Author Archives: TheRealTamara

For an opinionated woman such as I, blogging is an excellent outlet. This is one of many fori that I use to bloviate. Enjoy! Comment on my commentary.

Weather or not

What is your favorite type of weather?

Why is the weather always everyone’s go-to small talk? Is it the only neutral topic for your office elevator ride?

My theory about our fascination with weather is that there is a climatologist manque in each of us.

Not for nothing that Groundhog Day – the film and actually Feb 2- is such a vibrant theme in our lives.

We admire the ability at prediction even if we deride the result. “Wouldn’t you know it? Didn’t need the umbrella today.”

Speaking of umbrellas, I always refuse to or forget to carry one.

It’s not only because I love the rain. It’s also because umbrellas are annoying. And I find the rain purifying.

Booming

The Era holds fond memories.

Despite the turmoil we all felt and experienced, the sixties were a time of hope. For many of us, they were a chance to bring the America we loved to its full potential.

Social justice was a goal within reach. Equality and righted wrongs were an ideal to which we could aspire.

The sixties were an opportunity to be our best. Or at least better.

None thanks

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

Don’t want any tattoo. I would put it nowhere on my body.

I understand that this is not a popular view. In the past 20 to 30 years, the tattoo has become a mainstream decoration.

Once upon a time, wearing one signaled you had been on leave from your ship in a foreign port.

Nowadays, tattoos are as common as if we had all been in the signal corps.

That long commute

I am mulling a recent experience with a woman who felt that her 5 hours earning didn’t warrant a three-hour trip to work.

She is right. The time in transit guts deeply into her salary. However, as I recall, the commute can have salutary benefits.

On a train-plane-or-bus you are free to read or watch videos. Entertainment or education can be gleaned from these media. But you knew that.

It’s a time to learn a new language. Acquiring a bunch of different languages is a thing now. Really. Polyglots are said to be smart.

My wife said you work at… that’s at least an hour. My office tried to get us back….

Overheard post-Covid millennials on an elevator ride

Of course, you can use your time wisely to study any subject that interests you.

I am perpetually behind in my reading and sometimes my watching as well. Time to catch up.

Lost

What activities do you lose yourself in?

I lose myself in writing. Thoughts and ideas spill unbidden from my mind to my blog.

Once upon a time, I know I would have said from my mind to my pen. These days, there is no pen involved.

I tap out my opinions, my conclusions or my beliefs on a screen no bigger than my handprint.

One sentence leads to another and pretty soon I have formed a post.

Small takes

It’s all about the packaging for the Altoids. It’s a good product but how it is contained is really its story.

It’s not about the packaging (or is it?) for the former guy.

We have been admonished not to fall into the trap of mimicking TFG tropes like lock her up. *TY Joyce Vance*.

I just can’t help wondering who is going to pay the costs of commuting for his appearances in so many different jurisdictions?

We present ourselves to the world wrapped in fashion. Clothes tell our tale to anyone who will listen. They are the human container.

Translating from literature to produce: Don’t judge the fruit by its wrapper sounds like good advice. Though it perhaps does not make sense.