It was a lonnnnng day at Narcisi Winery, but what else do I have to do?

Well, today was my third outing this year, and while I can't say I was having a great day long covid wise (a lot of inflammation is in my lower jaw right now) it wasn't a terrible day either.  

I still debated going, I've already been there twice before.  Plus, I knew my gals Mary & Evvie wouldn't be attending. But it's a lovely place to visit about 15 miles north of the city, and I'd be able to go for a nice walk after lunch.

I will admit it wasn't as fun this time as my last 2 visits.  I had difficulty eating the pizza I'd ordered and our Access shuttle was over 2 hours late returning to get us.  Also, a recent newbie to the center kept giving me grief and I came very close to telling her to shut up.  (More on that later.)

But I still enjoyed going and getting out for the day.  So on that note, here's some boring pics (no people) of the day.

Here's a view of the Winery when we pull into the place

You have to walk thru the gift shop to get to the restaurant

After we were all seated, and they took everybody's drink orders, they got to me last.  I asked "Do you still make those black raspberry wine slushies you sold last year?"  Our excellent waiter said they sure did so I said I'd take one.  TEN other people shouted "I want to change my order to that too!"  It is blistering cold, very fruity--and very, very potent.  My head was swimming after a few sips.

Here was my salad which was just excellent.  (It came covered in giant warmed walnuts with a cream jalapeno dressing.)  When I told the waiter my salad was exceptional, Daria (a newbie to the center who feels the need to put everything down) said "It really isn't, I eat salads like that all the time."  I said "WELL I DON'T."  She said "You really need to get out more!"   This was all in front of the waiter.

My main course, a Calbrese pizza.  I loved the hot mini tomatoes, honey sauce and spicy sausage but could only eat one slice because of my jaw. I brought the rest home to fiddle with.

After lunch, I took a walk on the grounds--here's the view right outside the restaurant

I was sorry my pal Dennis couldn't make it, he had a last minute dental appointment.  But hopefully I'll get to see him next week if my long covid behaves and he doesn't have another emergency. We're supposed to go to Cracker Barrel and I'm anxious to try one of their Campfire Suppers.

And here's a final pic of their outside bar & grill.  I think next time I'll sit out there!

It's late in the afternoon; I should be napping, not blogging

I wish I knew what was going on.  For as long as I can remember, I've been going to bed around 11:30 pm, falling asleep in minutes and aside from waking up 2-3 times during the night to pee, getting a pretty full night's sleep, 7-8 hours.

Fast asleep in my favorite green flannel shirt, 1978  

But then a couple weeks ago something changed; nothing in my nightly routine, still going to bed at the same time and falling right asleep, but waking up around 5-6am and unable to get back to sleep.  

Since then, I've been needing an hour's nap in the afternoon and still feel tired afterwards.  Oh well, maybe it's a sign I'm getting old or my long covid is up to something.

Speaking of 1978, I was going thru my old high school scrapbook and found this--my first W2 form, from 1978.

It was from the Olde Southern Pancake & Steak House, I started working there in the fall of 1978, my senior year of high school.  I made $2.25 an hour, worked 2 nights a week but always asked for Saturdays as that shift was 12 hours long--from 8pm to 8am Sunday morning.  

Started as a busboy, worked my way into the kitchen and every 6 hour shift included a half-hour, sit-down dinner break of anything from the menu.  And if you worked a 12 hour shift on Sat nights, you got breakfast in the morning too.

I know I talk too much, but wanted to share this one story.  My boss was named George, who also owned the restaurant.  He was in his fifties, bald, morbidly obese.  He always wore black trousers, a white dress shirt with short sleeves, a big white apron.  He spent all his time in the kitchen.  He almost always had a frown, but half of his employees were teenagers like myself and he never had a cross word for any of us. 

The night of my Senior Prom, we stopped there before the dance (other guys & girls who worked there did the same) to show off our tuxes and gowns and introduce our dates to everyone we worked with.  George was so pleased, he invited us to come back afterwards for a late night treat.  

So we did, pretty late--and he was there with a big coconut cake and sundae bar.  I loved, loved working there.  Even if I did only earn $625.00 for 4 months work!

Believe it or not, I have another "black woman" story.  Two days ago I was exiting Kuhn's and there were two middle aged black women in front of me.  The one on the right said "I don't hate ALL white men, just the skinny ones."  Her friend laughed then nudged her and nodded her head back towards me.  The one on the right looked back and said "Oh he's good!  He knows he's good!"

I shared this story with my friend Pen that night and she said it didn’t necessarily mean the woman thought I was a chubby.  Hello, that's exactly what it meant!

Finally, something very nice happened to me yesterday.  Last week I was taking my garbage out, and a woman stopped me and asked if I could show her where to go, she had recently moved in and didn't know where to take her trash.  She said she asked a couple others who ignored her.  I showed her the way I take, then the more popular route thru the underground garage.  She was so appreciative and looked so much like Kathy Bates, I had to tell her.  She said she'd heard that before, and her name was Kathy too!  I told her if she needed anything else, I was in 402.

Anyway, yesterday around 10:30am, someone knocked on my door.  It was Kathy with a white haired gentleman.  She said he was her husband Denny, who wanted to meet me.  Denny explained his wife moved in a week before he did, and he just wanted to thank me for helping Kathy.  

I asked if they were new to the city, they both laughed and said no, they used to live "across the bridge" (local slang for nearby McKee's Rocks) and had been looking for a smaller place.  They somehow landed one of the few 2 bedroom apts in the Tiffany.  I thought it was so nice they took the time to visit and introduce themselves.  They appear to be in their mid-70s.

I have a really good feeling about them, maybe we'll become friends. 😏

And now that I've bored you to sleep, I'll try doing the same.

Remembering the days when I was somebody-- with a badge

The other week when I was going thru a shoebox of old photos in my closet, I came across a couple of work badges that really surprised me.  I thought I'd lost these or turned them in years ago. 

I wish one of them had been for my first IT job in downtown Pittsburgh.  It said:  Omega Systems, Information Technology & Consulting Services.  

Below that it had my name, with "Data Services Specialist".  

I was so proud of that badge.  After dropping out of college and floundering for a few years in minimum wage jobs, I went back to school and landed my first professional position in 1988.

I wore a suit to work everyday, sat behind a desk and drew up flowcharts and met with users and wrote a thousand computer programs.  I loved it and woke up every morning thanking my lucky stars.  

Anyway, no Omega Systems badge in the shoebox, darn it.  But here's an early ID badge I was required to clip on my breast pocket when I visited secured areas as a consultant for Allegheny County Computer Services.

I sure miss those days!

Here's an official work badge from Allegheny County.  After 10 years as a contractor for the county, I was working at GNCorp but was miserable and knew I had to find a new job.  I contacted an IT headhunter and got an offer right away from BNY Mellon.  At the same time, my former boss from Allegheny County Computer Services heard I was looking and offered me a permanent position.

I took the county offer, I could set my own schedule and even dress business casual, a rarity at the time.  But right after I started, Mellon came back with another offer that was 5K higher in salary. 

The look on my face below says it all--the people at the county were like family, but I had to reconsider Mellon's offer.  I worked out a deal with both and went to work at Mellon after 3 months.  

As for Mellon, I enjoyed my work there but my supervisor and I did not get along.  After a couple years I got an offer from UPMC and decided to move on.  When I gave Mellon my 2 week notice, they took my green metallic work-badge and handed me a paper "Temp Employee" badge.

And finally, my work badge from UPMC Health Plan.  I worked there 16 years, retired, then a couple years later they called and asked if I wanted to come back.  I was so flattered I said ok and did, for a bit.

Once you've had a taste of freedom though, it's hard to go back to that grind.  But I confess, some days I miss my working years still.