Wednesday - May 1, 2002
Skip's probationary period with
Washington University is officially over!
MAY DAY

7:52p - I got up early this morning, washed dishes and am making a festive rice dish. I am experimenting with shredded daikon radish in beaten eggs with some onion powder, salt and white pepper. I felt yucky again when I went to bed last night and had a bad headache in the middle of the night, but I feel great this morning. I had lots of weird dreams again.

Debbie M. at work tried some of my rice this morning. She was very impressed and quite flattering. I made the kind with the baked ground beef.

I stopped in at the Radisson for a few drinks tonight and went through my Esperanto ballot information. I voted for Lee Miller for President of ELNA. He is also a member of our club. He speaks very fluent Esperanto.

I went back home, mailed out the ballot, and then was going to walk over to Calico's (which, for some reason, I keep calling "Cactus"), but it started pouring down rain. I turned around and came back home and cleaned the kitchen instead. I was so HOT and HUMID this evening! I felt like I was back home in Florida. But I heard its supposed to be down to 58 tomorrow.

Thursday, May 02, 2002

8:15 - I have rice cooking. It looks sunny with a slight haze out this morning. I am behind schedule, so I can't say much. Jack called last night and we are going to do something for Cinco de Mayo this weekend.

I went to Talayna's tonight, but it was kind of boring. I read further into Lord of the Rings. I am now to the point where they have fought the Orcs in Balin's tomb within the caves of Moria. Next chapter they will be going to the forest of Lothlorién.

I went over to WS Hotel after walking Kira and had some Sushi! It was very limited, but nice to have just across the street. I spent WAY too much (of course), but it was a nice splurge. The Sushi Chef's name is "Kevin" (it's really "Goson" and he is Thai). I learned a lot of new words from him in Thai. Here are some…

Pom	I, mi		Pom MI kwamsook	I am happy, MI estas felicxa
Koon	you, vi		Mag	much, multa
Chai	yes, jes		Jing luh	Isn't it? true? Cxu ne?
Mai	no, NE		Kaojai	understand, kompreni
Luh?	(interrogatory) (demando)		MI(or me)	be (verb), esti (la verbo)

It was not only fun, but educational!

I brought a sample of Kappa Maki back for James (front desk). He liked it. I tried to get Tim to try some, but he didn't want to try. I talked with Tim at the front desk for a while and while we spoke, Terry arrived! He tried to get friendly with me, but pulled away from him. He smelled like he had soiled himself, and I told him to get away from me that I did not want to breath the same air as he. Then I realized the odor about him and realized he had barfed all over the front of his sweater… and the cab driver was right behind him asking Tim for some kind of deodorant or disinfectant. He had puked in the cab. I came up and got some air freshener for the poor guy. Yet another of Terry's string of victims. He is such disgusting creature.

Friday - May 3, 2002
"Spiderman" debuts

7:49a - Rice is cooking, diary is updated and the sun is shining. Time to walk Kira and its not even 8am yet!

I was sure glad to get off work today, but so tired. I finally got myself up and went to Hooter's for some Buffalo shrimp and a few beers. Ava was my waitress. It must have been an "after school night" or something. There were young kids everywhere. The table next to me had 5 or 6 young boys around 15 years old. It was quite amusing to watch them ogling the Hooter's waitresses. The 3 more young men (in their 20's) took the table next to them and they started talking. I heard one of the offer one of the younger boys $5 to do or say something to one of the waitresses, but I did not hear clearly what it was.

Saturday - May 4, 2002
James' Birthday (from the front desk)

Today was a beautiful day. Skip and I were productive this morning, going down to Soulard Market. I bought a good deal of stuff today. Then, after bringing everything home, we took a trip to Schnuck's (the grocery store) and I bought more stuff. We were going to go watch the new movie "Spiderman," but by this time it was after 1:00pm and Skip had not been to sleep yet. I went by myself to watch it. It was another great movie! I enjoy the movie immensely, but as usual, the crowd at Union Station was crass, loud, inconsiderate, and just had me angry by the time the movie was half finished. I could not hear portions of it for the constant talking and frequent outbursts of the 3 or 4 young punks sitting next to me. I had to get up and move away from them since the one closest to me smelled sour and was grossing me out.

I came out of the theater and lo and behold, there was Skip waiting for me. (I thought he was going to sleep?). So we went over to Casa G and had some chips and drinks. (I just had two sodas, and two rum & cokes).Then we went home.

I got some of my veggies chopped while Skip continued to drink beer and pass out. I went to bed at 10pm. I am supposed to go to Cherokee for el Cinco de Mayo with Jack and Adam tomorrow. I don't know if Skip is going to join us or go to the movie.

Sunday - May 5, 2002

8:43a - I got up a little after 8:00a and walked Kira. Then I went to the store next door to buy come coffee, but they don't open until 9:00a. Skip has coffee brewing now and I am going to start some major chores as soon as I finish writing here. I still have more veggies to chop and meat to put away from yesterday. (I cannot find my bag of garlic bulbs that I bought yesterday. I think I might have lost them). I also need to vacuum and I have asked Skip to put away some of his clutter. Well… time to get to work…

Jack got here before 10:30 (which was a couple of hours sooner that I expected). We worked with DreamWeaver. We loaded version 4.0 on my system, which took nearly one-half hour. Then he gave me instructions for about another hour. Adam arrived at 12 noon; precisely on schedule (even though he chose to walk from Union Station).

Skip joined us and we went down to Cherokee street for the Cinco de Mayo festivities. It was entertaining, but nothing fantastic. I bought Jack & myself a beef taco (it was quite delicious). Skip bought a giant $7 burrito that looked pretty good. We had to come home early since Jack has a new job and had to be at work at 4pm. Skip and I came home and he made some more burritos and such (we had been his original plans). I had a few beers and finished cutting up my chicken and pork and getting it in the freezer. I guess I lost the bag of garlic somewhere. Can't find it at all. Skip joined me for a walk on the Arch grounds with Kira. After eating, I went to bed (about 9:30pm). The beer was giving me a headache.

Monday - May 6, 2002
Happy Birthday, Lisa Z.

7:59a - Skip took his first day of vacation today. Actually between 12am - 8:30am.

The weekend was beautiful, but it is cloudy and gloomy looking this morning. I have rice on, Golden Girls are playing and now its time to take Kira out. Typical morning.

It was NOT a typical day. The networks were so slow! Everything was hanging up. We set a new record for logged calls today. Lisa Z. got 44 and I got 40 for a new record of 84 calls. And this was after my Applix went down and I lost several calls; at least four. I hope they weren't urgent.

I decided to go for a drink after work. I found that a cab to Freddie's is only about $6. But waiting for the bus took a long time and the bus ride was a long time. By the time I got home, it was around 10pm. And Kira could not wait for me that long. It was dark when I came in and I stepped right into a pile of dog poop and tracked it across the room. I had no idea until I turned on the light. I was not a happy camper. I took her out and cleaned up, but it still smelled pretty bad.

Tuesday - May 7, 2002

7:56a - I looks like I need to do some more cleaning on the floor tonight. Now that I see the floor in daylight I can still tell.

Two weeks until our trip to California!

Work was very light today. I did not access the IDXRad system once until after 3:00pm… which is phenomenal in itself. We took a total of 60 calls between 3 of us. I took 23, Lisa Z. 24 and Gary got the rest.

I did nothing this evening but lounge around watching "Journey to the Center of the Earth," then went to bed when Skip got up.

Wednesday - May 8, 2002

8:26a - I worked through lunch yesterday, so I am going to go in 30 minutes late this morning. It's raining outside and look gloomy. There were some light storms last night. Rice is cooking. This morning's variety has pasta & egg.

I bought Lisa Z. a late birthday gift at lunch ("The Blue Day Book"). I got a gift and card for Laura too. Her birthday is May 10^th, just like Mom's and Stephanie's.

Jack met me at Talayna's. He seems a lot happier now that he is no longer working at Giovani's. We went over to the WS for sushi later, but Goson had already left! So we walked down to Hannigan's where Jack got a roast beef sandwich and I got another bowl of their most delicious clam chowder. I was getting kind of drunk by this time.

Thursday - May 9, 2002

7:54 - I feel kind of crappy this morning. That's the price one pays for having fun I guess. I have rice on as usual.   It looks cloudy outside again this morning. Time to take Kira out and see for myself.

It turned out to be a nice day today. Nothing out of the ordinary really happened today. We had a "network burp" this afternoon after Lisa left and I got swamped for a while. I ended up taking 44 calls for the day out of about 61 total. Gary had his hair cut… it looked really good. I think I will get a weight line cut this Saturday. I have an appointment with Josephine at 11:30a.

I finally got my Lee's Place web site updated tonight. I put in an explanation about my Journal not being updated. Now I just have to start getting serious with using DreamWeaver.

Friday - May 10, 2002
Birthday Wishes to Colleen Lewis, my mother (5/10/37 - 4/29/84)
Happy Birthday to Laura R. - My Director
Happy Birthday to Stephanie Selfridge - My Niece

7:24a - I got up at 6:40a this morning and battered up some pork & chicken chunks and fried them. Then put on the inevitable rice and will mix them together later. It should be extra festive!

7:28a - It's still very early and I am about to take Kira out already!

Lisa was out today, so I had the Help Desk by myself. I logged 44 calls today. Yesterday I think I did 48.

Stayed at home tonight. I fried up some more of the chicken and pork chunks. This time I took some spinach and puréed it in my food processor. I added the purée to may batter. I also chopped some large mushrooms into quarters and batter fried them as well. The spinach made everything green. Was as calling new recipe "Horse Biscuits."

Saturday - May 11, 2002

Walked Kira, ate some leftovers from last night, watched some TV, then got my hair cut at 11:30. I got it cut shorter than usual this time. Then I walked over to the St. Louis Center Mall where I was going to get several items, including hair colour. I ended up buying a new pair of shorts and a shirt and then headed home. I completely forgot to go to Walgreen's! Maybe I shouldn't buy any hair colour; I seem to be acting blond enough!

Went to Clem's in my new outfit tonight. Actually, I sat at Bastille and had some beers while watching "Mars Attacks" on the TV (with no volume). Later I walked over to Clem's where I met Vern and Larry. They were an entertaining pair and gave me a ride home later. The saved me some hassle with getting a cab or catching a bus.

I got in and discovered Kira had another accident! Twice in one week; of course I was late getting home both times.  I least I didn't step in it and track it all over the house like I did last time. That was awful.

I made some awful kind of soup tonight and ate part of it before going to bed. I slept horribly. My arm, shoulder and elbow are in such pain. It really sucks. And I had a near reflux attack last night too. I was able to sit up on the side of the bed and keep most of the acid from getting in my throat and lungs. That is one of the MOST PAINFUL experiences!

Sunday - May 12, 2002

8:16a - It was lighter when I firs got up than it is now. It looks gloomy and dark outside. Yesterday it was supposed to be rainy all day, but it was only overcast in the morning and the remainder of the day was beautiful (if slight windy). Today looks ominous. We will see how it goes.

8:17a - It's not raining now, so I had better take Kira outside. I think I hear thunder in the distance. (But it might be empty semi-trucks rattling down the interstate.

Monday - May 13, 2002

7:38a - I am making my first journal entry DIRECTLY into DreamWeaver this morning! It's cloudy out and rainy. Just like yesterday.

I have to go get my morning rice started still. I usually do that before updating my diary, but I actually DREAMED about working with DreamWeaver last night... and I just realized the irony of that.

7:41a - This is my last full week of work before my vacation. I have to start preparing for packing and traveling this week. I must remember to write a letter to The Gentry's Landing for Lisa Z. and she must be sure to make it over here once or twice to walk Kira.

7:45a - Wow! I just uploaded my morning's entry (or "synchronized my sites" as DreamWeaver calls it) and it only took a few seconds. My better than the old way with Net Objects Fusion II which took about 15 minutes on DSL!

8:47a - I am showered, shaved and dressed for work. Kira has been for her walk, and rice is cooked. Yet I am still taking time to make this entry and will have it on the website in seconds. I am enjoying this! :)

Y'ukt' ey' aabk' oyeurv' uute Freddie's uut' aitne. Y'onyeil' aadh' 7 inksdre, t'be Y'aatg' uut' unkdre. Y'ukt' ey' aabk' aakb' uute CWE uut' etchk' iith' eintr' omhe. Y'aantk' iirimeirbe t'gaengy' aany' iith' eintre, orye t'gaengy' omhe! AANJE Y'ond' iirimeirbe f'ye Y'ukte Kira aachaatse!

Tuesday - May 14, 2002

7:37a - One week until Skip & I go to California! It's bright and sunny outside this morning. I hope its warmer that it was yesterday morning. 8:28a - It is BEEEeeOOoooOOTIFUL outside! Kira saw a squirrel and got to chase it, so she was happy too. 8:29a - I finally remembered to get the canned food that I keep meaning to put in the donation bin at work. A can of yams and one of apple sauce (They were donated to me when I had problems back in Deltona). Also a can of baked ham.

I went over to the transporation office this morning on the way in and picked up my "Clean Air Pass" (also known as an "Ozone Pass"). I will cost me $100 on my June paycheck, but it is good for 3 months. That is a savings on passes of $35; and the passes save me a minumum of $5 per month... so it is a pretty good deal. I had sesame chicken from Hon's Wok for lunch. Sonya walked over with me to get it. 9:10p - Traffic was a mess in the downtown area today when I came home from work. Glad I ride the train!

9:12p - I just got the dishes going and the counter soaking in the kitchen. I am so tired, but if I skip a day cleaning, the place becomes a disaster these days. Skip did a load of dishes yesterday, but I am starting to think he only does it when there is enough of a mess to be an inconvenience. The rest of the kitchen rarely if ever gets cleaned unless I do it. <sigh>

Wednesday - May 15, 2002

8:03a - I am still trying to wake up, but rice is cooking. It's Mexican style this morning. I feel like I have a hangover. I don't, I just had 4 beers last night while reading e-mail, cleaning the kitchen, etc.

8:08a - It looks like another beautiful day out there this morning. I had better get dress and take Kira out. I probably won't want to come back in!

MEDICOR (the e-mail server) crashed & burned today. I logged 44 calls today.

Jack and I went out after work. We had a few drinks, then went to Jay International where I bought some rice (back to Jasmine. I didn't care for the Bismati all that much). We came home, walked Kira and went out again.

Thursday - May 16, 2002

8:05a - I feel rough this morning, but I'll make it. It was worth it... I had a good time last night.

8:07a - Rice is cooking. This morning I have some Mung beans in it. I soaked them over night. I hope they are sufficiently cooked by the rice cooker. I also put some fresh been spouts on top.

8:08a - Time to take Kira out. Past time actually. I had better hurry.

Oh no! ... I left my carry bag, my Wash U. ID and my bus/train pass in Jack's car last night! Oh, good... Skip is loaning me his pass. I will call Jack this afternoon.

9:51p - Jack called me around noon. He ended up picking me up and we went for lunch at Vietnam Palace. I had the #16 (Cuon) and the #67. He had the #16 and #57. It was a very nice lunch even if it did take an hour and a half (I only have a 30 minute lunch). However, I usually work through lunch and rarely get credit (ie, overtime) for it. So I don't feel I have abused the system at all.

9:56p - Lisa Z. came over tonight to "practice" walking Kira. As I knew, she had no concept of the complexity of the process. I will be biting my nails the entire trip to CA. I am already anxious to get back, and I have not even left yet.

10:00p - Marty just ask me to join his dart league starting this summer. I am cool with that.

10:16p - I am cooking some weird crap tonight. Chicken wings, bean sprouts, Mung beans, Moth beans (or peas, or whatever they are), sabudana (or tapioca I think), rice vermicelli, basil, onion, leeks, scallion and more..... A kind of soup.

By the time the "soup" was done I wasn't so hungry. I just ate a half bowl; mostly broth.

Friday - May 17, 2002

7:48a - It's cloudy, hazy and wet outside this morning.

Laura let us go home early today. That was a pleasant surprise and very welcome. I came home and decided to just relax, watch TV (ST:TOS was on), and just do lots of nothing for the evening. Skip was not home; he went to watch Star Wars - Episode II, which came out yesterday. He called at 5:40 and wanted me to come down to Union Station. I went and got there just a few minutes before 7:00p but he was not at Key West where I thought I was supposed to meet him. I had a couple of cocktails while waiting for him, then he called me on my cell phone. It turned out he was just around the corner from me at Casa G. I walked over and joined him (and a girl named Randi) and had a few more rum & cokes. Skip had bought himself some new clothes. Then they went somewhere and I headed up to Hooter's. I was in the mood for some oysters on the half shell for some reason. Hooter's ended up being so crowded that changed my mind and went looking fro Skip & Randi again. I did not find them, so I went back to Key West and discovered that they served oysters too! I didn't know that. So, I had my oysters (and another drink or two) while chatting with this young guy who had red hair, a mohawk, a tattoo and a pierced lip.

I finally headed home and Skip was apparently on the same train as I was and caught up with me. We ended up having a big fight after we got home, but we got over it. Then Jack called (it was around 11:00p) to tell me the good news that Adam was granted a post-doc position with the University, so they will be staying in St. Louis for at least another year! That's great. I was not looking forward to my best friends moving (yet again) to another state.

So Jack & Adam came over and I decided to go out again. Skip joined us. We dropped Adam off at home (he was the wise one) and went to a bar, had one drink, and was chased out; they were closing already! It was already after 1:30a! (time flies!). So, we went to another bar that stays open later and had a few more drinks. I ran into my friends Larry and Vern, they are nice guys and I always enjoy talking with them.

We finally went home... I was not exactly "trashed" but I was worn out. My evening of quite relaxation turned in to a series of drinking sprees and partying.

Saturday - May 18, 2002

12:44p - It was with utmost effort that I dragged myself out of bed a little before 9:00a to walk Kira. I felt like crap. I came back in and fixed a bite to eat, felt queasy, couldn't eat it all and went back to bed. I slept fitfully for a bit, having some weird dreams (which I can't remember) then got up and decided to work some more with DreamWeaver. I made some headway this morning too! I created the jubchuQun logo at the top of this page. It contains "mouse over" and "mouse over down" commands. I also redesigned the jubchuQun House Emblem.

8:28p - I just got my "Journal Home" button figured out and place on this page. I am watching Star Trek:Enterprise at the moment. I usually miss it.

Sunday - May 19, 2002

11:05a - I slept well last night (for a change). Only 2 days to go until our trip to California. I don' know who I will keep my journal going while gone. I think I will take my old diary which I've been maintaining off & on since March of 1976.

12:42p - It too nearly two hours of design work, but I have succeed in creating the calendar links for my page this morning, including 64 separate "button" images. I learned how to do "anchors" with DreamWeaver today too.

3:51p - Skip and I walked over to the Mall this afternoon. I bought a couple of new shirts and some hair colour. He bout a book on cartography and history (he is telling me all about it now).

6:56p - I completed more changes to my journal home page earlier (while drinking a few beers). I just took Kira for her evening walk. I also just realized that all I have eaten all day are peanuts! I boiled some peanuts last night and so far, that is all I have had all day (except for the 5 beers). How strange.

6:58p - Skip has much of his packing done already. I haven't even started. Of course, I only have one more day to work. He has to work tonight and part of tomorrow night. I hope this is not a total disaster :(

7:04 - I am trying to decide if I should"go out" or stay at home. Tough decision. Maybe I will just dye my hair and then see how I feel. I am starting to get kind of hungry (from something OTHER than boiled peanuts!!)

9:18p - I dyed my hair; and I tried to get creative and dye stripes in Kira's hair too. It didn't come out to well, but she seems to have enjoyed the attention. She needed a bath anyway. I put some rice & meat on to cook and the dishwasher is full of dishes. I decided to stay at home. I've already spent enough money this weekend and I have the trip coming up.

9:20p - The X-Files' last episode played tonight. It has been all most 10 years. It's hard to believe it has been that long. I have not been keeping up with the series very well since moving to St. Louis... especially since moving to this apartment. That's good... it will give me a chance to watch reruns that I have never seen before.

9:23p - I sure did make a of of headway on my website using DreamWeaver today. I am very please with myself in that regard.

9:24p - On the news a bit ago, they commented that there is reason to believe that the terrorists may be about to strike again. This time it may be some place like a mall or apartment building. I hope St. Louis is low enough on their list that we are not a good "target." I cannot understand how these people can do such things. We are just people trying to live our lives. We have built a good life for ourselves (some of us). America may not be "perfect" ... but at least we don't go around blowing up innocent people. We donate food, medicine and other supplies to needy people around the world. We loan money to foreign countries (while people in our own country are starving and homeless); and those countries don't pay us back. We are (over all) good intentioned and well meaning people. We may be a bit fat and too rich (on the average) to foreigners, but that's not a crime. We don't want to take anything from other countries... but try to help them reach our level. This is not a bad thing... or at least it is well intentioned. And I say this as one who is descended from the ani Yunwiyv (Cherokee) whose country was taken from them. I wonder what the Muslim/terrorist people think about Native Americans? Do they attack our country and think we will be grateful? I hope not. I am not. We have had enough "fighting" in the world... but I fear there shall be much more to come. I hope the worst comes after my lifetime.

Monday - May 20, 2002

7:23a - I slept awfully last night. Everything hurts. I so many strange dreams too. In one dream I was standing on top of a cliff face. Someone in an Army uniform started shooting at me with a machine gun from down below. I held out my hand and stopped all the bullets from getting me... then someone else in uniform attacked be from behind. I had to throw the shield all the way around myself to stop all the bullets. It was taking a lot of concentration, so I pushed my self up off the ground and began flying. I flew out of range and ended up landing on top of Orlando City Hall. The dream continued on from there but didn't make much sense.

7:33a - This is my last day of work before the trip. I haven't done a bit of packing yet. I will have to do that tonight. Skip will be asleep, so that will be an added challenge. I have to get some laundry done too.

7:55a - It's a beautiful day out again. The weather forecast in California looks like it is going to be nice up there.

6:49p - My last work day before the trip is completed. (Only logged 17 calls out of about 36 today). Kira is walked... I have one more walk with her at dark-thirty this morning before I go. She is going to be so confused. We have not been separated for more than a day in 4 years... except for a weekend trip to visit Chuck over 2 years ago. I am missing her already.

6:52 - My next task is to get a little laundry done. I don't have much. I had to spend and unexpected $100 to buy a monthly pass for Lisa to park. That sucked, but there was nothing I could do. I can't very well expect her to pay that. I left her my key and a letter of authorization (which I finally completed). I printed out Skip's instructions for the care and feeding of Barny-cat. I asked Skip to put the "key" (for Lisa's parking) in the mail box, but he left it for me to do. However, I left my mail-box key with her, so I don't have any way to put it in unless I wake Skip of find his keys. Oh, whatever... I've got to get to the laundry.

7:18p - Now I am caught up in an episode of The Outer Limits instead of getting laundry going :( I just finished of the last of the peanuts that I boiled on Saturday. That's almost all I ate yesterday until around 10:30p when I cooked some rice.

8:24p - Laundry is washing. Just two medium loads. I started cooking some meat in the pressure cooker too. I thought it was a piece of a roast I bought, since Skip marks his with an "S" on the packages in the freezer. But when I got it out of the bag I realized it was ribs that Skip bought. They were not too good... king of grislely, so I really didn't want to cook them, but I could not get them to fit back in to the bag that I took them out of. I decided to cook them. Maybe Skip can take one to work with him tonight. I also slice a baking potato in half, seasoned it, wrapped it in foil and put it in the pressure cook too.

9:22p - The meat is cooked (but not yet tasted). I went down to the basement to get my suitcase while ago, but I could not find my leather suitcase! I could have sworn I put it down there. I came back upstairs and Calisa called me just as I walked in. She reminded me of something that I was about to forget.... MY PLANE TICKET! I am glad I remembered. I would have felt stupid going to Lambert Airport without my ticket. That would be a travesty.

9:25p - Oh! I found my leather suitcase... it was INSIDE the other one! I had completely forgotten putting it in there. Duh!

9:26p - I had better get back to packing. I am trying to get some stuff from the bathroom. Maybe I should do that last. I HATE PACKING!

10:00p - Wow... the timer just went off for my clotes at precisely 10pm.

Tuesday - May 21, 2002
THE VACATION BEGINS...

12:17a - I have to get to bed! I have to get up again at 3am. I hope I give myself enough time to get everything done. I think Kira is starting to suspect what is going on. She didn't want to eat tonight and putting her front legs around me in a hug. She was making worried, whining noises and holding me tight. She's a smart dog.

12:20a - I am all packed... I think. I hope. Skip took his luggage with him and will meet me at the airport between 5am and 5:30. I hope this all runs smoothly <bites nails>.

12:21a - I may not be able to make another entry for a while, so this may be the first break in my entries since ... I don't know. Well over a year.

Left home a little after 4:00am and arrived at Lambert about 5:00a. I got myself checked in, after some confusion. I could not find the "Frontier Airlines." It turned out to be at the Delta counter. I also started to get worried since my tickets said "St. Louis International Airport" that this was a different airport from Lambert Airport! Fortunately this was not the case.

Skip arrived about 30 minutes after me and got checked in as well. Then we discovered that our flight which we thought was supposed to leave at 6:00am was actually leaving at 6:50! We had nearly and hour's wait left. During that time I bought a new book about "Flinx and Pip" by Alan D. Foster. I have not read one of these stories in many years.

We flew to Denver (with our Stewardess, Julie) and had a 50 minute layover. We almost missed our flight out! They lightly chastised me and sent me on to the plance, but this time it was Skip's turned to get the magnetometers scan and such. I was sitting on the plane and they closed the doors. I was getting worried about Skip. But at the last moment they opened the doors back and I got on. We were a bit embarrassed.

We landed in Sacramento and had to wait for a bit for our luggage. We finally got that together with no problem, but Calisa & Calais were not there to pick us up yet. We waited out side for a while (it was drizzling rain). I finally decided to use my cell and call the house to ask someone what kind of car they were driving. All I knew was small and red. I had my cell phone out when I looked over at Skip and there were C&C standing behind him!

It was a long drive home. The sun came out during that time. We stopped at some place near where Skip used to live, name "Basil's" and got a bite to eat. I had a "Tri-tip" sandwich. This "Tri-tip" beef is a big thing out here in California. So is "Linguisa" sausage (which I have not tried... yet).

Much of the rest of the day is a blur with reunion hugging, eating, finding a place to sleep... etc.

Wednesday - May 22, 2002

We got up this morning and went for breakfast. Just Darlene, 'lisa, Skip and myself. We had the waitress, Linda Mitchell, take our picture in front of the restaurant ("Nifty's" ?) along with a cardboard picture of Betty Boop. I must remember to send a copy of this as promised to the waitress at niftydrive@aol.com when I get home.

Thursday - May 23, 2002

Calais and I drove out to Turlock to the college she will be attending at SCU Stanislaus. I took some pictures. It was a long drive for about 10 minutes of business! She had to buy a class schedule for $1.50.

Calais got a $40 gift certificate from her boss (Bellesario Vargas, of State Farm) for Mervyn's... a local and somewhat expensive department store. Calisa and I searched for a graduation gift for Calais and were amused to find that MANY items in that store were labled with the price $39.99. The prices were too high for us, though they did have some interesting variety. We decided we could do better at the Target down the street. After leave Mervyn's, we went to Target. I eventually decided to get Calais a rather nice 35mm camera with a telephoto lens.

We went to "Perko's" restaurant for dinner tonight, but after we got sat down, we realized we had not time left! We just ordered salads and left. I learned later that, including tips, the salads cost Mitch about $40.00!!

We went to Calais' graduation ceremony tonight. Skip wore his suit and I wore just a dress shirt and tie. I took LOTS of pictures! Darlene dressed up quite nicely too. She looks so cute wearing glasses. I don't think I have ever seen her wear glasses before.

Skip and I went over to the redneck bar and had a few drinks after all the fuss was over to relax. Meanwhile, Calais and Calisa went to Taco Bell and picked up some food.

Friday - May 24, 2002

I got up this morning early. Calais was still sleeping on the sofa, so I just went out on the front porch and watched the water Lilly flowers open. I must have sat out there for an hour when Mitch drove by. He was on his cell phone with Calisa and told her I was sitting out there, so she brought me out a cup of coffee.

Calisa and I drove into Modesto where she had to pay a bill. We stopped by a place called I-Tech and bought a 32Mb DIMM chip for 'lisa's PC. I came home and installed the chip and after a lot of work I was eventually able to get her PC working minimally again. I don't think it will last long though.

Later I walked over to the library to check my email (this was before the PC was up & running on-line). Then I walked over to the little redneck bar again where Skip joined me for 2-3 beers. We stopped back by the grocery store where 'lisa used to work (Fair Deal Market) and picked up some food.

After getting home, 'lisa, Keri, Stephanie and I went to Wal-Mart. I picked up a couple of air freshners and a very pretty picture frame for Darlene.

After coming home from Wal-Mart, I spent some more time on Calisa's PC and finally was successful in getting her back on-line.

Mitch made some pasta shells & cheese, and some steak, which I had for supper. Thanks Mitch!

Saturday - May 25, 2002

12:25p - I am getting some of my diary stuff caught up finally. I haven't done very much today. Had some coffee, looked at some pictures with 'lisa and cooked some food. Skip has gone down to the pool with Steph and Devon. Keri is with Mitch in Sonora. Calais is in Taho with her friend Lacy who is getting married.

I met "Aunt Patty" today. She came over and Calisa joined her to go get the Poodle from someone's house. They brought the Poodle back and with Darlene's help, they gave her a shot for parvo, distemper, and other canine ailments.

12:40p - I just learned that Madonna, the daughter of my cousin Francis (Aunt Kitty's daughter), died some years ago.

12:45p - I also learned, much to my dismay, that cousin Jackie has been dead for some years as well. Apparently from a car wreck. I am so sorry to hear that...

12:46p - Skip is home (his swimming trunks were of the wrong material to be allowed in the pool). The girls are still down at the pool. Skip is cooking. I am going to get off the computer now. (Well... after I check email at work).

Lisa dug up some old pictures today. Lots of pictures I never knew existed of relatives on Daddy's side. Lot's of pictures of his Aunt Thelma and her sons (Ron and Stan). Also some pictures of a "Bertie" whose name I recognize, but who I can't identify.

We went to the park for a picnic this evening. We had hot-dogs& hamburgers plus some boneless pork ribs. I had one of each. I took some more pictures down by the river. Some of them look like they are going to come out quite nice.

Sunday - May 26, 2002
Happy Birthday to Tamisa Terrell!
...in Moyock, NC

8:15a - I am up and catching up e-mail already. Made a pot of "strong" coffee and am very awake now. I deleted a bunch of "groups" email from my folder this morning. I had twelve pages of e-mails and reduced it to four.

Skip got up a bit ago (he was sleeping on the sofa). Lisa got up shortly thereafter and Mitch just got up too. I don't know if we are doing anything today or not. I hope so. I still would love to take a trip to Santa Cruz like we did last time I visited.

Monday - May 27, 2002

12:41p - Got up this morning and had a cup of coffee. My headache is gone, thankfully! Came in and made a big pot of rice with cilantro and pork. The leftover Menudo is still sitting out. It did not go over so great due to that nixtamal corn/hominy. I will know better than to do THAT again in the future!

12:44p - The computer would not work yesterday, but I got it going again today. When it booted up, the built-in virus detection said it had identified a virus. But when I ran Norton SystemWorks antivirus detection, it did not find anything. I think the fan is not working on this pc... that's definitely ONE thing wrong with it!

12:46p - 'lisa, Skip, Steph and Calais have all gone up to Sonora to help Mitch & Keri with the job they are doing up there. So I will be alone here with Darlene and Devon for most of the day I guess.

12:47p - I am enjoying the visit, but I would so like to be home now <sigh>

Tuesday - May 28, 2002

8:41p - Got up this morning. Calisa and I went to make her house payment this morning and stopped at Denny's for a breakfast overload. I got a "Dagwood," which was tasty, but too much. I had to take half of it to go. Then we head over to feed the horses. I took a picture of her carrying a slice of hay. On the way home, I got her to stop by the Riverbank water tank to take my picture in front of it. Calais' (ex?) boyfriend(?), John, stopped by to see if we were having car trouble. That was my first time to meet him. Iihe she ey' iilre ~aasheia!

There was not much to do for most of the day after that until we had Calais drop us off at the video store. Calisa and I walked home from there, stopping by the store for supper. I got several videos including K-PAX. I watched that while 'lisa was making tacos & burritos for supper. It was a very strange but good movie. 8:48p - I took a shower a few minutes ago and Skip & I are getting ready to go have a few beers.

Wednesday - May 29, 2002

I got up fairly early this morning. Calisa, Darlene and Calais were all headed out to Turlock to Calais' college. I gave her $55 for some of her tuition or book costs last night. I watched another video this morning: "The One" (with Jet Li). It was entertaining, but not as good as I had hope. Very sci fi. I am watching another video now: "Final Fantasy" 12:08p - 'lisa and company just walked in the door. Well... back to the remainder of my email and then the video. If I can stand the excitement.

Thursday - May 30, 2002

4:46p - I am at the library checking email and updating the JOURNAL emails. To make matters faster, I will just paste my email of the day here for my diary entry. It covers most of it: