Interactions: – Page 2 – Brian Schnabel's Head Space

Dominick’s is where my feet brought me.

I will never understand why when the gas prices go up people drive more aggressively. So, having sensed the name of the game at the Hayek’s intersection, I decided that Dominick’s would be a safer bet.

Dinner for one: A walk of discovery.

The laundry is done, and I really just need to get out of this place for a while. I’ll fold my clothes when I get back.

Today’s vibe: Axe murderer nap anxiety.

I really feel kind of out of it today. I’m not sure if the anxiety I’m feeling is being triggered by something in the building or if it’s just nerves over some of the more stressful things that have happened this week. Of course, waking up from a three-and-a-half-hour nap that lasted from around 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM feeling like an axe murderer was standing over me didn’t help things along. But given this building’s age, “That sort of thing is to be expected from time to time.”

Seeing the light: Slowly progressing through the forest.

This evening’s last-minute decision to meet friends for dinner, despite the light rain, was cool. I had an easy time getting across town and coming back, “Everything just flowing along with ease!”

iOS 17.5: Security vs creepy guests.

I see that apple’s latest update; iOS 17.5 is now available and am installing it on my iPhone. They say this version brings a mix of security enhancements, quality-of-life improvements, and a dash of innovation. But then again, “Don’t they always say that?”

Red flags in the digital world: A tale of love and manipulation.

I shook my head this evening upon hearing an angry outburst from a neighbor’s apartment and wondered what any real woman would see in a man who uses pickup artist techniques that even a licensed professional would recognize as something out of a book like Tony Clink’s “The Layguide: How to Seduce Women More Beautiful Than You Ever Dreamed Possible (no Matter what You Look Like Or how Much You Make)”. But… I guess if you don’t mind your significant other attempting to dictate to you everything from who you should talk to while trying to control the content you view on your phone via spyware and other means, then it doesn’t matter, “Right?”

Tent purchase on hold for now.

My Housing Program issue seems to have been resolved. I haven’t gotten any phone calls other than the two before noontime from the individual who had finally acquired all the material from my case manager that they needed to process my recertification for another year. I should probably keep a stack of pictures handy for all who wish to have one for their dartboard after what I did to reach this point. You know. “Just as a courtesy.”

Blindsided by bureaucracy: A NJ DCA Housing Program client’s perspective.

Well… The little birdy was right about the rain and hearing from The NJ Department of Community Affairs Housing Program today after all. It wasn’t the letter in the mail I was expecting from Housing. It was a voicemail from Housing telling me they haven’t received my completed packet yet and I need to get it to them ASAP. And yet, I have an email from a case manager telling me all is in order with the stuff that needed to be in by April 17th plus other communications showing that I’ve been actively supplying them with the rest of what they asked for as it came in. “When does this crap ever end?”

Finding my rituals: Journeying through Mother’s Day.

So, the good people in the Rockaway Housing Field Office have received the last piece of everything they needed from me as of this afternoon, I took a friend and her daughter out to breakfast for Mother’s Day, and got a text back from my own Mom, as well. So… Given some currently existing circumstances, all in all, not a bad day. “I think I might have tapeworm though!”

Network security fixes and maintaining relationships.

It’s been a slow lazy day. My friends and I went to Dominick’s for lunch. I was there yesterday. But… Dom’s is one of those places I don’t mind visiting twice in a row. “What did I do after that?”

The busy life chronicles: Friends, cars, and clean clothes quest.

The banking is done, and I can now do laundry for the next month. I didn’t get soaked from the rain either, just slightly damp by the time I reached Dominick’s, from where the owner was good enough to drive me home after I had lunch. I’ve got an appointment to go car shopping with a friend in the beginning of June, too.

Sleep, post, dine: Simple wins during my day.

Another day is done. I’ve passed my Section 8 Housing inspection, caught a few hours extra sleep and even got out for dinner with friends. Naturally, I did some posting to this site as well, which is always a plus, content creation not being as easy as one might think, “Especially when you start over thinking it.”

Orgasmic surprises: Goldberg Realty’s possibly hidden guarantees.

Well… Despite everything today, there are three things I’m pleased to have accomplished. They won’t seem like a big deal to many people, but they matter to me, “And in this house that means something!”

Inspecting the unexpected: A Section 8 tenant’s perspective.

It doesn’t happen often, but this year it did. I got a phone call this afternoon that my inspection, conducted by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Housing Program will be tomorrow. Was it related to the fire here at Newtonian Gardens on Friday? “I’m not sure!”

The final verdict: Reflecting on a personal loss.

I received a call this evening informing me that the investigation into my brother’s fatal car accident on Saturday, February 24, 2024, by the South Dakota Highway Patrol has concluded. What it boils down to is his blood alcohol level was .201, he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and he was driving at a high rate of speed as he drove into a ditch, causing the vehicle to flip multiple times.

A day in the life: Navigating work and accessibility.

Around noontime, I awoke feeling like I could have stayed in bed all day, my sleep deep and intermittent from about midnight onward. The temptation to remain under the sheets and weighted blanket was strong, yet duty called. Leases awaited my signature, server issues demanded research, and a list of calls beckoned.

Quietude and Clancy: An easy concentration day.

Today went reasonably well, me spending most of it reading Tom Clancy’s Debt of Honor. It was mostly quiet around the building, making it easy to concentrate, too. I also made a trip to Hayek’s Market for a BLT and got some time in spinning this evening, as well. I think I might need to slow down with the grapes just a bit, having blown through a large bag of them in under 18 hours. “Ups!”

Sleepless musings, outings, and unforeseen flames.

Today was a bit long, me only having gotten an hour and a half’s worth of sleep, if that, by the time 8:00 AM rolled around. I did manage to get another two hours in this afternoon upon returning from lunch at Villa Capri’s with my friend who works at a sheriff’s department here in North Jersey and am hoping for a normal night’s sleep tonight. But… “We shall see!”

Steady on my feet: Tuned up for the return trip home.

I did some time checking on my iPhone and found out that the Sparta Avenue Dunkin’ Donuts was already closed. So… I took the scenic tour around town a little bit and have ended up at the one out on route 206 by ShopRite. The Boston cream doughnut was awesome, and I have coffee for the return trip.

Dining in style with Chicken Cordon Bleu.

Dinner sounds like it’s going to be good this evening. I understand we’ll be having Chicken Cordon bleu (Yum!), hash browns and corn.

The elusive final report.

Ok? So… After a little chat with a nice young lady from South Dekota’s Highway Safety Patrol, I’ve learned that only some of the accident investigation surrounding my brother’s death is done. Apparently, there’s a few things that still haven’t been finalized and a more conclusive report is pending.

Silent phones and inaccessible reports: Loving state bureaucracy.

No phone call Friday or yesterday about the finalization of my brother’s accident investigation, as the little birdy had tweeted last week. But I was able to obtain an accident report from the South Dekota Highway Patrol this morning for $10.00 that doesn’t read worth a damn with a screen reader.

For you, they sometimes don’t but for me they always do.

There’s only so much tutorial reading and journaling you can do in a day. So… Needing to get out of the house for a while… Yeah… In case you haven’t figured it out by the title… “I’m at McDonald’s.”

Understanding handheld skimmers: A threat to Bluetooth security.

We all know that in today’s digital age, the convenience of wireless technology comes with its own set of risks. Among these are handheld skimmers, insidious devices designed to stealthily steal information from unsuspecting victims, “A skimmer being brought into my building a few times a week!”

Finding my center: The quest for steady steps.

I covered 2.9 miles walking today and think I’ve got my balance issue under control. Over this past year in a half to two years, things have gradually changed with regard to my balance. It started with me occasionally feeling like I had no sense of direction when out walking for a minute here and there. Of late though, I start feeling slightly off balance about two minutes into a walk unless I’m exerting myself to move at a fast pace.

A tale of culinary adventure and aftermath.

I hit Dominic’s this evening for dinner and going there had the desired effect. I got out and moved, which helped shift my mood back to the plus side a bit. It cost me an hour’s time in the bathroom after but, “That’s what I get for being a lazy ass for a week!”

Reflections on loss, law, and life’s fragility.

In a world where every day is a winding road, the unexpected can happen at any turn. The recent news of my brother’s passing in a vehicle accident is in some ways a somber reminder of life’s fragility. The accident having happened in the early morning hours of February 24, 2024, it’s certainly a moment that calls for reflection, not just on the loss of life but also on the circumstances that surround it.

The apartment below: Keys and mysteries.

I heard the strangest thing once again this afternoon, and I noticed it was about 20 minutes before my downstairs neighbor came home from work, yacking away on her phone. Someone, who was clearly trying to be as quiet as possible entered the building, quickly turned my landing light on and off, and then went in her apartment. Despite their best effort, I couldn’t help but notice the fact that they walked all the way through the apartment and back out again in less than three minutes. I do not think it was her boyfriend, as they were wearing heavy work boots and, “They have a different kind of walk from his.”

Seeing AI: More than meets the eye at Newtonian Gardens.

A little while ago, I gave the Newtonian Gardens Property manager a box that has been sitting on my front porch since yesterday. The Seeing AI app on my iPhone is a beautiful thing, “Obviously helping more people than just me!”

Housing Program annual inspection notice 2024.

I get these official-looking letters from the State of New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs Housing Program once a year. I pulled one out of my mailbox once again as a part of this year’s recertification on Tuesday. This letter notifies me that they need to come and inspect my apartment as a part of the recertification process. It’s part of the deal if I want the Section 8 Housing Program to continue helping me with my rent. “It’s also part of the deal for my landlord too if he wants to continue receiving guaranteed rent payments!”

A personal reflection on the opioid crisis and patient brokering in NJ.

I couldn’t sleep this morning and decided to Google, “Mental Health Industry Scam in NJ,” and came across an article in the Burgan Record that really made me stop and think. It was about the opioid epidemic in New Jersey, which, like much of the country, has seen a dramatic increase in opioid-related deaths over the past decade. The numbers have apparently risen from 1,096 deaths in 2012 to over 3,000 in recent years. The article pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic only made things worse, with addiction centers witnessing a big surge in demand for treatment.

A story of thoroughness and appreciation in Section 8 Housing recertification.

I received notification from my case manager this morning about my Section 8 Housing Recertification, stating that everything thus far is in order. They also told me in their email that they really appreciate my thoroughness, too.

Balancing SEO and Principles as a Blind Webmaster.

Well… For the hell of it I took a look at my Google Webmaster Tools reports for The Bria Sphere this morning. As usual I closed out the report in disgust. I’m feeling like I can’t be bothered with what a company like Google says about my website when they are so Woke they can’t even be bothered to generate reports in accordance with Web Accessibility Guidelines. “So much for being Woke Google!”

April 17th inspection perhaps Goldberg Realty’s commitment to quality Living.

I got a notice from Goldberg Realty via email yesterday in forming me of a possible inspection of my apartment tomorrow. For Those who don’t know, Goldberg Realty owns and operates the complex where I live, “Newtonian Gardens Apartments.”