The other day when Justin was here, we were talking about the Mediterranean region and how I am so glad that I chose not to go over there to live. Not even for part of a year. I mentioned that I would not have to be glued to touristy Greek Islands, although my heart is there already, but why not consider one of the other islands we or I have visited such as Crete or Cyprus? He agreed and even other lesser known islands would be okay except they MUST have some sort of government in place for safe living. Now, Cyprus is in the news for various things including turning away the terrorist vessel heading to Gaza. Yikes! Waayy too close to the volatile middle east region and still under the European Union which might face dissolution with the falling Euro. I think that is just a pipe dream for me anyway, I had better just hunker down and hope for the best in the motherland!
Taken this afternoon as a storm was coming up the river...it never arrived here. Love the colors and dimensions of the sky and water, though, plus the white cylinder of light on the far right-hand side....
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Today Justin and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Koko's after he was finished working in the office, but before he was off to more busy-work. We stopped in at Great Hang Ups, me both before and after, so he got a chance to say 'hi' to my favorite glass artist, Kevin Eagleton. Kevin had brought in some lovely new pieces, and I must admit that one of his pieces has now found its way into my possession. It was a 'must have'---what can I say? I have a place in mind for it to be suspended but will need assistance from Justin in doing so. First I must have a piece of fish line. Or the 'e' string from a guitar! I might have better success obtaining a guitar or violin string than a fish line. Unless my downstairs neighbors might have some extra fish line to spare. Dee offered to help me get it affixed securely so that nothing more comes crashing down from my window displays!
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Justin and I discussed the census at lunch, and its taking which recently took place. I shared with him some information learned Monday at the pool. One of my neighbors has a son, aged 24, who worked for the Bureau of the Census for a few weeks this spring. What I heard was outrageous and have heard similar reports from other sources as well. His son was hired to follow up on those who had not yet completed their forms, hired to work primarily in their own neighborhoods, his being in Eagle Harbor. Their compensation consisted of $18 an hour, I believe, plus time and mileage paid for a half hour commute coming and going from work. Well, if they are in their own neighborhoods, basically speaking, an hour paid commute was totally unnecessary.
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The team would work a couple hours after their training-talk in the morning, take a couple hours for lunch, and then get back to work for a few more hours at the end of the day. At best, a 5 hour work day but paid for the entire day. The Team Leader would scold the workers, telling them to slow down and not work them all out of a job. But, what are you going to do when you are working in these upper-end neighborhoods where people mostly had completed their census forms? He worked himself right out of this cushy job! After Bob told us this story, those of us around the table just shook our heads collectively, and then I said, "Well, that explains alot, doesn't it?" They all agreed, even though some in our little group there do not usually think the same way I do in these type of things. Interesting.....
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This afternoon I worked on The Palace Press and have it about ready to go, except the name and info of our newest tenant on the 2nd floor. Miss Chardonnay has the tenant's pertinent information and is going to get it to me this evening so I can finish either later on or tomorrow afternoon. We might go over to the cabana to have some dinner as they begin their new feature of having light meals and cocktails available on Friday and Saturday this summer. Well, it's about time!! I will do whatever it takes to get a story, you know?, even if it means going to the cabana on a Friday night. Tomorrow morning I am attending a wedding brunch for one of our members, Jayne, who was married last Saturday. Her former mom-in-law is hosting the event and Judy J. is my driver as parking is limited where we are going. I am very excited to be invited and share in the joy with Jayne and my fellow members!
