A: No.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Q & A
A: No.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Breakfast of Champions
One of the things that Sam and I have been working on this past week is how to heat up your own oatmeal (or, as Sam sometimes calls it, porridge).
Over the years, I’ve occasionally asked Sam if he was interested in having any nice, hot oatmeal and the reaction has always been pretty much the same - “Thanks, but maybe another time” (i.e., “I don’t want to hurt your feelings but I believe we’ve already covered this ground so please stop asking me.”).
Last week though, one of the Sample Ladies at the grocery store had hot oatmeal as a sample and since this was coming from a Sample Lady and not me, Sam apparently thought it might be worth trying. Surprisingly, Sam not only liked it, but he liked it enough to give it a rave review (Me: “How was it?” Sam: “Good.")
This week, due to several things I don’t need to get into, I’ve had several occasions to leave a little later for work. What this has meant is that rather than leaving Sam the same-old-same-old for breakfast - and then heading out the door for work, I’ve actually been able to be home by the time he climbs out of bed and comes downstairs.
This, in turn, has meant more options at breakfast for Sam - specifically, more options for a hot breakfast. Even more specifically, hot oatmeal.
Unsurprisingly (by now), Sam thought hot oatmeal now sounded like a pretty good idea (since, no thanks to me, it was now endorsed by a true professional, like the Sample Lady).
So, as these things go, on the first morning, I made some hot oatmeal for Sam - even adding some sliced bananas on top (which I’m pretty sure the Sample Lady didn't bother to do). On the second morning, I did the same thing, but this time, I had him observe me - making special note of my technique for ripping open the envelope (right-to-left). On the third morning, I had him do all the steps with me (but I still ripped open the envelope).
This brings us to last night.
Last night, we did two things. First, we went to the grocery store and I had Sam pick out whatever fruit he wanted on top of his now professionally-made oatmeal (which, in this case, turned out to be blueberries).
The second thing we did was to walk through the steps together on how to make your own hot oatmeal. I dictated while Sam wrote it down. Like so many of these things, it takes a lot of repetition, but with visual aids, we got there.
Afterwards (I guess this makes three things), we lined up all of the essentials on the counter - except for the now-rinsed off blueberries, which I put in an accessible spot in the refrigerator (no easy task) - and then we walked through things one last time (ok, I think that makes four things).
This morning, I left for work with nothing more at Sam's spot on the table than his transcribed directions - the first time ever, I think, that I’ve left the house in the morning without some kind of breakfast waiting for him. Weird.
After getting to work and after waiting until the usual A.M. texting time (all the while picturing spilled hot oatmeal all over the kitchen floor), I texted Sam to see how things went. The verdict? I’m happy to report that all went well (though, "the bowl was a little hot").
So there you go, one more option for breakfast, one more step towards independence. All thanks to the Sample Lady.
Here, if you’re interested, are all the steps you need for making your own bowl of delicious, hot oatmeal (or, if you prefer, "porridge").
Please note, your microwave time may vary.
Over the years, I’ve occasionally asked Sam if he was interested in having any nice, hot oatmeal and the reaction has always been pretty much the same - “Thanks, but maybe another time” (i.e., “I don’t want to hurt your feelings but I believe we’ve already covered this ground so please stop asking me.”).
Last week though, one of the Sample Ladies at the grocery store had hot oatmeal as a sample and since this was coming from a Sample Lady and not me, Sam apparently thought it might be worth trying. Surprisingly, Sam not only liked it, but he liked it enough to give it a rave review (Me: “How was it?” Sam: “Good.")
This week, due to several things I don’t need to get into, I’ve had several occasions to leave a little later for work. What this has meant is that rather than leaving Sam the same-old-same-old for breakfast - and then heading out the door for work, I’ve actually been able to be home by the time he climbs out of bed and comes downstairs.
This, in turn, has meant more options at breakfast for Sam - specifically, more options for a hot breakfast. Even more specifically, hot oatmeal.
Unsurprisingly (by now), Sam thought hot oatmeal now sounded like a pretty good idea (since, no thanks to me, it was now endorsed by a true professional, like the Sample Lady).
So, as these things go, on the first morning, I made some hot oatmeal for Sam - even adding some sliced bananas on top (which I’m pretty sure the Sample Lady didn't bother to do). On the second morning, I did the same thing, but this time, I had him observe me - making special note of my technique for ripping open the envelope (right-to-left). On the third morning, I had him do all the steps with me (but I still ripped open the envelope).
This brings us to last night.
Last night, we did two things. First, we went to the grocery store and I had Sam pick out whatever fruit he wanted on top of his now professionally-made oatmeal (which, in this case, turned out to be blueberries).
The second thing we did was to walk through the steps together on how to make your own hot oatmeal. I dictated while Sam wrote it down. Like so many of these things, it takes a lot of repetition, but with visual aids, we got there.
Afterwards (I guess this makes three things), we lined up all of the essentials on the counter - except for the now-rinsed off blueberries, which I put in an accessible spot in the refrigerator (no easy task) - and then we walked through things one last time (ok, I think that makes four things).
This morning, I left for work with nothing more at Sam's spot on the table than his transcribed directions - the first time ever, I think, that I’ve left the house in the morning without some kind of breakfast waiting for him. Weird.
After getting to work and after waiting until the usual A.M. texting time (all the while picturing spilled hot oatmeal all over the kitchen floor), I texted Sam to see how things went. The verdict? I’m happy to report that all went well (though, "the bowl was a little hot").
So there you go, one more option for breakfast, one more step towards independence. All thanks to the Sample Lady.
Here, if you’re interested, are all the steps you need for making your own bowl of delicious, hot oatmeal (or, if you prefer, "porridge").
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Today's Non-Complaint
I could complain about today's mailings from SSI or about the cold, wet snow that fell all day before turning to rain, but you know that's not my style.
Instead, I'll focus on the fact that the daylight is gradually increasing day by day, to the point where Sam and I were able to get out for a brief walk before dinner yesterday.
No walk tonight though, not with all that wet muck on the ground. Soon though. Soon...
Instead, I'll focus on the fact that the daylight is gradually increasing day by day, to the point where Sam and I were able to get out for a brief walk before dinner yesterday.
No walk tonight though, not with all that wet muck on the ground. Soon though. Soon...
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Today's Video Clip
Ok. I have no idea why this video showed up under my "Recommended" videos on YouTube. I don't even know what this is about. Judging from the viewer comments (which, by the way, are pretty entertaining - certainly more so than the video), many of the other unfortunates who clicked on it have no idea either.
I would just like to point out a couple of things. First of all, in order to have their camera at the ready, the person who took this video had to be at least semi-prepared that something film-worthy was going to happen. It makes me wonder what prepared them for this performance, and what wasn't recorded.
Secondly, as of this moment, this thing has over sixteen and a half million views. Granted, many of these views must be multiples from people like me who are just trying to figure out what the heck is going on. But still, sixteen million views - that's a lot.
Oh, and one more thing. It was a nice touch to add the intermittent subtitles - just in case you were missing the subtle nuances of the monologue(?)/lecture(?)/marital relationship seminar, with a specialized focus on communication issues(?) - or whatever this thing is about.
I would just like to point out a couple of things. First of all, in order to have their camera at the ready, the person who took this video had to be at least semi-prepared that something film-worthy was going to happen. It makes me wonder what prepared them for this performance, and what wasn't recorded.
Secondly, as of this moment, this thing has over sixteen and a half million views. Granted, many of these views must be multiples from people like me who are just trying to figure out what the heck is going on. But still, sixteen million views - that's a lot.
Oh, and one more thing. It was a nice touch to add the intermittent subtitles - just in case you were missing the subtle nuances of the monologue(?)/lecture(?)/marital relationship seminar, with a specialized focus on communication issues(?) - or whatever this thing is about.
Monday, February 10, 2020
Sweet Dreams
As I have often mentioned, I have little energy left by the end of the day. After getting Sam dinner and, assuming there's no paperwork to be taken care of (which is a risky assumption), my exciting nights are usually filled with, first taking a shower, and then watching video clips while I try to stay awake. This, I am finding, can be a problem.
Like most things having to do with the internet, one thing can lead to another and before you* know it, you* find yourself* down a rabbet hole - with no clue of how you* ended up there. (* When I say, "you" and "yourself", I mean "me".)
However, this is not to say that important lessons aren't learned along the way. For example, one important lesson I've learned is that if you're going to watch video clips right before bedtime, make sure they're not from "The Godfather".
The other night I started watching a video clip which started off as a subdued business(?) conversation at a bar, when, all of a sudden, one of the barflies stabs another guy right through the hand (which effectively fastens him to the bar) while another guy garrotes him from behind. FYI: This does NOT facilitate a restful sleep.
Thankfully, what I have also stumbled across is the video below. I guess the video is technically more appropriate for the holiday season, but I like it anyway.
It's a much better way to wind down the day than watching "Godfather" clips.
Like most things having to do with the internet, one thing can lead to another and before you* know it, you* find yourself* down a rabbet hole - with no clue of how you* ended up there. (* When I say, "you" and "yourself", I mean "me".)
However, this is not to say that important lessons aren't learned along the way. For example, one important lesson I've learned is that if you're going to watch video clips right before bedtime, make sure they're not from "The Godfather".
The other night I started watching a video clip which started off as a subdued business(?) conversation at a bar, when, all of a sudden, one of the barflies stabs another guy right through the hand (which effectively fastens him to the bar) while another guy garrotes him from behind. FYI: This does NOT facilitate a restful sleep.
Thankfully, what I have also stumbled across is the video below. I guess the video is technically more appropriate for the holiday season, but I like it anyway.
It's a much better way to wind down the day than watching "Godfather" clips.
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