Chit-Chat: What's On Your Mind Today?

[peacheslatour]

2 minutes ago, Kitty Redstone said:

Ditto. I still remember a story on the local news about grocery cart handles and paper money having more germs than a toilet seat. <shudder> Now I don't know whether there were scientific studies to back up those conclusions, but I am keenly observant of just how gross some people can be and act accordingly.

Our renter always pays in cash (don't worry, we report it) and he always comes when my DH is at work. He thinks I'm crazy because I hand him an envelope and ask him to put it in that. I do't like touching cash.

[shapeshifter]

5 minutes ago, Kitty Redstone said:

, but I am keenly observant of just how gross some people can be and act accordingly.

That's how I am. I rarely wipe grocery cart handles, but about a week ago I did. I think it had something to do with the baskets not being tightly meshed together like there had been a germ-defying amount of time between users.

[Mondrianyone]

2 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

I am keenly observant of just how gross some people can be and act accordingly.

I got a very graphic lesson in that at the bank one day. I was probably in my late twenties or early thirties, and I was waiting in line and trying to juggle half a dozen things. I put the cash I was going to deposit between my lips so I could have the use of my hands. An elderly woman ahead of me in the line got a glimpse of that and started shaking her finger at me very vigorously.

"Young lady," she said, "get that money out of your mouth right now! I saw a documentary on life in prison on TV last week, and do you know where the inmates put their cash to keep it from being stolen?"

I thought a minute, and the obvious answer flashed across my brain. I've never put money in my mouth again. Sometimes I put my money where my mouth is, but never in my mouth.

[annzeepark914]

I've been washing my hands after handling cash at home for years but this info' re: inmates^^^^ewwww!!  I really didn't change much during the pandemic since I'm a frequent hand washer. The mask was new for me in 2020 and I still wear it in stores & medical offices. I get my vaccines whenever they're offered. So glad we have masks as the Canadian wildfire smoke is here now. I opened the door this evening and smelled that burnt metal odor, just like a week or so ago. Our poor planet.

[SuprSuprElevated]

A pandemic habit I picked up that I have and will continue, is putting on a glove (or grabbing a wipe/towel if glove not handy) before pumping gas. That one-armed bandit probably sees the worst humanity has to offer during the course of a day. 😝

[Gramto6]

27 minutes ago, SuprSuprElevated said:

A pandemic habit I picked up that I have and will continue, is putting on a glove (or grabbing a wipe/towel if glove not handy) before pumping gas. That one-armed bandit probably sees the worst humanity has to offer during the course of a day. 😝

I have a bunch of inexpensive sandwich bags in my car to put over my hand when I pump gas. Works as good as a glove and much cheaper.

Edited June 29, 2023 by Gramto6

[EtheltoTillie]

You all may think me a philistine, but I don’t do any of these things, eg wiping a shopping cart. I’m not germphobic that way.  

[SuprSuprElevated]

1 hour ago, EtheltoTillie said:

You all may think me a philistine, but I don’t do any of these things, eg wiping a shopping cart. I’m not germphobic that way.  

I never considered myself to be one, still don't, just look at some things differently since Covid. One has to balance comfort with a will to persevere, lol. I don't spit into the wind either.

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, EtheltoTillie said:

You all may think me a philistine, but I don’t do any of these things, eg wiping a shopping cart. I’m not germphobic that way.  

I'm the same as you.  With something like COVID, I will do things necessary to reduce my biggest risks of exposure to it (and have, in fact, never contracted it), but in terms of avoiding your usual day-to-day germs that will not harm me, nope.  I don't care about them.

So, since surface-to-person transmission of COVID would require a sequence of events in a very tight timeframe that is unlikely to happen, I haven't changed anything about touching things or washing my hands.

Edited June 29, 2023 by Bastet

[shapeshifter]

6 hours ago, Bastet said:

, since surface-to-person transmission of COVID would require a sequence of events in a very tight timeframe that is unlikely to happen, I haven't changed anything about touching things or washing my hands

True. But with a grandchild in daycare, I’m one of the first to know what horrible contagion is currently on the loose, and toddlers do sit in shopping carts. But if the carts are stacked tightly, I presume it’s been long enough since anyone with pinkeye or strep or stomach flu has deposited germs on the handle.

ETA:   
Also, infections seem to make me sicker longer than most people, whether due to age, being a chemotherapy survivor, or feeling depressed when my body isn’t able to fully function.

Edited June 29, 2023 by shapeshifter

[Bastet]

Yes, I understand what germs may be on the surfaces I touch.  Where I differ is simply that I don't care.  I don't want COVID.  Or Ebola.  Shit like that.  The rest, I don't care.  With basic exposure, I build antibodies, and the few times I actually become ill with something that isn't life threatening, oh well.

[Caoimhe]

I can’t bring myself to care about it any more and returned to pre-Covid practices. I’ve had all the vaccines I am eligible for anyway. Now that all my family is gone and the extended family invite my sister in law and her new partner to things but ignore me I feel really alone.  I’m not looking to catch anything but life is very lonely (despite being married) so it wouldn’t exactly be a tragedy either.

[Browncoat]

5 hours ago, SuprSuprElevated said:

I never considered myself to be one, still don't, just look at some things differently since Covid. One has to balance comfort with a will to persevere, lol. I don't spit into the wind either.

Or tug on Superman’s cape?

[emma675]

I'm not a germaphobe but I do things like wipe down handles, use hand sanitizer, and wash my hands a lot more since the pandemic. I have some autoimmune stuff and I hardly ever got sick once I started doing that (even when we started going out into the world and maskless again), so it works for me. It makes me wonder what a disgusting slob I was about hygiene before, lol.

[oliviabenson]

👏

[athousandclowns]

On 6/28/2023 at 9:47 PM, shapeshifter said:

True. But with a grandchild in daycare, I’m one of the first to know what horrible contagion is currently on the loose, and toddlers do sit in shopping carts. But if the carts are stacked tightly, I presume it’s been long enough since anyone with pinkeye or strep or stomach flu has deposited germs on the handle.

ETA:   
Also, infections seem to make me sicker longer than most people, whether due to age, being a chemotherapy survivor, or feeling depressed when my body isn’t able to fully function.

I’ve been using and carrying sanitizer since at least 2010  when I volunteered at a non profit daycare where  all parents were ESL.    I had it on my jeans belt loop.  These little cutie pies with runny noses would swirl their tooth brush in sink water that was clogged.  My home can be cluttered  but having an RN for a mom I knew what cross contamination was when I was a child.   So when I had my family anything that went in my family’s mouth or on their body was pretty darn clean.  My cardiologist office is still masked but GI isn’t.  I’m hard of hearing so am relieved that masks have lifted. I’ve gone to theater concerts in masked days and was nervous at the last comedy club I went to because I knew they often sat you at tables with other people so I bought VIP tickets. 

[oliviabenson]

Any plans this weekend?

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, oliviabenson said:

Any plans this weekend?

Canada Day is tomorrow, so we're having a family dinner.  I'm going to broil skewers and make a pasta salad.  My parents said they'll bring corn on the cob and greens.  We're not fireworks people, so not sure if we'll watch them.  Brunch both days.  Monday is a lieu holiday since July 1 falls on a Saturday this year, so my son doesn't have day camp nor is there work for either of us adults.  We'll probably just relax.  

Edited July 1, 2023 by PRgal

[ECM1231]

On 6/28/2023 at 2:29 PM, Laura Holt said:

One positive for me that came out of the pandemic is that I am continuing to wash my hands more regularly - especially after I've been shopping.  I also still use a hand sanitizer as soon as I get back in the car no matter where I've been, I use a lysol wipe on grocery carts and try to keep my distance from others in line ups etc.  It's not a bad way to be, lots of germs out there that I'd prefer to avoid if at all possible!

I should start carrying wipes again because the supermarkets and pharmacies here no longer fill their dispensers. I do however, have hand sanitizer in my handbag, and use it once I have finished putting my groceries in the car. I also wash my hands as soon as I get home, after running errands. Just about a month ago I stopped wearing a mask. It's been liberating, but I hope it doesn't bite me in the ass, because neither my husband or I have gotten COVID. 🤞

@PRgal and fellow Canadians, enjoy your holiday! 

[ebk57]

2 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Any plans this weekend?

I will become one with my couch!

 

We were supposed to go see 1776 tonight, but we're both feeling under the weather, so we're going to go next Friday.  Sunday is baseball, then a visit to the cemetery to visit my sister, then dinner at her favorite restaurant. 

Happy holiday/weekend everyone!

[theredhead77]

3 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Any plans this weekend?

Today my friend showed me a nice interior walking path from Mandalay Bay to the Bellagio, and then we grabbed food at Eatly before heading back home. From there, I was running between the grocery store, my new house, and my old house.

Tomorrow I was supposed to help a different friend set up their budget using the app I've previously raved about but he needs to reschedule. It works out because I need to start packing - the movers come on the 13th. It's going to be 110, and I don't plan on leaving the house. Sunday I have to run up to Costco, then to my manager's house to check out something she's selling, then back to my old house to keep packing. Monday I have to work, but I get to WFH. On the 4th, it's brunch with some friends, then sitting in a pool all day. Home before dark, drive over to a local casino to catch the fireworks from the Strip without the insanity.

I need a nap.

Edited July 1, 2023 by theredhead77

[ebk57]

1 hour ago, theredhead77 said:

I need a nap.

I need a nap just reading that.  Have fun...? 

[SuprSuprElevated]

Only real plans are to visit cemetary on Sunday, which is Mom's birthday, the first since she passed last summer. She would have been 92. Hopfully, the engraver has placed her DOD since the last time I was there and discovered that it still wasn't done. I don't want to have to go all redhead on the funeral home. I don't think it's too much to ask to have the stone properly engraved, nearly a year after her death, considering it was paid for in 199something. Covid schmovid. I don't want to hear it.

[Bastet]

I've been largely off work (there were a couple of essential things I couldn't farm out to someone else or delay, but at least I'm already doing them from home) yesterday and today with a sick cat, but <knock on wood> she seems to have turned a corner this afternoon, so hopefully I won't have to watch over her so much this weekend.  Not to mention I'm able to calm down some because her numerous test results from yesterday's hospitalization - the last of which came in today - reveal no imminent danger.

My plan is to drop by a friend's house for a little bit tomorrow afternoon, but other than that nothing until going over to my parents' house for dinner on the 4th.  The rest of the time, just chillin' with a hopefully-improving kitty. 

And grumbling about people who, knowing full well how many people, pets, and wild animals are terrified by the sound of fireworks, choose not to simply set them off for a little while on the actual holiday (for which all but the wild animals can prepare) but do so for nights on end.  I heard one last night!  None tonight so far but I'm sure it's just a matter of time.  Assholes.

[oliviabenson]

Fireworks were on tonight. I hate them. It sounds like war!

[oliviabenson]

3 hours ago, ebk57 said:

I will become one with my couch!

 

We were supposed to go see 1776 tonight, but we're both feeling under the weather, so we're going to go next Friday.  Sunday is baseball, then a visit to the cemetery to visit my sister, then dinner at her favorite restaurant. 

Happy holiday/weekend everyone!

I love : I will become one with my couch!

[jennifer6973]

1 hour ago, oliviabenson said:

Fireworks were on tonight. I hate them. It sounds like war!

Our fireworks were tonight also, the parade and the American Legion Chicken Barbecue is tomorrow.  The only thing our town planned for the fourth is a 5k.

[ABay]

Happy Canada Day to all in the Great White North!

[crazycatlady58]

Happy Canadian Day! Be safe and h Ave fun.

[annzeepark914]

Do Canadians have to endure fireworks? I heard some last night but they were only from 9-9:30. I can remember when only professionals used these things, not one's neighbors, and it was only on the 4th 🤬.

[supposebly]

We do. Some were cancelled because of the fires, but yes, I will find my cat hiding in the closet for hours even after it's over.

[ABay]

If you like fireworks this is a great time to live on the border. Sometimes towns across from each other will have joint celebrations.

[crazycatlady58]

11 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Fireworks were on tonight. I hate them. It sounds like war!

How are you doing looking after your cousin? I hope they are not afraid of fireworks.  I hope you are managing work and taking care of your cousin. That adds to the stress. 

[emma675]

Idiots in my neighborhood started with the fireworks last week so I imagine it will only get worse for the next few days. We've already had a few grass fires and one house fire in the city from illegal fireworks. People never learn or just don't care. 

My birthday is Monday and I'm hoping to not leave the couch Sunday through Tuesday, lol. I've never been a big birthday person for myself. I love celebrating other people's birthdays but I hate being the center of attention on mine. My ideal birthday is one where I don't leave the house, watch movies on the couch with the dog all day, order in, and go to bed early. I've been 80 years old mentally since I was 13, haha.

[annzeepark914]

I believe that birthday "kids" should do whatever they want to do on their special day.  So, @emma675, treat yourself well & have a Happy Birthday 🎉🎂🍷

[supposebly]

1 hour ago, emma675 said:

My ideal birthday is one where I don't leave the house, watch movies on the couch with the dog all day, order in, and go to bed early.

This has become my ideal birthday since around the time I turned 40. Replace dog with cats and that's me.  

[oliviabenson]

2 hours ago, emma675 said:

Idiots in my neighborhood started with the fireworks last week so I imagine it will only get worse for the next few days. We've already had a few grass fires and one house fire in the city from illegal fireworks. People never learn or just don't care. 

My birthday is Monday and I'm hoping to not leave the couch Sunday through Tuesday, lol. I've never been a big birthday person for myself. I love celebrating other people's birthdays but I hate being the center of attention on mine. My ideal birthday is one where I don't leave the house, watch movies on the couch with the dog all day, order in, and go to bed early. I've been 80 years old mentally since I was 13, haha.

Happy birthday! Spend it like you want!

[BlueSkies]

That always seemed like real weird to me to go into a pizzeria and order a burger and fries.

 

But the last 2 weeks this is what I did.  And that meal hits the spot 

[Gramto6]

Speaking of the idiots firing off fireworks really early. I live in MT and it can sometimes really be like the Wild West here. Fireworks started around the 26th, ugh!

On the 30th I was checking the Nextdoor app and a local woman was really upset as one of her neighbors set off a bunch of fireworks the night before resulting in her prize winning hand raised hen dying of a heart attack from the the noise. She said that lots of farm animals suffer injuries and even die of shock from the fireworks so close to them. I knew about dogs and cats being scared but didn't really think about the livestock. It is so sad, I wish MT would have some regulations re where they could be set off...

 

Edited July 1, 2023 by Gramto6
typo

[Bastet]

59 minutes ago, Gramto6 said:

It is so sad, I wish MT would have some regulations re where they could be set off...

Trust me, that doesn't stop them -- they're illegal here, but it still sounds like a war zone.

[annzeepark914]

That's awful 🤬. Poor animals. 4th of July used to be a fun holiday, back when only the pro's handled fireworks & it was only on one damn night. I never had a pet that was frightened by fireworks so I didn't realize how damaging the noise was. Now I wish TPTB would get rid of firework sales. 

[peacheslatour]

20 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

That's awful 🤬. Poor animals. 4th of July used to be a fun holiday, back when only the pro's handled fireworks & it was only on one damn night. I never had a pet that was frightened by fireworks so I didn't realize how damaging the noise was. Now I wish TPTB would get rid of firework sales. 

Some asshole neighbors of my SIL lit off bottle rockets. One landed on her other neighbors roof and burned their house to ground. They were on vacation. "Welcome home, your house is now a smoking ruin."

[Annber03]

The other night, when I was trying to sleep, I was awakened around one something in the morning because some morons decided, "Hey, this is totally a good time to set off some fireworks. In the neighborhood." 

I said this last year, but yeah, all the idiots setting off fireworks for weeks leading up to the 4th have made it harder for me to get excited about actual pro fireworks displays anymore. By the time the 4th rolls around now, I'm like, "I've heard more than enough fireworks to last me a while." 

[BlueSkies]

Fireworks/firecrackers are overrated.  All they do is piss off dogs and make loud noises.  

 

I have and had zero desire to shoot them off.  

 

Case in point Jason Pierre-Paul former Ny Giant 

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/04/12/jason-pierre-paul-giants-fireworks-destroyed-hand-exclusive

[SoMuchTV]

1 hour ago, ECM1231 said:

I dislike paying bills online b/c most department stores, or utility companies require you to set up an account to pay online. I really, really hate setting up online accounts for everything, as it requires me to think up passwords and keep a record of them. When you pay by phone, they recognize your phone number, and therefore your account number. After the first phone call, when one has already keyed in the routing and checking account numbers, the automated voice will just ask during subsequent phone calls if I want to use the checking account ending in numbers 1234 to pay my bill. It's super easy. 

 

28 minutes ago, Quof said:

But why not just pay everything through your online banking:   1. pay phone bill - presto! 2. pay water bill - presto! I don't have to log into an account for any service provider, just my bank.

I know we all have our own preferences/priorities, but I can't imagine not having online accounts with my utilities/providers.  First, probably 3/4 of them no longer even mail a bill, so I have to go online to see details of what I'm paying for.  Also I can see options, adjust services, chat about issues, whatever...  And I know some will disagree, but I like to have things set up on autopay, so my bank account or (preferably) credit card that earns points will be charged on time, without me having to remember anything.  I know some people don't trust that, but in the many years I've been doing it, I've never had a problem with "bad" charges, and I can't imagine how many late fees I've avoided.

[Bastet]

I don't use AutoPay for anything.  I like checking my bills (online) for any errors before paying, so I can call and get it handled and then pay the correct amount rather than being auto-charged an error and having to get it refunded afterward.  But that hardly ever happens, so it's really just a laziness thing in not setting it up with each company.  (My life revolves around calendaring, so I am not one to miss a deadline and thus incur a fee.)

I put everything on my credit card, so I just have one check to write each month.

[SoMuchTV]

16 minutes ago, Bastet said:

 

I don't use AutoPay for anything.  I like checking my bills (online) for any errors before paying, so I can call and get it handled and then pay the correct amount rather than being auto-charged an error and having to get it refunded afterward.

 

Not trying to talk anyone out of the way they like to do things, but speaking for myself, I still get my bill (paper or electronic) well in advance of the auto pay date, so there’s still plenty of time to dispute if necessary. I guess worst case, I could turn off auto pay before the payment date, but it’s never come to that. 

But all it would take is one bad experience to turn someone off for good, so I could understand that. 

24 minutes ago, Bastet said:

I put everything on my credit card, so I just have one check to write each month.

Haha, I’ve had my credit cards on auto pay for decades, haven’t written a check since I can’t remember. I guess that’s another discussion. 

[annzeepark914]

Having watched what the western US is going through with a mega drought, I'm grateful for the rain we're (finally!) getting each day right now. But, I'd sure like to dress up my umbrella table area of the deck & have at least one meal outside on the deck. And clean air! That's on my wish list...no smoke 🥴. But, I'm still counting my blessings.

[Bastet]

3 hours ago, SoMuchTV said:

Haha, I’ve had my credit cards on auto pay for decades, haven’t written a check since I can’t remember.

Again for me, inertia.  I don't pay out of a regular checking account, but a money market account with check-writing privileges.  Back when I first started this charge everything to the card and write one monthly check routine, it wasn't set up for any sort of electronic payment, let alone AutoPay.  So I just never changed my habit.

[ebk57]

So the becoming one with my couch was going to be interrupted tomorrow.... but now I'm sick!  So I get to be one with the couch all weekend!!

Yay?