SATURDAY - April 1, 2006
My Employment with the MIR Computer Section ends abruptly on this date in 2005
After four years and eight months of dedicated & loyal service....
On this date in 1976 I began my first day of Boot Camp in San Diego, California.

3:25a – I am just getting my journal updated, while cooking "supper."

3:56a – Supper is about done. Bills are entered into WG. I am at 76. As usual. <sigh> ....

4:09a – Supper should be done shortly. I am ready to eat, but waiting for food to cool down.

4:10a – I am a bit upset that Kira's bedding is pissed on. I know it had to be done by Barnabas. But, Skip is being very defensive and saying that he thinks Barnabas is getting blamed for things that Chooga does. I really don't believe it, but frankly ... I do not care. Nor does Kira. She will have to sleep on a bare floor with cat piss. I don't care which cat did it. I am not a "cat person." I only agreed to Chooga because Skip insisted... now he wants ME to "do something" about it. Well... its not going to happen. I think Barnabas is doing ALL the pissing, and Chooga has no idea what's going on.

Jeez... this is so pathetic!

SUNDAY - April 2, 2006

I was about 10 minutes late for work today. I did not realize the time had changed. Then there was construction on the bridge and the through me further behind. And a bad accident on 70-west. But, I was in the express land, so I got past all that with no problem. My last call went over by about 10 minutes, so I still put in 7 hours 59 minutes and 46 seconds.

MONDAY - April 3, 2006

4:23a – I am off to bed now. 12:01p – I got up about 11:45a. I feel more rested today. I got more sleep. Today and tomorrow I work from 4:00p to 12:30a. Wednesday I will finally get a day off. 2:16p – I am all showered and shaved again. I feel so much better. Yesterday was terrible. Not only did I get off to a bad start due to the time change, but after leaving the house, I discovered the shirt I was wearing must have been "sprayed" by Barnabas!

My body heat activated it, and I reeked of cat urine all night long. It was making me sick.

I found out who my new Team Lead is tonight. His name is Steve D. I had probably my longest call every tonight. It was 1 hour and 40 minutes. That will wreak havoc with my AHT.

TUESDAY - April 4, 2006

1:30a – A new problem may be rising with the car already. I stopped at a store on the way home and when I put the shift in PARK, it felt like I crushed something. I turned on the light and looked, but I did not see anything. Then I got back in the car and could not move the stick shift, nor start the car! I fiddled around with it and finally got it started. However, the clock and radio all reset and now I have no night time lights on the stick shift. I just hope it starts up tomorrow. I really don't need this!

2:11a – I put on a chunk of pork sirloin to bake as soon as I got home. I went in and checked the oven about 1:30a. I hope it will be ready around 3:00a or 3:30a.

2:14a – I just went to the kitchen and... MMMmmmm ... it smells DEE-LISH-US!

11:58a – I just got up. Still half asleep. I was having so many dreams last night, with lots of small details. My job was a dominant theme through many of the dreams, and so was my photography. Darlene was in one dream, and we were with other people, maybe family. She was in pain and trying to hide it. I reached out and held her hand. She made a comment that seemed to indicate the pain was from her stomach. She said something about "their poisoning me." I assumed she meant "their" food was bad for her. (I am not sure who "they" were). Oh, and I just read a text message from RD. Her computer has crashed again! It's "in the shop." Here we go again. She had just got everything reloaded too. What a bummer!

The car did not give me any more problem today, I am happy to report. However, the shift indicator lights are still out. I will check the fuses tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY - April 5, 2006

2:03a – Home again, and no work tomorrow. Skip made supper and left it out for me. Kira's legs are getting worse. She is really favoring her left leg and limping badly. I don't think she is going to get better and it's grieves me so much. She is actually outside at the moment. I fear the day is coming she can't manage to get up and go out on her own. Then I may have to consider having her put to sleep. Jeez... I start to feel panicky with grief already just putting these words down. My baby is getting so old.

11:35p – I got up around 1:00p. Did nothing significant. Just checked email. RD is getting her computer back online however slowly). I fixed a bite to eat consisting of some veggies, sausage and a can of mushroom soup. Time flew by and the next thing I know is that new supper plans must be made! I cooked a pot of pinto beans and made a pan of jalapeño cornbread.

11:47p – I have been chatting with Skip. I think it is about time to go eat though!

11:49a – We have major storms in the area tonight. Not that *I* will let them disturb me.

THURSDAY - April 6, 2006

1:40a – Supper was great. I am stuffed. I dozed off sitting in the living room though. That is not like me. But, I am full. Good food! I am off to bed in a moment now. Just checking email.

12:38p – I finally got out of bed a little after noon. I did really want to get up but Nature insisted and I needed to let Kira out anyway. I pouring down rain and thunder is constantly rumbling. Kira did not really want to go out in that mess, but my coaxing and more insistence from Nature convinced her. It was a quick excursion though.

FRIDAY - April 7, 2006

2:02a – Work went fairly fast tonight. At least the first half of the day did. I almost forgot to take my first break! Usually I am all about getting to a break. However, calls were slower in the early part of the shift and I guess that threw me off. I sat next to Charles tonight and we chatting off and on. It makes the day go by faster when I sit by someone I know. Also, we have started running group conference chats while working. Its hard to keep up with them while handling calls, but it puts me more in touch with my new team.

My strangest call tonight was when I had a guy boot up his computer and the startup sound seemed very strange. Almost like something was wrong with the computer. I asked him about it and it turns out his was "answering the call of nature..." and I was listening in. Ummm... kind of weird!

2:20a – I have my Yahoo calendar updated for at least the next week with my work schedule. I try to keep it updated so I not only forced to review my mind boggling schedule, but I also record it so I can get it online easily. And others can check my schedule to see when I am at work. Not that any one ever does.

I let Kira out this morning and was watching her stumble awkwardly through the little yellow and purple Spring flowers in the back yard and it dawned on me... this is probably her very last Spring. I doubt she will live another year. That was a very sobering and sad thought.

3:18p – I am off to work, until 12:45a.

SATURDAY - April 8, 2006

1:51a – Home again! The customers were really getting to me tonight. At least the drive home was not an obstacle course of construction workers like it has been her lately. I think it was last Tuesday night that I ended up missing my exit to East 70 due to a combination of a tow truck tailgating me at high speed and all the construction. I had to to all the way down to St. Charles Rock Road to turn around. Tonight was a fairly straight shot with curise control on 90% of the time.

2:14p – I got up around 1:40p. I had a dream about Kira and that her legs were getting better. She was running around and bouncing all over the place. She was so happy and so was I ... which makes reality that much more harsh.

5:33p – Here I have the day off and I am not doing anything. I am sleepy. Skip and I did go to Taco Bell earlier. I can't believe it's almost 6:00p already.

SUNDAY - April 9, 2006

12:15a – Marty and JR have left. My email is caught up. Now it is time to figure out what we are having for supper.

12:40a – I have a concoction of pork, asparagus, onion, and other stuff now cooking. Marty and JR have gone home already.

1:30a – Supper was pretty good. I am ready to crash now...

2:07p – Wow... I slept until about 2:00p today.

3:59p – I am waiting on Skip. I need to head to the store, the to the Palm Sunday get together. Skip said he need to go to Wal-Mart. As we were leaving, he asked if we could swing by Block Buster. So I dropped him off at Block Buster and told him to meet me over at Schnuck's. I parked at Schnuck's and got some mustard style potato salad. Skip caught up to me and then wanted to do some quick shopping. Once back in the car, he then asked me if we could run through KFC's drive through. Of course, it's already after 4:00p and I am going to be late for my dinner engagement, but... no problem. Then the line was 4 cars long, so he jumped out and ran inside where he says there were about 3 attendants waiting with nothing to do. He got his food and was out before the care in front of me was past the order board. Then he wants to go to Q-Mart. One last stop. This started off as a trip to Wal-mart! I ran him by Q-Mart and then we went home. I was in a rush to get ready for my engagement (I did not even shampoo my hair... and dry shaved... rush-rush...). Then I realized we had never gone to Wal-Mart! I stepped into Skip's room and asked, "didn't you need to go to Wal-Mart for something?" ... He got a stupid look on his face and said... "damn!" Need I say more? lol....

I arrived at JR's place about 5:30p. We had a nice little meal. I took a few pictures around the yard. Drove home around 7:00p.

10:37p – Deana just came over a few minutes ago. She is all over Skip and just a bit tipsy. LOL... Poor Skip.

11:37p – Supper is done. Fried rice. Deana is still here. We are watching King Kong. She has been broke up with Ricky for 1.5 weeks now. hummm....

MONDAY - April 10, 2006

2:38a – I got up early for me today at about 11:30a. I was having some strange dreams. One of the dreams took place on a MetroLink Platform. Someone had a small dog, and I mean a VERY small dog. I never could get a good look at it, but it seemed to be a baby miniature Yorky. It would not come back to its owner and was running around the platform snooping into everything, full of curiosity. It cam bounding by me and I tried to catch it, but it evaded me. Then, to my horror, it went off the end of the platform into the subway tunnel! I was thinking the train would be coming along any minute. I debated going after the little thing, but there is a fine for going off the platform, not to mention the danger. At this point in the dream, Kira seemed to appear and she decided to chase the tiny puppy ... thinking it was a squirrel I suppose. She went into the dark tunnel too, and I was worried for her because of her legs. I called her and she obediently came back. The dream changed scenes at this point...

Now I was in a downtown area. Somewhere near to an airport. I heard a jet engine making abnormal sounds and looked toward the airport to see a jet liner losing altitude on take off and wobbling. I knew it was going back down. Oddly, my first thought was to get to my camera! Then the jet bounced off of two other jets which were taxiing on the run way. Both jets were damaged and the first jet was now on the ground and sliding on its belly. Debris was flying and dust was blowing my way. I took cover in a projection on the side of the building, only peeking around the corner to see what was happening.

3:00p – My email is down, I can't access Plesk, yet my web pages appears to be up. Anyway, time for me to get dressed and head out to work.

 

TUESDAY - April 11, 2006 I started my job with the "Court Alternatives Department - Orange County Probation Component" on this day 27 years ago (1979).

1:50a – My day at work went well, except that I had my second Sup-call. The person would not accept that there was no schedule available until next Thursday. I had to do my first MUST DO form. Otherwise the day was fine. My AHT was higher that I would have liked, but my AWT was lower. My schedule adherence must have been nearly 99%.

1:54a – However, I had a bit of a scare when I went out to the car to go home. It would not start. Dead. Nada. I raised the hood and poked the battery and the under hood light popped on, I jiggled the battery around and tried staring it again and it started right up. I think I have a short or loose connection in the battery connection somewhere. I did not have this before the Alternator was put on. I think the might have loosened something.

5:12a – I am up way too late! I did take some neat shots of the moon about 30 minutes ago, however.

12:38p – I guess I got about 6 hours sleep. That will have to do. I was going to sleep longer, but the wind is blowing and making my window clatter and the ventilator on tope of the house sounds like a helicopter landing. I gave up and got up. I put on a couple of pieces of pork steak to simmer for lunch/breakfast. I am not sure what I will fix to go with them.

WEDNESDAY - April 12, 2006

1:48a – Tonight was a record night for me at work. I took a total of 58 calls, 6 of which were transferres. My AHT was 6:46, my AWT 1:47; and my AHT 8:33. My AHT is usually about 18 minutes, so 8 minutes was a major improvement.

1:53a – On the way home, I went by the Quick Trip in Hazelwood to pickup some beer. The car gave me another scare we I came back out of the store. It would not start again. Completely dead. I bumped the battery again and it started right up. Then there was a major accident right on Lindburgh Avenue.

On the way back there were three police cars, a fire truck, Emergency Rescue, and while I sat at the signal a big tow truck (the flatbed kind), pulled up next to me. I took some quick pictures of the incident with my crummy little cell phone camera just to document the event in my journal. As I drove by, they were getting someone out of the back seat of the most badly damaged car and taking the away on a gurney.

4:51a – Off to bed now. Supper was better than I expected.

2:48p – I got up about 1:00p today, so I don't have a lot of free time. I have my shower taken and a bite to eat warming up. But I have to leave in 15 minutes!

3:08p – It is warm today! I am sweating. I am thinking of turning on the A/C already. Well... off to work!

THURSDAY - April 13, 2006

1:41a – This was a long day with low productivity. I am glad to be home and glad I have tomorrow off. \

5:25a – Wow... I made some pork fried rice ... it was awesome!

1:26p – I am out of bed. It's a beautiful day out there. I need to take my camera and go some where. Maybe to Forest Park...

5:56p – I just got back from picking Skip up from the train station. I still have not eaten anything other than a few bites of left over potato salad. I am getting dizzy from hunger. I have a pork steak cooked and am making some mac & cheese (& jalapeño).

10:29p – I went and picked up the new movie, "The Chronicles of Narnia." I think I am going to go watch it now.

I got creative with my cooking of some Macaroni & Cheese today. This is the result...

11:14p – Skip went to bed. The movie is barely started. I knew he would do this to me. Well... I have to go get something started for supper anyway. Oh... darn... I think K-dog is still outside! (At least the weather is really nice...).

11:42p – I just drove over to BP and picked up some beer.

FRIDAY - April 14, 2006

1:06a – My paycheck went in and I sent all but a few dollars of it to Blake for rent. I read the Lease again today. I thought the late fee was $15 or $20. It turns out to be $15 PER DAY. Oh crap. So I now owe (as of today) $195 in late fees. This just totally sucks. And of course, the car payment is now $300 behind. I need to make more money! This $9/hr pay is an insult to my years of experience.

2:15a – I am tired, but now I am off to bed...

10:15a – I should probably sleep longer, but I got up to check on Kira. The water dish was bone dry and she was in the kitchen trying to get water out of it. I filled it up immediately of course and Barnabas was right there with us. They were all thirsty. I felt so guilty. I let Kira out and she ended up falling down. She couldn't get back up, so I had to go out in the yard and help her up. He legs get all twisted up with each other. I think it is more than just arthritis. I looks like she may have some neurological affliction involved also. It just rips my heart out from the roots to see her like this. She needs to go to the vet, but I can't even afford to buy my own medicines now. This really sucks. It is at moments like this that I get very bitter toward the assholes at MIR who decided to screw our lives up after so many years of service.

I got up this morning after have dreams about some girl who was dying in a hospital. She was already wrapped up like a mummy and the medical staff seemed to simply be waiting for her to die. She was hooked up to an EKG monitor and I heard it when she flat lined. I was trying to get people to help her, but they were all very nonchalant about the affair. I was some kind of assistant I guess, and was helping a nurse or doctor deal with the matter. I remember getting some detailed instructions on how to work the EKG device... which also seemed to function as an electrical stimulator to revive the victim. We tried the stimulation thing, but it did not work. So I was left with instructions to put her in a body bag. Sheesh... I have no idea WHERE this dream came from! I was watching the Disney-esque "Chronicles of Narnia" before bed; nor did I see anything like this in the news. <shudder> creepy...

I finished watching the new "Chronicles of Narnia" movie this morning. It was okay, but not quite as good as I was expecting. Possibly, watching the BBS version altered my perspective.

Blake told me today that he will waive the late fee on the rent. (THANK YOU BLAKE!). He said it was so high because his past renters were bad about paying. He wants us to continue renting from him since we are "such good renters." He is right of course. We are very conscientious about getting the bills paid.

1:58a – I just got back from filling the gas contain for the lawn mower. The lawn is looking awful, and everyone else around us has mowed theirs. I also rinse the car off. It needs a good wash & wax. Then I noticed there were a couple of screws available in the font tag spot, so I put the font tag on. At least I won't get pulled over for that. I think I have to get an emissions test done this month though. It's hot! I am dripping sweat!

SATURDAY - April 15, 2006

1:30a – Work was tedious tonight, but it didn't really get to me much. I had one guy call in who demanded to speak to a supervisor. I got the sup and he asked her for her supervisor (and there were no more). He was just obnoxious and annoying and thought he could bully his way into getting us (in St. Louis) to get his local center (which was closed) to send out a technician immediately with a new modem. It was just not going to happen. However, this call and several other had my AHT up to about 19 minutes tonight. That sucks. I also was asked to sign my first score card, so I am starting to get graded/evaluated like a regular employee. I get a minor raise at the end of April, and I think I can begin using PTO.

Today (actually "yesterday" now) was a hot day and I drove to work with the A/C on .. and had the A/C on in the house. It feels nice out now and I have the windows open. I drove home with the sun roof open and the windows down. There was just a slight chill, but it was pleasurable.

1:38a – Oh! Skip got the lawn mowed! Yay, Skip! (...and he left rent money for me on my desk. Another "Yay, Skip" is in order!).

3:26a – All my email is caught up; I got one "creative" item done; my rent money is stamped and entered into WG; Kira is fed; so now what? I need to fix supper and take my pills. I have to be to work early tomorrow at 1:45p.

4:01a – Supper (breakfast?) is nearly done. I am making pork & broccoli in cheese sauce to go over rice. The rice will have a slight hint of curry; the meat sauce a bit of chili powder.

4:11a – Supper needs to 'hurry up' and be DONE! I need to eat and crash...

12:18p – I am leave early so I can pick Skip up. He went to the store. I hope I am not late.

It was a good thing that I got to work early today. My scheduled time of 1:45p was changed at some point to 1:30p. I was just barely able to login in time. My Cleo tools locked up twice. Then we had a meeting about truck rolls. Now we have to get approval on every truck roll until further notice. Finally it was nearly time to leave. I was supposed to get off work at 10:00. At 9:58 I got one last call. This call turned into a sup call and went on until nearly 11:00p. My AHT had been about 12 minutes and went up to 14minutes. Well... that's how the cookie crumbles!

EASTER SUNDAY - April 16, 2006

12:21a – It was raining a little on the drive home and lightening was flashing in the distance. There were some very nice displays. I wish I could get my camera to catch what my eyes behold. Kira need help getting up as usual. I think she is starting to enjoy the attention too much though, so I just slide her over to the carpet where she can get some grip and make her get herself up. She needs to keep some strength in her legs. They seem to be atrophying.

12:04p – I just got up. I don't feel good. I started feeling sick in the middle of the night. Sore throat, sweating, and just "that feeling" I get when I start getting sick. I better take a handful of vitamins, and hope this is short lived.

10:15p – I have the cornbread in the oven. Skip started the beans last night. They have been simmering all day. My cornbread is made with bacon and jalapeño. Things are smelling very nice in here now!

MONDAY - April 17, 2006

Some of my artwork for the evening...

12:26p – I had trouble sleeping last night. I went to bed early and picked Kira up and put her on the bed. She was happy about that. She can't even get her front feet up on the bed now, whereas a year ago she could jump up on the bed. In fact she could not even scoot over out of the way, so I cuddled up with her and scratched her belly for a while. We both dozed off for about hour. Eventually I had to move her to her bed. Moving her was like picking up a limp rag, but I got her onto her bed, if somewhat ungracefully. Then I went back to bed, but could not go to sleep. I lay wide awake until 5:00a before I finally dozed off and started having troublesome dreams. The dreams were short, chaotic and disturbing. Jack was in several of them. Maybe I should give him a call and see how he was doing. Carmen (from work) was in another.

Someone was yelling at her about how many days missed (or arrived late) do to misreading her schedule. Of course, I know where THAT dream came from. I am still worried about if I misread my schedule. We will find out tonight. I am wondering if I looked at the wrong month? It driving me bonkers.

12:36p – When I got up this morning/afternoon, there was a huge beetle crawling slowly along by my bed. I searched for something to catch it with and decided to use some tube socks. I went to picked it up, but the damn thing kicked it into overdrive started running like some high speed super hero bug! It had been moving at such a conservative and stately pace; I did not realize it would dart off like that. Now its somewhere behind my trunk or dresser. It kind of creeps me out knowing there is a huge bug crawling around in my room!

1:40p – I was sitting here at the computer and that "big bug" came crawling in here! It turns out not to be a beetle, but a variety of cockroach. I caught it. This time I was ready for its speed. Of course, I took pictures of it... then let it go outside. 2:42p – I have to leave for work in a few minutes. I sure hope I was supposed to be off yesterday. It is worrying me considerably. 3:50p – I got to work early and checked my schedule. It was with great relief that I confirmed that I *did* indeed have Sunday off.

TUESDAY - April 18, 2006

2:29a – This was a long "day" at work. I am getting some kind of nasal/throat infection that is making me feel bad too. My throat is getting raw and I have that "sick" feeling. Probably not a good omen. I got a printout of my schedule from Ray today and just finished updating my calendar on Yahoo.

12:11p – I had another night of fitful dreams. In one dream I was in a combat situation. People were shooting at us and I was trying not to get shot. I am not sure who "we" were... or who "they" were. I remember crawling into some large culvert and hiding there... and thinking what coward I was being. There is probably some deeper revelation in that.

12:15p – My throat is still sore today. It's not real bad, but it hints at worse things to come. I better take another fistful of vitamins.

I managed to gas up the car this afternoon. First I got the station and realized I forgot my walled, came home, got wallet, returned, and put in $30 worth. Dropped of videos at Block Buster, the zipped over to Wally World and spent another $27 on necessities. I got home, showered heated up some beans, got dressed and managed to get to work with plenty of time to spare.

WEDNESDAY - April 19, 2006

1:39a – I had a pretty good night. My AHT (average handle time) has been about 18 min. That is not very good, and we are judged heavily on this item (30% of our weekly "scores" ... yet only 20% of our score is based on quality of service). Tonight I cut a lot of calls short. In the past I have been trying to help people, but I get to a point where I have to OEM the call (OEM = original equipment manufacturer). I am starting to feel confident about enough of these calls that I am OEM'ing the call early on instead of wasting their time and raising my AHT. As a result, my AHT tonight was about 12:49 minutes. Our desired AHT is 10:50 minutes. I also had my second weekly review. It went well, though I have some areas to focus on. It was an improvement from the last review at any rate. Out of over 200 people I am at about 140, but I am still in the OJT status and relatively new. I am slowly climbing the ladder. I should gain speed as I learn more tricks.

1:54a – Just before getting off work tonight a storm burst overhead. Fortunately it had passed by the time I got off duty.

2:16p – I did not sleep very well. I kept getting cotton mouth so bad I would have to get up and get a drink. Then I drank too much water and would have to get up for another reason. My sinuses are still bother me a bit and I think this was causing me to snore. I finally gave up and got up around 12:30p.

3:08p – I sure do not feel like going to work.

Work was odd today. Chuck seems to be giving me a lot of attention. I sat with me and took a call while I monitored and documented it. I am not sure what we accomplished, but it was kind of fun. Then Steve told me I have been selected for a "special" training group. I don't know if this is good or bad. I will take all the training I can get, however.

My call time today was going very good until the last couple of calls. I was holding at around 11 or 12 minutes... but my daily total ended up being TWENTY NINE minutes!! ouch... that sucks. But sometimes you just get stuck on a call that won't end <sigh>.

THURSDAY - April 20, 2006

3:48a – I need to eat and go to bed. I have been working email since I got home from work it seems. Every now and then when I am leaving work, I have seen a rabbit in front of the office building in the small park area. It sits there and does not run away... just watching me. Tonight I tried to take a picture of it with my cell phone camera. It came out terrible, but I am putting it here anyway. Life does not always give us perfect pictures. Not even at Walgreen's! lol... 12:32p – I am just getting up. Had dreams about being at war and there were some amazing dream sequences of high speed jet dog fights in the night skies over head. Lots of disturbing war images. Where do these dreams come from!? Maybe I don't want to know...

Today at work I had Pam and Johnny sit in and monitor my calls. I got the impression from Johnny that he thought I was having procedural problems and when I handled the calls with fair efficiency, and even corrected him on a couple of minor points, he seemed impressed. He seemed to think I was doing a good job and so did Pam. I have just been getting some long, tedious call that have pushed my AHT higher than it should be. I really did appreciate having their company and support. Pam will be back with me later. Saturday I think. If they can show me any tricks for lowering my AHT, I am all for it. So far, however, their support has been fairly irrelevant.

FRIDAY - April 21, 2006

3:34a – I have tomorrow...(today) off. But, I work through the weekend, as usual. I have potatoes, bell pepper, onion and ham simmering on the stove for supper at the moment. I think I will add cheese sauce to it.

8:09p – I got up at about 1:00p. Around 3:00p I picked Skip up from the train station (he got off early). We went by Wal-Mart and bought cat food and some other items. Skip bought himself a new stereo system which he has hooked up to his computer for gaming (of course). I have not accomplished much of anything at all today. I have so many things I need to get done. I need to cash in my coins to the bank to make my car payment; do laundry; get the emissions inspection done on the care; wash/wax & detail the car; vacuum, dust, do dishes and other housework; and the lawn needs mowing again.

SATURDAY - April 22, 2006

12:19a – I am off to bed. Early for me!

I got up around 9:00a, took Skip to Taco Bell around 12:30. Got to work early. I had a decent/typical night at work.  I am having issues with the Tsalagi site though. I am tempted to resign my position as "owner" and let them go on their own. I do not like the direction the group is going. It is becoming too "wannabe" and all NA gung-ho. It is not as "real" as it used to be. Maybe it is my fault... who knows... but I don't need the added stress.

Marty and JR were visiting when I got home from work. I downloaded pictures for JR from two of his media devices.

SUNDAY - April 23, 2006

2:54a – I am so disgusted with the Tsalagi Group tonight. I am thinking of leaving it. We will see. Anyway... off to bed for me now...

1:10p – Time to head out to work again

1:50p – I am sitting in traffic on West 70. There must be an accident up ahead. I almost crashed into a truck pulling a trailer which lost control and crossed into my lane. Jeez... I am going to be late for the first time ever, yet I left home 15 minutes early and should have been there early! I took some time on the road to call Calisa and chat with her. Keri & Mike just got a small trailer for only $500 and are moving into the back yard. Andee will sleep inside.

I heard (yesterday) that Scott (Ken's son) is going to be a Daddy soon. That means I will be a great-uncle yet again!

MONDAY - April 24, 2006

3:19a – I stopped on the way home and got another $30 of gas and some spaghetti.

3:34a – I must get supper finished and off to bed...!!

4:21a – I am off to bed now.

12:20a – And now I'm up again. Isn't this journal exciting!?

3:15p – I am running a little behind schedule. Richie (Tad's brother) is working in the house next door. He asked me for a ride to Q-Mart. He says our new neighbors will be moving in next week.

I the way to work, my CHECK OIL light came on. That's not good. I pour the rest of my oil leak stuff into the engine in the parking lot at work.

TUESDAY - April 25, 2006

3:08a – The light did not come back on during the homeward trip, but I still need to see about checking the oil when I get up later today.

4:28a – Off to bed!

12:46p – More exciting news... I'm up! Sheesh... this is a long stretch of work have to work 6 days straight, including last weekend. But, I get 3 days off this next weekend. I will sure welcome it.

It has become overcast since I was up to let Kira out earlier this morning, and the temperature has dropped dramatically.

I ran by Valvoline to see about getting my oil topped off on the way to work, but they were full up and I did not have time to wait.

WEDNESDAY - April 26, 2006

I stopped by Quick Trip before coming home tonight and picked up a couple of quarts of oil and put them in the car. She was thirsty!

3:54a – Finally... got email caught up!

4:41a – I am up way too late. I just fixed some stir fry pork for (supper?), and for (lunch?) tomorrow.

5:04a – I am off to bed now.

1:05a – ... and up again. My "work" reminder just flashed on the screen. I have to be at work at 3:30 today. I am glad I keep my schedule on my Yahoo calendar! I was assuming I had to be in at 4:00p and would have been late. It's a beautiful sun shiny day out. Kind of cool though.

THURSDAY - April 27, 2006

2:03a – My AHT was about 2-4 minutes higher tonight than it was last night. When I went out to the car tonight, I pressed the "unlock" button on my remote and ... its set off an alarm on a nearby car! It was kind of funny actually!

My car was smoking a lot more tonight I think (which was not funny). Probably because I added the oil in yesterday. The weather was beautiful and sunny, yet a little cool. Skip made tacos & burritos for supper and left it out for me.

12:13p – Up again. Actually, I opened my eyes and looked at the clock at 11:59p. I just need to get through one more day and then I will have a 3 day weekend... YAY!

I scheduled an appointment with Terri for May 11th to go over some paperwork, and I scheduled a doctor's appointment to get some lab work done.

Work was chaotic today. I came in a bit early, as usual, and got all logged in. I noticed that ALL of the people sitting in the aisle were NOT the same people I usually sit by. In fact, I did not recognize one single face! Then Chuck came over and told me this section was reserved for CVP personnel until further notice. So I had to move to another desk with a white box (i.e., "slow computer"). I barely sat down there before Chuck told me someone else had been assigned to that seat, so I got moved to yet anther seat, with another white box, and a mouse that did not work right. I stayed in that seat until lunch, and then Chuck said I could move to the CVP area (as all of that group had left and the entire section was empty!). OH... we also had a team meeting, which accomplish about nothing as far as I could tell (since I missed the first half of it). At least I got to see who some of the other members of my new team are. Unfortunately, all this variation of schedule and bouncing around caused me to make multiple errors on my TKS (time clock). I had to turn in a TKS exception form which was a total mess. I will probably have to sit down with someone and get it straightened out. I also requested that my schedule work around my 2 upcoming appointments.

FRIDAY - April 28, 2006

1:50a – Finally home! That was a LONG six days of work. I deserve a long weekend! (I *need* a long weekend!). I see our new neighbors are getting moved in. And Skip mowed the lawn again.

5:12a – Food is fixed. Off to eat and then to crash. I am too tired...

5:24a – I am full... and off to bed. (I know... I should not go to bed on a full stomach!).

5:40p – I got up early this morning, around 10:30a, but I've been sleepy and dragging all day. I just got back from giving Skip a ride from the train station.

I spent some time and got most of the bills paid. There goes another paycheck. Skip paid me rent at least. I still need to get my coins rolled, deposited, and my past due car payments caught up. The gas bill was "past due" and about $250. I paid $200 of it. I hope that will suffice and not get us disconnected.

11:02p – I am doing something new tonight. I pulled up a huge dandelion in the front garden this evening. I got it pulled up by the tap root, and chopped that off. I cleaned and soak it for a while and now I am cooking it with some potatos. I am going to make a kind of a "Dandelion Potato Casserole).

11:45p – Well... Skip did not get to try my dish. He warmed up some leftovers and went to bed. Hmmmpff!

SATURDAY - April 29, 2006

12:11a – Well... it has bee 22 years since Mom passed away. I sure have missed her over the years. There were so many things we could have done and/or discussed. Life has been so empty without her. Then Doug died... and Empty became even emptier. I feel so "alone" sometimes.

1:43a – I have plans with Jeff Bunyard to meet at the Temple of the Sun this Sunday. Jeff is a member of the Tsalagi group. This should be neat!

1:44p – Oh... supper, including the Dandelions, was great! Anyway... off to bed now!

1:06p – I did not sleep all that great. I was having wild dreams. It is rainy again today and the satellite TV is in & out. I just stamped my rent money and change for Where's George. I am currently at #79 in Illinois. Skip and I are getting ready to go into St. Louis to Jay's. I need to buy rice.

4:49p – We just got home. We went to Vietnam Palace for lunch, then to Jay's. Then we went to Wal-Mart, where there were a couple of birds in the store. I wonder if the  wind blew it in? There is a lot of strong wind out today. Pieces of foliage have blown off the trees. A lot of cars have green sprigs stuck in the wiper blades. I saw a pigeon in the store first... then a rather large starling. I was able to get a shot of it perched on a shelf by the front door as I was checking out. The poor thing is probably confused and scared. But it does seem to understand where the entrance is. It just doesn't like all the people going in and out. So we left Wal-Mart and I went over to the Dollar Store for a few items while Skip walked next door to Block Buster and rented a couple of videos.

At 6:00p I put my picnic shoulder roast in the oven. I let it cook for 3 hours at a setting lower than what I would normally use. Meanwhile, Marty and JR came over. Marty wanted me to give him a haircut. I had more than a few beers by that time, so I was a bit concerned about how good a job I would do! Skip says I butchered it. I took some pictures, but they did not come out to well, So I am not sure. I hope it's not as bad as Skip made it sound. Kira and I left the house a little after 3:00p today and arrived Cahokia Mounds just before 3:30p. We got there before Jeff and his friend and their dogs arrived. Kira could not walk far. Collapsed several times. I eventually got her back to the car and let her lay in the back seat while I continued my visit with Jeff.

We had a nice chat and I had a very pleasant time. I hope we can keep in contact. He cuts hair, so maybe I will get my hair done by him. The depends on what he charges! His friend, whose name I cannot remember, is from Hong Kong, so I got to use a little of my Putong Hua on him. He was able to understand me when I said 'the train is coming.' I was pleased. I would like to take classes in Putong Hua. Jeff told me he lives just behind the Soulard Market and commented something about going to Clem's later. izT' oldt' Im' ey' Atle! Anje y'inkT' Ihe S'Utkye.

11:16p – So, the third and last day of my extended weekend is coming to an end. I suppose I am ready to go back to work tomorrow. I just need to be sure I can get the 4th off so I can get my lab work done. Meanwhile, the weather has been pretty good after a short thunderstorm this morning. I thought we were going to have to call off the excursion to the Mounds, but I am happy we did not. It was short and even a bit awkward. Jeff, like me, is a bit shy around new people. I understand where he is coming from and sympathize. I have a similar problem with making acquaintances. I am older though, and have learned to deal with it (sort of).

11:27p – Skip made a huge pot of hamburger helper tonight and offered me to partake. I contributed some onions and a cheese sauce topping and agreed. I had been trying to decide what to fix anyway. 11:34p – This has not been THE most productive weekend ever, but it has been okay. I got some things accomplished. I see our new neighbors are getting settled in. They had some kind of party today with balloons in front of the house and several vehicles. I spoke with a girl who was a visitor very briefly today. So far they look like they will be nice, pleasant neighbors.