Random Chats

[Melaslithos]

That's what happens when there's a picture. But when it's only text, it's a zoom like with any other format and I don't need to move the page around.

[Kandice]

I am very irritated and just want to rant in a safe place for minute. I live in Southern California and because there was a zoning issue stating that no one corporation can have a monopoly on an area of business, many of our local stores, Vons and Albertson's, (owned by the same parent company, hence the monopoly) were forced to sell locations to a third party, Haggen's.

I don't like the stores and they've taken over most of those closest to me. That aside, they recently laid off all the developmentally disabled employees at their new locations. They've laid off others as well, but the disabled were a clean sweep. Vons and A's had an agreement with the local halfway house to employee their students. They've done it for decades and these kids were terrific! Now they have to find and learn a new job, which is incredibly hard for them and start from the bottom someplace new. Talk about stress!

My niece is mentally handicapped so I take it personally. I refuse to shop there anymore.

There is also an agreement between Haggen's and the other stores that they cannot rehire anyone Haggen's lets go for one full year. They are trying to fight it in the case of this disabled agreement, but who knows?

[Melaslithos]

That's a scandal! I hope a solution will be found soon, especially regarding the case of disabled people.

[Ana]

Wow, unbelievable, how easy it is to take something that looks so fair and turn it to something just plain evil. I hope people will protest and something will get done about it..

[Kandice]

There is now a class action lawsuit and Haggen's defense is that they did not intentionally lay off all disabled workers, but instead eliminated a no longer needed position - Clerk Helper. Unfortunately, that position had been invented by the companies they took over especially for the disabled. The fact that everyone that previously held that position is beside the point.

Aaargh! I get their side. They aren't getting the warm welcome they expected so are not making the profits they had hoped, but still...life is so seldom black and white.

[Kandice]

It's 104 degrees (40 Celsius) and I feel like I am going to melt. We don't have air conditioning but have every ceiling fan in the house in addition to box and desk fans. It's 7 pm. It should be cooling down!

[Kandice]

My daughter (16) has a concert coming up that she is super excited about and school is beginning in a couple of weeks so last night, the first time we have been home together in weeks, we went to the store to browse for possible outfits. TORTURE! I don't remember being that difficult to please at 16, but we left with four dresses and a pair of shoes that actually match all four, so it was a successful trip. I guess...O_o

[Melaslithos]

Teens ^^

[Kandice]

I saw The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and I loved it! Guy Ritchie movies are the bomb!

[Derek]

I recently created a DeviantArt page where I post my writing, if any of you wanted to check it out.

http://cheshwritercat.deviantart.com/

I hope it's okay to post this here, if not let me know and I'll take it down.

[Ana]

It's fine, Derek, thanks for letting us know!
I watched Hitman Agent 47 last night. I found it oddly enjoyable even if the plot was full of holes. What little plot there was, that is. But I found the sarcastic banter between the two main characters quite entertaining.

[Ana]

Recommended Feedback to Approval Ratio is at least 80%. Yours is 40%.

Yay finally hit the big four O!
I am so happy.

Now i just need double to get the badge, eh.

Wish they made one for like fifty percent...

[Ana]

Hmmm.. What the heck is up with two completely different authors using the same image in their book cover?

Broken Pieces by Rachel Thompson
Puppet by Pauline C. Harris

Both on Netgalley, by the way.

Have you ever seen this happen?

[Kandice]

I have! I will have to remember which books, but it was jarring to see because they were very,very different books and ideas!

[Ana]

Yep and it probably happens more often than we know, except this image was pretty striking so easier to remember.

In other news.. I am looking forward to watching M. Night Shyamalan's new movie, The Visit. It premiers next week here in Portugal.

Has anyone watched it or planning on it?

[Kandice]

I hope to see it, but maybe not in theaters. I like most of his movies, even the ones that bomb. I loved The Village and Signs.

[Artsolameelian]

Signs absolutely terrified me when I saw it, couldn't sleep for weeks it seemed...

[Ana]

I think I watched that one but can't remember anything about it.
I was pretty disappointed by the end of The Village.

[Kandice]

Signs has the greatest scene ever! Joaquin Phoenix and his niece and nephew with the homemade Hershey hats to keep the aliens from reading their minds.

https://www.google.com/search?q=signs...

[Kandice]

All three of my children and their "others" were here for a Memorial Day BBQ today and we had (and are still having!) such a nice time. I love that they are old enough to all get along now and joke and tease each other.

True happiness is not just loving your children, but genuinely liking them!

[Ana]

Ahah what a cool picture Kandice, thanks!

[Ana]

Greetings, ladies and gents!
How are you all feeling today? Hopefully better than me. Caught a cold or something, I wish for nothing but to be in my warm, cozy bed since the weather turned sour but alas, there's this thing called work.

Meh. What are ya'll up to?

[Leigh]

Ana wrote: "Greetings, ladies and gents!
How are you all feeling today? Hopefully better than me. Caught a cold or something, I wish for nothing but to be in my warm, cozy bed since the weather turned sour but..."

Sorry to hear you've caught a bug! The weather is still great in Switzerland, but it will get rainy soon. Can you drink lots of hot tea? That always makes me feel better! :-)

[Ana]

Eh not really. I get these cool beverages of coffee and milk from Lidl and heat them in the microwave. Probably shouldn't since they have a lot of sugar but yum warm happiness!

How was your weekend?

[Leigh]

It was very good - like I said the weather was nice, so I got in some reading on the porch (and hammock!). I'm trying to read Hamlet because I wanted to watch the K. Branagh movie version one of these days!
Warm drinks are very comforting! :-)

[Ana]

That sounds lovely! I have actually never read anything by Shakespear.

I am trying to figure out whether I am not enjoying my current book is because of the book itself or how I feel, eh.

Has this happened to you before? Not enjoyed a book when you're sick? It's not that it is hard to focus on or anything, just isn't gripping me.

I am probably overthinking it and it is most likely due to it being children's literature.

[Leigh]

That's happened several times with movies. Usually when I'm sick and a book doesn't work for me, it's because I don't have enough energy to read. Then I watch a movie and decide I hate it, lol!

[Ana]

Ahah interesting strategy!
I hate being sick for obvious reasons but a lot of it is because I cannot seem to be able to do anything to take my mind off being sick. Can't enjoy the things I love the most - reading and watching movies - can't focus on reading blog posts either so meh guess that means you're stuck with my rambling!!

[Leigh]

Well, take care and we don't mind the rambling! I guess I have to do some work stuff, too, bleh....

[Ana]

Yep, I am trying to focus on work stuff but it's harrrrd!
This day is going by much too slowly.

[Kandice]

When I don't feel well I seem to like nothing new so I end up re-reading a favorite or re-watching a beloved movie for the umpteenth time!

I hope you fell better Ana!

[Ana]

Thanks and yep makes sense!

[Sorobai]

A warm cup of tea in bed with your favorite book(s) by bedside does wonderfuls to restore happiness in life and wealth in general. Take care and nice recovers!

[Ana]

I plan to do that tonight, although I want to go to bed early. Anti-hysthaminics make me so sleepy!

[Derek]

I hope you feel better soon!

[Ana]

Happy birthday, Aaron!

Thanks for all the get well wishes guys, I appreciate it :)

[Kandice]

I am eating the best salad/meal ever! Coucous with grape tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, fresh basil (a ton!) and feta cheese with a dressing of olive oil, garlic oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Yum! It'll be even better when it's leftover and cold tomorrow.

[Melaslithos]

@Aron: Happy Birthday!

@Kandice: that looks yummy. Now, I want one too!

@Ana: when having a cold, there's nothing better than a grog to cheer you up: a dash of rum, a little bit of lemon, cinnamon and lots of honey, that you mix in some hot water. I've seen people doing it with milk instead of water, or cognac instead of rum. But I prefer my recipe.
As for reading in these conditions, I never can read anything too "intellectual". There's nothing better than a fluffy novel, or some badly written fanfictions (my guilty pleasure) when sick.

[Kandice]

Or a re-read that you know almost by heart!

I've never read fan-fiction, but after reading Rainbow Rowell I feel like I should.

[Ana]

Hah nice one, Melas. Pretty sure that would not be compatible with work, though. But yeah, I have heard something along those lines before eheh, though without the cinnamon. Sounds like a killer!

[Melaslithos]

Wow, that's a nice gift Aaron.

[Sorobai]

a great gift specially if it is pure gold

[Melaslithos]

XD

[Kandice]

Happy belated birthday Aaron!

My oldest son's birthday is September 28 and my daughter's is the 29th. Last year were milestone birthdays for each of them, 21 and 16 respectively, but for some reason this year is making feel their ages more. I guess they're all basically adults now...aaaargh!

[Katie]

derek hey how r u doing today?

[Ana]

Ana wrote: "Hmmm.. What the heck is up with two completely different authors using the same image in their book cover?

Broken Pieces by Rachel Thompson

[Ana]

How's everyone been doing? Sorry about my absence, things have been pretty chaotic in personal life :(

[Derek]

I'm sorry, Ana. I hope everything's alright, especially for the holiday season.

[Ana]

It is, just very busy.

I will be on holiday the next couple of weeks but will still be working.

Oh well, I am sure I will be able to squeeze in some fun / reading time!

[Sorobai]

Ana wrote: "Ana wrote: "Hmmm.. What the heck is up with two completely different authors using the same image in their book cover?

Broken Pieces by Rachel Thompson
[bookcov..."

Hi Ana, eh eh
It can happen. Most times the authors have nothing to do with the page of election for their books. It is the editors who decide about it and sometimes they like some particulary image, we can wonder why!