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Family &
Charlotte
Midkiff
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1:06a – I am just getting my July page set up. Off to bed now. More work later on this later.
I slept very badly with lots of wild dreams, waking every 30 to 40 minutes. Once I dreamed a spider was crawling on me and woke up in a frenzy, shaking my hands and slapping at myself. Then I felt annoyed and silly. My right shoulder keeps aching and I can't lay for long on my right side. I was having a thirst issue and my mouth gets dry so bad that it wakes me. Maybe I need a sleep number bed!?
Work was crazy, but not too heavy. The ID I have been using for a long time to access our email tood (CADM) was erased from the system. I still don't have one for myself, so that basically prohibits me from do a major portion of my job on floor support. I was able to use Michelle's ID ... but that will not be a permanent thing. I have been trying to get my own ID for months with no success. This place is so f... messed up.
MONDAY
- JULY 2, 2007
Happy Birthday
to my Nephew - Scott!
1:12a – I just got in a VERY long line at the Route 3 convenience store to make a purchase. The line is rowdy. The guy in front of me is screaming at the female he is with (or "freakin' out on 'is bitch" ... or whatever they say these days). My nerves are grating with every rude utterance from this foul mouth piece of trash. The guys behind me are laughing and think its hilarious. They have no perspective. I hate living here.
1:38a – I am finally pulling out from the convenience store. (Conveniece!!!!?). Jeez... how ridiculous!
3:45a – I got home, and relaxed with a beer. Spent about 40 minutes "chillin'" and then I put a piece of my beef roast in to cook. It is getting way too late. I just called the ABSENCE line thinking there should be some UTO available for tomorrow at this hour, but... I was wrong. I may have to call in tardy. I am likely to be up too late and I am not getting enough sleep as it is. Meanwhile... my finger is much better after slicing a piece off the tip of it just twelve days ago... |
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4:48a – I am going to loath tomorrow, but the food I cooked tonight is excellent!
11:46a – I took a Tylenol PM before going to bed and I think it helped. I slept much more soundly after the sun came up. Usually, once light hits my eyes, I don't sleep very well.
Today was Monday. I need not say more. I did mostly floor support and the chats were unending, and full of uncreative stupidity. No rude ones at least!
4:18a – I came home, had some brewskies, and fixed some leftovers with a pork steak added in. (That will be lunch, and probably breakfast tomorrow too). I watched the rest of Skip movie rental, "Norbitt." Good comdedy. Not Eddie Murphy's best, but it was amusing. Off to bed now. I took a Tylenol PM again... maybe it will help me get enough sleep.
4:22a – It's after 4:00a ... and I am off to bed. At least it is not 5:00a yet!
11:39a – I was sleep good again. I woke up at 11:15a and am just now getting out of bed. The Tylenol seems to make a difference, but I don't want to be taking it every night.
11:49a – One more day of work and then I have three days off. And tomorrow is the Fourth of July, a paid holiday, so I will get paid for an extra day of work. (And, so far this week, I have not missed any hours... so the next pay check should be better than usual).
4:25a – I made a batch of my own special pork sausage tonight... but I put it in the fridge to "set" and absorb the flavors. I thawed out some chicken to fix something for supper, but I don't feel like cooking. I set a hen out to thaw for tomorrow... will deal with it tomorrow. Had some Cheeze-Its... and beer... and I am going to bed!
I got up fairly late, as expected. Skip was up and home...no work for him today. We were both hungry and wanted to go out and get someting to eat. As we were leaving the house, we noticed the sky was brewing up a lot of storm clouds. I took some shots of the pictures of the cloud banks on their way.
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The chicken is on the roisserie, stuffed wih
an onion... |
It's ME! In fron of he oven as the Chicken is
cooking!! |
I tried to sleep in late. I thought I needed it, but ... the phone kept ringing and waking me. Probably solicitors.
I had all kinds of dreams, as usual. One dream was about my hair. I had dyed it red, but the gray was growing out and was very white beneath the read. Then, in the back of my head, I seemed to be grow blue hair! Actually, it seemed to be more like feathers. After I woke up I realized I was dreaming about RED, WHITE and BLUE ... on Independence Day. That is just pathetic...
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I am still not sure who kept calling on the residential line, but my cell phone had two messages waiting. The first one was from my brother, Ken, in North Carolina, asking me to call him. The second one was from Tía Marlena who wanted me to call her too; and then she use those dreaded words, "...death in the family." My heart sank and I did not want to call anyone. I didn't want to know. Of course I had to, but first I called Skip at work to tell him I was about to call. However, it turns out that Tía Marlena had already call him and it was he who informed me that our niece, Tamisa Daisy Terrell, was found dead in her home the day before. I gave Ken a call and he was already a her apartment cleaning up. I chatted on line with Scotty (nephew), Blanca (sister-in-law) and Judy Marie (sister/cousin) for some time. |
| I am sad to say that
I did not
know Tammy very well, and only met her a couple of times. Still, she was
my niece, and family, and I am sad I did not get to know her better. She
was Ken's oldest daughter; I know he is very distraught over this. We
still don't even know what the cause of death was, though I hear she had
not been feeling well and had purchased a lot of over-the-counter medications,
but would not go to a doctor. I picked Skip up from the train station as usual this afternoon. We didn't do much more than usual, though I did get a sweet tooth quite late and ran down to the Q-Trip for some pastries and ice scream. (Like I am not fat enough!). |
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2:57p – Once again, I did not want to get out of bed, but around noon I got up any way. I need to get some things done, including some shopping (money went in the bank last night), the lawn needs mowing, and I have an Esperanto Konversacia Rondo kiun mi bezonas cxeesti cxi vespere. I've spent most of the morning going through email and just cooked up the last of my home made sausage with some okra. I need to get up and out to the store now.
5:09p – Whoo! It is hot outside! Somewhere in the high 90's I assume. I just got back from shopping. Wal-Mart $50.23; Schnuck's $33.82; Q-Mart $27.14; and Dollar $10.18. For a total of $121.37. Oh darn... and I still have to buy gas. That will be another $48.00 or so. Now I have to put away groceries, take a quick shower and dress, and be in LaDue for the KoRo ... in 45 minutes. Not likely!
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5:39p – I called Ron and told him I would not be able to attend the KoRo this evening. I have too much to do and too little time to get it done in. My back is killing me. I just bought some Ibuprofen... I think I should take some. Maybe it will alleviate the ache in my should too. I am just falling apart these days <sigh>. Anyway, I got most of the shopping put away, but I still have the meat to take care of, but first I have to jump back in the car and go get Skip. Damn... and gas. I better run! Then I need to get the lawn mowed and it is past time for the sprinkler to be turned on. |
6:13p – We're back. We gave our neighbor Willie a ride too. And I forgot to get gas, darn. I am going to go mow the lawn now. 6:41p – Lawn is mowed, and I am pooped. But, now I must be off to fill the gas tank, and make a trip by the store for Skip. 8:55p – I got all the pork and chicken processed, packaged and in the freezer. I still have the hamburger to take care of. I also got my MySpace blog caught up. |
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I think that I have gotten more accomplished in the past 7 hours than I have in the past week! I am even watering the lawn, and I have about 5 oil warmers lit up around the house, so it smell nice. I think I will go shut off the sprinkler (ooh! as I typed that, my reminder popped up to turn off sprinkler! lol!!). I am too easily amused.
1:29a – I made sushi for supper, and for lunch tomorrow. I has salmon, asparagus, avocado, and cucumber. It came out quite good! Anyway... off to bed. Work tomorrow. Jeez... I dread it.
11:57a – I did not want to get out of bed, but it was 11:45a and I try to be up by 11:30a. I am usually up early on Saturdays, but not this time. I was having so many wild and crazy dreams, full of so many details. Once again, it would be too much for me to try to write, even if I could remember all the details.
Well... the new freaky trip at work is that our maximum number of chats has gone from 5 to ... THIRTY! I hear it is supposed to be temporary, but... I know this place. We will see. Oh... and we are now doing floor support under our own names instead of an anonymous floor support number. Not sure how I like that. I'll probably be good for me since I am pretty good (I think).
My sushi lunch was the highlight of my work day.
2:47a – I am relaxing with a beer and watching some new episodes of Dr. Who. Still don't know what I will do for lunch. I need to make something. There probably be limited food service at work today since it is Sunday.
12:25p – I went to bed without supper, and I don't feel good this morning. I just got up, nearly an hour late. I can't miss a day, but I am going to have to call in tardy (I am sure there will be no UTO).
I spent about 30 minutes doing floor support today, and the rest of the day I took phone calls. Around 20+ calls I think.
One of our agents, Adam F., has been so nice. He came to tell me good night ... and wanted to join me for lunch. Iihe sh' onyeile 18 irsh' olje, iihe sh' eye ~aasheiya. Y'aantwe uut' ikl' imh' aaly' oyeive! What more can I say?
During my slack time, I often play web boggle to keep myself amused. Tonight I took first place (as "juchuQun dot Com"). Of course, they were having technical difficulties... otherwise I know I would not have done so well, but... it is cool to know I won at least ONE round... regardless!
3:50a – I am still fixing "supper" ... chicken, broccoli and left over curried rice. The old "Beast Master" movie with Marc Singer is playing in the living room. I was admiring what a fine body he had... and realized that I had a pretty fine body at the time that movie was made too! LOL... I would have to see a picture of him today. Let's see if he has fared so well! <grin> ...
4:25a – I am up way too late for a day like tomorrow, but ... I must say that my chicken dish came out just excellent! Off to bed now. Jeez, I hate this job so much...
The day did not go all that bad after all. It was chaotic... as expected, but at least we (floor support, CoF, and other "special" groups) were moved to "the annex" ...a new area of the building. The a/c was not very good in there, but I had my fan. Then, just before time for me to leave, Steve D. came in and chased us out, treating us like children, turning off the lights, ranting and raving... very unprofessional. It left a bad taste in my mouth all evening. I respect him in many ways, but he has little if no respect in return and can be a total ass. Worse, he seems to take pride in it. Whatever... gotta get more resumes out. I can't stay in this sweat shop. It is beneath me.
4:25a – I ate left over pizza for supper. Didn't cook anything. Off to bed now.
On the way home this morning, I turned into my residential area, and there were several be utility trucks blocking the way. I took a detour, and realized there were branches and debris scattered all over the place. Apparently we had a BIG storm in my absence! My computer had rebooted at the house, and the leak in my bedroom and left the carpet wet again.
Today I went back to the "Annex" and everyone (Floor Support) was in there. We worked about 2 hours, then we got "removed" back to the quad. Of course, our regular floor support area was usurped by regular agents, so we had to be "hot seated" ... Steve and I managed to sit next to each other. Jen and Chris were miles away! QuickComm was not working right, so they had me and Jen put on the red vest and do roaming assistance. I ended up helping Kevin (with a bad back) to move a monitor, and apparently I hurt MY back, so I went back to doing QuickComm chats (which seemed to be working fine). We are still doing the Time Warner migrations from Houston... and it is still just as chaotic as ever.
I checked my schedule today, and I have FIVE days off in a row! Including the entire weekend. I work four weekdays and have next Saturday off too. (Don't know about Sunday yet). The only bad thing about this is that I was going to attend the Esperanto Kunveno on Thursday at the Buder Branch Library. I said I would be there and now I have to cancel.
Skip made some Sloppy Joes for supper and left some out for me. That helped me actually get to bed more or less on time for a change.
12:46p – I got up on time this morning, immediately showered and put my morning soup on. Caught up email... caught up journal... and now I need to get myself ready for work. Skip took the day off and planned on us doing things. He never checks my schedule which I take the time and effort to keep up to date.
I spent the entire day on floor support again. I prefer that. It is stressful, but I am utilizing my mind, my skills, my expertise... much more. And I learn more. Too bad I don't get PAID more.
I've been talking to my friend Steve about a possible job with him and his buddies who have a trucking company started. They need help. It could be good money. I don't know how it will go, but I am trying to keep a foot in the door. Anything to get out of my current slave job.
I clocked out at precisely 12:45a and left work with no further ado! I was SO happy to be out of there with FIVE days off from work! YAY! Jeez... I sure need it!
2:30a – I just finished watching the most recent episode of Painkiller Jane. One of the main characters, Moe, (Alaina Kalanj) was killed! Wow... wasn't expecting that.
2:36a – How odd. I just realized that I had not posted my journal updates since the 9th. I could have sworn I did. I must be losing it! lol....
4:20a – I have not eaten... I think I am going to bed. But, a snack would be good at least...
I got up about 1:00p. I was so dazed and disoriented, but ... I got up and sat down in the living room and stared at the TV. Skip has taken the end of the week off. Oh... he also got a 6% raise... that is about .78¢ per hour or about $135.00 per month.
We went to Belleville and deposited our changed (I had over $269). I went over to Bethany and had a chat with Dameion. Then I met back with Skip at Margarita's for lunch.
2:50a – I am off to bed now.
1:19a – I just rolled over and looked at the time. Damn. I have to get out of bed!
Skip and I left around 2:30p and headed to his office to pick up the carpet cleaning equipment. I was so focused on talking about some issue at work, that I inadvertently headed TOWARD work. Oops. I had to take the downtown St. Louis exit and work my way back onto I-64. We finally got to Central West End and meandered our way over to CBW (Crazy Bowls and Wraps).
The last time I was at this place was with Lisa (from Wash U.) Yep... it was six years ago!
I got a spicey buffalo wing wrap, but it was not very good. All "spice" and no flavour. It was too "juicy." I could make this dish MUCH better, I am sure!
I have spent much of this evening responding to the email of a friend about sushi. Here are some of the graphic I created in response.
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 However, I am not making sushi tonight. I am making Hamburger Helper. I have some of Skip's meat and some of min now cooking... with a BUNCH of onion. So... Skip got all pissed off at me because I added some other ingredients. Including a ½ pound of my own beef, a quarter cup of garbanzo beans, one huge onion, and some seasonings. Mainly went ballistic on the garbanzo beans. I have no clue why. |
12:41a – I am off to bed. I dreamed of Kira last night. I hope she is in my dreams again tonight. I miss her so much. I have never missed a "pet" as much as I miss Kira. She was my life... my anchor... my everything. I wake up every morning and feel lost, realizing she is gone. I miss my baby so much... :(
1:50a – I had some ice cream, but now I am off to bed. I should get up around 10:00a tomorrow. We will see.
12:06p – I just got up. So much for getting up by 10:00a. Actually, I woke up about 5:30a and then dozed off and on fitfully until I finally had enough. My right arm aches and throbs. I don't know what the problem is, but now I am afraid to go to the doctor. I don't know if they will bill be for x-rays, or what.
2:00p – We have been cleaning the carpet all afternoon. Skip is doing most of the work of course. My back is doing bad things. I had that shooting pain down my spine again while ago and nearly collapsed. This is getting kind of scary.
2:05p – Now we are off to KFC.
9:46p – We came back from KFC and got right back to work on the carpet. I got some of the bad stains cleaned up from the leak in the ceiling, but I still have to do more in my room. However, we are tired and not in the mood to do a bit more tonight. It will have to wait until the morrow.
Cleaning up the stains from the leaky ceiling in my room. Still more to
do...
Meanwhile, I have been working on getting photos edited and organized in order to have some printed for tía Marlena. So far, I have it narrowed down to 117 pictures. I have to bring it down a bit further.
I finally joined e-Bay tonight and made my first on-line bid. I bid for a "Cherokee Alphabet Trivet" which was going for $5.99. I bid $7.00.
Cherokee Alphabet Trivet
12:22p – I got up at 11:55a and have bare been out of bed before getting a call from Shar. She has a possible job lined up for me with AmDocs. I need to do a little research though and find out what RAS is.
... ah... I guess I did know what RAS was after all: "Remote Access Service." Such as is used with Citrix, VPN and VNC.
I had my usual weird dreams last night. One that stands out in my mind took place in what was supposed to be Orlando City Hall (though it did not resemble it at all -- there was even an escalator!). I was trying to find some location where I was going to be answering phones in a special call center for customers who won a free prize. The project was called by four letters; something like ASPC, ABSM, AMPC, ... something like that. It started with an "A" I am sure. I ran into Janice Moffitt and she said she would give me directions, but I had no idea where she was directing me, so she said to follow her. I did so and as we were walking through a lobby-like area, I saw a little rabbit run across the room. I commented on it, but Janice seemed to take it for granted, and mumbled something about he new "natural environment" buildings. I think I saw a bird flying around too. We came to an elevator, and as we were getting on, there was what I thought to be a Manx cat sitting in front of the elevator. I comment on the cat being Manx, though its coloring was a bit odd - long haired, white with fine vermillion stripes. However, I noticed it had a short tail, and said something about it not being full-blood Manx. On the elevator (which, oddly, had arched doors), there was a dog. It looked familiar and I thought it was the Jameson's dog, Grundy. Then it looked at me and I realized it had the face of a Terrier and was not Grundy at all. The dog had me distracted, so I was not prepared when Janice got off the elevator. The elevator never even stopped, but the doors opened and she just stepped right out without looking back and I did not see her again. I was lost now and did not know where I was supposed to be going. This is where the dream ended.
6:53p – What a busy day, though short once again since I continue to sleep in very late. We worked on getting the other side of the living room carpet cleaned and the the furniture. I even clean my office chair which has collected a significant amount of grime in the last 5 years. My back was cramping up and causing me extreme pain. Skip did more of the work, but I helped as much as I could. I just can't do as much physical labor as I used to. If it's not my back cramping up, then I am about to fall over from BPPV (vertigo), or my right arm is giving out due the "sumkindavitis" in my shoulder.
The cleaning equipment, graciously provided by Skip's offices, free of charge, had to be back by Sunday night, so we had to hurry and get everything finished up. I did not run the big machine in my room as I had planned, but the small upholstery cleaner did a pretty good job. I leant that the big machine costs about $2,000.00! We took good care of it though, and cleaned it up good. I scrubbed the internal filters down with dishwashing soap, and Skip spray the inside of the machine out with the shower sprayer. We took the hoses out to the front yard and drain them dry, and we rinsed out the upholstery cleaning machine.
The day was in the mid to high 90's, and of course my a/c still does not work on the car, so it was a hot day. I don't mind it too much, as long as the air is flowing. I drove directly to Wash. U. and we got the equipment turned in. This was the first time I have seen Skip's office since he moved from his penthouse location. I took some pictures while we were here. Some of the archways behind his offices; one of a wounded, but brightly colored insect which was on one of the boxes we were carrying things in; and one of this very festive and cute little car parked out back that I would sure like to have!
| We left there and head out toward a place we have never been before, called "The Feasting Fox." Skip wanted to dine "German" today (rare for us ... and I wanted Greek...). We found the Feasting Fox to be a very intriguing and historical restaurant/inn and decided to check it out. (I want to try "Olympia" at some future date). |
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We found our way to "The Feasting Fox" with relative ease. Especially considering that I had printing out, and forgotten, all the maps, directions, and instructions on how to get there. (Oops). At first we thought the place was sadly lacking in parking space. I was left on Meramec Street, but instead I crossed over this street and sought to park on the South side of the building. This turned out to be a mistake and I had to pull back out onto Grand and then turn LEFT on Meramec. We found the entrance to the parking area and pull in ... but it seemed a bit small and Skip commented on this. Then we got around the corner and there was a vast and grand area of parking available! We parked and headed inside, not sure where the actual entrance was... we seemed to be approaching from the rear.
Pictures I took at The Feasting Fox
We found ourselves entering from what appeared to be a rear entrance. We are not sure if this is the normal entrance or not. The first comment from Skip was one of trepidation as he stated, "this looks a bit fancy...". He was not too keen on his first impression. However, we had already looked over the menu on-line, so we knew the price range. Slightly high, but not ridiculous. We were greeted by the hostess, a tall blonde girl who fit the Germanic stereotype perfectly... I missed her name, I am sorry to say. There were very few customers. I think we were only one of 2-3 occupied tables. After reviewing the menu, I decided to go with the half of chicken, fried, with German Black bean soup, and horseradish whipped potatoes. Skip got the same side orders, but his entrée was the Holsteiner Weiner Schnitzel. (Veal with a fried egg on top, covered in a white sauce with capers and mushrooms). He picked all of his mushrooms out and gave them to me. I love mushrooms... he calls them "fungus."
The Main Diningroom at "The Feasting Fox" ... and the Calliope (which we
did not get to hear) ...
As we left, we stopped and admired and old Calliope. We were informed that there would be a couple of artists performing on this antique instrument on Wednesday. Of course, we both will be working then, but I wonder if it is every Wednesday? I usually have Wednesdays off. Maybe I can come down and catch a performance. I find the Calliope to be a fascinating instrument with a very unique sound.
| We left. I was pleasantly full, but Skip was stuffed. He'd had to servings of the New Belgium 1554 Brussels Style Black Ale; while I had only had one (I was driving, of course). A very filling beer, and a very filling meal for him! |
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We made our way back home via back roads through South St. Louis. Skip was nervous and complaining about the neighborhoods I was driving through, but I've been through these areas before and I was not concerned. (It was funny to hear him complain though!). We stopped by Q-Mart on the way home for beer. When we got home, Skip had to water his garden. I am very happy to see him involved in growing things ... (not his forté). He has some yellow squash growing and making nice progress. He planted watermelon, but we're not sure if they are growing. His tomato plants look good, but are not producing anything. He thinks is is because he has them mixed beneath he squash, which are overshadowing the entire garden patch. There are also some cucumbers growing and maybe some other plants. We will see what grows!
Skip working in his garden...
We got some of the furniture back in place. I pulled down some of my fake vines and cleaned them up today. They are dry, but I still need to to re-hang them
2:29a – I did some more cleaning up after Skip went to bed, then I fixed some food, consisting of leftovers. It was edible, but not really very tasty. I have gone through some email, and now I am off to bed. I home I sleep. Tomorrow I have to myself, though I have to go to Belleville and meet with Dameion at 2:30p.
12:26p – I slept away most of the day again. But, its my day to sleep away... at least until my appointment. This makes five days off in a row, which has been nice. This is the first of those five days that I have by myself. Skip is back at work today.
11:21p – This has been a busy day, despite getting up late. I arrived in Belleville for my appointment with Dameion nearly 30 minutes early, and sat and waited for a bit. He came out and got me and we went over all my paperwork most extensively. I am not sure just what can be done yet, but I filled out all the papers I could and explained my situation to as best I could. Basically, my insurance is trying to charge me for blood work. This blood work is needed for me to continue my membership with Bethany. It is also necessary for me to know what medicines I need to take. However, I am paying so much on my insurance, and I have such a low income now, that I cannot afford to pay for my meds. It is a vicious circle. I can't afford the insurance, but I pay for it, so I can't afford the meds; and then the insurance wants to charge me for the test done to determine which meds I needs and I can't get assistance from Bethany unless I get the blood work done to determine that I need the meds, which I can't afford to pay for because I am paying the insurance which is charging me for the blood work tests which I require in order to determine which meds I need (but can't pay for ... due to the cost of the insurance) ... and... it just keeps going in circles!!
Anyway, I filled out all the paperwork and had a pleasant discourse with Dameion. He has done some traveling, and speaks a little Spanish and Patois. I envy him (and others) their chance to see the world. I joined the Navy "to see the world" ... I was stationed in "the far East" (...okay, I was stationed in Florida, but I lived in Washington state, so that was pretty far East!).
I had one form that I needed to have signed off on by the the local state human resources office, confirming that I am not receiving any kind of state assistance. I left Bethany and decided to see if I could find this place. I drove all over and failed to find it. It was on Centerville, Avenue. I decided to head home. It was hot, I had not had a bite to eat, and I was getting woozy. So, of course, I then pulled right out on Centerville! Okay... I had to turn left. The address I needed as 1220 Centerville. I turned on to Centerville at around the 600 mark. If it went down... I would go home. It went up. In no time I found the Human Services Department. It was about 4:30p at this time, they close at 5:00p. I got in, no line, got my form signed, and decided to save time in the future and took it back over to Dameion. He was just about to leave, but he was still there so I handed him the form. He seemed to be impressed that I got it done so quickly.
Meanwhile, during this time, Skip had been trying to call me. He wanted to go check out the house he is hoping to buy in Granite City. The price has dropped. I am sorry, but as much as I want to support Skip on this endeavor, I was just too hot and tired!
I made my way over to Q-Mart in Cahokia, and purchased my beer for the next few days. Skip called me as I was leaving and convinced me to go over to Schnuck's to meet him. I did so. We bought a few items, and headed home.
I was SO tired! I rested for a bit, and then fixed some rice. I made some beef & pork with cream of chicken soup to put over the rice. I REALLY needed some food! I rested a bit, then I dragged my tired ass out and mowed the front lawn. I was in excruciating pain by this time, my back was cramping and I could barely stand... BUT... I took a hot shower (hoping it would help). It did not hurt, but my poor back was still in knots.
I've spent the rest of the evening catching up on emails, especially email from my "Exolinguists" group in regard to my development of the Tsalagi old script.
I've been watching "In & Out." I've seen it before, but it has been a while. Meanwhile, laundry is drying, supper has been consumed, Skip and my lunches are prepared for the morrow... and I've even moisturized! I see other people much younger than me with serious age lines, crows feet ... yes... WRINKLES. I am nearly fifty years old now, and I do not look as old as they do. And the Gods only know, I have been through my share of trials and tribulations. However, I do try to take care of my appearance and moisturizing is one way to do that.
At any rate, I must be off to bed. I took a Tylenol PM and am off to bed now. Back to work tomorrow. Five days off were wonderful, even if I did work my butt off! But, (speaking of butts), I must go back to work and earn my income. At least for now.
11:50a – I woke up with an extremely sore neck and shoulder. I can barely move. That should make my work day fun.
21:47a – My neck is so bad I have decided to call in sick (#4750313). I can't afford to miss a day of work, that's about $100 dollars pay, but I don't think I want to risk try to drive with my neck and shoulder messed up this bad. There goes my record. I have not missed a day since February 3rd.
I took pictures of Skips first yellow squash and zucchini from his garden today. He did not even know the zucchini was growing until he found and plucked one this afternoon!
11:41p – Well... my neck/shoulder is back to normal. I am astounded at how fast it recovered. It was so painful I could barley walk, then I went to lay down for a while. My neck felt like it was having a major fever there for a while, then it just got better. If I had known it was going to "heal" so quickly, maybe I should have gone to work! But, there was no way I could know.
I just finished my supper. I had a pot of menudo, with extra beef & pork... and some maize tortillas fried and seasoned. It was very good.
12:01a – I am off to bed again. I MUST go to work tomorrow, on time, on scheduled. But I sure hate this job. Sometimes I just want to give up. After 15 years with the City of Orlando, and 5 years with Washington University, not to mention 3 years of active service in the military and and over 4 years with Orange County Florida... I should be able to retire now. But life has not been so favorable and I am doomed to living a life of poverty... my worst fear. I really don't think I can deal with it.
12:50a – I can't believe I did it again. I drove down to Quick Trip and bought a pastry and ice cream and pigged out. I know... I don't need that. Anyway... off to bed now. Hopefully my neck & should will not have the same problem in the morning. Doesn't matter anyway, I can NOT miss two days of work!
11:36a – I sure did not want to get up this morning, but I have to get myself to work today. Missing yesterday is going to hurt financially.
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I had some long, involved dreams last night. Two particular dreams sequences were quite elaborate. One of them dealt with young woman. She was very beautiful, with dark red hair, and very intelligent. However, she was also quite evil and in my dream memory, I seemed to know that she had destroyed an entire planet full of people. Meanwhile, there was a large space ship which was stranded and in need of some minor repairs. The space we were in seemed to be a large body of space full of breathable air. Something akin to Larry Niven's creation in "The Integral Trees." There seemed to be floating islands like tiny planets, with gravity, plants, water, and so forth. My villainess headed out toward on of these islands on some kind of a small vehicle, like a flying scooter. |
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The woman, though she had no name in my dream, did have a companion who traveled with her. A talking dolphin (also with no name). They headed out together on the flying scooter thing. The only thing familiar to me in this dream was the weapon that she carried, and with which she had every intention of killing the owners or crew of this ship she wanted to capture. The weapon was one of my stainless steel steak knives (which I purchased at Famous Barr a few years ago). She "landed" on the island and was supposed to drop the dolphin off in the water that was there. Instead, she deposited the dolphin near the water. The dolphin was very annoyed with her and in its high-pitched voice was chiding her about how the plan called for him (the dolphin) to approach by water. However, she did not trust the dolphin to be as vicious as she was and left him on shore. I think the dolphin was wearing some kind of gear to keep him moist. She landed some distance away and continued on foot toward the targeted ship. Stopping by the lake (if it was a lake), she leaned over to wet her face, or check her reflection, or something. Suddenly the dolphin popped up and splashed (or spat) water on her, continuing his tirade and chiding her for not putting him in the water (which he seemed to attain on his own). As usual, the dream ended before reaching the point of confrontation, so I don't know what happened after this. Damn "cliff-hanger" dream!
The second dream, also a "sci-fi" dealt the the aftermath of Earth being taken over by aliens. I am not sure if they were organic or biological aliens. They looked kind of like silvery robots, but the acted and moved like organic creatures. The dream was very long and complicated. I was trying to rescue people who were captured and brain washed by the aliens. Some of the dream was very violent. There was a little girl who had been hit in the face and was required to where special glasses by the aliens. She seemed to be a bit slow, possibly from her injury. Most of the humans seemed a bit sluggish and dense; under some kind of mind control. At one point, I was in a bathroom and there was a black woman who was (oddly) up on top of a cabinet. She might have been an alien too, I am not sure, but I knew I had to kill her or she would bring the aliens down on me. I dragged her from shelf or cabinet and slammed her to the floor, then banged her head against the side of the tub. This was inadequate, so I made several attempts at twisting her head, trying to break her neck. This did not work either. Finally, I left the "woman" lay on the floor and hoped she would be too dazed to call the alien authorities soon.
In another part of this dream I was fleeing down a mall corridor and turned at an intersection. I saw my name on a bill board in he window ... "Lee Lewis" ... in big words. I backed up and looked more closely. It was a wanted poster which included photographs of me taken by hidden cameras. Forewarned, I kept my face down and avoided letting people see me clearly. I even passed a couple of the aliens.
Another incident took place in the mall corridors. (These aliens seemed to like the mall for some reason). They had apparently capture the little girl who had been with me and were questioning her. The "senior" alien was riding on a mobile chair of some sort and wearing robes. He asked the girl something about "Yaya" ... and she responded with "Yaha." This seemed to startle and distress the alien for some reason and he asked her "How do you know about this product!?" She answered with a goofy smile and mutter some nonsense. The alien master dismissed her in disgust. She obviously knew nothing. (I have no idea what that was all about, yet I got the impression the seemingly retarded girl was in some way deceiving her alien master).
As I said, the dream was long and complicated with many characters, but it is already fading from memory. The last scene, before I woke up, took place in a building (part of the mall maybe?). I knew exactly where I was, everything was familiar (in my dream memory). I had to go through several doors, down a hall, then up a flight of stairs to a room where there were many of us free humans hiding. However, the aliens appeared to be on to us. As I stepped into a small office area, I saw one of them in the long hall-like room that I had to go through. I dodged around the corner and found what seemed like a small examination room with a small bed. The decor was all in an awful burnt orange color, which stood out in my mind for some reason. I tried crawling up under the bed to hide, fairly certain they would never find me here. However, since that is where I woke up, I will never know.
I got to work on schedule, but there was no where to sit. I had to go into hot-seating. However, Steve found me a seat, usurping where Rich was stationed, but not sitting. So, I managed to get a seat within the floor support area. There were around 5 or 6 agents doing floor support and I joined it... and was almost immediate up to about 5 simultaneous chats. I hit my record with 10 chats today.
The day was mostly uneventful and tedious. I left about 15 minutes late due to a chat that would not end. On the way out to the car, I found a morning dove sitting on the sidewalk. I approached it and asked if it was ok. I leaned over and stroked it with my finger and felt its mind distant with fever. It was not long for this world. I wished it well on its journey and left it where fate had placed it.
3:10a – I finished watching an episode of Dr. Who, then cut up some chicken and pork and began cooking "something" for supper. Not sure where I am going with this concoction yet. I put the marinated meat (most of it) in the icebox for later. So far this meal contains chicken, port, and maybe some beef; onion, mushroom, asparagus and bell pepper. I may add a can of cream of chicken soup.
3:37a – A moment of excitement! I just found my purchase from e-Bay, the Cherokee Alphabet Trivet, was sitting in the living room. I have not opened it yet. I hope I will not be disappointed.
3:44a – It's out of the box now. I thought it might be made of copper, but it appears to be ceramic. It's very nice!
12:00p – I had such a jumble of wild dreams last night. I can only write a little of it because, as usual, they are either to complicated, don't make sense, or I can't remember.
One dream dealt with some battle going on between some woman and her nemesis. The battle was not a physical one, but a fight over a person... possibly the woman's son. And it was a temporal battle. She kept having to go back in time and change things to save this other person, but her nemesis, who I never saw, was also going back in time and kept thwarting her efforts. My dreams covered cover many years, crammed into one dream, so you can imagine how complex it was and why my brain has already lost most of it. There were many strange and, in some cases, grotesque beings in the dream. I remember for a while we were living with these huge "motherly" creatures. The were sort of house-shaped, about 9 or 10 feet tall, with faces like a Halloween witch. They allowed us to participate in some of their odd rituals which were meaningless to me, but apparently very important to them. I recall the carried something like an incense burner, shaped like a house, on the end of a chain. The would all go to the ceremonial place wearing robes over the huge bulky bodies, and swinging these huge incense burners. We were very small walking beside them, but they were slow and stately in their procession and we had no problem keeping up. It seems that we, (me and the time traveling woman who had brought me along), lived with these house-mothers for a year or more. They were never very friendly, nor were they unfriendly. They seemed to tolerate us. Yet when we finally left to continue our journey, I received a gift from one of them. Shaped, of course, like a house, with many moving parts. I have no clue what it was, yet I knew it was something very important and somehow held the key to life... or a life. Maybe the life of the person the time travel woman was trying to save. It was all very complicated in the dream, and I was not privy to much information. Now that I am awake and back in the mundane world, it makes even less sense, but the images are still in my mind.
Another dream dealt with my friend, Marita, who was a main character. Her mother (now passed on) was in the dream also, but no longer in her wheel chair. She was younger and walking. I seem to recall that her mother gave me a gift also. Something "academic," though I cannot remember what it was exactly.
It seems the main string of consistency in my dreams may have been mother's with gifts!
I arrived at work right about 2:00p as usual, and that's when I discovered that I had forgotten my ID badge, and along with it (in the holder I carry around my neck) was my USB drive. I was not so worried about the badge, I could get a temp, but my USB has my portable FireFox, with all my web based applications and logins, and all my floor support notes that I use daily.
If all this was not enough, when I logged in TKS (the time-keeping system), it said I was already working! Apparently it had not recognized when I punched out at 1:00a that morning. So, I did a clock out and tried to log back in as being on duty. NOW it puts me into LUNCH mode! Jeez... what else can go wrong (I am afraid to ask). I got with Larry J., one of my Team Leans (the one who handles attendance) and he fixed it in the computers for me. It took me over an hour to get "up and running".
On a lighter note, there was some GOOD news in all this mess. After being with this company nearly 1½ years (as of the end of this month), I finally got my own CADM ID with BEDROCK access. Previously (since last November), I have had to use someone else's ID to access this particular application in order to do my job. That ID was removed a few weeks ago and I had to borrow yet ANOTHER person's ID to do my job. Finally, I have my OWN functioning ID to do MY job and don't have to share. There were many problems and possible problems that stemmed out from that.
I got a temporary badge at the front desk, but the make you leave your driver license (that bothered me). I managed to get logged in to everything, and I pulled up an email to myself in Yahoo which contained a portion of my floors support notes. It was awkward, but I made it through day.
Upon leaving, I almost forgot to stop and turn in my badge, and get my license back! I remembered, but I had to sit and wait for the security guard to return. That was annoying.
I did not get to bed until about 6:00a. Skip was already up and getting ready for work. So getting up was a struggle, but I did it, and got to work on time. I spent the entire day once again in floor support. I suppose I will need to get on the phone and take some calls sometime soon!
I am SO thrilled to learn that RD has finally managed to progress beyond the "Mr. Butter" camera that I sent her a few years ago, and buy a new digital camera. I am expecting to see LOTS of cools photos of MUCH higher quality than my old HP could ever manage. I have created a collage of her first photos to me here, which show her backyard, Prula (Kira's dear, British counterpart, Twinkle (the cat) and a macro shot of a pansy. I've mixed it up, but I think it's a good representation of the "first photos" ...
Amazing new photo clarity from RD in England!!!!
I got to work on time and was feeling pretty good for some odd reason. I just felt good. Maybe because it is payday, and Friday... and a REAL Friday for me for the first time in months. I actually have the weekend off. Almost like a NORMAL job! And the sun was shining, and though it was hot, it there was a nice breeze. A beautiful day. The Creator was having a pleasant mood!
| Yesterdays badge-forgetting incident returned to haunt me. The security guard did not do his job properly and did not re-activate my ID badge, so I could not enter. This set off alarms and what-have-you, but by the time they realized it I was at the front desk (having figured out what must have happened) and was trying to get the security guard's attention. She was not paying attention to me because of the alarm going off on her computer, and I was standing there waving my badge in front of her. I finally got her attention and and she asked, "Are you Lee?" ... Trying not to roll my eyes dramatically, I confirmed her suspicion and asked if she would correct the annoying oversight and fix my badge. (I am rolling my eyes now... it had to happen!). |
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Work was another tediously long ten hour day. The migration of Time Warner customers in Houston to Comcast seems to be going worse than any previous migrations. Maybe this is why they saved it until last? I don't know, but they have really not prepared us for all the complicated contingencies and we are having to learn, improvised, and bullshit our way through it!
12:46a – Signed out and heading home!! TGIF!
2:52a – Catching up my journal. Just finish watching the latest Dr. Who episode. I am really becoming quite fond of this new version of Dr. Who. I kind of like the old PBS version, but it was a bit drab. This one is exciting, modern, and keeps me entertained. I have more comprehension of the story line, the history, the characters... (even K-9) ... than I ever did.
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I find that Skip has left bill money laid out on my desk. I have it sorted and organize to enter into my WHERE'S GEORGE system. I don't know why I bother to keep up with it, but I stay fairly consistently in the top 100. I still have not managed to pass the 70 barrier though. Out of over 4,400 participants in the state of Illinois, am (as of last count) ranked at number 74. I have been as high as 72, but never past that point. It has become a bit of an obsession with me. Nothing major, but something to vent my anal-retentive, obsessive compulsive, pedantic, methodical, tedious, tendencies to! lol!! Seriously though, the bills are becoming a stress factor in my life once again. For a few years, working at Washington University, things were very good. I had money in savings, and I made a respectable income. Now I have to support a car, and make half as much money. My monthly insurance is about $96 instead of $36 ... and does not cover nearly as much (including no dental). I am now constantly struggling with bills, I can't afford to do anything, or go anywhere, my pension is all wiped out yet again, I have no real future. |
I have spent my life in the service of my country as an employee of Washington State, the US Nave, Orange County Florida, The City of Orlando, and finally Washington University. I now find myself struggling in a sweat-shop of a call center, making less than $10 per hour, working my butt off, and being "used" for my expertise with no compensation. Oh well... I should not complain about money so much maybe?
| So then there is health and medicine. I seem to have been blessed with an immune system from Hell! (Or would that be Heaven?). (Not being Christian, I guess I either don't know, don't care, don't believe, or have no clue...). Anyway, I am very lucky having gone over 20 years with my particular health issues, when most people used to die of the same problems within 3-5 years... 10 years was considered unbelievable... and here I am at 21+ years! (And fat & sassy!). Someone should really pay me some good money and study me! (half in jest...). However, the one area I have the most fear of, in the health arena, is the cardio-vascular system. All of my progenitors have died of heart issues. And now Tamisa, at the tender age of 29 has died of the same problems. Kenneth (my full blood brother) has said he has had 3 heart attacks. (I don't believe him, frankly, but he may have had at least one cardio-related incident). |
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My half brother (/cousin) Enoch has apparently had a lot of problems and is not well. All these things combine to create an atmosphere of cardio-vascular CONCERN for me. I am over weight, drink too much and do not get enough exercise.
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At least I don't do
drugs and don't smoke! Well... I guess I DO do drugs. I
just ran out of my blood pressure medicine, Atenalol tonight. I guess
I need to get back to my drug dealer (Wal-Mart) and get another fix! 3:53a – I have fairly well caught up in my journal. I don't know what I am going to do about supper (or "3rd meal" as I call it). Skip left some garlic bread in a pan in the kitchen. I am kind of assuming he meant for me to have it. I don't know. But, I don't know what I will have it with if I do, anyway. |
4:50a – Journal is caught up, email too, ... and I am pretty much drunk. (No work tomorrow!). I need to figure out SOME thing for my 3rd meal.
12:46p – I've been up since about 12:00, but I feel rotten. I've almost heaved a couple of times. I need some broth or something.
12:50p – I called Wal-Mart and my prescription should be ready later today.
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6:24p – Home at last, and so tired. Skip and I left around 1:30p and went to Soulard Market. I picked up only some veggies, including 4 pounds of plump mushrooms, and two huge portabella mushrooms, a pound of spinach, six pounds of onions, 2 pounds of okra, 6 bell peppers, 3 pounds of broccoli, and I forget what else. We were both starving and decided at first to go to Vietnam Palace for lunch, but then we changed our mind and decided to go to Cherokee Street to the little Mexican restaurant that Jack and I used to go to. First, I was exactly sure how to get to Cherokee Street, and when I found it I was much further West than I thought and turned the wrong direction. I realized my mistake immediately, since it was a dead end street. I got turned around and we headed East. |
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 Scallions, broccoli, okra and bell pepper ... from Soulard, today |
We finally got to the Mexican section but I missed the little Mexican place. I turned around and headed East again and I finally found where it had been located. It is now Chico's Bakery. We decided the head further East toward Grand and go to Jazoom. We hadn't been there since the day I put Kira down. I had a terrible time trying to make my way over to Grand. I kept ending up on dead end streets. I turned left on one street that said one-way, figuring it couldn't be a dead end... AND IT WAS! LOL... |
| we had to turn around and go the wrong way on a dead end street to get out of it! I finally got on Jefferson, found Choteau, and made it over to Grand. We passed right by Jazoom without seeing it. |
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I turned around in the Schnuck's parking lot and as we came out, we notice, directly across the street was "Hung's Bistro" ... opening soon. That used to be Vietnam Palace, so it was just as well we did not go there anyway. I drive slowly back North on Grand and it turns out we did not overlook Jazoom... it's gone too! By now we were hot, hungry and frustrated, and I must have used a quarter tank of gas. Skip said, "lets go to Outback Steakhouse." That was okay with me, but I don't think he grasped how far it was from us. I knew how to get there, yet I still took a wrong exit, several more wrong turns, and finally made it the Outback over by the Esquire Theater on Clayton Road. |
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(The theater is playing the latest "Harry Potter" movie). As we pulled in, I commented that I did not see the Outback sign up ... and sure enough, the Outback Steakhouse was closed down too! Now ravenous, and exasperated, we just went around the corner to an Applebee's and finally ate. My blood sugar was all out of whack and I was feeling light headed and dizzy. I drank a big glass of Dr. Pepper right away, and started to feel better. Skip got some steak and shrimp, and I got their "Cowboy Burger" and fries.
12:23a – My supper was a concoction of veggies from Soulard today, with leftovers and seasoned ground beef. It was EXCELLENT... and I am now refraining from eating more and (instead) getting some ice-cream.
12:53a – After a yummy bowl of ice-cream, I am off to bed!
Getting up was, as usual, not easy. I think I got up around 11:00a... but I am not sure. Skip was immediately on me to go out and eat. I really could be fine with eating here at home, but... we don't get to spend much time together and I enjoy having time to spend with him. He is my only close family, and I don't have any friends any more. Just acquaintances. So we decided to go a Mexican restaurant we've seen over in Collinsville. I think the name of it is "Los Corporales." I took a shower and got myself more or less "awake" again, and we headed out. However, I first dropped Skip off at Block Buster, while I ran over to Wal-Mart and picked up the prescription that I had placed yesterday. Iith' aig' uuh' aatg' aim' edmidecinye aawe' ~aasheia. Izh' emn' aaswe Tim. I spent very little time there, and zipped back over to BB where I picked Skip up. We head out to Collinsville to what we call "the hill" ... and found the restaurant. Unfortunately, ... THEY ARE CLOSED. That makes FIVE places we have tried to go to in the last two days which were closed! This is getting weird. So far we have had...
Ah... I have the name of the little Mexican restaurant now. I took a picture of it on May 5, 2002. It was "Taquería Azteca". And it was next door to Chico's Bakery! So ... now I am wondering exactly WHAT is in its place? I am amazed to realize it has been over FIVE years since this picture was taken!! So, today we ended up back at one of what is becoming one of our old stand bys... "Ramon's." |
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We've been going there for about a year now. Today was a beautiful, sunny day, but not too hot, and we chose to sit on the patio. Skip ordered the "Mexican Platter" and I order the slightly more expensive "Michoacán Platter."
It was nice having the patio all to ourselves. Surprisingly, the waitress did not forget us (sight unseen) out there by ourselves. Skip, as usual, brought his book along and so I was left to sit there staring off into space for the most part. I haven't told him, but I think it is so rude to go out and sit there reading a book. It may be painful or awkward, but ... try to engage in a conversation. Especially when I am doing the driving, and don't really want to go since I can't afford to eat out all the time! Anyway, I did get some interesting photos while sitting on the patio watching Skip read...
Artistically enhance scenes from the Patio of Ramon's
Skip has gone all out on fixing supper tonight (with a minor contribution from me of partially cleaning up the kitchen, which is an on-going disaster). He bought shrimp at Soulard yesterday and made Shrimp Scampi. I provided some macaroni since he wanted some pasta, but he made it "plain." No salt or seasoning... nothing. So I chopped up some mushrooms and fried them up in olive oil with spinach and other seasonings. I hope it will be good!
I ordered 4Gb flash drive from New Egg tonight. It ill be about $35 after shipping. Not too bad.
11:46p – At the moment, he is watch "Air force One" on DVD. I am not quite ready to eat yet.
1:51a – I just finished watching the most recent production of "Charlotte's Web." I first read/heard this story in 4th grade under Mrs. Shaver, at Del Sur Elementary. I think it was even more emotional to me tonight, leaving me in tears. What a wonderful story.
Meanwhile, I must be off to bed. I've eaten way too much and as usual, I dread going back to work tomorrow.
11:10a – I am up again and have that depressed, foreboding feeling that comes with each work day. Looks like it will be another great day outside.
1:03p – My morning free time before work sure seemed to go by quick. Time to bite the bullet and head out to work though. I wish I had some alternative. I wish I did not hate this job so much.
Work was mostly the same old crap. They moved us to the annex for a while, then someone came in and said we would all have to move. The Steve D. came back and said, "no--stay!" ... So we stayed. Then the moved us again back to the production floor. I wish they would make up their minds. Meanwhile, the Houston migration continues, and we are swamped with Time Warner calls we really don't know how to resolve.
4:16a – I watch an animated movie, "Everyone's Hero." It was nice, but nothing spectacular. I spent some time getting my 4+ pounds of mushrooms chopped up and bagged tonight. That was a lot of work! I had a LOT of mushrooms! I used the leftover macaroni from last night and a pound of hamburger to make some kind of pasta and meat dish (with LOTS of mushroom!).
4:19a – So ... off to bed now. Almost on time.
11:54a – Up again and the routine begins again. The trash man has already ran. The mailman has not. I set my DVD out to be picked up. And that's all my excitement for today. It looks like another beautiful day here. Meanwhile in Europe they are have record breaking heat waves. I heard Bulgaria had a record high of 113°! And Britain is the opposite with massive flooding and rains, worse than anything since 1947. That's one positive thing I can say about this part of the country. We have some bad weather, but I think we have, on average, more "good" days here than a lot of places (including Florida).
1:10p – Time to head out to work again. I just realized that I did not plug my fan in to recharge last night. I don't suppose it really matters thought, since the built in battery barely holds a charge anyway, and it runs primarily off of the D cells.
The work days started off with me finding a seat in "floor support row" ... only to discover that all of my contemporaries had once again been moved over to the Annex. So... before getting completely logged it, I moved over to the Annex. we were there until my first break around 4:30p. I came back from break just as everyone was moving back to the Comcast quad. Apparently, the internet connection there just failed and we had to move.
I got a seat sitting next to Tom Annanias, and Lee Freund was sitting to my left. (Iihe sh' iithe ~aasheisha uuhe Y'enyojiiy' aakteiny' uute.). Floor Support was the usual drag and drain. Adam was very refreshing to listen to next to me. Not only does he know what frelling-frak he's doing, he has (as Fred M. said about me...) "the gift of gab." He can talk to people and he even enjoys his job! (Is that sick or what? lol!) ... Acutally, I respect him for his perspective. He is so young, but he has a good attitude.
WEDNESDAY - JULY 25, 2007
I met Doug Cross on this
day in 1980 - 27 years ago!
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A Memorial to Doug Cross on our 27th "anniversary" ...
On this date in 1980, I was living at the Greentree Apartments with Chuck Welsh (1987-C South Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL). I was just out of active duty in with the Navy and had been working for Orange County Probation for 15 months. I received a phone call from Mike Hayes, with whom I had worked at the Naval Nuclear Power School. He asked if I wanted to join him for an evening out. I agreed. He picked me up in his van, and we took off for the evening. However, he said he had to pick up a friend to whom he had promised a ride. We drove to Pinehills, to the Camelot Apartment complex at Silverstar Road and Pinehills Road. I waited in the van, but got impatient, and finally went up to the apartment that I had seen Mike enter. I knocked on the door... which was ajar. A tall, goofy, but handsome looking guy answered the door and let me in. He was wearing a blue "SPAM" T-shirt. That was my first sight of Doug. I was 22 years old at the time and he was 24. Little did I suspect that he would become a major player in my life. We ended up spending the next 16 years together, built our house together, raise my niece together... until his death from congestive heart failure in 1996. His family became my family. My niece, Devon shared her early years with his nephews.
Where ever Patrick, and his brothers, Benjamin and
Christopher, are today
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4:47a – I have been busy since getting home to-morning. I got all my broccoli cut up and put in the freezer. Then I took all the stems and put them in the food processor ... making a broccoli grind/mix for soup stock and such. I cooked some chicken leg quarters. Then rendered the cooking water down with broccoli grind, added the chilled & chopped chicken, a freshly diced onion, and a handful of last nights mushroom mix. I put on a pot of Jasmine rice and in a moment, I will go see if all these concoctions are coming together into a meal for me to-morning, and/or for 2nd meal (aka "lunch") tomorrow.
5:17a – Going to bed WAY too late!!!
12:11p – I didn't get up until 11:45a. I was seriously considering calling in a couple of hours late. I need more sleep. But, I got up and took my shower already. I feel sleepy still though. This is going to be a long day.
I made it to work on time. We spent the entire day in the Annex. Same, usual level of stupid stress.
4:08a – I am getting to bed way late again! I am still cooking supper. I started almost as soon as I got home, but there is just not enough time for the way I cook. I recently realized that about 90% of my food is fresh. Other than some soups and beans, very little is canned. I don't even buy much frozen. Tonight I spent some time cutting up all my okra and freezing it in snack-baggies. I thawed out a pork steak, boiled it, and will be cutting it up. I made a fresh pot of Jasmine rice to mix it all with.
4:55a – I just called in late for tomorrow (4774221). I know I am not going to be functional in the morning. I just now have supper done and it is 4:55p. I need more time.
5:09a – Today marks one of those simple little things that many people do not realize have happened. In 1990, Doug and I bought a very nice new TV which cost us over $600. At the time, that was very expensive. We had it delivered, and my sister, Darlene, who lived with us then, received the delivery while we were at work. The below photo show the day the new TV was brought into our home. It was a happy time and life was treating us well.
| Today,
that television set has traveled from Florida, to St. Louis. It has
nearly put poor Jack's back out as he and Adam tried to help me to get
it into their 3rd floor apartment. Adam and I managed to get it up the
stairs. Then it resided with me (and later my brother Skip) at The
Gentry's Landing in downtown St. Louis. We moved from there and it
traveled with us to Cahokia, IL, where it finally gave out. It has
spent the last 2 years deteriorating on the back patio, but today,
Mayor Bergman, has declared a "Clean-up Cahokia Day" and so we have
joined many residents in setting out items to be disposed of. Along
with this TV is yet another TV which I purchased from the money I made
with my first job teaching Corel Draw! at Valencia Community College
in Orlando. 6:05a – I am finally off to bed. Skip just left for work! Before going to bed, since it was already getting light out, I got some foil and put it up on my windows. It was done a bit haphazardly, but it has reduced the light level significantly Calling in late turned out to be a good idea in more ways than one. I woke up (not sure what time), with a cramp in my leg. My right calf commonly cramps up in the mornings when I stretch, but I can usually pull my toes up and consciously relax to control it. |
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This time my well worn routine of mind-over-body control simply failed. My calf continued to cramp very painfully. I was losing control over the muscles entirely, and it just kept on going! I started to scream in pain. I couldn't control it. It seemed to go on forever. I was just thrashing about in bed, screaming so loud I bet my neighbors could have heard me. Finally the mega-cramp subsided. I lay panting in relief, though my leg was throbbing in agony ... but nothing like the intense pain I had just been going through. I got up after a bit and "hobbled" to the bathroom. My leg was stiff and still hurting.
Either before, or after my terrible cramping, I had a dream about my leg. Probably after. It was all deformed, and the calf was hanging down lie a "batwing."
I got to work on time (2 hours late as planned). But... there was no where to sit. I had to wait about 40 minutes waiting to get a seat... and this was in the new annex section! (Not the Comcast general quad). This evening it was me, Steve, Will, and Rodney (aka "Jamal") working.
Today, the Cherokees of California are scheduled for council. I am hoping that my application for enrollment is on the agenda. I need 1 or 2 more signatures before my enrollment if confirmed. I hope there is no problem. I have been "Cherokee" all my life. Daddy always stressed our Cherokee heritage. Mom was not quite as upstage as he was about it, but she never expressed anything but a quiet pride in our ancestry. I do not want any kind of benefits, and I don't care that the Cherokees of California are not "federally recognized." I will never be recognized by the government as Cherokee, and I could care less. To be recognized by my own people, those "disenfranchised" Cherokee, would be a wonderful thing to me. We will see what happens.
My new USB Flash Drive was apparently delivered to me today by UPS... while I was in the shower. So they left a note on the door. The will try to deliver again tomorrow. Hopefully I will be out of bed!
My camping group's summer campout is this weekend. I am going to try to make it. I have a four day weekend, and I have not been camping in about 2 years now. (wow... TWO years!?).
3:08a – Home at last and ready for FOUR days off! My leg is still stiff and sore from my unbelievable cramping episode. I am worried it will cramp up again tonight. Maybe I should find an ace bandage and wrap it up ... the increased warmth might help. I don't know. I am just very nervous about going through such pain again. That was awful. If Skip had been here, he would probably be banging on my door asking if I was okay... I was really screaming loud.
3:41a – I just finished catching up all my messages, spam, and my blog at MySpace.
5:46a – The sun is rising. I have been watching an episode of ST:Enterprise which I must have missed, but... time to crash. I hope my leg does not have another "mega-cramp."
1:50p – I am finally out of bed. My leg did not cramp, thankfully. My right arm and shoulder are still aching. It feels heavy, like it's made of lead or something. I should probably go to the doctor, but I am afraid my insurance won't cover anything and I will get charged again.
2:19p – My new 4Gb flash drive arrived! I am about to plug it in and test it.
9:09p – I copied all the content from my old 265Mb drive to my new 4Gb and tested it. Firefox pulls up and all my work notes. Great!
Skip and I did about nothing today. Just sat at home and played on out computers. I feel bad I did not write anything more for today, but I was just being very lazy ... and little happened to take note of anyway.
I could not sit at home all day again today. I slept late, but I got Skip to join me and we went out to the Cahokia Mounds and I saw Wood Henge for the first time. Then we drove up into Collinsville looking for a place to eat. We ended up going to Shake & Steak. I got a big ol' strawberry milkshake and a Pepperjack Pattymelt, with jalapeños
My first visit to a local 1000 year
old historical site -- Wood Henge
I did manage to get up the energy to mow the lawn today!
This has been another lazy day. I got up way later than I should have. I intended to wash dishes today (the kitchen is a disaster). I got the phone bill paid, at least. And I got some of the dishes done. I picked Skip up from the train station, and then after dropping him off at Schnuck's, I went over to Wall-Mart and spent about $24 on some house hold requirements.
11:47 – I am off to bed. This is very early for me!
I actually took some phone calls at work today for the first time in a while.
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Stars &
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