Wednesday August 31, 2022

Apparently there is a Burning Man regional thing in Boston. I looked at a few sites to try and understand what it was for but couldn't pick it up quickly. Most sites had comments by people who have been involved for a while so there is no backstory. Anyway, I have never heard of it and at some point I guess I will have to find something with a good description for lay people to figure out what it is. This group is always surprising me with new information!

I may have mentioned that I pulled my back out the other day putting boxes in my car on Sunday. I thought it was a lot better yesterday but sleeping is still a real challenge as I am only comfortable in 2 positions and it is really painful to shift from one to the other. I think that sleeping on an overly soft mattress isn't helping.

Today a contractor is coming to discuss replacing the bathroom here at Mike's place. There is only one of them so it obviously has to be done when we aren't here. It will be a major overhaul as we think that the flooring needs to be replaced and we all want a walk-in shower vs. a tub/shower combination.

Not much else going on here. It is muggy with rain sprinkles off and on so we may not do too much outdoors at least early in the day.

Have a warm Wednesday!

Okay so no wonder I can't figure out what the Burning Man thing is about. From Wikipedia: "Tthe event is guided by ten principles: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, participation, and immediacy." Clear as mud...

Burning Man is a huge art festival featuring group art projects plus music and all kinds of stuff. They build a huge figure of a man and burn it at the end. 80,000 people come. Its in the nevada desert and people who come have to bring everything they need and take it all out. No one can even leave grey water or a chewing gum wrapper. My neighbor's daughter has an art installation going in - I think its a huge flaming heart but I have not seen it. People camp or stay in RV's and are organized in groups around an area called the Playa. The whole thing started in San Francisco years ago. Thats what I know. ds

While I enjoy a good bonfire, I won't be going to Burning Man. I will be going back to work in 2 hours. I tell myself every workshop week, don't get jacked up, don't get perturbed, but there were a few moments today ... I think I'm okay now, but tired.

We're having a beautiful stretch of weather here. I'm going to a bridal shower on Saturday. The host has a lovely garden set up, so if the weather holds we will be outside, one of my favorite things...

Diane's description is pretty darn accurate. I have not burning manned, but have many friends who have gone. It is a festival of individuality, art, personal exhibition and exploration and leaving no trace behind. A good dog friend spends the entire festival with exposed breasts because she feels powerful and free and it is the only place she can do that publicly. The art/sculpture is incredible! Many photo journals of the Burning Man art hit the Bay Area every year. It's pretty awesome. It's a bucket list item for me.

Weight has crept up two pounds over two days. Not a big deal, but I did note that the weight creep made me more aware of my eating and I found myself evaluating the nutritional value of my food choices.

Ron has been avoiding adulting. Sigh... He needs to see a doctor and keeps putting it off. I'm afraid that a relatively easy hernia to fix is now going to morph into a major major hernia repair, just like it did last time when he avoided going to the doctor. His excuse? He doesn't want to deal with going through another big surgery. UGH..... I just don't get it.

My wonderful work Wednesday is now over and I'm free to enjoy the rest of the day.

I think I'm one of the few that has to have a tub! Taking a hot bath is my primary way of destressing and I really miss it if I don't have one (like when we travel). I like a shower to get clean but soaking in the bath is divine! I also prefer to shave in the bath. Much easier to put the legs up and get the job done!

A few last minute purchases for the big move tomorrow. DS#3 seems excited. He had most of his stuff packed up in his truck and ready to yesterday already. Middle brother and his beau (whom attended the college DS is going to) offered to help move tomorrow but DS declined saying he though he and I would be okay by ourselves. I guess he wants to keep it more low key and just have his momma time. That's okay too! I want the day to be about him and however he wants it to go down. I'll be available to help move and offer emotional support as much as he wants but when he wants me to go, I'll head home.

We has his "last meal" and he thanked me for making it which was sweet. I'm thinking a mojito by the fire outside is in order tonight and maybe a dip in the hot tub.

I work Friday-Tuesday since it is my Holiday to work. Not sure if it will be crazy busy or not. Kevin works the weekend too, so it's not like we would be doing much anyway.

Need to start planning our winter vacation. I'm thinking Fort Myers. I've been scoping out the housing market there and we can get a lot more for our money compared to Sarasota, but I sure enjoyed Sarasota last year. Those pictures from CC make me want to reconsider AZ as our retirement destination! I think I would miss green and the winters still seems a bit too chilly for me (says the woman who has lived in WI almost her whole life!).

Love to you all!

Fort Myers is okay but I like Sarasota much more (but you are correct that you can get more for your money there). Traffic directly in Fort Myers is an issue though.

Greetings all

So I have been reading more about Burning Man. They have a web site including a live camera. Right now its just people riding bicycles and strange vehicles that are bar cars. You ride around and someone fixes you drinks for free. You can see the big "man" that will get burned. I suspect that there is more to see after dark since much of the art, like the piece made by the neighbor, involves fire. I managed to see it on instagram and it is indeed a huge metal flaming heart with interesting flame patterns. Pretty cool for an 18 year old.

Liz sorry you are hurting. Take it easy girl! I wish I could send you my bathroom guy as we were very happy with the walk in shower. Don't forget to put grab bars and a seat in yours even of you don't need them now. DH is in love with the hand held shower wand. I am more into the bars. Ours is made from a product called OnyxStone which is a manufactured stone but it looks great and there is no grout to clean. And as per my brothers advice, get an extra big fan.

I had to look up fairy bread from Shirley. Who knew?

Peps I hear you on the health neglecting partner. FYI, SIL ignored her hernia until it had to be fixed on an emergency basis. It worked out but it was not fun for her. And hernia repair can be laparoscopic these days. And then you guys can take the GOAT to Burning Man.

earthquake here. Heard it on the news. We didn't notice. There is also a power conservation order so we are not supposed to charge the electric car. Its almost full now. Its due to fires and horrible P G and E so they can cut power whenever its inconvenient for them.

So I am actually going to make DH a cake. Lemon tea bread which is super good. Bought all the stuff including new baking powder since mine is at least 10 years old. But geez $80 for two bags of groceries!! But there was wine....

Paula good luck moving DS to college. He will have so much fun! Nice and nice to hear from you.

Dinner tonight is freezer pot luck. I think it will be some pot stickers that have been in there awhile.

Cheers all.

Diane S

Hot here like the rest of the southwest! I made a crustless quiche and salad or dinner. Very yummy and easy! I didn't miss the crust. Eggs, half and half, Canadian bacon, broccoli, portobello mushrooms, chives, Swiss and goat cheese. I baked it in a sprayed glass pie plate and it slid right out.

I booked my trip to Michigan and will go a week from Friday.

Last night was panic and valium free. So nice to sleep right through. I did a few YouTube anxiety breathing exercise videos and some tapping videos. Not sure why that was calming, but it seemed to be. I'm not going to question anything that helps!

It's still 93 out. But I feel like a walk would be a good idea.

Hugs to all!

That quiche sounds amazing!