I Want to Be Underwhelmed: ⛄️ 2024 Last Gasp

One more work day, then I'm (hopefully) off until the New Year.

Enjoy!

I’m wondering if a low-budget horror show would feature twerps like me being impaled by the steering column of our E-scooters….

Either a nefariously planned defect in the machines like that found in Halloween III or more of a “zombies use E-scooters as scythes!”

I don't like Christmas movies, but I'm in the mood to watch A Diva's Christmas Carol.

I am too underwhelmed to post that my house is clean and I just need to cook sweet potato and mashed potato. Merry Christmas Eve to All! 🙏🥂🎄

From the previous thread:

[quote]Why am I drinking coffee at 7:30 PM? Because I'm an idiot, that why.

I would be fine with that. Coffee makes me sleepy.

My lover was the same way, r6,

It’s time to watch Ebbie (1995) again.

I need to descale my coffee maker.

Over the years, I've encountered a few other people who have the same paradoxical reaction to coffee that I have, R7. I can, and have, enjoyed a cup of coffee just before going to bed,

I lack vim and vigor.

I am vimless and vigorless.

It's snowing and going to be a white Christmas.

My company is giving an 'early release' at 3 pm. Most of clients will give their employees a 1/2 day so I don't expect many emails or calls after that so I guess my early release will be earlier!

I couldn't sleep, so I'm watching the Cops channel on Pluto until I feel like a nap.

Fixed it for you OP

Got three inches of snow this morning and now the sun is shining.

I've watched the SNL Parking Lot Altercation Skit from this past weekend three times. Their best in a very long time.

So I've mentioned that I recently moved to a retirement community and people said I would be dealing with nosy neighbors wanting me to take them to the doctor and the grocery store. That hasn't happened yet, but boy, are the lines for prescriptions at the drugstore always long!

I just get my rx stuff mailed to me. I live in a small community and there’s enough that people already think they know about each other.

I continue to suspect my sudden lack of appetite is an indicator of my imminent death.

I'm watching a true crime story. The victim was known to neatly fold her dirty clothes before putting them into the hamper and leaving a mint on her own pillow when she made her bed in the morning.

^she had it coming.

[quote]I continue to suspect my sudden lack of appetite is an indicator of my imminent death.

Then I'm gonna live forever.

The Temu bonus gifts. Tiny rubber donut on an immediately broken key chain. Sent Separately!!

My misdelivered Rx from VA are never recovered. Ambien and Adderall.

I made vegetable soup today and it's good but next time I'll use garbanzo beans instead of green beans.

Met up with my ex, completely over him. No bad feelings, just over. Weird.

I still like loud Rock and Roll. Although I'm old, the teen in me is not dead yet.

I hope lots of kids wake up with joy about receiving toys for Christmas. For the ones who don't, I'm giving a mental hug to them.

I'm watching A Creature Was Stirring on Shudder. I felt like a Christmas horror movie and this one stars Chrissy Metz.

To make it extra scary, she plays a struggling single mom with no makeup, nice clothes, or hairstyle.

I hope it's good.

[quote] no makeup, nice clothes, or hairstyle

Because she ate them, R30.

Watched two movies tonight.. Joker 2 was actually pretty good. All of Us Strangers was... I don't know. Seemed like a movie about gay guilt?

I'm watching a compilation of Carrie Fisher's many appearances on Craig Ferguson's old show. During one appearance she brought Craig an authentic kangaroo scrotum key chain from her trip to Australia.

People who sit and rev their motorcycle engines for long periods of time should be shot by Luigi.

Luigi is tied up at the moment. Perhaps someone else can help you?

I had a dream about AI. One day in the future, humans won't be able to determine the difference between a person and a bot. They will look and sound and feel to the touch exactly like people and will have the ability to mimic human emotions. People will eventually become hip to it somehow and that will be AI's downfall. It was the strangest dream I've ever had.

[quote]Luigi is tied up at the moment.

Pics please.

A group of my neighbors were out for a walk and my dog was outside enjoying the winter sun so they stopped and greeted her. She decided to join them on their short walk. I'm fortunate to live in a great neighborhood.

I thought I was getting sick, but I think it's just allergies. One of my coworkers is coming in sick (she's also a bitch) and I would've been pissed if I thought I caught something from her.

I didn't buy myself a Christmas present this year, what I want won't be available until January. I'd like one of the small leather goods which will be included in the Louis Vuitton Reissue of the Murakami Collection. Black multicolor, it will be expensive but I want it.

My nephew works at Louis Vuitton. He waited on someone the other night who bought $100,000 worth of goods there. Nice commission!

I like the LV Murakami on the white background better. Cuter, IMO.

Fags.

i am watching A Woman Scorned, the Betty Broderick Story. Haven’t seen it in decades. First scene: Meredith Baxter birney, short hair, in a visor (baseball cap with no cap). Pinging hard! How did we miss this!

What a craptacular day.

Never mind that I’m freezing my ass off. My sister has a huge home but they keep the downstairs temperature at a balmy 67 fucking degrees.

It’s in the 20’s outside. Fuck that shit. ‘Wear a jacket, dress in layers” fuck that, I’m inside a fucking building I shouldn’t have to dress in layers or wear a god-damned jacket inside!

Not to mention that for the past 15 years, or more, I’ve always made a standing rib roast, it comes out delicious every time but since I’m in a vegetarian household, that did not happen this year. We had pizza for dinner 😑 I’m over being here. I need to go home asap.

I just had some oatmeal with raisins. Dinner was very early and I was hungry. I’ve read that oatmeal before bed can help you sleep.

Had dinner at my brother's house and saw my 23-year-old nephew for the first time in a couple of years. He had changed so much, he looked like a sexy pirate, with shoulder length hair and a big moustache. He also has a fine big butt. Totally perving on my own nephew, I know.

I'm debating whether I want to watch the new Clint Eastwood movie, Juror #2.

Juror #2 was good until the final scene.

Had to cut my nightly run short halfway through and head straight home just now due to an intense attack of loneliness. Tough holiday for loners, Christmas. Didn't help that I was listening to a philosophy podcast episode about Byung-Chul Han's ideas on the digital panopticon and the resulting isolation.

I'm going to deal with this the way I always deal with it – by buying myself something nice that I absolutely don't need. I've been wanting to get into retinol ampoules for the longest time now and this seems like the perfect opportunity. Scored some coupons on an advent calendar in the beauty store app and so I'll cash those in tomorrow.

I wondered if the Chinese restaurants in my area were open yesterday since Hanukah and Christmas occurred at the same time. Sure, they would have those who don't celebrate or had nowhere to go but, was it lucrative enough to be open when at least 1/2 your normal clientele might come in?

[quote] Didn't help that I was listening to a philosophy podcast episode about Byung-Chul Han's ideas on the digital panopticon and the resulting isolation

Maria!

I ordered Chinese food yesterday. The delivery guy said “Very Busy.”

Thanks, R53. I don't know why that thought popped into my head yesterday. I'm not Jewish, Chinese, or wanted Chinese food yesterday.

🎶I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still

Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron

Somebody told me that his name was Bill

Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron

Yeah, my heart stood still

Yes, his name was Bill

And when he walked me home

Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron🎶

I had Chinese food last night and it was very crowded.

In Japan they have drinkable mayonnaise. Imagine offering guests a beverage. Coffee? Tea? Mayo?

My thumbnail had a horizontal crack about halfway down. It kept getting snagged on things. The nail finally grew enough so the the crack is above the quick and I was able to clip it off without pain.

Land's End men's flannel PJ pants on sale $14.00.

I overstuffed my washing machine, today. After the spin, I took half of the stuff out and did a rewash of both halves.

Elderly neighbor down the street just left in an ambulance. The ambulance didn't arrive with sirens blaring but it left with sirens blaring.

I guess you can request "no sirens" when you call?

Or the person who called for an ambulance didn’t think it was a crisis, but the paramedics determined that it was.

I think they're supposed to use sirens both ways.

No.

I've been watching some you tube videos of people displaying what they received for Christmas. Mostly women, I swear it's some sort of competition.

[quote]I had Chinese food last night and it was very crowded.

I really dislike crowded food.

Obnoxious commercials ugh

I watched Black Christmas (original) and a crappy recording of A Christmas Story on YouTube. Wonder why they never made a Black Christmas 2. The killer wasn’t caught.

I re-watched "Hannah and Her Sisters" and realized that it covered THREE Thanksgivings (i.e., two full years), not just TWO Thanksgivings (one full year).

I spent 50.00 on Chinese food to takeout. Cashew chicken and black pepper beef. They tasted exactly the same and had way too much juice. Another place to knock off my list.

I like these movies at Christmas though they’re no really Christmas movies:

The Apartment

The World Of Henry Orient

Period of Adjustment (adorable little bungalow)

Al That Heaven Allows

Kathy O

R71, “Fitzwillly” is another. It’s mostly a caper movie but it takes place at Christmas in NYC, late 60s.

I need to take a road trip Saturday but we're supposed to get freezing rain.

I need a haircut.

I don't want to bump and old (really old) GoT thread so I'll ask here.

I'm watching GoT. Did Maester Aemon (or however it's spelled) know/suspect Jon Snow was a Targaryen when he voted for him as Commander? Aemon was a Targaryen himself.

Driving around on Christmas is kind of wild. Since everything is closed, all the giant parking lots are empty. It's very post-apocalyptic.

I fell asleep on the couch watching The Wizard of Oz, the soundtrack must relax me. Unfortunately, the songs are earworms so I'll have to deal with that now.

Jenny Craig three cheese macaroni

Hey, who told you to feed me cabbage?

R75 in the show I didn't pick up on any indication that Aemon knew who Jon Snow really was. I didn't read the books maybe it's in there.

My new humidifier has finally arrived. It has a water-intake “sponge” that is supposed to be replaced once a month, but the manufacturer doesn’t sell them. What kind of fuckery is this? Third parties sell who sell cheap replacement filters on Amazon do sell sponges that fit. Guess I’ll have to settle for imitation sponge.

They say the humidifier will humidify my whole house. We shall see. They’re already on thin ice with the sponge fiasco.

You probably bought a discount or discontinued model to save $ r81. It isn’t their fault you bought cheap.

My loss of appetite with corresponding weight loss continues.

I don't know what's wrong with me but I hope I live long enough to see the third Downton Abbey movie coming out in September 2025.

Long COVID, R83

So, my bathroom routine now includes a shit bag. My stoma looks like a beet. I no longer race to the bathroom every half hour, but my belly farts without consent.

This is better than feeling like a human pinata. I’m not Pollyanna; I’m pragmatic. This could work. The problem is my narcissism makes this my sole focus. Holy fuck am I boring.

[quote] You probably bought a discount or discontinued model to save $ [R81]. It isn’t their fault you bought cheap.

Au contraire. It’s an expensive whole-house humidifier from the top-rated brand.

^and it seems to be working quite well.

The last gasp indeed: just four more days of 2024.

R85 oh my

It seems like TV commercials are casting the most unattractive people they can find. I don’t get it.

Well, how else can you identify with the person using the product?

You can’t have supermodels, obvs.

I was today years old when I learned that Rob Reiner was one of the owners of Castle Rock Entertainment which produced Seinfeld.

This week in music history George Harrison's My Sweet Lord reached number one on Billboard's top singles list.

^1970

I've been enjoying my poinsettia kitchen curtains but soon I'll be taking them down.

It annoys me when people respond to a post without context, or with ^^. Just type Rwhatever you are replying to. Kind of whelming>

^mincing prisspot

I have two library books due on 12/31 that I've already renewed once online. I'm probably going to wait until Thursday to take them back.

While I was listening to one of the greatest albums ever, Back to Black, I was thinking, I dont beleive the Grammy's ever gave Amy Winehouse a proper send off tribute. Hers was overshadowed by Whitney Houston ' passing just days before the Grammy's aired.

RIP Amy

My Wordle start word was the word today (Monday).

I hosted a nice, small brunch today.

Just took a huge crap

No scat!

I'm simmering a quartered orange and cinnamon sticks on my stove top.

Makes the house smell nice.

When I lived in Jersey, I had New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance. Great rates and you got a dividend check at the end of the year.

I miss that.

I’ve got loose lips

I'm debating whether I should watch Nightbitch on Hulu. I like Amy Adams but the premise of a stay at home mother doesn't appeal to me.

Nightbitch - that’s what I am

r107 it was not bad a bit weird.

I watched Nightbitch last night. It's a tedious chore to slog through.

My penis is looking good as it heads into 2025

R110 I lasted 5 minutes and noped out

I took my ABV (already-been-vaped) weed and made some cannabis butter. Now I’m baking special blondies.

Waste not, want not. (But wasted.)

Not sure about the dosing.

Big old cunt

Today's my 63rd birthday. Nice and quiet which is how I prefer it.

I always liked sharing a birthday with Davy Jones and Mike Nesmith.

My eldest brother was also born in 1961. He died last year.

My condolences, R116.

Well, it’s been about 75 minutes since I ate a half a blondie and I’m feeling nice.

I had my every-other-nightly infused blood orange soda with dinner this evening. New jar, and it’s a bit buzzier (aged in the Mason jar?) an hour ago and feel better because I did.

I’m stewing apricots as I type.

I just discovered the GoGOs and the Bangles are 2 different bands

My Christmas tree is almost all undecorated except for lights, some woodland creature ornaments and the star. I’ll leave it like this and until New Year’s Day then will finish undecorating. I will put the naked tree out on my deck with suet “ornaments” for the birds to eat.

St. Denis Medical is a Superstore redux.

I think I'm pregnant.

Bring me a knitting needle!

My family celebrated Epiphany with a party for years. Afterwards, I’d haul their dried/ dead Charlie Brown christmas tree out to the back back yard and set it on fire. I’d also sneak in other burnable items accumulated over the year that looked stupid.

There wasn’t a “front front” yard; while there was the front yard, side yard, back yard, the back back yard, and an old turkey grove added to the side.

Times were a bit different then; the whole area bathed in the orange glow of leaded-air pollution. Most of our dads had heart attacks by age 54.

We lived in the suburbs when I was little, so no burning trash in the yard.

However, during summer, my parents would rent a "country" house (just for a couple of days) where you could burn stuff. My dad and uncles went nuts burning trash.

My dad did die pretty young.

I condole you stoma-guy, but I’m glad I didn’t read that before dinner.

I’m old enough to remember burning leaves everywhere.

Cherry tomatoes have so much more flavor than the bigger ones, even on-stem ones. I just don’t think I can deal with making 30 tiny sandwiches the slices would fit on.

My Endodontist has a cute Cockney accent. Made his electrocuting my molar nerves almost entertaining.

The movie I’m watching on Tubi is so bad it’s a kick to have on.

Stow it!

I found a salad dressing I like, Kraft Raspberry Vinaigrette.

Sounds awful. I'm sorry. It had to be said.

Why don’t you fuck it?

I like my next door neighbors but I also like when they go away for the weekend or holidays and I don't have to wave or chat every time I go out to my mailbox or get in or out of my car in the driveway.

So thanks to OP’s lack of foresight, we’re going to need a new thread tomorrow.

I left my shopping list home, but I remembered everything.

Did you remember limes? I always forget limes.

I hope my crush is having a fabulous New Year's Eve and here's to us hooking up next year!

I walked four miles today, two of them in Costco.

When did Sara Baraellis get so hefty..... She looks good.

Been doing some cleaning/organization in my apartment, so things are scattered all over the place right now. Hope to get things back together tomorrow before I go back to work on Thursday.

I let my blood pressure medicine lapse for a week. I just took my BP on my home monitor an it's normal. I'm starting to think I don't really need that shit.

First nighttime run of 2025 and the fog/smog was so thick I could barely see myself, let alone the approaching cars. There's an official warning out about bad air quality that I've ignored for the third day in a row, and for the third day in a row I felt sick to the point of almost puking towards the end of the run. Can't imagine what this is doing to my lungs, but it can't be anything good.

It's a lot better in the forest up on the hill, should've just stayed there. Spooked an owl and it flew over my head. The kitten I give snacks to at the foot of the hill was nowhere to be seen, she obviously hates this shitty air. The donkey dollface didn't come out of his little manger to greet me either, so he must hate it as well. Or they're all traumatised by the fireworks.

Happy New Year, everyone!

I do not care that it's 4 am. I'm awake.

I finally got a piece of the pie

r147 I guess that means you've moved on up.

Some asshole in my neighborhood was shooting off illegal fireworks last night. Every explosion was so loud, it scared the hell out of me.

As of today, all 1929 films are in the public domain.

I wish I had one of those towel racks that heated up and dried your towels.

I don’t r151

My home is warm and cozy in every fucking room.

Sometimes I am not as diplomatic as I should be.

I'm organizing all of my books by subject. I'm exhausted.

R151 I have one and love it. It keeps the bathroom warm and cozy, too, like a big radiator. There’s a fold-out drying rack over it, so anything there dries faster.

My furnace is broken. 😕

I wish my sisters furnace was broken, then I could justify The fucking freezing temps they keep their house in. 🥶🥶🥶🥶

I bought some oranges last week. I peeled one just now and it's slightly larger than a jumbo egg. I should have gone to the local farm market and bought Navel oranges.

Food shopping was back to being relaxing again, no crowds.

I don't find food shopping particularly stressful, but relaxing?

Now that the holidays are over maybe I'll remember what day of the week it is. Falling on Wednesdays screwed me up.

I feel like today is Tuesday, but I'm glad it's Thursday.

I haven't been to Costco since mid-November. I need to go there.

R107 here. Instead of Nightbitch I decided to watch Juror #2. There's quite a few hot men in it: Nicholas Hoult, Chris Messina, Gabriel Basso, and Jason Coviello.

J.K. Simmons looks good but Kiefer Sutherland doesn't. Hoult's vivid blue eyes more than makes up for it.

All in all, a good movie.

R160, I'm guessing R159 was referring to how stressful it was shopping during the hoildays. Trying to find a parking space, aisles being crowded, and lines at both cashier and self-checkout.

R161, I'm with you. I didn't take any time off the last two weeks. With Wednesday holidays, I'd wake up on Thursay and think it was either Saturday or Monday.

I have to take my car in for service tomorrow. Driving until my oil life is at 20% or less is very stressful. Of course, more than the oil change is recommended. I have the money so I'll have the other service done as well. Just have to download some shows to watch while I'm waiting. Last time I had a car in for service, I watched The Flight Attendant.

Too icy in my locale to do a big shopping trip, so it's a roast chicken from the price gouging mini-grocery and pantry mining this weekend.

R163–it lost me when it showed all the jurors but one wanted to immediately convict without any discussion. So much so that they resented the one juror who wanted to talk about it. Completely unrealistic. Especially in a murder case with only circumstantial evidence. Bad writing.

I've recently discovered the magic of oat bran cereal. It has the same nutritional value of oatmeal but a different, creamier texture. I add cinnamon, allspice, apples and raisins. It's delicious and warmly comforting. It has me feeling clean as a whistle.

Wall sign in my primary care physician's bathroom for urine samples:

"Please refrain from ejaculations at least 12 hors before providing a urine sample."

Hmm, maybe I'll try oat bran. Since it's just the husks, I'm surprised it's creamy.

R167, what do you buy? Bob's Red Mill?

Took my Xmas shit down

[quote] Please refrain from ejaculations at least 12 hors before providing a urine sample.

Someone should write “Now, a warning?”

Someone should write "How is that even possible?"

Big sonic boom of a fart

I just heard my neighbor mowing her lawn. It's fucking January. Give it a rest for a couple of months.

It's clean sheet day.

Jetlag from the Christmas trip is lasting longer than expected, but serves me right for not taking action to mitigate.

R174 WTF? One of my neighbors is outside doing the same thing. On January 4th in Massachusetts where it's 26F outside. Who the fuck mows their lawn in the middle of winter?

R176: My neighbors on the other side got back from the holidays from Munich late last night. Lufthansa was late getting in, they have two little kids, and he looked really, really whipped at 10:30 this morning when I gave him the mail and packages we held for them. He asked me why someone (he can't see their back yard from his front door) was making so much noise using their snowblower, since we didn't get any snow. When I told him she was mowing the lawn, he just said "Fuck this" and closed the door.

Mowing? I'm in New England and the ground is frozen.

R177 the neighbor is probably using the mower to mulch leaves. Or has dementia.

An elderly man in my neighborhood would run his leaf blower every morning, Monday thru Saturday from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. year round. Not on Sundays as he went to church.

Another neighbor, a Chinese Buddhist woman in her early 60s, would scream at him to stop but he wouldn't. Then one morning she slapped him. Another neighbor witnessed it and called the police but leaf blower guy refused to press charges.

Leaf blower guy eventually sold his house and went to live with his daughter and we all rejoiced.

R180, which neighbor called the police?

Definitely uncool of that church-going neighbor to run that leaf blower at 8 AM.

r181, a third neighbor, 20-something woman out for a run and who had her phone on her and called the police.

I'm wearing the Mt Everest long sleeved tee I got for Christmas, even though I don't have any desire to ever go to Everest. The shirt's cool though.

R179 your second guess has to be right. She’s 85 and flew up here last week from PR. That alone is wacky enough. She has a condo in San Juan where she usually spends the winter.

Who flies back to Boston in December to mow the lawn? Maybe she has an appointment with a dementia specialist.

No one cares about your stupid 2024 recap. You're not the main character! And no amount of photo curation can hide how ordinary your life really is.

r169, yes, Bob's Red Mill oat bran. It's really good. Apparently, you can substitute oat bran for bread crumbs in recipes. I will try it next time I make meatballs, but I wonder if you could use it on a chicken cutlet?

I had occasion to have a couple of Stouffer’s meals over the holidays. I wonder where they get the darling miniature green peppers . And the spinach soufflé.

I had the Stouffer's Extra Meat Lasagna the other day. Weird-tasting sauce, odd-texture meat.

DLers influenced me to buy Stouffer's macaroni and cheese. (AND the Pepperidge Farms coconut cake.)

Is there a reason young women are now wearing these baggy large bottom pants????!

They look ghastly!

doing. Cannot find Stouffer's Chicken Parm anymore. Do they still make it?

They used to make a good pot pie but I didn’t notice any of those.

You mean flare-leg or big assed?

Thanks, R186, I think I'll try it. I've been eating steel-cut oats and need a change. Looks like the texture is very fine. If you're willing to try it in meatballs, why not chicken cutlets.

R193, flare legged!

My neices, in their early 20s came over over during the holidays and both were wearing these wide legged pants. Both are tall girls and the fit looked really ridiculous. At first glance, I thought they were wearing skirts. I can5t imagine how awkward these pants look on shorter women

I have a couple for platform sneakers. That’s what looks best with them.

They match the airbag soles of shoes.

Most of your casual and work shoes have a lug sole now. They need a fuller leg than skinny jeans. Besides, I’m tired of seeing everyone’s backfat. The higher waist that goes with these baggier legged pants creates a smoother transition from hip to belly button. Plus, it reminds everyone to suck in their gut.

Michael Angelo's Chick Parm is better than Stouffer's.

I just sprayed my wrist with Kiehl’s Musk cologne. I love it sooo much! Mmm

My cat is bullying me and taking up almost all of the bed.

How many souls on board?

I just bought Gosford Park on Prime Video for $4.99.

I hope to crap

Elon Musk is frightening.

Don't you have enough other threads, R204?

Had my annual eye doctor appointment this afternoon. Still have one on each side of my nose; my prescription hasn't changed and I had her order my contacts. Five to eight more years, I will go back to wearing glasses exclusively and save the contact lens money.

R205 what?

My palate is still blown out by some fresh pineapple I ate hours ago.

Stollen from Mean Gays of TikTok -

“Be careful of the stairs; they have steps!”

There are a couple of male YouTubers who cook vegan food. Their thumbnail photos always have their hands cradling a bowl, full of their vegan concoction.

I just washed my hand

Just the one, dear?

It has snowed a lot. It now rains. The slushy snow will then freeze over tomorrow because it's getting colder. This means ice everywhere. Should be fun. Can't wait!

It is frigid in New England today, below zero windchill temp.

I'm being laaaazy.

Yes, just the one I wiped my ass with R212. Dearie

The howling wind sounds like monsters. I took my dog out for a walk and we didn't go further than the mailbox. It's fucking freezing.

My cat has been on edge all day because of the wind. She probably thinks it sounds like monsters too, R217. And apparently we have a couple more days of this.

I just had a Portuguese custard tart.

It was delicious.

I don't know if this qualifies as underwhelming or just weird. This morning my cat ran through the pet door in a panic. A few minutes later I hear a dog barking. I went out to my (fenced) back yard and there is a dog, I think a pit bull. I have no idea how it got in, but I let it out of the gate and it ran down the street. Had tags, so I assume it belongs to someone.

Took the dog out again at 9:00, he peed on a bush in front of the house and made a beeline to get back inside. We often do another walk at 11 PM but he put himself to bed as soon as I got his jacket off. He is not having it.

It’s down in the teens and “real feel” temp with wind chill is 5 degrees.

Watched a video about Scientology. Some "girlfriend" of Tom Cruise named Nazanin had to scrub toilets or floors with a toothbrush all night as punishment because she had the audacity to say "well done" to Tom about something which he interpreted as her acting superior to him.

He's deranged.

That feeling where you thought you had run out of tissues, but remember you have a new box of tissues.

Lots of hot guys on COPS (on Pluto) tonight.

They've been carrying poor Jimmy Carter around all over the place. What happened to rest in peace?

[quote] I don't know if this qualifies as underwhelming or just weird.

Whelming.

I'm scared about my colonoscopy next month. I've never had one. Is it really necessary for 2 hemorrhoids? I'm 58, but still...

It's not that bad, love. The drugs will knock you out and you won't remember a thing. The IV stick and the prep are the worst of it. Really.

Except for the night before, when you shit out years of feces, there is nothing scary about a colonoscopy. I assume your doctor will sedate you?

Veering into scat . . .

Just telling it like it is.

No, you're being unnecessarily inflammatory and you know it. It's not cute. Nobody's laughing.

My apologies. I never meant anything to be inflammatory or cute. Just sharing my experience. But thanks for the hall monitoring.

You're welcome. You deserved it. Not my problem that getting feedback takes you back to high school.

Please block me.

I'm not having my continuity on DL fucked because of your actions and for your comfort, but thanks for the suggestion all the same.

I'm not uncomfortable talking about a fucking colonoscopy. You were.

I'm not r227. Probably a good idea to draw a line on this and let it drop. We've disrupted this thread enough.

I don't have enough cream cheese for the bagel I just toasted.

I had a high school Algebra teacher who would throw chalkboard erasers at anyone he thought wasn't paying attention. If they caught the eraser, they saw it coming and were paying attention. If they didn't catch it, they weren't paying attention.

I don't think a teacher could get away with throwing things at students nowadays.

I haven't been to the office since the Thursday before Christmas. I couldn't remember my normal routine! Luckily, I'm fully dressed and look appropriate but, I forgot to put my rings on this morning. My hands look naked. On ther other hand, it's much easier to wash my hands after using the rest room.

I don’t want to see my doctor team today. I’m tired as hell. My appointment isn’t until 3 pm. I’m dressed and ready to go. It’s an hour drive into the city.

Cosmo, I too am back in office today first time since mid Dec. My regular parking lot was full so I had to park up the street. Luckily, I got over that and didn't just turn around and go home. I was late though.

Just received an antique tin from Australia. As a bonus, the seller filled the tin with something called "mylollies". They were delicious

Hope that wasn’t aboriginal feces r244

That could be poisonous

I haven’t been to the office since October. Hope to avoid it until it stays light past 5 PM.

I saw my new dentist today. It was the best kind of dental visit. He could find nothing wrong. I was early, so I sat in the car for about ten minutes parked in the only space near the office's front door. It's frikkin' freezing outside, so I kept the engine on for the heat. One woman must have circled around the block about five times hoping I'd leave before parking further away.

The last two times I went to my eye doctor, she said I'm on the verge of needing a new prescription. I like my current frames and glasses are so expensive. I need to go to my yearly, soon. I hope I don't need a new rx. I'm one of those people who get transition lenses, line-less bifocals, etc. So, it comes out to like $1,000. (I also like nice frames.)

I gave up on expensive frames and buy cheap ones off Zenni. My lenses were still like $700 but at least the frames were only $50.

I’ve kept my old glasses because all of the frames seem to feature gold or rhinestones. The last time I browsed, they were pushing vaguely cats eye frames.

I ordered my dog a sweater. I used to make fun of people who put clothes on their pets, But he really is adverse to the cold. He has a jacket but hates it. When I go to put it on him, he shrinks away. He is not an elderly chihuahua but a 4 year old golden retriever. I am embarrassed for him.

I'm watching Squid Game 2. I know there's a lot of negative crap about it on social media but so far it's suspenseful and really good. I'm on episode 5.

r242 here. I canceled my appointments yesterday. now I'm really fucked. I need to see my team. I'll have to. message them.

"look out cause here I come"

I have that shit stuck in my head. I'm not on wejovy.

Why do parents feel the need to state their children's ages in halves? "My oldest is fifteen and a half and our middle guy is twelve and a half, almost a teenager and then our youngest is coming up on nine and a half". WTF. Weirdo. I already dread working with you.

My friend sent me a photo of her dog Trixie in the Christmas sweater we sent her.

Trixie does not look amused. Not at all. Disdainful, even. Her message seems to be: "Why am I suffering for your idea of art?"

I will NOT walk five blocks to buy corndogs for breakfast. Instead, I will eat my greek yogurt and jam because I am an adult. Plus, I can change my mind after zoom call.

A 5 block walk would burn off 1/2 a corn dog tho...a whole corn dog if you walk both ways briskly!

I compromised with a cheap stouffer’s mini lasagna after the zoom meeting.

I was supposed to give a zoom presentation today, but accidentally closed my browser as I began. I gave the whole presentation before realizing I was disconnected.

I fell on the snow covered sidewalk and laughed

My next door neighbor brought me a pan of her excellent homemade Mac n Cheese made special just for me. She's trying to fatten me up. I appreciate the gesture. I'm going to cut it up into individual squares and freeze it for when my appetite returns.

The Costco (Columbus brand?) turkey cold cuts are not as good as the Boar's Head (expensive) that I get at my local supermarket. However, I buy the Boar's Head because it's a lot better, IMO. The Dave's Killer bread is way cheaper at Costco, but you have to buy 2 loaves.

Sounds good r263

Unfortunately, the Costco bakery has very good - and for the quality, very inexpensive - Danish. But you have to buy a dozen even though they come six to a package. They freeze OK so a dozen lasts a while.

At least until lunch!

My dog was staring at me this morning. I asked her "Do you love me?" She proceeded to lick my face like crazy. All is right in the world.

My white Chi loves to give kisses

Today I am making turkey soup with leftover Xmas turkey.

Having blown through $40 in fish to make a mediocre Cioppino, I have lowered my budget standards and copied down three recipes for cod stew. None involves prunes.

My brain is cherry picking ingredients from each recipe and most are the same except one uses fennel, shallot, and leeks instead of yellow onions (sounds good). Another adds Chorizo (definitely no). Another adds Old Bay - should I purchase Old Bay?

I also want to try frying the sourdough bread just because.

The old cat is especially needy today.

I’m cooking Beef Bourguignon.

The recipe said to cook in the oven at 350 for 90 minutes, but a comment from a professional chef said no higher than 260 for 3-4 hours. I’m listening to the chef.

R271, why cod stew? It doesn't sound good.

I hate to say this, but $40 is not that much for a cioppino. I remember you posting about it. My suggestion, then, was to use better ingredients. Like scallops and a better kind of fish, like halibut.

I wouldn't give up on cioppino. I would just increase the budget a bit.

[quote]The old cat is especially needy today

Enjoy the neediness while you can.

I threw away my Christmas leftovers after my mother got slight food poisoning from leftover turkey

I threw away my Christmas leftovers after my mother got slight food poisoning from leftover turkey

R274, this medical diet lets me have poultry and fish as long they are not fried. Bored of chicken, I’m trying to add more fish to the weekly routine.

I grew up believing all fish should arrive in a breaded deep-fried square. Cooking with fish is an adventure.

Cooking with fish is HARD!

I can manage salmon and tuna steak. That's about it.

[quote] I threw away my Christmas leftovers

So soon?

Try a non-stick pan (to cook fish) with some oil. Medium heat. Don't overcook it.

Really shouldn't be that hard.

The new, “Extra Cheesy” Cheez-It crackers are regular Cheeze-Its with a sprayed-on Cheeto-like “cheese” flavoring on the outside.

Youtube has a video of the late Princess Di's 1980 wedding in HD

microwave your fish

Just ordered some Penzeys spices using their current "25% off most everything" coupon, ordering enough to get a free jar of minced garlic, using gift cards that I bought myself at about 25% off, with free shipping.

I may still have spent more than I would if I had bought McCormick or store brand spices, but I think I got better quality at a better price.

R271 my favorite way to make cod is to coo up some celery and onion, put the fish on top of it in a baking dish, brush the fish with light olive oil, squirt half a lemon over it all. Add a splash of white wine to the pan if you have some open, not necessary if you don’t. Sprinkle with dill (dried is better than fresh for this). Cover with foil and bake at 400 for about 10 minutes, lower temp if it’s a thin piece of cod. It will cost you less than $10 if you can get the fish on sale and you’ll get two meals out of it.

[quote]coo up some celery and onion

Pics please.

I felt guilty for not buying my cats Christmas presents, since I was running around like a maniac, so I just bought them 3 catnip toys with the crinkled balls in them, plus a motion-activated ball.

They kept me up all night crinkling, yowling, hissing, and tearing through the house like catnip crackheads.

According to Informed Delivery, it looks like I'm getting my Verizon class action check soon.

$.37?

I think the maximum pay-out was $75. I'll take it.

$75 is a lot of money

I'm guessing I'll get more on the high end as I've been using Verizon wireless for several years, now.

OMG, I cannot fucking believe what happened in that shithole state of Arkansas on Friday night. We had arrived in Little Rock to stay the night in a nice hotel suite.

Because of the storm that went thru on Friday morning, there was snow on the road and it was scary going for a while. We get there and try to find somewhere to get food.. The fucking red-neck, shit state city was completely closed down. Not even a fucking McDonald’s was open. Nothing was available. And it was only 7 pm.

We had to settle for poorly made burgers at some quickie mart place. The lady working was overwhelmed because she was the only one there. I bought cheeseburgers but she forgot to add the cheese, I wanted 4 burgers but since somebody forgot to take the buns out of the freezer, she only had three buns. No mayo or any other condiment except pickles and lettuce. Surprisingly, the meat was pretty tasty.

That fat cow wants people to move to AR?? Fuck her with a hot pocker.

What fat cow?

Sarah Huckabeast, the governor.

Doing a new year household and wardrobe declutter. Haven't done a major declutter since the summer of 2020.

Wool socks arrive tomorrow! I was going to darn my old pairs, but it’s not something I want to learn or do. Instead, I’ve thrown money at somebody on eBay and I’m getting Darned Tough socks as my Christmas to myself.

A pair of socks now costs as much as underwear.

Google search askew and chicxulub crater

I tend to ruminate about unimportant matters.

I had too much oil in my baking pan and my brownies turned out weird along the edges.

[quote]I tend to ruminate about unimportant matters.

You've certainly come to the right thread.

Indeed. Unimportant ruminations could be the thread subtitle.

But it could be whelming to type that much, r303.

Turns out that fellow nighttime runner I've been noticing in the distance and had a crush on for the past two years is actually a frau. Saw the pony tail today. I was deluding myself into thinking he was just petite and had a faggy running form. But no, it's a frau... with a frau form.

Two years of crushing wasted on a mirage. This is honestly my life in a nutshell.

I just ate a Bartlett pear. Not Anjou. Not Bosc. Bartlett.

Visiting my cousin's house is like playing social media disinformation roulette. He's a huge fan of RFK Jr. and Joe Rogan, and like the latter, he thinks everything he believes is gospel, and we should be skeptical of everything else (vaccines, anything government-mandated, etc.), despite the mountain of evidence supporting it. He and his wife don't own a microwave for ... some reason. And they don't buy sliced cheese (we were eating burgers) because "I've heard slicing your own cheese is better." In the past, he's talked about how great raw milk is, but I think he backed off on that when all the bird flu stories popped up.

Whenever he brings up some new conspiracy garbage, I'm like, "Get off the internet."

I would not classify most of my contributions to this thread as “ruminations.” That’s far too grand.

Besides, I don’t appreciate for the bovine allusion.

A lot of recipes call for Yukon Gold potatoes even though they are pretty much impossible to find these days. Other potatoes that call themselves “gold” are not the same.

What’s the difference?

[quote]Visiting my cousin's house is like playing social media disinformation roulette. He's a huge fan of RFK Jr. and Joe Rogan

What I can't figure out is why you continue to visit such a whelming relative.

I went to Target and bought the biggest strawberries I have ever seen. I ate 3 with whipped cream and got so full I thought I was going to get sick. Only 11 could fit inside the container. I'll have to go back for more.

Not quite as overwhelming R312 but the limes I bought this week are the size of a baseball, not a golf ball.

Organic, too.

I’m allergic to everything the allergist tested for including my cat. I’m supposed to keep her out of my bedroom.

Hah!

I feel sorry for the parents whose kids where murdered in the 1970s/80s before DNA was a thing. Sometimes the killers are caught 30 or 40 years later if DNA was preserved but usually the parents are dead by then and don't get to see justice served.

R315 - that's rather random.

I didn't think it merited starting a thread about but I did want to share my observation. So I thought I'd park my random thought here. But now you are making me question my decision, r316. Should I have started a separate thread?

My Verizon class action settlement check came in: $14.67. I was hoping it was going to be $75.

I got the same amount r318. I credit your first post about it because I ignored the email I got, figuring it was a phishing scam.

I have toenail fungus and I can't decide whether to use tea tree oil or Vick's vapor rub on it.

Lamisil cream, r320

Thanks R321!

I’m having a Dole Tropical Fruit cup and a TJ’s Apricot-Mango Greek Yogurt for breakfast.

I am taking a risk in following DL advice and making my grilled cheese with mayo for today's lunch.

You'll be back.

I found out why Microsoft Word won't allow you to add certain words, like cunt and cunts, when you do a spell check. It's because they don't allow "rude" words to be added to the dictionary.

Fuck that shit.

Prank phone calls from Cologuard

I ate two large bags of tropical skittles and wonder why I’m wired.

One large bag would be very naughty. Two? Reprehensible.

I dropped half a bag of jellybeans on my counter. Those suckers flew EVERYWHERE. I had to race the dog finding and picking them up.

My dog is bored with winter. I don't like January myself.

I think I have food poisoning and I have a doctor's appointment in four hours. Thinking about rescheduling.

I need to change my alarm sound to something loud and obnoxious.

I definitely have food poisoning so took three puffs off my emergency pre-roll and oh God am I high.

[quote]I think I have food poisoning and I have a doctor's appointment in four hours. Thinking about rescheduling.

You're going to reschedule a doctor's appointment because you're not feeling well?

R336, it's a 30-minute drive and I can't go that long away from the facilities. He's a dermatologist, he won't be able to help my guts. Would that he could.

“Doc, give it to me straight; does this fart smell like melanoma?”

I watching a video of a bassoon concerto to be nice.

I've fallen down a rabbit hole of watching videos of unsold TV show pilots.

Just watched one with Mami Van Doren from the late 50s called Girls About Town. It was cute and I'm surprised it didn't get picked up. She played a ditzy blonde of course.

Another one called Home Team in 1960 with Don Defore. He played a widower football coach father of four daughters. It was really awful and I couldn't get through the entire episode. He's lucky Hazel came along the next year.

I would like a job at America's Test Kitchen testing small appliances and kitchen gadgets.

It would be convenient if I kept a box of Kleenex in the living room but it would ruin the aesthetic.

That's what doilies are for, r342.

And lace antimacassars. Both stylish and practical

I passed Adobe certification for InDesign. Yay.

r345 good for you! Most Adobe products stump me, especially InDesign.

Zorch! Zorch!

I got a bug up my ass and decided to throw out all my expired meds and food. I also rearranged my mugs, glasses, and water bottles.

I always thought a bug up your ass meant you were pissed off about something.

And I always thought it meant you needed to practice better anal hygiene.

And at least for the last, what, six years or so, I’ve thought we were talking about [italic]la Senatrice[/italic]

R349 I was pissed off that I had no more room in my fridge, pantry, and medicine chest. Also couldn't find my favorite mugs to cradle.

R350 except for 2 hemorrhoids, my anus is fine. Thanks for your concern.

I didn’t need to know about your 2 roids

Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers must be smoking crack, to think somone would pay $177 to see them perform at the casino in town. D othey think this is 1998???

The better seats at $350.00

Ate too many gummy bears, now I have a tummy ache

A gummy ache, R356.

I'm making tomato rice soup.

I have to go food shopping and aside from the usual weekend crowds, it’s going to snow tomorrow which always brings out the panic shoppers.

Sunday night is the absolute worst time for snow.

Five to seven inches of snow is on it's way to me starting Sunday afternoon. It will be beautiful and peaceful for a while before the turbulence of Monday begins.

I would just like to vent that my local supermarket puts out yellow onions and garlic cloves in produce boxes that are far too small and they invariably are empty. It is extremely annoying.

I’m making beef stew with lean round, sweet onions, garlic, celery, mushrooms, carrots, tomato paste, bone broth and red wine. The chopping is the hardest part.

When I make beef stew, I like to simmer it for a long time, so I never use lean stew beef, which turns tough. Plain old fatty stew beef is made deliciously tender by slow cooking.

It’s Sleaze Saturday; I’m eating a gyro while watching Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. I may cut away for “The Princess Diaries” - never saw it.

Trump's grifting again.

I’ve been ill since the beginning of the year, with one thing after another. This weekend, I am seriously, explosively ill with food poisoning.

I found mace!! The one elusive ingredient I needed for my gingerbread cake!

Don’t know if you will recall I was going to be in the DMV area and I was going to look for it. I found it. Now I can make the gingerbread cake 🍰 will all the ingredients.

My sympathies, R367, I had it earlier this week. Get well soon.

Facebook needs to add some fresh faces to my "People You Might Know." I've already sent friend requests to all the hot guys.

mace is a weapon. the dmv is the department of motor vehicles.

[quote]Facebook needs to add some fresh faces to my "People You Might Know." I've already sent friend requests to all the hot guys.

My suggestions occasionally include famous actors I couldn't possibly know. Shortly before his death, Tab Hunter was suggested to me. I started to wonder whether Facebook was now suggesting "People You Might Know Of."

I want to look well preserved

Pickling?

Elusive spices are available online.

Where do you live r368 that mace is so elusive and can’t be purchased at a regular grocery store?

I could not find mace at a grocery store easily. Some have limited spice selections and some are so messy and disorganized that it’s impossible to know if mace is in there somewhere.

Spice aisles now contain fifteen different lemon pepper varieties, eight different forms of paprika, and grilling rubs.

As a dare, find Marjoram or granulated garlic.

I’m on the hunt for lard. It used to be kept with the breakfast meats. Now, it’s shown online, but nowhere to be found in person.

In my supermarket I had to ask for the lard. It was on the very bottom of a lonely shelf in a freezer aisle with unrelated products above it. The person I asked didn’t try to explain how to find it. He just took me to it.

I had to buy lard to season some old cast iron. It was in the ethnic food section. (It's still used in Mexican cooking.)

My local grocery store stopped carrying Accent! MSG about a year ago. Why?

I have to go buy Italian seasoning. I ran out and don't feel like making my own.

I disposed of the last of my music cassettes tapes today. I have most of them on CD but I listen on Spotify more often than not.

I put a new allergy-resistant mattress cover on today. Hope it works.

I took advantage of the relatively mild weather this morning and took my dog for a two hour hike. Picked up some provisions to get through the forecasted Snowmageddon. It’s coming down pretty heavily now. I will have to go out and shovel later tonight as the temperature will drop to single digits tomorrow through the end of the week.

Well, R376, I live in far west tejas. No mace to be found,. Ridiculously, the mace I found was the McCormick brand, not an exotic brand or anything.

So, common enough for the DMV area but not for me out here in the hinterlands 😛

I just put the gingerbread cake in the oven. It should be ready in about 45 minutes.

I’m making osso buco for the first time as well.

Lard is very easy to find here.

You can get granulated garlic at Costco. We use that exclusively as opposed to garlic powder or garlic salt.

I bought supermarket firewood because I didn’t feel like splitting any and it’s very smoky. No such thing as a short cut I guess.

Does anyone else get super itchy when jogging,.after a long absence from jogging? Wtf is that??

How horrible to be a hostage. I don't even want to imagine it.

It's said that dogs don't like their paws touched. Not so with my dog, I pet them and say "pretty paws" and she loves it.

It’s also said you’re not supposed to blow raspberries on their back haunches because they think it’s an unexpected fart.

Woke up to five inches of snow this morning.

r393 I woke up to 5 inches as well, but it wasn't snow.

Nonetheless, r394, it is still underwhelming.

I tried watching Unstoppable on Prime (it's free) but shut it off after 45 minutes. There's no way in hell JLo will ever win any awards for that. She couldn't act her way out of a paper bag.

I decided to purchase Apartment 7A, the prequel to Rosemary's Baby. It tells the story of Terry Gionoffrio (the woman who was living with the Castevets whom Rosemary meets in the basement laundry).

Absolutely loved it. It was one of the best prequels I've ever seen.

I’ve just had seven second-hand books delivered, including a few which have long been out of print. I’m going to open them now to check the condition. Wish me luck!

🎶Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jed

Poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed

Then one day he was shooting for some food,

And up through the ground come a bubbling crude

Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea... 🎶

We got about six inches of light fluffy snow overnight. One pass last night (it was still snowing) and one this morning and a hundred feet of driveway and fifty feet of sidewalk are bare pavement. I just pushed it out of the way. Not enough to use the snowblower.

But enough to stop trucks. They had no milk at the supermarket this morning.

It's weird how some people seem older than they are (appearance and the way they act), while others seem younger.

I'm lethargic today as are my dachshunds. We are a lethargic household.

My plow guy came to do the driveway but I had to shovel my walkways. It was light powder so it wasn't heavy.

I had a plow guy but he died.

My chicken & dill dumplings thickened to where I was able to reheat portions as mini casseroles. Reheat tastes so much better than the first time around. With the oven heat, dumplings crisped on the exterior - pretty good meal for freezing weather.

Anyway, I made just enough to feast upon without the hassle of making a dish that drags on for a week.

Applying Aquaphor to my asshole

I ordered boudin, andouille, and chaurice from Cajun Grocers, and it shipped yesterday, so I'm hoping it makes out of there before the ice storms close everything down.

It's minus twelve degrees. I don't remember the last time it has been this cold.

I went out last night to put salt on some ice patches on the sidewalk, but I didn’t know that salt doesn’t work when it’s too cold.

Wah wah.

I'm really looking forward to snowy French Quarter photos.

R389, isn’t it just the blood circulating thru your old, dedicated veins? 😬

The blood flow is getting going again.

I actually had that a few days ago when I started walking again after a period of inactivity. I usually walk everyday but since I was away, I had not kept up with it. Once I started walking at a brisk pace, I felt all itchy on the outside parts of my upper thighs and my butt.

I had to take my car back to have a sensor replaced. I had the oil changed, tires rotated, and something else done on Jan.4th. Anyway, the dealership washes the car before returning it to the owner. I felt superior in my freshly-washed car when everyone else on the highway had their vehicles covered in road salt.

No pants on

Damn, meant to write desicated not dedicated, damn autocorrect 🤨

R413 We knew that. It's too cold to correct you.

See how you are? Didn’t give a shit that I was pantless. I’m fully clothed wearing heavy fleece!!

You didn't say you were pantless, R415. You said "no pants on."

And no, we don't give a shit. Should we? You want to take your pants off, feel free.

If you can't take your pants off on the Datalounge, where the fuck CAN you take your pants off?

Fell on the ice this morning. How do you know whether you have a concussion?

I found a link that said signs include irritability and difficulty remembering things but that's any day ending in Y.

R418, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision. That could also be a hangover.

Thanks, R419. I'm not hungover for a change, so that helps.

For the better part of the day today I thought it was Thursday. Turns out it's only Wednesday.

I received my first Social Security payment today. I hope it keeps on coming.

In China you have to bring your own toilet paper when you are admitted to the hospital as it is not provided.

Toilet paper is also not provided in many public restrooms. Most people in China carry toilet paper packets with them.

For R409

Thanks, R424! That's impressive - but seeing Canal Street like that is shocking. I guess they'll just wait for it to melt?

[quote] Toilet paper is also not provided in many public restrooms. Most people in China carry toilet paper packets with them.

I thought they were communists.

I had a medical procedure a year ago and yesterday I get a bill from the anesthesiologist for $1,650 showing that my insurance didn’t pay them. When I finally reached someone at the office, they just needed my insurance information because they had “a computer issue that prevented us from sending out the billing.”

What an asinine way to handle that . Instead of contacting me (and presumably at lot of other patients) to get the insurance information they apparently lost some time ago, they send a bill saying “You must pay us $1,650 immediately.” I wonder how many people just paid? Almost fraudulent if you ask me. No doubt the insurance company will only pay them a fraction of the amount billed.

R421, I know how you feel.

I thought yesterday was Thursday. I usually go to work on Wednesdays, take out the garbage when I get home, and then take my shower. Whelp, I forgot it was Wednesday since I didn't go into the office. I took my shower, settled down for the night, and . . . realized I forgot to take out the garbage!

I'm in a condo. Garbage and recycling day is Thursday morning so I normally put everything out late afternoon/early evening on Wednesday. Looks like the garbage men will have some extra bags to take away next week.

I just quit Netflix when I heard they are raising fees again.

Never buy anything from a third party seller on Amazon. If you have to return it, they will screw you as hard as possible.

R428 Do they not delay collection by a day on weeks when there's (usually a Monday) holiday? Or is MLK Day not a legal holiday where you live?

R31, Monday was a holiday. Trash day is determined by where you live (zones). For those whose trash day was Monday, their trash was picked up on Tuesday.

At the office today. I am longing to be in pajamas playing a hidden object game at home.

I’m listening to “Steel Claw” excited about the new 40th anniversary edition of Private Dancer coming in March!!

Is it Secret Society, R433?

I play every so often. Some of the rooms are outrageously expensive to open up. 😑

[quote]Never buy anything from a third party seller on Amazon. If you have to return it, they will screw you as hard as possible.

I'm still trying to get a refund on an item from a third-party seller that was supposedly shipped but that I still haven't gotten after a month and for which the "tracking info" link brings up zero information. It was either never shipped or lost in transit, but Amazon keeps telling me I can return it after it arrives, which clearly it never will.

R435 I like Big City Adventures and some of the Ravenhurst ones. Once you buy the game there's no extra charge to open rooms or anything.

My neighbor refers to her pussy as her well.

Is your neighbor named Mrs. Slocombe, R438?

R436, during the pandemic, I ordered masks, not realizing they were coming from overseas (China, I think). I received notice that they were shipped but they never arrived. I applied for and received a refund from Amazon. The damned things finally arrived AFTER we didn't need masks anymore (probably about 6 months). It was a very small, soft package that probably got lost in the truck. If we ever need masks again, I'm all set; it was a package of 50.

Drinking Bigelow - I Love Lemon 🍋 tea w/ 1/2 tsp of honey. Watching morning news on CNN.

The latest update of Chrome for iPad subtly changed the graphics in a way that bugs me. Now only the active tab appears as a tab. The others still have labels, but they are indistinguishable from the gray background

I just watched a YouTube of Andy Williams singing Battle Hymn of the Republic at Robert Kennedy's funeral.

Powerful rendition. He had a beautiful voice and I don't know how he got through it without choking up as they were good friends.

Whelming? Sorry. I'm feeling melancholic.

Interesting selection, r443!

This version of the Miss Marple theme by the WDR Funkhausorchester just came up on my feed.

[quote]I just watched a YouTube of Andy Williams singing Battle Hymn of the Republic at Robert Kennedy's funeral. Powerful rendition. He had a beautiful voice and I don't know how he got through it without choking up as they were good friends.

It was okay, I guess.

Have any of you tasted that zero sugar Pillsbury can frosting?

Someone says it tastes better than the regular one. I find that impossible to believe.

I had pineberries for dessert. White strawberries that have a bit - no more than a bit - of pineapple flavor. Nice with citrus.

I slept very poorly last night and now am struggling to stay awake until 9 or 10. I’ve also been an eating machine today, it was like I couldn’t get full. I wonder if there’s a correlation.

I’m tired of cooking. I bought bread, peanut butter, bologna, tons of dry cereal. I already had a bunch of frozen veg. Plus frozen beef patties. I hope they don’t have listeria or e-coli.

My dog is in a snit. I was sitting on the couch and she wants to go to bed, that's where she sleeps. Well, excuuuuuuuse me.

This has been one long January.

When will this thread end? (speaking of long Januaries). Hurry up you Underwhelmers. I need an early Spring thread for our minutiae.

I'm looking forward to planting Black Eyed Susans this Spring and I hope they make it.

I accomplished exactly one thing this Saturday. I took a shower.

That's one more than me, r454.

[quote]When will this thread end? (speaking of long Januaries). Hurry up you Underwhelmers. I need an early Spring thread for our minutiae.

It's still January. A bit early for an early spring.

[quote]I accomplished exactly one thing this Saturday. I took a shower.

I took a shower and put fresh sheets on the bed.

I made lamb biryani. That may sound like one thing, but there are a lot of steps.

I might go to Costco today. Then again, I may not.

My spices were a mess. I was going to alphabetize them, but that seemed so arbitrary.

Instead I separated them into Peppers (including chilis and paprikas), Herbs, and Spices

A small triumph.

There’s also a de facto fourth category for “other” that includes onion powder and granulated garlic. Perhaps “Seasonings?”

Spice cupboard is the worst! Always a jumble congratulations r460.

According to the internet, onion powder and granulated garlic are spices. Pfft!

I guess I’ll call category 4 “Overflow”

It’s raining in SoCal for the fist time in 8 months.

Does that mean it's going to flood?

Good job, r460. I like your categories. I once accidentally added chili powder to my oatmeal instead of cinnamon and realized that even if my spices were alphabetized, I might have easily made the same mistake.

I've only eaten 600 calories today. I'm trying to find something to eat to up those numbers but nothing appeals to me. It's 7:00 pm now and I usually don't eat after 7 anyway.

I'll do better tomorrow.

My house slippers were starting to show their age, so I got a new pair from Amazon yesterday. They were size 11/12, which is about my size, and they were pretty snug, but I thought I would stretch them over time. But last night, I was flexing my feet in them and got a major cramp. It was pretty painful. So they're going back.

I went to my local Famous Footwear today and found a new pair of Bearpaw slippers. They cost $75(!), but they're really comfortable, and the sole is pretty heavy duty, so they should hopefully last awhile.

Yes. Yes it does R465.

We used to make fun of our mother because in these colder months she hated to “get under the water”, as she called showering. I know exactly how she feels now.

[quote]I've only eaten 600 calories today.

R467 = Bernadette Peters

[quote]It's still January. A bit early for an early spring.

The Ikea near me has Spring-based displays. Made me smile. Burpee seed displays are already in the stores.

I have a few lazy Susan’s in my cupboards, one for my baking spices and others for the most used spices and other ones in descending order of use.

Plus I have a list of every spice I have in each turntable. No more buying ten versions of thyme or bay leaves.

I find it highly annoying that during these days of dire straits that the news channels MSNBC and CNN don't do live programming on Sunday nights.

I didn’t know Burpee was Swedish.

I can’t imagine people coming together for something like this now

Different store, R475.

The word "and" would have been helpful in my earlier post.

I called my opthamologist and internist's offices to schedule checkups and both offered me appointments in the next two weeks. This NEVER happens.

I suspect Shirley Booth had a facelift during the run of Hazel.

My dog is definitely fed up with winer, she's lying on the driveway in the sun.

^ winter

There's a mouse in the laundry room. My cat is sleeping peacefully under the comforter.

I've been re-watching In Treatment with Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest. I'd forgotten how good this show was!

It turns out I'm not pregnant.

Anymore.

[quote]There's a mouse in the laundry room. My cat is sleeping peacefully under the comforter.

And who could blame her/him?

They keep an inventory of toys. Dog is one. Your dangling junk may be another.

I have my “sweet” spices in one basket in cupboard and savory in another so I can pull them out and use what I need.

I went to the pet store to buy cat food, a feather stick, and nail clippers. I was able to clip 4 claws before my cat spazzed and hid under the bed.

I've never clipped his nails before, but I'll wait until he's asleep.

[quote]And who could blame her/him?

I know, it's cold! I'm sure she'll get back to work when spring comes.

R488, you just have to be ruthless. I clip my cat's nails and she hates it, but she'd hate a trip to the groomer / vet a lot more.

R489 I took your advice and got ruthless and was able to clip the front claws but the back claws brought out the demon in him. I'll try again tomorrow.

I need to take my car to the car wash. I am unable to muster the energy to do so.

If, R491, I had the energy to take my car to the car wash, the door locks would be frozen solid by the time I got home.

Thus I won’t go the car wash, either.

It's 70 degrees here, r492. I have no excuse except laziness and an aversion to interacting with people.

What a surprise!

I'm R411. I highly recoomend taking your car to the car wash. You'll feel superior if all the other cars on the road are dirty.

You're right, Cosmo. A clean car is a happy little feeling.

I really like this full service place I go to. I haven't found any other place as meticulous. They are just very chatty and like to upsell at check in/checkout and all the retirees waiting for their cars are also very chatty. I have to be in a chatty mood.

This January has been one long month.

I was thinking of detailing my own car since it's so expensive to have it professionally done. I'm just not sure if I want to exert myself like that.

[quote]It's 70 degrees here, [R492]. I have no excuse except laziness and an aversion to interacting with people.

Take it to a self-wash place and you don't have to interact with anyone. Just need a bunch of quarters.

My car needs a good cleaning also. But, temps are in the 20s here, so I'll wait.

100 more until we can start a Spring Underwhelmed thread. Can we all be underwhelmed enough to do it by February 1?

Speaking of car maintenance, it's been over two years since my last oil change, but I still have 300 miles to go before the sticker says I need one. Is my car in danger?

Sure r500, no problem.

I just ate a bowl of delicious homemade chicken soup my next door neighbor brought me. She included a chunk of bread that was also delicious. I must ask where she got the bread.

R490, good for you! I never do the back claws, are we supposed to?

r503, if you have a vet like mine that shames me for inadequate cat grooming skills.

The cancer institute lady cleared up some of my more vapid fears.

These meds will not cause swelling and hair loss so my plan to buy a royal blue head band with satin floppy bow has been killed. I dreamed of taking a “Happy - Keepin’ Hope Alive!” selfie that would make Jerry Lewis vomit.

These meds do not cause rapid weakness - I will not be in a wheelchair or require a walker. I will not be allowed to bump into people. I will not have an opportunity for flair - streamers, glitter, severed heads of found birds mounted on mini plaques.

These meds may cause flu-like symptoms for days after course II and the feeling definitely gets worse with repeated cycles. This means the meds are appropriate for treating these cancers.

My ejection fraction is back to 34 and I have no idea what this means.

I bought 10 lazy susans and organized my pantry. Now I can find everything.

I had dinner tonight with friends at their house. The food was too salty and their wood fire in the fireplace was too smokey and made my eyes water and I have to shower before bed. But I enjoyed their company and am making a real effort to maintain friendships so I don’t end up as a socially isolated eldergay.

Can we call the next thread Prelude to Spring or something similar as it won't be Spring until end of March?

All for it, r509, but 90 posts to go

Would love for Caroline Kennedy to come out and blame RFK Jr for Mary Kennedy’s death

Why is American Express calling me?At least that's what my caller ID said on my cordless phone (yes, I still have one). I didn't answer it. I'll check my messages later.

R512, if you have an AE card, it may be a Fraud Alert. If not, it could be a sales call, though I don't think I've received one from credit card companies.

BTW, I still have a cordless phone too, through Xfinity.

I’m sorry. I know we’re all pathetic here, but getting excited over the name of the next Underwhelmed thread at 500 posts really raises (or is it lowers?) the bar.

Not many things to smile about lately, R514. We'll take what we can get.

BTW, it's 50 days until Spring.

R513, I listened to the message. The card number they are calling about doesn't match my personal or corporate AmEx number. I thought it might be because I ordered some THC gummies but, I've ordered from this company before with no probems. The message said I could respond to the email they sent (I didn't receive an email) or call the number on the back of my card. I'll call them later today to see what's what.

I have to clean out my refrigerator today, tomorrow is garbage day.

One time I had my electric company leave a message stating that they were going to cut off the gas to my place due to non-payment. First of all, I'm on autopay, so they've been getting their payments. Secondly, while I do get electricity from them, my gas comes from a different company. Funny thing is, the phone number that was displayed on the caller ID was their actual customer service number. I called that number (never use a link) and they didn't understand why that call would come from their number as my electricity payments were up to date and they acknowledged that they don't supply gas to my address. I was told to ignore it.

Moral of the story: Call the company, but don't use any links as it could be a scam.

I treat all unsolicited calls as scams until I am (or they are) able to prove otherwise.

At my house, every day is garbage day!

R516 here. AE just called my home number again and I answered this time. It was a recorded message for someone who I've never heard of. I checked my AE account online through their app and there's no problem. I've had this number for over 25 years so Ronald Dolan (the intended recipient) may be in deep shit.

I'm procrastinating on getting something done for work. I told someone yesterday that I'd get him something in the morning. Technically it is still morning on the West Coast where he is (I'm on the East Coast) so I have a little bit of time before it's technically late. I just don't feel like doing it but know eventually I will have to because no one else is going to do it for me.

It bugs me when recipes call for adding a bouquet garni or meat bone for flavor, but never remind you to take them out . I know it’s obvious, but recipes should be thorough.

I'm reading Al Pacino's memoir Sonny Boy. He's such a fuck-up from burning so many bridges I'm surprised he's still getting work.

Forty-four mph wind gusts and 14f at 8 am tomorrow. I’ll do laundry, indoors.

I have several lamps in my house on automatic timers. The on/off times are staggered.

R525, do you normally do laundry outdoors? On a washboard? Down at the creek?

I had Patti LaBelle’s Sweet Potato pie and it was delicious. The crust is nice and flaky if you heat in the oven first.

Watching CSPAN this morning was anything but underwhelming.

My cat licked my head and glasses. Now she's licking her back paws.

A redditor said their cat cleaning himself in the middle of the night sounds like an old man eating spaghetti.

P. Shoes is still all over this site.

Are we supposed to be underwhelmed by that, r532?

I made spaghetti with Arriabata sauce for breakfast. Probably not smart for my reflux.

Why am I a little dizzy this morning?

🎶Dizzy

I'm so dizzy, my head is spinning

Like a whirlpool, it never ends

And it's you, girl, making it spin

You're making me dizzy🎶

I'm making beef stew, it's cold today.

I've been unsuccessfully searching for the new Dr. Pepper Blackberry Zero but it turns out it doesn't officially launch until February.

I went to the grocery store and bought salad, steaks, peaches, bananas, plums, and watermelon. I'm starting to gain back the weight that I lost.

I refuse to be a fat whore again.

I’m a real fashion conscious individual

I picked up Cher's memoir at the library. Now I'm not sure I want to even read it since another poster said it's all about her mother.

I'm looking for juicy gossip.

I ordered from my local pizzeria and I was very happy to see that it was delivered by the usual delivery guy. He’s an immigrant and I’ve been thinking of him.

Been a week of craziness at work. Looking forward to the weekend. Hoping weather is good enough that I can go for a nice long walk in the local parks.

All the hacks to dress up ramen seem like a lot of work. If I wanted to do a bunch of chopping, boiling and sauteing, I'd just make real food.

I just noticed an ad for Ally that weight control drug. Isn’t that the one that caused greasy sharts that soiled yourself?

I went to a used bookstore today. They had Valley Of The Dolls by Jacqueline Susann, which I didn't buy, but I did purchase My First 2,000 Men by Liz Renay.

I out-Karened the Karen-ist Karen who ever Karened on Saturday. I didn’t even realize it til last night.

Expand on that, R547.

[quote]I did purchase My First 2,000 Men by Liz Renay.

Nice. I've been wanting to buy it but it's expensive online.

[quote]All the hacks to dress up ramen seem like a lot of work. If I wanted to do a bunch of chopping, boiling and sauteing, I'd just make real food.

The thread on boxed cake mixes offered lots of complicated "hacks" to make the end result more tasty. ("Start by using a millstone to grind your own flour.") Wasn't the whole selling point of boxed cake mixes that they were easy and convenient to use?

We have an all day rain today. I'm just glad it's not snow.

I have nothing underwhelming to say this morning.

^Bet?

I find it amusing when DLers call each other "philistines".

One can always count on the DL for a chuckle.

Totally worth the $1.99/mo.

R551 for all of Cher’s crazy publicity due to her looks, family and men, she’s very restrained and normal. Her memoir will undoubtedly reflect that fact.

I should have added “in her private life”

I also meant R541

Sorry

“Restrained”??? Yes

“Normal” ??? No

She never mentioned that David Geffen is gay. How’d she miss that?

Her at home life is boring and bland as she has admitted throughout her entire life.

I just learned today that Nelly performed at Trump 's inauguration Ball

I'm hoping that FireAid concert that was on last night is still available to see on Disney+. Starting at 10pm (eastern) was not good for me to stay up, as I had to work the morning.

Burger Dog, Burger Dog, he has pickles and he has cheese.

So, what underwhelming things will you all be doing this weekend?

I've got to catch up on my laundry.

Cleaning out the fridge, R563.

I’d kill for a Girl Scout cookie. Any flavor.

I cleaned out my Tupperware cabinet and matched up all the lids and containers. Now my back hurts.

I had a scoop of lime sherbet in a fancy teacup. It was refreshing.

Going forward I shall use fancy teacups to serve sherbet, sorbet, gelato and ices as these teacups otherwise do not get used.

I'm falling in love (again) with Peter Noone from Herman's Hermits.

Spraying deodorant on my asshole

I tried to watch "8 1/2" on TCM tonight, but gave up after half-an-hour. Not into art films these days.

I am pet sitting (dog and cat) for a straight couple in my neighborhood. My dog knows their dog from walks and they are great pals. I was hoping I could bring my dog with me tomorrow to play and hang out but after a few hours there tonight I realized their dog is insane and a lot to handle without his parents and the cat was nowhere to be found. She came out for some food and then promptly disappeared again.

Our cat died in August and my dog has been so lonely I thought it might be a fun play date which is why I volunteered to petsit. But I’m not bringing him to their house and now he’s going to be alone for much of the weekend while I am watching the other dog.

Not doing it for money, really was just for the chance for socializing my dog with the other dog and cat. Maybe the couple will return the favor one day.

Sounds like your friends really owe you a favor. Maybe that other dog is having separation anxiety from their owners.

R572 I think so, or that they are the only ones that have control of him. I’m a big guy and he gave me a run for the money on the leash tonight. He also barks incessantly at every squirrel, pedestrian and car that passes the house. I tried to play with him with his toys and he got growly and possessive. He’s a 4 year old yellow lab. My boy is a 4 year old golden retriever. I guess good outdoor playmates with supervision. But no way am I bringing my dog into his territory. His parents were like “that would be great, they would love that!” and I am thinking he would attack my dog if we did that. No wonder the cat hides.

I have a neighbor who has 3 chihuahuas that I was pet sitting for. Those little shits nipped my ankles. Never again.

I replaced the flap on my doggy door. The old one had started to rip and the plastic had weathered significantly. All but one of the Phillips-head screws on the frame were stripped, Turned into a job.

I used to watch the news for hours. Now I can only take 10 minutes before I have to change it. Plane crashes, wildfires, and RFK Jr's crispy face is more than I can take.

And it's still January!

Wrong thread, R576.

I made lentil soup. It's so delicious and healthy too. I forgot about it. It used to be in my regular rotation. I make an Italian version not the curry version.

I had a big order to pick up at Walmart. Usually I just get a few liters of diet soda so I gave the ackmopen and vags set up to just throw them in. I don’t hang around back there aysenirs quick and I don’t to look like I’m bothering them. Walmart makes such a point of not tipping and they will get in trouble supposedly. But this time I gad bag after bag and an older man loading and I should gave helped. Or tipped. But I just sat in the front seat on the phone. He seemed a little disgruntled but I did not even think about it. Last night in the shower I thought about it and realized how awful I was. I did this unthinking rudeness at a Christmas tree lot once after a guy spent 15 minutes trimming my tree. The next day I went back and gave the guy a Christmas card with 20 bucks in it. I don’t know what to do this time. That poor old man.

It was almost 40 degrees throughout the week when I had to work, now that it's the weekend, it's back to 18 degrees. Not happy.

R579, I didn't know that people tipped the workers at curb-side who load your car. Nor have I ever gotten out of the car to help, because I'd just be in the way. Now I feel bad. Are we supposed to tip? I always say "thank you" though, and sometimes they seem surprised to hear that.

Tipping the curb-side loader is just excessive. Tip culture is out of control.

R579 Were you having a stroke as you typed? Are you OK now? Did you tip the EMTs?

I woke up at 8:30 🕣 am and I’m still so tired 🥱. I shall definitely be taking a delicious nap later.

I'm trying to talk myself into going out for a walk. Weekend walks is the only decent exercise I get lately. But, it's cold out.

The last patch of ice from our big January 5 snowstorm is still sitting in my yard.

The high today will be 69° and the low will be 40°. Today will be a good day to go to the zoo. Haven't been there in more than a decade.

r570, I'm also burned out on art, or more specifically creator worship. I see people stanning out on Christopher Nolan and Robert Eggers the way I used to with people like Fellini and Woody Allen and I just feel embarrassed for them.

I did go out for a walk. Very cold and very icy. Thank goodness for boot cleats and tracking poles. I'd much rather walk on the beach.

I’ve run out of Chateau refurbishment videos of acceptable length and I’ve descended into budget room renovations.

The key to enjoying these is to turn them off once they’ve refinished the woodwork, laid a pergo floor, and painted walls.

Once that’s done, they invariably haul out bullshit budget craft ideas that hopefully make the walls POP! It’s scraps of wood, hot glue, and LED fairy lights. Or, they decide to make their own curtains (I’ve been guilty), but neglect to steam their seams and hang up wrinkly shit. Too depressing.

Joan? Joan Steffend?

It's not supposed to be snowing but it's snowing. It looks like a lot but won't amount to a damn: "a coating to an inch."

Which still has to be dealt with as the temps will drop from 28F now to 8 above zero by early Sunday morning. And more snow is forecast for Sunday evening.

I ordered semaglutide and gave myself my first shot in my thigh. I'd like to lose 20 lbs. I'm also going to sign up at a gym.

I would start the next thread, but I'm not sure I know how to add the required icon.

Based on a previous post, I suggest the title should be "I Want to Be Underwhelmed: 2025 Spring Prelude", with a flower icon (like the snowman is on this one).

Where is our underwhelmed thread starter?

Here we go!

I just had a Natural Calm magnesium drink.

You put the powder in a cup and then add a little hot water to make it fizz, stir and then add more warm water or cold water whatever your preference. I add cold water. It was Raspberry Lemon flavor with stevia. I can taste the stevia after taste. I think I prefer the plain, non-flavored version.

They have a gummy version but that has inulin (chicory) in it which is a no-no for IBS sufferers.

Anyhoo, I am awaiting my "calm". Hasn't happened yet but it's only been about 30 minutes.

Thanks R595.

I'm currently relaxing while watching Planet Earth episodes on BBC America.

R579 I had a stroke trying to read it, I don't know what was going on with you.

Just trying to end this thread - need one more post and I'm out of ideas.

Guess it was two posts. Now it's one. ^^^^

Now it's zero.