Shots from the Lip

 I had a nice ride along the beach this morning.......but I had another ride after coming home and having breakfast. The Real Real is a luxury used goods consignments system. There's one in Brentwood.  I discovered where it was and how far it was beyond what we had thought as I pedaled my way to Brentwood and San Vicente Blvd&26th Street where I left 3 Chanel pants for consignment. Coming home was a veritable piece of cake, going downhill a long, long, long way....until I discovered my speed and that scared the shit out of me - I was too fucking fast! Regardless,  on a Saturday morning, I have already been riding, done a primary chore and am ready to read and write some return responses on the porch where it is sunny, with a slight breeze.....and, at 10:55am, 84 degrees F outside....... But I'll also bring my phone outside with me because music while reading and writing makes the day a bit more complete......especially Saturday morning opera on WQXR!!!

 Bingo!  They have started opening up a quarter of an hour earlier, 'on demand'.  I 'demanded' and found that if I schedule all my appointments well in advance, I will get the 7:45am slot.....NO WAITING!!!!!  I obviously like that........ Yesterday was exhausting.  And yet we learned how an overloaded system functions....and how we can work within that system and its initial time frame restrictions........and if we can, there will definitely be benefits!!! Regardless, it is now 9:19am and I've been at it for a while......but I have the ideas needed to proceed with what I've calendared for today......onwards!

 We were not able to get Jon Berg served.....we provided proof of LA Sheriff attempts.  We got a continuance to 20 August and by 15 August, we need to serve through alternative means Mr. Berg.....and we think we can do this........ And we still have the City of Santa Monica and the tree issue that is also dependent upon the TRO issue......who said that life was simpler here in the good ole US of A????? This has been so time consuming and in essence is such a fucking waste of time.........

 They sent us CP-504 for 2025, Notice of Intent to Levy.  It was dated 24 July.  We have proof of payment using IRS Direct on 13 July. I called the 27th.  Could not get through.  Tried answering a different way on the 28th - get further through the system.  Called at 6:30am this morning and was told to call between 8 and 8.  I called at 8:01. I was put on hold and told there would be about an hour wait. At close to 100 minutes, I was switched to a line that rang...twice.....and then those mother-fuckers disconnected me!!!!! I went to IDme.com, set up by the IRS to get transcripts among other things, never expecting to actually being able to get it to work.......hey, it was confusing but I got there........and my 2025 transcript showed that I did pay and that the letter was wrong!!

 I was going to call the IRS this morning.  I never did......the fact that i have all the proof I need and there is still a lot of time before I really have to call......I'm not in any hurry....... I did go to class and after, in the confines of the Emeritus office, discovered how technically inept I am - the Geek Squad taught me how to pair my Fire to my iPhone......and I already forgot.....dammit! My 'novel' class ended today.  There were 6 of is there, live.....approximately 50 online.  There is so much more gained from live attendance......I will have a mixture of both in the fall as I do 4 classes - one md-morning Monday;  one each at the start of both Tuesday and Wednesday......and one to follow the Wednesday morning class. I will go to SMC before the end of August and pay $22.50 again - 4 x $22.50 for a year of ALL  LA County public transportation....$90 a year is a bargain! .......and I will try to get the IRS by phone this afternoon.......

 I pressed the wrong button on the Fire and I could not get MP4s to view on the Fire.  That's what $179.95 per year gets me: as many appointments as needed with the Geek Squad at Best Buy (WLA-Sawtelle).  This morning, with Katherine joining me, They got MP4 working and we will use this on Thursday in Court. They also paired my iPhone with the Fire.....did I remember this procedure?   I will try learning this to use it....this is goal # 2 for the Fire. And then we went to Teddy's by the #7 bus.  $34, including tip, for a big breakfast made for two by adding coffee, orange juice and home frie potatoes.   It is big, greasy and fucking good! Across the street from Teddy's is Marukai Market, the 'other' Japanese market, 3 bus stops from Sawtelle on the #7 going west. It is 1:40pm with the temperature comfortably in the low 80s on a Santa Monica summer day.  Time to read the New Yorker on my Fire!