Day Four

A pleasant day in Surprise. Beautiful weather, nice workout, and no toxic frustrations or extreme craziness.

Up about 645am, and listened via the laptop to the Saturday morning computer show on WMAY. Had I been home today, I would have probably gone to BLH Computers, because they were offering a deal where the purchase of any new, used, or updated computer would include free data transfer. But, I'm here, and not there.

I exited the Days Inn for LA Fitness, and arrived about 945am. I immediately noticed that Abbie was on one of the treadmills on the main floor, and I spoke with him for a bit, and then went to the pool area for a chat with 'Senior'. He was again with an Asian man, and later I found out that this man, and his wife, are people that visit the fitness center with him on a daily basis. I was cleared for a long workout, and later I spoke with them for a few minutes when they left around 1130am.

30"Matrix
30"Bike
30"Matrix
30"Bike
30"Old Style Cross
30"Bike
15"Old Style Cross
30"Bike
During the workout I finished, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY-Patricia Highsmith, and began, JUDAS KISS-J.T. Ellison.
Steam room, whirlpool, pool
I took Union Hills Drive to Pinearie so that I could make sure that I knew where Fry's Grocery was located at 91st Avenue. I had no problem locating it, and tomorrow we will all meet there for the weekly food shopping. Should be interesting.

I arrived on Pineaire right at 3pm, and he suggested that we visit The Rose Garden, go to The Old Country Buffet, and then go to Office Max and see if he could find a solution to his camera/computer problems. The entire encounter was very relaxed and upbeat, and after the meal he asked me to leave a tip, so I slapped down a five, but he created such a clamor that he made me 'listen to reason', and leave two bucks. Okey Doke with me, I'm getting weary of supporting the local economy.

Office Max was in an adjoining strip mall, and the clerk suggested that he buy a new memory card, and a card reader. This will allow his camera to store hundreds of photos, and then download the card onto his PC. When we got back to his house, he wanted me to show him what the clerk had demonstrated. I think he understood, but it's clear that he is in over his head. The card and reader can only connect one way, and I think he can do this, but I wonder if he will be able to manage the information on the computer. And, that is something that I was not willing to witness.

I got back to the Days Inn about six, and when I turned on the computer, the Returnil program would not work. I was getting an error message saying that I did not have enough space on the hard drive for the program to work. I uninstall-ed the old Returnil program, and then downloaded a fresh program. Works just fine, and I must remember to only use downloads from CNET. All the other sites are confusing, and do not allow you to access the programs that you want. They steer you to other programs.

Buds and Blogs for tonight.

Day Three

Last night I walked down to Burger King, and loaded up on junk. I bought a salad which included a ration of breaded and deep-fried chicken, a greasy fish sandwich, and a large order of even greasier onion rings. I watched some new episodes of "The Housewives of New York", and Bravo played quietly all night.

This morning I got up about 630am, and listened to 'Butthead of The Week' on WMAY. I drank many cups of coffee from the breakfast buffet, and then drove to LA Fitness about 915am. I took Bell Rd. East to Rt. 101, and then North and East to 51st, and then, South to Bell, and the fitness center was just a couple of blocks West.

He was in the pool when I arrived, and I could not locate his 'helper'. He walks the length of the pool, very slowly, and I suppose that this is a fairly good workout for a man of his age. I began my workout, and spent 30" on a recliner bike. I went back down to the pool area, however, he was still alone in the pool. I decided to run on the treadmill, and keep an eye on the lobby area, and meet the 'helper' there when she was waiting for him. I did 45" at about a 4.5 pace. By now, it was a little after 1130am, and there were two women sitting in the lobby area. I walked over, and addressed the older woman, and asked her if she was Veronica. However, the very young, and extremely pretty woman next to her said that she was Veronica. I spoke with her for about five minutes, and she seemes like an extremely caring individual who is another credit to her profession. She told me that before they came to the fitness center she took him to his bank, and he picked up a four thousand dollar check from the government. She thought that this was some kind of an over payment of his taxes. She was concerned that he insisted on taking the check with him into the fitness center in his gym bag. I mentioned the bank visit to him later, and he was vague, and his explanation made no sense. He said that the bank had given him money for something that he had asked them to do. When I left Veronica I told her to tell him that I would meet him at his house between 2pm and 3pm. When I could see that he finally left the locker room to join her, they seemed to stay for too long, but I realized that there was a small child in the area, and he was just 'relating' to the kid. When he engages in this kind of behavior, it can range from endearing to creepy, depending on the lighting.

After the treadmill I did 30" on a kind of cross trainer called, 'Matrix'. This is a better piece of equipment than the cross trainer, and provides a wider range of motion, and seems to be less toxic on my knees. Then, I did another 30" on the recliner bike. I don't like these particular models because they have a kind of inconvenient arm rest. And, finally I hid the Old Style Cross Trainers which were just like what we have in Springfield...Old, and outdated, but still quite functional. By now the time was 130pm, and I decided to hit the weights tomorrow, and take advantage of the steam room, whirlpool, and pool. Today's workout was only 2hrs and 45", but I felt OK.

When I exited the steam room to jump in the pool, one of the members said that I should take a shower before I entered the pool because, "you have been sweating". I did take a shower, but I wonder why there are no signs posted if this is their policy, and I don't think that this behavior would in any way be harmful or unsanitary.

I left the fitness center about 145pm, and took the same route in reverse. This morning it was just about 25 minutes from the motel to LA Fitness, and going to Pineaire, it would be even shorter. Very near the turnoff at 99th I noticed an Albertson's and pulled in to get a pre-made salad for tonight, a loaf of dense and dark multi-grain bread, and a case of Budweiser.

I got to his house just about 245pm, and I told him that I wanted to see a film tonight, and I could only stay until 4pm because it began at 515pm. He completely ignored me, and hustled me into the living-room at his computer, and started in about his problem with linking his camera to the PC. He repeated himself over and over, and seemed to be more of him 'showing off'(or repeating himself because he doesn't know what he is talking about). I don't think that he has loaded that particular camera's software on to the PC, but he assured me that, 'Kodak software was on the computer'. I think that he has had another Kodak model's software on his computer, and this software will not recognize the new camera. And, of course, he refuses to load the disc from the new camera, because, "The Kodak software is already on the computer!!"

At 350pm I attempted to make my leave, but he insisted that I sit in the Arizona Room for a bit so that we could, 'plan tomorrow'. He seems Hell-bent on having me taking him home from the fitness center since he 'leaves at 1pm'. However, in the real world, he leaves about 1130am, and this would only give me an hour and a half to workout. I will not allow him to monkey around with this, since it really doesn't seem to make any difference to him except that he can negate what I want to do.

I got back to the Days Inn about 415pm, loaded the groceries into the room, and opened up the laptop to 'sleep mode'. Had a couple of Buds, and headed out to the movie theater. No problems, just out West a few miles, and then South. I saw THE CONSPIRATOR with Robin Wright. The film concerned the trial of Mary Surratt, and the conspiracy of the Lincoln Assassination. A well done film which raised more questions than answers, and I'll be hitting Wikipedia very soon.

Chillin' and Sippin'. I'm in for the night, and we have a big day planned for tomorrow. Rose Garden, out to eat, and, "If I am here until 1pm, why do we need my 'helper' to drive me home? I could just ride with you, my son."

I will not allow this to happen.

Day Two

Last night when I got back from Sun City, I spent several hours typing on the blog and sipping Buds. The suite is nice, two rooms, two bigs TVs (I haven't switched one of them on), and very, very, almost, 'spooky' quiet.

Today I got up early, at 6am. I hit the free breakfast bar for about eight cups of coffee, and was listening to the early morning talk shows on WMAY. I even was in the 'chat' for a bit, and gearing up for the 9am encounter at Pineaire Drive.

I arrived at 835am, and all of the plans which we had laboriously hashed out were all scrapped. Last night we agreed to eat some meals at his house, and he would do the cooking. The first thing that he said to me was, "I will never cook in this house for you. We will go out for as long as you are here". I said, "what about the plans that we made last night"? He said that he didn't care, and that was that. Then, we had said that today I would follow his 'helper' to the fitness center in my car, and then they would leave, and I would stay on to do an extended workout. This was all changed, and he insisted that I go with them in the 'helpers' car. Instead of justifiable homicide, I agreed.

Abbie (Abdul) arrived about 910am, and he is a remarkable man. He seems very devoted to his job, and thinks the world of Mr. Worden. He is an African from Tanzania, is married to a nurse, and has three young children. And, he is an expert in dealing with the elderly.

We arrived at LA Fitness, and talked to a manager, and he arranged my pass for the next several days. Last night he insisted that he spends three hours in the pool, whirlpool, and steam room each visit. I asked Abdul, and he assured me that they are there for about an hour and a half, but he also insists that they leave at 1pm. So, I told Abbie that I would do an abbreviated workout, and tomorrow they could continue with their regular schedule, and I would arrive and leave as I see fit.

I did 45" on the treadmill at about a 5.0 pace. I was able to charge the Ipod on the laptop, and it worked just fine. And, I did about 25" on a cross trainer, when I noticed Abbie coming up the stairs. He told me that the workout was just about over, and he was getting ready to leave. I talked with Abbie for about ten minutes, and he seems to think that Janny and I should take a more active role in his living arrangement. He can only do so much, because the client pays the bills, and he can legally do as he pleases. However, I told Abbie that I also can only do so much, and he does not see me as a credible individual who could tell him anything. And, that my sister, Janny, has an edge over me, but she is in the same boat.

Then, I went downstairs to the lockerroom and spent about five minutes in the steam room, and swam a lap in the pool, and a few moments in the whirlpool. They were sitting in the lobby, and from there we went just down the street to the Italian restaurant, Tagliani's. It's really only a couple of parking lots West from LA Fitness.

Luckily, few people were in the restaurant, because we made the usual 'scene'. He knew the waitrees, and much embarrassment was shared. I had a big salad (I was not in the least hungry, I had drunk a gallon of coffee, and not enough of a workout to produce an appitite), he had several items including soup, salad, and veal, and Abbie had veal parmasen. The bill was about $45, and he made a big (loud) deal about "a five dollar tip'. Abbie and I bumped it up to ten, and as we walked out, he made it known to one and all, that we had left a ten dollar tip. Abdul seemed to take it all in stride, and I needed about nine or ten more Buds.

Abbie drove us back to his house, and he pretty much dismissed me. He said that he was working on his camera/computer hookup, and I could 'head on down the road'.

I went to the Dollar Store in Surprise, and bought some mouthwash, pretzels, and a new combination lock. My lock fell apart when I removed it this morning. And, I also stopped into The Goodwill Store and bought a 'gently used' belt for six bucks.

Back to the motel for pool, whirlpool, and ice cold Buds. In for the night, and maybe I'll fire up the TV, and hike down the road to Wendy's for dinner.

Day One

This is an email that 'recaps' my adventures on the first day. This is a trip to Sun City, AZ, and ran from Wednesday April 27th to Tuesday May 2nd. Fun, Fun, Fun.....

Today was a long and grueling journey, and I could have handled it all with serene acceptance, EXCEPT for the fiasco at Fox Car Rental in Phoenix. After arriving almost two hours late, I took the bus to the off-site rental center where all the rental agencies are located in one building. I only noticed one sign for Fox, and it was on the lower level. I waited in this line for almost twenty minutes before I found out that this was the line in which you picked up your car after you had already been processed. And, that counter was located upstairs, and I stood in that line for almost two hours. During those two hours I spoke to other people who had been downstairs, and had waited in that line before they were told that they had to go upstairs and wait in another line. When I finally completed the rental, there were probably eighty people waiting, and the last person in that line was looking at a solid four hours of standing! None of the other agencies had any people waiting, probably because Fox can beat all other rates by only running a skeleton crew.

And then, when I got in the car to leave, I noticed that there was slightly less than a quarter of a tank of gas. I'm supposed to bring it back full, but I start with an almost empty tank--not in this life time. I located a woman who seemed to be in charge, and she made a note that I could bring the car back with the same amount as when I accepted the vehicle. I had only asked her assistance in opening the trunk (it's done by pressing down on the ignition key, I've never had a car with that feature), and that is when I happened to glance at the fuel gauge. Can you imagine the scene if I were to bring back the car with a quarter of a tank, and tell them that this is how much was in it when I drove off their lot?

In any event I arrived in Sun City almost three and a half hours late, and he didn't seem the least bit aggravated. I was upset that I told him that I would be there about noon, and that he could skip his ride to the fitness center, and I would take him. When I sat down we talked for a bit (he seems to want to 'organize' what is going to happen), he wanted to go to LA Fitness and get my pass (this is always good for a very slow thirty to forty minutes), workout, and then go out to eat. It was almost 345pm, and I reminded him that we probably could not accomplish all of this and be back for the chat with you. He had completely forgotten! So, we settled on hitting the buffet, and that worked out just fine.

We had to get back to his house at least forty-five minutes early to 'set-up' for the chat. This involves running all kinds of anti-virus scans, and utility programs which he will not stop unless they are run to completion. I told him that it does no harm to 'cancel' a scan (so that he would not be late coming on-line with you), but he is deathly afraid of all of the "filth" on the Internet, and he feels that it all must be "scalded" off or irreparable damage is caused. This is why he is late coming online, because he insists on running these programs before he connects. Of course, this falls on "deaf ears".

And speaking of "deaf ears"...He doesn't wear the hearing aids, because he doesn't need them. However, I had to shout over, and over that he couldn't hear me, and he just laughed. He clearly only pays attention to what he expects you to say, and if it deviates, he tries to read lips. And although, his glasses looked to be something 'off the rack' at K Mart, and aside from the very severe stoop, I think that, overall, he is in fairly good shape. Tomorrow morning I am to meet him at his house at 845am. His 'helper' picks him up around 9am, and they go off to the fit club, and I will follow them, get the pass, and I will stay a bit longer. But, I want to talk to these people about the hearing aid problem, and why they can't help him to find a pair that work. However, I guess they cannot force him to do something if he is dead-set against it, and although I know he doesn't think his hearing is fine, I do think that he believes that the hearing aids make it worse. And, I don't think that vanity is keeping him from wearing them, but there should be an answer to the problem.

He receives a detailed rundown of the hours that the 'helpers' spend with him, and I saw a copy of this in the Arizona Room, but I didn't have a chance to look at it closely. This is how they base his monthly bill, and he keeps an eye on it, and I plan to see if I can check this out a little closer.

He wanted to 'organize' what we could do for the rest of the time that I will be here, and he seems not to like the idea of going out each night to eat. He is concerned about gaining weight, so I suggested that he cook some meals at his house, and we can eat there. That is what we are going to do for tomorrow. Also, I got him to go 'back into the stacks', and I suggested that we go through some of the folders and photos in the bedrooms from many years ago. I really had never been in the bedrooms before, and they look like film footage from the TV show, "Hoarders". I attacked the issue by saying that he wanted to do something about the clutter, and maybe we could 'walk down memory lane', and sift through what was valuable and what was not. His defense was that he could not part with anything unless you were with us. I backpedaled, and said that we don't have to actually throw away anything, but maybe it would give him an idea of what valuable stuff he could show you and Joe, the next time you are out here. Realistically, I don't think that he would part with one single computer magazine from 1981, but I might force him to see some pictures, ancient devices, or articles of clothing that might get us into some kind of a dialog.

In any event, this seems to be the tact that we will take. His helpers will take him to workouts, and I will workout longer, and I'll meet him at his home later in the day. Then, we will sift through the debris, and I'll see what I can get him to say. Some nights we, 'eat in', other nights we, 'eat out'. I suggested since 'neither of are getting any younger', that this might be the best way for us to spend our time together. Up to that point, he wanted to "do something for me", but it seemed that all he wanted to do was to go to Best Buy, or Office Max, and buy me something to take back, and I told him I cannot take anything back. In fact, I have brought three old tee shirts, and three ancient pairs of underwear, and they are NOT going back-- they are going into the Surprise, Arizona landfill. Oddly enough, he mentioned that he would "compensate" me for my trip, and he offered $750. I guess that's his opening offer, because my flight was about $360, motel $410, and the car will be about $200, but I'm sure we will arrive at a realistic figure.

Anyway, the plan is to stop him from 'organizing photo shoots', and let's see if we can 'see some photos'.......

Don't expect such a detailed update each day, but I was just so tickled to check in, and connect to the Internet with a minimum of hassle that my little fingers were flying, and some Budweiser was involved.....seeya...kw