CHRISTMAS CARD LIST

Robert as Santa - Christmas 2007

I have a list of folks I know all written in a book.
Every year at Christmas I go and take a look.
That is when I realize that these names are a part
Not of the book they are written in but of my heart
Each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime
And in the meeting they have become the "rhythm of the rhyme"
While it sounds fantastic for me to add this claim
I really believe I am composed of each remembered name
While you may not be aware of any special link
Just meeting you has shaped my life more than you can think
Once you have met somebody the years cannot erase
The memory of a pleasant word or friendly face
So never think of my Christmas card is just a mere routine
of names upon a list, forgotten in between
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you
It is because you are on the list of folks I am indebted to
You are a part of the total of many folks I have met
You happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget
Whether I have known you for many years or few
In some way you have had a part in shaping things I do
Every Christmas I realize anew
The biggest gift that life can give is meeting folks like you.

My dears, the above newspaper clipping was old when it was sent to MOI in a Christmas Card many years ago. It meant so much to MOI that it became a marker in my diary and it is seen almost daily. Some times it is just moved from page to page but at other times MOI reads it again and thinks of all of the lovely folks who have been a part of his life.

Many Christmas's have been enjoyed in the 60 odd years of life.  One of most remembered is last one spent with John, happy we were, even if we knew he would not be round for the next one.  There is a memorable one in Stockholm, and a few special ones in London.  Am very fond of the one spent in Hilo.  Then there is the one in Marysville, the one James and Chandra came into life.  Christmas makes MOI think back on the lovely times had with Paul.

This year, Ron is holding his annual Christmas Eve Party.  Ron ADORES Christmas, and loves to play Santa to all the folks known to.  May well be a Christmas to remember...

Many of you are 'au fait' with MOI sending E-Cards. Not a holiday or special event passes without a little something being sent to the folks who are special. A small number of folks write back and tell that they NEVER open the E-Cards, they are afraid that it will have a 'virus' but that does not stop MOI from sending them. Many know that it is just my way of letting all know they are thought of. MOI receives many as well and loves each and every one received.

SOCIETY NEWS

After months in 'Never-Never Land'(Cathedral City), pretending to be 'Peter Pan', our very own Andy has returned to his Reno home.

Andy was spotted sunning self in back garden, looking the very picture of one full of cheap wine and Zoloft.  This reporter had the good fortune to spend some time with and queried Andy on what has been happening in life and what the future held in store for.

"Whilst I adore my wonderful new life in Cathedral City, I needed to return to Reno to vote on Tuesday,  organize my grand garage sale and get my teeth worked on."  "As you know, I am planning to visit Ireland soon and want to look my best".

Truth be told, Andy's teeth looked massive and gave one the impression that there was little 'real' left in the face region.  The eye lift, as well as the BOTOX injections made Andy's face glow in the sun.  Or was the glow coming from the massive goblet of wine that was endlessly filled?

So in love with his new caravan is Andy, that he is giving grave consideration to selling his home in Reno and living full time in 'Never-Never Land'.  Mind, the market is not great for older homes with outdated features.

Rumour has it that Andy will uncover the pool today.  A smart pool party is planned and Andy has invited all of his nearest and dearest friends.  It should be a very 'gay' event, the sort of event where one sees lots of speedoes on bods that are best viewed with clothes on.

When this reporter waved good-bye to Andy, he noticed the massive pile of supermarket tabloids been gone through and will long remember the shrill cackle that filled the back garden.  Andy was indeed having a grand time...

THE OLD GEEZER MOVES

Today is moving day for the old geezer.  After 10 months living in a house, in a very quiet part of Reno, the time has come to get situated in a place that is easier to deal with.  Walking is a problem and being downtown will make is easier to get round better.  No stairs to deal with and not being a burden to anyone are big draws to move.

New digs are the Capri Motel.  Like the old geezer, the Capri has seen better days, the sun deck is gone as is the heated pool, but the welcome mat is out for old geezers with disabilities.  Sort of like the match, MOI and the motel.  Bit faded but going strong.

Do you not just adore the name?  Capri...  The Romans called Capri 'goat island', and was a popular resort in 19th century for well to do and famous.

There is little doubt that the old geezer will be going for walks each day.  Will be thin in no time.

Give MOI a bit, and am sure will be able to fill you in on life at the motel.  It is going to be an adventure...

Truth be told, MOI has never allowed place lived define.  No doubt it will be easier to deal with at motel.  The old geezer will not have to deal with a landlord who loathed MOI due to being 'grossly overweight', hard of hearing, no taste buds, no friends and no life.  So thought the ageing homosexual rented from.  Spare MOI from false friends in the future.

My dears, it is a new month and a new beginning.  Will tell all discovered about me new home.  Can already tell that the welcome is warm and room very clean and cheerful.  Stay tuned.

ECLIPSE DAZZLES RENO

Youngest Roomie Viewing Eclipse

Sunday was the day that folks in Reno got to view a solar eclipse.

Alan took the old geezer to dine at local casino, the old geezer paid.  So excited was Alan to view the event that he made sure to take his 'eclipse viewer' with, so he could join folks in the car park.

Paul had received an invite to a 'eclipse' party.  Mind, that meant that Paul played chef and cooked up the burgers and hot dogs, whilst viewing the event through special telescopes, between a flip here and there of the meat.  Over the moon he was to see the solar flares.

Rumour has it that an absent roomie would view the event in Palms Springs.  Without the aide of viewing gear.  Wanted to add 'blind' to eye work done on face, no doubt...

Truth be told, the old geezer does not spend a great deal of time staring at the heavens.  Seen one eclipse, seen them all...
The old geezer has seen an eclipse before.  Truth be told, MOI does not spend a great deal of time staring up at the heavens...

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

Youngest Roomie's Brilliant Motor

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Oh you pretty Chitty Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
We love you.
And, in
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
What we'll do.
Near, far, in our motor car Oh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Oh you pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
We love you.
And, in
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
What we'll do.
Near, far, in our motor car
Oh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Your sleek as a thoroughbred.
Your seats are a feather bed.
You'll turn everybody's head today.
We'll glide on our motor trip
With pride in our ownership
The envy of all we survey.
Oh Chitty You Chitty
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
We love you.
And Chitty, in Chitty
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang what we'll do.
Near Chitty, far Chitty, in our motor car Oh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.....(hold)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Fine four fendered Chitty Chitty friend.

MOI was not with Alan when he went to purchase his new vehicle.  Mind, that did not stop the old geezer from asking what went into purchase of.

Seems that CASH is not king when purchasing a new vehicle.  Even with cash in hand, the chaps at the local dealership were in no mood to cut a deal.  Fancy that.  Was of the opinion that such a big purchase would give some sort of special consideration to.  Perhaps, due to the cash purchase, the dealership was not happy as there was no loan to make extra off.

Right odd that a simple CASH transaction took over 4 hours to complete.  And the extras just kept being added on.

There was much mention by the dealership of the vehicle being 'CAR OF THE YEAR', sort of a catch phrase for, "We do not need to deal".  Truth be told, the Youngest Roomie had his heart set on this vehicle and regardless of price or lack of consideration, he felt it was the vehicle of his dreams.  What can you say to that?  He seemed right thrilled to drive it home.  Lithia Hyundai of Reno did not play any music to greet Alan.  You would think a few bars of "Hey, Big Spender" might be nice, but then again, they were not impressed with such a large cash purchase.

This old geezer is impressed with the rather racy style of the new vehicle.  Who would have thought.

Now, the old geezer has to think of ways to get invite for a trip in...

HOSPITAL FOOD

Truth be told, the old geezer has no clue what the food at Renown tastes like.  Has no sense of taste.

The old geezer was placed on a Dysphagia Diet due to stroke and worry that he might not be able to swallow or chew.  That means they create meals using the blender, all is pureed.

Renown is not cheap, the meals were plentiful.  There were snacks, morn, afternoon and night.  My room mate showed his platter and it was very full of food and varied from day to day.

They did a test to see if the old geezer could swallow.  He could, but fessed up to not feeling up to groceries and needing to force oneself to eat.  Was kept on the puree diet, thinking being that not having to chew would encourage MOI to eat more.  Right creative they were in serving up meals.  They made the pureed stuff 'look' like food.  Mind, there were times MOI had to read the menu, had no clue what the mass of puree was.

Renown Dietary came to visit and asked if they could give anything special to make meal time special.  They offered up Fruit smoothies with protein for snacks and made sure that MOI had loads to drink.  How lovely and so very thoughtful.

The menu was full of choices.  Room mate told that it was tasty and filling, and he enjoyed the snacks.  The room mate LOVED his groceries...

The old geezer did not eat much but was right pleased that staff took time to create interesting meal time for.  Very nice touch that was...

HOSPITAL IS BLOODY BRILLIANT

In the rush to tell stories of me ear operation, the old geezer forgot to tell of his visit to hospital where the surgery was performed.

Renown Medical Centre, located in Downtown Reno,NV.

The lovely staff there makes it every so easy to check in the day of surgery.  No trip to hospital is met with undiluted pleasure, but to get warmly greted and guided through the process sure makes it so much easier to take.  From the 'meet and greet' at reception, to the passing through to the nurses in the surgery suite, it all gets one to feel that the outcome will be as painless as possible.

The old geezer did not overnight in hospital, nor was he going to overnight after surgery.  The snap is of one of the surgery areas, where they get you ready to go into the operation theatre.  Here, the nurse does the chart work, places the IV to get ready for the drugs that will put you under, takes clothes for safe keeping and locks them up.  There is a chair provided, so that person who waits for, can be comfy.  It is also here one returns, after the surgery.

There is a curtain round, for privacy.  One gets the feeling that the staff has all of the bases covered.  It is rather cheerful.

In the UK, there is the NHS, a national health scheme, and one reads of how horrid it can be for some folks.  I do not know that to be true from personal experience, having never been ill in UK.  Mind,like the UK, there are some in this country that complain of how horrid a trip to hospital can be.  The old geezer must have extraordinary luck in choice of hospitals, as none have not been good.  In truth, Renown tops the list of brilliant care centres.

The above snap pokes fun at hospital in UK.

Renown is not an object of a laugh to MOI.  Days after surgery, members of the surgery staff rang up at home and followed up with Paul as to me progress.

If that were not enough, the other day a greeting card landed in me post, wishing me well.  Fancy that.

The old geezer hopes that many moons will pass before a return to hospital is needed.  Should there be the need, you can be sure that Renown will be the place visited.   They are the best.  Better than brilliant, the staff at Renown is legend...

UP, UP AND AWAY...

HOT AIR  BALLOONS OVER RENO

 Were I ever so clever, me camera would have captured what I could see from the road outside home.  Sadly, camera owned did not do justice to what was before me and had to use a snap from the INTERNET.   Truth be told, it is what I saw, even better.

Folks tend to think that all of the action in Reno is within a casino, costing buckets of cash.  The annual Reno Balloon Race is 100 per cent FREE and quite thrilling to see.

Just another treat one sees if open to the adventure.

Rather think I am going to like Reno...

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - SPLASH OUT AT CASINO

Peppermill Casino - Reno

Last night, Jack, my new BFF was gracious and invited me to dine with at the casino located less than a mile from where we hang our hats.  It is located less than a mile down the road.  Mind, it would seem that casinos are quite near to one and all but this casino has the reputation of being quite an adventure.  How could one refuse so grand an offer to enjoy a lovely meal in a new venue?

We arrived just past 6pm and Jack wanted to sit at the Sports Bar and try his luck at a Video Poker Machine.  It also helped that given one is 'gaming' one could have a cocktail 'one the house' whilst trying one's luck.

Truth be told, this old geezer in not fond of poker, it is like watching paint dry, but it was not my cash and Jack told that if I were to be with, they would give me a cocktail for FREE as well.  They did and my evening of vicarious thrills was set into motion.

Jack is quite clever and seems to know just what to hold.  The game played was 'Jacks Or Better', meaning if one got a pair of Jacks, one won.  Sounds ever so simple.

Jack was playing for a $1.00 a bet and would select his hand and allow me to click the button to produce results.

The first thing one must mention about Jack is that he is quite demonstrative in sharing his delight at winning a bet and equally demonstrative in wishing for good results from the click I was providing.  There were others in the Sports Bar, all seemed to be following a game of football being played, but the squeals of delight from Jack were infectious.  Even the Barkeep thought Jack was showing the proper spirit of the place.  One would have thought every winning click was a great family fortune, to hear Jack.

Truth be told, I was gobsmacked at the good fortune Jack was having.  He had parleyed a $20.00 into a much larger sum and it never seemed to go below a certain level and bit by bit grew larger.

After an hour, and a considerable amount achieved on machine, hunger won out and we headed to the restaurant.  Not before I asked if it were possible to get another Gin and Tonic, to replace the one I had nursed.  One had to have a beverage for dinner.  No?

Romanza Ristorante Italiano

Jack is a most gracious host and told that we could go to a restaurant close or journey further into the casino and dine at his favourite.  I opted for his favoured place.

What strikes one about the Peppermill is it's flashy decor.  Everything, and I do mean everything, about the Peppermill is 'over the top'.  The carpet under foot is quite plush and in all directions one can see something that takes one aback.  Very Posh.

The Romanza Ristorante Italiano was our place to dine.  Just from the entry it looked as if the Emperor Nero had been allowed to run riot on the decor, it was so very eye filling.  One was struck by the lighting that seemed to be subdued, as if one were in a courtyard of a villa dining by candle light.

Jack had good choices to recommend for dinner and the old geezer went with completely.

We started with 5 cheese soup, served with an organic salad and the main course was a Monte Cristo Sandwich complete with chips.

There was also a lovely bread basket with a spread to nibble on before the starters arrived.

Directly in from of me was a massive telly that displayed video images of scenes from the Mediterranean.  Like I said, very over the top...

I will tell true, the 5 cheese soup was the Pièce de résistance of the evening for this old geezer.  That is not to say that other parts were lacking, just that it was so very good that one longs to return and have again and again.  I will tell that I had had a Monte Cristo before but never prepared as it was last night.

Needless to say, the meal was so filling that there was never any serious consideration given to afters.  It would have been gluttonous to have attempted.

Having dined, we wandered through the casino taking in the sight and sounds.  Jack cashed out one of his winning tickets and was ever so grand in giving me a bit of cash to play with.  Jack was in no mood to depart and there just might be another video poker machine with his name on it.

Throughout the casino there are Penny fruit machines and quite near the place Jack was to play, I sat down and started clicking the buttons on a machine I had no clue worked, other than it had a bonus feature and multiple lines to place with wilds.

It turned out that the right machine was picked as it kept giving me the bonus feature and in short order had given up a sum that was much greater than started with.  Was quite pleased with self and took the amount and ran...

Jack had found himself another machine that fortune was smiling on and again had managed to collect a grand sum for his efforts.  No small thing when you consider that one does not always win.  As before, joining Jack got the third cocktail of the evening for FREE.  I was over the moon and starting to feel the warmth of the beverages.  The old geezer is not a massive drinker and three was one past limit.  It was fun...

Jack is very responsible, in gaming and drink, and was well capable of not getting carried away.  Mind, his luck was greater at this machine.  Cashing out, we headed to the door or so I thought.  There was one more machine to try and that produced a winning amount that was the topper of the evening.  Lovely.

I will tell true, $1,00 machines are too grand for this old geezer but not for one minute did I feel that the few pennies played were less than fun.  Multiple lines had given up a sum one could be quite pleased with.  The point being I had FUN...  Fancy that...

Truth be told the vicarious thrill of clicking the buttons of the $1.00 machine and the sharing of Jack's thrill of winning was truly a night to remember...