Hey, Big Brother: Does My Butt Look Big in These Pants?

This week has been so cold! It's been around 30 degrees, give or take a degree or two. In this area of Oregon, that's cold for this time of year. Typically arctic air does not rear its ugly head until around January. Sweet man is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada and then lived for years in San Diego, California. Both warm climates. He cannot stand the cold, damp weather in Oregon. I keep telling him the rain is what keeps this state so perfectly beautiful, with the forests and greenery that is Oregon. He wrinkles his nose with the feeling that he agrees but still can't stand it. Being in Oregon since I was five years of age, I'm used to the weather as it comes our way. 

Togo is loving the cold environment. Jasper? Not so much. His chihuahua butt is trying to locate blankets or warm places in the house. The cats are curling up on the blankets protecting Terry's new recliner to keep warm. Us? We are turning the heat up a little each day. There are days I dream of having fur, I do have to admit. 

For Christmas last year, Terry bought me a really warm parka-type coat. I may have to bring it out. It's warm, protects me from rain, and is perfect for this kind of weather. Now I think of bringing out the coat, when the rain is hitting us again, warming things up. We don't have a Hawaiian heat wave upon us or anything, but it is about 10 degrees warmer at least. Being in the 40s is much better than low 30s. 

The rain starts and the sump pump immediately begins to sing the song of its people. Clicking on and off, it continually spits the rainwater out of the confines of the basement, outward into a hole in the plywood wall to the ground beyond. The only issue is the porous concrete blocks under the plywood wall spills the water right back into the concrete trenches along the basement wall and flows directly back into the sump pump. It's actually quite comical. But hey, I'm not a plumber nor am I a landlord who sets it up that way. Our landlord is intelligent and does an excellent job repairing things around the house. Keeps the house in tiptop shape overall. But something is lacking in the sump pump plan. 

Bannetons are out and prepped. I have my sandwich loaf recipe out now too. There are three containers of sourdough starter primed, fed, and ready to jump into action. Bread baking it is this weekend! I can't wait. I have spinach, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and Everything seasoning to pour into the dough. That cheese melts and the spinach and seasoning adds flavor and a bit more nutrition to the otherwise already great tasting loaves. Cannot wait!

Terry and I have nothing planned for the weekend except for the Oregon Ducks game tomorrow. It's the mother of games for the season so far. The championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies and a rematch between the Ducks and the one team we lost to this year. We are both very excited and hoping for the best for both teams. We love our Ducks!

I'm working today (Thursday, 11.30.2023) and nothing much is happening there. Terry is off today, so he's relaxing. The day has been quiet and dull for the most part. Our basement light was on again this morning when I woke, giving me a bit of excitement. We have not had that light come on for quite a while on its own. Harry must be awake again and moving about. Problem is, Harry just might be treading water in the cellar area since the rain is here again. Maybe that's why the light is on. Hmm. I've never seen a ghost swim.

I do have a creepier tale than a ghost this week though that I would like to share with you. It is creepy to me because it has to do with technology and the Big Brother theory. I received an email addressed to "Vicki-Nasty Girl" the other day. Chills ran up and down my spine. I would have stayed very angry at the insult of my credit card company calling me a "Nasty Gal," but Terry and I were joking a night or two before that and he referred to a nasty gal in a joking way. Then I receive an email addressed to the same name only a day or two later? 

This is the header of the email. It was an offer for savings through Capital One for Black Friday, but it was addressed to Vicki, Nasty Gal. We had privately joked about a fictional person as a nasty gal in our own living room, but we joked about it also through email. It's a private joke between Terry and I, but then this happened. I have no idea if it came because of our discussion through email or through our own living room. Whatever the case, it is creeping me out. Can people not have private conversations via email or in their own homes any more without Big Brother listening in? 

I did write an email to Capital One concerning this matter. Referring to me as "nasty gal" didn't sit right with me and I let them know just that. I also asked if it might be a fake or spam email, although it doesn't appear to be. It's asking for no information from me but is just offering savings through Black Friday shopping deals and Capital One. 

Explaining I found it offensive and to watch their algorithms to collect information such as this would be helpful in the future. I also described my feelings about it being creepy that they were "listening or watching" everything I do in personal spaces. Not okay. Lesson learned. Please, please be careful as to what you discuss with others through email. In terms of the possible spying into your own living room if that's the case? I don't really have any suggestions for that. If that's how the company gathered my conversational data, shame on them. But I'm not sure what to do about that if it is the case. Not talk about things in my own house? I do feel I should be able to speak to my husband about whatever without Big Brother Capital One listening in. 

So, that is my rant for today. Until our next post, take care of yourselves! Be safe and remember, Big Brother is watching!