1. Look who is using her new steps!!! You can teach an old dog new tricks…with the help of bacon.  Now I can sleep through the night and Sammy can get up on the bed whenever she wants.  I had to place a towel on them so she could get some traction, otherwise she slipped when she jumped.  Thanks to all those who sent me information on steps for dogs, and a big shout out to Sergio for dropping off these steps, I owe you a burrito!

2. A torn Meniscus is the likely culprit for the pain I’ve been experiencing in my right knee. I get an MRI on Monday.  Also on a side note, Rolling Oaks Radiology has evening appointments.  How cool is that?  I don’t have to take time away from work for the MRI. My Nissan dealership on the other hand, two hours for an oil change.  Really??  They threw in a tire rotation (without asking), so I guess I still came out ahead, but it was frustrating.

2. I had a random woman commit on how much she really liked my gray hair.  I honestly didn’t know how to respond.  I’d like to think her intent was not to introvert me, but geez! By the way, I do my best to research words or phrases when I write; case in point, should I have used grey over gray?  Turns out, “gray” is only used in the United States, but “grey” is used everywhere else English is spoken. No worries about the gray, I’m feeling pretty good about myself again after finally figuring out how to change the time on my car’s clock.

3. I don’t understand how a place called “Anytime Fitness” has hours posted on their doors.

4. Have you seen that Facebook app where you can find out which holiday matches your personality?  I’m going out on a limb here and I’m guessing mine would be April Fool’s Day.

5.  All you should do is to continue to help, even when the “forces” of bad behavior dictate that you should stop.  Improving conditions for self, and your community are amongst the worthiest of endeavors in this life.

6. Did I ever mention I received my divorce documents on Christmas Eve 2004? (see previous #4)

7. I typically find that when someone says, “To make a long story short”, it’s already too late.  Sometimes I tell them as much. 😉

8. Have you tried that “seasonal” ice cream at Baskin Robbins?  It’s called “First Class Camouflage” in honor of Veteran’s Day and the flavors are – wait for it – chocolate, salty caramel and vanilla cake flavor.   They had me at salty caramel…until I actually tried it.  It just tasted like chocolate to me. I’ll stick to my Pralines and Cream.

9. While driving home recently, I spoke to a young man who was standing at the end of the 101 off ramp near my neighborhood.  He had a sign saying he was hungry.  I pulled up next to him and politely asked him why he didn’t get a job.  And he looked at me and said without any sort of apology, yet politely, “Honestly? I’m not hungry.  I’m a drug addict.”  I thanked him for not bullshitting me then I asked what drug and he said it was Heroin.  I told him when I younger and I use to do drugs the rule was always, “NEVER DO HEROIN.”  He said, “I know, I know!.” In any case, we made a connection, had a laugh, and I wished him luck on gaining sobriety.  He said, “Thank you.” I meant it.

10. I love Acronyms and I tend to use them mostly on Facebook and obviously when I text.  That being said, it defeats the purpose when you have to explain them, so here now a short tutorial.  I use these often:

• LOL: Laughing Out Loud
• FYI: For Your Information
• OMG: Oh My God
• SMH: Shaking My Head
• TBT: Throw Back Thursday
• BYOB or BYOW: Bring Your Own Beer or Bring Your Own Wine

These are new ones I’m considering:

• TBH: To Be Honest
• HMU: Hit Me Up
• TL;DR: Too Long; Didn’t Read

or

• TL;DL Too Long; Didn’t Listen (regarding a voicemail, which happens more than I care to admit)
• ELI5: Explain Like I’m 5 (years old)
• IANAD: I Am Not A Doctor (to be prefaced with “Dammit!”
• MTFBWY: May the Force Be With You

11. There is an actual website called FlipText.org where you can enter text and they will “flip”it for you.  You can then insert it on Facebook or in a text message.  Like this: ¿sıɥʇ sı ssǝןʇuıod ʍoɥ

12. From my Favorite Quotes File, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.’ – Dalai Lama Thanks for listening!