MID MAY AND TREADING WATER....FOR A WHILE

     Well I've been busy with the usual check in and check up , check overs, and the worst when my colonologists??  sent me a reminder that my colonoscopy was due.  Wow...10 years.  I have managed to not lie but couldn't remember the date when my PCP , both of them, inquired as to my last time in the stirrups.  Thank God for Computers, Calendars and reminders...they put money in the Doctor's pockets at limited cost and insure a packed house.  I put it on my calendar .  I want everything behind me and freedom to enjoy the last of this roll of toilet paper before it runs out.
     Today I visited the local market after watching Food.Inc , a doc on Netflix, I'm never going to go to a supermarket if I can get it at a neighborhood market.  I also took the day to try out my new Pixel 3a phone.  The big reason I traded my Moto X in was not the rebate they gave me for returning it in good condition.  It was the reviews on the Camera.  I think I now have a point and shoot computer in touch with the world, movies, music, etc, etc.  I only keep my camera for special trips now.  You be the judge...my day at the market:

WHEN I LEARN HOW THIS PHONE CAMERA WORKS, I'LL DO SOME MORE.

  Well now it's MID JUNE...Father's Day last week.   I've been watching a new version of "Tales of the City" by Armistead Maupin.  I think he was a former columnist for the San Fran Chronicle.   He did a weekly serial in the newspaper that later was a play/film on PBS about the lives of the people living at Barbary Lane in San Fran at that time.  Now they have a sequel with Olympia Dukakis and a group of great actors that paid rent to her as tenants on Barbary Lane.   Now some are returning, some new tenants, some old still there...and she announces she is selling and they, after years of living in this city within a city , have to find a life.  

      They tried to figure out what the reason was so maybe they could resolve it and status quo.  A meeting of the tenants was held and different hypothesis were suggested.  One was...maybe at 90 she wants to go off to Costa Rica or even OAXACA to retire.  Not SMA or Lake Chapala...Now it's OAXACA.  Well I hope they do and I'm looking for a roommate/caretaker?

          Cardiovascular Surgeon wants to do a CAT Scan and some Radiology....I suspect that might be for my heart and lungs in case he wants to do an operation I have to be in shape.  I'm getting too old for those.    I now have 3 more appointments over the next two months.

         I headed for Whole Foods.  It would be my second visit since King Jeff became owner. They had what I went for ....Bob's Red Mill Potato Flakes.  I was so elated I bought some Hayen Mills Crackers and Cholula Hot Sauce to replace Frank's...goodbye Western New York...no more Buffalo Wings.  

          I stopped at the "Scottsdale Quarter"   for my first Happy Hour with 50

+something or other Charlotte Rose.  First time in years but didn't see anyone I knew...must be an exclusive Happy Hour?   I spied a wealthy Oriental lady in line for the opening at 4 pm.   Most had used the "free Valet" service....the last one I used cost me $10 so . I just parked my own and walked.  

        There was an elderly Oriental lady sporting a "Betty Boop" purse and a wide brimmed stylish hat....I liked her.  The doors opened and we all head right for the bar...along with me and surprise...the Oriental lady sat next to me. 

The bartender had her beer 2 seconds after she sat and 5 minutes later the Chef delivered this platter of Calamari.  They all knew her well and took turns coming over to say hello.  My take was that she was very accomplished wealthy Thai or Chinese business woman that lived not far away.  She finished the beer when the waitress brought her a glass of "my" red wine.  Later she boxed the leftover Calamari for late night.  I would have done the same...then she reached over and passed a complimentary Mini Toll House Chocolate cookie to me on a silver tray on a pedestal and offered it to me while explaining she can't have sugar.  

        I'm glad I went out.  Makes my third Happy Hour this week.  Yesterday I met a lovely lady from Iran but Steve, my new acquaintance was being possessive so I gave her a card in hopes we could meet again.  I left PF Chang's early.

She emailed me a few days later and we have a date today.

       The day before that I attended Evo's Happy Hour where I ran into the same bartender that I met just after EVO opened over a year or two ago.  He was one reason why I liked the place.  He was studying Microbiology and I'm interested in how that effects us and believe it is one of the "keys" to LIFE.  

          Monday I attended the Thirsty Lion Happy Hour...(yes there is a theme here..many of us do this to keep sane....or we play Texas Holdem at the Casino in the afternoon).  It is something you can count on.  We need socialization as we get isolated in old age.  Most drink Ice Tea.  I have 1 or 2 glasses of Red Wine along with some of the Bar Snacks which can be dinner.  Renee arrived and sat next to me. I was immediately drawn to her smile and lovely persona, so I gave her my card.  I find I'm going to have to get THEIR CONTACT NUMBER.  Women don't call men.  She didn't.

       One day for a quick fix I headed for one of my favorites...The Back Door.  They pour a good wine and the Pastrami Sliders with Cheddar are to die for...or may be the reason I die.

         A few weeks back, I attended an Opening of a new exhibit at the Scottsdale Contemporary Art Museum along with SERVAS and Active International members. Rene was the only one I recognized.  I wore my AI T-shirt and one other man approached me so I introduced him to Rene who was leading another walk through of the exhibit.

Had to have a Gelato while there.  The owner attended Gelato school in Milan, Italy.

         Jeannie, my neighbor, wanted to visit her friend in Vegas and I wanted to see Mike and Danny, the Travelin Piano Man,  so I drove us up and took a room at the Day's Inn after dropping off Jeannie at Merry Maid that her friend owns.

      I stopped next door at In and Out for a burger and fries.  So good.  I had no desire to go to my usual New Orleans Poker room down the street.  I watched a movie and slept.  Awoke and went for free coffee at Denny's in the Day's Inn casino before meeting Mike for breakfast. 

We talked for hours.  It was a real pleasure to see him.  A good friend is special and I needed that.   He drove, so I invited him up when he dropped me off and we talked another 2 hours.

He is running for Chef of the Year at the Chef's Association.  He had been nominated 9 times and now he is retired, he decided to accept the nomination.

       I left to meet Danny at Ester's Kitchen but when I arrived they stopped serving brunch and only had a Pizza, bar type menu...so when Danny and Mo, his dog , arrived, we decided to go next door to a nice Mexican restaurant.

We had a nice meal and conversation with the waiter.  Danny took me around his neighborhood to take some photos and we stopped in a gallery where he had some of his photos hung for sale.

 He introduced me to the lady that runs a car shop and fixed his truck for nothing....then took in next door to be detailed for him because he helps others and gives to the community.

I got a tour of his one tiny room apartment.  A challenge with both of us in the room at the same time but it works for him.  I bid him goodbye and headed for New Orleans to try my hand at Poker but when I arrived I noticed single deck blackjack everywhere on the floor of the casino....so....two hours later after losing $50 I stopped for Chowda.

 I visited Canes on the way home for Chicken Fingers to go with my wine.  I slept well, checked out when Jeannie arrived and drove the long road back.  It was a great weekend.

   We carpool to visit our friends occasionally on a weekend. I suggested we celebrate our non-stop return trip with a call to Bruce to meet us at O'conners for a wee pint.  When we arrived I recognized one of the first Irish from the past that was an old and good man to share a drink with.  John Corcoran , one of the originators of the St Patrick's Day Parade in Phoenix, also a Grand Marshall, and not to mention Irishman of the Year for sum fuckin ting.  He was sitting in his corner at the bar with Steve to his right and a familiar bartender waiting to pour my Guinness.  Things were coming back to me as I looked around an all to familiar bar scene.  All the usual suspects.  It was warm and welcoming.  Old friends and really good times together.  The Bus Junkets from O'conner's early in the morning where a not so true but very hearty Irish Breakfast was to carry us over until  Dazzo's Hot Dogs in Wikieup Az....with a few Bloody Marys ...Guinness...Jamisons,...or Powers..then ending in Laughlin Nevada with all of us at the poker tables playing against each other...having a really great time.  Jimmy, and Laura made the trip up and back so fun while serving drinks and hosting gambling fun games on the way.

    It was such a pleasure to see an old friend and aquanice when Laura , the former barteress that still fills in two days a week.   It was like home week.  Bruce finally showed up with his ex ...Karen.  It was good to see them both but we wanted to get home. Miss those neighborhood pubs.

               

A couple days later I had Happy Hour at Weft and Warp....a ART Bar/Kitchen in upscale Anzi Resort in Snobbsdale.  Very Posh...almost ordered the Oaxaca old fashioned but for that price I'll wait and get 3-4 of them in Oaxaca. The $16 dollar price on the Oaxacan drink is highlighted in Gold.  Not the most or least expensive but the "House Recommended" ...who's buying?

           I had an appointment today for a  CRT scan to monitor the  circulation in my legs. They inject radioactive iodine into your blood then film it as it flows through your system from the neck on down to your little toezies. You can feel the heat rush through your body as the CAT Scans you as it flows through.  OK....now my second CD to take my Cardio Vascular Surgeon for a new evaluation.  The last one I tried to view in my computer and it wouldn't accept the format.  Doctor's format.  I am going to ask for a David's format or a print out in English. 

       On the way home I stopped at the Dubliner.  It was down the street and Thursday at the Dub.  Alan greeted me from "His" Seat.  Each regular has a certain seat or area that is respectfully theirs.  Calum got a brass plate at his that was inherited by his wife Karen.  She allows others to sit there but maybe NOT when she walks in.  

        Karen snuck up behind me while I waited for "Harry", to finish pouring my Guiness.  Pat, the owner came over to shake my hand and extend his welcome.  His uncle, Frank from County Meath whose mother was from Chile, helped with the purchase.  Then Frank's wife Edi died.  He was old himself but found a young 70 + lady to fill his time up.   Edi would have approved.  

        Paul walked in and took the seat to my right.  He is from the neighborhood.  We played together or against each other in Dart tournaments. His company was always a pleasure, as was his wife, whom I think left him.  He was himself and I was feeling like I should have moved to North Phoenix instead of Snobbsdale.  We have few "Neighborhood" Pubs.  

        It is now July and I will be leaving for N.Y. to visit family, so will end this long blog Post.