I’m With Charlie

Saturday, February 10, 2024

I laughed at his mom’s capture of Charlie while she tried on Intimates.

The Store’s customers make it fun to be a part-time worker. Charlie’s person is the sort of pleasant customer who eases my “afterward job” of picking up and putting away. At the bottom line, fun wins everybody over.

Working in Intimates has taught me that “women and bras” are a phenomenon more interesting than I could have imagined. Many women out shopping try on bras, not a few at a time, but dozens at once. Often they leave without purchasing or complain that nothing “works” for them.

Upon entering newly vacated dressing rooms, I often see masses of bras hanging randomly or tried on and dumped on the floor. Yesterday, my inner-self cheered kudos to Charlie’s mom for having picked up and neatly re-hung her try-ons. We working in Intimates must ensure that tried-on bras are correctly rehung (yes, there’s a formula) and then we search to relocate each among a baker’s dozens of bra racks.

So much bra trying-on makes me wonder if it’s a fetish among some women. Of course, there are good reasons, like post-surgery or weight changes, for trying on lots of bras. What strikes me as odd is the high number of customers who try on lots of bras all at once, surely outnumbering women who have genuine needs.

Reasons matter little as to why so many shoppers select bunches of bras, try them on, and then hang them loosely or toss them onto the floor. What’s real is the complex business of selling bras. Customers in Intimates clearly articulate their intense and common dislike for having to shop for and wear bras. Anyway, I knew this; we all know this.

Dear Friends: Psychological babble from an observer in Intimates. Diana

googling it

Friday, February 09, 2024

Google has upped its act, and this morning, my electronic feed is loaded with AI-generated information. Almost anything I’ve googled for information, articles I’ve opened and read, and topics addressed in my blogs reappear, updated, in my Google feed.

This new AI upgrade surprises and delights. Most topics I research and write about continue to interest me. Since AI now has the capacity to reach more completely into our homes, maybe it’s time we bid farewell to those original “helpers,” like Alexis and such.

All this surprises, delights, and is scary. Reviewing my phone’s electronic feed is like facing my brain’s and memory’s contents. I can’t help wondering what might happen in our brains and to our beings if retaining data becomes less organically necessary. Well, won’t we find out!

Meanwhile, my part-time department store job yesterday assigned me to Dresses, a department I’ve wanted to work in, to learn. Being there wasn’t very different from being in other departments because the work is mainly about interacting with customers, and that’s mostly fun.

The store manager asked if I’d be open for assignments around to different departments, and my response was an enthusiastic “Yes!” Her asking felt great and moving around will make my learning more rounded. Plus, I now have a backup in Google. Regarding workplace topics that I am considering and perhaps debating internally, Google may answer cogently with coaching on how to address situations.

Dear Friends: Modern challenges force us to get our heads in the right place. Diana

Let’s Tango

Thursday, February 08, 2024

Last evening, a little rain and a little snow, just enough to dim the outdoors and reaffirm winter’s hanging around.

I’m watching again the Netflix series “Last Tango in Halifax.” And my appreciation for this excellent series is even greater. It’s been a couple of years since I saw it, and the writing, acting, and direction are terrific.

The writer, Sally Wainwright, previously created another fine Netflix series, “Happy Valley,” which I found addicting and watched several times. I understand that the many fans of “Happy Valley” are clamoring for Wainwright to bring back the compelling series with an added Season Four.

IMHO, her often lead actor, Sarah Lancashire, is one of the best women actors. Actually, all of Wainwright’s actors are excellent. In “Last Tango,” its male lead, Derek Jacobi (one of England’s most talented actors), has appeared in many streaming series. Years ago, while visiting England, I was in the audience for one of his fine performances onstage.

In the series, Jacobi plays opposite Ann Reid. They’re an elderly couple who knew each other in the past, have remet and are getting married. They’re portraying a couple in their seventies, and actually, Jacobi is 85 and Reid is 88. Seeing the two great actors handling their roles is a treasure.

The entire “Halifax” cast is superb.

If I can find it, I’ll watch “Happy Valley” again and then start looking for Wainwright’s newer series.

Dear Friends: I dumped Netflex but found no better series than some it carried. Diana

Market Jitters

Wednesday, February 07, 2024

A new dawn and an empty brain here. Well, it’s not totally empty; it’s focused on this morning’s stock market. The technical sector is going crazy, as it has for weeks. The market is excited about AI and its impact on our future.

I’m non-technical, understanding little about what drives the larger economy. I do know that we so-called middle-classers constantly pay rising prices for nearly everything and that we all feel the squeeze. The market suggests that AI technology will improve the economy, and maybe so, but prices will stay high to cover “value-added” charges.

So, my personal economic strategy is to keep working part-time. Besides enjoying the welcome factor of gaining social interaction, working adds extra money and can reduce drawing from reserves.

Dear Friends, Unending concerns about the future and what that might bring. Diana

Today

Tuesday, February 06, 2024

Today’s header captures where I walked with a camera. Melting snow creates scenes that are textured and lovely in ordinary locations.

Here’s another nearby. Its trees make for darker lighting and create a more dramatic image.

It’s all good, capturing what’s out there in all directions, often being ignored.

On a totally different note, ahead is a hefty working schedule at my part-time job. After a few days off with my routines returning to normal, it’s time to start ramping things up again. It’ll be interesting to work during this post-holiday period. New stocks are starting to arrive and Valentine’s Day is happening next week. The store will be busy.

I’ll be floating from department to department, covering for lunches and filling in for vacancies. That’ll teach me more about the store’s products, interacting with retail customers, providing services, and making sales.

A fun thing is interacting with my working associates, some of whom I’m beginning to know better. After I officially became hired, co-workers started reaching out differently to me–friendlier and interested in my new role. The store offers me an entirely new sociology to tap into; I’ll be absorbing and learning.

Dear Friends: Puppy, Chase–again path-digging under the fence! Wears me out. Diana

Future Shock

Monday, February 05, 2024

I’m starting to play with the popular site Instagram. Many like it for posting their photos and videos. Instagram is fun anyway; it allows and reveals lots of user creativity. The thing is, Instagram challenges me to gain better photography skills–and I’m a pitiful beginner.

I rarely use the tools designed to improve image captures. I don’t bother carrying a tripod or using the camera’s manual settings. Mine is the quick and easy way: pointing and shooting. The images my camera captures are the luck of the draw. Some are terrific, but unfortunately, the few greats encourage me continually to apply the camera’s automatic settings.

On another day off from work, I’ll go out and practice improving my shooting. My neighbor’s dead tree can ease that job since it attracts raptors. Those beautiful birds hang around for a while, watching for prey. Their pauses give me time to act. On spotting another bird perched, I will use a tripod and manually adjust my camera, aiming for extra clear captures.

Artificial intelligence very often stimulates today’s learning needs. My upcoming venture will be responding to a website’s demands, exploring complex camera capabilities, and reaching on toward the AI-assisted photo editing universe.

Dear Friends: The future seems unimaginably creative and very confusing. Diana

Sky-Tripping

Sunday, February 04, 2024

Yesterday, I spotted the little Merlin again perched in the bare-limbed tree. I’m watching that tree; it attracts many exciting birds, boldly against the sky.

The day’s beautiful and clear sky was inviting.

A great sky! Such that my camera captured clearly (for the first time) an in-flight plane.

That lovely day also produced a more visible bird population. Like this watchful Western Jay.

And this Townsend’s Solitaire is one of my favorite birds.

I’m starting to comprehend this new camera’s range capabilities, but still have barely a glimmer of its overall possibilities. I know it’s capable of making great closeups, and today, playing with close-up ranges will teach more about its potential–and about mine as its operator.

Dear Friends: Enjoy this Sunday, the day has opened just lovely. Diana

Hiking

Saturday, February 03, 2024

A friend from years ago when we worked together at Northrop, happened across me on Facebook and got in touch. Reconnecting has brought many memories from the days we were cycling through our individual complex transitions. Now, knowing that our lives have worked well and that we’ll be talking again feels good.

Yesterday was a hiking event. My dogs and I, with our friend Rachelle and her dog Ryder. Today’s header photo shows Ryder and Chase, “all teeth,” playing nonstop. It was good, them running and faux-combating. After an event with Ryder and back at home, Chase collapses into my favorite moments, him asleep and quiet.

The others, too, back at home sleep quietly. Here are the elderly Osix and Miles running and wearing themselves out.

And the littlest, my very loyal Mitzvah, a Jack Russell/Poodle. She stays close and guards against any strangers and dogs that happen toward us.

Mitzvah is small but very courageous–willing to run with my horses and keeps appropriate distances from active hooves. She’s a Jack Russell-active and Poodle-smart pup.

Dear Friends: Our hike revealed zero early signs of spring, but we had lots of fun. Diana

Spot On

Thursday, February 02, 2024

Yesterday, this tiny raptor was perched atop my neighbor’s dead tree. I thought it was an American Kestrel–the tiniest raptor. An internet search suggested, however, that it’s a Merlin, a small and fierce falcon about the size of a pigeon.

This bird looks large through my telephoto lens, but it isn’t at all. I’d not have noticed its far-off presence, but I’m often watching closely for birds to photograph. That tree has an unobstructed high view and is a favorite among hunters.

I’m off from work today and plan to hike with my friend, Rachelle, and our dogs. I’ll have my camera and do some searching for spring’s earliest signs. This warmer weather might be encouraging a few welcome greens to pop from the ground.

I love the early springs. After weeks of being forced to huddle indoors, against the large surrounding world, spring shows up and starts renewing everything. Spring instantly energizes our hopes, plans, and outlooks.

I’ll be on the watch!

Dear Friends: Today, I’ll be spotting to capture other interesting birds. Diana

Explorer

Thursday, February 01, 2024

In my at-work role, I’m a “flex employee.” I’m supposed to get short hours and fill in where there’s a need. Today’s post-holiday workplace environment has me working almost full-time and might for months ahead. Astonishing me is the number of workers calling in and going missing on workdays and numerous others simply quitting their jobs.

These are confusing times. Employers are dealing with missing workers, and that’s made my little flex job almost full-time. Meanwhile, the internet consistently sends everybody information about available jobs and invites easy online applications.

It’s hard to comprehend why so many workers are casual about their jobs. Sure, it’s helpful to know of alternate positions available. Those assist in leaving unrewarding or unpleasant work. Admittedly, I’ve bounced around via the internet for the last couple of years to gain employment experience in the overwhelmingly local retail environment. I’ve accomplished that and feel satisfied with my job.

That doesn’t mean things won’t change. I want to continue enjoying my work and to feel appropriately rewarded. It’s not just about money but equally about being appreciated.

Everything’s related to gaining a personal sense of satisfaction. That calls for clear and strategic thinking with realistic interim goals. Sure, and also means working somehow to accomplish, despite the many worries and doubts that accompany everyday living.

Aside from being an hourly worker, I’m a bit of a sociologist. That increases my learning opportunities. Stay tuned for more, in general, about workplaces and workers.

Dear Friends: All’s confusing–the weather, sociology, economy, politics! Diana