Wednesday, January 31, 2018

CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY, FEB 1: TIRED

Tired Tires

It's the first of the month again and time for the CDP theme day. 
Thinking outside of the box, I came up with these photos of old, spent, tires at our local Les Schwab tire store. 
From the looks of it, they appear not only tired but also retired from use.

For more "Tired" photos from other CDP bloggers, follow this link:







Tuesday, January 30, 2018

THIS OLD DOG LEARNS A NEW TRICK

This is Josue (Ho-sway) who greeted me at Eastgate McDonalds this afternoon to help me with their new ordering kiosk. 
Who could resist a cheerful young man offering to help this Senior with the latest in Mickey D's technology? 

The fact is, ordering was easy with lots of pictures and large print. 
Much easier than when I used the ordering kiosk in Nice, France in 2014, which was obviously all en francais. 

Here, you simply press the START and then read and answer the questions as they appear. 
If you pay with plastic, you can pay right there at the kiosk. If you prefer to pay with cash, then you proceed to a cashier 
who will take your money. All the while, your order is being processed. 

The kiosk also directs you to take a plastic tent with a number that you place on your table 
since your order will be delivered to you by a server. 
No more standing around waiting to pick up your order; they now have table service.

It appears that no jobs were lost as a result of this new ordering technology. 
Instead, servers now interact with the customers by hand delivering their order. 
Of course, if you still want to place your order with the counter person, that service is still available. 
But your food will still be delivered to your table.

First it was self-checkouts that I had to conquer, now it's ordering kiosks. 
However, all these changes to my normal routine keep my mind flexible. 
So bring them on!


 




Sunday, January 28, 2018

PEKING ACROBATS

Acrobatics, Gymnastics, Tumbling, Juggling, Contortion, Flexibility, Balance and Control

The Peking Acrobats performed in Walla Walla last week as part of the 2017-2018 season of the Walla Walla Symphony. 
Founded in 1986, they have been featured on numerous television shows and TV specials in addition to traveling around the world 
where they have dazzled audiences with their amazing artistry and agility.

The Peking Acrobats are part of a time-honored Chinese tradition, rooted in centuries of Chinese history and folk art. 
Tradition demands that each generation of acrobats add its own improvements and embellishments bringing it to new technical heights.

The Peking Acrobats were accompanied by live musicians who played traditional Chinese instruments 
against the backdrop of high-tech special effects and awe-inspiring acrobatics.

Doug and I were especially pleased to see The Peking Acrobats in Walla Walla 
since we had to cancel our trip to China last September which included a performance. 
Since we couldn't go there, they serendipitously came to us!










Sunday, January 21, 2018

WOMEN'S MARCH: WHY I MARCH

For My Children and My Grandchildren

Although this was not on my sign that listed 15 other reasons, front and back, why I marched in the 2018 Women's March, 
it is the main reason. And I can't help but think of this classic Whitney Houston song.

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

I know, it may be a rather hackneyed song by now, but as a mother and a grandmother as well as a former middle school teacher, I still believe that indeed, the children are our future. That is why I seek out the children and their parents at the marches and rallies I attend. Their presence gives me hope for the future that parents and grandparents like myself are modeling for their children how to be good participatory citizens of their city, their state, and their country. 

These days, it's not an easy job. As one father's colorful sign reads, 
"Just another dad trying to raise feminist kids."

















WOMEN'S MARCH 2018; WHY WE MARCH

#womensmarchonwallawalla

While some cities across the country are holding their marches on Sunday, Walla Walla came out in force on Saturday, January 20, to march under the broad banner of Women's Rights. Under cloudy but dry skies an estimated crowd of +/-2500 women, men, children (and uncounted dogs) marched enthusiastically yet peacefully down Alder and up Main Street chanting call and response slogans and holding signs which speak for themselves as to why we march.  

For a video of the start of the March along with many more photos, search my other Facebook page, As Seen By Susan.


Thanks goes to the Walla Walla Police Department for their presence in directing vehicular traffic and closing streets so that the Women's March could proceed safely.



A special thanks to these guys (and gals not pictured) who volunteered as March Marshals to keep the marchers safe en route.



























Yours truly with my two-sided sign which lists even more reasons on the reverse why I marched. They include DACA & Dreamers, Planned Parenthood, Public Schools, #MeToo, CHIP, Universal Health Care, and Women's Rights. 
For a video of the start of the March along with many more photos, search my other Facebook page, 
As Seen By Susan.