Of being exhausted, and Muni no-strike but it was a "sick-out" and other things~~~~

Oh Darklings,

I am soooooo exhausted, in many way's I am so glad I have a maid service to come in to "fluff, dust and vacuum" it really helps and they also tackle the bath rooms, but there are some chores that have to be done by yours truly-----cleaning the refrigerator is one of them, and that also means moving it away from the wall and back again.  (Doyle handled that part)

We are pretty good about using our left-overs into salads and sandwiches for lunch, but once in a while if it's not properly cleaned out you can find a "science experiment" trying to take over the world.   And then weeding out old bills and statements, unless they are important to showing the purchase price of large ticket items or medical expenses or even travel expenses if it's related to work.

It's a good thing I have a heavy duty shredder. 

And then going through book shelves, if it was a one time read and not going to read it again, into a shopping bag to be donated, did that but only after Doyle and Sis have done their tiny "tic" marks, and I do mean tiny. If one or both are missing I move it to another shelf.  Lift, lift, lift, lift---tote that barge, lift that bail,   Does house work count as exercise???

And it seems one of my neighbors is having a party with loud music, well it still is daytime, but come 11 p.m. if it's not toned down, I'll call 5-0. 

This week started off with a bit of insanity---it seems that the Muni Drivers decided to call a "sick-out", technically speaking they cannot strike, but they can call in sick, but come day two Muni said they better have Doctor's slips or no pay, but they still pulled it on Wednesday and Thursday although it did seem to improve, but waiting and waiting to catch Muni transport only to pass you by because the buses were full, packed like sardines.

Well the public wasn't happy, I certainly wasn't, and the public let the Muni Drivers know it via their Union reps. but the Union said they didn't call it.  BART did come to the fore to let people who used the muni passes ride for free.  Of course it was over money, and if they got the raise they'd be the 2nd highest transportation staff in the nation but they do not want to contribute to their pension fund.  (As I roll my eye balls) 

Well the public is not pleased, and I feel from what rumblings I heard the public is beyond pissed.  And I don't blame them, I certainly wasn't please either.

Of course it made my commute difficult, I could get into the City via BART, Bus or Ferry but it was making the connection that would drop me off at my work that was impossible.

 The first day I took a chance and I recommend that you do NOT do this but I was desperate, I thumbed a ride, stuck my thumb out and yelled "I need a ride!!!"   Definitely NOT lady-like, but I was picked up  by a limo!!!

The driver asked me my destination and I told him and it was right on his way, so I rode in style to work, he got out opened the door for me and helped me out of the limo like I was a celebrity.  I offered to pay him but he said it was fine.   I smiled and waived to him as my Knight in the black Limousine drove off and my co-workers looked out the window mouths agape.

It's moments like that that can make the City so wonderful. 

But for the remainder of the week Doyle drove me in and picked me up, he had to drive in any way so why not.

Of the man Chamberlain that the FBI had a nation wide alert out, well he not only had explosives in his apartment but he was also trying to buy on the black market, toxic poisonous agents like ricin.  There is another "black market" that popped up after "Silk Road" was closed and the FBI managed to track the man down through his purchases through that web site even though it's claimed that such purchases using "bit-coin" is impossible to trace---Well Darklings  I guess not.

And California Chrome lost his chance to become the next triple crown winner, I did not watch the race, I had a feeling that the Belmont was not his field, but he did win the first two so can you imagine the stud fees???

And now for something completely different----Darklings if Doyle ever asks me to marry him, or if he just wants to give me a promise ring I have found something wonderfully Goth---

 

This is a 14 k Red gold with Black Diamonds wedding ring, yes the Diamonds are real, so is the gold, it is 14k white gold with a red Rhodium overlay, I've also seen one in a different style with a black rhodium overlay on the white gold.  Is that the most dramatic, Gothic looking ring you've ever seen?? and the price is only a measly $2,500.  And that was knocked down.

 

Here it is with the Black rhodium overlay, just a mere bobble to have on one's finger, but so dramatic in its own way, of course not to everyone's taste but I just had to show you My Darklings.   Forget chocolate Diamonds on Rose gold, black is the way to go.

 

Later Darklings 

 

Of "static on the line", old musty book stores and BART is at it again~~~

Hello Darklings,

Oh yes Rebecca, that book on the Victorian House by Flanders is at the top of my list,  I'll have to see what is offered on Amazon.  

I know I would prefer to go to a local book store, but sometimes they have it and sometimes they don't, and my favorite book store has been closed for a few years, the owner was very up there in years and advertised that he was closing everything 50 to 75% off.  Of course we took advantage of it, it has always been my first place to shop for books, but when I saw how fraile he looked I realized he was doing the right thing.  His son and daughter in law was helping him box and bag books as they sold.  I could see how they were concerned about him,  the daughter in law told me, that ever since the Cat died, its name was Queen Elizabeth, her father in law was not the same afterwards and the Cat was nearly 20 years old.  Very old for a cat.

Then he was selling his book shelves and I put in a bid for 4 of them, so wonderfully old and victorian and got them too,  of course I had to borrow a truck and a friend to help me haul them, and put them into my apartment, now they are in different parts of the house still displaying speical treasures.

I miss Mr. Manning, he reminded me of a faded version of the actor Peter Cushing,  and his book store, it was crowded with books, and delightful things and his cat perched on a speical book shelf on a faded red cushion watching her kingdom, and what made it so speical was the wonderful scents of tea's and such, near his mystery section he also sold teas and tea cups and cozies and tea pots and all kinds of tea things.  I could never leave without buying a tea to try. 

I cannot forget how close to Thanksgiving and Christmas the scent of cinnamon and cloves filled the air, and his huge apolicary jar of ginger candies, "Good for a sore throat or cold" he would say and wrap a few of them in wax paper for me to take, always free.  The spice cookies Phiffin...something, such a treat spicy and sweet with a dusting of powdered sugar to get all over your clothes. 

And Tiffany style lamps to light a dark corner to reveal its treasures.  I would stop there at least once a week especially on my way to work to buy a mystery or informative book,  Mr. Manning knew what bus I had to catch and would warn me so I wouldn't miss it.  If I didn't have time to pay for the book he would hold it for me for next time.     

I miss places like that, if I ever come across a place like that again I would cherish it and support it, but alas, they are disappearing from the scene and will only exist in memory, hidden from view, like Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, a speical memory to go down and re-visit when I open a book, drink a cup of tea and have a ginger candy for a scratchy throat.

***Sigh***

Well now I must deal with the here and now,  I'm glad I only worked a half day today, it gave me a chance to deal with a problem I thought was developing on my phone line and with the rain I was right, the static is painful to the ears and impossible to talk to someone espeically in dealing with business. 

Even Brian at my Sister's house was having the same problem so we knew it had to be a major line across the street where there are trees and branches rubbing, rubbing and wearing out the phone lines, so both he and I put in a "Trouble on the Line" call and I just hate the automatic telephone tree, but at least they have one for static on the line selection, BUT now I have to take tomorrow off because the phone man will be here between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. HOW DELIGHTFUL!!   Oh well as long as its fixed, that is my concern.

So far though doing e-mail and posting on my blog doesn't seem to be a problem, in the long run I still do preferr a hard wire land line, to me cell phones are not user friendly, the voice keeps breaking up and people have a tendency to wander around their home or office which affects the quality of communication as they fade in and out---I have to keep saying to them that they are fading in and out and breaking up, do they have a spot where the signal is good.  Well of course they do but then they start wandering around again.
I Give Up!!

And its not 'romantic' for me, people do not know how to hold a telephone conversation, or even to say good-bye, or hello,  I had a wrong number call me one time and the man on the other end said to me "Hey Bro!!  Wassup!!  Man I've gotta ...."  and I interrupted him and said, "Excuse me but I do not think I'm your Bro or Brother,  I'm not even transgender..."  and he says "Wha.., What???  Hey ain't youse (insert name here)?"  "No" said I "and I don't even know the person"  and instead of saying "I'm sorry I dialed the wrong number" being apologetic they just hang up.  How Rude!!   Ettiquete decrees that you should aplogize for mis-dialing and bid the person a good day. 

Now I do have to say I have been given a number incorrectly, when I call and its not the right person I always say "I'm sorry but the number I was dialing is (blah, blah) to reach (so and so) have I mis-dialed?"  now usually because I'm so polite the response is either "well you've dial the right number but no such person is here"  or it will be "I'm sorry but you've dialed the wrong number" either way I'll apologize for having bothered them and hang up.  And I have never had a rude response either.   I think because I'm so polite it startles them......

Or maybe they think that a phone call from the past has traverse time and space only to interrupt their lives and leave a puzzelment....I like that idea...sort of shake them up out of their complacentcy.  Considered that's there's been a movie or two about that...Hmmmmm, such fun when you think about it.

And BART...it seems that the BART Directors are saying that there was an error in the already signed contract giving 6 weeks family leave and the Directors are saying that the costs for that will be too high, hmmm why wasn't that caught when they signed off on it, espeically considering that it was signed too by the original negotiator that no one liked...was that revenge on his part??

Now there is really no talk of strike but the possiblity of it is there, but the public is like "I'm so over this, I'm not on the Union's side."   I have to agree, it would be very harmful to strike right at the Holiday Season,  I can just see the public now, storming the BART stations with pitch fokes and torches and the BART offices as well.    O.K. who is going to pour down the boiling oil on the peasant rabble?

And for a while we had a wonderful feel good moment with Bat Kid, and another with a little two year old napping with his 9 week old puppy buddy, kids and puppies and kittens, even I can't resist that.

But the Typhoon in the Phillipines and Tornado's in the Mid-West, a harsh dose of reality to be reminded that life and material things are fragile.

And I just got a phone call from Doyle, I could hear him over the static, he's buying Chinese tonight with lots of Soup, no cooking for Sis and I,  he asked me to check to see if Brian and Louise want to join us,  I think tonight deserves to be with good people.  Don't you?

Later Darklings



I just hate waiting for them to fix the phone lines.



Of a Short Vacation and a "new" stove~~~~

Hello my Darklings,

Yes I am up early, but a lot to do and little time to do it in.

Dear Rebecca I do hope you enjoy the pumpkin crunch receipe, I was surprised how easy it was to make, and it seems like just the perfect thing for the fall.   I hope to be able to on occasion post other receipes that I find tasty and enjoyable.
It seems for now BART cannot make up it's mind to strike or not to strike (that is the question), but it seems that the talks are moving forward although slowly.  I find it interesting that when the original mediator went on vacation and a Federal Mediator came in that suddenly there was progress.   They should keep this man in and booth the first one out. 

So the BART trains are running but people have to find out from the 11 p.m. news every night to see if it is so, very inconvient.  AC Transit (buses) were also threatening to strike but the Govenor stepped in and ordered a 7 day cooling down, and if they still can't get it together then he'll order a 60 day cooling down.

And the Federal Government has opened up for business at least for the next 3 or 4 months, frankly raising the debt ceiling is not really good.  The government needs to look at its spending practices and stop borrowing, even Benjamin Franklin once said "man has an income of $20 and spends only $19.90 that equals happiness, but if his earns $20 and spends $20.10 that equals misery" (o.k. I paraphrased it) but that is what our Government Federal, State, County and City is doing and you cannot tax the life out of the people.  Something has to give.

But for now I'm not going to worry,  even my cousin Louise said that the moon and the planets (she's into Astrology) showed that the bottle necks will suddenly clear up temporarily, and she said that on Monday.

Yes my Cousin Louise is staying with me and Sis and Doyle, which is a good thing in a way.  Depending upon how one looks at it, well Doyle is taking me to Old Sacramento and we are going to stay on the Delta King, Sis will be in and out of the house dealing with her clientel, and the workmen on her house,  Belladonna will be staying with our elderly neighbor, and Brian can keep an eye on the houses since he'll be working from home but with Louise here that will help.

Louise is my younger cousin and has moved out of her apartment because she is getting a divorce, after 25 years of marriage, no children and a finladering husband she has had enough.  She wanted a house he didn't, she wanted certain pieces of furniture,he didn't, she liked certain music, places to see, movies to go to and she wanted children---he didn't.  But when she found out that he fathered and was taking care of a child by another woman, that was the end.  And so she is now with me and Sis, I had her talk to my lawyer who recommended a very good lawyer to help her.  Money is not a worry for her, but she is going to get what is rightfully hers by our state laws.

And she'll house sit for me,  I am so looking forward to this vacation, to see somethings different, I understand that there maybe Ghost Walks in Old Sacramento but we'll know better once we get there.

And the 'new' stove,  well Darklings I've been looking and looking, new, old, vintage etc. and nothing seemed right,  I had first thought of getting a new stove from the Elmira works (it would have to be ordered) but what was off putting for me was how high the grates were on the stove, I thought it would be too easy to knock a pot off the stove.   And much of the old stoves still needed work,  I had found photos of the kitchen going back to when the house was built but the stove at that time was very small,  then one from the 1920's but again that seemed too small, I knew I wanted something like my O'keefe and Merritt but since from time to time I give parties I wanted something that would handle a lot.

Then my contractor called me last weekend and said he thinks he found the stove I want,  so yesterday evening Doyle and I went to this place that he was in the process of dismantling, yes Darklings dismantling, he preferes to salvage as much as he can before a place is torn down, this house was in very bad shape but he salvage a lot of wonderful things from it, including mahogany panneling, stain glass windows, etc. but it was the stove, I had the measurements as well as photo's of the spot where it would be put and I could not believe my eyes......There it was.....an O'Keefe and Merritt Town and Country range, 57 inches wide, 6 burners, 2 ovens with windows, 2 broilers, 2 warming compartments and 2 storage areas.

There were tears in my eyes of joy,  I had seen on a web site the same stove but the asking price was $8,000 I could not afford that!!!    But this one could be had for just the cost of moving it out and installing it at my place plus having a good repair man come out and checking it over and calibrating the burners and ovens,  it would need cleaning yes, but Sis, Doyle and I are up to it.  

Talking it over with my contractor he said he could move the tiny aparment stove over install a new flex hose for it and then move the O'Keefe stove into it's place we could clean it and then he'd install a flex hose for it but not turn on the gas to it until I had made an appointment for the repair man to come and check it out and do what needs be done to it. 

My contractor tested it while the gas was still available to see if there was any problems and he did not find any, but the move could jiggle something loose.  Some of the knobs were very stiff, so that needs to be worked on and yes the chrome was a little worn but it's perfect,  Sis will be home when the move is done this weekend, so the kitchen will be a little awkward but that will be only for a short time.

I do not have a picture of the stove in the old house but I've got a picture of the same one from the web site so you'll see what I'll be getting just remember Darklings this picture is of a totally refurbished stove, the one I'm getting will have seen some wars but it is perfectly useable.

But now Louise is here and I hear her puttering in the kitchen,  I think I'll go and have another cup of coffee and discuss with her, her future plans.

Later Darklings

This is the one on the web site, mine is far more used that this but its the exact same model.

Of Monday, Aviator cocktails, and a possible BART strike~~~

Hello and Good Morning Darklings,

Yes, Moi up early in the A.M.  who would have thought.  But it seems that when I wake up although the clock says 7 a.m. it Does feel like 6 a.m.  I will be so glad when Daylight Savings Time is over.  Of course Belladonna did not want to leave her nice warm bed, I still have her in her sweater and she was under her bed covers (yes doggie bed covers) so I have not forced her, she'll get up when she wants to.

I am so glad I do not work on Mondays and Fridays anymore,  I've been following the news and people thought that BART unions were going to strike today, but not----at least for 24 hours.  This whole thing is so silly and the public is fed up with the unions holding out, it seems anything to do with transportation is not sitting well with the general public.

BART management has given their best and final offer, which is more than before, and BART unions are acting coy hinting its still not enough, but from what I can detect between the verbage, I think the unions are wary of public opinion right now, the public is not on their side....AND there is a move up in Sacramento to design and pass a bill preventing state wide any kind of transit strike, I do believe that New York and at least two other states have a simular bill.  

Both Unions and Management do not want that kind of bill, but I have a feeling it will pass, anything that interfers with the economy, creates chaos and grid lock now a days is not looked upon favorably.   So BART and possibly AC Transit Unions may have shot themselves in the foot.  Well that is what happens if you become too greedy.

Doyle and Sis have left for their respective offices early today,  Doyle muttering about doing background checks,  and Sis saying she'll be glad to have her house done so she can get out of her lease on her office.  And I will be making dinner.  Good Old Fashion Monday Meatloaf.  But I came across a dessert called Pumpkin Crunch, such a good alternative to pumpkin pie.  So I'll be a housefrau today, which is good, my maid service is coming in today.

And meal planning, bill paying all those wonderful mundane things to do. 

Last night Doyle made Aviator cocktails, they have a sky blue color, and it is not made with Blue curaco but Creme de Violete very hard to get I understand but Doyle has his sources, it is a cocktail from the 1920's and such a floral taste almost refreshing----now Doyle said if one uses Palma Violetes or another liquor it tastes different, but he wanted to try this,  I fell in love with it, now there are a lot of receipes out there but the original is best to follow.

I asked Doyle why he wanted to try it and he reminded me of an earlier episode of "The Blacklist" where James Spader's character introduces the heroine to the Aviator cocktail---this is sort of a Hannibal character but with a slight difference, unfortunately it runs the same time as "Castle" so we record it and watch it on Tuesday right after the 6 p.m. news,  I find Spader's character devious, a manipulative, but why is his character getting rid of those he's done business with and who are very evil?  What is his motive?  It is far more enjoyable than "Revenge" which is just a fancy Soap Opera,  and "Scandal" is fine but I am not intrigued by that program as much. 

What we have found is that if there are programs that run at the same time we Tivo them and then watch them during "blank spots" in the regular T.V. programing---"Blank Spots" being programs we're not interested in, since we try to have dinner at 6 p.m. if possible, one blank spot is the 7 to 8 p.m. slot. and on weekends it can extend to the 8 to 9 p.m. slot as well.

And I must confess I've become hooked on "The Good Wife" now the plot line is getting very interesting, before it bored me, but Sis liked it.  But now we have "Sleepy Hollow" "Bones", "The Originals" and our favorites, "Castle", "Blue Bloods", "Supernatural", "Big Bang Theory", "NCIS" "NCIS-LA", "CSI", "Criminal Minds", "Person of Interest",  sorry but "Elementary" has lost me,  "Hawaii 50" is still interesting but I don't think it will survive this season.  We've been checking in on "Vampire Diaries"  Sis watches it because of some of her younger clients, but its still too juvenile for me, although I think the Damon character is interesting, he reminds me of a young man I dated many years ago, always acting like a bad boy, but secretly had a good heart and did kind and helpful things for people without their knowing it.  Same green eyes--mmmmmm.

But what has Happened to "Hannibal" and "Nikita"  I didn't hear of them being cancelled.  Unless "Hannibal" is one of those 13 weeks mid-season runs.  Doyle insists that we buy the series "Foyle's War" I agree I enjoy the degree of research into the history of that program and its set design.

But now I understand there are still a few more programs to premier, oh decisions, decisions.

Now I must go, Belladonna finally rose from her bed and has done her thing and is barking at the squirrels, I guess I'll have to go and referee and the Maid Service will be here in the next half-hour, and I still have to get the inside of the house decorated for Halloween, not that I have to do much, just to get out a few things and plan the menu for the party.

Later Darklings

Of Trains, Spirit Stores and Transit issues~~~~

Hello Darklings,

And Hello to you Undergroundfortea,   I have to agree traveling by train is the only way to see the country comfortably and in style, and I always prefer having at least a roomette, you can have your privacy, sleep in comfort without having to deal with a snooring neighbor or rude seat mates.  And you see sooo much of the country side, it gives you a better panorama of what our country looks like.....and all in comfort, no weight baggage issues, no long lines, hardly any delays, good food  and to be able to stretch out and walk around.

There have been times when I've had to go to L.A. or back East to visit family or relations but I've always taken the train and train travel has improved.  Many years ago I went back east by Coach----Never again, although service was very good, but having a roomette (at least) made it so much more Luxurious.

I have taken commuter trains when needed and that is not bad and its relaxing.  But flying, unless it was something of great urgency, I never fly.

And when you compare the cost of traveling by train, taking a plane or Greyhound Bus, the train wins everytime.   Unless you're going to a place where there is no train connections so its Greyhound.

Why one of the things Doyle and I plan on doing is taking the train to Yosemite, now the train doesn't go into Yosemite but there is a jumping off point where you catch the Yosemite shuttle into the Valley, then in touring the Valley and other areas you take the Valley tram, one does not need a car.   All one has to do is plan things carefully.

About the Spirit Stores, well with Blockbuster closing so many of them it does leave an opportunity for Spirit to make use of those locations,  they are usually easy to get to, have parking and easily spotted for the general public, it makes perfectly good sense.   I like them because if I see something in the Store and then when Halloween is over I can order it from the web site already knowing the quality of the product.  It can be very helpful.   And I am a tactile person, I like to touch or see the actual object before I commit myself to purchasing it.

I told Coralline on the phone last night and she is soooo looking forward to going,  and we are planning another shopping spree this coming weekend.  Well its just as much for me as it is for her.

About AC Transit.....it seems that Union and that particular Board was on the ball working out their negotiations, they saw the problems BART was having and they were not that far apart on issues and both were in agreement on many things.   At least common sense was working with them.  They were not going to the media but staying at the negotiation table until a final agreement was made.     So the Buses are running----Yeaaaa!!!  says a lot of my co-workers.  It will help with some of their commuting.   But we may have to fall back onto carpooling on Monday if no 60 day cooling off period is declared.

Yesterday the Director said to us that with the planning that we've made for such a problem, that it will be kept in place (that is on file) to have on hand for the possiblity of any other future transit strikes, that way the "wheel won't have to be re-invented"  we'll have a plan on hand and just do a little tweeking as needed.

And about that truck that caught on fire, it was an unusual situation, it does happen from time to time, its rare but not unusual.  It's just that it happened right at commute time and with a bridge they have to careful of the stablity of the pavement surface and it was also a sort of accident scene so all those things had to be looked into which caused further delays. 

But I have to say I have never seen such tempers fly like what was reported, it was pretty scary.

That is why I and many of my co-workers always have Plan B and Plan C in place,  and thank goodness for basic cell phone service to give family members the "heads-up".

But now I'll be getting my things together and hi-ho its off to work I go,  Sis is home today doing reports, but I'll be taking Belladonna to my elderly neighbor, the dear lady loves to fuss over the little darling.

Later Darklings

Of the Spirit Store is comming!!!

Good Morning My Darklings,

My car pool ride home was relaxing and somewhat uneventful, except we had to take the San Mateo Bridge home instead of the SF East Bay Bridge,  it seems there was a huge truck fire that occurred on that bridge, no one hurt thank goodness, but a lot of sushi went up in flames.  As one of my co-workers remarked "That's a serious fish fry".   A humoriest he is not.

Traffic was backed up for 2 to 3 hours with people running out of gas and people being arrested for fighting.  A sign of things to come I fear.

But San Mateo Bridge traffic was fairly free-flowing so we took the "back way" home and contributed to paying for the extra gas to our driver.

Although I was a bit tired when I got home my sister was waiting very paticently for me and said "we need to get some staples for the pantry", it seems in the fun of shopping for Coralline for me and house re-modeling for my sister and Doyle out of town we forgot to do the basics----grocery shopping.

So with her driving and I going over the grocery list we went into Alameda to the Safeway there, and hoped that Trader Joe's would be open as well...we were lucky we got there in time before Joe's closed and then went to Safeway.   I was amazed at the peace and quiet in the Store and some of the strange "Nighthawks" that shop there after the sun went down.

Ever since many stores stay open either 24 hours or till 10 p.m. or midnight and since the "invention" of on line shopping, those that relish living at Night have many benefits of those shopping hours,  I'm sure during the Christmas shopping hours when many places stay open till 11 p.m. that is also greatly welcomed as well.

I mentioned to my sister about this and she said that in the hot valley areas and desert areas places like Wal-Mart and Target are open 24 hours so that people can shop during the cool of the night avoiding the heat of the day espeically when it gets up into the high 90's or 100's.   When she had to travel as part of her previous job this was something she discovered.    I looked at her and she smiled and said "Maybe we should look at the hours of our local Wal-mart and Target stores, it could prove to be very helpful."

I love the way she thinks.

After we were though loading our groceries in the car, Sis said she had to drop off a number of letters to mail and get stamps, the local post office was nearby and the lobby was open so we drove there and as we were going past what use to be a "Blockbuster" store we saw The Sign.   "Spirit Is Coming!"  

Yeaaaaaa we screamed like teenage girls at a rock concert!

We knew that towards the late middle towards end of September the store would still be stocking but also open to selling with a Grand Opening on Oct 1,   Sis looked at me and said "I guess we'll have to drive by here starting in September aren't we?"   Oh Yes said I.

I hope that they will carry the new Midnight Syndicate album and I do need to add to my Nox Arcana collection as well as any glass and plate wear and things to add to the house.   Sis reminded me to switch to my darker shades of nail polish like "Devil's Lure"  which means that there maybe some new and lovely selections of colors---I hope. 

I know Coralline will be thrilled----And I do hope the larger store south of us will be in its usual place.  Oh I am looking forward to Halloween!  

Sis also reminded me that the Vintage Fashion Fair will also be in October----Oh I thought, maybe I did have to forgo going on a vacation trip this year, but I am all excited in anticipation of the holidays!

And then after we got home and put the groceries away, Brian who was watching Belladonna while we were gone said that Doyle had called and would call back in a short while with some nice news for me.  Hmmmm I thought, I wonder what it could be?

I didn't have long to wait,  Doyle called back and asked me how would I like to spend several nights on the Delta King in Old Sacramento?  Tour the Old Town Sacramento and Sutter's Fort and if we have time maybe an art museum and get there by train?   Yes!!! I screamed.

Doyle had made arrangements for us to go in the early part of October, he said with all the stresses of what was happening I needed a bit of relaxation and fun.   And he made sure his calendar would be clear for those dates, all I had to do was set it up with my Boss, which I knew was not going to be a problem since it was well in advance.

And now with the morning gray and overcast as well as chilly I have my work papers ready and just for today will take the bus and BART and if tomorrow AC Transit strikes or if they don't I will be car pooling.   I just hope that in all this aftermath there will not be any fighting on the on ramps to the SF-Bay Bridge, I have to say on the news broadcast showing the fighting, there was one woman who was so big she could have lifted a bus without much effort.

Later Darklings

Of AC Transit getting into the act~~~

Well Darklings,

I'm still here at work but my work load is done, so a short break while I wait for my ride back home.

Everyone here at work is so dis-enchanted right now.  We heard on the news radio that AC Transit (a 2 county bus Transportation system) has filed to strike on Wednesday.  This will hurt those that have op to get to work or to the Ferry system to S.F. using AC Transit and I am one of them.

So we are looking at Car pooling again for those who live East of S.F. across the Bay, should AC Transit strike and its pretty much what we did before.  We got together taking an approved long afternoon coffee break to discuss this and setting up a telephone tree as well.

Our Bosses are just as unhappy with both BART Union and AC Transit Union essentally holding the public as hostages by denying reasonable transportation. 

We've all decided to continue what we are doing until we know exactly what is going to happen, including the car pooling.  If the Bus system doesn't strike then I can use the bus to take a Ferry but it seems like all is Chaos.

This is suppose to be Summer, a happy time, and school will be starting in a few weeks, there is going to be a lot of very unhappy parents and students.     

I have a feeling that Gov. Jerry Brown is going to be involved in that as well.  This does not bode well.

Ahh my ride is ready,  I'll keep you posted my Lovelies.

Later Darklings

Of A brief BART Strike postponement~~~

Well My Darklings,

Someone Finally woke up our Govenor Jerry Brown to the fiscal disaster the BART strike could do.

I'm still here at home, the contingency plan was we'd impliment our commute plan on Monday (today) strike or no strike, to see how it would work.

But the Govenor has stepped in to impliment a 7 day investigation period into the strike with a 3 member panel to see if a 60 cooling off period is needed and to continue negotiatons.

I will post the article as it appeared in the Wall Street Journal so that those who live overseas can understand how this works.  

So here it is~~~
Gov. Brown Intervenes to Stop BART Strike—for a Week, at Least - WSJ.comWSJ


By
WILLIAM HARLESS

California Gov. Jerry Brown halted a transit strike threatening the San
Francisco Bay Area's main commuter rail system, invoking a law that makes a
strike illegal for, effectively, the next seven days.

Because a strike would "disrupt public transportation services and will endanger
the public's health, safety, and welfare," Gov. Brown said in a statement Sunday
night, he had appointed a three-member board to investigate "the threatened
strike" over the next seven days. California law prohibits a strike while the
investigation proceeds.

Bay Area Rapid Transit workers picketing during last month's four-day strike;
with management and unions still far apart Sunday night, Gov. Jerry Brown
intervened to delay a second strike by a week.Train drivers, station agents and
other workers of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System announced the strike late
last week after union and BART negotiators failed to make significant headway
toward a new labor contract.

It would have been the summer's second BART strike. The first, which lasted four
days the first week of July, cost the Bay Area at least $73 million daily in
lost productivity, according to Tracey Grose, the vice president of the Bay Area
Council Economic Institute, a nonprofit research organization.

BART Board President Tom Radulovich, in a Sunday letter to Gov. Brown requesting
he intervene to prevent a second strike, said the union's demands are still
insupportable.

"The BART system is aging, and needs considerable reinvestment to meet the
mobility needs of the Bay Area while state and federal support for transit
dwindle," Mr. Radulovich wrote. "Meanwhile, the cost of maintaining benefits
continues to grow faster than our revenues. Our labor agreements must reflect
these financial realities."

Pete Castelli, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local
1021, said BART's offer Sunday was "regressive"—financially worse for his
members than its previous offer—while BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said, "We
made a steadily upward climb in our offers all weekend, offering more and
more—the wage proposal went up."

"They were calling our proposal regressive," she said, "and our response was we
only went in one direction, and that was up."

As of about a month ago, Local 1021 and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555
were asking for a 4.5% wage increase for each of the next three years, along
with an annual 2.2% cost-of-living adjustment.

BART, Ms. Trost said, has offered an 8% salary increase over four years, while also asking workers to pay more for health insurance, saying their premiums are some of the lowest in California.

According to Ms. Trost, after the governor-appointed panel releases its report,
the governor will have the option of asking a judge to impose a 60-day strike
injunction as negotiations proceed.

The last BART strike before July's was in 1997.

Write to William Harless at william.harless@dowjones.com
Copyright 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So as I understand it the Union is requesting a salary increase of 4.5%  EACH Year for 4 years and a 2.2% cost of living EACH Year on top of that for a total of 6.7%  EACH Year for 4 years for a Grand Total of  26.8% in Salary increases on top of the over $75,000 a year they receive gross?   And they do not pay into a retirement program, BART pays into their program and they only pay $92 a month flat rate into their health plan?

I know of no other government agency or private agency that does that.   Where I work we pay a portion of our salary into a retirement fund and health fund and our company pays matching amounts if not more.   And because I budget my funds carefully I am able to pay into a private retirement fund as well.   When I retire I will continue with my same health insurance and also medicare, and I will pay so much into it and my compay will match it as well.  

I and my co-workers do not know of any company or agency that coddles their employees like that.

The safety issue I certainly can understand but if the employees want safety then they have to make adjustments on other issues accordingly.   Unfortunately it will be the passengers who will have to pay for the increase via their fare costs.   Nobody rides for free in this life.

No wonder my fellow co-workers are so disenchanted by the Union's side of things.   I also understand that a state legislator is seeking to have a bill passed that such strikes done by a government agency that serious affects the economy and commerce be deemed illegal, and force both sides to remain at negotiations even when a contract runs out.   So the BART Union has really started a process that will eventually hurt all Union members.  Tsk-tsk.   How short-sighted by the Union.

Well Darklings I must go,  by the way Coralline, her mother and I had fun over the weekend weeding Coralline's closet and shopping for goodies for her and we are not done, well get together again soon to do more.    The clothing that Coralline out grew and she is going to be a tall young lady, I have in two bags which will go to a charity,  talking to Doyle over the phone he said he'll take care of it for us.  Such a good man.

Later Darklings

Of the impending BART Strike~~~~

Well My Darklings,

I'm here very early at work today,  cleared off a lot of things and in about 30 minutes we will have our All-Staff meeting.

Already David is plying me with Hazelnut Mocha Coffee, our Director has cereral with either hot or cold milk, fresh fruit, fruit juice, coffee, tea, pastry, and Bagels with several different kinds of spreads.  He knows many of us left home without eating and this promises to be a long meeting.

We heard the word on last nights news broadcast, the BART Unions have given a 72 hour notice that they will strike on Midnight Monday Aug 4, so no service on Monday, unless both the Union and the BART management come to an agreement.

Which we know will not happen.   The Union is asking too much and are already the highest paid transport agency in the United States,  many of us have gone over the numbers and we agree that this Union does not pay into its pension program, only pays a flat $92 allowance into their medical program, where as other govenement agencies do pay into those programs with the company paying matching funds to match the difference. 

The BART Union does not want that to change, well as almost all of my co-workers agree, the BART Union better change or there will be new training under a new contract with less money and paying into those programs, and the old staffers can kiss their jobs bye-bye.   Much of the Public is not on the Union's side.  

One thing we do agree on is that better safety for BART employees and for passengers is very important, but the Union is using that as a cover-up to distract from the fact that they want to even be even higher paid.  And who is going to pay for that????   The Passenger riders with higher fees to ride the BART.  And many of them cannot afford to have that kind of increase.

And yesterday the BART Union Board as well as members of other Unions gathered in front of City Hall in Oakland to show solidarity???!!!  Where is solidarity for the BART passenger?!

And for the State Capital to become involved requires a vote by the state congress? as well as other legal hoops?   With out regard to the damage to the economy???   Oh something is very rotten in Sacramento.

So here we are, waiting for the meeting, already I can see huge boards being set up so that a plan can be in place, the idea is that we will copy what is finalized on the plan, then a designated person will print it out and distribute it, we'll look it over and agree or make final changes then print out the new plan for finalization.  We will be here till late I think, our Director said he will buy dinner if it looks like we are going to go past 5 p.m.  We all agreed PIZZA, much easier and we have two microwaves to heat up slices if need be.

Of course everyone is shocked, Shocked!!  I came wearing slacks, granted they are in black, but no one has ever seen me wearing slacks to work, I said "Well isn't Friday sometimes referred to as 'Casual Friday' ?  So why not wear slacks.  Espeically as this is going to be a long, long day."   No arguements.

One of my co-workers will give me a lift home, as its on his way.   ***sigh***  It's going to be a difficult August for communiting.

Later Darklings

Of a restful but peculair weekend~~~

Hello Darklings,

I've been reading my Black Dahlia book, but I can only take it in in small amounts, so much to digest, and last night I didn't get much reading done because one of my co-workers called to vent her frustrations of Friday.

She wanted my advise or some suggestions as to what she and others can do about the last friday of the month when those Bicyclists take over the streets of San Francisco and prevent people from getting home.  It has a regular name (Critical Mass) but at work they call it Road Block Friday.

And with the possiblity of BART going on Strike by August 4th, that leaves that possiblity of transportation out.   I told her that this is something that will have to be brought up at the All Staff meeting.

One thing I did suggest to her was getting to work much earlier and leaving earlier to at least take the bus home or the Ferry, and just leave her car at home it just means not planning anything for that evening, perhaps have that as a Pizza night for the family or something.

There was the idea of maybe taking that day off and working on Saturday instead or doing a half day on Friday and half day on Saturday leaving the afternoons free.  Or coming in later and working later pass the time of the insanity of the bicyclists. 

Ordinarily if BART was not striking she would take BART and Bus to and from work, but with the BART strike that will not be possible.   I did tell her that at the all staff meeting we were going to look into what worked and what didn't during the 4 1/2 day strike and advised her to write those ideas down, and that if the Strike last more than a month (I don't think it will) that we still have to take into the  idea of the inconsideration and inconvience of Critical Mass and now would be a good time to address it, I know that our Director would welcome any ideas.

This last Friday was horriendous, not only was it Friday it was Critical Mass Friday, plus two games being played one in S.F. the other in Oakland, as well as two concerts in the Area and then as a topper, the Bridge (S.F. East Bay) was closed for two hours in both directions just at quitting time because of something that looks suspiciously like a bomb at an off ramp at Treasure Island. 

I was so glad I was not working that day.  Sis and Doyle were fortunate to avoid that mess as their work kept them on this side of the Bay, and Brian was working late.  But it was awful and painful to see on the news.

But today I took it easy,  just a little walk with Belladonna this morning, and a light breakfast, a few chores to be done.  Sis wanted me to go with her over to her house to look over that back porch.  Her contractor had suggested a few ideas and even sketched them out,  and she sketched some of her own but it was as if she has this idea but didn't know how to express it.

So here we are sitting on a couple of folding chairs and looking things over, some tall metal stakes were set up and string was tied to them to measure the area of how far the extention was going to go and then the much small outside deck beyound that.  But she had a feeling that what she had in mind for a view of the garden would be blocked and she was right.   I thought for a minute or two and said "Why a 2nd deck?  Why not a patio below the "lani" level,  I pointed out that at one end  closests to the driveway she could have a small deck to step out on and then steps to go down to it.   Considering the amount of sun it gets it would be wasteful to have another overhang, just have patio umbrella's that can be taken up or put out for shade as needed.

That way the major expanse of the view of the enclosed porch would not be impeded.  And with screens on the sliding floor to ceiling windows (in essence slide glass doors) one still could get fresh air and hear the birds.   She was estatic about the idea  But she still had a problem,  her driveway curves into the back yard and after the garden area is her garage so you have a beautiful garden and then a garage wall,  I said disguise it.  Make it a rock wall with plantings,  maybe a waterfall  but avoid bamboo, grows like a weed, I suggested a form of climbing jasmine for scent.  The gardener would know.

I said that the driveway could be hidden from the Lani with some of those buildings that she was thinking of that she saw at the County Fair espeically if she wanted to bring 1950's Hawaii into her back yard.  Some of the landscape designers that we saw at the Fair could be very helpful.

I told her that any repairs to that particular Garage wall could be done from the inside if she had metal posts to hold up the roof of the garage on that side.  And of course motion detector lights as well.

She was so happy that she is treating me to dinner tonight, and I'm looking forward to putting on a lovely dress and getting dressed up.  I'm ready to go, Sis is just making a couple of phone calls to confirm her clients appointments tomorrow,   Doyle was already getting together with a couple of his friends tonight so everything is nicely set.

Then tomorrow back to the grind stone, and a all-staff meeting.   Even at my age I'm still a "workin' gal".

Later Darklings

Of getting better progress~~~~

Well Darklings,

It appears I am slowly improving, I called my Boss yesterday evening and he said for me just to finish the week out and get properly rested, I have so much sick leave that I built up over the years I might as well make use of it, he said.   Even with the time that I took off to recover from my auto accident.

Sometimes one does get lucky in having a boss or supervisor who is totally understanding, but you have to repay that with good work as well.

We talked about last night about the possible upcoming BART strike in August and again he's been talking with staff to see what worked and what didn't and asked for my input.   So on Monday there will be an all staff meeting to lay out what will be worked out and then the Friday before the Monday strike another all staff meeting to have everything in place.    Now if at the last minute the strike is averted it is suggested to at least on that Monday (August 4) to do the plan for that day and then go back to regular schedules on Tuesday with the exception of those who will work the evening to midnight shift, they will have Tuesday off as a bonus vacation day, and come to work Wednesday as per ususal.

Frankly I can see no other alternative. ***sigh*** there are going to be a lot of unhappy people during that time.

The wonton soup my sister purchased was delicious and she bought a lot of it so I could have some for lunch today.

Frankly except for a slight sniffles and an occasional cough I'm feeling much better, no fever, but still a little on the weak side.  I'm taking a cough medicine to keep the cough under control, frankly I'd prefer Bourbon but not before 6 p.m. although I could make an exception after 3 p.m.  We'll see.

Doyle came home early this morning from his assignment, but he will be up this afternoon, the new modum that was ordered arrived yesterday and he's going to install it this evening, I hope all will go well without a hitch, so if I don't post for a few days that is the reason why.

Yesterday evening in a fit of boredom, Sis and I channeled surf through our attenna stations and came across a new one on (locally) ch. 66.03  it's called GET TV.  Right now they are doing a preview run, no commericals and will be working fully starting in October.  They are showing Old Movies from the 30's 40's 50's and I think early 60's,  last night we caught "My Pal Trigger" with Roy Rodgers and Dale Evans, followed by "Africa Screams" with Abbott and Costello, this morning just for fun I checked on it and saw a film noir ending with Kirk Douglas and Barbra Stanwick from the late 1940's followed by the beginning of "The Woman in Green" (Sherlock Holmes) with Basil Rathbone.

Darklings I have no idea where this station is distributed in your areas (USA) but if you can find it (GETTV) on the attenna, save it---the web site currently is not telling what its showing but what they plan, and they may also have eventually commercials, but frankly who cares.  Right now I check on it on the hour and half hour to see what is playing if I'm so inclind to watch T.V. 

Well I am going to take a nice shower and wash my hair and have lunch to watch Perry Mason.

I know Darklings not so Gothic but one can always check out the Darklinks website to see what catches your fancy.   I might even feel up to perusing my "InStyle" magazine.

I am hoping that in the next week or so I can see Coraline I did promise to take her shopping for new clothes for School, well really after school, she has to wear a school uniform, its the deal I made with my Brother and Sister in law, since they have to spend a lot on the boys clothes.   This way they don't have to disapoint her, so we'll go through her closet see what fits and what doesn't, what is still nice and what is worn and what she likes and doesn't like.  Then take pictures of what she will keep so we can mix and match with what we'll buy.   I'm sure she'll need new shoes and pants and possibly tops as well,  My sister-in-law says she's grown a little taller in the last year so somethings Coraline can no longer wear, well this will be a good time to get new things.   I know I'm looking forward to it.

And now Shower and Lunch.

Later Darklings

Of BART going back to work!!!~~~~

Well Darklings-----Glory Hallelujah!!!!

The two sides of BART are putting the trains back to work by 3 p.m. today, the mediators said in the best interests and in view of negative public opinion against the Union and the damage being caused to the economy, it was best to get the trains running and continue the bargaining in the meantime.

The Union came back with they would continue to bargin for 30 days but if no deal is reached they will go back on strike.   I don't think that will happen because someone will step in at that point and the Union will get the worse of it.

I mean Darklings, when even a labor lawyer who is pro-labor says that the Unions are not working towards a resolution and are doing more harm than good, that is serious.   Why do you think that Twinkies and Hostess Cupcakes died--the union not working for the best for the workers so that all became un-employed because the company went belly up, and the union and employees were warned that would happen---Although Twinkies are coming back with a new company.

My car pool will continue doing what its been doing today and we'll go back to our regular routine next week.   But some of my car pool people are thinking of doing the car pool to get to the ferry and taking the ferry across, but if someone has to work late they will return either by Bus or (Heaven forbid!) BART.

I'm going to see my Doctor next week for an update on my back, I've had an occasional twinge but it might be because of the unusal work situation,  I did have a talk with my Boss on the possiblity of me working half time for a year but since I am in a supervisory position I didn't think that would be good because it is important to be able to be available during the work day.   But we'll try the half time situation for another month and re-evaluate.
I'm not worried, I'm of an age where my retirement would be good,  I could retire and still work hourly for them picking up the slack when someone is ill or on vacation or for some reason they are over whelmed.

All options to consider,  I still enjoy my work, but to ease up on the work load is a serious consideration. By September I'll know better.

And it looks like the heat wave is breaking, it was a slightly nippy 60 degrees outside with a comfortable 72 in the house, how it is inland I'm not sure, but there's talk of it being in the balmy mid-80's.

Must go,  Belladonna is barking at something in the back yard.

Later Darklings

Of The Strike is On and frustrated Chaos~~~~

Well Darklings,

The BART strike is on.   The union, according to current word, is refusing to return to the bargaining table, many BART riders are very angry with the BART union for not going back to the table.

AC Transit has not striked, both parties are negotiating even though the AC Transit employees do not have a contract, from the rumor I heard, it was better for AC Transit to keep going otherwise public opinion could also turn against them.

The Govenor (our great balding mentally challenged Govenor "Moonbeam") is staying out of this and not calling for a cooling down period.

Oakland City employees only did a one day strike,  good thing or there would have been a riot by the public, not that I saw much difference with Oakland City employees being on strike.

Transportation is overwhelmed although more buses have been put on, BART management have also implimented BART shuttle Buses's to get people to where they need to go, but its being overwhelmed as long lines of people waiting for an available shuttle are more than what is out there.

Car pools, casual car pooling are being done, the Ferries are packed,  Muni has stepped up to the breach in San Francisco. 

They say that BART does 400,000 trips a day, that means they move 40 million people or at least 1 person twice so make that 20 million people a weekday, now that is if BART trains carry 100 people per trip, but what if they carry say 200 or 300 people per trip, I mean there are times when its standing room only espeically during communte hours, so that means at least 40 to 60 million people per day  now if there were at least 2 people to a car that's removing 10 to 30 million cars off the road per day, not counting Football and Baseball games.  

But that is a lot of people and a lot of cars when you think about it.  So I say why can't an electric transportation service be available to move people to BART stations so the need for parking at a BART station is reduced.   When people started moving out to the subburbs, it added gas milliage, and away from transportation hubs and it also reduced land for farming and ranching,  so instead of electric individual cars, we should have those people movers, to move people to transportation hubs.

Oh fiddle-dee-dee its not Disneyland.  But one can dream.

Our car pool of 5 people went across the Bay Bridge at 4:30 p.m. with no problem but going East we saw was a different story, and no one but no one wants to be in a fender bender.  We worked till midnight which considering the heat was much better as it was less strain on our building air conditioning system,  we talked about this further and we'll continue to do it,  coming home was a breeze as well, but it does mean that our driver won't get into bed until 1 or 1:30 a.m. and we all chipped in for gas and parking, I mean $25.00 for All Day Parking because its a special event!!!?? Highway robbery I say!!!

Although, I may have to take the Ferry next week if AC Transit still is running, although both Doyle and my sister said they could drive me to the Ferry terminal while they were on their way,  because I need to be in during the day for some projects.  Oh well, but I'll contributed to the car pool anyway in advance, just for good will.

But when they dropped me off at home last night we were greeted with a very odd sight.   Our elderly neighbors crazy son was dancing in the middle of the street wearing nothing but a ball cap, tennis shoes and a smile, dancing and singing nonsense.   It seems that he was kept in last time for only a 72 hour observation got him on his meds and then discharged him back to his folks.

My co-workers think it was the heat, it didn't matter so I called the police and told them there was a naked 51-50 dancing in the street and the gay pride parade was Sunday,  the dispatcher asked if he was harming anything and I said no but he might scare the horses....the dispatcher asked if I was drinking and I said no, that it was a Dorothy Parker quote, but there are children on the block and he's so loud he might wake them, the neighborhood dogs (including Belladonna) were barking already.

The police showed up and danced him into their car, and he'll go back for another 72 hour observation.  ***sigh***

And speaking of Belladonna, she is doing much better now and is eating a little and drinking a lot, our temp has dropped to the upper 70's and we have a breeze but its hit 105 in the inland areas like Livermore and such,  it seems this high pressure which is causing the heat wave is going from Texas and upwards, to almost Washington State on the West Coast.

It's causing dry lighting strikes and wild fires we just heard yesterday that a wild fire had suddenly changed direction and overwhelmed 19 fire fighters killing them.  I heard that and cried, knowing what a horrible death that is.   Thank goodness Sis understood why I reacted that way.  No matter what, no matter how long ago that horror always remains.

Dear Under for tea, I appreciate what humid weather can do with mosquitos, I've been in Mississippi and Louiesanna a time or two, they grow to be monsters!!  And what they do to peachy and alabastar skin is a crime.   One time when my folks, siblings and I were camping we were having problems with misquitos,  there was another family at a near by camp site and the father came over with some bundles of dried sage, he said burn or smoke that in the fire it will keep the misquitos away, and he proceeded to take a bundle that was smoking and wafted the smoke all over the canvas tent,  and it worked!! 

I've used it a time or two on our screened in back porch for any bugs that managed to get in and never had a problem.

Well I better finish getting dressed, my car pool will be here in a half an hour.

Later Darklings

P.S.
Doyle right now is laying out on the portable hammock in the shade napping with Belladonna sleeping right with him.

Of further updates on the BART strike~~~~

Well Darklings,

The possible picture is not going to be pretty,  not only will BART strike, and AC Transit in sympathy, but the City of Oakland employees are going to be striking at the same time!!!

I am convinced that the heat has driven people mad.

All three agencies striking at the same time starting on the same day, no one talking to the other, no one steppping in to demand a 60 day cooling down period, no one mediating.

The BART employees union showed up for a meeting with BART leaders but BART leaders were not there, claiming they were talking to the Union via mediators, but the Union is saying no one talked to them.

My question is who is lying?   BART employees are saying the had their wages cut by 27 %  but they are paid on an average of $85,000 a year.  And that is with a 27% reduction?    The Union want BART to pay for full medical and full retirement without the employees paying into it at all.  

I always said if you do a good job your pay would be comiserate to your performance, but I've had to pay into my retirement and into my medical a portion of my wages.  I see no reason that the BART employees should be so privledge.  

I'm not going to even get into AC Transit, theirs is just a sympathy strike although S.F. Muni is stepping up to the plate and putting on more buses and such for the City of San Francisco.

And I'm not even sure what is the City of Oakland employees situation, espeically when almost everyone I know have not had a raise in 4 to 5 years and are just dealing with it because of the economy, which inspite of all the so called good predictions is still horrible, with still too many people out of work.

Oh Darklings, I better calm down, I'm getting too overheated about this.

On a different front, the temperature is going to get warmer with triple digits predicted in the inland areas.

I was up at 5:30 this morning enjoying the dawn breaking, and watering the plants, they will get watered again much later this evening.  And I even went to the grocery store and did shopping for the week, although I feel that it will be cool salads and precooked meats such as grilled chicken, which I'm keeping in the refrigerator and will heat up for dinner later tonight in the microwave.

I've made a huge batch of lemonaid, of which I have bottles of it in the freezer, as well as filtered water with a hint of fresh squeezed lemon in it also refrigerated and frozen.   All the windows are open and fans are going because I do not have air conditioning in the house.

And for now Belladonna is at a neighbors house being babysat and Sis is ready so we will hit the Farmers Market today for lots of fresh fruit, and then rest in the afternoon.   I think we'll eat dinner in the garden this evening,  Brian was kind enough the other day to put up this portable dinning tent that has misquito neting in the flat patio, so it will perfect to dine in.

Now must go.

Later Darklings

Of weather heating up and a BART Strike??~~~~

Well Darklings,

The Bay Area weather is holding true to form, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, wet and drizzely and now this morning heating up.

Ahhh but the air for the last two days felt so fresh it was wonderful to enjoy it, looking at the garden in the late afternoon and in the early morning just enjoying the air,  it cannot be bottled at all, but a pleasure to enjoy, even if I did have to dig out my  black trench coat but it was so delicious.

I am still going in to work at noon and leaving around 5 with my Boss, but next week things commute-wise could turn for the worse.

BART employees have voted to strike if their demands are not met, like a 20 or 30 percent pay hike and that BART not the employees pay the full amount into their retirement.

BART is countering with a 4 percent cost of living raise and that the employees need to pay something into their retirement fund.  And considering that BART employees are the highest paid mass transit staff in the US I am wondering about their demands....it seems unreasonable.

When I got a raise it was equal to the Cost of Living Amount aka COLA, and all staff had to pay a small percentage into the retirement fund, if they wanted to pay more or have also an alternate source of retirement in additon to their retirement fund that was fine.  I do not know of any company (although I'm sure there are a few) that do not pay the entire amount into an employees retirement fund..

And to make it worse, the Bus system's contract runs out on the Same day that BART's does and they are calling to strike just on principal.  

Darklings can you imagine the grid lock, the increase in air pollution, the accidents that this will cause?   And we have organizations that say "Use Public Transit" well not if Public Transit holds a metaphorical gun to our heads.

The last time this happened was in 1997 and it was HELL.   It's hell now when the system breaks down or some idiot decides to use it as a form of suicide  (which has happened), and it will be when we are going to have a heat wave.    Oh the CHAOS!!!

All the staff have been talking to their Supervisors, and it seems so far that the best way is to car pool and come in during evening hours when communting is in reverse, some staffers who live in the City will go in during the day to field phone calls and explain things.   This is the contengecy plans. 

But I have a feeling that the Mayors for the areas that BART covers as well as the Govenor (if he has any sense in his 70 plus year old head) will intervene.  For now I can only observe and plan.

The good news is that my sister will not have to worry about that since she has to use her car to meet her clients although she will eventually change that.  The tenting is done on her home, and now she is working with her contractor about the kitchen and downstairs bathroom.  Little "chunks" she says.  Brian will stay with us, but he's going to set up a cot in the living room to sleep in at night and then come over in the morning to eat and bathe, he'll be going back and forth between my house and my sisters to oversee the work crew.

Poor man, he's job hunting right now, sending out resume's, going on line and searching, going to job fairs, saving his pennies, staying at my sister's house is very beneficial financially for him.  He did have some part time work which helped his bank account, but then that dried up, so he's willing to take on part time again just to build up the coffers.

He said the good thing is his ex-wife was willing to go to court with him to do a "stay of alimony and child support" because of his work situation,  but they are working together on this.   I asked him why did he and his wife break up and it was because she fell in love with someone else----another woman.   Well that did raise my eyebrow but he said it was amicable and he even likes the other person.

So for now all of us are going to see what developes.   Now I must go.

Later Darklings