A Good News Post... A Pleasant Change

 We had our first triple digit temperature Day Monday, only Three Degrees below the Record and Ten Degrees above Normal for this time of Year.  Climate Change is Real.  It had felt really Hot, so I wasn't surprised to learn we'd broken into triple digits.   The Man and I had Sourced some Specialty Tees on 50% Off Day and then we'd gone to the Antique Mall to clear out more of the Old Showroom.   I Donated Two Boxes of the Merch and took a single Box of it back Home.   I'll do this each day now this Week, so that by the Vacate Date of the 27th, I should have most of it done.   We went out for Brunch afterwards and had some new items on the Menu at DENNY'S Diner.  So, we'll start the Post out with Food Porn of my Brunch.  *Smiles* 

It was a lot of Food so I gave about half of it to The Man.  Not that his Order was Small, but, he had given me the English Muffin to eat my Eggs with... so, I gave him my Sausages and half of the Waffles.  It all was very good, we hadn't been to a DENNY'S in a long time even tho' a couple locations are quite close.   I also had their new Sweet Creme Iced Cappuccino, it looked nothing like the Photos of it on the Menu, but, was very good regardless of not being as attractive as their Menu Images.   I'd started a different Post and got it almost finished and then decided to just delete it.  It wasn't a very Uplifting Post, not that anything is Wrong on a Personal level.  It's just a lot is going on in the World that is troubling and sometimes I Wrestle with whether or not to Write about what I Think about it all.  

Regardless of what I Think about it all, won't change any of it tho'.  So, I Vented about it by banging out my Thoughts via the Keyboard, then just Deleted the whole thing afterwards.   Works for me.  *LOL*  Besides, it was 102 Degrees Outside and I had a shitload of Tees to get Priced, so, fixating on everything going to Hell in the World was a waste of precious Time and Energy.  I have a finite amount of both, so, decided it would better serve me, and you too, to just Move On and come up with a more Uplifting Post.   So, here we are.   I Photographed a few of the Tees to use as Blog Fodder, as is my new Custom.  *LOL*   The Iconic Arizona Tees {above and below}, were particularly appropriate given our Temperatures of the Day.  *Bwahahahaha*

I think I'll put at least One of them on a Mannequin Display when I bring this load of fresh Merch in.   The Daughter came Home from Work and needs to go to the Store, so, I'll probably swing by The Antique Mall again and just put everything in Tonight, then I won't have to Tomorrow.  When I was Working the Showrooms earlier, an Older Couple were being a Pain in the Ass.   Often you get a sense that certain Customers are intentionally trying to get in the way and just be an unnecessary nuisance becoz they see you trying to Work your Space.  Usually it's not so Obvious as it was with this Couple.  They looked like the Stereotypical Privileged Pretentious Sixty-Somethings who have this Air of Entitlement and are just inconsiderately Rude.

Well, I was at the entrance of the New Showroom and they made a big Production of hanging around my Showroom at first.  Getting in the way and pretending to look at Merch I knew damned well they had zero Interest in, too obvious.   My Cart full of Merch was in the Aisle in front of the Showroom, and that means it's a tight squeeze for them and their Cart to also be in the Aisle.  I try not to obstruct Customers and give them the Right of Way.   Normal People might squeeze by once on their way down any Aisle at the same spot at the same time.  This Couple, individually mind you, squeezed past me SIX times EACH... back and forth, back and forth incessantly and individually, even tho' they were together!   It was very Weird.

 Meaning TWELVE fucking obnoxious squeeze-bys within a very brief period of time while I'm trying to Work, yet also make an effort not to obstruct anyone actually Shopping.   They were NOT actually Shopping tho', just kept walking back and forth down that very short piece of Aisle so as to excessively squeeze by me and make me stop and accommodate them each time.  *Eye Roll*  It was all I could do not to finally ask, after the Twelfth Pass By, "Can I Help you with something, you look as if you expect to find it right here somewhere, but can't?"  But, Honestly, I didn't want to engage nor did I want to offer Help to these Assholes, it was doubtful they had any real reason to go back and forth so many times.    Since, who the fuck Walks up and down a 15 Foot crowded section of a single Aisle a Dozen Times within less than 10 Minutes anywhere, with absolutely no reason to?!   

Squeezing past the same person over and over and over again is just being obnoxious.  Not once did they say Excuse Me or apologize for coming back thru over and over and over again, bumping into me or the Cart each time they crashed thru the narrow Space carelessly, to pass Politely you would take Care and Finesse to do it without crashing into things.  They didn't look like they were searching for anything at all, just making a Production out of wanting to be in the way intentionally and Sigh heavily and audibly every time they squeezed past the same goddamned spot unnecessarily.  Like WTF, who does that?!   I just Smiled each time as if it wasn't bothering or inconveniencing me and that seemed to irk the shit out of them actually.  Probably Why they just kept doing it... but, I gave them Zero Satisfaction with any Reaction or Response they clearly were attempting to provoke and elicit.  *LOL*

It was Slow in the Mall and so not a lot of People to have to Work around or who would be in the way, or I'd be in the way of, which is why they were so damned obvious.  Anyway, finally The Man came up and I quietly let him know what they were doing incessantly and how many passes they'd already made in a brief period of time.  They didn't know he was with me, so, he pretended to be a Customer and deliberately blocked them coming back for another pass by... and acted oblivious that he was now in THEIR way.   And... it worked... they just gave up waiting for him to now move out of the way and had to bugger off to another Aisle.  *LMAOROTF*   It was Brilliant and I gave him a High Five after they were out of sight.   Other than that annoying Asshat Couple, everything was Swell tho'.  *LOL*

Since they'd been in the way tho', I didn't get everything done before we had to leave to go get Princess T after School.   So, later The Daughter went with me to finish up what I needed to get done.   With nobody now in the way, we got it done quickly and without incident.   I'd Sold the last piece of Display Furniture out of the Old Showroom by then, yay, now I don't have to transport it.  *Whew*   I had Customers still in the New Showroom up to the Mall getting ready to Close and Sales had been really Strong in both Showrooms.   Below is a Tour Tee that the Swifties should like from her Reputation Stadium Tour.  I've got it priced far below what they're asking Online for this one, so, it should be a Quick Turn. 

  

I ordered Princess T's Yearbook this Morning, it's the first Year she's actually wanted one, even tho' in the past I still ordered her one.  I thought perhaps she'd regret not having them if I didn't?   But, The Young Prince never did and never wanted anything to remember High School from, he insisted I NOT waste my Money on them.  Of coarse for The Grandson his High School Experience was a horror and quite complicated, so I can understand why.   Half the time he wouldn't even show up for Picture Day and he never did get to Graduate, since, Schools began refusing to Educated someone with his condition.  I always felt that violated his Rights by Law to receive an Education, but, they skirted around all that in a way they find that they can.  Alternate Schools weren't any better.

And, I refused to send him to the Reform School they tried to have us enroll him in as a last ditch effort to be in compliance with the Law.  He wasn't a delinquent and didn't have Behavioral Challenges, so even the Principal of that School said it would be inappropriate placement.  When a School calls it Intake rather than Enrollment, has Razor Wire around the entire Campus and every Door has Lockdown Security Devices, we weren't stupid about where they had sent us.  They made a referral after they wouldn't accept him back at their regular Schools anymore.  Discrimination against the Seriously Mentally Ill is at archaic levels in all of Society still and is mostly still Fear based with total lack of Humanity extended towards that Community.

The Young Prince once quipped that it was easier being Gay in Society than being SMI, which spoke volumes.   I once heard Comedian Wanda Sykes quip that it was easier being Black than being Gay, which also spoke volumes.   So, if it's easier being a persecuted Ethnic Minority than being Gay... and easier being Gay than being Seriously Mentally Ill, well, think about that for a moment wouldya.   On the scale of difficulty, especially if you would be all Three, which, The Young Prince is... being a Gay Transgender Hispanic Schizophrenic.   The Young Prince would deadpan, "Strike Three, you're Out, as far as Society is concerned."   And they wouldn't be Wrong about that.  Which is just Heart rendering, there is nothing I can do about that for my Grandchild's treacherous Journey thru this Life.

Right now The Young Prince is not doing well and finally was Open about being Honest about it.   Usually they won't be, since, worrying me is the last thing they want to do. {Proud of myself for mostly using the right Pronoun they have asked me to... but, I truly have to consciously alter my speech pattern about not saying he/him and it's difficult to.}   But anyway, they felt badly for masking it every time we talked or wrote to each other, so, finally coming Clean was better for both of us, no Secrets.  Since, I kinda 'knew' anyway and The Young Prince told me they knew they weren't fooling me.   You sense when there is a disturbance in The Force, so to speak, about any of your Kiddos, at least I always do, regardless of what they might try to hide.  Sometimes I won't press it, letting them tell me when they're ready to be transparent and Honest about whatever it is.

Nothing worse than 'knowing' someone isn't Fine and they're telling you they're Fine, and they are NOT.   I do have a lot of concerns when that Grandchild is NOT Fine, since Suicidal Ideology has been a pattern since they were only Seven Years Old.   Self Harm is a very real possibility with The Young Prince, more likely to do that than to hurt/harm others.  Often they tell me they don't Like Living, and with the Life Hand Dealt, well, it's a very tough row to hoe to BE Them.   The Beautiful Genius Mind that this Guy has tho' is exceptional and so Unique.  I am trying to convince them to delve deeper into their Art and begin Creating the Magic that it is.   Their Art would Sell easily becoz there is nothing like it that I've ever seen and it's so Unique, Edgy and Cool.   All the Art I have that they Created, everyone asks me about where I got it.

 The Young Prince has always lived and breathed Art of all kinds.  Can play any Musical Instrument, do Cosmetology, Paint, Draw, Sculpt, Invent, Perform Theatrically, Write, Create Fashion, Dance, Create Special Effects, all with no Formal Training.  There is very little they can't do and IQ is 148, so, legitimate Genius.   I Miss this Kiddo, so much Fun to hang out with, always such stimulating deep conversations.   There is literally no Topic that they don't seem to know literally everything about!  I kid you not.  Mind like a Steel Trap and a Sponge, from a very Young Age, would research everything and memorize it all.  Categorizing and Storing it all in that complex Brain they have, then trot it out if you needed to know something, no matter how random or deep it was! 

  When we had the Killer Bee attack for example, I'm telling The Young Prince for the first time and they started telling me EVERYTHING about Killer Bees!  Like a Killer Bee Expert!  If any of us wants to be completely Informed about anything at all without doing the actual Research ourselves, all we need to is ask The Young Prince and the Data will be instantly rolled out without hesitation... quicker than if you Googled it!  *LOL*   And, for shits and grins, if ya wanna Fact Check the Information given, you'll realize it was 100% Accurate.   And you're like, HOW in the World???!!!!   Can you only Imagine the Hours poured over Data being voraciously consumed and then Stored away in that Brain?!   It doesn't seem possible and now I know why I've always been told about the Fine Line between Genius and Insanity... and... it makes perfect Sense.  

 And so when Educators told me my Grandson couldn't be Taught, I Called Out Bullshit when I heard it.   The Young Prince would merely tell me they couldn't Teach what was already Known, that's Why.  *LOL*  And, if their information was faulty, well, The Young Prince would challenge it and debate it.   Which, didn't make a Child very Popular with anyone arrogant enuf to assume a Kid couldn't be that damned Intelligent or Knowledgeable, perhaps making the Adult look bad.   I once had a pompous Teacher tell us in an IEP that my Grandchild asked too many Questions in Class.  I countered with, "Does that only bother you becoz you don't have the Answers?"   Yeah, you could hear a fucking Pin drop when I dropped that one in a room filled with his Teachers and Administrators picking my Kiddo apart as if the Child was the Problem!

 A Child can NEVER ask too many Questions, that's how one gains Knowledge and becomes better Informed and challenges Information that may be inaccurate!  If the Kid asks you something you don't know, just say you don't know, no shame in that, then research it and get back to them... Simple... you're the Teacher!  You'll gain their Trust and Respect, and perhaps even Teach both of you something New.  *Winks*  Hey we all know what we know and don't know what we just don't know, but, far too many people Think they Know what they don't Know and that's usually the bigger Problem.  *Smiles*

I got some Good News from the Young Prince that should change the whole trajectory of how they have been feeling.  They FINALLY got a House to Rent and move in on Wednesday Morning!  *Whew*  They've been living in a Motel all this time and had a major break-in and Theft where ALL their Tech items got Stolen there, so, they've been desperate to find a Rental come up.   There in Clovis it's small and inexpensive, but has a lot for a small Town and so there's plenty of Shopping, but, not plenty of Housing.  Rents are affordable, just not plentiful.  The exact opposite of Phoenix.  Anyway, he said it's a small One Bedroom House and they get it April 24th but the Landlord will not charge them any Rent until May.  They'll be here in about 2-3 Weeks to get their possessions and completely move in.  I'm so Happy for them.

Now, more Good News, The Granddaughter whose expecting a Baby Girl in 8 Weeks had a Photo Session done by her Younger Sister, whose madly Creative in all the Arts.  They turned out so Beautiful I'm Sharing them in this Post, she looks absolutely Radiant and the Baby is doing Fine.   She got really big on this Baby so I think the Birth Weight of her Little Girl is going to be bigger than her Son was.   I remember being big like this with The Son and he Weighed in at Birth at almost 11 Lbs., yes, that's not a Typo, Eleven Pounds!!!   The Granddaughter hasn't told me what the expected Birth Weight of their Baby Girl is expected to be, their Son was just over 7 lbs..   He's just over 2 now so a nice Age spread, the Siblings should be close, I'm 2.5 Years Older than my Brother and we were extremely close as Kids and still are now.

She Married a Man who already had Three Older Children, so, both Kiddos will have Big Brothers and Sisters.   Since the Granddaughter Married Late and had her Kids later in Middle Age, after she established her Career as a Nurse, she's glad to have a Big Instant Family.  As she's getting Older she's looking more and more like her Mama, our Oldest Daughter.   Initially only the Youngest of our Oldest Daughter's Trio of Girls looked like her and had her Darker Coloring, the Two Oldest being Blonde and quite Fair.   Now that this Grandchild is experimenting with dying her Naturally Blonde Hair Dark, she looks a lot like her Mom now!  Our SIL is German descent, so he's very Blonde and Fair.   The Great Grandson of this Granddaughter is very Blonde and Fair like his Mama was as a Kiddo.  Her Older Sister, the Oldest Grandchild of the Trio, is Fair but has one Dark Child and one Fair Child, and her new Baby, a Boy, looks like he'll be Fair too.  Genetics can be a Mixed Bag...

 

*******

Blessings, Love and Light from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

I'm On A Journey... But, They're ALL On One Online

 I'm glad I had The Zoo Post to roll out, to have an actual Topic to Write about that wasn't same-o-same-o.  *LOL*  Boring the Audience with mundane shit that happens almost daily in Life can sometimes make Writing prolifically a challenge.   I mean, how many T-Shirt Graphics can I saturate a Post with before you're Zoning Out and thinking, Enough already Dawn!?  How much of my Decades Plus long Downsizing can you handle before you say in your Head, she's never going to get that shit DONE, hasn't that Registered yet with her?!!!!!!  *LMAOROTF*

And, I did get the New Showroom up and running in Record Time so, covering that Project was only Blog Fodder briefly.  I thought it would take longer and be a 'Journey'.   Recently a Male Comedian made fun of us Gals Online always being on a Journey.  He said, "They're ALL on one...", and, I had to LOL, since I do utilize the Word too much myself, and Yeah, we're ALL thinking we're on one, especially when talking on Social Media about it.  *Snicker*  I can 'See' myself in some of the Comedic Humor about Gals and especially about Seniors.  In many ways we are Stereotypical and cut from the same Cloth.  Which is great Material for a Comedian. *Bwahahaha* 

I've been Binge Watching Comedians on my NetFlix, having a good Laugh Daily has been good for the Soul I think.   Life can get Heavy otherwise, and I'm not one that likes to float thru Life with heaviness weighing my Ass down too much.  *Winks*  Princess T cracked me up by telling me about her Picnic she went on with her Gay Boy Posse and some Straight Friends who are Couples.  Her Boyfriend didn't go, he's older than her High School Friends, so doesn't intrude in the Teen Activities, probably Wise.  *LOL*  She's an Old Soul herself, so, it's unusual for her to do a Group Activity with other Teens.  They have to be a Mature Acting Group or she'd be embarrassed to be with them and just annoyed.  *Smiles*

When she sees Teens at a Mall together acting the Fool, and being very Immature, she'll just look at me and we'll both start Laughing.  We're thinking identical Thoughts.  I was never THAT Teen either and thus wouldn't have hung with THAT Group, I'd of been mortified by that kind of Childish or inappropriate Behavior.   With her I think it's due to being Raised by Grandparents, she's spent the majority of Life around OUR Friends and Peers, not her own, nor those of her Parents.  Sometimes she'll look at her Mom, Uncle and their Friends or Peers and dryly say, "They're still such Children!!!"   *Bwahahahaha*  Of coarse, she does also tell me I can be such a Child, since, I'm not your Garden Variety Boomer, and that's not just according to her.  The Young People at Work say they don't consider me to be Old since I don't ACT Old.

Now, I don't know how you're supposed to ACT Old, but, even if I could attempt to mimic it, I'd probably fail.   Since, any Peer acting like an Old Biddie or Old Bastard just works MY last Nerve.  So, I can only imagine how annoying it is to the Younger Generations to put up with it?  *LOL*  But I am that Senior that will intentionally drive fast thru a Puddle just to splash it all up on my Windshield.   And, I think you should never get so Old that you Forget what it was Like to be Young.  I get along very well with Children, Teens, and Young Adults, they actually tell me often that they LIKE me.  I have more Friends that are Age 18-45 than I do anyone close to my own Age group.   So, I spend more time with them.

What makes that a Switch, is that like Princess T, when I was a Teenager, almost ALL of the people I spent the most time with and had as close Friends, were very Mature Adults and many were Seniors.  They took me under their Wings and taught me everything I know about Life, about the Corporate Path to Success, about refining your Hustle, and, about setting correct Priorities and making Good Decisions on a consistent basis.   I owe a Debt of Eternal Gratitude to that slew of Mentors I had who were also my Dear Friends as a Young Person, that they didn't mind hanging out with, even tho' I was the only one of my Age Group in the Crew.  *LOL*  Now the Switch being, I'm STILL the only one of my Age Group in the New Crew.  *Bwahaha*

So, anyway, why Princess T cracked me up is that everyone brought their Fav Foods to The Picnic.  And, Timmy brought Sushi and insisted she try some.  Now, this is the Child who is perhaps the 2nd most Fussiest Eater on Planet Earth besides her Mother, The Daughter!   She said he popped it into her Mouth with Chopsticks under protest and it took her over Five Minutes to even be able to swallow it!   She. did. not. like. it!!!   *Bwahahaha*   I'm NEVER doing that again she vowed, it was disgusting and I almost threw up!   She said she wasn't intentionally trying to be hilarious, but told him, "Boy, you put some Weird shit into your Mouth..."   And they all Laughed and Laughed at the inuendo.  *LMAOROTF*

I'm glad she's going out with Friends since she spends too much time in her Room sometimes not Socializing at all.  She has Social Anxieties so prefers small groups or just one person or two at a time to interact with.   She's already told her Boyfriend that she's not interested in becoming Friends with all his Friends and it's not Personal, she just does not like Peopling that much.  *LOL*   She especially isn't comfortable around a lot of Girls becoz she said they're way too much Drama and a Headache, I'd have to be in Agreement about that actually.  I always have had way more Male Friends for that reason, it's a lot less complicated to be Friends with Guys.   All the Emotional Rollercoaster shit just is too much baggage in Relationships for me to be tolerant of.

I'd be one of your Female Friends that would just straight up tell you, "Listen GF, pick a Mood, any fucking Mood, and just stick with it a Minute, wouldya!!!  You're exhausting and annoying me otherwise!"   Ergo, the Female Friends I do have, I limit exposure to in small increments.   Since a little bit of Estrogen Imbalance would go a long way with me otherwise and we might have to just end the Friendship.  *LOL*   Yes, I have Blocked some Female Friends on and off, when on their Social Media they board the fucking Crazy Train of Female Drama and being a Headache regarding what they're Posting, I just can't.   I can't do the whole "I Love You, I Hate You, I Love to Hate You, I Hate to Love You" Rollercoaster Ride Bullshit most of them get on... fuuuuuuck!

And when some of them are having problems with all their Relationships I tell them the Truth in Love, THIS is Why GF, Lord have Mercy, stabilize your shit some so that anyone wants to be around you!!  Yes, I'm blunt and to the point like that... and if you can't handle the Truth, well, don't Solicit my Advice or Opinion.  I will not be good at Sugarcoating anything just coz you have delicate sensibilities and can only hear what you want to hear, not what you NEED to hear.   Not playing that Game with you, ever.   And, I got all the Friends in the World I'll ever Need, so, if you Need to Step Off, Be Well and Be Gone then, with my Blessings and no Hard Feelings.  Bye Bye Bye... Toodles.  Life is too fucking short and good to spoil it with people best left behind.

I do miss my Friends who are at the Event I'm currently boycotting on account of that One Woman who is running off Customers and Designers alike.  It's a pity when one ratchet individual can ruin experiences for everyone, something that used to be a good thing, but no longer is with their presence.   This is why culling people like that is critical in Life, nobody wants to be around them or Deal with their Bullshit and how they don't know how to treat People.   I stay connected on Social Media tho' and it's nice to see everyone on the Regular here even if in Person it's not happening.   The Blog Community is like that too, many of you I'll never have the Joy of being with in Person, and, that's Okay.  The Two Friends above are just The Best and I've done Business with them for Years and enjoyed their Friendship too.

Fortunately, just about everyone I know in the Industry has Venues many places or has a Brick N Mortar Shop as well.  So, I can still do Business with them and get to see them whenever our Schedules can open up to.   The Friend on the Far Left has had a Shop in the Historic part of Downtown Glendale for Decades and has some of the most Ahhhmazing Clothing Lines.   All the Gals are Modeling some of the Garments that Carol has Sourced.   I'm really liking the "Love By The Moon" Top that my Friend Cyndie is Modeling.   So, might have to make a Trek to Downtown Historic Glendale to check out that Line at Carol's Shop now.  *Smiles*   I have no Issues with any of my Designer Friends, they've always treated me so well and been Friends for Years that I Cherish.   They all know they're not the problem that transpired there at that Event... but they know who is.

Since I do not HAVE to have interactions with that Woman, I refuse to.  I'm not in any Business relationship with her, don't want to be her Customer, and prefer to have her banished from my Orbit.   That's how I just am with anyone whose either a Pain in the Ass, Unlovely in general, or can't treat people Right, Swipe Left.   Be a Ratchet Bitch to someone else, I'm not having it.   I like to spend Time and Money with Lovely People who are a Joy to be around and have Healthy Relationships with.  That's just how I prefer to Roll.   To me Unhealthy Relationships with anyone are just too Toxic to put yourself thru and be exposed to, be it Personally or Professionally.   And Behavior Tolerated is Behavior Accepted in Life... it's just how things play out with People.  And I am a firm Believer that no Human Being should be mistreated or put up with anyone who would mistreat them, period.

I woke up really late on Sunday, I don't know why I was so Tired, perhaps the whole Zoo Experience had been more physically and emotionally draining than I realized?  *LOL*  In a good way, but, still, it had apparently wiped me out since I Slept In until 11:30!!!   Yikes, I almost Slept the whole Morning away and will Work Tonight, so it left not a lot of time in between Waking Up and going to Work now.   LATER: Work was busy and my Sales are super Strong.  I've made more in One Week in the New Locations than I usually do in a Month with the Old one.   Location is better and we went in a different direction with our Merch, back to our Roots, it's made a huge difference immediately.

I Photographed the New Showroom a bit Tonight at Work... and then Below, Photographed the Old Showroom that I'm almost out of now.   Since, things are still Selling out of there really well, I am slowly taking just a Box of Inventory Home a Day out of there.  I have until next Weekend to be Vacated, so, as long as I've got prepaid Rent, why not make it Work for me until the last possible Minute?   I think people have a sense of Urgency to Buy out of a Vendor's Space that is Moving Out?  Becoz Honestly, I didn't expect so much to Sell out of there becoz we'd moved our best Merch over to the New Showroom.  Of coarse it's Selling briskly out of there too, which I expected... but things Selling briskly out of the Old Showroom was a complete pleasant unexpected Surprise. 

I did find out who Rented my Old Showroom, a New Vendor who already has a Showroom.  Just, WOW, that a New Vendor gets that kind of preferential treatment for Primo Spaces from The Jump!   I hear they've Rented a lot of Space and when someone told me who it was and I went and viewed the Spaces they already have, well... Color me Surprised.  Becoz frankly, I consider what I see of their Merch, them to be one of the Crap Hawkers.  Now, to be Fair, the Crap Hawkers do very well becoz a great many Impulse Shoppers and Bargain Basement Shoppers will Buy anything that's random and more importantly, Mass Produced or just Cheap.   But for a Crap Hawker to command Two Showrooms, when there's always been a long Waiting List for Showrooms, is a Surprise.  Not my Circus or my Monkeys tho', so... whatever...

 

We'll see how they transform the Space, mebbe they'll bring in better Quality Merch than I see in their other Showroom and Spaces?   But, mebbe they don't Need to if they're able to Sell whatever it is they hawk and it's making them Bank regardless of what it is?   Just for shits and grins, when they're all moved in, and if it turns out to be more crap or poorly Showcased, I'll Photograph it for some humorous Blog Fodder.  I'm not beyond covering both the good, the bad, and the ugly.  *Bwahahaha*   I have been holding onto the above Size 1 Jeans I used to be able to wear way back in Da Day, becoz I LOVE them so much I plan to deconstruct them and Create some Wearable Art with them that I CAN wear now.  *LOL*   I'm thinking it would make a great Fabric Altered Art Handmade Kimono Style Maxi Coat.

Anyway, I've been going thru my Wardrobe and Editing what I want to Keep, based on what I Love most and Wear most often, and, what fits.  What I'm Purging and Selling Off has actually Sold Out pretty fast, so, that's a good Sign that I'm reaching my Customer now.  *LOL*  I have items in my Closet that were Statement Pieces I paid a lot for and have no interest in re-selling even if the Value of them has gone way up.  Most are Retired Lines from my Favorite Designers like Magnolia Pearl, that I've bought from since the beginning of her Line.   Granted, some Years the Line went in a direction that wasn't my Style at all, but, that happens with any Designer.   I realize it's not all about me and other Clientele may totally dig a Seasonal Line I wouldn't wear or buy.  A Label alone doesn't ever do it for me.  I know what's for me... and what isn't.

I really dug MP's Great Spirit Line... a portion of the Sale of this Line went to Musically Fed, which supports a Mission to feed Indigenous Americans and Indigenous American Veterans, so, a great Cause.   Her Line from the beginning has never been inexpensive, but, every so often I've indulged myself with a piece and I've never regret any Purchase of MP I've ever made.   All of the Vintage MP I bought when she first began her Company has increased in Value exponentially.   All of her OOAK Bags made in the beginning by her personally, she hasn't made now in a long time now that she's a recognized Brand.   I have a significant Collection of those and to me each is a Work of Art, I enjoy Displaying them all the time even when I'm not using them.  So, they were an Investment I felt good about all around.

Now the Line is Outsourced and made in India, but, they still do a lot of Handwork.  Here in America it's difficult to find Employees who would do a lot of Handwork anymore to produce a Line.  Especially one that is popular and needs significant production to meet demand.   I do my own Handwork and Believe me, if I wanted to Sell any of my Creations, I'd never get what I Value my Time and Skill in the making of it.   So, I now only Create my OOAK Handwork for myself or for immediate Family.   I'd have to ask too much for any of it if I were to put any of it up For Sale.  But, when I get back into the Art Studio, I have a lot of Ideas to make some of my own Creations to wear, tho' I doubt I'd want to take Orders even if there was a demand.  

Nothing stifles Creativity quite like a Deadline.  I used to Create Commissioned Pieces and I got Burnt Out doing it and couldn't keep up with demand.  The Waiting List got too fucking long and I lost the Passion for cranking out too many Orders.   And, frankly, my Customers could have had a Baby quicker than waiting for me to complete a piece by Hand, since, I'm not a Machine and I don't mass produce anything, so, I only worked on a piece when I felt inclined to.   Sometimes I was On and sometimes I was Off, that's how my Creativity happens to just flow... or not.   Everyone was satisfied with their piece and many keep asking me if I'll ever make more, but, I Honestly told them... probably not to Sell.   It was about Feeding my Soul, not Selling it.  *LOL*

I've currently got some T-Shirts that don't fit me anymore but I just Love the Graphics of.  So rather than Resell some of them, I'm thinking of making Altered Art Wardrobe out of them and deconstruct the Graphics part to Sew into something else my Size.   So easy to do and turns a mass produced item into a OOAK item so easily.  I have so much Vintage Trim and Antique Fabric that I can Create Altered Fabric Art to Wear for Days.  *LOL*   When I do put some of my Fabrics up For Sale, I always Sell Out.  I've got some Bolts of unusual Vintage Fabrics that I probably won't use so I'm going to put them up For Sale soon in the New Showroom.   I know there are Crafters and Fabric Artists out there who will appreciate what it is.   I wouldn't live enuf Lifetimes to be able to use it all so I have to Cull my Hoard of it.  *Smiles*

Online tho' there are some Companies Selling some great Graphic Tees in my Size, so, I have ordered some that will be Delivered soon.   The above and below Tees are XXL, which will be nice and loose, so, I did order one of each on E-Bay.  Many of the Sellers ship for Free now, which is a Bonus, I don't have to go Shopping for it and it's delivered right to my Door at no charge... Win-Win.   I did have to order that one Fuggler I wanted with Three Eyes, since, nobody had them locally and I did want it, so... thought I better get the Special Edition one while they still had any in Stock being Sold Online.   Often the Special Edition Toys are only Sold and made for a specific Store, say, like Hot Topic, or TARGET.   And, you will always pay more for those Exclusives and they are Limited Editions too.  Those always increase in Value as a Collectible.  So, if I really want one, I'll pay the Extra for it.

Today I was discussing many of the Vintage Band Tees I have For Sale, with some of my Vendor Co-Workers.  Many of them remember the Bygone Concerts of those Tour Tees and the Bands or Artists, so, it was very Nostalgic for them to see some Originals.   Right now the Oldest ones I have are from Tours from the early 1970's.   And of coarse the Young People J'Adore any of the Anime Tees we have For Sale, those Sell Out often.   And Tees of Modern Artists and Bands do Sell well too.  I only carry those that I'm familiar with the Artist/Band tho', I know what I know and I don't know what I just don't know.   If the Artist or Band isn't one I know, I couldn't tell you anything about their Music, Popularity or any relevant information about whether it would Sell easily or be a Hard Sell, so, I just avoid it.  I wouldn't 'Know' that Customer.

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Happy Spring my Friends... Dawn... The Bohemian

A Day At The Zoo ... Taking This Whole Show On The Road

 

The Son told us that a local Rock Radio Station was Hosting a Special at the Wildlife World Zoo, Buy a Ticket and get a 2nd Person's Admission Free, a considerable Savings.   So, he, his Sister, Princess T and I went.  I don't think either of my Adult Kids had been there since I took them as Children.  I'd taken Princess T and her Brother about a Decade ago.   It's a very large Breeding Zoo, so far too much walking for The Man and he's not really a Fan of Zoos anyway.   It had been Years since any of us had been there, so, we really enjoyed ourselves.  But, it was very Hot and in the Nineties, so, after a few Hours we Tapped Out.  I got some good Pixs of some of the Animals for Blog Fodder.   A lot of the Outdoor Animals were Napping in the Shade, so, not where you could get good Pixs of them.  The climate controlled Indoor Exhibits were easier to Photograph them.

I had both Cameras but only used my Cellphone Camera, which has a good Zoom feature for more candid Close-Ups.  Some Animals seemed quite comfortable to Vogue for their Photo Op and were Curious enuf to come in close for it.  *LOL*   The Son and I had to ride herd on The Daughter, with her Schizophrenia, she Imagines a lot of things about Animals that aren't tethered to Reality.   So, for her own Safety, you have to monitor her as you would a Small Child around Wildlife.  Princess T wasn't used to that Reality, of her Mom being in an environment with Wildlife and just how much Supervision it took.  So, it did stress her out that Mom was wanting to Touch everything and we had to keep Supervising the situation.  Especially when The Daughter was Sure that Animals were Talking to her and getting too animated.  *LOL*

I realized my Granddaughter was getting embarrassed, she's protective of her Mom, but realized that a Grown Woman behaving Childishly, draws some unwanted attention.   I'm used to it, she's not, so, I had to keep reminding The Daughter that she had to Calm Down and get a Grip, since, her Daughter was getting Anxious, Worried and Embarrassed.   The Daughter tries really hard to please her Kiddos and have them be Proud of her, so, she'd be Calmer for a little while, then have to be reminded again... no Touching, no getting too close, no reaching over enclosures and such.   She was really having a good time, I know it's probably been over Thirty Years since she was Well enuf to be at a Zoo, so, I am still glad we all went together.

But, her Brother was getting Anxious and Annoyed, he helped me manage her Care while there.  He too is protective of his Sister and realizes her limitations can be pretty evident at times and certain situations in particular.   We made sure she didn't wander off or get too much Psychosis with certain Exhibits.  In a way the Heat made it an Ideal Excuse to call it a day earlier than we might have otherwise.  We'd all had Fun, we also had a Meal at the Zoo's Restaurant, which is a primo BBQ place called "Dillon's".    Of coarse, tho' The Son and I like a really nice quality Restaurant, the Gals are very fussy eaters and Weird about their Food.  So even with an extensive Menu, they fussed about not wanting anything on it.  *Eye Roll, but, you get used to it.*

I managed to talk them into eating Sides.  If all you can get either of them to eat is some Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans, so be it.   And, if you buy The Daughter a Bloody Mary to wash it down with, well, she won't Care if she has actual Food or not.  Plus, a Bloody Mary will often have enuf shit topping it that it's like a Small Appetizer Meal too, No? *LMAO*   I got her Two of them, since, I knew it would take the Edge off her Mental Health Issues if she had a bit of Alcohol to subdue urges and Psychosis.   We work with what we have.  *Winks*   The Son was using typical Dark Humor about her seeing things with her "Real Eyes" and hearing things with her "Real Ears", which is how she describes what she Sees and Hears that are clearly Psychotic.   She does have a sense of Humor about it and is somewhat Aware when she's unraveling some.

  

Princess T was asking if her Mom REALLY Needed Two Drinks with the small amount of Food we could get her to eat?   The Son deadpans, "Well, if you don't want her trying to climb into the Tiger Enclosures, and running with the Jackals, yeah, Two Bloody Mary's should do the Trick..."  *Bwahahaha*  He is not Wrong about that.  *LOL*  Princess T was having an upset Stomach from the Anxiety created by Worrying about her Mom around the Animals, but, she was a Trooper.  She really enjoys bonding with her Mom for the first time ever, and they really get along and Love one another so much.  So, it's good they can enjoy some Quality Time doing things, even if it takes form in some unusual Safeguards and Guardrails that have to be in place to pull it off.  *Smiles*

I've said it before, taking this Show on the Road can be quite the Adventure!!!  *LMAOROTF*  But, it's our 'Normal' and so Honestly, I'm so used to it that I just find it to be another Day in Paradise with the Familia, such that they all just are.   We are a Motley Crew with Issues.  *Smiles*   You definitely would never be bored or not have a lot of Laughs hanging out with us tho', you just have to be able to enjoy some really twisted Dark Humor about it all.  *Winks* 

  I'd go over what NOT to Touch, and then sure enuf, The Daughter would be trying to fucking Touch something or reach for it... so, you had to be vigilant and remind her of the Safety Prompts.  I have to do that with The Man a lot too, so, it's become like 2nd Nature with them both.  They shake their Head in Agreement with what they're being reminded NOT to do, then forget it instantly... it is what it just is.   It's not just a matter of Memory Care, it's a matter of dealing with Brains that aren't Wired Right and things just sometimes don't compute.

The Trees here are very Old and the smell of the Eucalyptus Aroma is heavy in the Air, there are some magnificent specimens.   I Love everything about the Zoo, if it wasn't so expensive I'd go often, but, Costs for running and maintaining a Zoo are prohibitive and so is Admission now.   When we lived in Rural Affluent Subdivision Hell, it was only Blocks away from this Far West Valley Breeding Zoo, so, I bought an Annual Pass one Year.  It was a waste of Money for The Man and The G-Kid Force, but I did use my Pass a lot that Year.   I think The Man went once and lasted 10 Minutes before he asked to leave, it was Sensory Overload for him and he never went back, nor wanted to.

  For the Hundred Bucks his Pass had Cost me, thinking it would be good Cardio for him... well, most expensive Ten Minutes I'd ever Paid for.  *Eye Roll, Le Sigh and LOL*   The G-Kid Force like a Zoo, but, with each of their Special Needs, it can often overwhelm too.   The Young Prince is Schizophrenic like his Mom, so, there can be Triggers for 'them'.   And, Princess T, if the Zoo has a lot of people like it did Today, with it being a Special Hosted Event by the Radio Station, the amount of Humans there was causing her some Social Anxieties.  Couple that with her Mom needing a lot of Supervision, well, she was probably relieved when we all unanimously agreed we'd had Enough Fun.  *Bwahahaha*   She, Timmy and Matthew are 'Good' again, so the Gay Boy Posse have now taken her out when we got Home.  *Smiles*

She was not in Pathological Picture Taker Mode, clearly, so, I mostly concentrated on Photographing the Animals, and not the Family.  *LOL*  Now that she's Grown she's realizing how much Work is involved in Caregiving for our Loved Ones in Public who require a fair amount of it when we have an Outing with them.  She's more familiar with how to handle Grandpa when he's High Maintenance or being difficult or unlovely, since she's been doing it longer with me for him, than she is when her Mom is.   If you've ever done any Extreme Caregiving or Parenting, you Understand, it can be rewarding and yet exhaustive, depending on the Environment you drop everyone in.  *LOL*

But, when you Buy the Ticket, you're on for the Whole Ride, Right?  *Winks*   I kept humorously reminding Princess T of this Fact, when she quietly came up to me and said how much she was 'Over The Zoo Experience' as a Family Fun Day.  And... have we had Enough Fun yet Gramma... I think mebbe we need to take my Mom Home now.  *Bwahahaha*   The Deal being, the Zoo is enormous, and by the time we weren't having Fun anymore, well, we were in the Lower Forty of it and a long trek back to the Entrance.   By then, everyone needed to stop and be Watered again at one of the strategically placed Snack Bars... and the typical "Are We There Yets" you expect.  *Bwahahaha*  I think I heard The Daughter mention her Toe hurt about a Gazillion times.  "Mom, my Toe hurts..."  *LOL and Eye Roll*  I'd just say, "There she goes... again...", and tell her to, "Suck it Up and Walk it Off.  Ya'll all are now too Big to Carry."  *LOL*

Princess T by then was saying she thought she wanted to Throw Up, felt like she might Faint and had a Headache.  The Son's Autistic lack of a Filter kicked in and he can sometimes take it too far.  Especially with the Gallow's Humor about sarcastically saying what Fun this all was playing out, when we take this Whole Show on The Road.  *LMAO*   He joked, "Mom, what WAS I thinking to suggest doing this as a Family, Right?"  I'd respond dryly that I knew he'd brought his MJ Vape Pen, so just take a Hit, we'd all get thru this.  *LOL, Okay, so it WAS Funny*   Especially when his Sister would then See or Say something Psychotic and then he'd deadpan, "Did you See that with your Real Eyes?  Or... did you Hear that with your Real Ears?"   And she'd yell, "Shut Up Liam!" and burst into raucous maniacal Laughter.  And Princess T would shake her Head, look at me, and say something like, "How DID you manage to Raise them Gramma?!"    Well, my Circus/Zoo, my Monkeys, what can I say?  *Bwhahahaha*

Now she knows why in many ways, Raising she and her Brother, I'd already had a couple Decades of "Practice" at Extreme Parenting with the First Generation of Kiddos in my Care.  *Winks*  The Carrot I kept dangling out there on the long trek back to the Entrance, to keep the Procession Moving in the Right Direction... was to tell The Alcoholics, that we'd stop by a Convenience Store and buy some Mike's Harder Lemonades for them, as a Reward, if we just made it back Alive and without leaving anyone behind.  *Bwahahahaha*   As it turns out, once we made it Out, the Adult Kiddos bought Drinks and Snacks for everyone at the Convenience Store.  So, Princess T was loaded up with Snacks and Beverages for her Outing with her Boy Posse, compliments of her Mom and Uncle, for taking one for the Team and joining us at The Zoo.  *LOL*

She had been hesitant to go, once she knew everyone was going.  She said it only could have been MORE complicated if we'd of tried to bring Grandpa... well... Heaven Forbid.  *Bwahahahaha*   This is the only Group Shot we tried, The Son couldn't get us all in there and hold his Arm out far enuf.  *LOL*  The Daughter had broken her Phone the other day when it fell in the Toilet... *Pause... Eye Roll*   Princess T had told me she'd done that before and I'm like ????????????????, how does one drop one's Phone in the Toilet... I don't understand?  *LMAO*  So, anyway, we've wasted a Bag of Rice with a Phone now sitting in it trying to dry it out... but... might have to see if we can get The Daughter another one.  She qualified for a Free Phone from the State, for the Disabled and Indigent, but I don't know if it has any replacement coverage or not?

I like her to have one so I can check up on her and she can always reach us.   The Military Plan that The Man has only qualifies us for Four Paid Phones at his Discount, so The G-Kid Force got the other Two on that Plan.   The Young Prince and his Sister feel Safer when they have a Lifeline to us and I like for them to have one for the very same reasons I like their Mom to have one.   All are good about constant contact with me via their Phones and keep their Tracking Device on it so we know their location at all times.   The Man too, it helps me have a Locator on him, kinda like having a Chip in your Pet.  *Bwahahaha*  Well, it's helped not to have need of putting out a Silver Alert on him... so... just sayin', it's handy.  *Smiles*

Since the Aquarium and Reptile Exhibits are mostly Housed inside Climate Controlled Buildings, we did spend a lot of our time there.  It was easier to Photograph some of the Wildlife when they're comfortable and easily visible.  On a Hot Day most of them tend to Nap if they're Outside and aren't as Active, so, a great deal of the Animals were not near enough to Photograph and a great many were Chillin' or Napping and having a Siesta.   They have a lot of Animals on the Endangered List and this began as a Breeding Zoo to bring Endangered Species back from the brink of possible Extinction.  A lot have Successfully been bred there since the very early 1970's and re-released into Natural Habitat in the Wild of their Countries of Origin now.   

They also House a lot of Rescue Animals, both Oceanic with Injuries that would make them vulnerable in the Wild... and Monkeys Rescued from Countries that would eat them or Sell them in Illegal Trade otherwise.  They have about 36 Rescue Monkeys of Endangered Species of Africa and Asia, that would have met with a questionable Fate had they not been Saved by this Program.   The Black Market for Exotic Pets and also for Poached Animals is a big problem Globally and is wrecking a lot of the Populations of certain Species.   Along with loss of Natural Habitat and Environmental Issues like Climate Change, a lot of Species may not exist outside of Zoos in the Future.  If we want to Preserve, for Future Generations, these precious Animal Species, we have to Support the Organizations that do the good work to Protect them in the Wild and Breed them in Captivity to ensure their Existence.

 

The Zoo was making a lot of new Enclosures that were really more Natural and Aesthetically Beautiful for Housing many of the Animals.   Several of the Enclosures had Waterfalls and Rock Formations, Ponds and lovely Landscaping for the Enclosures Residents.   Many of the Animals have Babies, in fact, since it is a Breeding Zoo, they take Pride in how many of the Animals reproduce there and seem Happy enuf to behave Naturally and propagate.  They do have a Nursery for the Babies whose Parents can't or won't Raise them too.   Some Animals will reject their Offspring and this Zoo has a Program to Hand-Raise any of those Offspring whose Parents are incapable of Raising them, for whatever reasons.  In the Nursery this day they had a couple of Leopard Cubs, a Male and a Female... and Seven Baby Jackals, Five Males, Two Females. "So, this is where WE would have ended up?", deadpanned Princess T and we all Laughed and Laughed inappropriately.  *LOL*

Many Babies were successfully being Raised by their Parents and are always a big Attraction.   The Baby Monkeys of all kinds are particularly precious and Fun to watch.  In fact, we enjoy the Monkey Exhibits the most of all the Mammal Exhibits, they really put on performances for the Humans visiting them and are probably the most Socialized of the Wild Animals.   Sometimes we feel like THEIR Attraction.  *LOL*  Hey, come look at these Humans and get a load of this Group of 'em... *Bwahahahaha*    The tinier Monkeys seem to enjoy being Photographed and eagerly came up for their Photo Ops and cooperated for some good Blog Fodder Photography.   As did the One Zebra, who struck a Pose and Smiled... Photo in the earlier part of the Post.  *LOL*

The Zoo also has many Rescue Albino Animals that wouldn't Survive or Thrive in the Wild with their Genetic Mutations.  Since I helped The Young Prince Raise and Care for some of his Reptiles when in his Reptile Phase, I enjoy the Reptile Exhibits too.  I appreciate the level of Care it requires to have them and I do sometimes miss Alduin, the Bearded Dragon.  He found a good Home, when he got too big to be trekking around with The Young Prince.  Once your Lizard gets to be the size of a Small Dog, a lot of places won't Rent to you.  *LOL*  I must say I was impressed that Bearded Dragons in many ways are similar to Dogs in how they Bond to their Human Owner/Caregiver.   They are known to show signs of Affection towards their Owner and recognize you, much like a Dog would, which, I didn't expect.  Alduin really liked me and was bonded to me and The Young Prince.  By the time he was over Two Foot long tho', he was Sweet of temperament, but somewhat intimidating as a Pet. 

And, since he was a Male, by the time they reach Maturity, they can become ornery and potentially could harm you if they get aggressive.  I felt like it would take someone not intimidated to finish Raising him and our Grandson agreed.   So, willingly gave him up to a Friend who Raised Beardies and had the means to make the better Home for him.   He sometimes keeps in touch with that Friend.  The average lifespan is 8-10 Years, but with the right Care they can live to be 20.   So, they are a significant commitment for their Owners.   I miss him, but don't miss the level of Care that a Reptile requires, even tho' Beardies are an entry level Reptile to own.   Some Animals are best left to the Wild... or the Zoos... where Trained Pros can ensure their appropriate level of Care and Handling, especially the Exotics.

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Blessings, Love and Light from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian