Traffic

The drive into work was odd this morning. Nearly got run off the road by a bus who decided he wanted my lane in addition to his own. Had a stand-off with an ambulance.

Wait. That deserves some more explaination. An ambulance comes barrelling toward me and like a good driver I come to a halt to let him get past with plenty of options. Except, he comes to a halt too - about 2 car lengths away. We both sit there for a moment - me, trying to figure out what to do and him sitting there with all lights and sirens blazing. Finally, totally perplexed, I start to move forward. He waits until I'm clear, then turns into the driveway that I was ironically blocking. He might have had a turn signal on, but with all the rest of the lights going I couldn't tell. Bizzare.

And then when I got to work, I can't park more than halfway into a space since the snow plows did a poor job of clearing the snow.

In other news, I talked to Mom and my grandmother last evening. Mom is trying to plan for my upcoming birthday - and pretty much talking about me coming down after the actual date. Which is quite a bit differnt from what I thought we had planned - that being that they would come up for a visit before my birthday. We'll figure something out.

Well, time to get back to work...

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter...

Except it was after Christmas and more like a thunk than a clatter. This was at my parents house about 11:30 on Sunday night. We all looked around outside, but couldn't find anything - must have been a tree branch breaking under all the ice.

What with the ice storm in Ohio and the tidal waves recently, seems a little like "The Day After Tomorrow" here on planet earth. Not that the two are connected, but it's still weird.

Finished up "Lies and the Lying Liers that tell them: A fair and balanced look at the Right", by Al Franken. A good book, kinda funny, but more scary than anything. If this had been required reading before the election, there'd be a differnt dude in the white house in January.

A pretty good christmas - I got some good stuff and had fun. I'm hoping for a quiet new year's.

And now I'm back at work - wishing I was still at home, in bed. Asleep.

Bummer...

Holidays on Ice

(with apoligies to David Sedaris)

On Wednesday they closed the University early – at 12:30. This was due to the worsening weather conditions – and it didn’t affect the students since finals are already over. Well, I had planned on heading south to visit my folks and the lure of an early start overrode the concern about the weather. So, I packed up my stuff and got on the road about 1:30.

The snow was bad. The roads were bad. The drivers were not too bad, though being anywhere near a semi was cause for alarm. Changing lanes was rough – what with all the unpacked snow between the lanes. And I was nearly in an accident.

The driver in the right hand lane accelerated and lost control. I saw it happen and started to slow down. He slid forward and then executed a fairly neat looking 270 – ending up in my lane, perpendicular, and facing out into traffic. By this point I had come to a stop just a few feet away from his car. Fortunately, the car behind me was able to get stopped too and gave me enough room to back up a bit – thus giving the spin doctor room to turn even further and get out into traffic when he was ready. There was an elderly woman in the passenger seat and I wasn’t sure if I should wave to her or not. Seemed a little rude. So, I just waited patiently and when the way was clear I speeded up and went on my way.

Overall, I counted 26 accidents, including 2 with semis. Columbus was bumper to bumper when I finally got to it at 4:30 and 23 was worse, so much so that I didn’t get to my parents house until nearly 6:00 pm. Normally, the drive time is about 2 hours and 40 minutes total.

My sister works in Columbus and got stuck there when a level three snow emergency was declared. She’s still there, staying with a friend, though she hopes to be able to head here this afternoon.

The ice storm Wednesday night coated my car – and everything else. Pretty, but terrible too. Lots of downed tree branches and powerlines on Thursday and even more today. My family is safe, so that’s all that matters for the moment.

I’m also hoping it clears up a bit by the end of the weekend – I’m expected back at work on Tuesday.

Well, I’ve got some email to get to, so I’ll wrap this up.
Later…

CVS is a little bit more evil than I thought

So, there's me, with a back that's still sore. And I'm wandering around CVS looking for a heating pad. I finally locate it - and it's on the bottom shelf. I basically have to lay down on the floor to read the prices and find the one I want. It takes me a little bit to get back up off the floor and I get the rest of my stuff and head to the front. The lady at the counter commersiates with me about the heating pad and a sore back. I counter with "Yeah, and putting the heating pads on the bottom shelf is just mean". She agreed and said it was as bad as putting the pharmacy at the back of the store to make the sick people walk farther.

The heating pad turned out to be more money than I thought, but I wasn't going back to get the right one. It seemed to help a little, though I didn't have it on there that long.

Well, that's the news...back to work...

the snowline and hot tea

Well, at least they finally updated the snow-line this morning, but it wasn't the update I wanted - so I scraped about 5-6 inches of snow off my car this morning and came into work. A lot of snow this weekend - just piles of the stuff. I stayed in most of the day on Sunday, watching movies and playing video games. I also enjoyed some green tea with melted sour gummi worms in it, instead of sugar. Yeah, I'm a sick puppy, deal with it.

I'll be visiting the 'rents for a few days fot the holidays - sort of looking forward to it. I hope we don't try to do a lot of stuff, I really just want to rest.

Work has already been annoying this morning - departements that left me alone when classes are in session are coming out of the woodwork with stuff to do while the students are gone. It's going to be a short, but busy week.

Time to get back to it...

8 minutes of sleep

Or at least that's what it felt like I got last night - kept waking up with back pain. Finally just gave up and went downstairs to play Sonic the Hedgehog and listen to music.

So, I'm really tired today and mildly cranky. Didn't go to the division party - didn't think I should since I didn't bring anything. I had tried to make some cookies - they tasted great, but looked terrible - and I had the stuff for Pigs in a Blanket, but didn't have the motivation.

Better that I minimize my contact with other humans anyway, just to be on the safe side.

I'm thinking about getting out of here early today - we aren't that busy and I could use a nap.

back to work...for now...

strange phone calls and wrapping

About a week ago I got a marginally coherent call from one of my room-mates ex-girlfriends. Or rather, I heard the marginally coherent message she left for him. I erased it, figuring that she would call back at some point and I could give her the update.

Well, last night she did. I answered the phone, she asked who it was and I told her, then asked "Is this V____? - knowing that it was her since I've got caller ID.

Click - she hung up on me. I swore at the empty line, then hung up.

A few hours later she called again. I answered again - heard her say "shit" - then she hung up on me again. By this point it's 10:30 and I'm getting cross. So, I called her back and she apoligized - saying that my number was close to her father's. I explained to her that my room-mate had moved out and I had no way to get in touch with her. She apoligized again and we said our good-byes.

Slowly, but surely, I'm getting all the chaos/debris cleaned up - though I didn't think it would take me this long.

In other news - I'm one package away from having everything wrapped. Not bad for Mr. Scrooge "Ba-Humbug" McScrooge. Not doing a tree this year, so everything is just on the floor, but at least it's done - or almost done. One more big and oddly shaped item to do.

That's it for me - time to get back to work...

shopping and the back

Well, did a little holiday shopping - whoa, nelly. Talk about things that sucked. A couple of places weren't that busy, but Target sure was and it was insane. Well, it was mostly the people that were insane. I didn't get much there so I could use the express checkout - but the aisles were still packed.

My temper started to build and by the end of that outing I was snarling under my breath. Yeah, it's silly and primative, but at least I wasn't cursing them in summerian. And if I had my sword with me - well, I'd be in jail now.

Didn't help that my back is still hurting - slowed me way down. And made me crankier. Ironic, really. I'm usually nicer than average through the year, but during the holidays when we're all supposed to be nicer, I get more ill tempered. It's all the freaking stress.

In other news...gave blood last week. This puts me at 24 pint = 3 gallons so far. I'm pretty pleased with that, though I think I would have liked a little fanfare or something. The woman that asked all the questions was nice, but the one that actually took my blood was really unpleasant. I guess was getting ready to go on break, but would it have killed her to be plesant about things? I don't think so.

Also moved some of my stuff into the big room in my apartment - I'm thinking of calling my former bedroom the "library" - and I think I've got enough books to justify it. Thinking about getting a papasan chair for in there as well.

Well, time to get back to work...

sore back

My lower back has been bothering me the past couple of days - hurts to walk around, hurts to sit, and oh nelly - does it ever hurt to walk up and down stairs. Not sure what I did to it, but it's annoying. I should have put some mineral ice on it last night.

Still not really in the holiday spirit - not quite "bah, humbug" - but just not overly excited about it. I should try and do a little shopping today after work.

A little stressed at work - a couple of big projects going at once and I'm not sure what's next for them.

Otherwise, not much going on - back to work...

deer ribs and the Jerky pistol

Helped a friend with some painting this past weekend in west virgina - while there, we went to Cabela's - the world formost outfitter.

Big store, very crowded, poorly organized. There's a ton of stuff to see, but nothing that I wanted to buy. Though, I must say, I was tempted by the Jerky pistol. Sort of like a calking gun, except that you load it up with meat and extrude it to then make jerky in a dehydrator. And I do love me some jerky. But, I resisted - mainly since I don't have either a meat grinder or a dehydrator - two essential components in making jerky.

On the way back, I saw several trucks with dead deer on them - hunting season, I expect. One unfortunate deer was arranged face up over the back spare tire of a jeep - legs splayed open. And torso flayed open. I glanced over and was looking directly at deer ribs. Not exactly a pleasent view.

The rest of the weekend was pretty good and reasonably quiet - though we were also kitten sitting Scooby (yes, I know that's a dog's name). This little fur-ball was all teeth and claws - which he loved to use. Then we bought a squirt-bottle. It didn't really help for more than 30 seconds at a time, but it was kinda fun.

That's it for now - back to work...

Futon! and courtesy

First off - the futon part finally came in yesterday. I got it assembled and enjoyed sitting on it and reading. So, all is right in the realm of furniture - yea, me! I might still write an angry email, but it's not quite as vital anymore.

So, this morning, I'm in the parking lot and headed for the door to the building. A woman I sort of know is at the door ahead of me and uses her card to swipe the door open. I'm a few steps behind, but she doesn't even look back. I hustle and lunge at the door, but I'm slightly too slow - it slams in my face.

I then have to get out my wallet, get out my card, swipe open the door - all while trying to juggle my morning soda, a book, and my gloves. Nothing spills or drops, but I'm still annoyed.

Situation reversed - I would have held the door for her, even it she was still quite a ways further back than I was. It didn't occur to her to look around and see if anyone else was there.

Well, I was. And I was a little pissed off.

I think I've harped on this before, but it's all about focus. So many people around me are so totally in their little worlds that they miss out on tons of stuff, including the opportunity to be nice to other people. Makes me want to bust some heads, ironically.

Next time this happens, I'm going to shout to them and give them a mild lecture on courtesy.

And then maybe smack them too. "Dammit! Be nice or I'll smack you again!"

Back to work...
-------------------
(quick note: saved for posterity from the Blogger main page...

Resistance is Futile
This news article at Reuters says 'Blog' Tops U.S. Dictionary's Words of the Year. We are the blog. Join us. – Biz [11/30/2004 03:13:51 PM]
---------------------

I love that. :)

still no f^%$*&^ Futon

The part wasn't at my home when I got there on Sunday evening - wasn't there yesterday when I got home either. So, I called up the company and asked what was up. They said it had been shipped out on the 24 and I can expect it in a couple of days. So, let's run the timeline again.

1. Purchased on the 21st
2. Called on the 22nd (morning) - told "2-5 days"
3. Nothing on the 23rd
4. Shipped on 24th
5. In transit 25th-29th

So, 2-5 days from when they actually get around to shipping it. Skip 2 days in there for the holiday and Sunday. Still should have been here by now.

My living room is still a mess of cardboard - and I'm still cranky. I forgot the tracking number at home - I may go home at lunch and pick it up to check on things. Grumble, grumble. All this for a futon. Should have just built the damn thing myself.

Finished up watching season 4 of angel and then watched Bubba Ho-Tep, with Bruce Campbell. It was okay, I guess, kinda slow pacing. Interesting concept, but not all that well executed. 1 and 1/2 stars, but only cause I liked the actors.

Well, back to work....

long time, no blog

While I could have logged on from my parents place, it didn't seem worth the effort. Plus, I'd have to use AOL and I try to avoid that if possible.

So, let's see here... Thanksgiving was pretty good. The food was good, Mom made too much, as usual. We watched a bunch of movies and Mom worked on the decorations. I put up a tree and lugged stuff around, so I did my part. Helped my sister with the tennis courts at the school where she's a coach. Had to take down some nets and dismantle some things called "tidy courts" - aka, garbage cans. Took several hours, in the cold. Yes, I am the best big brother in the world. Did a little shopping, no gifts - just paper and stuff. Did the "Hanging of the Greens" at my parents church - and again, the serpette's did the brunt of the work. Pizza was good, though.

Hurried back on Sunday to go to a wedding for one of my co-workers. Was running very late - church was 40 minutes away and the wedding offically started in 30. Made it right on time, and the ceremony was delayed anyway. Really nice ceremony - tear-jerker all the way. Got a little lost (on purpose) after the wedding to kill some time before the reception. Nearly forgot my card for them - but went back for it. We were seated at 6:00ish - didn't get served until 8:00 (yikes!) and I left at about 8:45. Did a bunch of origami while we were waiting at the table to entertain the rest of the people sitting there. Surprised myself with a request for a cobra - managed to pull it off from scratch. I made do another one at some point and post it on my site.

And that was the flurry of my Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Oh, I spilled soda all over my car on the drive back home and I thought I lost my checkbook. Soda is contained and the checkbook was at home all along.

Still no futon piece - now I'm getting cross. I'll call again this evening - and this time I'm going to speak to a manager if I'm not hearing the right answers.

Back to work...

tired eyes

Woke up early today - still pretty bleery. Wait..

Crap...

Sorry, one of my contacts slid out of place. Don't you hate it when that happens? I know, intellectually, that it's not going to slide around to the back of my eye - (though, would it make me think more clearly if if were closer to my brain?) - but it's still worrisome and a little painful.

I'm okay now, if you were concerned.

This evening I head southward to visit my parents for the holiday weekend. Hoping for a low-stress visit, but I'm not sure that's possible. One thing is for certain - I am not, I repeat, NOT going shopping with my sister the day after Thanksgiving. The crazy person can go by herself.

That's it for me, back to work...

holiday stress - bad dream - futon news

I'm liking the holidays a little less as I get older. There's so much stress involved in travel plans - it makes me cranky. All the hoopla and commercialized good cheer - it just feels so fake. And if you aren't on the bandwagon, then you're a scrooge. That poor guy got such a bad rap. Yeah, he wasn't the nicest guy, but really he just wanted to be left alone.

Okay, so, I'm not that bad. But my idea of a peaceful holiday is a hot cup of coco and some light and quiet christmas music. Not traipsing all over creation for the inevitable 5 minutes of catching up with relatives you haven't seen in eons and then trying to figure out how to fill the rest of the time before you can leave and get on with your lives.

I think that people don't get it. I really don't like to travel. Really really. It's one of the reasons I have so much vacation time built up.

I'm going to try and avoid as much of the travel as I can this year. Call me a hermit, call me a scrooge and I say to you... Bah, humbug!

Had a bad dream last night - I was a cop (or at least working with cops), trying to solve a murder. We had just figured out the connection to another murder and realized a pattern - and who the next person would be. We raced to the diner where we expeted to find the next victim, but discovered the guy still alive and on the run from a giant monster covered in blades. It was slow moving, so he was holding his own - but it didn't tire. I, apparently, was also a target on the monster's list, so I could confuse it a little bit since it was supposed to go in order. The two of us ran around the diner while the rest of the cops tried to figure out how to stop it since bullets didn't even faze it.

Re: the Futon - customer service was anything but. Cold, unapoligetic - the person who finally got to me after some of the most painful hold music on record simply asked for my name and address. She said they would ship it out and it would arrive in 2-5 business days. I asked about overnight and she said they don't do that. I got off the phone still pissed, but thwarted by the lack of emotion. Even a simple - "sorry we screwed up" would be enough to assuage me, but instead they just didn't care. Maybe I should have suggested they call me the next time they have a computer problem - and then they'll see how customer should be done.

Back to work...

futon, futon, who's got the futon?

So, not long ago I find myself in Kmart looking for an entertainment center. I don't find one there (the one I wanted turns out to be at Walmat), but I do notice a nice futon. On Sunday, I decided I want to go ahead and get said futon, so I head back to that Kmart. The floor model is there, but according to the random employee we ask, who dutifully checks in the back, they are out of them. My friend Jeff suggests a trip to another kmart he knows about, but we call first.

After talking to 4 differnt people, we determine that yes, they do have them in stock. Yea! So, we head on over to this Kmart, find an employee, who tells us he'll check in the back. A manager comes around and also offers to check in the back. Back and forth a few times they both proceed, until about 20 mintues later it's determined that they are sold out. I'm starting to get a little bit pissed at this point, but the manager offers to call over to yet a third store to check. This phone call takes him at least 10 minutes - but he comes back and says they do have them in stock and that the manager will hold one for me. I should ask for Jim.

So, now we go to the third Kmart of the day and track down another employee who again offers to check in the back. They find Jim, Jim finds us, and he comes out with the futon - all boxed up - on a big-ass cart. I pay for the futon in Electronics (for some reason) and we take it out, load it up and head home.

Jeff manages to rip his finger open on the staples holding the box together (not a good omen) and then I start to unpack it and discover a part is missing. Not a nut or bolt, mind you - but the whole right hand side. You know, the arm-rest/legs to the whole deal. Ironically, this should have been part "A" - the first item in the instructions. So, now we're totally stopped. And the company - VictoryLand Group (which sounds like a televangelest program) only has office hours Monday - Friday during the day. I have to call them and use my firm and slightly angry voice.

Despite all the snafus of the day, the only people really at fault are:

1. The twit at the second Kmart that told us they were in stock
2. The person that packaged up my futon
3. The person who was supposed to check that everything that got in the box.

Best case scenario - I talk to a friendly CSR at VictoryLand who apoligizes and promises to ship out the replacement part at no cost to my via overnight deliverly.

Worst case, I package this back up and take it back to Kmart for a full refund - and they find myself a Sauder catalog.

I'll make the phone today, once I'm good and awake and a little fired up from some tedious work. Wish me luck...

Back to work...

good deeds - so far, unpunished

I helped out my former room-mate's mother and grandmother last evening.

1. Put up plastic over the sliding glass door.
2. Reset their fax machine
3. Assembled a set of shelves on wheels
4. Moved some boxes around.

"Did you see that one, God?" Good deeds - helping little old ladies. I want full credit on this one.

No, really, it was no big deal. They appreciated the help and I was glad to do it. And they've promised me breakfast one of these weekend mornings.

Worked on a project last night, played some video games, and went back into work to upload some files. I dunno what I ate that caused it, but I also spent some quality time visiting the facilites. Good excuse to read a bunch of comics, so I guess that's okay too.

I may be buying a futon this weekend, we'll see how that goes.

That's all folks...back to work...

quiet evening - difficult morning

Did a little more work on my ultra-super secret project last evening - but was too lazy to go out and get the final component. I initially rejected using it during my planning process, but I think it needs it. So, a trip to Michael's is in order for this evening, after I do the plastic on the windows at my former room-mate's mother's house.

Yeah, I don't entirely get it either.

Well, I'm not dizzy today, so I gues it was just a passing thing. May try to re-arrange my apartment tonight and move my stuff into the big bedroom. Might as well spread out - I could even keep my old room as a library.

Had a lot of trouble getting up this morning - so I ended up being late for work. I need to get busy to get caught up so its...

Back to work for me...

dizzy and dreams and Radio Shack

Had a weird dream (aren't they all?) last night. My room-mate and his boys came back and simply wouldn't leave. I finally had to get out my sword and grabbed the phone for a 911 call before they would budge. Not sure what triggered this dream, though it may have been the call from his mom. She called last evening and asked if I would come over to her place and put plastic on her windows. Not sure why she called me about this and not her son, though it could be because I'm more reliable.

So, I'll go over there on Thursday and put up the plastic. A minor good deed, should only take an hour or so. I've got no quarrel with her and I do like to help people. Plus, I couldn't come up with an excuse to get myself out of it quickly enough. :)

Got an extra set of A/V cables last evening and a switcher - now I can go from Playstation to DVD in one click of a button. Excellent!

The trip to radio shack was not good, however. Went in there and found a section of A/V cables - the very expensive kind. We were looking through the chart on prices and models of switches when the sales girl came over and asked if we needed help. I said "No, I think we're in the right section"
To which she replied, "Good, cause I'm new here and I don't know anything about these, but I'm supposed to ask anyway"

She then wandered off. The switcher was what I needed, but I was looking for cheaper cables. So, we found her again and asked if they had any other cables. I was just hoping for a differnt section to be pointed out to us. She said she didn't know, but she's go ask. She disappeared into the backroom and we kept looking around by ourselves - ultimately finding the cables I needed at a reasonable price. By the time she emerges from the backroom, we've already gotten the cables in hand and I'm ready to checkout. She has trouble with the cash register, answers the phone in the middle of the transaction making me wait, and then hands me the receipt but nearly tries to keep the bag. She apoligised and said she was a little scatterbrained. I'm thinking "A little?" - but keep it to myself to facilitate getting the heck out of there.

Apparently, she was too new to have watched the video "Customer Service and You! How not to screw up when dealing with people"

Oh, and in an unrelated note - I've been dizzy for a while now. Started last evening, mildly dizzy like when you get up too fast. Except it didn't go away. I was a little dizzy when I went to bed and a little dizzy when I got up to take a shower this morning. It's not affecting my movements or focus, but it just feels a little odd. If it keeps up, I'll go get it checked out.

Well, back to work...

shouldn't setting up an entertainment center be more fun?

The goals last evening were to set up an entertainment center and put my TV/DVD player/Stereo/Playstation on it. Lofty goals to be sure.

Jeff volunteered to help me out (the fool) - and we set to work. Or rather, I set to work and was making good progress on the -ec- before he got there. We were going along just fine, and then it was time for hinges. Hinges for a door that I don't really need, but I decided to install anyway. We messed around with it for about a thousand years, then read the instructions. Following the instructions actually made it worse, so pretty much gave up. I swore, tried it one last time, and then got it fairly close to level. At least the bottom of the door doesn't rub on the base anymore.

Close enough = good enough.

Then came the set up of the actual entertainment. Trying to get the right sequence of cables to get sound to the stereo and video to the TV was just this side of impossible. We finally pulled a cable from the CD changer he had if my stereo didn't work out and finally got things routed correctly. But then the Playstation didn't work. Another 10 minutes of trying to be polite and maintain our respective cools before I finally thought to check the wonky cable coming out of the back of the playstation. And then it worked perfectly.

I did a little more swearing and we pronounced it done. But by then it was too late for me to stay up and play my games, so I just went to bed.

Today, though. Today many demons will be slain. Many robots will be trounced. Many villanous creatures will have their evil butts handed to them on a silver platter. And all this will be done....

In stereo.

Back to work...

Loud in the office

It's very loud here today. And the voices I'm hearing from over the cube walls are not always english. Heck, I'm not even sure they are human. Time to crank up the volume in my headphones.

Monday, monday. It's been a busy one. Worked on a survey most of the morning - then found out it hadn't been approved and would most like need to be massively re-done. Yippee.

Talked to my mom last night about a job she saw for me on the net - a state job, in Columbus. I'm not really qualitied for it - I guess I should take some programming classes. Ick.

Got a new stereo last week and a new entertainment center yesterday. I'll have to put that together this evening. The stereo is excellent - mainly because I can route my Playstation 2 through it. Sweeeet!

Did a little more work with the Sculpy. Learned more about the properties - thinking about trying something new with it. My little plastic castle didn't go as well as I would have liked, but I can always try it again.

Got another project in the works, it's currently behind locked doors. Or rather, cabinets. Christmas gift - shhh!

And before I forget - a big ol' Happy Birthday shout-out to my good friend Scott! The card is in the mail and dinner is on me. I'm not going to say how old he is - though he is older than me. :)

Well, that's about it for me - back to work...

lost time

Well, not really lost, just left at home. My watch, that is. Feels a little odd, but a little freeing too. I tend to be more than a little obsessed with time - though I don't really have a reason for it. Fortuantly, my computer will pop up a little message to tell me when I have to go to a meeting, so that won't be a problem.

Didn't do much last evening - except spend too much money at the craft store. Got some really excellent ideas for projects, should keep me out of trouble this weekend.

Otherwise, it was mostly video games and the Angel DVD - a relaxing evening.

The boss is out today - so I'm getting some of his calls already. It'll be a busy day, I suspect.

Well, I should get back to work...

Baking and laundry

Well, not really baking. More like heating a polymer clay until it hardens in a low temp pseudo-kiln - i.e. my oven. The stuff is called sculpey - a clay-like substance for modeling in plastic. You mold it like clay and then bake it to harden it into a solid plastic. I wanted to make a "little plastic castle" - like in the Ani Difranco song - so I tested it out a little bit last night.

The instructions were clear - 130 degrees, for 15 minutes per 1/4 inch thickness. Well, my test case was a little thicker than 1/4 inch and my over starts out at 200 degrees - any lower than that falls into the "warm" catagory. So, I did a whole bunch of estimating with frequent checking - they made a big deal out of not over-baking. Finally just cranked it up and gave it another 5 mintues - that seemed to do the trick. Tonight I'll try using a dremel on it and maybe a little painting, just to see what it can do. Should have a little plastic castle by the end of the week.

In other news...I did laundry. That was pretty much it. Oh, and watching Angel DVD - lots of ass was kicked last night in the episodes I watched.

My neighbor Josh loaned me a game - X-Men Legends. Looks like fun - I'll have to give it spin tonight.

Back to work for me...

on hold with Ohio Taxation

Got a notice that I failed to pay my School District Tax for 2001 - for the district that my parents live in from 2001. I've never lived there and I'm guessing it's just a clerical error. The problem is that I got this same notice several months ago and replied to it as indicated. And now I've got the same notice again, this time with a threat of an additional $500 fine.

So, I'm on the phone with them now - on hold.

Okay, talking to Shawn now - seems like an okay guy. Fingers crossed.

Apparently, the previous notice was for 2000, so this is a new one. And it appears that the wrong school district was associated with my address. Shawn made some updates and it looks like I'm okay. He also cautioned me to avoid using the preprinted address label in the future, since it may have been the source of the problem. Great.

So, that's all cleared up. I'll proably still get a warning for 2002 and 2003 at some point, but at least I know what the problem is and can address it.

Well, back to work...

trying to blog all day

Talked to my Dad last night - his mom was in a car accident and had to be taken to the hospital. She's okay, but they had to keep her overnight for observation. A little scary for all of us - I'm concerned that she may no longer feel comfortable driving - that will dramatically cut down on her independence.

Been trying to blog all day - lots of trouble with the system. Same kind of stuff that made me stop blogging last time.

Still getting comments from people about the costume - all positive.

That's about it for me - back to work...

Delayed blog - my sister wears pink

Well, I meant to blog this yesterday and had it all typed in - but Blogger took a gigantic crap and I lost it all. So, here goes take 2 - or at least the highlights:


"Darkness falls across the land"

The people have spoken and they are idiots. GW is a lunatic and his screw-ups are legendary. Apparently, a majority of the county forgot about those and are going to give him 4 more years to screw things up. Keep in mind, though, that it was a small majority - a whole bunch of people, including me, were hoping to get rid of Bush. We'll be watching...

End Political Rant here...

In other news, my sister wore pink yesterday - one of those breast cancer awareness braclets. Considering that she hates the color with a passion that borders on lunacy, this is really saying something. She asked that I alert the media - which I'm unable to do - but I can record it for the ages in this blog.

In still more news... gave my boss a ride to pick up his car after work. Major brownie points.
Watched some more of the Angel Season 4 DVD, finished Dune: Battle of Corrin, and generally chilled out.

And now it's time to go back to work...

voting

I went and voted this morning before work. Couldn't find the address, so I was a little later getting there than I expected. I arrived at 6:40 (polls opened at 6:30) and there was a line out the door. And it was sort of one line, though there should have been two since there were two precints. There were no signs or clear markers - you just had to ask around to figure out if you should veer left or right. I paid attention and had no problems. And I had my voter card and picture ID, in case there were any problems. No way was I going to be denied the chance to vote.

A very primitive set-up, but it seemed to work. Fingers crossed.

I'm glad it's over - the signs in the yards on every street, the mudslinging, the endless debates and discussions.

But if the war-monger wins, I'm moving to Canada. I wonder if the University of Toronto is hiring?

Back to work...

Lego-man - Halloween 2004

It can now be told - I was a Giant Lego-man for Halloween. And let me tell you, it totally rocked!

Let's start out with big props to Jeff for his invaluabe help on the costume. He's wicked with a can of spray paint and the end result was exactly what I envisioned. Also a shout out to Debbie - her help with the "suiting up" in the morning when I got to work was much appreciated.

So, the costume. Red sweatshirt, blue sweatpants, yellow-ish workboots. Red cardboard box for the torso, shaped to match the lego style. Bright yellow cardboard head with a section of screen so I could see out. Cut PVC pipe connectors and dowel rods for the hands. I'll have pictures up on my site this week sometime.

I visited a lot of people on Friday - and startled a few. The funniest part was walking on campus and seeing people notice me and try not to react. Come on, people. You're not too cool to laugh at the 6 foot tall lego man. Enjoy it - it's freaking Halloween!

Since my face was totally hidden, a few people guessed it was me based solely on the fact that I do this every year. I think one recognised my voice, but a few people had to wait until I'd lifted off my lego head before they were sure it was me. :)

Great reactions from people, lots of fun. My own little moral booster for the campus. And hey - I got some candy too!

More later, including a link, once I've caught up on work...

lunar eclipse & squirrels + fire

I saw the eclipse last night - really cool. I was doing some work on my costume and had to go in and outside several times. Each time I went out, I could see more of the progress, until it was finally gone. Couldn't stay up for the whole thing, but I found some pictures on the web that show it in all it's glory. Makes a person feel a little small when you think about the grand forces and mathematics of the planetary movements.

Had a weird thought yesterday about squirrels. They seem so focused and busy, especially this time of the year. Wonder what would happen if we could teach them to use fire? If awareness and knowledge could be given to these so called tree-rats? For one thing, I think the neighborhood cats would be in deep shit. I don't think it would take long for squirels to become militant and agressive. After all, they've been low mamals on the totem pole for a long time - payback would be a bitch. With this in mind, I plan on feeding the squirrels all winter. To stay on their good side. Just in case...

mentally falling out of bed

Tons of weird dreams this morning - tons. Fragments from work, amalgams of people, falling, being chased, college, driving...my hip and my back are sore and I'm exausted. When I finally did manage to extract myself from the dreams and get up, I felt like my mind had fallen out of bed. And I mentally hit the floor pretty hard. Didn't help that I'd shaved off my beard last night, I didn't recognise myself for a moment when I looked in the mirror this morning.

So, now I'm at work and if I didn't have two meetings today I think I would have taken a sick day and gone back to bed. "Severe Reality Impairment".

Costume is coming along, despite some setbacks. Had to modify my original plan a bit, but I'll get it done in time.

Well, back to work...

"1984"

No, no - not the year. Well, sort of. I'm talking about the book -and more specifically the re-writing of history to fit a new set of "facts". It was a big thing in the book, poor Winston Smith spending all day rewriting the historical records to reflect the latest propeganda.

I've noticed this phenomon among real people, in the here and now. They tend to blur the line between fact and convenient fiction - rewriting their story as the situation changes so that the advantage is theirs. Or at least, so that the fault isn't.

Are they lying? Yes, usually from the very start - and then it just compounds from there. The stories get more fanciful - the tales of woe are filled with even more woe.

The curious thing is that they tell so many tales that they forget where the truth is. I think that's why they end up distorting things so much, they forget which lies they've told which people.

Do they know they are lying? I think deep down, yeah, they know. But on the surface, one of these "1984"ers will keep back peddling and shifting gears to avoid being "caught".

So, why this topic? And why now? A few things have come to light about my former room-mate that have reemphasied his 1984 behavior. Must be nice to live in a world where things always go your way. I, in contrast, feel very firmly rooting in reality.

And it bites.

So, how do I deal with those who have lost their grip? I don't. You can't catch them in a lie because they don't think they're lying. So, the best bet it just to ignore what they say and don't put anything of yours on the line. Treat them like a good book. Totatlly fiction, lots of plot twists and a surprise ending. And know that you can always close the book and get on with your life at any time.

Which is what I did.

And now, I'm going back to work...

rubber-neckers should be decapitated

So, I'm headed south on Friday, making my way toward Canton. We're all going along just fine, when suddenly, everyone slams on their brakes. And I mean slam, none of this "coasting" to a stop. I nearly spilled my soda.

And then it's stop and go for about 7 miles. Mostly stop.

When we finally get up to the reason for the slow down - I nearly set the dashboard on fire with my swearing.

There was an accident. On the other side of the road. All the cars were pulled off to the side. No one was hurt.

So, since this had nothing to do with our side of the road, why was traffic slowed to a stop? Rubbernecking. That great american past-time where we all hope to see someone else's misfortune. And if there's a body, so much the better.

Okay, all you sick bastards out there - find something else to do. The first fools who slowed down nearly caused a whole slew of accidents behind them. Pointless, stupid and cruel.

There. I feel a little better.

Back to work...

low on gas, lost in my living room

Forgot to stop and get gas last night. This morning, the needle is hovering close to the E. I had enough to get to work, and shouldn't have a problem getting to a station after work, but I hate letting it get that close. I don't have triple A since I don't travel much and the thought of running out of gas worries me a bit.

I moved some stuff back into my living room last evening, it's still pretty empty. I think I may keep it that way - I was always triping over stuff before and it was over-run with junk. The only major thing I may add is an area rug - if I can find a good deal. Simplify - that's the goal.

Gotta work on my costume today - only a few days left and I'm not sure if I'll have a chance to work on it over the weekend. It won't be the most detail oriented I've done, but it will be the most massive. There's a mask involved too, and I'm a little worried about the logistics of that one.

Well, time for me to get back to work - got another "ASAP project" to do.

clever at subway

I wanted to document this so that it isn't lost. My greatest downfall is being clever. I can never resist trying to be clever and it always backfires. Every single freaking time.

Except for yesterday. I went to subway and ordered my usual - Turkey/Bacon on Italian bread, lettuce only. When my sandwich artist got to the vegetables part of the order he glanced up at me when I said "lettuce only". "No sauce or anything?" he asked and I said no and that I like it "extra plain".

Normally, this would result in dazed look in the person's eyes, but this time - my artist got the mild joke. He chuckled lightly, then said - "hey, it's better for you anyway".

And when he rang up the order, he stopped in the middle and said he might be able to make it cheaper. He did some kind of combo order thing and saved me about 50 cents. Not much, granted, but it was still a nice gesture.

So, in summary:

I said something mildly clever
The 'victim' got the joke
I got a better deal on my sub

The curse of backfiring cleverness is broken. Let the bells ring out my victory - I can be clever again!

Back to work, where I may attempt to be clever. Ha!

politics

The signs for various political candidates are everywhere these days. And I just heard that GW has spent more on advertising than any candidate has ever done before. Wouldn't it be nice if anybody could run for office without spending millions to do it? There don't seem to be any ground rules to this anymore. How about this:

1. publicly list your views, credentials, and plans for the future.
2. have an independent panel review what you've said - if you lie, you're disqualified.
3. you pay a small processing fee and you're on the ballot

that's it. No ads, no backstabbing. Civil, just, and fair.

heh.

It'll never work.

later

motivation

Having a little trouble getting motivated today - the stuff I have to do here at work is, well, kinda boring. Gotta fill out my timecard too - by hand, since they don't allow online submissions. And you have to use a #2 pencil to do it. Lame.

Had a pretty good weekend - just kinda lazy and enjoying it. I needed that - big time.

More cleaning to do this week - and a halloween costume to build. It's just about done inside my head, and then all I have to do is make it real. Sounds simplistic, but that's really about it - once I've imagined it, things pretty much fall into place.

Did some wood carving last week - the final piece was well received. Gave me a bit mor confidnece in doing that kind of work - it means that I'll be more likely to try more things. I'll try to get a pic for my site one of these days.

Well, guess that's it for now... back to work.

A fresh start

Well, my room-mate finally got his stuff out yesterday. He left a lot of junk behind - I'll have some clean up to do. I was a little sad last night - he just handed me the keys and left. No apoligy, no good-bye, just walked out the door.

Today, though, I'm in a much better mood. It feels like my home again, a feeling that I was really missing. Locks are changed, windows and doors are secure. It's mine.

There are a lot of memories there, to be sure, so I'll get this place back in order and move out at some point in the not too distant future.

I'm just so relieved that it's finally over.

Well, a short day today - time to get to work...

last day

Well, at least I'm hoping its the last day. Feels like I've been trapped in an elevator with an idiot. We're approaching the ground floor and I'm just about ready to kick his sorry ass out the door and make repairs so I can go back to the penthouse. Like tomorrow will be a day to start over.

And I wonder what I'll go home to today. What kind of a mess will be left behind. One thing's for certain, I'm going to have to invest in garbage bags. He hasn't planned ahead enough to do a good job.

And why should he? He figured that I'd simply cave again and give him even more time. What a surprise it must have been for him - when I stood my ground. Funny how fury will do that to a person.

The best part will be when the cloud finally lifts - when things are finally over. And I can get back to being myself - quirky, fun, and well...happy.

For now, though, I'm simply going back to work...

so much for the good mood...

Well, I should have seen this one coming. My room-mate just called and tried to push things back - that he'd get the "big stuff" on Saturday. I told him, no, the move out day is Thursday, just as we have been planning for 2 weeks. I told him that the locks would be changed on Friday and that was it. He said that he understood and that he's got the rest of the stuff out already, but that he'd need to get the big stuff on Saturday. I told him, no, he didn't understand - Thursday is the move out day. I was nearly yelling at him - which I don't do at work.

He finally said "I guess I'll find someplace else to sleep and have everything out on Thursday". And then I hung up on him.

I am so freaking mad right now - I've had depressing blogs but this must be my angriest. I'm still shaking. I just can't get a break - he's going to be an asshole right to the very bitter end.

And to think I was starting to consider taking time off and helping him. I might take the time off anyway, just to keep track of my stuff.

The good mood is dead. I don't see it coming back until that blissful moment when the landlord hands me my brand new shiny key.

Time to go home...

a good day yesterday

And it was. Work pretty much sucked, but I'm used to that. Got the utility billing set to be switched over with no problem. Worked on a project that turned out to be easier than I thought, so I'm way ahead of schedule.

The only concern, again, was the room-mate situation. He's not behaving like someone who has to move out on Thursday. I'm going to drop the bomb on him tomorrow about the locks being changed. I shouldn't have to - since he's told me he'll be out on Thursday - but in case he's planning on dragging his feet I want to forestall the drama.

Well, time to get back to work...

mildly out of sorts

So, Jeff and I moved a bunch of my stuff to his place to "get it out of the way" for my room-mate's move. At least, that's the cover story. I reality, I'm just trying to make sure some of the smaller, valuable items I own don't get moved out with his stuff. Do I think that will really happen? Well, 3 months ago I would have scoffed at the notion. Now, I'm not so sure. This whole deal has made me a little colder and a lot angier in general. I'm hoping I can get it out of my system when all is said and done. I don't like feeling this way - and I don't like that I have to feel and act this way to get some common courtesy and respect from people who claim to be my friends.

Did some homework - writing up some text for a web page at work. Not too bad, kinda relaxing really. Got some meetings and stuff going on today- the usual crap.

Heading over to the cities utility billing department today to get that in motion. They have to do a meter reading, which I hope I can time to do at the same time the landlord does the walk-thru. I've already cleared taking the time off with the boss - so no worries there.

Well, back to work...

just plain stupid - revisited

Just talked to the landlord about the lock-change on Friday. He's cool with it and we set up a time. He also asked me about the dogs - and we finally got the story straight on that one.
When I realized that the girlfriend and her dogs were not moving out, I asked her about it to make sure I had the info straight before I went to the landlord. My room-mate told me that he had already spoken to the landlord and gotten approvals. I was surprised, but figured it was case closed.

The truth is that the landlord saw my room-mate with the dogs and asked if they were living there or just visiting. He was told "just visiting".

It was "not okay" with the landlord and I apoligized for not following up anyway. He was totally cool with it - which is quite a relief for me.

Also, the landlord has been trying to get in touch with me for several weeks now, and leaving messages for me at home. Messages that I never got - they were erased before I heard them. He didn't have my work number correct, so he was happy to hear from me.

It's good that the landlord is on my side and is willing to work with me. And that now things are inexorably in motion. No turning back, no extentions.

4 days to go...

Back to work again...

just plain stupid

All weekend long, my room-mate kept telling me that he hadn't forgotten about me - that he was going to pay the rest of the rent he owned me on Sunday. So, on Sunday, he gives me $45 dollars, saying he'll give me another $5 later. I just looked at him, then told him I thought it was supposed to $600 total, of which the $45(50) only brings it up to $300. He told me there must have been a miscommucation. He apparently thought I only wanted him to pay for 1 of the months he owes me, instead of both. He said he gets paid on Friday. Simple mistake, I'm sure.

My ass. Just another "1984" style re-write of his mental history. And this on the heels of the Big Apoligy.

This is the last week for that nonsense. I left a note for him to call me today so we can go over some last details for Thursday. I'm going to contact the landlord to get the locks changed on Friday. I've got one little glimmer of hope left, but I'm pretty sure anyway that he's going to be an ass.

For the record, if the situations were reversed, I would have been out of there by September 5th.

In other news... Got home from dinner on Saturday, with plans for movie watching and a hot cup of tea. Unfortuantly, those plans were put on hold for a bit, since my first step into the apartment was right into dog-crap. Yep, a whole heaping, steaming pile of it. The dogs were banished to the basement for the duration of the clean-up - took us a while. Carpet, shoes - and as an added bonus, a puddle of dog piss at the top of the stairs. Number one reason I don't have a pet. Put me in a really bad mood for the rest of the evening. My room-mate's girlfriend was apoligetic, but not nearly enough so. She took the dogs out for a walk as soon as we explained what had happened - which is a nice gesture, but clearly too late. The dogs may be mad at me - since I yell at them when they try to come in my room. Good thing I keep my door closed.

And so this doesn't end up an entirely bad blog, I've got some good news. I finally figured out what I'm wearing for my Halloween costume. Not scary this time, but it should be cool. And it shouldn't be too complicated to set up - though I'm still short on time. I won't say more about it - I want it to be a surprise, but it should be cool.

Back to work...

italian dinner and friendly conversation

Went out to dinner last night with my buddy Scott - did a little catching up and just hung out. I think we were at the resturant for about 3 hours or so - it had been a while since we'd had a chance to talk.

Earlier in the day, I'd listened to a message on the machine from my room-mate's ex-wife. She started off by saying - "I'm sorry, Anthony. This message isn't for you at all." And then she launches into a tirad against my room-mate and his girlfriend. Foul language, insults, and a threat of ass-kicking were all doled out. Delightful. I left a note on the message board by the door - "Message from lunatic on machine"

So, when I got home from dinner, I talked to them about the message and there was much head shaking at the ex-wife's continued maddness. It was a friendly conversation - totally normal.

His girlfriend has been making a big deal out of packing and as far as I know, things are on schedule. But I'm still wondering about the rent check and the deadlines I've set for them. I'm feeling more and more that the apoligy was a set up. Since I'm not really good at exploding into anger, which I suspect I'll have to do in the near future - I'm keeping the fires stoked in the back of my head. Just in case.

In more funner news - I finally finished my sword. This one I'm keeping for myself and I've got it displayed on my sword rack in my room. Totally differnt style than the rest of the swords, it fits because the other swords are all differnt styles. And the best part - the sound it makes when you swing it - reminds me of a lightsaber.

Yep, I rock. Should have been a blacksmith.

Back to work...

carmel apple cider

Ahhh, the nectar of the gods, that stuff is. Co-worker and I made the pilgrimage to Starbucks this morning for this tasty treat. He had a small the night before and had to have a large one today. I'm glad I went along.

Still no progress on my costume. Can't even get it narrowed down.

Back to work...

an apology

Just got a call from my room-mate - and my head is spinning. Pretty much equal parts of relief and worry.

He apologized, said he really hated what was happening between us and that he missed his friend. That he didn't want things to end like this between us. We talked about some of the good times and how he just wanted to hang out.

All good and all cool. Except...

I've known him for a long time and I know how sincere he can sound. A part is wondering if I'm being set up again. That there's going to be something totally f'ed up headed my way and I'm being softened up. Wouldn't be the first time.

So, I'm going to go into this with as clean a slate as possible. And still ready to totally lose it on a grand scale if the situation calls for it. I think I was meant to overhear a conversation last night about how there was a problem with his loan.

When did things get so complicated? And when did I get so cynical?

dream of a catalyst

A few nights ago, I dreamed that me and my team of crack researchers had discovered a sub-atomic particle that was the ultimate catalyst. Can't remember what we decided to call it, but in normal quantities, it was the "thing" that allowed change. Without it, everything would stay the same. No chemical reactions, no biological processes, no growth...nothing.

In concentration, it became a destroyer. Acting like a super anti-matter, this substance could distant anything. With no release of energy and nothing left over. My team was trying to figure out what to do with this when I woke up.


In other news... went to home depot last night to try and get costume ideas - not much luck. I could end up as a giant robot like Gort or something, but I'm pretty sure it would be lame.

Wandered up and down every aisle last night, realizing that my muse had left me. I pictured her, hiding under a table, maybe crying a little. She's come out a few times to look at the sword I've been working on (two coats of sealant last night), but she hasn't had any comment. I may have to sit her down and have a good long talk with her - explain that I'm not mad at her and I'm sorry if she took it that way. Hope that works, 'cause without my muse I'm hurting for a costume.

Note to the idiots out there - I'm speaking metaphorically. I do not have a female art student locked in my house, hiding under my table. Sheesh, you people are clueless. Go read a book or something.

Back to work...

voting

I got home yesterday to find that the voter registration card that I thought I had filled out in May wasn't complete. A group of people had gone door-to-door getting people registered and taking a poll. I gave them my info and they filled some stuff out, even starting over at one point since they wrote something down wrong. They finished up and left and I figured that was the end of it. Two days later someone from the same group came by to sign me up and I told them that someone from their group had already been by.

Seemed pretty through to me.

So, I was pretty surprised when I see the voter registration card with a note saying I needed to sign it, date it, and turn it in by 9:00 that night. I hopped back in my car and headed over the the Board of Elections. Took about 12 minutes to get there, 30 seconds to stand in line, and about a minute to get things checked over and sign the dang thing. Then another 12 minutes to get home.

I'm diasppointed that the door-to-door people dropped the ball - but at least they noticed the mistake before it was too late. And I have to give some props to the BoE - they were really friendly and on the ball.

So, I'm officially registred to vote and ready to do my part for the country.

Along those same lines - I also set up the on-line voting for the student government elections today. Went off without a hitch, even with last minute changes. Florida, call me. I've got this whole voting thing figured out.

Well, back to work.

halloween concerns

I've never been so behind on my Halloween constume before. I haven't even decided on what I'll be. Most of this has been because of the room-mate stress - it's put me in a really bad mood and pretty much destroyed my creativity and sense of fun. There was more stuff that happened along those lines this past weekend, but I really don't want to dwell on it.

So, I'm down to a non-scary sky (heavy on the blue make-up) or a slightly scary swamp thing. The swamp-thing will be more work, but I sort of feel like hiding in something, rather than trying to stand out.

With the clock ticking, I think it's time to take a trip to home depot and Michaels craft store to get some ideas.

Back to work...

a thank you note

I got a really nice thank you email this morning from one of my users. Those are somewhat rare around here, it was cool to recognized, even though I didn't really do much.

In room-mate news (which, I'm sure, Faithful reader, you're getting just as sick of as I am), I had a pleasant conversation with he and his girlfriend last night. Mostly talking about how the dogs were disappointed with me that I fried up some spam and didn't give them any. She was a little puzzled that I didn't, but I said I didn't want to know what it would do to them. Lulu is already a total gas machine and her farts have driven me out of the house before.

That was about it. Another White Elephant. A huge thing right smack dab in the middle of the room that was don't talk about. He wants out. I want him out. We don't talk about, instead we talk about the dogs.

Sheesh.

Should be another busy day - waiting to hear back from some users about stuff that has to launch Tuesday morning. And I really don't want to be here late on Monday to get all the last minute stuff done. It shouldn't be last minute - none is real complicated, they just haven't gotten the info to me.

Oh, in the news of the weird. I went over to a department yesterday to do some training. They were like "Okay, let's go back to so and so's office - you're not allergic to dogs, are you?"
I said I wasn't.
"Good, cause we're puppy sitting today"

Sure enough, they had three puppies in a laundry basket sleeping. And one puppy sitting in one of my student's laps. The puppy kept whining every so often. It was really odd. Like a juggling clown in the middle of the NY stock exchange. Something really out of place, you know. Though, some would say everyone in the NY stock exchange are juggling clowns, I'm talking about a clown in full makeup and costume.

We got through it, then I had to hold the puppy while my student logged in to test out the account.

Weird.

Okay, enough of that. Back to work...

baked scrod

I went to Eat N Park (which really should be called Park N Eat, but no one checked with me first) last evening for dinner and had the Baked Scrod. And when they say "careful, the plate is hot" they aren't kidding.

Incidentally, I really need to find one of those tip calculator cards. I'm tired of doing the math - hey, I'm supposed to be enjoying myself.

Lots to do here today at work, best get back to the mindless tedium.

later...

stress implosion

This whole thing with my room-mate has just made me sick - and way stressed out. At the urging of friends and family, I confronted him last night - since he's got 2 days left from the timeframe I gave him and he hasn't made any visible moves to even pack.

So, he tells me that his loan should be coming through any day now and this Friday he's going to pay his rent for this month and next - and use part of his home loan to pay the back rent he owes me.

Which is a nice gesture that I'll believe when I see. And I think on how much stress could have been avoided if he'd told me this at the beginning of the month - when I was paying the rent and expecting to get screwed as he freeloaded off me. Or rather, he and his girlfriend and her two dogs freeloaded off of me. Well, not the dogs since they don't have any money. If they did, I'd want them first to replace the book, comic book, and dvd that they've eaten.

And it's only a little about the money. It's mostly about respect. I'm not important enough to be kept in the loop and I'm the one that gets put on the back burner (or just taken off the stove) if something else comes up.

A more cynical person would say that he didn't intend to pay me anything on his way out and only came up with this cause I said something. I'm beginning to become that cynical person, and I'm not liking it.

So, if he comes through with the rent check on Friday, then he's got two more weeks. He told me he doesn't want to be there any more than I want him to be there. He admitted it was his fault - but in a way that suggested that it was really my fault for forcing the issue.

I guess this adds up to a partial win for me. He's going to pay me what he owes me - technically, more than what he owes but I'll need the money for cleaning anyway - but he's also got an extended timeline. Great - two more weeks of stress. The alternative is to be an ass and force him out.

A landlord wouldn't have given him extra time. A landlord wouldn't have let him slide on the rent for a full month - paying when it was convenient for him, or not at all.

Could I have let even this slide? Yeah. I could have ignored everything that had gone wrong and not confronted him at all. Would it have saved the friendship? No, I don't think so. I had built up a lot of resentment and distrust - I wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway.

I just want to go to park and sit and read all day. Home isn't a refuge and work isn't any less stressful.

I think this ranks right up there with one of the most depressing blogs I've ever read and by far the most depressing that I've ever written.

Sorry, faithful reader, that's about all I've got.

Back to work...

site update

I made major updates to my site - mostly design stuff, but some new content as well. A couple of pages, a few photos. I'm pleased with the result, so it'll stay like this for a while.

Worked on my sword last night for about an hour and a half. Good progress, now I just need to work on the edge. I think sandpaper is the way to go - slower than the chisel, but more precise.
I should be ready to stain it in a couple of days.

Still nothing from my room-mate. He's going to force me to be an asshole. I'm not very good at that and I resent that it's come to that. Grumble, grumble.

In the news of the weird - Lulu, the boxer with gas issues - cut loose with a fart last night that sounded like something out of Super Mario Brothers. I have expected to see a gigantic mushroom float out of her butt and glide along the ground.

Back to work...

SoRE award

Talked to my sister last night - she said she nominated a co-worker for a "soar" award. I like to make up words to fill in acronyms, but since she works with a hospital, my first thought was the word spelled like the injury - sore. So, it became - "Stupid or Really Excellent" award - for being really really good or really really bad.

We got a good laugh about it.

We also figured out what to get Mom for her birthday - she's nearly as tough to shop for as Dad.

My room-mate still hasn't made any significant moves to leave - and he's down to the wire. Makes no freakin sense to me, but I guess it just illustrates how different we are.

I just wish it was over - tired of the shadow over things. And I'm tired of the dogs eating my stuff.

Back to work...

rainy morning

It was muggy last night - so much that I actually turned on the AC at home - which is unusual for me. Went to Pier One to try and find something for my mom for her birthday, and then to Olive Garden for dinner.

Been listening to Norah Jones "Sunrise" all week. Great song - so sweet and simple. Just a quiet bit of joy.

The rest of the week has been so busy, and I may need to come in over the weekend to get stuff done on time. At least my photos will be done today - I'll stop by after work to get them.

Time to get busy again - those web pages won't build themselves...

Fifteen days...

Well, as of yesterday, my room-mate had 15 days to move out. He still hasn't said anything about it, but there was a notepad left out on the kitchen table with information about a house for sale. Can you really find and close on a house in a month? I guess he's going to try.

Bit of a headache today - didn't sleep well. I think I could easily go back home and sleep for a couple more hours.

Decided to find the best route to work - at least time-wise. Route A takes me 12 minutes and 2 seconds - from parking lot to parking lot - one way. I'll check it on the way home too, then try Route B tomorrow, if I can remember.

Guess that's it for me...lots to do today, but not a lot of motivation. Later...

Film issues

I finished up the roll of film in my potentially suspect camera on Monday and took it into Walgreen - thinking to have it devleoped while I went down the street for comics. I handed the film to the girl at the counter and told her I needed these developed and that I also needed a digital copy as well. So, she filled out some stuff, handed me a claim stub, and pointed to the kiosk to the side for my digitial media. I got her stopped before I went too far and explained how I wanted a digital copy of the photos as well as single prints - on CD. "Oh," she exclaimed and took back my claim stub - then filled out some other stuff. She handed me a new claim stub and said that to get a CD it has to be sent out and that the photos would be ready... then she consulted the screen... "On September 17th"

So, I went from 1 hour to 5 days. Granted, I could have just gotten the single prints and scanned them at work. I was just trying to save myself some time and be.... oh, there's the problem. I was trying to be clever. That never works.

This means my website update will be even more delayed. Bummer.

Gave blood yesterday - got a little sleepy when I was actually giving, as usual, but I'm fine otherwise. The worst bit was taking the tape off the bandage this morning - I have hairy arms and while I didn't cry - it was a near thing. I'm up to 23 pints with this donation - closing in on 3 gallons. Maybe I'll get a pin.

That's it for now - back to work...

football game

Went to a football game over the weekend - Walsh University vs. West Liberty State College. No, I didn't go to either of those schools. There was an alumni thing going that one of my friends wanted to attend - so, I went along for the h'ordurves (sp?).

I was a little bored with the whole thing, but tried to be a good sport about it. The game that followed was okay, football's not really my cup of tea. It was a pretty close match, so that was cool - though WLSC lost. The Hudson High School Marching band performed. Huge band - just huge. They did a great job and looked like they were having fun. Played a lot of "Doors" songs for some reason. Called themselves "the best damn band in the land" - which I thought was odd since that's what the OSU band calls themselves.

"Band Wars: 2005. Hudson HS vs. OSU - only on Pay-per-view"

Fired up the old minolta 35 mm over the weekend. I think I got that camera when I was 12 years old, if memory serves. The flash doesn't work anymore, so I took all the stuff I wanted to photograph outside. Took about 20 pictures, and I'll take a few more today. Dunno if they'll turn out - but I'll give it a shot. If they do work out - I'll have a major update for my website. :)

That's it for now... back to work

foggy morning

Lot of fog this morning, all along my route into work. Pretty cool - but creepy across the bridge. A real sense that everything beyond the bridge could just vanish and I'd not know about it.

I've been playing Wallace and Grommit: Project Zoo on the PS2 for the past couple of days - fun and a lot like the shows, since it's supposed to be a sequel to "The Wrong Trousers".

Glad its Friday - it's been a long week, even though I only worked 4 days with the holiday.

Lots to do today - catch up on work, teach a user how to upload files, work on my own webpage, and catch up on my email. I swear it - so shall it be done!

Also need to get some transparent sealant tonight for my wooden stake - the cherry stain turned out really well, but I want to protect it better.

Back to work...

Dog farts

Yep, can't wait until my room-mate moves out - and takes the dogs with him. Sarge sat on the floor next to me last night - farting. Joy upon joy.

Work was busy yesterday and looks to be the same today. I've got to rebuild a few forms - the user expects a lot of extra stuff and I'd be happy if the damn thing worked at all. Well, as the Klingons would say: "Dor-sho-gha!"

Not much going on except that I'm way behind on my personal email - gotta catch up on that today somehow.

No weird dreams to report - though my room-mates ex-wife called at 6:30 this morning. Oh, yeah, I'm so looking forward to him moving out.

Back to work...

Vivid dream...

Another weird dream last night. In the dream, I was taking a night-class and trying to get ready for the final. I went to the bathroom before class started and was too short to reach the urinal. Made quite a mess, but the bathroom was already a disaster so I didn't feel bad.
Went outside for a quick cigerette - which is really odd since I've never smoked and never will. Wandered around the parking lot and over to an army vechicle. Wasn't surprised that one of my fraternity brothers was in the cab and he called out to me. Keith wanted me to watch the vechicle while he got changed in the back.

I told him I couldn't stay long - and that I didn't know what to do with my cigerette. He handed me out a sock monkey and told me to put it out in that. So, I rubbed out the cigerette with the sock monkey and turned to see a young boy standing nearby, facinated with the army vechicle. From across the parking lot I saw a women approach - his mother, I guessed - who called out to him and slowly and cautiously approached. From her mannerisms I guessed that she was distraught and trying to hide it so as not to scare him.

She started circling around him, trying to get closer without it looking like she was getting closer. The boy was trembling, facinated by the vechicle, but ready to run. He finally broke his gaze away and started to bolt. With that weird dream knowledge I knew that his mother had been chasing him all day and that he more than a little unstable. I grabbed him as he tried to get past and held on.

He was strong, his fear and maddness making him even stronger. Even though I was a lot bigger than he was, I was having to tough time. I called out to Keith, who was now standing at the side of the truck, to help me. He just picked up the sock monkey from the ground where I had dropped it and told me I was doing fine as he shook his head.

The boy was going even crazier, twisting and turning in my arms, trying to get away. The mother stood back and watched as he finally knocked me to the ground - bringing us both down. I landed on my back with him on top of me - nearly knocked the wind out of me but I hung. He was panicing so much now that he threw up - I felt the heat as it splashed me and was scared that he would choke on it since he was on his back. I struggeled to twist around to help him, and then woke up.

And quickly made a direct trip to the bathroom - any dream about using the bathroom is a full on gurantee that I really do need to go and should just wake myself up and take care of business.

Quiet around the homestead last night - which is not to say that it wasn't still noisy. The dogs barked, my room-mate struggled with the fax machine, and his son kept getting phone calls from girls. It was quiet in the sense that there was still no harsh words between my room-mate and me. We exchanged pleasentries and that was pretty much it.

Of course, he still hasn't paid his rent for this month - his last at the apartment. I'm going to ask him about it next time I see him. Things are going better than I expected, might as well shake things up a bit.
Back to work...

It's always tuesday somewhere...

Tuesday - maybe not always that day somewhere, but the feeling of a tuesday lasts beyond the day. Especially a tuesday after a holiday, and in my case a vacation/holiday combo. Since I last posted, I took a trip to see Jimmy Buffett in Pittsburg. Great show, lots of fun. Hung out with Jeff and his family - crazy people, but fun.

Talked to my room-mate last night. Had a normal conversation on the phone - like nothing was going on. Weirded me out quite a bit - though I don't think he's a good enough actor to fake me out with that level of normalacy. Well, guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Back to work...

sick. and tired

Avoidance is bliss. Sort of. I avoided my room-mate yesterday. Got home from work and he was upstairs. I went outside and read until he left, then I went up to my room and made some calls. Then I left to go to border's and burger king - then going in to work to play Diablo for a bit. Home, shower, bed.

Yeah, pathetic, I know.

Ah, well, that's the way it goes. I did talk to the landlord's secretary last night when I paid my rent, she said she'd let him know. I'm going to call him or write him an email letting him know what's going on. Just covering my ass. Not that I think there will be any legal problems. And if my room-mate makes a big deal about it - well, then I just bail. That's always been the back up plan.

This morning - lot of trouble getting out of bed. Then when I did get up, I was horribly sick. Did the old dry heaving thing in the bathroom for a bit. A little mouthwash and I was ready to go to work. Joy. Well, only a 1/2 day today - taking a trip for the next few days. Which is good, cause I think it's obvious that I need to get away.

Better get to it and do a little work though...

Changes at the homestead...

Finally told my room-mate to move out. Way behind on his rent and phone bill, making big decisions like moving in his girlfriend (and her dogs) and his son without telling me. And the list goes on. I finally have had enough. I gave him a month, which is generous, and then I'll have the place to myself. Lots of cleaning to do then, but I can deal with that. I can't afford to stay there forever, but I'll be fine for a while. Once the apartment is liveable by human standards again, then I'll move out and find someplace smaller.

Kind of a stressful morning, but I got through it and I'm doing okay. Going to be a rough month, I think, but I'll be okay.

Back to work...

Dad's birthday

Spent last weekend with the 'rents for Dad's birthday- had an okay time. Everyone was really busy with stuff, so I spent quite a bit of the time just hanging around. I had a good book with me, so that was okay.

Got home and found that one of the dogs had eaten through one of my DVD cases - a cool one too, part of a box set. And I also found that my room-mate's oldest son had move into our basement, using my old mattress and box springs. All the rest of my stuff was shoved off to the side. Funny how I'm never really told about these things and I have to find out on my own.

So, I'm finally going to do it. I'm going to write my letter to the landlord today about moving out - we have to give 30 days notice. I'll pay my rent this week and find a new place. Not going to make a big deal out of it, but I'm just going to do it.

Today is the first day of classes around here - time to get back to work. It'll be a busy day.

Drained...

Talked to my sister last night - trying to figure out what to get Dad for his birthday. It took several emails and multiple phone calls to finally get a plan. He's really tough to shop for.

Did some more origami last night. Turned out well, but I found that the really cool paper I wanted to use is only square until you take the perforated edge with the barcode off - then it's short on the sides by 1/4 inch. Did a little swearing on that one. I think the company will be getting an email from me.

And I'm tired. The apartment situation is getting worse. I'm so far out of the loop and the place is a disaster. Doesn't seem worth the effort anymore to try and maintain things.

Once I get back from my trip, I'm going to start looking for a new place. Took a long time, but I'm finally burned out.

Back to work - lots of files to convert today. Tedious, but it has to be done.

Meetings...meetings...

Yesterday was busy. Meeting, training session, quick meeting, long meeting, working lunch, minor disaster. Fun fun fun. Today looks like training, meeting, lunch, training. Hope I have time to get to my actual job today.

Went out to eat at Olive Garden last night, good stuff. Shrimp and Crab ravoli and stuff mushrooms. I belonged to the clean plate club on that one.

Watched a little bit of the Olympics last night - saw the women win the beach volleyball, so that was cool. Worked on some origami flowers - and finally found my hot melt glue gun.

A pretty quiet evening - which is exactly what I needed. Of course, Sarge threw up on the floor and Lulu took a piss in front of the stairs, but even that wasn't as bad as it could have been. Though I am running low on carpet cleaner.

Had a dream last night that Jessica Simpson faked her own death and stayed hidden for a year - though I knew about it since I was involved in filming the promos for her return. Very surreal.

Oh, in one of the meetings yesterday, everyone acknowledged my title of Master of Space and Time - which I thought was nice. They also kept referring to "anthony magic" - a generic term that represents working my ass off for some tedious project that's given to me at the last nano-second.

Well, looks like I'd better get to it. The magic doesn't happen by itself.

Hand sanitizer and oatmeal cookies...

Yep, that's pretty much my morning. The cookies are to keep me happy in the face of what I'm certain will be upleasant meetings. The hand sanitizer is for the sneezing - another sinus infection, I think. Seems like I've always got one of these.

Watched most of my Eddie Izzard DVD last night. Funny guy - and all over the place. Also worked on some origami flowers, but since I can't find my aligator paper clips, glueing is out of the question. Granted, hot melt glue sets up pretty fast, but it's still too hot for me to use my fingers to hold it in place in the meantime.

Visiting the folks this weekend - should be okay. Dad's birthday, but I'm hoping we get to do what I want to do - i.e. visit the Half Price bookstore. It's impossible for me to walk there and leave without buying something.

Back to work - gotta go save the world again.

Oh, and the worst bit? I had to buy my own damn cookies. Working my ass off and getting so much stuff done for people with impossible deadlines and nobody has bought me cookies. I may have to go kick some ass. Or make a sign, "Will fix your webpage for cookies".

Bright Lights, no shades...

My eyes are bothering me a little bit this morning, and it doesn't help that I couldn't find my shades. Should make the drive home unplesant. I could have looked more for them, but I was running late anyway.

Finished up an origami project this weekend - despite having spilled coke all over it. I was so pissed at myself - just a stupid, clumsy mistake. I was able to salvage all the components and it turned out okay. Brought it into work - though I'll most likely take it back home to get some photos. Really need to update the origami pics on my website.

Well, gotta get going and do some work.

Copy | Paste, Copy | Paste, Copy | Paste....

That was yesterday for me. Over and over again. Trying to convert a website to a new web-based editor. Unfortuantly, due to the way it was set up, this is the best way to do it. And there's a lot more today...sigh.

Played a little more MegaMan last night, almost had fun with it. Almost. About one more session and I'm going to sell it, I think.

Kicked some butt in Diablo II as well, doesn't seem as hard as I remember. Still have to face Diablo in his lair, but I've got a little way to go.

A little more drama last evening around the homestead, room-mate and his girlfriend go out for a nice romantic evening. While they are gone, his ex-wife dropped off his oldest boy. There was, apparently, no planning involved. Well, I think my room-mate and his girlfriend had plans, but those got disrupted. I think things got settled out, but I would just as soon skipped the whole deal.

No dreams that I can remember, so...time to get back to work.

In a better mood...

Well, like the title says, I'm in a better mood today. Actually, by the time I was done with lunch yesterday I was feeling emotionally better. Still a little disappointed at the way things went, but no longer pissed off.

Bought a new game last night - MegaMan Anniervesary edition. 8 games in one! Except, so far, they all look pretty much the same and they all pretty much suck. Givew me Metroid for the PS2 and I'll be happy.

Not much to say today - lots of work to do.

Not sure where to begin...

I learned last night that my room-mates girlfriend has moved in - on a more or less permanent basis. She's been here for several weeks, but I was thinking it was a temporary thing. Not really upset about that - she's nice and we get along okay. She's also brought her dog, Sarge - a good sized boxer with a drool problem. And that's okay too - I'm a dog person.

And while this was temporary, I didn't have a problem with not updating the landloard - if she's a guest that shouldn't affect the lease. But, I had a vibe last night that I should make it official with the landlord - since her and the dog is a clear violation of the lease if she lives there now.

So, when she got home yesterday I told her I was going to talk to the landlord and make it official. I asked her when she had first moved in (to make any additional rent amounts retroactive) and to verify that it was just one dog, not both Sarge and Lulu.

I thanked her for the info and went on about my business. She called my room-mate and then he wanted to talk to me. I told him that I had a weird vibe and that I wanted to make things official with the landlord before he found out from someone else and "busted" us.

Turns out that my room-mate had already talked to the landlord, and that it was cool and we wouldn't be charged any additional rent. The landlord had sent him a letter offering to help them find their own place, which my room-mate wasn't interested in doing at the time.

I was taken aback and a little flustered. I don't think I've been so far out of the loop. Good that we didn't get in trouble for changing the terms of the lease, but why in the multiverse wasn't I told what was going on?

So, yea? We got off the phone and I got angry. Punched the walls a few times and then took what can only be described as an angry shower.

My room-mate called me back, apoligised for be terse with me - he'd been having a bad day. He said it was clear no one was comfortable there and that he and his girlfriend would find a place. (note the complete 180). I said I wasn't uncomfortable, but that I was ticked because all these things had been happening and no one told me. I fortuantly caught the underlying plan on that one as well - or what I thought was the underlying plan. Namely, "We'll move out and stick you with the full rent payment that you can't really afford as well as all the clean-up/repairs for things we've screwed up".

That's unfair, I guess, since I don't really know what his motivation is. In any case, I'm not quite as in the dark as I used to be - but there's still way more going on that I don't know about.

I guess we're back to normal, but this kind of behind-my-back-behavior has left a bad taste in my mouth.

So, I'm going to give it a little time - maybe after work settles down a bit and I get back from my trip - and then I'm going to move out and let them take over the place. And let them do the clean-up.

Bears and dogs

I guess this is turning into a dream journal of sorts, which is fine since it's frequently more interesting than real life. Last night I dreamed that my parents had hired a young man from Africa with an uncanny talent for getting water buffalo out of the road. As a business venture, they toured the midwest, getting paid for having him get cattle out of the road. (The cow whisperer?). I was along for the ride at one point and we helped a family, then stayed for dinner. At some point during the meal, the family bear wandered in and knocked me out of my chair, then started gnawing on my arm. I went limp, remembering that bears will kill, then let the carcass rot a bit to soften it up. By playing dead, the bear would lose interest for a while. It worked, and he wandered off. The family assured us he was "just playing" and got me a bandage for my arm. The bear came back again, surprised I was alive, and took me down again. I went limp again and it took him longer to give up. The third time, he reached underneath me and grabbed me by the balls. Testing me, I guess. I put myself in a trance to keep from moving, but this time when he started to wander off I got up and kicked him in the nose are hard as I could. The family was very upset that I had hurt their bear, but I swore at them and told my family we were leaving.

Later in the dream, my folks had my sister and I practice for a family Shakespeare competition. Which would be fine, except that the script was written on a cake in different colored icing. The cakes weren't in any pans, so when we had to move around to learn the blocking, chunks of the cake (and consequently, our lines) kept falling or getting smeared. My folks were getting upset with us and thought we were goofing around - and then I woke up. Quite relieved, I might add.

So, that covers the Bear. The Dog story happened in reality, or as close as I can ever get.
I went to bed at my usual time of 10:00 last night. I was just getting comfortable and settling in when the phone rang - must have been about quarter after 10. The phone is right by my ear and catapulted me from a restful state - it was my room-mates work calling with a stupid question. I got up and went to his room to confirm - and vent my displeasure at being awakened like this. He said they do that to the other managers as well - not realized that I didn't give a rat's ass what they did to other managers or even to him. They bothered ME - and I don't care in the least what goes on where he works. If his work calls again after 10 and I answer the phone before he does, I'm going to issue a threat of death at whoever I talk to. I've got one all picked out, it involves a Japanese sword and a variety of dumpster in the tri-county area.

I went back to bed and started to calm down a bit - and just as I did (maybe 10:40) - the dog(s) started barking. We've got 1.5 dogs living with us, and one that used to live there and is now being fostered with someone but likes to visit. They kept it up just long enough to drive me out of bed. I got dressed, got my keys and wallet, and went for a walk. Dairy mart first - for an ice cream bar and V-8 fruit splash. And then I just wandered around town for a while until I got settled down again. I got back home around 11:30 - brushed my teeth again, put earplugs in this time, and went back to bed.

And I find myself wondering why do I keep putting up with this. I've had the same room-mate for a long time and I think I've finally getting worn down.

Back to work...

"Fight them like a peptide"

Very foggy this morning, crossing the "Y" bridge (so named for it's shape when seen from above, though the official name is "The All American Bridge") I couldn't see Akron until I was right up on it. First a wall of cloud, then the red of the stop light, then suddenly buildings appeared. Weird, but cool.

Saw a traffic accident recently. I was behind a car at a stop light and there was a car next to him in the other lane. The light turned green and both cars started going - assuming that the crazy lady in the cross traffic was going to stop, given that she had a red light by this point. Well, she didn't. She plowed right out into traffic and the guy in front of me slammed on his brakes to get stopped. She realized that she was doing it wrong and stopped too, but then decided to clear out of the intersection. Unfortunatly, the guy next to the one in front of me assumed that her stopping was a more permante thing and accelerated. And plowed right into the side of her car. I waited a moment until I could see everyone get out of their cars - unhurt but clearly pissed off. And then I carefully drove around them. It was the morning of the rainbow, though I doubt there's a connection - despite what Kermit might say.

Had a dream last night - actually several dreams but I can only remember part of one.
I was about to cross a zombie infested wasteland from the outpost to the main encampment and the guard at the outpost shouted out to me, "Remember what Mike Tyson said - Fight them like a peptide!"

For those of you playing along at home:

pep·tide - Any of various natural or synthetic compounds containing two or more amino acids linked by the carboxyl group of one amino acid to the amino group of another.

I strongly doubt Iron Mike would have said anything like that - but I got the feeling that the dream was in the future. So, it's possible that Mr. Tyson took an Organic Chemistry course while in prison and learned a few new things. And even if he did, it still doesn't make any sense.

In any case, a zombie nightmare does not bode well. For those just joining us, I have a zombie phobia and a zombie dream usually means that I'm under some stress and I'm not dealing with it well. Or maybe it's the sinus infection I'm fighting.

Back to work...

Haircut and updated link

Got my haircut the day before yesterday. Went to BestCuts - but not the BestCuts I normally go to. This one is closer to my home and I figured I'd save some time. I went in and signed in - then waited for someone to appear. And then, just for something to do, I waited a little bit more. Really regretting not bringing any paper to fold. Finally, a woman strolls out from the back and says I can have a seat in one of the stylists chairs and "betty" will be right out. So I sat in the chair and waited some more. Finally, Betty ambled out from the back room. She was a fearsome woman...with huge hair. Just huge. It had it's own gravity, in defiance of normal physics.

But the strangest was the accent. It was Deep, deep, deep dark south, by way of George Bush's Texas (he's an idiot, incidentally, by way of the 5th or 6th circle of hell. And she mumbled - and talked constantly - kind of like that Rose is a Rose is a Rose stream-of-conscious thing. I was reduced to smiling and nodding - which would have put my ears at a serious risk if she hadn't been using the clippers.

When all was said and blissfully done, the haircut turned out okay. Of course, I got the whole things buzzed evenly down to level one. Tough to screw that up. I paid in cash, and got my ass outta there before she launched into yet another mindless exposition.

It's always an adventure.

Oh, I also updated my web page with a link to this new blog - and posted a PDF of the sayings and quotes on my wall at work.

Approximately Equal To

Time for a new blog - why not? I'm calling this one "Approximately Equal To" - which is also the name for the symbol that I'm getting tattooed on me at some point. I was really torn between that and some kind of I Ching symbol. But, this one wins out. Might even add a circle to make it look more Eye of Horus-like.

Saw a rainbow the other day on the ride to work. Simple, but beautiful. The rest of the day defined "crappy", but the morning was good. Inspired me to order the Muppet 25th Anniversary Collection on CD. The Rainbow Connection has always been one of my favorite songs.

Time for a late lunch. More later.