Thursday - April 1, 2004

7:18a - I am starting this month off with wild dreams again. Last night, among my many strange dreams...

The Arguing girls: Two girls, maybe sisters, were getting dressed. One was standing before a mirror draping a shawl about her shoulders. Her hair was done up and there was lots of lace. The style was old, like Victorian or Elizabethan ... I don't really know the difference. As the girl spread her arms to drape the show about her, she accidentally hit the other girl. The second girl was furious! She retaliated, knocking the first girl along side the head. The first girl stood there, shocked and appeared to be looking in the mirror with blood coming from her nose or mouth. It was suddenly "known" in the dream that the blow had caused some kind of damage and blinded her. She very calmly stated something like, "if this blindness is permanent, ..." and she offered some kind of serious threat.

Back to City hall: In another dream, I was again working in Orlando City Hall. Grace Chewning (former City Clerk) was in this dream and so was Penny Ensley (also from the City Clerk's Office). Penny dropped off a folder, about 3 inches thick, at my desk and said, "You will want to have this; it's the 'Achtung' file." I asked her if that was the 'Attention' file, and she said, "No, it's the file on our German associates." (No further explanation). Meanwhile, there was a raised platform with a rail, and Gracie, dressing in an elegant evening gown, came walking out to greet me. She was on this dais, or platform, which vaguely resembled the Old City Hall's back steps, and was about 10 or 12 feet high (we appeared to be outside now, though I was not aware of the transition). She made some joke about me saying something about being "ten percent heat and fifty percent rising heat..." The comment seemed to make sense in the dream and was obviously very flattering to the male ego as well as mildly lewd. At the same time, she performed a little rond d'jamb dance maneuver with her leg to punctuate/emphasize her joke. I think there was suddenly a round of applause and I had a big grin on my face and felt like I was being welcomed home by family. It was a pleasant (if completely weird) dream!

7:36a - Okay... off to shower...

It was a bearable day at work today, even though Lisa will be out for the rest of the week. Gary was there, so I did not have to handle it all by myself. Yesteday and today I have had just a Healthy Choice meal for lunch. I will say that I am dieting, but if I can change my habits in this fashion, that should be a good thing. I fixed more stir-fry shrimp for supper. I have been really into that shrimp here lately!

Friday - April 2, 2004
In memory of "Bear Dog" who was killed on this date in 2000

7:13a - It's payday... it's Friday... YAY! I am glad the weekend is nearly here. I am so tired!

8:21p - Today was not as bad as I thought it might be... in fact it was almost boring at times! I am continuing to read the book by Michael Crighton called "Prey." Very good book! I am always surprised when I read one of his books how good it is. I started reading this book on Wednesday and by this evening I am up to page 200-something.

Saturday - April 3, 2004

8:06a - I got up, let K-Dog out and decided to stay up for the day.

10:55a - ~F mcalsfa got her CD's from me this morning, but mine from her did not arrive yet. Mail has not run for today yet though.

11:11a - I got my weekly recipe done for {gt SMgj ("sugata selugatu") this morning. A Cherokee Ewf recipe, obviously.

11:21a - Okay... GETTING BORED HERE....

7:15p - Just got home about 20 minutes ago. Skip and I have been down at CWE all afternoon. I am planning on going out with Scyler ("Scottie") and Denise tonight. Going to dye my hair back to blond first though. Oh... I bought a hummingbird feeder tonight, and Skip put that "corner desk" on lay-away.

8:20p - I decided not to dye my hair tonight. I called Scyler and he is on his way over here.

Sunday - April 4, 2004

11:18a - I got up, cooked an omlette with shrimp and had a glass of milk. Then went back to bed. I am feeling kind of gross today! I was out until about 5am last night. We had fun, but I was getting wasted!

Skip picked up his desk from Wal-Mart and assembled it this morning.

Skip and I went to Left Bank book store and browsed around for a bit. I picked up a couple of (used) Darkover novels; one is a hardback. We finally ended up at Llewellyn's Welsh restaurant. We had never eaten there before. The day was nice and we sat at a table on the sidewalk. I got a cup of their "Celtic Onion Soup" which was quite delicious. We got "Welsh Potato Chips," which were kind of greasy. Skip said, "These are 'Darlene Chips'!" ... meaning they were basically the same thing our sister has been making for years. We both got a side of "rarebit" in which to dip the chips. Neither of us had ever tried rarebit before. We did not care for it very much, unfortunately. Skip didn't eat his, but I forced mine down. I am glad we just got the small side dish and not the full order! We also got a plate of "four mini-hamburgers" which we split. They were nothing special, but not bad. We were not really all that impressed with the place.

On the was back from eating, I got my camera out and took some pictures. We had just crossed Forest Park Boulevard when I saw some smoke rising from the downtown area. I took a picture and at about the same time we noticed a growing cacaphony of emergency vehicle sirens and horns. We mused that it might be related to the smoke that I could see in the distance. We caught the train shortly thereafter and headed home. The smoke continued to rise and I took several pictures from the train of the rising smoke. By the time we reached Union Station, we were actually traveling through the smoke and it smell bad. We dipped under ground at Busch Stadium and when we came back out down by the river we were out of the path of the smoke. However, the smoke was STILL coming from downtown and we could see it wafting across the river and into Illinois. We got to Cahokia and we could see a big cloud of smoke way out toward Belleville, past Cahokia. Later, I learned that this was the work of an arsonist who had set SIX of the NINE fires that were being fought. Fortunately, they set fire to buildings where were being prepared for demolition, but I think I heard that a warehouse had caught on fire to. I wonder if it has anything to do with Pres. Bush's arrival tomorrow?

Monday - April 5, 2004

I stayed up until a little after 1:00a this morning! Then I did not get to sleep until about 2:00a or past.

I hit the snooze button once this morning; I was beat. Thank goodness I did not have any beer last night, that would really have left me exhausted this morning.

I finished Michael Crichton's "PREY" at lunch this afternoon. I only had a page or so left to read, so my lunch went pretty quick.

3:13p - We are listening to the radio here at work. President Bush is at Busch Stadium tossing out the first ball of the season. Skip mused about this yesterday and comment, "maybe he'll trip and break his neck..." (we are NOT very taken with this president, needless to say!).

3:40p - This day is dragging by. I thought it would go by more quickly than this.

5:20p - Finally... the day is coming to a close. This day dragged on forever!

5:36p - Another 10 minutes and I can leave for home!

8:33p - It was great getting home in daylight! I added a roll of quarters AND a roll of dimes to my coins tonight. That puts my total rolled coins at about $444.00! I need to take them to the bank... but I can barely lift the container!

9:28p - I have rice cooking... gotta go see how it's doing now.

Tuesday - April 6, 2004

11:55a - I was so tired this morning. I think the time change and my medications are not getting along together well! It was also raining, and my stomach was doing very nasty things. So I called DM and got permission to take a half day of vacation this morning. That should give me time to catch up on some rest, time for the rain to quit (if it is going to), and time for my stomach to settle down. Hopefully this will be all the boost I need to get my system back on track!

12:41p - I have to catch the bus and head to work in about 30 minutes. The days is sunny out and looks like a nice day ... too bad it has to be spent indoors at work. The rain stopped and it seems to have warmed up some. My stomach feels much better and I think the rest did me good.

I feld so great today! ... and it was a beutiful day. Quite warm for a change!

Wednesday - April 7, 2004

12:40a - I am disgusted. I went to Schnucks to shop after work and Skip called me. He asked me to pick some things up for him and I did so. I came home and, as usual, he is playing games on his computer and no house work is done. So, I worked until 9:00p getting the dishes washed and the kitchen cleaned. Then I sat down at my computer and had some beers and tried to catch up on some bills and email. Meanwhile, Skip goes in the kitchen and takes my clean utensils and starts cooking his supper (most of which I brought home for him!). By the time his was done and out of the way it was very late. I am just now finishing up a scarfed down supper and am off to bed. I will probably be back to being "tired" again in the morning too. It's just not right and I am very perturbed by his treatment of me.

12:44a - Whatever... I put myself in these situations. I care very much for my brother, but I think a large part of it is fear of being alone. However, I have always done better when "alone" anyway, so I shouldn't keep worrying about it! A part of me wants to just move away on my own, but I am so "formed" by my life experiences to be "family oriented." It is very confusing.

12:47a - Anyway... off to see what weird dreams beset me tonight! Last night's dreams were extreme! Including one where I was trying to carry eggshells (hollowed eggs, the one in my left hand was broken) and a Mexican on a big horse almost bumped into me. (The horse was carrying a big green box/pack). I managed to avoid his horse hitting me, but he reached out and pulled my (suspenders? ... I was apparently wearing suspenders). I managed to NOT drop/break the egg and I called the guy an "asshole!" He stopped and came back to confront me, with a very strong Mexican accent. I repeated myself and translated the term to "Pendejo!" just in case he didn't get it! I was very angry. He was about to get violent I think, when I woke up. I know... very strange!

7:14a - I could have slept better last last night. It was not cold, so I left the windows open. The fresh air was agreeable. I woke up at 4:46 and never got fully to sleep again though, so I only got about 4 hours sleep total. I felt so clear-headed and energetic yesterday! ... today will probably not be quite so good.

7:19a - I set the pepper plants out this morning. They are looking weakly and probably need more sun. I think I should see about setting them out permanently soon. I don't know if I want to try putting them in the ground or in containers though.

10:54p - All the dishes are cleaned & put up, supper is cooked & eaten (and was fantastic!), and I am off to bed now! (Much earlier than last night!!).

Thursday - April 8, 2004

This was mostly a boring day. However, I DID learn that I should learn further! Wrote a long email about "Ostara" to Liz U. ... hope it was educational.

At home tonight, Skip was cooking something on LOW (on the stove). I presumed to go beyond this extension, and was severely reprimanded for it! I moved MY stuff to this shelf and was insulted quite the same. I shall continue on as "ASLEEP." ...

Friday - April 9, 2004

Happy Birthday! to Kevin Crowder

I have NO idea WHAT that last entry was supposed to be saying! I should erase it, but it is amusing in its very obscurity! I know it is about a little spat I had over moving an item from one burner to another on the stove last last night... but my wording made no sense! How funny...

8:42a - I don't have have to be in until noon today, due to Easter (which is this Sunday). That's great! I got to sleep in until 8:30-ish.

8:45a - I had lots of weird dreams and remember fragments, which I have enhanced with some graphics...

The Cockroach - I was in the kitchen, but I think it was the kitchen of my house back in Florida. Suddenly I saw big Palmetto Bug (cockroach) zipping across the cabinet. I began swatting at it frantically, but as they are prone to doing, it dodged me. Then I noticed a (royal blue) fly-swatter laying nearby and grabbed it. However, the bug changed its tactics as well and took to the air. I was swinging at it, looking like Stevie Wonder in a sword fight, and quite by accident I knocked the critter out of the air. It fell, stunned, on the floor, with its wings not even retracted under its casing, and I pounced on it and began beating it with my blue fly-swatter! The dream and the roach were both over with promptly!

The Plane crash - I was in Russia in a big jetport and the building was being destroyed or attacked or something. I remember running up a spiral ramp to get on the the plane. I was hoping they would take off before it was too late. There was some kind of a fire hydrant or faucet or something with water the burst just as I was passing it. People were getting OFF the plane and coming down the ramp quite caudally. I was telling them as I ran to get back on the plane! They did not seem to understand or notice anything wrong. Once on the jet, I noticed how HUGE it was inside... and nearly empty of people. I felt the plane start to move and thought "Good! They are aware of the disaster taking place and are going to take to the air. I hope they can make it in time!" I was afraid we would not make it and though, "...what if the plane does not make it?!" I chose my seat carefully in the very center of the plane, thinking that if we crashed, this would afford better protection. One seat had a big column in front of it, so I chose that one. The column should keep me from being thrown forward. I felt the plane lift off as I was trying to fasten my seatbelt, but the were too short! I could not get them loose and there was not enough slack in them for the two ends to meet even with no one in the seat. As I struggled with the seat belts I saw out the window and realized the plane was at a very intense angle... something was wrong! I was now sure we were going to crash. I sat down in the seat and held the two ends tightly clasped in my hands, thinking to myself how inadequate this was, yet it was the best I could do. Maybe the plane wasn't crashing anyway. I had a memory of landing at this airport and remembered that we came in at a strange angle... maybe this was normal? I dared hope... but feared I was deluding myself... and the dream faded out...

Making a Movie - I urgently had to deliver a message to someone. I was in my office building and construction was going on. Also, a movie scene was being shot. I had this note in my hand and I had to deliver it to someone, though I did not know to whom. Not knowing this, strangely, did not bother me. People were in the lobby area on the 3rd floor, and one of the was holding a long flat stick, about 12 feet long maybe. I went up to a door and started to open it, but the people were yelling at me, "No! No! ..." It dawned on my at the last moment that the movie scene was being shot in there and I could not just walk into the scene as it was being shot! (That is what the people were trying to tell me with all their yelling). I had pushed the door open a few inches, but released it and back away immediately. I was thinking to myself, "I wonder if I ruined the scene? The audience will see the door open a little ways in the background for no reason! It could be ignored... but, should it? Would it?" ... Meanwhile I was back in the lobby area again and the person with the stick was gesturing at me. I understood suddenly that I had to be behind the line that he (or she?) was indicating with this big stick. Otherwise, I would be in camera range, for apparently they were going to be coming out the door shortly... or from hallway, around the corner... and the dream fades out...

Speaking Cherokee - I was in an office and Theresa Lester was there with me. She was working as a secretary (I think) and she spoke Cherokee. We were looking over some kind of form, possibly a "New User Request" ... something like that. I had a person's name on it and her last name was "Annuye". Theresa and I both commented on how "very Cherokee" that name was... then she said, "Osiyo!" and I replied, "Osiyo! Dohitsu? Osda?" ... and suddenly we were chatting away in fluent Cherokee... and it fades out here...

Saturday - April 10, 2004

1:06a - Just got through watching, "The Underworld" ... pretty good movie ... if a bit vague! I am off to bed now...

2:12a - Correction... I am off to bed NOW....

I went over to Wal-Mart and looked at prices on lawn-mowers this evening.

What a dreary, cold, wet day this was!

I put 2 rabbits in the crock-pot to cook overnight.

Sunday - April 11, 2004
EASTER

11:36p - I took a walk with Kira this afternoon. Most of the morning was spent watching the mini-series, "Dune." The stores were all closed today and it was very boring. I de-boned the rabbit, but never really fixed it into a major dish as planned. I finally made a stir-fry rabbit for supper... and it was very good!

I sprayed the front lawn with weed killer. I hope it helps. I really need a lawn mower!

Chuck called me this afternoon. He discussed working with him on financing a PC. I will probably do it. If I can't trust Chuck, I can't trust ANYone! [lol!]

11:39p - I sure don't want to go to work tomorrow! I need to do more laundry, plus I just don't feel like it!

Monday - April 12, 2004

7:29a - Back to work ... Monday morning... ick. It's cloudy, rainy & dreary. I had dreams last night about two rabbits. At least one of the two were "sentient" and needed a ride somewhere. The dream went on in a confusing muddle. Something about putting special platforms in my car for the rabbit to ride on, picking up another rabbit on the side of the road, then spending my own money to by a barrel of (wire?) which was laid into railroad tracks for... I have no clue why! The dream lost coherence. Then I was in a school and was maybe a staff member. I was at a meeting (or testing?), sitting around a table. After what ever-it-was was over, I carried things to another room and had to come back to get a few more items and shut the door. There was another man in front of me checking on the room and complaining that it had been "left open again." I explained that I was getting things out of it. Then I found my wallet had fallen out of my pocket while I was sitting in that room. I retrieved it and left the room, closing/locking the doors behind me. The other man promptly opened them back again as it was, it seemed, now time for a class to take place in there. I was then walking down the corridor... [fade out]

8:05a - Time to head out... here goes another week.

This was a cold and wintry day. Very unlike yesterday which was cool, but nice. A typically boring day. Had "Chicken ala King over biscuit" for lunch... except they were (as usual) out of biscuits. So I had to suffice for a corn muffin. Of course, my native ancestry could not deny the corn muffin and, in fact, I requested TWO corn muffins but I was told I could only have one. Once again, I had to get very imperious with the server (Reginald, Reggie... whatever) and tell him I would PURCHASE another muffin... thank you! (He can be so aggravating). So, he put a muffin separate in a small styrofoam container; I dumped same container in the trash before paying. I don't think I was charged for the extra muffin, but I feel no guilt. The biscuit was twice as big! So.. silly as this entire scene may seem, I got my friggin' muffin for free (I think). I really don't care!

I was very industrious tonight. I took the Ostara eggs down from the tree, took out the garbage, washed dishes, fed Kira (of course), and helped with supper. I answered many emails on my favorite NA site and have hopefully been a mild inspiration to some few newly exposed/outed Cherokee/Irish brethren...

I responded to a lot of NA emails on-line today. I hope I made sense and that my words were accepted, understood and respected.

Well... Skip made supper tonight, except for the rice. I must go eat and crash. It is VERY late!!

Tuesday - April 13, 2004
1981: Doug and I moved to Haystack West

12:18a - I am off to eat now. I should be going to bed.... but I have no inclination.. <sigh>

12:41a - Off to bed...

7:15a - I was so tempted to call in sick today. I think Skip is. I think the shrimp we both ate last night affected us, but am going to drag myself to work anyway. I know my weird dreams were a little weirder than usual.

I would like to try to write down all I can remember, but it is too long for this early in the morning. Suffice it to say that I discovered a lost city, possibly created and hidden by the fabled Atlanteans. It was under a lake and another character in my dream had a small device given to her by her husband. On this device was a tiny purple button. She press the button and there was a loud explosion and all the water started to drain away and reveal this sunken city. All of this had been planned by the builders, but apparently what they had not planned was that this great sunken city would not get revealed on the planned schedule, but many thousands of years later! There were many more details, including original inhabitants who were apparently preserved in suspended animation chambers and I got in an argument with one of them who (just like on Star Trek) conveniently spoke English! He did not understand that he country was gone or how much time had passed. I swear... this would make a great movie!

8:01a - I had to call in sick after all. I was taking my shower and got sick and threw up... what a disgusting and completely unexpected experience. That was the last straw... I called in. I can't deal with the bus & train ride with the fear I'll puke in public. The sad thing is, it will probably clear up in a couple of hours, but if I dutifully go in once I feel better, I get marked as "tardy" and that is worse than being out sick. So now I must inconvenience my co-workers

I got over the stomach problem, whatever it was, fairly soon, but I felt depressed all day. I ate, read, slept and checked email all day. Never stepped out of the house once.

Wednesday - April 14, 2004

7:22a - I feel back to normal, physically, this morning. Mentally... well, my vacation can't get here soon enough and it will be much too short.

Skip and I joined Skyler & Denise and went out to Hooter's tonight. I am probably going to regret this in the morning. Ch' aastk' iime yaotbe $90 ny'aalye. Aalyos' ondle $30 uute Scyler. Iihe sh'usospuut' ep' iim' akb' aanny' iithe 17th.

Thursday - April 15, 2004

Happy Birthday! to Michael Ansara of Star Trek

7:22a - Yes... I am regretting it this moring. Wow, did I have a wild collection of dreams through the night. Too many and complicated to write down in the few minutes allotted to me this morning, but the last dream I had I took an eye exam and got contact lenses. I haven't worn contacts in years.

7:58a - Yikes! There was a spider in the shower with me this morning! I managed not to panic or sling myself bodily from the shower, ripping down off the curtain in a wild & wet psychosis, nor let my unreasonable phobia get the best of me in any other way. After a moment of estimating its ability to traverse the water-sprinkled shower wall, I determined that it was temporarily diverted from reigning horror upon my person. That gave me time to choose among several vials and tubes of concoctions d'toilette and chose a seldom used container of foot lotion with which to bring it's vile little eight-leggéd existence to an end. I would be more considerate of its life-force, except it saw me naked... and it had the prerequisite number of legs to drive me to an arachnicidal paranoia.

I was so tired today! LZ was out sick and it was just Gary and me. IDXRad was down when I got to work and Applix has been upgraded. So the phone was ringing off the hook and I could not log calls until I uninstalled Applix and reloaded with the new version. This was made worse because the so-called instructions were spread out over 5 or 6 different emails and were just "wrong." I finally got it working and helped others get theirs running, but Gary was being a little snot about it and I didn't feel good, and that just compounded matters. I don't care for the new version 9 of Applix at all so far. I have found absolutely NOTHING that is improved about it and all the things which I considered glitches, bugs or problems are still present. Why did they bother?

I walked over to the book store at lunch and picked up a new book. I finally got, "DUNE: The Butlerian Jihad" I expect it to be a "slow read." It's a huge book and if Brian Herbert writes anything like his father, Frank, it will be very convoluted.

I came home this evening and Skip was putting the 'whirligig' thing back on the roof. That's done. Then Tad came by before I had even taken my name-tag off. He had borrowed a pickup truck and offered to take me to Wal-Mart to buy a lawn mower. So I spent over $200 at Wal-Mart tonight!

I fixed some supper and just went to bed tonight. NO beer! I was in bed by 10:30p with a couple of Tylenol PM's. I need to catch up some rest.

Friday - April 16, 2004

7:30a - I feel drugged with sleep this morning, but the caffeine should kick in soon, I hope. I slept good last night (execept for the usual onslaught of electric-dreams). Kira got me up twice to go out.

I had a lot more energy today, but still was glad it was Friday.

Saturday - April 17, 2004

I got up early this morning... well, before 9:00a, and walked over to the BP to get some gas for the new lawn mower. It looks like its going to be a great day.

I got the front lawn mowed and after a rest, I got the back lawn half done. Then took another rest... and finished the lawn. It looks great!

It's actually hot outside today! In the 80's. I turned the A/C on for the first time this year.

Kira's heart worm pills and one bottle of Proin came in today.

Skip and I went in to St. Louis, LaClede's Landing, to "Jake's Steaks" for lunch. then we walked up to the St. Louis Centre Mall. I took a bunch of pictures for RD. Hope her modem doesn't overheat! lol...

... SCENES FROM OUR TRIP TODAY ...

On the way back home we had to catch a train... and a game had just let out. The experience prompted me to write the following email to someone. The topic was "psychically shielding" yourself from "bad vibes."

Strangely, I think I do quite the opposite. I open myself up to it all and let it pass through me. The movements, the sounds, the visuals... they are all part of life and I take great joy in letting it all wash over my essence and feed the flames of my existence. When my life reaches its conclusion, then (I hope) I shall have time to rest in quite solitude. But... don't get me wrong. Sometimes I like to just sit in a peaceful meadow and be bombarded by the chaotic rhythm of a butterfly's wing beats, but the throbbing pulse of the sun's warmth on my skin, or by the cacophony of birdsongs which defy trespass on their territory. It's all good. It's all life. It is all to be reveled in and savoured. (How many chances will we get?). Find the good side! Today I went out for lunch in St. Louis, and took the train home. A Cardinals game was letting out at about the same time as my brother and I were trying to catch the train. Utter chaos! Human bodies jam-packed on a public transit system... some are struggling to exit... others are struggling to board. WHY are they subjecting ME to this! I just want to go home and don't need to be bothered by all this confusion! But.. it was a BEAUTIFUL day and these people were having a wonderful time. A black man with dreadlocks made room for me and ushered me into a small crevice in the human horde, and though we were jammed against each other as the train heaved to and fro', we were experiencing life and ... it was not really that bad. I was surrounded by happiness and people enjoying that happiness (and probably a little Budweiser). As we crossed the Mississippi River (as I do nearly every day at least twice) I looked out upon its shining expanse, as best I could from my awkward position, and once again thought, "how small we are; how insignificant it all is, in comparison to such vastness and the Creator's glory! What a blessing it is to be alive and experiencing all this! And I was standing next to my younger brother with whom I have traveled through many decades of this life-experience and that was good too. We continued to be jostled against each other... and the air conditioning was running full blast and even that was a joyful thing.... You can try to shield yourself from it... or you can immerse yourself in it and enjoy the living vitality of it all. I say "don't run from life; but, turn around and let it smack into you full-force! That's my perspective on the issue...

I came home and even though I was exhausted, I cleaned up the back patio. It looks a lot better.

Marty and JR (and Tipper and Nibbles) came over to pick up the cans tonight. They visited a while and I took some more pictures.

All-in-all this has been a great day!

Sunday - April 18, 2004

Happy Birthday! Felicxan Nasktagon! to Diana Murayama "Hope your having a fun time at your Aunt's out in the Desert!"

Happy Birthday! to Avery Brooks "Capt. Sisko" of Star Trek

I got up at 9:00a this morning. I haven't really accomplished much today. I should do some house work. It has been windy today which has kept the temperature down, so I did not have to turn the A/C on yet. However, I have been sweating in my chair... and the A/C does sound nice.

I got my Hummingbird Feeder hung up finally. Now... I want to see some humming birds... 4:59p - My back hurts and my hand are sore from mowing yesterday, but... its a good feeling. I need to get myself UP from here and off to the store for a few things. 8:08p - I walked over to the Dollar Store around 5:30p and picked up some coaster for Skip ($2). I got some cheap $1 flowers to entwine somehow on my Humming Bird feeder to make it look more attractive to the little hummers.

Then I went to Schnuck's and got over $25 ... worth of groceries. Besides the beer, it was all vegetables! Bok Choy, Nappa Cabbage, baby carrots, bean sprouts, onions, sugar snap peas, frozen bell pepper and a can of sliced water chestnuts. I came home and started snipping the flowers off the cheapy little $1 bouquet

8:23p - Skylar called a little bit ago from Monk's Mound at Cahokia Mounds. There is a storm brewing up, the skies are darkening and the air is cooling. He said he want to experience the storm from Monk's mound! Cool. I respect that. He (they?) are supposed to be coming over in about 30-40 minutes his said.

9:08p - Hmmm... still no Skylar... and I still haven't got supper started... and the storm still hasn't hit. Maybe time is on hold...

9:39p - I think Skylar is one of those people with a very poor sense of time. Much as my sense of "area or space" is very poor. It has been well over an hour since he called... but, oh well. No biggy.

10:31p - Well.... still on sign of Skylar. I have to go cook now. It really bothers me when people do me this way....

11:17p - Still no sign nor word from Skylar... I am in the kitchen chopping & prepping food to cook. Kira is laying out back on the Patio... "guarding" from intruders (which means any strange sounds she hears...).

Monday - April 19, 2004

12:00a - I just sent a text page to Skylar telling him not to come by. (Ny'esle iih' aantsw' uut' eple!). Anyway... don't know what happened to him, but I am not surprised... :(

12:32a - Still no word from Skylar. I am off to bed. I need to go to bed. Work tomorrow. Yuck.

12:56a - .... okay... OFF TO BED!

7:22a - I should have gotten to bed sooner. I hate starting off the week feeling tired.

8:10a - Hope I don't miss the bus!

9:05a - I did. That's actually first time I've missed the bus since I lived here in Cahokia, except for the time that it ran early (and several people missed it that day). This time it was just my own fault. I headed out to the bus stop and checked the time and it was already 15 after! I am not sure how the time slipped by me, but the bus runs at 18 after and there is no way I could make it out there in 3 minutes, so I just came back home and called DM and told her what was up. I fixed some breakfast of stir-fry veggies and egg, the put some birdseed out and sat on the patio where I ate while watching the birds. It is a beautiful, though overcast morning. A nice cool breeze is blowing. It will probably rain. The lawn could use it though. Well.. must be off!

3:00p - We conducted training and testing of our new ACD telephone system at work today. Finally... it's getting close!

7:06p - Taking out the trash for pickup in the morning now. Boring. I'm tired.

9:10p - I've been just taking it easy tonight. Watching SG-1 and fixing supper. I fixed more of the stir-fry veggies. I filled about five 2-quart bags of them last night. Froze all but 2 of them. I am off to bed now, though. I just took a quick shower and have opened the windows for the cool night air. The A/C was on low (for the critters) all day, but its off now.

Tuesday - April 20, 2004

7:16a - I think that rain is getting serious. It may have rained some already. It's much cooler out that it was yesterday morning, and is once again overcast.

In a special tribute, to a special friend...

8:05a - Better be sure to have my umbrella THIS morning! I am on time at least...

We had a virus invasion of our primary shared drives at work today. Very serious! When I left, the main servers were "clean" ... but there are unknown PC's which remain infected. This will be a problem for a few days yet I am sure!

Wednesday - April 21, 2004

Birthday en Memoriem! to "Néhna" or Mabel Florence Helen Dabbs my dear maternal Grandmother She would be 86 years old today!

 

12:22a - I am (finally) off to bed now!

7:45a - I slept awful. Woke up sometime after 4:00a and never went properly back to sleep. I kept having those dreams in which I am half awake, half asleep... knowing the entire time that I MUST get to sleep. I dreamed about my grandmother last night, on her birthday. Someone in the dream (maybe me) commented something about having a chance to "say goodbye." It was a sad dream.

It rained last night and I had to get up and shut windows. Rain was coming in on me in bed! I think that may be what woke me at 4:00a in fact.

7:48a - I am behind schedule.... must hurry!

8:05a - Once again I showered and dressed at light-speed and am on my way out. When this Vivarin wears off, I fear I will be SO tired though... :(

I was wrong... things were so hectic at work this morning that I did not have time to get tired (or notice how tired I was). We had so much fall-out from the Gaobot Worm yesterday that we were still swamped this morning. About 30-40 PC's were apparently downwardly infected from our servers. This caused the entire Mallinckrodt network to be brought to a sluggish crawl. I have decided that the death penalty is not too severe for the creator's of this malicious worms & viruses. I wonder how many injuries and deaths they have been directly or indirectly responsible for!?

Thursday - April 22, 2004

12:01a - I am off to bed. I will be dragging tomorrow again I suspect!

8:03a - I hear (from England!) that there was a tornado which hit Illinois yesterday. Hmm... I didn't even realize it! It is cooler today than yesterday... may need my jacket. I slept a little better last night, but still woke at 4:59a and did not get back to sleep until about 6:30a. Then I got up at 7:09a... very groggy, of course!

US tornados kill four in Illinois town WASHINGTON (AFP) Apr 21, 2004 Powerful tornados ripped through several towns in the northern US state of Illinois, killing four people inside a tavern in Utica and injuring six people elsewhere, media said Wednesday. Spawned by a severe storm front late Tuesday, the tornados collapsed seval buildings and damaged dozens others in Utica, a town of 1,000 inhabitants some 145 kilometers (90 miles) south of Chicago, CNN news channel said. One of the collapsed building was a tavern where four people were killed. Four other people, including three children were injured in Utica. Two people were injured by tornados in the central part of neighboring Indiana state, CNN said. The storms knocked out power to some 1,500 homes in the affected areas.

Distance from Cahokia to Utica is 228.6 miles

8:07a - Time to run for the bus ... again!

11:19p - Today was not as much pressure at work. Gary and I installed a terminal in Transcription (and lost a keyboard off the cart on the way back to the office!). Had a Taco Salad for lunch. It rained much of the day. Tad's brother gave me a ride home from Q-Mart this evening again. I may have a "room mate" lined up by Tammy (of VA) for Dragoncon. We will see!...

Work being done reconstructing the front steps of the East Buidling (where I work)

I fixed a Mexican-casserole type dish for me & Skip for supper. It was tasty, but too much of it. I set aside some ziplocks of food for JR upon his next visit!

11:22p - Off to bed now. An hour earlier than last night!

11:39p - ... or slightly less...

Friday - April 23, 2004

7:14a - I am so glad it is Friday! What an exhausting week this has been. And the weather has been bad; especially yesterday. It was cold and rainy. The forecast for this weekend does not look much better.

Skylar and Denise picked me up after work. We went over to my place and had a few beers on the patio. Then Skip joined us and we went out to a place I had never been, called Hazards. We had a pleasant time, downed a good deal of beer, then we dropped Skip off at the house and went over to B&B where I spent way too much money, but had a good time.

Saturday - April 24, 2004

2:05p - The weather forecast is holding true so far, and today is rainy, cool and dreary. I haven't accomplished much of anything.

6:49p - What a boring day.

Sunday - April 25, 2004

Happy Birthday! to Lisa Swafford THE BIG FOUR-OH!!

2:04a - I have been laying in bed reading my book for hours. Soemthing I have not done in a long time. I just finished it and got up to let Kira out for some fresh air. She is breathing hard again and it worries me.

2:36a - I don't believe I am up this late. I just edited the map of Illinois (above) and added the location of Cahokia to it. I am off to bed now.

10:47a - I slept in until about 9:30a. My left shoulder is still sore today. I don't know why. I did not do anything to it that I am aware of. I went to open the back door yesterday, and it hurt so bad that my entire arm went limp. Maybe I just slept on it wrong.

11:55a - The sun is fading a bit... it might rain after all. But it looks like a pretty nice day so far. I think I will dye my hair and go to Wal-Mart...

11:27p - I finally walked over to Wal-Mart and Schnuck's and picked up a few things. All I have fix to eat to day was some of my frozen Chinese veggies with an egg and brother. And tonight with chicken. I am hungry again already though. I think I will cook more...

11:49p - Off to bed.

Monday - April 26, 2004

7:17a - I feel strange this morning. I had such strange dreams all night. They were more like hallucinations. I the my medicine is affecting me adversely for some reason. I kept having dreams of people who have died, including Doug and then Mom and Dad. Then I would realize it was a dream and try to tell them... but I couldn't explain it in time and would wake up. In another dream a building was on fire and I couldn't get this across to people that the had to get out of the building. I tried get out, but the stairwell was already in flames. I remember another way out though. I remember flinging a partly filled bottle (a half gallon milk container) of water at the fire, but it landed on a banister and oddly balanced there.

7:24a - I am afraid I will have to call the office this morning. I am still feeling like a Space Cadet. I can't explain it. Like my mind is not quite connected to reality.

11:02a - I had to call in sick this morning! How unexpected. I was fine all weekend the BAM! I still feel dizzy and off balance. Amost confused. I don't like this feeling ... at all. Very disturbing.

11:09p - I guess I am feeling better. I made myself stay awake all day, even though I was very sleepy. Took my pills on time, had some hot soup for supper and am off to bed now. I hope I don't have any more of those psycho dreams tonight!

Tuesday - April 27, 2004

Happy Birthday! to Colleen Wingate of Okahoma my cousin (in law) and genealogy buddy :)

7:20a - I fell much better today. I slept more or less normally and even though I had all kinds of weird dreams again, I can't remember any specifics this morning. Only an overall general feeling about them. However, I was sweating last night even though it was chilly in my room. The heat was off and I had to stay wrapped in covers, which is how I prefer it. The ceiling fan was on as well, yet I still woke up with sweat trickling down my neck! Very uncomfortable and it made the room even more chilly.

We went through some testing at work with the new ACD telephone system. Personally, I am ready to roll with it! However, management is afraid our client will not deal well with the change without some forewarning. If they send out a notice via email, bulletins, IDXRad Mail, in the bi-monthly edition of Wave Length... or all of these things combined, I expect only a small percentage of users will actually see & read the notices and will still be just as surprised by it. I worked in City Hall too long not to recognize a standard CYA maneuver. Unfortunately, my better sense must reluctantly agree. I people don't read the notices and are surprised or confused, the onus is then laid upon them, not us.

I started a new book today. I don't even recall the title at the moment. So far, I am not impressed and may lay it aside.

8:15p - I went to Schnuck's right after work and picked up some stuff to make Mexican food for supper. Then I came home and immediately mowed the front lawn (and part of the back)! Then fed Kira... and was done by 7:40pm. Now my head and neck are hurting.

Only one more day of work, then on Thursday I fly to Tampa for a few days! I don't have to be back to work until NEXT Thursday.

Wednesday - April 28, 2004

7:21a - I did not get to bed until after 2am this morning! I was caught up in writing an email. I feel horrible this morning! My poor stomach is churning and making awful noises. This is going to be a LONG day. I just want to go back to sleep <sigh>.

It got worse. I took some sodium bicarbonate to try to east my stomach and ended up puking my guts up! Gawd that was unexpected and unpleasant! However, I actually feel a little better now, if a bit weak.

I still made it to work on time, but it was indeed a long day. Not as bad as I had feared though.

Tad came over this evening with the water bill. A whole $1.14?! How strange...

Thursday - April 29, 2004

12:52a - I am almost done packing. Skip's boss, Greg, is going to pick my up at 6am in the morning. (THANK YOU GREG!) My flight leaves at 7:55a. I must pick up a note pad and keep notes for my journal. It will be a lot to catch up when I get back, and I dare not think of the email nightmare!

Greg picked me up on schedule and dropped me me off at CWE. The next train arrived in about 2 minutes (very convenient). Once I got checked in at the airport, I realized I was hungry and got some milk and a banana for breakfast.

7:28a - I am walking down the aisle of the plane now, looking for my seat.

Continuing to read my latest book, another Darkover Novel, called "Traitor's Sun." I dozed off and slept through most of the flight. It was over before I knew what had happened. I went to pick up my baggage and Chuck called while I was waiting.

DAMN! I left my 128Mb flashcard at home! I can't believe I did that! I just discovered the fact... Oh, well, I still have 3 other flash cards.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ EASTERN STARNDARD TIME ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I stopped in at TG Fridays and got a bite to eat. My waitress was a cute little Cuban girl named Staphania. I got the artichoke & spinach dip, but I thought it would be served with corn chips. It was served with a medley of raw vegetables instead. That's okay... healthy at least.

1:15 -Just bought a note pad to keep journal notes on, and am jotting down notes for my journal now. I still have about an hour until Chuck can get here.

2:06p - Chuck called. He is on the way. I am waiting for him at the Wharf Brewhouse having a Bloody Mary.

2:45: I've had 2 Bloody Mary's so far. I expect Chuck soon...

3:29 - [Chuck arrived.] We're finishing up our drinks and will be leaving soon.

We got back to Chuck's apartment and relaxed for a while, then around 6:30p we headed back into town for some supper. We went to (Fred's?) BBQ and both of us ordered a full rack of ribs with fries and coleslaw. It was a huge amount of food! We could only eat ½ of the ribs. We took the remainder home. We left the restaurant and went to City Side where we had a few cocktails and watched what we could see/hear of "Will & Grace" on the big TV. Then we went to Kiki's for one quick drink, and the headed back home.

Friday - April 30, 2004

I slept badly. I was too hot and needed a fan. I was sweating all night.

Got up this morning and ate the remainder of the ribs. Then I got so sleepy and laid back down. I watched CNN with the on-going issue(s) in Iraq and Michael Jackson's second arraignment in his continuing case. Mostly I slept and caught up on my rest until about 1:00p. Then I got up and showered.

1:27p - catching up my notes. I am getting ready to go for a walk and see if I can find the store Chuck mentioned. He is at work and won't be home until about 6:00p. I feel much better and well rested!

Oh yes, Skip called earlier. The computer will not connect to the internet.

1:34p - Called Skip. He found that the computer problem lies with S.W.Bell.We are still off-line at home at the moment (which is not affecting me at all here in Florida!).

2:11: I just got back in. I never did find the Circle-K Chuck mentioned. It's hot! Humid! took some pictures. Flowers and lizards, of all things. I am starting to get hungry now. I wonder what Chuck has in his kitchen?

2:27p - I'm warming up a can of chicken noodle soup I found in Chuck's cabinet. I owe him a can of soup now. I need to get him to take me to the store so I can get some food. He had hardly anything to eat in here...

2:55p - I thought I would lay out by the pool today, but it has been cloudy and overcast. When I took my walk while ago, I got hit by a few drops of rain. I heard thunder in the distance. However, this is Florida... it could change at any moment!

3:51p - I've been napping more. I can't believe how much I've slept today! However, this is my vacation and I am getting much needed rest. It is still overcast... I hear thunder rumbling in the distance...

5:06 - I've been reading for a while. The weather is still gray. I should be well rested for tonight!

6:05p - Chuck called and said he will be home from work in about 30 minutes.

6:56p - Chuck just got home. He is probably tired.

7:35p - We're having a cocktail here at the apartment. It finally started raining. A light sprinkle. We will go to the store shortly after watching Jeopardy.

8:36p - We're headed out in a moment...

9:58p - We're sitting at a Perkin's restaurant waiting for our food. I ordered the "Captain's Catch" with shrimp, clams and fish. [it was so nauseatingly greasy I could barely eat it... yuck]. We were just at Wal-Mart where I bought a shirt and a fan. I need that fan so I don't sweat all night!

11:25p - We at "The Male Box." Nice bar! Hot dancers! :)