boost Sales more, Inventory I know will be a Quick Turn.  The Daughter began working immediately on The RV Garage Mahal Project again once she got back from Mexico, so a lot of progress will be made again.  She's very efficient, much moreso than Yours Truly, her Organizational Skills and Cleaning are Legendary.  I'm so Grateful she's back, becoz she enjoys doing things to Help me out.  I often give her things she finds that she likes in my Cache of stuff.  *LOL*

She and her Friend Amber were finding Wardrobe items of mine they asked for, Amber is Trading what I gave her for Tamales.  I told them just not to touch my Dreadlock Supplies when they're trawling thru my stuff, anything else I could probably Live without.  Neither of them has Dreads, but they like how those Products smell.  *Smiles*  She'd bought The Daughter her Cigs and Mike's Hard Lemonades to tide her over until she can find some ways to make some Money.   I do have to gird ourselves to take her down to Social Security and see if we can get her SSI re-established and re-qualify for Disability Payments.  She Qualified over 20 Years ago and nothing is Changed in her Diagnosis or extent of Lifetime Disability, but what might have Changed is Qualifying Criteria?  And, once 45/47 gets back into the White House I'm sure most Social Services Programs he'll try to gut or eliminate.  His is the Hurry Up And Die Program.

The Man and I went out doing Environmental Cleanup, Beautiful Day, low 80's and Cooling Off to the higher 70's by Mid-Afternoon when we had to pick our Granddaughter up from Work.   We had Lunch at a little Fav Mexican Restaurant that has the best Refried Beans I've ever had, they use White Beans.  I always get a Quart of them To-Go to bring Home.  I had their Caldo de Pollo, every place has their own Recipe for it, I liked theirs, first time having it there.   So, here's your Food Porn for the Post of Today.  *Winks*  Mine is above and The Man's is below, he had Chile Relleno and a Pork Tamale.   I'm still having trouble Eating but managed to get my Chicken Soup down and some of my fantastic Refried Beans, but, not all of them.  It's not that things don't taste good to me, or that I'm not Hungry and feeling Hunger Pains, but, when I start Eating, I just can't Eat very much before feeling full to the point of nausea.

So, anyway, this Thursday is another Christmas Event at "Studio 108 Collective" and I do have time before going in to the Shift I picked up that Day to still attend.  They Open at 10:00 a.m. but it is a long commute there and back.   But, I'm Working a 5-9 p.m. so it will just be a full day of doing stuff.  I also Work Friday from 5-9 so the Event is Four Days and I'd rather not go on a Weekend and attend Opening Day instead.   When I picked Princess T up from Work Today they had a lot of Antiques as Donations and I did pick up a few, some to Keep, some to Resell.  They've been getting in some very Old Canning Jars with the Zinc and Milk Glass or Zinc and Glass Lids.  Unusual Makers too with the Name and Logo embossed/raised in the Glass.

I also got an Old Antique Clothes Wringer, for Seven Bucks, Online identical ones are Selling between $90-$350 with Bids on the Auctions or Sold Auction Pieces.  So, should do good on the Resale of mine at the Antique Mall.   I remember my Welsh Nanna having a big high Metal White Porcelain Round Tub on Wheels with one of these mounted to the Top and that's how she did her Laundry clear thru the 1970's!  We are so Spoiled these Days, most of us only have First World Problems really.  I Scored out of their Jewelry Case some Sterling, Turquoise, Mother Of Pearl and Coral Native American made Signed Bolo Ties for $8-$12 each, Whoop Whoop!  And a Native American Sterling, Mother Of Pearl, Coral, Onyx & Turquoise inlaid Wedding Band with a CZ Stone for only $4!!!   I'm Keeping the Ring to wear coz my Wedding Band doesn't fit anymore due to my swollen Arthritic Knuckles, this one will.   I felt Naked without a Wedding Band on that Finger after all these Years of being Married.

I'm hoping this Ring won't get stuck with how swollen my Knuckles can get?  We'll see what happens, I've taken to not wearing Rings at all or only early in the Day, due to Arthritic Swelling being a constant and misshaping my Fingers.   I may end up having to accept Rings are no longer in my Future tho'?   Anyway, The Daughter is reconnected again, now she's back in America, with all her Childhood Friends and she has a good Support System here as well as in Mexico, she's very Fortunate to have a good Inner Circle who truly Care about her.   Some of them are going thru some Issues of Life too, mostly in Relationships as well.   It seems a fair amount of Young Women are just having a rough time with their current Relationships, or past ones they have to keep running damage control behind.   If I were a Young Woman right now I'd probably opt to NOT be in a Relationship, I ain't gonna Lie.  And becoz I'm an Older Woman, Yes, I know my Putting Up With Bullshit Meter goes off earlier.  *LOL*

The Daughter, some Nieces and some Granddaughters are just having a tough time of it Relationship wise with their Menfolk.  They are all Strong, Independent Women, so, I know they'll sort it out... and probably the Menfolk will find themselves kicked to the Curb.   I won't even debate whether there is an Opinion of mine that Counts.  All I do know is that if someone, whether Male or Female, wants to be together or in your Life and maintain a functional Relationship with you, whether Romantically or a Platonic Friendship, they'll show it in their consistent Actions.   I can drop folk like a Rock when it becomes untenable for me to be around them without Drama and a fucking Headache to do so.  I just won't put that much Work in... and... if the Horse is Dead, I Get Off.  Plain and Simple, sometimes the bond you have with some folk is Dead and Resurrections like Jesus or Lazarus are probably not happening for Raising the Dead.  Bury it, put a Daisy on it, give it a Eulogy if you have to, and just keep it Moving.

 

The Granddaughter going thru her Divorce is looking Good and is a Hawt Mama, is a Strong, Smart, Independent Woman, best Revenge ever when you leave a Man, especially a Loser.  *Winks*   I had held my Peace about Babies Daddy for a long time, before and after the Marriage, but, felt this Loser needed to be Bounced and I'm glad she's finally doing it, good riddance.   I don't know how much contact with him she'll have or be required to have, now that they have Two Children together?  But, he's Fathered several other Kids with various Baby Mamas, so, thinking, he's not Dad of the Year by any stretch of the Imagination, should she need to bust his Balls in Court to protect her Kiddos and have not much to do with him Post-Divorce.  He's probably on to the next anyway... talk about Reproductive Freedom being inhibited by Government, Guys like that should be Neutered like the Dogs they are.   I mean, if we're gonna force decisions on Women... why should Men's Reproductive Rights not be equally regulated and threatened?  Just sayin'...  Dicks are part of why Pregnancies and Babies happen too...  *Winks*

 

So, anyway, I'm out of my Sodas and going thru a bit of Coke Zero Withdrawal, I want one, but, it's 3:00 in the Morning and drinking even a Fiji Water ain't cutting it my Friends.   And I think some of the Kiddos got into some of them!!!  *LOL*   Well, except for Princess T, nobody is Working right now, so, The Son did finally get his last Check from his Employer, but is awaiting his 1st Unemployment Check... and The Daughter got her last Check some time ago when her Employer Closed his Business and moved it to Prescott.   I won't be getting a Check for this last Pay Period at the Antique Mall and owed them just over Thirty Bucks.   So, discretionary Income for the next Fortnight is Canning Money only for Aluminum Recycling.  *Le Sigh*  Our Pensions and Disability Income is covering Bills/Debts, but, necessities prices keep going up and Pensions/Disability don't, so... it's tighter than usual and you do feel the squeeze.  Tighten Up.  Coz, I do foresee it worsening under the incoming Administration... by an Avalanche in fact.  And that's not being Pessimistic, it's being Realistic and having more than a rudimentary knowledge of Economics and how it all Works... or doesn't.

*******

America Bought the Ticket, so they're on for the Whole Wild Ride, we'll all be White Knuckling this one my Friends... Dawn... The Bohemian