What’s going on? My mind is swirling. Looks like somebody put the movie on fast forward.
The world has gone mad today
And good’s bad today
And black’s white today
And day’s night today
And that guy today
Who is Pres today
Is an emp’ror without clothes
From “Anything Goes.”Apologies to Cole Porter.
Woke up Saturday morning with a stuffy nose and massive sneezing. Allergy season has come early to Benicia. Just checked weather.com. Tree pollen is “moderate” for the foreseeable future. Haven’t been strolling the Street as much as I’d like to, but life goes on.
If you want a complete diversion from our current reality, try a technology breakdown. It’ll take your mind right off the dismantling of our democracy and life as we know it.
Take Netflix. Haven’t been able to get it for some time now. Yes, I can get it on my computer, and the Bluetooth but not on the TV screen, if that is what it is still called. Tried every workaround suggested on their website and still no luck. Unplug, replug, disconnect, reconnect, blah blah blah. Tried phoning. They have a standing message saying, “We are having unusual wait times. Call back later,” and then hang up on you. I did, again and again, and again …
One idea on their support site was to call your ISP — AT&T in my case — which I did. After much back and forth with a robot as to whether I was human and other stumbling blocks, I miraculously tapped into a recording which allowed me to make a phone appointment for the next day to talk to an earthling.
Surprise! I got a call, from a live person the next morning and asked him from where he was calling from. Just being friendly as I’ve had good luck in the past with off-shore calls. “It’s against company policy to tell you that,” he said. Huh? After about 15 minutes, putting me on hold multiple times, and asking me more questions, he told me he couldn’t help me and to call Netflix. What?! Breathe.
Where to turn? Was running out of workarounds. What now? Stuffed a See’s truffle into my mouth with a Tate’s chocolate chip cookie chaser and regrouped. Remembering that it takes a village, I recalled that the Carquinez Village, of which I have been a member since its founding, offers help with technology. I’ll think about that tomorrow.
There are plenty of musical venues on First Street. I never fail to stop in front of Double Rainbow to hear their outside speaker playing early rock.n’ roll — “Rockin’ Robin,” “That’ll be the Day,” “Venus.” Soon the art pianos will be rolled out from their winter hibernation.
Have missed hearing music at home these past few decades since I aged out of the technology or it aged out of me — Magnavox turntable, hi fi, stereo, boom box, transistor radio, MP3 player, cassette, iPods, and CD players all remnants of the past.
Decided to put together a digital play list. Which application should I choose? Not wanting to make the tech bros any richer, I chose Spotify— created by two tech bros, but from Sweden.
Had fun searching my favorite artists and listening to snippets. Ended up with a handwritten list with a bit of everything — all vintage favorites.
Picked some Chuck Berry, James Brown, Tina Turner, and Little Richard. Then some Big Bands, Dizzy and Louis, and Ella. Two Bob Dylans and Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Some Burt Bacharach, Harry Connick, Jr. and “Bobby Short at the Cafe Carlyle.” Rounded it out with jazz greats Chet Baker, Bill Evans, Miles, and Charlie Parker.
Burned out from the Netflix fiasco, I walked to the Library with my list. Evidently, volunteers are there to help you with your technology every Thursday from 10 am – 12 pm. My kind instructor got to work immediately doing all sorts of searching and clicking on my laptop and seemingly making progress until we got to the part where I needed my cell phone to receive a text. It had run out of juice.
Was given a handful of chargers they keep for school kids. Oddly, they fit, but still no power. Packing up my things I asked, “How do you know so much about all of this?” “I’m a computer engineer,” she said. I was taken aback. “I hate technology and don’t have the patience for it,” I said. “It’s good for the brain. Keeps you sharp,” she said pointing at her head. No doubt she was right, but what good is a sharp brain with deteriorating mental health.
Went home and charged my phone, and was able to put together a short playlist. That evening I clicked on James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” as I sautéed the Brussels sprouts. I was proud of myself, smiling as I visualized Eddie Murphy doing the “Hot Tub” on SNL.
Had fun making my sign for the 50-50-1 demonstration at City Park on President’s day. Pasted a photo of Mt. Rushmore on some styrofoam and glued on an image of T wearing a cheshire cat grin and a jeweled crown. Stapled to the bottom were tags saying, “Rushmore,” “Panama,” Greenland,” “Canada,” “Ukraine,” and “Gaza.” “STOP the STEAL.” Several days later he declared himself “king” when trying to stop congestion pricing in NYC. Satire isn’t fun anymore.
After the exuberant demonstration on President’s Day, my friend and I enjoyed an al fresco lunch at Lucca’s. Do they have the best steak fries ever or what?! Coupled with three little sliders and dill pickles, that combo is a winner. They even packed a fresh cup of catsup into my “to go” box. Now that’s service. Do bring a cushion, though, if you’re gluteus maximally challenged.
Time to make dinner. Let’s see — Tina’s “Proud Mary” sounds like it would pair nicely with with turkey burgers. “Rollin,’ rollin,’ rollin,’ on the river.” I feel better already.
Letters From Benicia 