Trees are turning color these days, some are doing so in a gradual, overall manner. Some, have just a swatch of color in an otherwise monochrome canopy, like how some gentlemen get an area of silver grey in front or on one of their temples. Extreme version: Paulie Walnuts from "The Sopranos".
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He had an affinity for bossa nova music-melancholy and sweet like bitter ice cream.
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A grand troupe of apes, co-workers, met for lunch at a sports bar. It was quite a busy, popular place and they had taken two booths on either side of an aisle in the back. Soon, the room filled with testosterone and the F-bomb was thrown freely as beers flowed while they waited for food. Speeches were given by men on their feet, expounding to their seated colleagues. A couple of late arrivals-a guy in his 50's and a younger man in his 30's. The older man found a seat with his buds but the younger guy ended up in an adjacent booth by himself, his back to the rest. He looked quite dissimilar to the rest-a GQ-short-cropped salt and pepper beard, hair that was short on the sides with a thick swoop of Elvis hair on top. Big, black-rimmed glasses. He sat for for a while, looking at his phone while food and more beer arrived and more speeches were given. Finally, without invitation, he pivoted to one of the booths and requested a seat. His wish was granted as one of the men scooted over, without comment or interruption of the many conversations.
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It was the constant upgrading, ever-changing technologies that frustrated and at times overwhelmed them. Far too complex to really understand and the time investment involved to do so made them shudder. The younguns got it, though.
For the couple, it was yet another reminder confronting them daily that they were getting old. It was beginning to assault them on several fronts: mental, physical, intellectual, spiritual, situational, values, the self and the mirror told the tale every day. Everywhere they went, the world revolved around the damn cell phones and The Apps. They had to request a paper menu in restos because they didn't have an Iphone to read a fucking QR code that many establishments used. Paper maps were practically obsolete. Casual conversations often meant explaining references and lifelong common phrases to blank-faced recipients.
It was all wearying as the speed of life kept ramping up but despite all this, they managed to stay resilient. Sleeping was craved more and more and so delicious when successful. Waking up to another day made for a feast to be enjoyed and savored.
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| British military salutes from left: Air Force, Army, Navy |
Why the British Navy's salute is different from other services? Because during the Age of Sail, sailors hands were filthy, covered with tar and pitch from the rigging. Legend has it that these dirty hands upset HRH Victoria while reviewing the troops and she decreed that the salute be changed.
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The couple next door are spiraling inward and down. He is 87 and she is a few years younger. She has been progressively, painfully, chronically ill with a variety of ailments for the past 8 years with no remedy or hope in sight. Once a gregarious person who loved being out and about with people, she now rarely is able to leave the house. All of this has turned her into a screechy harridan, lashing her fury at her husband, who has developed a pronounced hump.
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It's curious living with a species so quiet beside you that you can turn your head and return to find that they have disappeared.
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Corporate insanity I encountered the other day at a local Chipolte: you cannot walk in and order a quesadilla at the counter. This can only be done via the drive-thru. WTF
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