SUNDAY – July 1, 2001

8:48a – I found the coolest background for this page yesterday! If you are viewing this on-line, you should see it. The old style American flag with the circular pattern of stars ... and waving. Very appropriate for the month I think.

9:50a – Its almost 10:00a and I finally got too hungry and had to go into the kitchen and fix something to eat. I try to stay in my room because Jack doesn’t get up until nearly noon and if I make any noise he gets mad and has come out of his room ranting at me on more than one occasion. Well, I tried to be quiet, but I woke him again. I will be so glad to have my own place where I can get up and fix breakfast before its time for lunch! Just FOUR more days!

I went to Walgreens today and bought a few items. Amazingly, the total came to over $50 and I just had one small bag of things.

One of the things I bought was a brace for my knee. I put it on when I got home, but it made my knee worse! I will have to take it back.

I went down to Talayna’s for supper and chatting with some friends. Also called my tia Marlene in Texas while I was there. I ordered a pizza and Toni made it. It is so good! In fact, I am eating it as I type this update!

Jack and Adam went to see A.I. tonight

Yesterday, Adam was using Jack’s computer and it died on him. I looked at it and it looked to me like it had a memory chip go bad (there had just been a big storm). This morning Jack had it running again. He found that the exhaust fan was frozen up. He will have to buy a new one.

SATURDAY – July 2, 2001

7:31a – It looks all dreary and rainy out this morning. I am glad I bought a new umbrella. I am having left over pizza for breakfast.

Today is my last day at work before I move. I am taking off the remainder of the week.

Marty mentioned something to me about a friend of his who has a bedroom set for sale. It might be work my checking into.

7:56a – I cannot believe it is COLD outside! This is July and I may need to wear a light jacket in today!

As I was standing down at the train depot at Forest Part station this morning, I realized that this was my last trip to work from this depot. The next time I go to work will be from the Convention Center train depot, which is the closest stop to The Arch downtown.

Today was hectic, but I don’t have to be back until NEXT Monday, so I could deal with it. I got all my stuff packed up and moved over to my new desk... temporary desk, that is.

By the time I got home it was hot... and Jack had the A/C turned off!

I tried to set up my voice mail on my cell phone today, but discovered it had never been activated. I got it activated just before leaving work and it was working by the time I got home.

I made some quasi-gumbo for supper tonight. Using 2 chicken breasts and some leftover meat loaf that I made for breakfast on Sunday morning. I was very good, but I made WAY too much of it.

TUESDAY – July 3, 2001

9:17a – I slept in this morning. I am so sleepy. I took some Tylenol PM before going to bed last night and I think they are still affecting me this morning.

It’s nice out this morning; the sun is shining and it not too hot, but not chilly like yesterday.

I am having left over gumbo for breakfast this morning. hope it doesn’t give me indigestion like the pizza I had for breakfast yesterday did.

I am trying to decide where to get started on packing. I don’t want to pack stuff that I need to use. This is the part of the move I have been dreading!

I may miss some days in my diary after tomorrow. I don’t know when I will be able to get back on line once moved.

I got four of my six boxes filled. I hope I have enough boxes!

My room at Jack & Adam's place with my belongings packed up...

I went down to Union Station and watched “Atlantis: The Lost Empire.” The Disney animated movie. It was actually quite good. Beautifully done. I rarely go to animated movies; I am glad I went to see this one. I think my next movie with be Eddie Murphy’s “Dr. DooLittle II.”

I made some changes to my sister’s web site at www.jubchuqun.com/selfridge tonight. I added a section called “Ancestors & Relatives.”

WEDNESDAY – July 4, 2001

8:46a – Today is my last day here! I move tomorrow. I still have some packing to do. I am so excited... and anxious.... and worried. I will be glad when all this is over!

Moving in to my new apartment in Gentry's Landing

I just stayed at home tonight. I heard one “boom” from the fireworks, but barely thought about it. Wasn’t interested in the festivities at all with my move coming up tomorrow.

THURSDAY – July 5, 2001
MOVING DAY!

11:37p – Its done! I am moved. It didn’t go as smoothly as planned, but I am in the new place. I got up about 6:30a and finished getting things ready. Jack had to get bitchy one last time because I made noise while finishing up the packing. He scared poor Kira so bad... she went running back into the bedroom where I was packing and literally climbed over a box to get behind me. Jack was slamming doors and stuff and just having another fit.

The movers were supposed to be at my place between 8:00a and 9:00. I had the freight elevator reserved at Gentry’s between 10:00a and 2:00p. The movers ended up not arriving until 12:30p! Then they did not leave until 3:10p! They were not finished until 5:30p. Then they wanted to charge me nearly DOUBLE what they said to start with (which was $270.00). I paid them $300 and they can bill me for the rest. I don’t think I am going to pay it. They made a deal with me. It took them longer then the 4 hours it was supposed to, so I might pay a little more but not double! Besides all the problems their being late caused me. All the stores were closed, I couldn’t go down and by milk or dog food as planned. I couldn’t go buy a new shower curtain (or even toilet paper!). I will get straightened out tomorrow. I still have until Monday before I have to be back to work.

Anyway, Kira and I had pizza for our first night in the new place. Well... she had crusts. I know better than to feed her pizza toppings!!

Oh... I forget to give honorable mention to Lisa Zakaria (bless her heart)... she got off work early (THANKS LAURA!) and came over and gave me a ride to Gentry’s and we took Kira. I was wondering how I was going to get her over here.

Well... I have been up nearly 20 hours. I am getting really tired. I am going to see if I can get comfortable on my sheet and pillows on the floor. (Don’t have a bed yet). <sigh> ... I am getting to old to rough it! :)

FRIDAY – July 6, 2001

7:13a – I’ve been up about an hour. I have my first load of dishes in the dishwasher. I am getting a few things put away. It’s going to take forever!

Sleeping on the floor was uncomfortable, but I slept. I had the A/C down too low and woke up shivering almost to the point of convulsing at one point, but I turned the A/C up, wrapped up in blanket, and got Kira to cuddle up with me. I was warmed up again quickly and back to sleep. But at on point in the night I got up to go to the bathroom or something and when I came back to lay down dropped down to the floor to hard and hurt both of my hands. The outside edge of my left hand feels bruised this morning.

I got Chad’s old microwave set up in the kitchen. The kitchen is so small it makes that small micro look huge. I need to find a stand for it. It takes up too much of my already limited surface space. But it works... I warmed up the leftover pizza from last night.

I am having TV withdrawals. Got to get the cable hooked up SOON! I am listening to Esperanto folk music for entertainment. Well, its 7:22... and I had to take Kira out. I am still not sure where the best place is to walk her. I think I will walk down by the river with her this morning. She is loving all the new sights and smells. She seems to be fascinated by staring out the window across the city. The view is spectacular.

8:43a – I took Kira for a walk. I discovered there is a beautiful park with a lake and water birds just around the block. It the same park The Arch is in. I did not realize The Arch is a close as it is... I knew it was close, but I thought it was a little further. Kira and I walked almost up to The Arch this morning, but I don’t have my camera and I wanted to wait until I can capture the moment. I’ve been here in St. Louis for aver a year now and I still have not visited either The Arch or the St. Louis Zoo.

8:46a – Next item on my list is to walk over to the mall (2 or 3 blocks from here) and but a few things. Especially a shower curtain! (oh... better not forget the toilet paper either).

12:11p – I just got back from a trip over to the St. Louis Center Mall. I am so tired! It’s only 2 or 3 blocks over there, but I was tired when left.

Before I left, however, I go my telephone line ordered, and my DSL + equipment. The phone should be on tonight. I should have the DSL up & running in about a week. Meanwhile, I will continue to update my diary offline. I am proud of myself keeping my diary going like this. I don’t remember how long it has been since I missed a day.

Next on my agenda is a trip the the store downstairs. They are extremely expensive (typical “convenience” store), but they have a lot more selection than the little store over in the other place.

Darn... I just remember I was going to look for a shower curtain while at the mall and I forgot. (A bed would be nice too!).

I am supposed to meet Lisa & Laura at the office tonight at 6pm to go get my the sofa she is giving me and a mattress. But I don’t know if I can get the elevator during that time. I must go ask on my way out... we will see...

1:28p – I am cooking my first meal in the new place. I got my rice cooker out... the one that I bought a few months ago and never used yet. I got some frozen Banquet chicken at the store next door and I am making chicken (in the microwave) and rice. I just fed Kira her first real meal since we moved in. So far all she has had was pizza crust from last night. I made her a big dish of food and she couldn’t eat it all; but she has a habit of eating just a little and saving some for later. MMMmmm... its smelling good in here! I can’t wait until the first time I bake bread or have a roast in the crock pot!

I talked to Lisa Z. a little while ago and I also got myself semi-scheduled for the freight elevator this evening. Actually, someone else has it scheduled, but we don’t have much to move. I will meet Lisa’s beau, Bob, tonight. And I guess everyone will get to see my new apartment ... they will be my first guests...

3:37p – My food did not come out so great. The rice was fine (like *I* would mess up rice!), but the microwave chicken over cooked and turned in to cardboard!

Charlie called and wants to borrow $20 from me. I can’t believe I said yes... but I am going to be careful. I will have him signed a receipt for it (which I have already filled out). He is supposed to pay me back on the 13th. He swears he will pay me back, etc., etc., ... but they always do. If he doesn’t, I will know not to have anything to do with him in the future. And I think I am going to start taking everyone to court over these things!

I took the paper work down to have cable turned on. Let me see... now I will have not only rent to pay, but phone, utilities, cell phone, cable, and DSL. I figure that will be about $720.00 per month, roughly. About twice what I was paying at Jack’s, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

SATURDAY – July 7, 2001

6:54a – Charlie never made it over so I left at 5:25p and headed to the office yesterday. I met her boyfriend, Bob, then Laura arrived and the four of us headed over to Lisa’s old place (she moved last week, I may have mentioned). We picked up a sofa, love seat and a twin size mattress. The three of them were my first official visitors. The furniture is a bit smelly and stained, with a few fray (i.e., “ripped”) areas, but it was free and actually does not look too bad (if you don’t look close and/or sniff).

I also got a shower curtain from Lisa.... and tonight I was able to take a DECENT bath for a change! First I filled up the tub with Calgon and let it “take me away,” then I took a proper shower an shampooed my hair. I feel SOOooo much better!

Charlie finally made it over around 12:30p. I made him sign a quickie, homemade loan agreement. (No more Mister Trust-Everybody for me!!)

I finally found the handset portion of my phone tonight. Actually, it was kind of funny. I had just pulled something out of a box and the phone flipped over and a button was pushed which cause the front panel to light up. At that very same time is when Charlie called me saying he was coming over an my cell phone (which was in the kitchen) starting ringing. However, since I was looking at this handset and saw the lights come on, I thought for a moment that it was IT which was ringing and I picked it up. I did not go so far as to trying to answer it; I realized it was my cell phone, but by the time I could get to the cell phone it had gone to voice mail.

The residential phone never did get turned on today. I don’t know if they will activate it on the weekend or not.... I doubt it.

Oh... I slept so good on that mattress last night. I is much more firm than the one I was sleeping on at Jack’s (not that I did not appreciate having that one!).

Kira relaxing on the sofa in our new apartment.

There is still a lot of work to do, but the place is shaping up nicely so far. Its so nice to have my own place again! So nice....

I went to the store earlier. I picked up 3 videos from Block Buster. I got a few of the things on my shopping list. I also got a chuck roast and some chicken. (at the usual high prices of Schnuck’s.

I had a call fro Charlie this afternoon. He wants me to join him and Marcus. I went down to Clem’s (a bar) and they arrived about 9:20p. However, I was already getting a bit drunk by that time! We left there together and went the The Complex where I danced a little and had a few more drinks. I met a guy who had been at the Gateway Con (he was in a gold federation uniform -- aanj’ iih’ aaswe ums’ uutkye). I also met Pedro. I have met him before. He does not speak English... he is from Mexico (os’ iih’ ese). I had a few more drinks and was getting a bit wasted...

SUNDAY – July 8, 2001

3:59a – I woke up at the MetroLink station at Grand! I had NO idea how I even GOT there!!! I must have had a few drinks too many.. .(duh!). I called a cab (LaClede) at about 2:15a. While waiting I called Charlie a couple of times. He did not seem to understand how drastic my situation was. I could have been seriously “mugged” or something!!!! I did not really want to go with them to The Complex in the first place, then I end up having to risk my life and get a cab... etc... well... I won’t rely on him in the future. I should have known better anyway. I don’t really expect him to pay me the money back that he owes me on Friday either.... we will see!

Well... after waiting for the LaClede cab (at the Grand MetroLink depot) for about one half hour, I finally got mad and called Allen cab. They asked me if I had called a cab already and I said, “yes.” They then said they could not send a cab for me, so I told them that they could consider the other cab canceled.... and they hung up on me!! How rude! I was sitting there in the dark and NOT so hospitable “Grand Bus Stop” waiting for a cab for all this time and concerned for my safety and they just hung up on me!! I will NOT have anything to do with them in the future (except to write them a letter telling them how I feel about their “lack of” service. My very life could have been at jeopardy! I’ve already been mugged at a train depot once!

Anyway, as I was trying to call Allen cab back to give them a piece of my mind, the LaClede cab “finally” arrived and he was going the wrong way (after I had carefully explained exactly which direction I was going to the dispatch service). Well, the driver was pleasant enough and listened to my bitching without complaining. I had to have him take me to an ATM machine and then, since I was hungry, I had him take me to a White Castle (that’s like a Krystals, in Florida).

I waited in line in the White Castle’s for a bit and then some guy just got in line in front of me and that was the last straw. I went back out to the cab and told him to just take me home. I was not in a good mood. My fare was already up to $13.xx and he was very considerate and rounded it down to just $10 for me due to my bad experiences. I gave him a $2 tip... so that was still $12.00 just to get home. I was assured by Charlie and Marcus that they would get me home. Well... I will not do THAT again...!

I arrived home to my beautiful apartment... it already feels like home! I love it. Of course, Kira being here and waiting for me makes it home more than anything!

4:20a – I fixed some rice when I got home and had two or three glasses of milk. I am completely sober and ready to go to bed!

10:15a – I took Kira for her walk late this morning. I got some bacon and eggs and am cooking breakfast now. That’s atypical for me... I don’t usually like breakfast foods (of course... I also have a pot of rice cooking).

10:18a – I have to go to Jack’s and clean that carpet today. I didn’t ever get there yesterday.

8:22p – I just got back from taking Kira for a walk. We went down by Planet Hollywood. The horses & coaches were parked along side the street there and Kira was kind of scared of the horses <grin>. She kept trying to get around behind me so she could have me between her and the horses. It was all I could do to keep from laughing my head off. The we went down by the river... she was fascinated by the waves lapping up on the bank and tried to catch them. The was like child in a candy store; she loved it! Then of course we came back through the park area and she had to drag me after a squirrel. One day she is going to actually catch one and I don’t know WHAT we will do!

I watched the latest Highlander movie today, “Highlander: End Game.” I watched it on video (my cable is supposed to be on tomorrow). It was “okay.” Not anything to write home about.

I am now in the middle of watching a Jackie Chan movie (on video) called, “Drunken Master.” Its “okay” too. The last video I got was, “Hollow Man” ... another invisible man variation as far as I can tell. I hope its better than either of the two I’ve watched so far.

8:35p – Well, its back to work tomorrow. I will be glad to work again. I am glad I have had the past few days off so I could get settled into the new apartment and so I could be with Kira while she adjusts. Tomorrow will be her first full day at home alone. She has been barking some at the noise she hears when my neighbors go in/out of the apartment. I hope she gets used to this. She can’t really help herself. In fact, she was eating this morning while I was in the kitchen fixing breakfast and she heard a noise and barked right in her food with her mouth full. Its a reflex. I tell her to be quite and you can see her trying NOT to bark... but it just bubbles up and pops out of her mouth against her will. I must admit though, that I don’t think I ever remember her barking with her mouth full! (that was funny!).

I went over to Jack’s today to clean up the old room. He wasn’t home an I tried to reach him several times, so I just went on over. Had to get done what I could. Unfortunately, I could not find any carpet cleaner per sé. I just found this carpet “refresher” stuff. It indicated that it was for pet odors, so I figured Jack would like that and it would be appropriate since I had Kira there and he commented on the dog odor on more than one occasion. Then I found out that he didn’t have the new vacuum cleaner bag in the vacuum yet, so it was not vacuuming very well. It picked up the big stuff... but dust was blowing back out of it. I thought he would have that ready for me since I was supposed to be over on Saturday and was already a day late. I was trying to think of a way to carry my vacuum on the train over to his place, but it would just be too much hassle and I would look so strange on the train with a vacuum!

So I sprayed the carpet stuff and even did the hallway and part of the living room. I hope Jack likes it... but knowing Jack, he won’t. I also cleaned the window sill up in the bedroom. It had all kinds of dirt and crud built up on it. I bleached it down and it looks like new. So with the barely-functioning vacuum and carpet cleaner that wasn’t even a cleaner, I did the best I could to clean up my old room. I even debate on weather I could or should get some paint to touch up the walls where me and/or Kira rubbed up against them in bed. However, I don’t know what the rules are at DeBalivier Place about residents painting, and I wouldn’t want to get Jack in trouble. Besides which, it would have been another excursion to buy paint and tools, etc., and it is just TOO hot today to go anywhere. Plus I am exhausted to the point I am struggling to function. My escapades last night could not have helped, but I think it is mostly all the stress and exertion of moving along with the heat and humidity. And I am not in the physical condition I used to be in.

Once I finally got everything done as well as I could get it... though I was not pleased with the result... I tried to gather up some more of my stuff from the fridge. I ended up with 3 bags of stuff and STILL had to leave some behind for another trip! (I think is coming form another dimension or something!!). I still have a bunch of plants on the porch too... the ones I rescued from the dumpster. I really don’t want to leave them, yet I am not sure what I am going to do with them in the new place. I need to get new pots for them. I just learned today the the Broadway bus which runs in front of my new place, goes to a K-Mart. Maybe I can get some new pots and potting materials for them there.

Boy do I miss my Internet connection. I hate that I have to pay $50/month for my DSL, but I have no choice. I have to have DSL... its a must anymore; not just a luxury or a toy. I checked my e-mail at Jack’s today. I have a lot. I deleted a bunch of “junk” e-mail on Yahoo so it does not use up my free space. My e-mail on jubchuqun.com will have to wait until I get on line.

Oh, I went swimming for the first time today around 3pm. The pool was busy, so I didn’t stay long, but it was nice to go for a quick dip.

One of the best panoramic photos I have ever created, taken from atop the Gentry's Landing building.

I hung a bunch of things on the walls today. Some of my certificates in the corner by computer, and a couple of pictures here and there. I also put most of the “owl collection” on display on a shelf. I also got 2 suit cases full of clothes unpacked and hung. Its getting there, slowly but surely.

Oh... and on a sad note, I found Mom’s old glasses which I thought I had left behind in Florida (they were in with the owls). They are still in the case she used to carry them in; but it was very dirty. I took them into the kitchen to clean up and they almost fell to pieces in my hands! The bridge just snapped in half. They have become so brittle. They are now in two pieces and the rims have a couple of breaks in them. I very carefully slipped them back into the case and put them in a glass display case. (Its hard to believe Mom passed away over 17 years ago now).

8:49p – Time to get of the computer, feed Kira, finish my movie, bathe and go to bed....

MONDAY – July 9, 2001

7:05a – I got a good nights sleep again. I seem to be sleeping much more soundly in the new place. I don’t know if its the mattress I am sleeping on or the A/C (I keep it cooler than Jack did). Or maybe its just psychological, but I *am* sleeping better! I got up at at 6:45a this morning. I could go back to sleep... but I have some things I need to do before going to work. This will be my first day of work from the new place.

7:08a – I have an appointment with the eye doctor today. Its time to get new glasses. I just hope my money will hold out until the end of the month!

8:07p – I moved (at work) to my new “temporary” location. I will be there for about a month while they remodel the Help Desk area. Its going to be smaller.

8:10p – I went to my eye exam today. My eyes are as healthy as ever, but I am still a bit myopic. My Cigna HMO *did* cover it, and I get a 20% discount on glasses, but I am going to hold of on getting them until next month. I have spent TOO much already, and I still have things I need to buy for the new place.

8:12p – I got e-mail from Jack today... it was apologizing for the “tenor” of the previous email. (I had not seen any previous e-mail). I gathered that he was not happy with my attempts at cleaning up my old room. I should have known... its nearly impossible to please him. I finally found the original e-mail and it was quite demeaning and insulting. I don’t know why I try so hard to please him since its usually fruitless. He has a knack to tangling one up in “catch 22” scenarios. He will tell you to do something and if you don’t you’re in trouble with him... but if you do you end up in trouble too. Its always a no-win situation. I was depressed about this all afternoon... the first time I felt any negative emotion since moving in to the new place. I thought I could get away from any depression for longer that that! Oh well, at least I made it 3 or 4 days before getting depressed about anything!

8:51p – I don’t know what I am going to do about supper tonight. So far I have had Doritos and beer. Standard bachelor fare! I have some food, but not much to cook it in properly. I think I will fix a chuck roast and prepare it to cook while I am at work tomorrow. Maybe I can put some beans in with it... we will see....

I cooked up a couple of chicken thighs with a rice pilaf. I also prepared the chuck roast for tomorrow. I will turn the crock pot on low in the morning and should have a nice meal waiting when I get home tonight. I also put garbanzo beans in with it.

TUESDAY – July 10, 2001

7:39a – Today is the last day for me to get the form in the mail to go on the river raft with Marty and the gang. I have been so busy with the move, I did not get a chance to take care of it. I will have to get it done today or I don’t go.

7:40a – I got the crock pot on, so supper is started already; and I just barely got out of bed. I was up early yesterday and had so much energy... not today. I want to crawl back into bed.

I got home and found that the cable people had been here, but they did not go in because they did not have a PTE (Permission to Enter). They also need $30. So I wrote my last check out to them and left it with the front desk to give to them tomorrow when they are due back.

Then I came back up and took Kira for another walk down by the river. When we got back, I put on a pot of rice using the broth from the roast that cooked all day and then I went for a swim.

Oh, I almost forgot, I got a letter from Chad! My very first personal mail, and it was from someone I know (not a business). That seems like a good omen. I spent the evening writing a letter back to him (and drinking beer). I finally got around to eating around 10pm. It was very good. The roast was excellent.

I got my form in the mail today, just under the wire, to go on the river rafting trip on the 19th -- 23rd. I have sent an e-mail asking if I can take Kira along. I hope so. Otherwise, I am not sure what I will do with her.

And my phone is still not on. I have tested another phone on all 3 jacks and it is just NOT working. I hope they don’t make me pay to have THAT fixed! The front desk says the previous occupant had a phone and had no problems.

WEDNESDAY – July 11, 2001

7:47a – I got up this morning a finished up my letter to Chad. I added photos to it. I hope he enjoys.

I couldn’t print Chad’s letter out today; the disk would not let me read it. So I printed it out at home.

Cable got turned on today! Now I just have to the phone working. I’ve called Southwestern Bell and they are supposed to come out tomorrow. I will have to lock Kira up again.

I finish off the last video tonight, “Hollow Man.” The videos are due back tomorrow.

I just had a few beers and watched TV tonight. Had leftovers from the roast I cooked on Tuesday. Its still tasty.

I got e–mail back today saying that it’s okay to bring Kira on the rafting trip! Now I don’t have to worry about what to do with her!

THURSDAY – July 12, 2001

7:42a – It’s overcast and raining out this morning. This is the first time for me to see this kind of weather from the 23rd floor. Looks about the same as it did from the 3rd floor! Kira flipped out over thunder this morning, as she usually does. I bet it will look awesome from up here when it snows this winter!

I will try to get Chad’s letter in the mail to him today, now that I have it printed out.

I found out that we are not going to the rafting trip until Friday (it starts on Thursday), so I don’t have to take off on the 19th. The actual raft trip I learned, is not until Sunday. I will have to take off on the next Monday, however. There is also a hog roast, which I have signed up for. Not sure when that is.

Well... I need to get motivated here and take Kira out.

* * *

I was about 15 minutes late to work today. I missed the train by seconds, then the next train did not seem to run.... very irritating.

I got Chad’s letter in the mail.

Today was Brenda Phelps’ last day at work. She is our (was our) secretary. We will miss her.

I turned in my one–year self-evaluation today. Typed with a 3-page attachment.

Took my video tapes back today and went by Schnuck’s. Picked up a few items including a bottle of 1998 Cabernet wine as a gift for Adam and Jack. I hope they enjoy it. A small token from me to try to put myself in a better light with Jack. He seems to think quite badly of me, though I have tried so very hard to do everything he has asked, and to please him at every turn. Oh well. I know I have done right by him to the best of my ability. I feel no shame and know that I have done as well or better than anyone could ever expect. He just has issues and I don’t know what to do about it. I love him like a brother and hope he comes to grip with whatever demons are bothering him. I want to help, but I seem to be the problem, so I will just get out of the way and pray to the God and the Goddess to guide us all on the right path.

I picked up some of my stuff from Jacks tonight, but could not carry the plants. I will hope Marty can take me by to get them this Sunday.

I also took some things back that were his; including 3 ties and a plastic ware lid. Also a spatula which I thought was mine, but which may have been his. I have a spatula anyway, and don’t need this one so who cares....

I went by Talayna’s and was glad to see my friend Nathaniel there. He is an interesting character and I enjoy talking with him. I had a few beers and shared a couple of chicken wings with Nathaniel, but I had frozen goods with me an had to hurry. I caught the MetroLink home, but it was already after 9:00p... an there was a Cardinal’s game tonight! (they lost, I gather). The train slammed full at Busch Stadium (but I already had a seat). However, I almost could not get OFF the train at the Convention Center depot!! If I had not had experience, and begun my journal to the exit at the previous stop, I would not have made it. As it was, I still had to shove most rudely!

Oh, yes... I got my phone working today! I had a repair person come over to fix it. However, he did not really FIX anything. I found he had set up my phone in the kitchen. He wrote me a note which said... well... let me type it up for you:

Mr. Lewis,

The only working jack in this apt is in the kitchen where I plugged in your phone. The wire leading to the other jacks has been cut at the kitchen door. You don’t have a maintenance contract with us and I was unable to cal you to get your approval to fix – the change would be $122.00 to repair. Please call for new appointment if you want us to rewire for the jacks elsewhere.

-- Repairman 903

The management here has told me that I can turn in my receipt along with my rent and the will compensate me accordingly. However, I wish to get this confirmed before I proceed. Since I have ONE jack working, they may decide this is enough that they do not need to honor this. I just don’t know. I do know that I have learned to be very careful with such matters!!

Oh yes... on a sad note.... today was the last day at work for Brenda Phelps, our Department’s secretary. She left us to take a position over at the Clinical Sciences Research Building. I will probably still see her since I go on excursions over there every now and again. We will miss you Brenda!!

FRIDAY – July 13, 2001
FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH

7:45a – Yesterday was overcast, rainy, windy and cool. Unbelievably cool for a day in July. This morning it is sunny out and I bet it will another hot day. Charlie is supposed to pay me back $20 today. He actually called me about it yesterday. That is a promising sign! I would be nice to have someone actually be honest with me and pay money back on time and as promised!

7:49a – I used the copier function on my printer this morning to make a copy of the note that the repairman left me yesterday.

9:00a – DISASTER! I can’t find my ID badge! It has my quarterly train/bus pass on it, and this is the beginning of the quarter. That’s a loss of $120! plus $10 for the badge. Not too mention that I will have to pay for monthly passes for the next quarter at $40 per pass. That comes to a total cost of $250!!! This is really bad. I am so upset....

10:00a – Lisa was not feeling well and went home sick today. That left me on the help desk for the whole day (till 6pm).

2:05p – I received a call from someone on my cell phone who says they found my ID! They are going to meet me down at the CWE train depot at the top of the stairs.

2:31p – I went down to the depot and the two homeless guys who found my ID recognized me (they had my picture, of course). One guy was a black dude who had been in prison for 7 years and had no place to go; the other guy was from Tajekstan and didn’t speak English that well. I gave them $10 and train fair for 2. Unfortunately, they also have my cell phone number, which kind of worries me, even though they seemed like good people.

8:01p – I took Kira for another walk downtown. She really is fascinated by the horses! She also almost caught a young pigeon squab. I tied her up and caught it myself and brought it over to show her. She tried to bite it and actually nipped my finger! (not hard). The poor things was frightened out of its wits of course. I tossed it up into the girders out of reach. It may have a chance if its parents will still feed it.

Oh... the phone situation is not looking good. I spoke to the part time girl in the office tonight and she said (as I suspected they might) that if there was one functional outlet in the apartment that they do not pay for further “repairs.” I hope I can talk them into it. $122 is too much for me to pay right now. I have the phone line in the apt almost entirely for the purposes of hooking up my DSL! I can’t set my computer up in the kitchen! ... it’s always something... <disgust>

I am concerned about Kira’s nose. She has been rubbing in on the floor a lot lately; it has been irritating her and she has a raw spot. I checked her today and now she has a raw spot in another area around the edge of her nostril. It looks like it is getting worse.

SATURDAY – July 14, 2001

I spent most of the day on a LONG MetroBus ride out to Florissant. I saw that there was a K-Mart there and wanted to get some things... especially some carpet cleaner because of the fit Jack threw over my attempt at cleaning his carpet with that carpet “refresher” stuff (which was the closest I could find around here). I was sure K-Mart should have Woollite carpet cleaner I usually buy. What I did not know was that after waiting 30 minutes for the bus, I would spend 37 minutes traveling from downtown St. Louis through Baden, MO, to Jennings, MO, where I would have to switch to another bus (after waiting about 12 minutes at the “River Roads shopping center.... which was about a ghost town!). Then after another half hour of traveling through Moline Acres and Dellwood, I finally arrived in Florissant, MO, where the K-Mart was located. I shopped for about an hour and the began the journey back, arriving home at about 3:15pm.

My "certificate corner" and my computer desk...

Oh, and ‘yes’ ... they DID have the carpet cleaner! I bought one for Jack and one for myself; and I got some upholstery cleaner which I could not find locally either. I picked up a rug for the bathroom, but when I got it home I discovered it was about five feet long! I did know is was such a weird size, and it is too far to just take it back, so I folded one end over and put it in the bathroom anyway. I also picked up another one of those shower mirrors like I had in Florida as well as a one of the Pollenex hand held shower massagers. Oh... and I got a decent knife for the kitchen. The little blue handled cleaver I had was so dull I practically had squeeze things in half with it instead of cutting them!

I had a hair appointment at 3:30, and was late getting there. Joanne finally got my hair done around 4:30... I got it cut really short this time (a lot of gray is showing!).

I used the new shower massagers and gave Kira a good bath with it this afternoon. I hope it makes her face feel better. She is rubbing it a lot and her chin is getting little read spots like a rash. She also has raw spots under both “arm pits” ... or what ever its called on a dog. I really need to get her to a vet as soon as I can. She hasn’t had her shots in years.

I went out for a while this evening, had 3 or 4 drinks, came home, fixed a bite to eat and went to bed.

SUNDAY – July 15, 2001

11:04a – I got up and took Kira out this morning, then fixed breakfast and watched some TV. I was so sleepy then, so I took a nap. Just got up and here I am updating my journal.

I is a beautiful day out there... I need to get motivated. This weekend is going by some darn quick! I will have a longer weekend next week though. Four days of work, four days off then four days on again... then back to the regular routine. No more days planned off again until Labor Day in September.

I got 4 loads of laundry done today and then laid out by the pool for a bit.

Me and Marty on the 30th floor of The Gentry's Landing. The Gateway Arch in the background.

Marty and Billy came over and gave me a ride over to Jack’s to get my plants, then we went to Mag’s to play darts. I was do good during warm ups (as usual), but when the actual matches began, I did not win one game. Oh, well...

MONDAY – July 16, 2001

7:26a – I am up, fixing some breakfast and wishing I was back in bed. Here we go... another work week. <sigh> This weekend just went too quickly!

My DSL equipment arrived this evening. I tried getting everything hooked up, but it isn’t working. I think it is because I used a regular telephone cord from the wall to the modem. They provided a “data cable” but it is not long enough to stretch from the one functioning outlet in the kitchen all the way to my computer. Its practically useless to me having only an outlet in the kitchen! I will have to have the phone guy come do repairs.

TUESDAY – July 17, 2001

8:00a – It looks like another beautiful day today. I am about to have a little rice for breakfast, then take Kira out. Usual routine.

9:16p – I called to have SWB fix my phone jacks today. They should be here tomorrow. I created my version of Gentry’s “Permission to Enter” form to turn in to the front desk this evening.

9:18p – I was SO upset with Kira when I got home this evening. She “had an accident” and it was NOT a pretty site (or smell!). She has not had an accident of this nature in ages. Only 3 times total since moving to St. Louis and the last time was months ago. I think she is having a bit of a stomach problem and I feel guilty for giving her the cold shoulder and scolding her, but I must be sure she doesn’t become complacent in the area. I am even more upset because I have brand new carpet in this apartment (only live on for 12 days!). Fortunately, when I bought the carpet cleaner for Jack on Saturday (which I still have not given to him), I got an extra one for myself. Tonight Kira is getting very BLAND and very DRY food!

9:27p – Well, with any luck, tomorrow night I will be back on-line!

9:28p – It has been storming outside this evening. It is interesting to see a storm from the 23rd floor. One feels as though one is up IN the storm... not just looking out at it. It really pretty cool!

One of the most beautiful storm scenes of my life.
From my apartment, overlooking the TWA Dome and the Mississippi River.

WEDNESDAY – July 18, 2001

8:10a – The telephone repairman has already called me. He said I made the wrong kind of request and that I needed to call them back and place a repair order instead of a service order. I told him I told them exactly what he had told me and if they got it wrong once, they would likely get it wrong again. So he is going to have it corrected. He indicated he “might” make it out today... it is not for certain. Yesterday I was assured that someone would be out today; now its down to a “maybe.”

The telephone repairman arrived before I left for work. Hopefully I will have DSL working tonight!

I got home this evening and the new phone jack’s are functioning, but I STILL do not have DSL! This is getting to be more than a little depressing. I just took a train down to Talayna’s and had some beers. I met a girl there name Dorsheena (interesting name) and we chatted at length. It was a very pleasant conversation. She had just gone through a move also and we just took turns complaining about everything. Silly, but cathartic!

THURSDAY – July 19, 2001

8:12a – It cloudy & rainy out, but the temperature is comfortable. Don’t have to go to work tomorrow. I am going to call SWB today and try to get to the bottom of this DSL problem. I am also going to tell them about the tile being ripped in the kitchen!

It took me nearly all day and several phone calls to finally report the tile being ripped in he kitchen. Very frustrating.

I still did not get the DSL running. I found out that it was never turned ON however. So, now I am trying to get someone to turn it on. THEN we will see if I have any equipment problems.

FRIDAY – July 20, 2001

7:48a – I am of work today. This is the first day of the camping trip. I hope I am ready for this. I don’t have much in the way of camping gear. I don’t even know what time Marty is supposed to be in town! I hope it is afternoon to give me some time to get my wits together. I have not had any time at all to devote to this camping trip. I barely got the money and registration form in the mail in time!

I went to Walgreens and bought a few things this morning, including a tree style track light.

I finally got everything together for the trip. Marty, Billy and JR got here around 3pm and we left for Lebanon (...and Kira). We arrived at the park a little after 6pm, I think. We found Marty’s friends, Ray and Dave and set up tents next to them. I was getting a headache from the heat after the long ride down and had myself some cold beers. Before the evening was over, I had about 8 or 9 or so beers, but there was some heavy drinking going on around that place! I set my bed up (a twin size air mattress, a blanket and a pillow) out in the open behind Marty’s tent and tried to go to sleep... I did not have a lot of success...

SATURDAY – July 21, 2001

It was around 2am and a police officer came up to me while I was trying (unsuccessfully) to sleep. He as asking if I had any weapons, then he got Marty up. Marty had his rifle in the gun rack in his truck. He has a license for it and it wasn’t loaded but they confiscated it said he could pick it up at the General Store in the morning.

Morning came and I had not slept at all. I dozed off a few times, but never really slept. The sun was up already when a police car pulled up and told us we were being evicted from the park! I was flabbergasted! I paid $35 for this trip, spent 3 hours on the road with 3 of us and a dog in a pickup cab with no A/C, and had paid Marty $15 to help with gas and we were just being thrown out and threatened with arrest if we didn’t leave! So of course, we just had to leave. But first we had to go pick up Marty’s gun.... and now the had moved it to the police station in some town which took us an extra hour to get to!

The trip home was longer and hotter than the trip down. It was depressing because the entire excursion had been a waste of time and I had not had any sleep. I still had a headache from the day before and poor Kira was suffering too. Her eye was getting dried out an swollen from the heat (I think). We finally made it home around 2pm and they dropped me off first.

I was cooking a bite to eat when SWB called and wanted to come up to check my DSL connection (which STILL is not working). NOW they say, after tested my line and such, that it “is not wired for DSL downtown.” I don’t know ... I just want something to go right!

8:16pm – I took a nap and just got up a bit ago. What a terrible day... Kira is still conked out. Poor thing... she’s exhausted.

SUNDAY – July 22, 2001

I didn’t do too much today. I went to Walgreen’s this morning and picked up a few things. Later I took the bus down to the Soulard Market. I was not very impressed. I bought some Portabella mushrooms and a few other veggies, but most of the stands were closed, so there was not much selection. It was very hot out and extremely humid. It looked like it was going to start raining, so I walked from the Market over to a local bar where I had a few beers and waiting out the short rain storm, then headed home.

A panoramic view of Kira on the Promenade today. This is like our "front yard"

I got a phone call from Jack while I was walking. He told me that Randy had been here for his visit (I was disappointed I did not get to see him). They also have taken on a couple of cats which they are boarding for someone... and they got a car. A lot changed in the few days since I left!

I did laundry this evening. This was the second time I have done laundry since living here. However, I could not find my dryer sheets. I knew I had put them in my old pink laundry basket. Then I remember I had placed that basket under one of the laundry tables last Friday when I washed the blanket I was taking with me on the “camping trip.” I went downstairs to check, and sure enough, there is was. The basket was there anyway. The dryer sheets were missing. Oh, well... I should not have left them down there.

I sat down tonight and wrote a 2½ page letter to the Float Trip people telling them what happened and requesting my money be refunded to me. I figure that the trip cost me of $300; including camping supplies, fuel cost and two days of my vacation time. But I just want my $35.00 back.

11:34a – Shortly after getting up this morning I had a visit from a SWB to check the damage done to my kitchen tile. To my surprise, when I opened the door, there was the guy who had done the damage in the first place! He was very defensive and somewhat confrontational with me. He said that *I* helped him moved the refrigerator, trying to place the blame on me. He also told me that he was doing me a favor by moving the refrigerator in the first place, since that was not part of his job description. Then he went on to tell me that no one with the apartment’s management knew anything about it, and suggested that I had not reported it to them -- which was not true. He also pointed out that some of the scratches in the tile that I had highlighted in a picture on the refrigerator were scuff marks from his boots. Being a bit nearsighted, after he left I got down and checked them out. He was right about that and I found that I was able to get them up with some cleaner and a sponge.

By the time he had left, I was shaking and very upset. I went down and took the picture to the management and told them what had transpired. I also have made two calls to the phone company already this morning. The first one was regarding my DSL, which is still not running. The said they had an “ETA of 1600 hours on 07.23.01” to have my DSL operational. Well... I have no great expectations... we will see

My second call was to report the behavior of the repairman this morning. I am supposed to be getting a call back from a supervisor about this. I am going to ask them not to send this person back to my home again. I was made to feel very uncomfortable, and with everything that has been happening to me lately, this was NOT the approach to take with me. I am tired of constantly being a victim in everything!

My last phone conversation with SWB indicated that my DSL should be on my 2:30p tomorrow. We’ll see...

Oh.... I took Kira for a walk this afternoon and for the first time since I have lived in St. Louis, I went up to the Gateway Arch and actually touched it. Now I will have to find the time to actually go inside of it and ride up to the top.

TUESDAY – July 24, 2001

7:17a – I will be leaving for work in a few minutes. Have to meet Robin and then we are going to a training session in Sunset Hills.

5:55p – Had my MS ACCESS training course today with Robin.

Bit my tongue really bad at lunch. It is very sore now.

SWB called during lunch to tell me my DSL was active now. I just got it functional within the hour. Had nearly 500 emails!!

While I was on the phone with SWB, Kira “had an accident” ... I can’t believe it... this is twice in a little over two weeks! Its not like her at all. I don’t know if its the environment change, if she’s having some medical problems or if it is a change in diet. Maybe a combination of all three. She finally finished off the bag of “Old Roy” dog food that she hated so bad about 3-4 days ago. I had to pick up a bag of Iam’s dog food from the little store next door. It was too expensive (of course), but it was the only bag of dog food they had and Kira seems to like it.

WEDNESDAY – July 25, 2001

7:34a – Doug and I would be celebrating our 21st anniversary today. It looks like a nice day outside. I hope it is a little cooler than it has been for the past few days. The news said that the heat spell had broken... but that it might not be much cooler for a while. I have know idea what they mean by that bit of double-talk!

I sent the letter out to the Float Trip organization today. I also sent an e-mail to “Jeff” with whom I have been in contact. I had a response which has made me even angrier than I was. The basic answer boiled down to: I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.... too bad, so sad. They take no responsibility for anything that happened. He went so far as to insinuate that Marty was “unbalanced” and stated that he had been accused of POSSESSION OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON AT A SOCIAL GATHERING. This is ridiculous! It was a .22 rifle... just a few steps above a BB gun! It WAS NOT an “ASSAULT RIFLE!” My Dad bought me 2 .22’s before I was 13 years old! My Gods, what has our country come to?! And Marty was licensed, the gun not loaded, and it was in plain view (not “concealed”). They said he has “loaded clips” ... I don’t know for sure what they mean by that... I don’t know of a .22 having “clips” ... but I am not all that gun savvy.

I am so upset about this. I am tire of being victimized. Someone is going to take responsibility for what was done to me. The bottom line is, I paid to participate in this event and traveled at my expense 300 miles to be there. I was then forcibly ejected from that event with no consideration and at risk to my own personal safety and health, as well as that of my dog. This was done with no explanation to me and after I had committed no wrong doing. This is not right... I am going to pursue this. I have been pushed one time too many.

THURSDAY – July 26, 2001

7:22a – I woke up this morning with this issue on my mind again. I slept badly all night. This is really affecting me. I got up an hour early because I didn’t want to lay in bed and dwell on it. (so I get up and write about it!.... oh, well).

Tomorrow is Calais’ 17th birthday! I have her a birthday card, but with all the construction in my office, it has been lost somewhere. I haven’t been able to afford a birthday gift yet (Thanks to Terry!).

I walked over to Hon’s Wok with Sonya and Lisa for lunch today. I rarely go to lunch with anyone (other than Harry Potter!).

After a bout 5 emails and a letter to the Float Trip people, I think they are going to give me a refund. It’s a minor gesture and I had to fight for it, but I feel better about myself than I have in a while.

I thought it was strange that after all of my explanations of my position in this situation, that they asked me why my group brought a gun to the event. I keep telling them, the gun was not mine... it was not a “group” gun.... it belonged to Marty. I had no say over his bringing it. I was not really aware of the gun even being in the truck. I saw it, but I knew Marty had a permit for it and he is a responsible person, so I trusted his judgement on such matters and dismissed it from my mind.

They also told us that we were removed from the event because Marty was accused of POSSESSION OF AN ILLEGAL ASSAULT RIFLE AT A SOCIAL GATHERING. It made it sound like he had an AK-47 at a black tie ball ready to pick off the guests as they walked through the door! In reality it was a .22 caliber rifle and it was not loaded. They accused him of having loaded clips; but that type of rifle does not even USE clips! It has a tubular magazine that you put bullets in. The entire affair, except for the presence of the rifle (which I agree that Marty should not have brought) was a dramatic fabrication that blew the facts far out of proportion.

FRIDAY – July 27, 2001
HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY TO MY NIECE
CALAIS MICHELLE SELFRIDGE

7:54a – I thought Friday would never get here. It has been a long 4-day week!

I went out tonight ... wish I had stayed at home. I kind of got bamboozled again. I ended up paying $30 in cab fair just to get home. That really sucked. Oh well. I guess it could have been worse.

SATURDAY – July 28, 2001

8:56a – I have no plans for today. Maybe I will go down to the Soulard Market and see how it is on a Saturday.

I finally got up the energy to walk over to the Mall. I took 2 rolls of film I have been meaning to get developed for a long time. One roll is at least 7 years old! The other was taken last year when Jack, Adam and I went to the Japanese festival at the Botanical Gardens. I was going to take the film to Wolf’s Camera shop, but wouldn’t you know it.... they had closed! So... I wonder when I will ever get this darn film developed!

I mostly watched TV, ate and slept all day. I think I need the rest.

I had a dream about my sister, Darlene, last night. Some shelves and boxes fell on her and she was injured. I called her name and touched her and she just twitched. It was very disturbing. I almost called California to see if she was okay!

SUNDAY – July 29, 2001

8:20a – I think I have my sleep caught up. I need to do something day. Weekends are too short to waste.

I went to the farmer’s market today and got a bunch more Portabella mushrooms.

My cabinet, my kitchen, my vegetables purchases from Soulard Market...

Later, I went to Union Station and watched “Planet of the Apes.” (the new remake of the old movie). It was really very good. I was impressed. A good story line, different enough from the original to keep one’s attention, yet similar enough to the original to maintain its integrity. I remember going to see the original movie at the drive-in theater. It was awesome then... I wonder what we would have thought if we could have seen the movie then with today’s special effects!?

I stopped of at Union Station for a few beers, then came home and gave Kira a bath. I probably should have done some laundry, but I think I have something to wear.

MONDAY – July 30, 2001

7:33a – It’s back to work today. I hated to get up. Ah, well... this is how I make the money to pay for all this.... <sigh>

The elevators are finally working again at work! We have been climbing the stairs for nearly two months. What a relief!

Jack called me on the way home last night to tell me my refund check has arrived. I will go by after work tomorrow to pick it up.

I stopped at Union Station an sat at Casa Gallardo where I had a few cocktails and read some more of my Harry Potter book. This is book four ... he just completed the second task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament.

TUESDAY – July 31, 2001

7:33a – I appear to be on exactly the same schedule as yesterday. I am so tired. I need to change my habits or something. I am too tired all the time. Maybe I have or am getting CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or “The Yuppie Flu”).

An attempt at night time photography in down town St. Louis.
This was taken tonight as I walked home from the train.

I picked up my check from Jack tonight and we went down to Talayna’s or some drinks ... my treat. I didn’t get home until after 8pm. I was upset with Kira.... she had ANOTHER accident. This makes three times since I moved here! That is not like her at all. This time she had to pee (the other 2 times it was.... worse). I am sure glad I bought the carpet cleaner