days_unfolding

Holy cow. A post on Facebook was about how they used ChatGPT to create their itinerary in Italy, so I asked ChatGPT to create a five-day NYC itinerary that included a list of places that I wanted to see. It delivered, including subway stops and walking directions. Wow. Some of them were what I figured (the Lower Manhattan day was what I had already figured), but there were some surprises. And they told me the best nights to see a play! I need to think about the play nights because I want to stick close to the hotel on the day that I get off the cruise ship so that I can check in, but I won't want to see a play that night because it'll be an early day, unless I can grab a nap. Do I want to take pictures with a GoPro of the cruise departure from Manhattan? Or maybe just use my phone with a tripod? Hey actually, I'd like to do the cruise around Manhattan on my first day. ChatGPT said that it would be better on the Greenwich Village/Chelsea day though.

Hmm, maybe I should do the WTC and lower Manhattan on the first day and make it an early night.

Overslept and woke up a little before 8 AM. I thought about napping at lunchtime and taking my shower after work, but I have a therapy session this afternoon (online). So I need to make myself presentable.

I got everything done at work that I wanted to get done before the long weekend. (I'm taking tomorrow off.)

I'm going around in circles with FedEx about the camera. I think that they delivered it to the pickup facility, but I'm not sure.

My stomach is doing flip-flops.

Crud, AAA had my old address in Lincoln, don't ask me why. The card said that it expired on August 15th. I logged on and changed my address, and it said that it actually expires in December. I asked for a new card. I'll have to wait to jump-start the Kia until I get it. Though I think that I can use my phone app as a card?

Okay, good, my retirement contribution went through.

I checked the weather in Bermuda, and it's raining every day, so I ordered a rain poncho. (I have a raincoat, but it's heavier.) I hope that I can have my beach day though.

Had my therapy session. Nothing much to report; I'm doing everything that I need to do. I just need to wait and see what happens with Gracie.

Yay. CVS has the COVID vaccine, and I made an appointment on the 5th. (I'm getting a flu shot as well.)

Fed us all. Opened up some packages. More used clothes. Some photography books. A tripod for my iPhone. My back hurts.

I'm thinking of going to bed soon and getting up early to do stuff. I don't feel like I have the energy to clean now.

I’m going to need to bring some change for buses/subway on my NYC trip. I think that I’ll go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the day that I get off the cruise ship. I’ll drop off my luggage at the hotel and then go out. Hmm, now I’m wondering if I should stay near Times Square on the part of the trip after the cruise because a lot of what I want to see is on the southern side of the island. New plan: go see the High Line on the day that I get off of the ship. And the library. The International Institute of Photography is closed on Tuesdays, so I can’t go that day. Maybe I’ll go check out the Strand bookstore.

Nice. Monarch Money emails you when you’ve exceeded your budget. It emailed me about the tree removal because I don’t have a home improvement budget item.

Gracie woke me up at 7 AM. And promptly peed on the dog bed, sigh. I’ll have to clean it.

Gave Gracie her med in a hot dog and she gobbled it right up. Fed us all. Gracie was expecting me to go upstairs and work. I explained to her that it’s the weekend. Bella is already napping.

I was wondering if the fall COVID shot will be available before I go on my cruise, but there’s no date yet.

I ordered a “My dog thinks I’m cool” t-shirt, and “who rescued whom” and “dog is my co-pilot” bumper stickers.

Napped. Had lunch with two highly interested dogs. No, you can’t have my food.

I’m tired. I’m thinking of taking another nap after my trial singing lesson.

Gracie was barking at Oliver. My Apple Watch popped up a “loud environment” notification. Got that right!

Had my trial singing lesson. She said that my pitches were right on target, but she wants to work on my breathing support. I liked her and think that she will be helpful. I booked lessons with her up to the time that I'll be gone in September. Then I'll "subscribe" to the time after I get back.

I bought a Nikon DSLR camera. (I think that my last camera wound up in the estate sale at my mom's house by mistake.) Once I get it, I'll enroll in the "Mastering Your Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera" class. I also bought a book with exercises.

I’m looking for a navy cargo vest but having no luck. Okay, it just occurred to me to try eBay and I found one. I live in cargo vests. Pockets!

Gracie and Bella are barking at something. I said to Bella, “Yeah, you’re a brave watchdog unless something is scary, and then you hide behind Mom. You are so not a watchdog.”

Overslept my nap. Took the dogs out, and I need to sit for a moment before starting the feeding process. Oliver is in my face.

I’m still tired. I’m thinking of going to bed after I feed the critters and do some dishes. Ugh. Fed the cats, but Gracie was barking at them, which upset Lily and she wouldn’t eat. I shut Gracie is the bathroom, protesting, while I fed Zara and gave them more food.

I really want to book the trip but should wait until Gracie is clear of Giardia. I’m feeling impatient.

I did dishes. I'm trying to set up a habit to do them every day. I set a habit tracker on my phone.

Now I think that it's bedtime.

Overslept an hour. Took the dogs out, only to realize that the tree guys were here. I forgot. Managed to get the dogs back in.

I signed up for Monarch Money last night. I tried to get my main bank accounts linked, but PNC was having issues.

I bought a Powerball ticket just because the jackpot is so high. I figured what the hell.

Gracie is barking at nothing in particular. That girl sure loves to talk. I want to pet her, but she's constantly in motion. Oliver and Bella have been getting along really well. Oliver thinks that Gracie is a terror, and I don't blame him. She barks at him a lot.

Okay, the tree guys are gone, so I can get the dogs out at lunchtime. I also want to take a nap at lunchtime and shower after work.

Taking the train to NYC isn't going to work this time. I'll fly. Unless I take the train back? Found a hotel near the cruise terminal. Restaurant near the hotel: Pershing Square. There's some crabcakes and a lobster roll calling my name :) I need to find a place to pick up some bagels for breakfast.

I think that I will wear jeans and blazers to NYC. (Shorts in Bermuda.) I could use a couple of extra pairs of jeans (ordered). I'm looking on ThredUp for some nice short-sleeved tops (ordered). I have plenty of blazers.

I'm looking into French lessons for my trip next year, although I need to start up my Italian lessons again. I had previously signed up for a language study Web site, and I'm looking into a tutor.

I think that I want a rolling cabinet like the ones that you can use for a microwave as a feeding station for the pets. I want one with doors on the bottom to keep food in (and Bella out!) I found one that I like, but I'm waiting to clean up the kitchen first. It will be stored under the stairs, but I might roll it out into the kitchen.

Note to self: Remember to bring Gracie's sample to the vet on Friday morning.

I got my accounts synced up with Monarch Money. It also provides a budgeting tool that I think will be helpful. (But it says that I spent $60 in coffeeshops? Huh?) It's similar to a tool for which Mom's trust wanted to charge me $100 a month. Much cheaper.

I want to get to bed early to drop Gracie's sample off at the vet (I hope that she will cooperate in providing one) and running some errands.

I'm looking at hotels in New York City, and fuuuuck, they're expensive. I'm leaning towards the Hilton Garden Inn because it has a refrigerator. Okay, the Hotel Indigo has a minifridge and seems a little cheaper. I’d like to take the train there if I can spare the time. There would be an eight-hour layover in Chicago, but I would have a roomette, so I could use the lounge. I’m not booking anything until we get the “all clear“ from the vet.

I’m thinking of what I’d want to do in NYC:

• Ground Zero
• Go to the top of One World Trade Center (same day)
• Go up to Central Park and pay my respects to John Lennon across from the Dakota Building
• Cruise (boat) around Manhattan
• Hang out in the Village
• Go to a terrific bookstore
• See the High Line
• Go to Katz’s deli
• Eat great cheesecake
• ???

Oh crap. My singing teacher is stopping online lessons, so I need to find a new teacher. That explains why her availability has been limited. I found someone that I would like to try.

I tried to put Bella’s food in a cat dish, so it’s time to go to bed. I took Bella and Gracie out, but I’ve been having problems with my front door, so I’ve been leaving the door a little ajar with the screen door closed. Oliver usually goes in the doorway but backs off when Gracie comes in. This time, he got out. Luckily, I was able to grab him. I guess that I’ll have to go in through the back door.

Woke up a little after 9 AM. (I wound up staying up late.) Dogs (to the tune of “Baby I Love Your Way”): “Mommy, I want your food. Want to tell you I want your food….” Fed us all.

It rained last night, so I don’t need to water the outdoor plants. I need to check on the big fern on the porch though. It needs water.

Drat. Bonnie Raitt is going to be in Chicago in early September, but it’s in the middle of the week, so I can’t go.

I bought a nice wallet that includes a passport holder for my next trip.

Napped and dreamed that my father was being an asshole. He was pretty bad when I was a kid, but has improved with age. Took the dogs out, and Oliver tried to get out when I was bringing them back in. He’s being a pain. This is why he has an AirTag collar.

I want to stay home today and clean off the porch and work on the kitchen.

I think that Gracie is annoying Bella. I heard a small yelp from Gracie, but now they’re happily chewing stuff side by side. I bought them some tug-of-war toys because they like to play tug, usually with something of mine that they shouldn’t be into!

The New York Times suggested traveling with a small carbon monoxide detector, which sounded like a good idea so I ordered one.

I’m feeling tired but I hope that my shower will help. It helped a little. Now it’s feeding time at the zoo.

I’m experimenting with visualizing how the house will look when it’s organized so motivate me to work on it.

Started cleaning off the porch until my back started killing me. Now I’m drinking some flavored carbonated water.

Hmm. A massage. That’s what I need to calm down. And try out the sauna. Okay, I booked one on the 30th.

Got my old stoneware downstairs. (I’m hanging onto it until I find the small plates and bowls.) Now I need to eat something (done). Got my new stoneware put away with help (NOT!) from Oliver. I need a white sugar bowl and creamer to go with it (ordered).

Crud. The dining chairs that I liked have been sold. Need to look for others. Okay, I found a set on Overstock that I like. I need to finish cleaning up the kitchen before getting them.

The cats are starting to tell me that they’re hungry. I'm going to feed the beasties and crash. At least I got some stuff done today.

Got up early. Put the hose away.

I'm "backup on-call" at work right before winter break, so I can't leave for New York (assuming that I go to New York) before the weekend. Why do I think that we have a concert that weekend? Must check. No, it's the week before. Good.

I'm wondering about Mom's house. I must check the progress when I'm up on the weekend. I'm worrying about it being listed before it gets cold.

I read that flavonoid-rich foods and drinks, including tea, may cut risk of dementia. Must drink tea.

The mower guy showed up. I like this guy. I didn’t have to remind him. He just showed up. And I think that I hear him using the weed whacker! He did a good job. Nothing from the cleaners thus far though. That's probably just as well because I'd like to look for someone cheaper. I might have found someone new.

The lawn guy gave me a quote for over $300 to weed the yard though. I don't have the money.

Had my songwriting class. It was great and gave me a lot to think about. I ordered a book on chord progressions and need to bring out my guitar, although I prefer piano. He asked me to send him some songs to analyze, and I’m thinking “The Dimming of the Day” by Richard and Linda Thompson and “Graceland” by Paul Simon. And maybe "A Touch of Gray" by the Grateful Dead because that's the kind of song that I want to write.

My piano teacher rocks. I told her that I was looking for drums on my piano (it has different instruments and can record music), and instead of saying that’s not what I’m here to teach you, she connected me with some online software for writing songs. She also suggested that I get speakers for my laptop to make it easier to hear her and make it possible for her to hear my piano.

I love making music!

I kind of want to continue working on piano, but I have other stuff to do. Got the recycling out. My foot hurts :( Signed up for an AI app called Makes You Fluent to get conversation and pronunciation practice in Italian. Signed up for Band Lab, which is free music-writing software.

I need to get to bed early to run to the Department of Motor Vehicles tomorrow to get a replacement registration card for the Honda. It's usually not too busy when it first opens.

If I go to New York in December, I'd like to see the Statue of Liberty. I've never been there. (I can't forget Jon Stewart's monologue after 9/11 when he said that he used to see the World Trade Center from his house but now he sees the Statue of Liberty. This is going to be my post-9/11 trip among other things. And yes, I'm going to go to the 9/11 memorial.) I keep adding things that I'd like to do.

Stayed up too late and overslept this morning. I've got to quit doing that.

I've been playing a fun game of "guess where the cleaners put stuff". The most annoying ones are the doorstop for the bathroom door and the scale. I haven't found them yet.

Urgh. I definitely need to go to yoga today. My neck is killing me. (I need a riser for my laptops. I had one for work and one for home, but I don't know where they went.) I'm going to skip the Democratic volunteer session because I need the time. And I need to go get money for the pet sitter.

We're starting to study Javascript in class and it was confusing. I really need to buckle down this weekend and study. If I find a spot for my laptop at O'Hare, I'll use their WiFi and start reviewing CSS.

I've decided to get WiFi on the flight because it's only $8. Then I can work on studying.

My voice lesson was a blast! She thought that I sounded better than I previously did with more support. I said that I thought that the yoga exercises had something to do with it because my neck and shoulders are more relaxed. She said that we can work on the music from the choir when I get it. Today, I worked on Bonnie Raitt's song "One Part Be My Lover," which I dearly love. She also probably heard me loving the song too. It was great to see my teacher (I really like her, and she's the right teacher for me after some tries with other people) and great to sing!

I've packed and got stuff organized. I just need to use the power mop on the living room floor and go to bed. I won't get a full night's sleep, but okay.

I just realized that the time change works in my favor towards Illinois, so I can grab a quick nap before I leave. Excellent.

Aargh. I’m trying to set up tours of the houses that I’m interested in in Urbana, but all Zillow will say is that they will connect me with an agent. I’ll need to make a list of the houses (done).

I’m packed except for shower stuff. The cats know that something is up and they don’t like it. I’m going to take a short nap and then eat lunch and shower.

Finally connected with my handyman. He’s going to have someone work on the siding, but it looks like it’ll be at the same time as the roofers. I told him to call the real estate guy.

Hmm. I’m mulling over a possible trip to New York City over Christmas, given that I’ll still be in Michigan. I’d have to fly instead of taking the train, but there are direct flights from Detroit.

Got the money for the pet sitter. Got squared away with the movers for Friday.

Thank goodness that Zara is food-driven. I went to put the last stuff in the car, and the gate to the basement didn’t latch properly, and Zara dashed into the basement. So I fed them, and she came right up. Whew.

I’m stopped at a Waffle House in the suburbs of Toledo. The waffle was goooood.

Now the movers want to come on Saturday, when I was going to look at houses. Scheduling stuff is like herding cats.

I made it to Champaign! I told the hotel that I'd be there at midnight, and I rolled up at 11:45! I rock! Now I need to wind down and sleep fast because I have an all-day meeting tomorrow.