Mind reading ether-net

When you hear comments about the internet’s ability to read your mind, do you agree, or like me, immediately put such ideas off to conspiracy theories or sci-fi imaginings?

And then something happens to make you question your belief that it’s all hokey folderol.

After returning from the local super walmart, where, saints preserve us, they had umpteen gazillion packages of paper towels and toilet paper, I was in the bathroom washing my hands, for the 27th time since I got up 2 hours ago, listening to Diane (my wife’s name is Diane😂) relate what she was considering to prepare for tomorrow’s Easter dinner; ham, mashed potatoes, cabbage salad....  Wait, I think; and I go on thinking that scalloped potatoes would be nice, but nary a word escapes my mouth, not wanting to get saddled with the task of preparing scalloped potatoes.  So out of my mouth come the words; “that sounds perfect.”

Fast forward an hour.  We are seated around the glass topped table in the Florida room; Diane (my wife, remember?) is paying bills and getting her new iPad  programmed to sync with the bank and create some new online banking arrangements.  Me?  Well I’m perusing the internet, looking up some bills that might be due and relaying that info to Diane (yup, my wife),) and reviewing material for my upcoming Lakeside Club BOD meeting next Tuesday.  Diane relates, that while bill paying, a Pinterest  email pops up saying, “you may be interested in the following recipe; ham and scalloped potatoes.”

Diane (yup) says, “what do you think of having scalloped potatoes for dinner tomorrow?”

So I ask you, who read my mind? Seri, Alexa, the TV, my android phone, Diane?  

Be careful out there my friends; keep you thoughts jumbled.

Czar Cuomo

Over the entire course of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s reign as political leader of New York State I have disagreed with his policies nearly 100%.  That said, in the current Covid 19 crisis, I think he has presented his and by extension our case as well as anyone can.  The problem that trips him up time and time again is when he allows his alter ego,”Michael Corleone” to emerge and run roughshod over all other NYS governmental and private entities.

The enormity of the crisis in the NYC metro area is mind boggling.  Everyone, including our president, Donald J. Trump, are doing everything in their power to help NY and the Governor ameliorate this overwhelming dilemma.

You may have noticed his conciliatory tone to the president when asking for help.  Never did I witness him threaten the president with his marshal law tactics, saying he would commandeer federal resources to aid NYC.

And that is why he has invoked the wrath of upstate Citizens, as well as politicians.  If only he has asked upstate facilities to send what they could spare without short-handing their own needs the response would have been wholehearted support.

Sending the overflow of Covid 19 patients upstate is obviously counter to the federal mitigation/social distancing regulations.  But, and that’s a big but, If I were in the Governor’s position I think I’d have to do the same thing.  If i were to do anything different I would try to get upstate hospital officials to offer to take the overflow.

Don’t be ham fisted “Michael Corleone.”  Be conciliatory, contrite, and ask, not demand, help.  You did get it right when you said; “we New Yorkers help each other.”

Altruism is easier from the couch than it is from the front lines where the nurse, respiratory therapist, doctor, nurses aide, and housecleaning staff are trying to save your relatives from drowning in their own secretions unable to get a breath of air and knowing that without proper ppe they too may well fall victim to the dreaded virus.  And all the while knowing that yesterday you had adequate equipment and gear but not today because the Governor commandeered it.  Cuomo doesn’t want to make life and death decisions, but doesn’t hesitate to drop that choice on health care facilities in your hometown.