Meredith Kendall's Blog, page 136
February 23, 2011
BMV
I spent some time at the BMV today. That's the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Here's some advice. Don't go at 1:30 pm on a Wednesday after they've been closed for 4 days. I got ticket number 218 and number 175 was called as I looked for a place to sit. "How long will it take," I wondered. "Hmmm, 6 windows, 5 minutes each, and 43 people ahead of me. Maybe about half an hour." Well that was optimistic of me. Ten minutes later they called number 177. Oh dear.
I saw young fathers with toddlers, old women with egg-shaped bellies, a woman with an oxygen tank in a cute red backpack, skinny girls in jeggings, skinnier Somali dudes in baggy jeans, and a short woman wearing a purple sweater and purple pants. People lined up for license photos, smiling, tugging down their shirts and hoisting up their pants. As if their clothes would show. One man told the story of his 4 am visit to the ER for "Well, you can guess what, can't you? It wouldn't come out!" he shouted to the haggard woman across the aisle. "I couldn't stand the pain. I don't want to say it here, but I bet you can figure it out!" he laughed.
Each clerk had a black box over his or her cubicle. Each box lit up with red numbers when there was an opening. I watched the numbers. Sometimes people gave up and left, and then we'd skip numbers, sometimes several in a row. That was thrilling.
Sometimes people couldn't produce the required documentation and were quickly turned away. You could see the grim discouragement in their faces and shoulders. I hoped I had the right papers.
After an hour I was getting close. We skipped over 214, 215, 216, and 217: all no shows. Me!
My clerk had limp hair, a yellow rictus of a smile, and soiled pants pulled up to his chest. I loved him. He processed my paperwork in a flash and I left with a precious slip of paper.
My advice, and it's good because it came straight from my man: best time to go to the BMV is midmorning, midweek, on a regular week. This was a short week. Closed Monday because of President's Day and closed yesterday because of a state furlough day. That's a day when everything is closed in an effort to save money. Today was not a good day to go. Well, it was for me. I got to relax, watch people, and completed my errand successfully. More advice: bring a book to pass the time, a utility bill, and a passport. Oh, and your waist is not going to show in your driver's license photo, so don't bother sucking it in. That's all. See you on the street.
Here's some advice. Don't go at 1:30 pm on a Wednesday after they've been closed for 4 days. I got ticket number 218 and number 175 was called as I looked for a place to sit. "How long will it take," I wondered. "Hmmm, 6 windows, 5 minutes each, and 43 people ahead of me. Maybe about half an hour." Well that was optimistic of me. Ten minutes later they called number 177. Oh dear.
I saw young fathers with toddlers, old women with egg-shaped bellies, a woman with an oxygen tank in a cute red backpack, skinny girls in jeggings, skinnier Somali dudes in baggy jeans, and a short woman wearing a purple sweater and purple pants. People lined up for license photos, smiling, tugging down their shirts and hoisting up their pants. As if their clothes would show. One man told the story of his 4 am visit to the ER for "Well, you can guess what, can't you? It wouldn't come out!" he shouted to the haggard woman across the aisle. "I couldn't stand the pain. I don't want to say it here, but I bet you can figure it out!" he laughed.
Each clerk had a black box over his or her cubicle. Each box lit up with red numbers when there was an opening. I watched the numbers. Sometimes people gave up and left, and then we'd skip numbers, sometimes several in a row. That was thrilling.
Sometimes people couldn't produce the required documentation and were quickly turned away. You could see the grim discouragement in their faces and shoulders. I hoped I had the right papers.
After an hour I was getting close. We skipped over 214, 215, 216, and 217: all no shows. Me!
My clerk had limp hair, a yellow rictus of a smile, and soiled pants pulled up to his chest. I loved him. He processed my paperwork in a flash and I left with a precious slip of paper.
My advice, and it's good because it came straight from my man: best time to go to the BMV is midmorning, midweek, on a regular week. This was a short week. Closed Monday because of President's Day and closed yesterday because of a state furlough day. That's a day when everything is closed in an effort to save money. Today was not a good day to go. Well, it was for me. I got to relax, watch people, and completed my errand successfully. More advice: bring a book to pass the time, a utility bill, and a passport. Oh, and your waist is not going to show in your driver's license photo, so don't bother sucking it in. That's all. See you on the street.
February 21, 2011
Mark LaFlamme on Reiki Nurse
An amazing book whether you're familiar with Reiki or if you're an outsider. An outstanding glimpse into the medical field, written with such flair you can smell the antiseptic. Kendall writes in a way that is both introspective and illuminating. If you think you know all about the medical field because you watch MASH or Scrubs, think again. Kendall writes of things that will send your eyebrows up to the top of your forehead. A highly recommended read.
- Mark LaFlamme, author of Box of Lies, Dirt, Vegetation, The Pink Room, and Asterisk.
- Mark LaFlamme, author of Box of Lies, Dirt, Vegetation, The Pink Room, and Asterisk.
oil, again
This morning I called the oil company and talked with a nice receptionist, a rude and sarcastic manager, and a courteous manager. Home heating oil, that is.
I explained that they had my check on Friday morning, that someone called to verify my account, yet the oil was not delivered.
"Did you want oil delivered?" he asked.
"Yes, that's why I sent the check," I replied.
"You should have known the delivery would be on Monday," he countered.
"How would I know that?" I asked. "I ran out of oil on Sunday and had to pay $125 for an emergency delivery. I would like a refund or credit to my account for the $125".
"I still have to pay the driver. Do you want me to take back his pay?"
So no refund. No credit.
"You're losing a customer."
"Whatever."
I called another company and set up an account.
I explained that they had my check on Friday morning, that someone called to verify my account, yet the oil was not delivered.
"Did you want oil delivered?" he asked.
"Yes, that's why I sent the check," I replied.
"You should have known the delivery would be on Monday," he countered.
"How would I know that?" I asked. "I ran out of oil on Sunday and had to pay $125 for an emergency delivery. I would like a refund or credit to my account for the $125".
"I still have to pay the driver. Do you want me to take back his pay?"
So no refund. No credit.
"You're losing a customer."
"Whatever."
I called another company and set up an account.
February 20, 2011
oil tank
My lovely oil tank. Cost over $600 to fill it 5/8 full.
warmer & wiser
Well there. Had to call for an emergency delivery of fuel oil for which I was charged $125. I tried to tough it out: turned thermostat to 58F, let the dishes pile up, etc. Then I remembered I'm not a camper girl. I mean, maybe I could be. Rough it: how fun!
Yeah, but I'm not.
So I got the oil and cranked the heat back on, washed dishes. Now that was fun. So fun I swiffered the floors, vacuumed, shook out rugs, watered the plants, and put stuff away. Now my house is alive, warm, and clean.
Next time I mail the check to the oil company when the tank is 3/8 full, not 1/8 full. Yet since they had my check last week, I will call and negotiate. If they demonstrate excellent customer service I will remain a customer. If not, phh, plenty other oil companies around.
Yeah, but I'm not.
So I got the oil and cranked the heat back on, washed dishes. Now that was fun. So fun I swiffered the floors, vacuumed, shook out rugs, watered the plants, and put stuff away. Now my house is alive, warm, and clean.
Next time I mail the check to the oil company when the tank is 3/8 full, not 1/8 full. Yet since they had my check last week, I will call and negotiate. If they demonstrate excellent customer service I will remain a customer. If not, phh, plenty other oil companies around.
February 19, 2011
hey neighbor, can I borrow a cup of oil?
My home heating oil tank is nearly empty. It's on the "M" in EMTY. That's right, that's what it says: EMTY, no P.
Last week the tank was down to 1/8; I'd been watching it every day for 2 weeks. I had the check ready and in the envelope. On Wednesday, when it went below 1/8 I sent the check to the oil company. They usually come right away.
Friday they called to ask where I wanted the oil delivered. "To the address on the check?" the nice lady asked.
I expected the oil yesterday, Friday. Or today. They didn't come. Meanwhile it's been temps in the teens and a whirling wind, wind chills in the single digits, or lower. Right now it's 17F, feels like 3. Every time I hear the boiler switch on I run down cellar to look at the indicator on the tank. Still on M.
Tomorrow is Sunday and they don't deliver unless you pay extra. I turn the heat down. I'll wait to shower and do dishes. I turn on the oven and a space heater. I wish I had an electric blanket.
Monday. They'll come on Monday, for sure. Right? If not, hey neighbor...
Last week the tank was down to 1/8; I'd been watching it every day for 2 weeks. I had the check ready and in the envelope. On Wednesday, when it went below 1/8 I sent the check to the oil company. They usually come right away.
Friday they called to ask where I wanted the oil delivered. "To the address on the check?" the nice lady asked.
I expected the oil yesterday, Friday. Or today. They didn't come. Meanwhile it's been temps in the teens and a whirling wind, wind chills in the single digits, or lower. Right now it's 17F, feels like 3. Every time I hear the boiler switch on I run down cellar to look at the indicator on the tank. Still on M.
Tomorrow is Sunday and they don't deliver unless you pay extra. I turn the heat down. I'll wait to shower and do dishes. I turn on the oven and a space heater. I wish I had an electric blanket.
Monday. They'll come on Monday, for sure. Right? If not, hey neighbor...
do no harm
When speaking with physicians, I like to present reiki as a cultural choice rather than a scientifically proven healing modality. Most physicians will support a patient's cultural practices, as long as they do no harm. I haven't found a single study associating reiki with harm to a patient. Have you?
February 18, 2011
reiki
I wonder why my hands sometimes feel hot and tingly, and other times cold - and also why the client's perceptions of heat and coolness sometimes differ from mine.
I also wonder about my perceptions when my hands are on the client. Sometimes I feel pulsing or throbbing, sometimes I have the sensation of chunks or packets of energy. Sometimes when I feel nothing, the client is nearly overwhelmed with sensations. Odd.
I don't know how reiki works. It's supposed to help people feel better. Most people who try it seem to like it.
Happy Birthday, Fluffy
Fluffernutter is 12! This is a pic of her last month on Mt David.
February 13, 2011
Mt Apatite
Snowshoed up Mt Apatite. Found a red claw. Turkey?
Do they have red feet? It looks reptilian or dinosaurish to me.
I brought my snowshoes, but hardly needed them. The trails were packed and icy. Mostly I carried my snowshoes, but put them on when I wanted to go off the trail to look at something. I got a close look at this rock.
Fluffernutter came with me.
There are quarries there, but I didn't see them. Everything's covered with 4 feet of snow. If you click on this link: Mt Apatite, you can read about the quarries.
Do they have red feet? It looks reptilian or dinosaurish to me. I brought my snowshoes, but hardly needed them. The trails were packed and icy. Mostly I carried my snowshoes, but put them on when I wanted to go off the trail to look at something. I got a close look at this rock.
Fluffernutter came with me.
There are quarries there, but I didn't see them. Everything's covered with 4 feet of snow. If you click on this link: Mt Apatite, you can read about the quarries.
