CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Swimming first thing in the morning has definitely made a big difference.  It is the strangest anomaly, as I am not swimming more, but at different times, and somehow I feel better for it.  I would hedge my bets on the fact it is physiological, but that will do for me!

My 'classic' book for the year is Crime and Punishment.  A very interesting novel, that I have not attempted to dissect, but one that has unfolded into the obvious.  Instead of reading the different interpretations by those that have undertaken to write, I have found it both enjoyable and arduous.  Life in general!

After my brief, but very enjoyable, physical exertion on Monday, I went to work.  The usual Monday morning routine occurred, to wit, empty the fridge of any lingering 'bad guys', and replace them with new and improved fodder.  The 'bad guys' are normally put there by the servers, and forgotten about.  It is like a box full of things in the loft.  If you haven't used them for two years, they are probably dormant.  Of course, I do not have any such items in my loft, or the equivalent of a loft, as anything I have not used in a decade, will be completely viable the day after it is discarded or 'thrown out'!  However, I digress.  The fridge is emptied on a Monday and refilled with a weeks worth of 'survival kits'.  We have become rather self sufficient, and the need to leave the office during the day has become less and less necessary.  Efficiency at its best. 

I knew it was going to be 'one of those' weeks when the phone rang in the morning.  "Hello.  I bought my aunt a washing machine and she promised to pay me back, but she didn't and now I don't know where she is but I want my money back!"  Honestly, that was, virtually verbatim, what was said.  I responded with, "Hello!" and then thought about my answer.  "Um, and how may we help?"   It appeared that he wanted to file a law suit in the small claims court to retrieve the debt.  I told him that we could serve the paper. "And in which area would you like it served?"  Therein lay the problem.  He had absolutely no idea as to his aunt's whereabouts.  He did not know the address to where the washing machine was delivered.  He did not know where the washing machine was bought.  In fact, on reflection, he was not sure that his aunt bought a washing machine with the money loaned.  "The court said you must find her before they can issue the paper work".  There was only one course of action.  "Dana, this call is for you!"  Of course, I could have stayed on the phone, and attempted to be helpful and understanding, but ultimately that would not have achieved anything.  My husband is more direct and a 'no frills' type of guy, and gave him relevant information without the emotion I would have conveyed.  I am the 'Mary Poppins' in the relationship.  Firm but kind.  He is the 'George Banks'.  Firm but firm!  Between us, the bubble in our metaphorical spirit level remains dead centre!

A swim at the end of the day was really rather wonderful.  I took my book down to the pool, and was looking forward to a short time discovering Dostoevsky's underlying message, and deciphering the humour that was (obviously?) intended.  However, after my self-imposed regulatory amount of laps, a few neighbours had arrived, and were eager to pass the time of day.  My delving into whether 'punishment' is a state of mind, and guilt is punishment enough for a crime, would have to wait. 

The overcast skies took some time to burn off and the water was chillier than it had been on Tuesday morning.  I took something out of the freezer for dinner, that was enough for two, and vowed again to make a note of what I freeze.  When I respond, "It's a surprise", to the question, "What are we doing for dinner?" it is not because I am going to feed my husband with one of his favourite dishes.  I rarely have an idea as to what are the contents of the bag!  Mostly, it is favourable.  Sometimes it is just vegetables and I have to concoct a 'protein' based accompaniment.  No, I have not suddenly become a nutritionist, nor have I used my spare time to search out the 'healthy' options.  I merely remember my basic 'domestic science' lessons and what was considered a 'square' meal for a 'balanced' diet.  There I go again!  

Work was a mixed bag.  We did not have a follow up call about the washing machine, so the theory is that auntie has not yet been found.  Is this something to do with 'washing dirty laundry in public'? I wonder how Dostoevsky would have dealt with this.  The punishment in this case is being experienced by the one on whom the crime was committed!  Perhaps the crime was lending the money in the first place.  I realised that I would soon be able to write my own version of events, and my own synopsis!  

Attempting to find an amusing piece of trivia started off to be rather difficult on Wednesday.  I have been avoiding anything that could be considered controversial, despite my relationship with the recipient to be one that would not cause anything to be misconstrued.  My language, itself, is often misconstrued, and my English not understood at the best of times.  "Can I send a stamped addressed envelope", should be translated to "....a self stamped addressed envelope", as I found out this week.  "You have to put stamps on an envelope if you want to send it to me?"  Sometimes, as Dostroevsky's character says, a crime can go without punishment, as it is acceptable!  Of course, I jest, and of course, I paraphrase!  

I found some interesting facts when I looked to see how I could 'twin' the place of my nativity with that of my client to whom the trivia was to be sent.  It appears that on 16th June, 1759 (I believe), Sir Frances Drake came across the Californian coast. He 'claimed' it for Queen Bess.  The rest of course is history, but what was most interesting about this was the actual day.  (Bear with me.)  Although the Gregorian calendar had it as a Sunday, the Julian calendar had it as a Wednesday!  This is how my trivia for the day started.  It was a stretch.  A real stretch.  In fact, probably a trivia 'crime' in essence.  If Frankie had gone around the other side, he would have come to Plymouth Rock.  Of course if that was the case, when the pilgrims arrived a century or so later some time in late December, not only could he have been the first Frankie to utter the words "Oh what a night, late December.....", but he may have gone inland, seen the mountain in Vermont known as Camel's Hump, and therefore, being a Wednesday could have called it 'Hump Day'.  A real, real stretch but apparently enjoyed by the recipient.  I got two large smiley faces!  

I called my mum later than usual on Thursday.  She had gone shopping!  It was amazing that she could walk to the car, get in and out of the car, and although in a motorized cart, had made her way around two shops.  She complained she felt a little tired.  I was not surprised!  In the meantime, the hospital had responded.  They said that if she does not sign the form to approve the complaint, they would assume the complaint was no longer valid.  Really?  I am working on the resolve!  I also called my friend Lynda, in Oregon, to wish her a happy 60th.  The first of the three musketeers, as we were never known, to reach the big six O!  No Vegas trip for the 'big one' this year, but maybe later.

The weeks end seemed to come around quite quickly.  I called Lesley, the second of the three musketeers, as we were never known, to reach the big six O!  The countdown had started!  

I took myself shopping on Saturday.  Samantha had other things on.  I decided to pop into the dress for less shop just to look around.  I found some interesting bargains and went to pay.  The bill came to just over forty eight dollars.  I gave the cashier $100.  She pressed the $50 button in error, and the till opened.  There was a look of horror on her face, and she started to panic.  Over came a colleague.  "What do I do?"  Well I could have told her, but I waited patiently.  The colleague called over the 'cashier manager'.  "What do we do?"  He was baffled.  He called the store manager.  "You give her the change", was the obvious answer.  How much?  I wanted to help.  "I was no good at math at school" said the cashier manager.  "Um....", I started.  "We could cancel the whole thing. Do a refund, and start again, but that would take to long".  You reckon? "Um...", I said for the third time this week.  "Change plus $50?"  Nope.  "I'll get it.  I will.  I just want to make sure", said the cashier manager.  (Yes, cashier manager.)  Out came the phone, and a calculator.  However, he had no idea how to do the sum.  "A hundred take of the forty eight something?"  Nope.  "I'll get it.  I will".  Eventually the manager was called.  We then had a math lesson, there in front of everyone in the store.  "Man, I thought it was that!" said the cashier manager.  Perhaps I expect too much!

I enjoyed a lovely afternoon alone.  I had expected Dana to come and join me but he fell asleep.  I swam and read.  It never gets old.  I made headway in my book, and the end is in sight.   The book itself is already showing signs of wear and tear and the front cover is being used as a bookmark.  For book lovers everywhere, this is probably a crime!  

The storm that came in on Saturday morning did nothing to cool the temperatures.  Another storm was expected on Sunday but it sort of 'disappeared'.  Perhaps Dostoevsky could have written a book about that!  Although I think the mystery of the disappearing electrical storms would be more in line of science fiction writers.  

With today being the longest, or shortest depending on the hemisphere, we are half way through the year.  My biggest challenge over the next few weeks will be to find my next book to read.  I shall miss Dostoevsky, but not enough to look up any more of his works.  Until then, perhaps I could find something less deep and more exciting for ...... another story!