Shots from the Lip

 But for myself I won't do any more returns - I hate them - I have absolutely no idea how I lasted all those decades doing nothing but tax work - how awful!!!!! Regardless, I have one two page form for which there is data on one page....but most of the 24 pages of instructions apply to the currently empty second page where the remedy to my questions seem to be.   Thus, on Saturday - because I cannot fucking see straight after a full day of tax work - I will hopefully complete both Federal and State returns and be ready to file next week. And tonight?   begged out of Sweet Dreams at the hospital - hey, I am ready for sweet dreams of my own tonight!

 Katherine mentioned, yesterday, that she does searches on You Tube rather than Google and that I was on You Tube.  I never knew....last night I looked.......Yes indeed, I am there!!! Happiness was knowing that today's shitty weather does not prevent me from my class - I took it at home on Zoom rather than go to school.  Don't get me wrong - I would rather be in class because there is  something gained by attending that lecture, live.....but hey, I'm old enough to choose to stay home and fret about yesterday's rain - at least the intense portion where there was a slow drip for about 20 minutes during the most intense rain I've seen here in good old Santa Monica.......and after class  was at the piano, slowly trying to get my two hands to work in unison........  I know: practice, practice and more practice until I am fucking blue in the face is the only way to learn....and that is what I will - I'll get out a creditable Jingle Bells before the next step, pla...

It is supposed to rain - to pour, actually, if the forecast is to hold true.  I got dressed and was ready to go out around 8:15am.  I did get dressed and did go out  - to the front porch where I saw the rain coming down sufficiently to warrant my going back inside. I will go out - even with rain - later on....I have to go to UCLA Health where I screwed up my username/password to the extent that I can no longer access anything........hopefully, going to 2020 Santa Monica Blvd, they will direct me to someone who can re-start my account....... I feel good about writing another essay - this one about my and horse racing.....this, after a day at Santa Anita where I bet on a horse that Irv had an ownership share.......Good odds, never expected to win but 14 - 1 odds paid $280 on my $20 bet......nice way to end the day!! And a day after - rain now and projected rain for most of the week......such is life..... 

I've neve been to Santa Anita.  I'm going today - Irv has a 1/4 interest in a horse that is running today.  The last time I was at the races in the States was at Hollywood Park when I had a 1/5 interest in a standardbred syndicate.  The last time I was at the races was in Bangkok - a third world experience at the track I'd never had before.  Two of us were there and we discovered two important things as a prelude to betting:  1)  The horses ran and were running true to form and 2)  The bettors that day were not betting by 'form'.   We made out like bandits!  Best day at the track I ever had!!! Prior to Bangkok, the last overseas track I went to was in Mumbai - another third world experience!! I miss the Hong Kong Jockey Club.  I don't think anyone ever had it easier to join - hey, I was the only gweilo applicant for the multicultural club that year......and I did have the husband of Hong Kong's  NPC delegate as my sponsor..... ...

 So what happens when one stays in bed, gets up late, dresses late to go out and former neighbor John is at the door?   My fault - he SMS'd me an hour earlier but, as usual, without message notifications, I had no idea......regardless, it was a nice chat prior to going out for my morning walk. Tonight, prior to doing Sweet Dreams at the hospital, Jade Rabbit, across the street, will have a jazz combo from 6-8pm.  I'll do dinner there prior to going to the hospital...... My music books come today and I am serious about starting anew with a routine of music fun that I anticipate will be a permanent part of my life......music......photography and watercolor....a little bit each day in a blog......and an occasional essay. Will this be the beginning or just hoping in the dark for a reboot of routines of my life??

First and foremost:  I spilled most of my Starbucks coffee in class today - caught it all on a handkerchief that while still moist, reeks of coffee....... We have a banking problem:  so much information available that it is too difficult to find something specific - we found what the bank did not pick up where they should have picked up....and based upon that initial bank data, there'll be some corrections made......such is life...... I've now got the books I want to read on my Kobo reader as well as my iPhone.   want to get the app on my Leitz Phone 2 and get the photos to transfer elsewhere because the Leitz camera is simply too good and I should find a use for it!