Am I A Senior?

I had an interesting conversation the other day on what middle age means and who qualifies as a senior citizen.

I started getting AARP invitations to join when I was 40! And I started having gray hair when I was 15! I was even given a senior citizens discount when I definitely did not qualify for senior citizens discounts (I’ll take it!). I think it was the gray hair 🥺

I think 50 is the beginning of middle age, and anyone over 60 is a senior, but that’s just my own definition.

Being senior just sounds so morbid. I’m technically a senior, and I have no problem accepting senior discounts! I do that for movie tickets HAHAHAHA!

But, I’ve been thinking. I am 5 years older than when my mom passed way, but I’m still 9 years younger than when my dad passed away. He was 10 years older than she was.

Is it the way you look? The way you feel? The proliferation of medical issues associated with old age? I don’t feel old, and I don’t look my age, but I’m in the senior citizen age bracket. That’s so depressing.

324th mass shooting in US in 2025 (09/28/25)

How can mass shootings be normalized? They can’t. They should not be a part of everyday life. 

No one should have to live in fear that someone holds a grudge for any reason and decides to carry out mass murders to avenge some sort of injustice on possibly total strangers. Maybe there was a specific target, but usually the victims belong to some imaginary group that in their delusional mind should be eliminated.

USPS PO Boxes

How old is this design? They are definitely sturdy, and it looks like they’re been around for a long time. The locks are really weird, but I suppose they’re really hard to pick.

I’m Scared, and I Want to Cry

 

I am a US citizen, I have lived in the US for 45 years, and I have no criminal record, but the news on ICE raids downtown scares me. Anyone can be snatched off the streets and deported without due process. If you fit the “racial” profile, you’re fair game for being detained. Is this what our country has become?

“The Department of Homeland Security posted to social media, saying, in part, ‘DHS under @Sec_Noem, will NOT back down. We will not rest until every violent terrorist, thug is arrested... @POTUS Trump and @Sec_Noem will return LAW AND ORDER to our streets.’”

But, they have hardly detained anyone who’s a “violent terrorist” except on trumped up and unsubstantiated accusations!

I’ve started carrying my US passport with me when I go out, but will it protect me? Are there certain neighborhoods I should avoid because of ICE activities? But downtown, River North, Gold Coast, Logan Square, South Shore? Where else? It scares me that our government is declaring war on its own people. The government is supposed to protect us, not terrorize us 😭🤬.

A friend had been “pestering” me to go on an international trip with them. I’d love to, but I’m paranoid of going through customs when coming back to the US. I’m probably just paranoid, but it’s definitely not a good feeling.

International Travel

 

I’ve had the privilege of having visited a lot of different countries. My first international trip was when I was 8 to Malaysia and Singapore (also my first time on a plane). My last international trip was to Ireland (Dublin, specifically). Most of my trips had been to Europe and Asia. I went to Mexico (Cancun) once, but it was not exactly by choice (I was attending a destination wedding).

My most memorable trip was to Eastern Europe the year the Berlin Wall came down and before the dismantling of the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, I do not have any photographs. Those were the days before cell phones (and I think a couple of reels did not develop). I remember watching the Berlin Wall come down on TV; it was very emotional.

You can see pictures of my trips starting in 2005 in my travel blogs in the sidebar.

I’m Technically Blind

I can’t see much without my glasses or contacts. I can’t read without my glasses as my (very strong) prescription is for correcting my nearsightedness. If I’m wearing my glasses, I have to remove my glasses to read. I can drive with my glasses on, but I prefer not to. With my actual prescription for my contacts, I have to wear reading glasses, which I don’t like to, either.

Years ago, my optometrist suggested trying mono-vision, i.e., one eye for distance and one for reading. OMG. I can see and I can read. The only problem was, when I went to renew my driver’s license, I couldn’t see distance out of one eye because my contact was for reading! Fortunately, I was able to guess and the staff was very understanding. WHEW!

I was diagnosed for nearsightedness when I was 10. No one realized, until I got a D for a writing exam in school when I misread what was on the blackboard! I saw “A Dog At The Beach.” I got a D because it was still a good essay, but the exam was for “A Day At The Beach.” Maybe the teacher should have also announced/read out loud the title/topic of the essay?

I still remember it (I was 10!) because of how devastating it was to get a D :-(, but that was the beginning of glasses. Without them, I’m blind!

At one point, I had three pairs of glasses: one was the original from maybe 30-40 years ago, one for keeping in my suitcase for travels, and another was an additional spare, all from the same prescription. One frame broke (I really liked it), then I managed to drop the original, and one lens broke. So now I only have one pair of glasses. I’m surprised my prescription hasn’t changed after all these years!

My Last, Last Supper (maybe)?

SAKE FLIGHT 301 

(KOKURYU “Nine Headed Dragon”, SOHOMARE “Karakuchi”, DEWAZAKURA “Tenth Degree”)

UNI SHOOTER 

(cucumber, tobiko, shiso)

SASHIMI DEKAI

 (chef’s selection: 18 pieces of assorted sashimi), SERVED WITH MISO SOUP

HONEY, DEW YOU 

(Ki No Bi Green Tea Gin, Honey Dew, Matcha, Yuzu- Honey Tea, Cointreau, Lime)

I used to live here

 

I really liked the studio apartment. It had a tall ceiling with huge windows on two sides and a walk-in closet big enough for a bed (no, I did not sleep in the closet).

I would not have moved if they hadn’t changed management. The new staff weren’t as nice.

This is where I live now. 

It was a condo building, and my landlord wanted me to buy it from him. At the time I had no wish to own. It was sold after a few years and he got bought out. It has changed management and probably owners several times since. I missed my chance :-(

I live on the top floor, and it is the only wing with windows on three sides. It is smaller than the previous apartment, but it is one-bedroom, and it has windows on three sides.

Tuxedo or Kimono

 

I “learned” this at a Portuguese restaurant in Canada when I was early for a dinner and the staff were folding napkins. I had plenty of time to watch what they were doing. This is still my favorite way to fold napkins/serviettes.

The State of Our Nation and the World

The news on politics, the economy, racial justice, immigration, education, public health, international conflict, and more over the last several months has been devastating, alarming, and depressing.

Everyday there is some new uninformed and uneducated pronouncement, targeting and attacking anyone who is in disagreement. That is not how democracy is supposed to work.

I keep wanting to wake up from this nightmare, but it is real. Time to get off this ride?

I am a bit OCD

So, I play Pyramid on my phone everyday, but I must successfully win a game PLUS score below 50 seconds before I’ll stop.

I have only scored 27 seconds once, which really annoys me.

Battle In The Afterlife?

This is a bit of a facetious post. 

You know how when someone was in a loving relationship (married or not) and then they both pass away people usually say now they’re together again? 

What happens if they were in a new loving relationship before they passed away, and then the new significant other/partner passed away? Will the old and the most recent late significant others have to fight one another in the afterlife?

Choices, Choices, Choices

I had previously stated, more than once, that I would like my last meal on Earth (it needs to be memorable) to be at Shanghai Terrace (best Chinese restaurant in Chicago, in my opinion) at The Peninsula Chicago, but there are other strong contenders. 

I would also love old school sushi (Kamehachi is the oldest sushi restaurant in Chicago, and it’s only a 15-min walk) or a good juicy, dry-aged ribeye (Gibson’s is only a 10-min walk). If I can really choose only one, which one should I choose?

After much agonizing, I think it’ll be sushi, more specifically, Sashimi Dekai (chef’s selection: 18 pieces of assorted sashimi) with a Sake Flight. A Chinese meal should be a shared experience with friends (sorry, Shanghai Terrace, although I have dined solo there many times), and I can actually order steak to cook at home from Gibson’s (though it won’t be exactly the same).

Or a simple Build Your Own Small Pizza (Marinara, Artichoke Hearts, Arugula, Fresh Basil, Mushrooms, Portabella Mushrooms, Romas)?

Sometimes A Cigar Is Just A Cigar

When you’re so insecure and paranoid that you think everyone’s out to get you and attribute it all to a conspiracy to make you look bad, maybe it’s just you.

So, the Rapture is coming. Can I hitch a ride?

Evangelical Christians on #RaptureTok are warning others of doom on 23 or 24 September.

Is LinkedIn worth it anymore?

I’ve been a member of LinkedIn since 2006 when it was touted as a good platform to make professional connections.

I personally find it very difficult to tell how effective LinkedIn is. I try to post on topics that are important to me, such as mental health issues, racial equity, HR practices, etc. I have a lot of connections, but I have a hard time with reading relevant posts, and I really don’t know if people are reading my posts.

Lately it has become more like Facebook; I sometimes get completely irrelevant messages from people who seem more interested in hookups! Gross!

Am I Just Paranoid?

I’ve lived in my neighborhood for a very long time, but it seems like there are more and more incidents, especially crimes and disturbances, which makes me very paranoid about going out. Maybe it’s just more reporting, but that’s not very comforting.

I’m Feeling Depressed and Anxious

I’m sure my mood is aggravated by the current political, economic, and racial climate. I’m afraid to read the news. I feel despair when I read the news. I want to cry because my very existence is under attack legitimized by the current administration. Since when did decency and consideration for our fellow humans disappear?

Stop The World

It feels more and more like my right to exist is constantly under attack. Being conservative in itself is not evil, but White Cis (especially male) Conservatives are demonizing and scapegoating anyone who doesn’t look like them. And it seems to be getting worse. I’m not sure if I can stand another 3 years.

Can I Say That?

I read the news, funny stories, but also a lot of “horror” stories about rude and inconsiderate or just plain dumb customers. Reading those stories makes me hate dumb people. I just don’t understand why people think it’s okay to treat people as if they don’t deserve any courtesy or respect.

Warning Labels Because Common Sense Is In Short Supply

I was stuck watching an ad for a medication, and one of the warnings was “Don’t take XXX if you’re allergic to it.” Seriously!

I’d Like to Check Out, Please

The news lately has been just simply depressing. It feels like we’re in the middle of a reality show with no way to opt out. When will this madness end?

You Have Two Cows

WORLD IDEOLOGIES EXPLAINED BY REFERENCE TO COWS

FEUDALISM
You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk.

SOCIALISM
You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you a glass of milk.

FASCISM
You have two cows. The government takes both, hires you to take care of them, and sells you the milk.

PURE COMMUNISM
You share two cows with your neighbors. You and your neighbors bicker about who has the most "ability" and who has the most "need". Meanwhile, no one works, no one gets any milk, and the cows drop dead of starvation.

RUSSIAN COMMUNISM
You have two cows. You have to take care of them, but the government takes all the milk. You steal back as much milk as you can and sell it on the black market.

PERESTROIKA
You have two cows. You have to take care of them, but the Mafia takes all the milk. You steal back as much milk as you can and sell it on the "free" market.

CAMBODIAN COMMUNISM
You have two cows. The government takes both and shoots you.

DICTATORSHIP
You have two cows. The government takes both and drafts you.

PURE DEMOCRACY
You have two cows. Your neighbors decide who gets the milk.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
You have two cows. Your neighbors pick someone to tell you who gets the milk.

BUREAUCRACY
You have two cows. At first the government regulates what you can feed them and when you can milk them. Then it pays you not to milk them. Then it takes both, shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk down the drain. Then it requires you to fill out forms accounting for the missing cows.

CAPITALISM
You don't have any cows. The bank will not lend you money to buy cows, because you don't have any cows to put up as collateral.

PURE ANARCHY
You have two cows. Either you sell the milk at a fair price or your neighbors try to take the cows and kill you.

ANARCHO-CAPITALISM
You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

SURREALISM
You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

OLYMPICS-ISM
You have two cows, one American, one Chinese. With the help of trilling violins and state of the art montage photography, John Tesh narrates the moving tale of how the American cow overcame the agony of growing up in a suburb with (gasp) divorced parents, then mentions in passing that the Chinese cow was beaten every day by a tyrannical farmer and watched its parents butchered before its eyes. The American cow wins the competition, severely spraining an udder in a gritty performance, and gets a multi-million dollar contract to endorse Wheaties. The Chinese cow is led out of the arena and shot by Chinese government officials, though no one ever hears about it. McDonald's buys the meat and serves it hot and fast at its Beijing restaurant.

AMERICAN CORPORATE CAPITALISM
Both cows are bloated with toxic steroids. They are set out to graze on privatized public parks, release massive amounts of flatulence that destroys the ozone layer, die from excess ultraviolet light, and are processed into meat-like products that look great as a result of clever and unprincipled marketing strategies. When you mortgage your artificially devalued farm at high interest rates in order to buy meat, you consume the poisoned material and develop terminal illnesses because there is no health care plan to treat you. The corporate management uses your purchase price to acquire THEIR meat from cows raised "naturally" on tree-free rain forest land outside of the country where labor and resources are cheap.

BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
Both cows are mad.

Holmes or Poirot?

I've always loved detective novels (I love mysteries), and I think Holmes and Poirot are the ultimate detectives: logical, methodical. Holmes is probably on the spectrum. Poirot is fastidious (probably bordering on obsessive-compulsive personality). Both are insufferable, sometimes rude even to those close to them. But they are also loyal.

I think I've read all the Sherlock Holmes stories. I have the Complete Sherlock Holmes from The Strand, and have probably watched almost all Sherlock Holmes episodes starring Jeremy Brett. I love the modern Sherlock interpretation starring Benedict Cumberbatch, but it is not a faithful adaptation of the original stories.

Lately, I rewatched all of Agatha Christies' Poirot starring David Suchet. While the writers made some minor changes, the scripts were faithful to the stories until the later adaptations.

I like people who are flawed but righteous, people who do what needs to be done in doing the right thing. Anyway, if I have to choose, I think I prefer Poirot. Don't get me wrong. I love Holmes, and they both have their personality quirks, but Poirot somehow resonates more with me.

Anyway, I thought I'd have my thoughts on Holmes and Poirot memorialized.