NOTE:<88888>12/21/99 Tuesday 9:30 A.M. EDT: I was up at midnight last night and I had breakfast of Post Great Grains, English muffin with rasberry jam, vitamins, orange juice, and coffee. I studied the weather satellite photos on the internet, and I found this Northeast Pacific IR Ch. 4 Loop which I believe possibly shows the weather front that came through here last Thursday. I call it the "Wind of the Dragon" or the "Fury of the Fories". It is the same weather front going around the world, you can look at more satellite photos at TPC Satellite Imagery List . I was also told yesterday at the Greenwich Post Office by a frequent walker in the Manhattan area that New York City has ordered 15,000 body bags anticipating terrorism. I checked with the New York City FBI office, and they said it was 15,000 garbage bags. From reading the recent news, it might have been misinterpreted in that they possibly would need 15,000 for the flood victims in Venzuela according to news stories I have read. It is hard to tell what the real story is. I went back to bed, and I just had more of my Greek Grain salad, Dutch Crumb cake, ice tea, and I am now having Twinning Earle Grey Tea for my wake me up. I have to get some honey for tea today, and possibly some cans of Sterno to warm water in case we should have any power failures at the Year 2000. All I know is from what I have read is that a great deal of the New York City Tri State electricity comes from Canadian Natural Gas down a pipe line that was built about 30 years ago, so possibly the Canadian Natural Gas pipeline is not Y2K compliants. I guess we will all have to wait and see and keep our fingers cross. Well have a good morning. CIO

NOTE:<88888>12/20/99 Monday 3:40 P.M. EDT: Well I cleaned up and I went out at about 8 A.M. this morning. I stopped by the Fleet Bank on South Water Street in Byram, Ct. and I discovered I had to go to the main branch at Putnam Trust Bank of New York. I then drove down by the waterfront and I discovered the sea birds had flow the koop. I then drove over to Bank of New York, and I did some business. I then went over to the Greenwich Hospital Thrift shop and not much was going on the rainy cold day. I then went down to the Greenwich Post Office, and I paid my Bell Atlantic telephone bill. I then drove back around through town, and I stopped by a book store on East Putnam Avenue, and I viewed the selections of picture books. I then stopped by the Greenwich Hospital cafeteria, and I had a early lunch of Avacado Heart and Sliced black olives with balsermic vinegar, red vinegar, and olive oil for .25 ounce for about $3.50. I then went over to the Grand Union and I bought boxes of ten packs of GU dry milk for $5.89 each and four boxes of GU Old Fashioned oats for .99 a pound for any Year 2000 problem preparations. I also bought a boneless rib eye steak at $4.99 a pound for $8.28 for $24.02 total. I noticed quite a few familiar faces amongst the retired population doing their usual Monday morning shopping. I then went back to Putnam Trust Bank of New York and did more business. I returned back by Railroad Avenue, and I stopped by Interstate Fire Prevention and I picked up my recharged and checked fire extinguisher for $38.25 plus $2.29 tax for $40.54 total plus I bought for $5 a long verticle sign that says "Fire Extinguisher" with a arror pointing down for $5. I then returned home and put the fire extinguisher by the kitchen entrance with the tin arrow sign pointing down at it. I then put the four oatmeal boxes and the two powder milk boxes in the right living room closet, so I have them available for Year 2000 problems. I figure one can mix oats and powder milk with cold water for an emergency meal in case we have any energy problems. I put the two boneless rib eye steaks in the freezer. I then went back out and mailed a letter to a family member whom wanted me to return an item. I next stopped by the Greenwich Library and briefed too long time users on the local situation as I percieve it. I then returned home, and I filed this report. I guess I will have a bite to eat, so have a good evening. CIO

NOTE:<88888>12/20/99 Monday 5:50 A.M. EDT: I relaxed a bit yesterday after I came in. I had some of the Greek Grain salad, with Dutch Crumb cake and ice tea for my 5 P.M. meal. I went to bed shortly thereafter. I was up at 4 A.M. this morning. I had breakfast of two medium boiled eggs, two English muffin halves with butter and rasberry jam, a 12 oz. glass of orange juice with my vitamins and supplements, a large 16 oz. cup of coffee, and a large bowl of my fruit salad mixture. I then sifted through some paper works and mailings and sorted them out. Today I have to pay my Bell Atlantic phone bill. I have to pick up the recharged fire extinguisher at Interstate Fire Prevention in Byram. I am planning to prepared a bit more for any Year 2000 problems by going to the Grand Union and buying four containers of old fashioned oatmeal and two large boxes of powdered milk. I might drift around town a bit also. There is not a lot else happening. I guess I will start to clean up and shower. I might have a 4 P.M. appointment today. Well it is the beginning of another week and the beginning of the "Never Ending Routine". Well have a good morning. CIO

NOTE:<88888>12/19/99 Sunday 2:20 P.M. EDT: I went downtown. I stopped by CVS, and I bought a carton of Swiss Sweets cigar cigarettes for $15.04. I said good morning to a couple of local citizens. I then went by the waterfront on Steamboat Road, and I viewed the water. I noticed that several old grey sea gulls were flying around that are normally down in Florida this time of year, so they must have come up here to avoid inclement weather that might be arriving down there. I chatted with a fellow over at the Presbyterian church who has a new electronic camera for $80. It is yellow and black plastic of some sort. I then headed over to the Food Emporium, and I bought four boxes of 25 bags of Twining Tea for $2.49 and a box of 48 Lipton Green Tea bags $3.29 for $13.25 total. I noticed for some odd reason they are selling Argentinian turkeys at the Food Emporium. I then headed over to the Arnold Bread store outlet, and I bought two loaves of Arnold 12 grain bread for .99 each and a 12 pack of Arnold English muffins for $1.79 for $3.77 total. I returned home, and I put away my purchases. I gave one of my fellow tenants a box of the Earle Grey tea for doing me a favor. Well not much else is happening. I guess I could just relax for the rest of the day since I was up early. Well have a good afternoon. CIO

NOTE:<88888>12/19/99 Sunday 11:00 A.M. EDT: I have finished house cleaning and showering and cleaning up myself. I will go out for a breath of fresh air. Have a good morning. CIO

NOTE:<88888>12/19/99 Sunday 7:55 A.M. EDT: Well the Christmas holidays are rapidly approaching. I rested around Thursday morning. A friend came down and we toured the Mews Thrift Shop. Somebody has Queen Victoria's walking cane for sale for $2. I noticed the Mandarin Guard was present, so high ranking representatives are in the area. I then headed over to Tod's Point and observed five jets flying into Weschester Airport in formation, which seems to be ready to collide. We have the death star or furry of fieries wind that day. I then sifted through the clearence items at Staples. While driving east to west on Putnam Avenue at about 3:30 A.M. that afternoon, I noticed that a funnel cloud was high up in the cloud moving across the area. I returned home and I had a cup of Twinning tea with the visitor. The visitor left, and I then went over to Interstate Fire Protection, but they were closed. I then went over to Fleet Bank, and I withdrew funds. I then went over to the church in North Terrytown, New York and made a small donation to be used at the discretion of the minister. I then returned back home, and I was stopped by a Spanish state policeman and who checked my identification and license. I noticed they were advertising a movie "Hurricane". I believe this wind circling globe recently might cause a hurricane in other parts of the world. I stopped by CompUSA in White Plains, New York and viewed the merchandise. I stopped by Westchester County airport, and I chatted with flight staff. I then stopped by Exxon and filled the car with about $13.75 of premium. I then stopped by the Grand Union and bought for 4 bananas for $2. I then returned home, and I did straighted up the kitchen cabinets for a while. I went to bed about 10 A.M., and I was up at around 5 P.M.. I did some other routines. I then went to bed relaxed most of Friday evening and Saturday morning. I made up four three quart containers of ice tea. I added bananas to the fruit salad. I made a Greek Grain salad with mushroom, olives, sliced sweets pickles, girgins, parmesian cheese, Post Great Grain cerial, a tomatoe, a Avacado, several onion, herbs and spices, Angostora terriaki sauce, Lea and Perrins Wostershire sauce, Dijon mustard, McHilney Pepper sauce, walnuts and I believe that is all. Just basically what I had lying around the kitchen. I also added red and white vinegar and a bit of olive oil, and I mixed it all together. I let it sit in the refrigerator and set up like a cold muse. I put the Purdue chicken in the freezer, since I figured I would save it for the Christmas holilday if I remember to thaw it in time. I went to bed on Saturday morning about 10 A.M., and I was up about 5 P.M.. I went out and I bought two half gallons of Tropicana tangerine juice for $2.50 each at the Grand Union in the late evening on Saturday and I stopped by the Shell dealer on West Putnam Avenue, and I bought ten packs of Basic light and Ultra lite 100 cigarettes for $25.15. On Friday I also signed up for GEICO home and renters insurance for about $300 a year and I also believe on Friday I changed a group of certain legal documents which I amply display in my apartment. I felt a tired spell, so when back to bed at about 11 P.M. on Saturday evening, and I was up at 4 A.M., and I did house cleaning today. I still have to clean the kitchen and vacuum, and I finished watering the plants. Not much else to report, have a good morning. I also have decided not to go down to San Antonio for Christmas since I believe the present unstable air currents, I don't want to take the risk of flying, since I don't fly much anymore anyway. Well have a good morning. CIO

NOTE:<88888>12/16/99 Thursday 8:05 A.M. EDT: This morning I went out about 2 A.M., and I stopped by the Shell Station and bought a pack of Basic Ultra Light 100s for $2.45. I then drove downtown. It is so slow here in town with the mass transit strike, I observed two police officer parked in both lanes on West Putnam Avenue chatting. I guess this happens when all of New York have trouble getting to work. Not much happening. It was a cool slightly drizzly evening about 47 degrees, so I parked downtown and I walked lower Greenwich Avenue. I heard the Swallows of Capastrano back in Greenwich again, so they have come back up north again, I guess anticipating an oncoming storm. I put 17 Nylon webbing straps on the old family couch, so I would expect the storm on the 17th or tomorrow my date. I continued the walk, and it was very quiet. I guess with the railroad MTA on strike, I noticed they are doing repavement at the Greenwich Railroad station, and I suppose it will continue this way for the indefinite future. I was walking slowly since my arthritis still acts up in cold damp weather. I frequently do things by second site, so I then went to the Grand Union, and I chatted with a store employee in French about America and the price of food at different stores. I then entered the store which was perfectly polished and maintained. I bought a half gallon of whole milk for $1.59, two half gallons of Tropicana Ruby Red orange juice for $2.50, a box of Anderson Pretzels for $1.49, a Purdue Oven Roaster for .99 a pound for $7.21. a jar of Forell Rasberry Preserve for .99, a box of Pillsbury Farina $2.44, a bag of Pillsbury unbleached flour .79, a bundle Scott Family napkins $2.50, some sort of produce at for .53 @.59 a pound two boxes of Post Great Grains $2, a box of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" $1.29, a 20 oz. Stauffers Lasagna $2.99, a bottle of Angostora bitters $3.29, a bottle of Xtra pine cleaner $1.39, a box of Parmalt Light Milk $1.55, a box of Dutchland Eggs $1.49, a box of sun maid raisins $1.50, Polly O low fat moserrela cheese $1.99, a nice large Avacado $1.50, a jar of GU sweet pickles $2.39, a jar of Mott Apple sauce .99, two jars of Vlassic sweet midget girgins $1.50 each, a package of Philadelphia Cream cheese .99, a can of Black Pearl Olives .89 plus another items I will mention shortly all for a total of $55.89 per my usual early month shopping routine. The unnamed item was a Del Monte Carribean Pineapple which I believe comes from Puerto Rico for $3.99. Historically when I buy a Carribean Pineapple, it means that it is going to snow, but when the swallows of Capistrano are out in the morning, it usually means it is going to be a little bit warmer for this time of year, I don't know about the weather. In other news I am finally able to release the news, but I will let the offical press organizations handle the news. I am not good out in cold damp weather, but if it seem nice after I chop up the pineapple and peel the Clementines, I will make a pineapple Clementine fruit salad with angostora bitters. I did notice some new business men in town have bought Interstate Lumber whom seem to be from the middle east. I hope they know how to handle the proper fire control procedures in managing a lumber yard. Well if Old King Saud ain't here, I don't know who else could have so much influence to bring in this many Federal Marshalls into town to protect him. Well back to making fruit salad, have a good morning. By the way for a change I stopped by the Shell Station and bought a carton of Basic Ultra Light 100s for $24.50. CIO

NOTE:<88888>12/16/99 THURSDAY 7:25 A.M. EDT:And for you regular note readers, the interpretation briefly of the weather is that if the birds that normally migrate down south two months ago have flown back up north this time of year. We all know that nature has more common sense since it spends more time outside. Thus the birds in their weather observations have chosen to ride out the storm in this location if it should come to pass. I am not the expert, I just frequently make observations by second sight. I would prefer that I am wrong. I am not sure what the story is, but this my guest observation. I will now post my previous morning routine. CIO

NOTE:<88888>12/16/99 THURSDAY 7:00 A.M. EDT: AUDUBON NOTIFICATION, EXPECTING STORM OF THE CENTURY IN SOUTHEAST, BIRDS OF THE SOUTH ARE BACK ON GREENWICH AVENUE. CIO

Note:<888>12/16/99 Thursday 1:10 A.M. EDT:I got up the night before last on Tuesday night at 10 P.M.. I had breakfast of wheat chex, toast, vitamins, orange juice, and coffee. I cooked bacon, but I forgot to eat it for some odd reason, and I usually don't cook bacon with cerial, so I must be getting absent minded. I did not bother cleaning up. I had a bottle of Odd Job Woolite type detergent in a pink bottle, so I took of the slip cover off my eight foot long cow tail sofa and the cushion covers along with a number of throw pillows and put them in the laundry basket. I also took off the slip cover off the Queen Anne chair and its cushion, and I put them in the laundry basket. I then took them out to the car, and it did not snow and it was just a damp night about midnight. I drove over to the Grand Union and I bought a gallon of Prestone antifreeze for $6.79 and about a half gallon of GU fabric softener for $1.99 plus .53 tax for $8.31 total. I also got change of a roll of quarters. I chatted with a hospital employee and a resident Swedish Doctor. I looked sort of dirty since I did not bother cleaning up, and I went over to the Cos Cob laundry which has new machines, and I put in all the slip cover and pillow covers in a large laundry machine which costs $4. I then added the entire bottle of Odd Job liquid woolite and to the first and second dispenser containers of the machine, and I added about two cups of fabric softner to the third dispenser cup, and I set the machine on hot water, and when I put in 16 quarters the machine started. I said good evening to a visiting Brazilian couple whom were doing their laundry also. They did not understand me since they only knew Portugese. I decided to not just sit in the laundry, for the next hour and a half the machine took, I did a little exercise walking around the Cos Cob shopping plaza area. It was a quiet damp night and not much traffic. The laundry finished at about 1:45 A.M., and I put it in the laundry basket, and I returned home with the laundry. I hung up the large sofa slip cover on the shower curtain rod. I then while the upholstery material was still damp, I put the slip covers pack on the cushions, and pillows and the Queen Anne chair. I moved some furniture and upended the eight foot sofa flipping it on its side. I examined the bottom framing structure, and it is a well made structure with steel supports and springs, and the hemp binding bottom material has held since it was made in 1948. Its cushion material is made from Cow Tail along with the hemp binding material is very try, and concievable could be a fire hassard, but I would imagine if that were the case, it would have dried out in the first couple of years it was made. In case the hemp binding material which keeps the springs pushed up and in, deteriorated, I decided to put on the blue Nylon webbing over it. I also did vacuum the cushions and pillows before putting on the clean covers. It was about 3:30 A.M. before I was ready to to start nailing on the Nylon blue anchor tacks that I got at Odd Jobs for a quarter several years ago. I have about seven boxes of them. I decided to hold off on the project, so as not to disturb my neighbors downstairs until 6 A.M., so I just relaxed a bit until then. At 6 A.M., I tacked on 16 strips of the blue Nylon webbing over the spring assemblage. I made a mistake and I put on one extra strip where it was not needed, so I put on 17 strips of the webbing. The webbing might make the sofa more uniform when sitting on it. It is hard to tell. Of course in a fire Nylon webbing would put off toxic fumes as a lot of modern products would. I guess if the hemp binding bottom fabric gives way, the Nylon will keep the springs in place in the future. It is hard to tell. I then vacuumed behind the couch, and I vacuumed the couch. I then uprighted the couch and attached the three front legs that come off. I then put on the slip cover and straightened it out. Next I put on the cushions and the pillows which were also dry, and I did the same on the Queen Anne chair. I then straightened around the apartment, and this all took until about noon. I ran out of the Phillie Sweet Cigar cigarettes, so I had two spare packs of Top cigarette packages with cigarette tabacco and papers. I practiced my rolling technique perfected over the years of time when I could not afford factory made cigarettes, and I still know how to do it pretty well. I went out side and checked my mail, and I recieved a Christmas card from a friend who is doing just fine. Thanks guys. I then felt a bit tired, so I went to bed from 1 P.M. to 8 P.M.. I got up and had breakfast of three fried eggs, toast, vitamins, orange juice, and coffee. I relaxed a bit. I thought about doing my curtains and bedspread with last nights procedure of cleaning, but at the moment with the damp weather I feel a little arthrtic and woolsy, so I feel I don't think I should try to do so much two days in a row. Well I guess I will clean up and have a relaxing evening at home possibly go for a drive. Have a good morning. CIO