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Birthday Wishes for May...

Marc Alaimo aka: Dukat May 5th Actor [DS9] Doug McClure May 11, 1935 Actor (1935 - 1995) George Lucas May 14, 1944 Creator of Star War En Memorium... 1941-2004 Paul Winfield aka: Clark Terrell May 22nd Actor [STII] Joan Collins aka: Edith Keeler May 23rd Actress [TOS] Colm Meaney aka: Miles O'Brien May 30th Actor [TNG/DS9] Bob Hope May 29, 1903 to July 27, 2003 Actor Extraordinaire

MONDAY - MAY 1, 2007
Beltane or "May Day"

3:11a – I just finished watching the tail end of the ST:Enterprise episode in which the religious fanatics took over the Enterprise. Then I watch the episode where the Andorians came to "help" the humans against the Xindi, but ended up having their own agenda. That was a pretty good episode. Both were in fact.

At the moment, I have some potato & pork chowder simmering in the kitchen.

I stepped into the bathroom a bit ago, and Skip has apparently decided the temperature was better in there and moved his brewing vats to the cooler temperatures of the toilet. The first thing I though of was that he was now brewing his own Merlot...

4:14a – I watched one more episode of ST:E, and then ate my supper, made lunch for tomorrow, etc. Off to bed now.

1:15p – I slept pretty good last night with more "normal" dreams for a change. I only remember one snippet of one dream. I feel a little more rested than usual. And its time for me to leave for work... and I am not even dressed yet. Better get hoppin'!

Getting to work was quite an ordeal today. I left just a few minutes later than I would have liked, but within acceptable parameters. But then a train was crossing on Camp Jackson, so I swung over to Range ... and got stuck behind a school bus. That made little difference, since I still had to sit and wait for the train on Mildred Street. Once the train passed, then I was delayed (like yesterday), but construction on the railroad crossing on Router 3. I got through that, but then I got delayed and had to sit on the PSB bridge for a while. There was apparently an accident on East 70, though the only thing I saw indicative of this was a charred spot and some pieces of metal. Maybe it was really bad.

I stormed violent for much of the work day. We could hear torrential rain battering the building, constant rolls and booms of thunder, and lightening flashes through the limited amount of window space which through which we can see over the tops of the production floor walls. The lights flickered now and then, but we never lost power.

My team lead said he would let me know today if I had Saturday off. I saw him briefly, but before I had a chance to pester him about it, he was gone. I guess I do not have Saturday off. Whatever.

I got moved back into the Adelphia residential queue today. I only took 6 calls, but that was more than I have taken in a long time.

RD is on her second day of work. We are probably not going to have as much time to chat now with both of us working. She sounds like the "break in" period is turning out to be rough, but she is a hard worker. I am sure she will not only do fine, but excel.

TUESDAY - MAY 2, 2007

4:07a – I got home tonight and began to get situated. I finally sat down to watch some TV, but was too hot, so I turned on my little fan. Something sparked and all the electricity for that end of the house went off. This included the outside lights, the icebox and my computer. I tried flipping the circuit breakers, but only succeeded in resetting my clock (and probably Skip's) and rebooting all the computers. Finally, I gave up and just sat down to watch some SG-1 episodes. In the dark. At least the TV's power was on.

I took a moment later on to test the stove to see if I was going to be able to cook anything. The kitchen track lights came on, though very weakly. I turned the stove off and the track lights went off. I fiddled with it for a few moments. I left the stove on for a long spell to see if the element was truly heating and the the power seem to fluctuate and after what seemed like a short struggle, it came back on!

Considering the house that burned down behind us due to an electrical problem, and the 4 deaths in a house around the corner a few weeks ago for reasons as yet undermined, I am starting to get nervous.

Anyway, the power is back on and I am off to eat supper... which consists of some left over chuck roast and onions in tomato soup.

4:31a – Oh yes. I listened to my voice mail when I got home and had a message from Skip. His cell phone was suspended. Darn... I did not mean for that to happen. I just needed one more day. I got on the phone and got it paid up at nearly $160. My own phone will probably be next.

1:07p – I slept in late.

5:29p – I just took a trip to the Dollar store, Wal-Mart and Q-Mart. Among other things, I picked up some hair color. My hair is starting to look drab.

Skip worked on his home brew again tonight, and of course I was recruited in to help. As usual, I mostly took some photos to document his progress, but I also filled about 15-20 bottles while he capped them.

THURSDAY - MAY 3, 2007

12:27p – I slept in later than I really intended to.

I had planned on trying to get the front yard mowed on my days off, but it has been raining constantly. Skip was going to mow last Sunday, but the filter needed changing. I took it off and washed it, then left it laying in the driveway. Of course, I came home in the dark and parked on it. He picked up another filter, but it is the wrong size. I went out to check it today ... and find that he left the mower sitting out in the yard in the rain since Sunday! Jeez... I hope is still runs. I took the filter back and got the right size, installed it and decided the rain is not going to quit. So I mowed the lawn in the rain. The mower spluttered for a bit before it got the moisture out of the line, but it did okay. Skip had sharpened the blades and mowed the huge back yard over the weekend, and I could feel the difference in the blades. They were cutting much smoother. However, the wet grass clogged it up a couple of time and I had to dig the grass out of it. I finally got the hang of it and, going a little slower, I got the lawn does without any further problems. Of course, it looks kind of crappy now. That was a lot of grass. It had started seeding already. It needs to be raked up, but my back won't let me do that.

4:23p – I am turning at the signal to pick Skip up from the train at this moment. He is not standing by the entranceway where I normally pick him up.

4:25p – Here he is. He just got off the train. My timing was very good today. It is still sprinkling rain. We stopped by Wal-Mart on the way home. I got some refrigerant for the A/C in the car. I will see if I can recharge it myself. I also picked up a new lunch dish. My current one is not sealing well. My old one was, of course, stolen from my locker quite some time ago at work.

9:20p – Skip is making a new batch of beer tonight. Irish Red I think. I gave a bit of assistance and (as usual) took pictures. My photos have been very useful in keeping track of his gravity readings.

FRIDAY - MAY 4, 2007
Birthday wishes to Ivy Pedro - my long time on-line friend in the Phillipines
and Penny (Ensley) Reed, one of my dear friend from my City family back in Orlando...

12:37a – I am cooking "extra" supper. I ate... but I am still hungry. Damn it...

1:01a – Okay... now I am over-stuffed. Off to bed... to get fatter...

I tried to recharge A/C in the car, but the fittings appear to be the wrong size. This could indicate that I have an older model A/C. On the other hand, the sell packets of adapters fittings at Wal-Mart, so this may be a common issue.

6:04p – I have done nothing today. I am bored and a bit depressed. It is still raining.

I got industrious with supper and made the chuck roast (which I thawed out 3-4 days ago), a big vat of collard greens with red onion, and a pot of corn.

SATURDAY - MAY 5, 2007 El Cinco de Mayo!

12:03p – I slept longer that I expected, but now I am up and I have just submitted a résumé to Olan-Mills photography studio applying for a job as a photographer. They say "no experience" is required, that they train. I think I have some experience, but this could be an interesting venture.

1:11p – It's a beautiful day out. Of course. I have to go back to work.

Nothing to report on my day at work. Michelle went to work at the Mod Desk (if that is news). I spent all day in Floor support. Oh... I applied for a job this morning with Olin-Mills as a photographer. That could be interesting...

SUNDAY - MAY 6, 2007

4:10a – I am stuffed after a big meal of very well made arroz con pollo. Off to bed... nearly on time.

I watched a new episode of "Heroes" tonight. GREAT series!!

11:50a – I just got up. First thing this morning I have having to try to schedule time off for a trip to Oklahoma for Devon and Steph's graduation. I can't afford this, but Skip said he would pay. Now I just have to get the time scheduled at work.

1:55p – I am running 30 minutes late to work today.

Lots of Floor Support, until 8:00p. Then lunch, then into the commercial queue (no calls).  I was afraid I would get put in the Comcast regular queue and have constant calls again.

Called 'lisa on lunch break. I guess we are doing this trip.

Stopped in Hazelwood to fill the tank before going home.  Then, still in Hazelwood, I went through the drive through at Taco Bell and got a couple of grilled stuft beef burritos. While sitting at the window to pay, a read car pulled up behind me. The driver, a voluptuous blonde female, got out of her car and approached me. She says, "I don't mean to alarm you, but...." (which immediately alarmed me) "... your gas cap is off. Would you like me to put it back on for you?" Okay... I felt pretty stupid at that point, realizing I had left the gas cap off. I assured her that I could fix it, and proceeded to "attempt" to exit the vehicle. Not possible. I only had a few inches between me and the wall of the building! I humbly told her that I would appreciate it if she could put the cap back on for me, and she did so. So nice to see and experience nice people. In an attempt at humor, I yelled out to her that I was having a "blond moment." ... (Before thinking about the fact that she was blonde!). So I tried to patch that over with my follow-up of "it's a prelude to my blond moments to come!" I shut up after that, but gave her an exuberant wave from my sun roof on the way out... which she returned.

No train obstruction again tonight... that's good.

MONDAY - MAY 7, 2007

4:19a – Just finished watching "Pain Killer Jane" and the most recent episode of "Star Gate SG1". Had some burritos from Taco Bell... and now I am off to bed.

1:36p – I am off to work again. Very depressed. I just got more insurance forms. They are now talking about "pre-existing conditions" and want me to fill out a bunch of forms. I've called Dameion and will try to get an appointment with him to discuss this, and the bill situation. It is getting to be more than I can deal with.

I met my new TL, Larry Jackson, today. I discussed my PTO needs with him and have now requested the 26th and 27th off on PTO this month for our trip to our nieces graduation. I am happy I can go and am looking forward to it, but I am so humiliated  that I cannot pay my own way. I am really getting tired of always being broke while working for Convergys.

TUESDAY - MAY 8, 2007

1:41a – At this moment, I am on Camp Jackson Road, crossing the rail road tracks. With a quick glance to my right, I see a train on its way in the distance; I missed it again! Hooowah!

The moon was beautiful while driving home tonight. I should have gone out and taken some shots of it... but I forgot about it once I got home. Bad me.

Today was fairly typical at work, except that I got 3 phone calls. One from Cheryl J. (I have to call her back still) and two from home. I called Skip to see what was up and got bad news. He was doing laundry and the hose popped off the washer, flooding the laundry room, kitchen and under the wall into the bathroom. I am sure to be going home to a mess.

My weekend is here... so of course the next three days' forecast is for scattered thunder showers. Steve seemed to take great delight in looking THAT up for me today. He is a veritable imp! Sure enough, when I left work, it started raining.

Yes, it is a mess. I am tired... will deal with it in the morning. Skip got the water up.

WEDNESDAY - MAY 9, 2007
Happy Birthday to Cousin Margie Lee!

6:58p – I picked Skip up from the train about 4:23p. We stopped by Schnuck's so Skip could by some mason jars. He has decided to "bottle" his beer in the cheaper jars than in the bottles. I picked up some sliced pork butt on sale. Then we went by the hardware store and got some parts to fix the washer hose. In Q-Mart there was some girl having a fit about them using her bank card as "credit" and not "debit." They don't have the ability to use the debit system there... and the have a sign posted to that effect. The girl says, "I'll let you do it THIS time, but next time it's gonna be different!" I should have kept my mouth shut, but I tried to explain to her that they don't HAVE a debit/PIN system, but she would hear none of it. What ev'!

Skip got the washer hose fixed up right away and did a load of laundry.

7:43p – I just finished loading "Movie Factory 4se" ... I have to reboot the computer now and see if this program will be of any use to me.

THURSDAY - MAY 10, 2007
Happy Birthday to my Niece, Stephanie,

and to her grandmother, my Mother,
Colleen (Dabbs) Lewis

I had some bizarre dreams last night, but I don't have the time to type them up. The main two segments involved me realizing I as in a dream and taking off flying... after some kind of green, exotic bird. This dream faded out and I was in a separate dream in which "we" were with our old friend, Michael Salvato. This is a bit weird since Mike passed away last year, and his birthday is coming up on the 12th. In the dream, we were in a strange dark forest, or maybe partial cavern. It was very dark, yet sunlight was streaming in. Mike was trying to drive us somewhere, but his passenger's side window did not fit, and it had him very distracted. I got out of his clunky old car and saw a big bird fly in and land in the darkness under a tree. It was a raptor and it's outlines shown florescent in the darkness. Then I saw a very huge and plump pigeon with one leg, I just knew it was my old pigeon, Love... though I knew it must be too old. I kept going on about how pigeons could not live that line, but if they did, this one was over 30 years old!

Love, the pigeon, bathing in Eltopia, WA. - 1974

FRIDAY - MAY 11, 2007

I got up later than I wanted to. I went to Soulard Market around 3:00p. I got some good deals. I headed out to find Cheryl's place, and took a side trip by a shop called "The Crystal Wizard" ... or some such. I forget name. I did not find what I was looking for there. I went on and found the Jost residence with no problem.

I talked to Jack today. Made sure he was not mad at me about anything. He is not doing well, I can tell, but he does not want to discuss it yet.

I talked to Calais. They are now in Oklahoma. She is 5 months pregnant. I hope to see them all soon at the end of this month. Skip, apparently, is still not going to go.

I made both of these calls while waiting for Cheryl to arrive from work. There was not much I could do with her computer since the folder on he old drive continues to result in an 'Access Denied' error every time I try to get into it. I had supper with the family. Much too early for my normal routine.

SATURDAY - MAY 12, 2007

1:07a – I am up late. I need to get to bed.

1:40a – But... I am cooking...

2:07a – Off to bed now. Back to work tomorrow. Ick. I've had so little contact with RD in the last few days. It's kind of depressing. But, I am glad she is working. That is more important. We will get our communication thing worked out in time. Jobs come and go... true friends are forever! :)

12:03n – I slept badly last night. I woke up around 6:00a and then slept off and on until after 11:00a. I would sleep about 10-15 minutes, then wake up for 15-30 minutes. During my sleep spells I had so many strange dreams that I can't recall them all. I feel exhausted now.

It's a beautiful day out. Skip just left for a walk. I gave him my medicine container to see if he can get my prescription refilled for me.

Oh boy. This was a rough day. I was on floor support all day, and we were swamped. I was the only person on FS for a good deal of the time.

SUNDAY - MAY 13, 2007

3:09a – I am making supper/lunch at the moment ... curried pork with peanuts, onion & red pepper. Just finished watching the latest wonderful installment of Heroes; am now watching the most recent episode of SG:Atlantis.

3:49a – My Peanut Curry Pork on Rice was excellent. Will have it for lunch tomorrow too. Meanwhile, I am off to bed BEFORE 4:00a for a change. That is good. I still expect to be exceptionally tired in the morning.

12:31p – I got up very early (for me) at about 10:20. I am making a big pot of chicken noodle soup. My way, of course, with rice noodles, peanuts, red bell pepper, green & yellow onion, cilantro, sesame seeds, white pepper and a few other things. Almost time to head to work again though. I hope it is not as chaotic as yesterday!

Work was not so hectic today. (I did not take a single call all day). I got a call from Jody in Deltona. Apparently Welby had a heart attack on Thursday and is gone. That is quite a shocker... left me kind of disturbed for work for the a while. It's hard to set aside the loss of a long time acquaintance. I hear Barbara is not taking it well... which is quite understandable. I could not call Jody or Barbara back, as my phone's battery was nearly out, and it was very late by the time I got to listen to the message. I will have to call tomorrow.

This Skip called me (with my phone beeping "low battery" all the time). The washer hose popped loose again. Another flood.

MONDAY - MAY 14, 2007

3:58a – I am so tired ... I did nothing with the washer problem. Actually, I forgot about it until nearly time for bed. I watched "Children of Men" tonight. It was okay, but not anything to write home about. I am so tired. Off to bed. More or less on time.

12:21p – I slept until just before noon. I actually slept most of the time too, though I did wake up a lot and had my usual barrage of chaotic dreams. My dreams were interlaced with pregnant women and new born babies. Undoubtedly from watching "Children of Men" before going to bed, in which a baby was born (the first in over 18 years). It was very graphic. Probably the most realistic birth scene I have ever seen. Just before I got up, I was in line; a food line I think. Maybe at a hospital. I was talking with the young man in front of me, and the main topic of discussion was blue pistachios. I was telling him that I also had access to blue mixed nuts. Then we discovered that we both knew Tad and Blake. However, I was living in the same house as Blake and in the dream his name was "Raid." A weird, meaningless (?) little "sidebar" of a dream.

Anyway... I have to rush to get ready for work today.

Monday... busy day at work! Floor support was "rolling fives" most of the time I was on. After I got off floor support, I took my first break, followed immediately by my lunch. Then I got stuck in (horror of horrors...) the 140 queue! The regular Comcast queue. Have not been there in SO long! I took only five calls which all went well. (I am still the smooth talker!). Then Steve went home and they moved me to the 146 (Adelphia commercial) queue. I still did some floor support (while on the phone), covering others for breaks & lunch. Once I even had a call come in while trying to hold a chat! I managed...

TUESDAY - MAY 15, 2007

1:23a – I am just approaching the railroad crossing at Camp Jackson. A train (THE train) is crossing. However, tonight it and the arms go up JUST as I am getting to the crossing. (I "win" !!)

I fixed some veggies (broccoli, tomato, and onion) in peanut broth with beef over rice noodles for supper (and lunch). I was quite tasty. Not bad.

4:16a – Getting late! Off to bed!!

11:44a – And up again. The boring cycle continues. I was just dreaming about Maria Pacheco. I wonder where she is, how she's doing... if she is alive...

We just got a letter from Devon with some pre-graduation pictures. What a young lady she grown into! I remember back in 1989 when Darlene arrived in Orlando and I picker her and her little nine month old baby up from the bus station. I drove them back to my new house in Deltona in my new Celica. Life was good! I was an uncle. Devon grew up in my house for the next two years. That was the closest I have ever come to being a daddy. Then in 1991, they left and moved back to Oklahoma.

Here is a picture of Devon and me sitting at the Greyhound bus station
in Deland, Florida. Waiting for the bus that will take her and Darlene our
of our lives...

This is the picture of Devon today!

So much time has passed. Some of us are growing up. Some of us are growing old. Some of us are gone now. The wheel of life keeps turning, with or without us.

WEDNESDAY - MAY 16, 2007

2:04p – Here it is... my 3 day "weekend" ... and I am sitting around doing mostly nothing. The day is beautiful, sunny, in the low 70's. I should get up and go do something. Or at least do some house work. I feel more like taking a nap.

6:05p – Skip got home about an hour ago. I never did get off my ass and go do anything. I finally sliced up the cantaloupe I bought last Friday... and then I proceeded to eat it. All of it. The only thing I got accomplished today is to get some bones and scrap meat out of the freezer and put them in the stock pot. I am simmering it for hours to get stock for cooking. There is a lot of meat on the bones too I suspect. I will probably play a part in my supper. Oh, I also bought the bus ticket for my trip to OK. It's official now! Skip bottled up some more of his homebrew tonight. A red ale I think. We tasted some of it and were not to pleased with the results. I said it tasted vaguely like bananas. It's still green though (and it was warm), and has to age and carbonate. It may be better in the final product.

THURSDAY - MAY 17, 2007

9:34a – I sure got up early this morning... about 7:20a. I was going to go back to bed, but I got caught up in email and such and have been sitting here at my computer for 2 hours. I need to fix something to eat. I woke up starving!

10:54a – I am doing it again. Sitting around... doing nothing. It's another beautiful day... I must not waste it!

3:54p – I got off my duff finally, and went over to Wal-Mart. I called Marlene as I was leaving, and chatted with her the entire time I was in the store. She will be going to Oklahoma too. It will be good to see her again. I will be taking a lot of pictures!

I got some socks while at the store, a badly needed item. I only had one pair of sports socks left.

I just discovered that they are the wrong kind though. Darn. (No pun intended). After Wal-Mart, I headed east on 255 with no definite destination in mind. I ended up going out to the mounds and spent some time taking pictures and enjoying the day. I am pleasantly tired from the exercise which I need a lot more of. I stopped by Tad's on the way home today. I learned that they had to have Brandi put down a while back. He was nearly 20 years old. And I hear Lisa Z lost her job.

FRIDAY - MAY 18, 2007

I slept in VERY late today... until after 12:00p. However, I still managed to get myself off to Soulard Market, bought some veggies and a bit of meat, came home and mowed the lawn. Got my socks exchanged at Wal-Mart. So ... I was semi-productive.

Skip took the day off from work. He is lucky he can take so much time off at a moment's notice and not lose any pay.

Lisa Z confirmed for me today that her Dad has terminal brain cancer and she did indeed lose her job. Nothing to do with her, but her position was never made official and got eliminated. I am trying to convince her to get a job where I work.

I got the lawn mowed and sprayed some round-up around the edges.

The car has been acting a bit strange on start up today. I hope it is not having a new "break down" issue.

SATURDAY - MAY 19, 2007

I hated getting up this morning, but I got up and got to work on time. I took calls on the Adelphia line for about 4 hours. The calls were fairly steady. My second call was an irate man in Orlando who wanted immediate service. He hung up on me. My last call went over 95 minutes with an elderly gentleman in Okeechobee. He has called in earlier and got one of our agents who totally screwed up his email on two computers. I took me a while to figure out the layers of damage and walk him (slowly) through correcting it.

My schedule has me strictly on phones all day on Monday. That is going to majorly SUCK.

Just missed the Camp Jackson train tonight. It was crossing when I came around the corner at router 3, but it finished crossing by the time I arrived, so I did not have to wait.

SUNDAY - MAY 20, 2007

11:56a – I am up again. I could hear Skip outside mowing the back yard. What a chore that is! I am not sure I can manage it any more. I get so tired so quick, my back starts cramping, and I don't know what the problem is with my right shoulder, but I can barely lift my arm to shoulder level any longer. My left arm seems fine at least.

It looks like a beautiful day out there. I sure don't want to go to work. I am tempted to see if there is UTO available and go in late.

12:29p – I just checked and the system is not providing an option for UTO (unpaid time off). I don't want to go in "tardy" ... so I need to get motivated here...

2:11p – I called in tardy anyway. Then I had to give Skip a ride to the train station. I am really finding it hard to get motivated for work today.

3:20p – I have to get out of here. Jeez... I don't want to go to work today something fierce.

Just as I was leaving the house, I noticed an envelope laying on the back of the chair by the door. Skip had checked the mail. It turned out to be the check for my expenses in putting together the first quarterly newsletter for the Esperanto Association of St. Louis. That was fast! I just sent Ron the invoice yesterday. Estas preskaŭ tempo por la sekvanta eldono de la kvarjara novaĵletero, kaj mi jam ne havas ion por inkluzivi. Post mia voyaĝo al Oklahomo, mi bezonos ekfokusi je la leteron.

MONDAY - MAY 21, 2007

4:41a – Oh boy... going to bed WAY to late. I just dread tomorrow. Monday... all day on the phone. It promises to be telephone Hell. Meanwhile... I will try to get some sleep.

11:40a – Here we go again. Not just another day, but the dreaded Monday. A day on which I am scheduled to be on phones all day with no floor support scheduled at all. This promises to suck.

12:06p – Regarding Skip mowing the lawn yesterday morning when I woke up. It turned out he was in his room the entire time! That was the neighbors mowing THEIR lawn. But I looked outside and saw that our lawn was mowed. It turns out Skip went out to mow it the night before. It may sound like a silly, mundane issue, but it was messing with what's left of my mind!

I thought today was going to be bad. I had no idea. It was the worst day I have had at work in... I don't know how long. Yesterday they changed the rules. We had a floor support ratio of 1:40.  For every 40 agents on the phone, they could have one floor support person. We were still working at times at a 1:75 ratio... but that's okay. I could handle it. Even though we don't get paid any more than the agents we are helping... some of whom have been there longer than me and make more per hour than I do! Whet ev'! ... I could deal with it.

Now they change the rule and say there can be NO MORE THAN two FS agents at any given time... regardless of how many agents are on the production floor (or how experienced they may be).

Today they decided that all FS agents must ALSO be logged in to the commercial queue and taking calls! Now, granted, the Adelphia commercial queue is very slack. One can go hours with no call. So today I was 5 chats deep AND in the commercial queue and had to take 2 calls at the same time. That means I had to ignore my chats (and their customers) to handle the commercial calls. Totally unacceptable! This is stupid. If I was paid more to deal with the extra stress and such, I might be able to waive it aside. However, being paid less that $10 per hour for this is a slap in the face and an insult to my years of experience.

And it is not just me. I think all the FS agents are getting fed up. I and one other were just shy of walking out today. I really had to clinch my grits to stick with it!

THEN I got a call from an irate customer who screamed and ranted uncontrollably. I tried to be polite, courteous, understanding and patient, despite my already high level of stress. However, this obnoxious man pushed me too far and for the first time EVER, I hung up on a customer. I was shaking so bad I could not type my notes. I had to log out and recover for a bit. During that time, I had a "walk-up" who needed to have a modem provisioned!

I really don't care. I just wish they would fire me! I won't quit, but I could easily go back on unemployment and focus on finding a REAL job, now that I have my ID situation resolved.

If my day did not suck enough, I got put BACK on floor support (AND commercial on the phone) for several hours. Fortunately the line did not ring, but you never know. I would have had to drop my chats. I think I will, in the future, sign off on my chats and tell them to chat back if I get a call. Rather than keeping them and their customer sitting with no response... or giving the paying commercial customer poor service. (What else can I do? ... I don't know... )

Around 9:20p I got pull off of the FS/commercial fiasco and put into the supervisor's queue. I have managed to dodge THAT bullet since they began the Sup Queue, but I did not dodge it tonight. I had no calls until about 10:30 ... then I got two calls one after the other. One I fixed... one I could not and had to argue with the customer until they accepted there was nothing I could do for them in my capacity.

My head was throbbing after all of this, and I am having another case of a blocked parotid duct. The left side of my face is swelling up. I struggled to eat my lunch. The left side of my face was cramping up and causing excruciating pain. I could only eat little nibbles of my steak sandwich (from the Blimpy guy).

TUESDAY - MAY 22, 2007

4:44a – I got home and (of course) I was not in a good mood. And the house stinks. Skip needs to clean the cat box really bad! The first thing I did was to light the oil burner. Then I started straightening up (not really "cleaning") the kitchen. It has become some congested, cluttered and messy I could not move around! It is much better now. I opened a few beers and watched some TV, but I have also been doing laundry and getting my things ready for the upcoming trip to OK. At the moment, I need to go fold the towels (which I found in the washer and put in the dryer). I have a large load of clothes drying at this moment.

I am cooking a pot of pork & corn, with various seasonings, garlic, onion... etc. It smells good. Hope it taste as good.

I watched another (new) episode of Heroes tonight. Very relaxing to watch this fantastic series! I needed the "down time." However, I am up way too late now and not going to bed soon. I am going to call in late tomorrow. I don't care. Fire me. PLEASE! When I get back from my trip to OK I am going to get serious about finding a "real" job. I cannot take this any more.

5:18a – I should have been in bed over an hour ago. Supper was tasty. The corn with the pork was excellent.

I am going to have to call in late.

5:24a – I just called in and got UTO for tomorrow. [confirmation# 4602247]

And now... off to bed. At least I got some things accomplished in my short time at home tonight (err... this morning) ...

1:21p – I just got up, a bit after 1:00p. Chatted with RD for about 10 minutes for the first time in ages. She is working hard at her new job, and their new store opens next Tuesday, and I am working long days and about to go on a short vacation, so we have had little time to keep in touch.

2:46p – I finally got connected to the bus station after a constantly dialing and getting a busy signal. I had to spend .75 cents to have the auto-redial feature call me back. Then, after learning there is no where to park the car, the person put me on hold and never came back. I was trying to find out if I can change my return time so I can stay for the BBQ.

Anyway, my clothes were not finished drying from last night. I was not expecting that. I had to turn the dryer on again. Good thing I found out in time for them to dry. Then I sat down and started to fold the towels which I had to throw in the dryer last night. The first towel I grabbed hold of was still moist (I started to wonder if the dryer was having a problem). Then I caught a whiff of the smell. Barnabas had pissed all over them!! I was so mad. I was still holding the phone to my ear waiting and waiting for the Greyhound phone attendant to come back on line, but I gave up and disconnected. I was cussing a blue streak anyway.

2:55p – I need to leave in 20 minutes. Those clothes better be dry. I don't know WHAT I am going to do about tomorrow morning.

WEDNESDAY - MAY 23, 2007

1:49a – I got to work on time. There was no floor support schedule up. It was total chaos. I ended up covering someone's break on FS and went immediately 5 deep in chats. Plus I was on the phone in the commercial queue. Of course, I got a commercial call with chats ongoing. Meanwhile the person going on break came back and I went "thumbs down" in the FS queue. I finished my commercial call... and the MOD desk had moved me into the residential queue!! I immediately got a call. I had to put my customer on hold and get my bearings. I was told to just close out all my chats. I did... and took care of my customer. Then I logged out for few minutes to get my bearings again, at which time one of the agents came stomping into the FS row looking for who ever had logged off on her. Needless to say, it was another day of too much stress. When I get back from this trip, I am putting out my résumés and getting serious about finding a proper job. Everyone in FS is fed up and disgusted.

Meanwhile, I need to pack... but I am going to sit down and relax for a bit. Although the house reeks of the cat's litter box until I am nearly gagging. I lit some frankincense to help mask the odor. The living room light burned out again, and its a pain to change. I am just going to go watch one of my recordings and then try to figure out my packing.

After not getting to bed until about 4:50, I ended up getting up at about 6:30a. I had the alarm set for 6:45a, but Skip got me up early since he had to know what was going on with the car.

I was so tired, but I finished getting the packing done and I don’t think I forgot anything. I got my stuff in the car on scheduled. Our neighbor, Willie, was walking by. I offered him a ride, but he declined. I then droved over to the Autozone, parked the car and carried my stuff over to the bus stop. It was now about 7:00a and the bus was due at 7:08a. Willie had been headed to the bus stop and joined me. We chatted for a few minutes and I told him what was going on. It was his day off, but he was going to show one of his co-workers how to catch the bus and make it to work. However, the bus was proving to be very late. I was nearly 7:30a and the bus was still not there. At this point we both decided to change our plans. I put my stuff back in the car and drove Willie to his house, then drove across the street and park may car back at home. Willie came by and picked me up in his car (with my luggage). We then picked up his friend. She was waiting at a bus stop on Range street.

We headed over to St. Louis, and the morning rush hour traffic was terrible. (I am glad I do not normally have to drive in it!). We got his friend to work, the he dropped me off at the bus station. There was an emergency vehicle in front on the bus station. Once I got in I saw the reason was a young man who had apparently passed out. They had him laying on the floor. I don’t know what the cause was, but he eventually got back up and caught his bus.

The wait for the bus was long and tedious. It was due to leave at about 8:45a, but we did not leave until about 9:15a. I set next to a skinny guy on his way to Rolla. He was a bit of a Dréchne (red neck), with a ponytail and significantly lacking in culture. 

He got off in Rolla, and a Dréchne woman took his place. She was on the heavy side, and I had to listen to her Dréchne stories about her (ex?) husband being mad about her having a boyfriend, despite the fact that he had a girlfriend. Her daughter call the police and said her boyfriend was holding her at gun point, which apparently was not true. However, the boyfriend had a warrant on him for failure to pay child support, so he went to jail. She had gone back to her husband, they got drunk and he bashed her window out with a jack… and… you get the picture!

The bus driver told us several times that we would be stopping for a lunch break at some point. I had not eaten anything, and was hungry. We stopped in Lebanon, where there was nothing to eat except from vending machines. I got myself a Snickers bar to tide me over. Then we stopped in Springfield… there as still no food, so I got a little package of sausage and cheese, which was the closest thing I could find like food. We stopped in Joplin … still no real food. I got a bologna and cheese sandwich from a vending machine, but I could not seem to get the soft drink vending machine to work for me.

The next stop was in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was able to get a drink here in the form of a Snapple. This was the first liquid I had drank all day.

Finally, at about 9:40p, we arrived in OKC. We were due to arrive at 8:45p, but were continually late. I was happy to see that Mitch and Calisa were both waiting for me at the terminal; I waved to them from the bus window.

The drive from the terminal to Bill and Darlene’s place was mostly uneventful. We stopped at a Taco Bell where I bought ‘lisa and Mitch a drink, and got myself a couple of burritos. The closest I’d had to real food all day.

Their house was way out in the middle of no where, at the end of a long driveway of wet, red Okalahoma clay. Marlene greeted me in the front yard. I could barely see here, since the yard lights were behind her, but I recognized her voice right away.

We did the usual sitting around and talking. It was decided that I would not need to set up my tent. I ended up sleeping out in the camper with Calisa and Mitch. It was a bit too hot, but there was an open window and it finally cooled down enough

THURSDAY - MAY 24, 2007

I got up this morning and had some coffee. The rain was pouring down heavily much of the morning. Joey rented the movie “Apocolypto” and we watched that. Marlene really wanted to watch it, but she kept going in and out and missed most of it. She said she would sit down and watch it again later when it was quieter and she could pay attention.

Later I went out for a ride with Darlene, Bill, Marlene and Devon. Our first step was at the junk store. We walked around the store and I thought I might take a few pictures, but  ended up only taking one.  However, I did find something that I wanted to buy while I was there. I found one of those old metal meat grinders like Mom used to have. I last remember seeing it back in Cat Springs, Texas, but Calisa (or Darlene) tells me that Daddy had that meat grinder for years after he moved down to Oklahoma. Anyway, I picked it up for only $7.50. There were some other ones which were in rough condition and rusty.

We left the junk store and went to pick up Calais from work. She is working in OKC at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Her boss is in charge of all emergency services in the entire state!

5:33p – Calais arrives and we leave her work place and head off to the meat store where Marlene wanted to buy some meats to take back with her to Texas. The store was in the Mexican part of town and it was kind if neat how me and Marlene kind of fell into speaking Spanish together in this environment. All I ended up buying was a small jar of Knorr bullion – a flavor I have never seen before – tomato and chipotle.

Next stop was the Blanchard Wal-Mart where I splurged a little and bought an oil warmer for the Willis household, as well as some apple & cinnamon oil and a bag of 50 tea candles.

Our last stop was at “Braum’s” … a local ice cream parlor. I have not sat down with an ice cream sundae in … I don’t know how long. I ordered myself the strawberry shortcake sundae with one scoop of vanilla and one scoop of strawberry ice cream. Of course, it pretty much ruined my appetite, but it sure was delicious!

After we got home again, Calisa called me outside with her and said to bring the camera. I dutifully followed along. She wanted to show me a cat litter box, filled with dirt, which had grass growing in it (and a little plastic rose). She had to give me a couple of hints as to what the significance of it was, but suddenly it clicked. This was grass growing from a plug of grass taken from Mom’s grave up in Pasco, Washington! She will be sending a couple of plugs of the grass back with me; one for both Skip and me.

Later in the evening, I went out with Darlene to feed her goats. One of them had stuck his head through the fence to get some weeds growing there. She could not get him loose and sent me to get Bill and Mitch to come help. In the end they had to use the bolt cutters to get him extricated.

Sleeping in the trailer was much cooler and more comfortable tonight. All the rain had cooled things down significantly.

FRIDAY - MAY 25, 2007

Graduation day is here at last. This is the focal point of my trip.

I spent much of the morning in the kitchen with Tía Marlena watching and learning how she makes hand made tortillas. My attempts at making tortillas in the past have not been very good. I think I will give it a try again in the future now that I know how she does it. She also put on an entire bag of frijoles (con un pedaso de jamón).

I met Sam, Stephanie’s boy friend while Marlene and I sat out in the front yard taking a break from the kitchen. (Well… She was doing all the work…).

Later in the afternoon, my cousin/brother, Billy, stopped by with his wife Jackie. We talked a bit and he told me that he could put me to work at his company. Starting off at $17 per hour at first the moving up to $19. I need to discuss this with Skip and see what might could be done. It seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up, but then again, I cannot abandon Skip either. And of course there is the concern of working with or for family, as well as the consideration that if something seems too good to be true, then it most likely will be.

So … finally the hecticity of getting ready for the graduation began. There was lots of chaos and screamin’ & hollerin’ … the usual. We headed out around 7:15p for the High School. When we arrived, I took quite a few pictures of the graduates in front of the High School. Inside, in the auditorium, they had rows of seats with the names of the graduates. Since we had two graduates, we ended up with an entire row for our family. Of course, that was still not enough for all of us, but Darlene, Bill, Keri (and Andee) sat up in the bleachers where Darlene felt she could see and hear better.

The ceremony was really great, though a little more religious than I would have preferred. A lot of it happened faster than I could get my camera to take pictures. This was especially annoying when I tried to get a shot of Devon receiving her diploma. I took one of her as she was standing by the flag on her way up onto the stage.

She stepped forward just as I took the shot, but even though I tracked with her, I ended up getting a shot with most of her behind the camera. Then her name was called and … and my camera was still resetting from the last shot! It is a fast camera, but in the couple of seconds it required to prepare for the next shot, Devon had received her diploma and stepped away. I missed it entirely. I was stunned, annoyed, disappointed and no little angry at myself.

After the ceremonies were over, we all headed back out. It was dark now. I was getting pretty hungry by this time. All I had eaten all day were two tortillas and a glass of milk, so as we were on our way out of the school auditorium I snagged a couple of tasty looking oatmeal cookies from the snack table at the entrance. I was acting as “escort” for Marlene, and as I picked up the cookies, she “snitched” one of the graduation decorations from the table as a souvenir of the event. Meanwhile, I was eating one of my cookies and managed to get a long hair in my mouth. It grossed me out, but I was not sure if it came from the cookie or not. I threw the cookie away anyway. However, when I started eating the OTHER cookie and found yet ANOTHER long human hair … I got very grossed out. I pulled the hair from my mouth and long string of partly chewed cookie came out with it while the other end of the hair remained inside of the cookie. If there was any doubt that the hair came from the cookie, that doubt was now removed. YUCK!

Marlene had me take a picture of her holding her souvenir and a couple of the roses that were handed out during the ceremony. Her hands only of course, since she does not like pictures to be taken of her (they may take parts of her spirit away … okay… ).  I walked on across the highway to the car to wait for everyone to join me. As people that I knew walked by, I held up the flowers, chanting, “Flowers! Flowers! Only fifty cents!” … that got a few laughs. I thought it was kind of funny myself. We all met back at the house and then several of us, including myself, Keri & Andee, Joey & Calais, Stephanie & Sam, and Mitch & ‘lisa … and some others I don’t know the names of, all headed out to watch “Pirates of the Caribbean: World’s End.” On the way to the theater, I tried calling Skip, but there was no answer, so I left a message and let him know what we were doing. Just as we were arriving at theater (now about 10:25p), Skip called me back and, lo and behold! … he was ALSO at the movie theater, stepping out for a smoke break. He and his friends were out watching the same movie! That was bizarre coincidence.

The theater was packed. I sat in the first row way over to the right side of the theater with Keri in my lap. She was too little to sit in the seat without it collapsing in on her, so I had to hold the seat down until Keri joined us. She held Andee in her lap for the entire movie.

The movie was much better than I expected for being the third in a series. I believe the family consensus was that it was not was good as the first movie, but it was better than the second one.

Meanwhile, I was still starving. I finally gave in and decided to go out and get some popcorn, despite the outrageous theater prices. I ended up saving my money though since the snack bar was closed. I continued being famished through the movie.

SATURDAY - MAY 26, 2007

When we got home sometime around 2:00a, Marlene was sound asleep on the sofa, but I proceeded to fix something to eat. Of course, all that we had ready to eat were beans and tortillas. As hungry as we were though, Keri and I were happy with the beans. We sat there in the mostly dark kitchen and had a couple of bowls of beans and several tortillas until we felt human again.

I then headed out to go to bed. Calisa was sitting up with her little Chihuahua, Cocoa, picking fleas off of him. We sat up and chatted until about 4:00a before finally turning out the lights and crashing.

This morning I was wakened yet again by yapping and howling dogs, and flies … and the call of nature. Today is the day for the BBQ. I was supposed to be leaving today to head back home, but I yesterday I called the bus station and found that I can pay an extra $10 and leave on Sunday instead.

We spent the morning cooking and thawing out meat, which should have been thawed out the day before. I mostly watched. A few guests arrived, but not as many as Darlene had invited nor as many as she was hoping for. I have been I my jogging shorts and the same shirt that I wore down here all day long.

Darlene pointed out to me this morning, a yellow platter she has. This was the same platter that was in the picture taken of me at age 11 holding up my very first fried chicken. I can remember that day very well. Daddy taught me how to cut up a hen, how to find the right place to cut the joints, how to salt, pepper and flour the meat, and then fry it. It was quite a venture for me and I was very proud of myself. I was startled to realize that Darlene has possession of that platter! When I get home, I will have to pull up that picture of myself and compare to make sure that is truly the same platter. (Assuming I can tell from the old photo).

10:31p – Skip called a few minutes ago and we discussed my return time and he spoke with Tía Marlena for a bit…then my phone cut out.

10:39p – I am just now finishing up my journal. I have been trying to get it all caught up off and on all day. I am going to save the file to my camera’s flash card and carry it home that was. Now it is time to find food again. Everyone else has eaten, but my schedule us not the same.

SUNDAY - MAY 27, 2007

I did not sleep very well last night. I think my BPV was causing me to have dizzy spells in my sleep. Twice I was awakened by a bout of acid reflux. Fortunately, not too bad. At day break I was laying awake listening for Calisa's alarm to o off. I heard a beeping noise, which I thought might be the alarm. It would quit and then start up again (was someone pushing the snooze button). Then it seemed to get closer for further away. (Maybe someone was rolling over with the alarm and changing how well I cold hear it?). I finally realized it was some kind of bird which I was hearing from outside!

When the alarm finally DID go off, there was not mistaking it. It was a LOUD radio! We got up, went into the house and had some coffee. I finished getting paced. We left a little after 9:00a. Right at 9:25a I think. We got to the station in OKC with no problems. I paid my extra $10 for leaving a day late and Mitch got my bags checked in for me.

10:28a – The bus is pulling out right on time!

1200p – The bus is just now pulling in to Tulsa. We are riding a Jefferson Lines (JL) bus at the moment, but it looks like we will be switching over to Greyhound (GLI) for the remainder of the journey.

12:21p – Checking my schedule, it looks like we are supposed to be departing from Tulsa at 12:40p. For now, I am sitting in the terminal . I hope they are not late. The JL bus was very roomy and comfortable. It's too bad we can't stay on it all the way back to St. Louis. The GLI busses are not as nice.

5:00p – Now in Springfield. Just ate some of the food Darlene fixed for me. My bus buddy (Vick Mitchell), just ran down the road for food after being told that that it could not be done. He came back with a burger and curly fries... and big smile on his face. He not only had time to eat all the food, some of which he shared with some others on the bus, but he still had time to dispose of the leftover trash. Of course, thanks to my past experience and Darlene's considerate forethought, I did not have to either starve. There is NO real food on this part of the route between OKC and St. Louis. Only vending machines.

5:22p – We are still sitting here on the us waiting to pull out. Now the motor has cut off and the minimal A/C is gone had it's absence has become very noticeable! Everyone is getting annoyed. The villagers are restless...

6:25p – I've been sitting here chatting with Vick. We are coming up to Lebanon soon. We still have 2 to 3 hours left before we get home.

6:57p – We are just pulling out from some place, but I don't know the name of it.

7:01p – The water tower says St. Robert's.

7:21p – We're just pulling in to Rolla. It's starting to get dark out there. I called Skip a bit ago. He still has not heard from Willie. I hope I will be able to get a ride.

7:25p – We are sitting at the bus stop in Rolla now. Just a tiny little box for the "stop." Thi is the only stop wit ha Mcdonalds and we are not allowed off to get any food! Vick says, ... "Pitiful..."

7:58p – I just called Tad to see if he could give me a ride. Unfortunately, he is in Chicago! And Deana and Richey are also out of town! So... it is up to Willie...

9:12p – We are just now approaching the bus terminal in St. Louis.

9:21p – After pulling into the terminal, we finally were let off the bus. I picked up my luggage and am now sitting down at an outside picnic table waiting for Willie.

Skip called me. He rode with Willie. They are here. I think I see where Willie is parked. As I carry my luggage over toward the car which I hope is his, Skip's comes walking up. We headed home. That damn train caught us again at Camp Jackson, and Skip had to pee really bad. Then a cop pulled up behind us, so Skip's plan of jumping out and running over to the edge of the road to relieve himself was shot. He had to keep doing the pee-pee-dance! Then I had Willie stop for a bit at the Q-Mart to pick up some beer.

MONDAY - MAY 28, 2007

1:56p – I did not want to get up this morning at all. It was sure good to be back in my own bed! I am struggling to get myself together for work. I called in 2 hours late today. I don't even feel guilty.

It looks like the system of having us man the phone AND do floor support has met with enough dessention that it was discontinued during my absence. That's was a good move on the part of management. They were just about to push all of the best people over the edge and they are already short of qualified agents like us to man floor support. I am still going to look for another job.

The drive home was uneventful. I sat up and watched a movie I had recorded on the Sci-Fi channel called "Dark Storm." It was okay.

TUESDAY - MAY 29, 2007

11:56a – I woke up last night with a nasty case of acid reflux. I spit up blood, but it was dark and old... probably from my sinuses, which is nothing new. Heartburn plagued me for the rest of my sleep, so I am not very well rested today. I just need to get another day of work out of the way and I will be off for three days.

3:57p – Back at work. It sure was hot in the car when I left. June is nearly upon us now and it is definitely summer. It's nice to be able to drive in to work with the windows down and the sunroof open, while blaring my O-Zone CD.

I got to work and logged in to the commercial queue. So far I have not got a call, though Steve is sitting next to me and got 3 calls in that queue already. I thought I might not be logged in, but I checked ... and I am good.

Our TL is out of town. I hear he is in Florida. At any rate, no one has prepared a schedule for us. We are just winging it.

4:27p – Time for my break. I am strangely hungry. I need a snack.

4:46p – I managed to keep my snack to just a Nutragrain bar and a chocolate milk.

10:57p – I've been doing floor support since before 6:00p. I am about to go brain dead here! Less than two hours left ... then I can go home and relax with a beer and some boob-tube.

WEDNESDAY - MAY 30, 2007

4:28a – I should be in bed, but I am trying to fix something to eat.

4:47a – I am allowing myself to become pleasantly and slovenly drunk... no work tomorrow.

5:07a – Okay... off to bed. I was watching some 'dragon slayer' movie (I think it was "The Dragon King"), but it ended on the DVR before reaching the end. Most annoying... indeed...

As usual, I did not do much with my day off. I picked Skip up from the train station and we stopped by Wal-Mart. No big excitement there...

The Satellite dish is not picking up anything and the DVR is not working. I called for tech support, but they could do nothing. They would normally send out a tech to check it out, but there system was down.

THURSDAY - MAY 31, 2007

2:51p – I slept longer than I thought I would, getting up around noon. The TV is still out. I went out and used the new hoe that Skip bought yesterday to pull some branches away from the dish. They may have been the problem. I reset the system and it seems to be working again.

I went to Goodwill today and picked up a stemmed vase to plant the grass from Mom's grave in. I also picked up a couple of little oil warmers. Then I went to the train station and got Skip. We drove straight out to Bellville where he needed to pick up some home brewing supplies for his next batch.

Grass from Mom's grave has it's own planter now...