Our last month at Gentry's Landing...

 

Friday - August 1, 2003

I managed to get to work on time. It was not fun, but I did it. I got through the day. I was going to get sushi for lunch, but it looked like it might rain, sushi is expensive, I would have a long walk, and I could not read my book. So... I just got a panini-wrap at Olin Hall & fries. That was adequate.

11:44p - I made some chili & corn-frybread for supper. I haven't eaten yet. It smells good though!

I got my the "shared printer" function to work on my system tonight.

I took Kira our late before going to bed so that I can sleep in tomorrow morning.

Saturday - August 2, 2003

It has been a boring day. I got up around 8:30 because Kira got me up. She has a schedule and taking her out late last night was "a freebie" to her. She still expects to go out on her regular schedule. <sigh> ... so I took her out. Then I came back in a went back to bed!

I got up around 1:00p. Ate some left over chili; the fry-bread tasted awful heated in the microwave.

I worked most of the day trying to figure out some of the problems which have infested my computer recently. Many of my buttons on my web site would not bring up my web pages, but I discovered this was something caused by my "AdsGone" software. I was able to "whitelist" my entire web site to correct this problem. But not until I had tried to erase AND reload Internet Explorer 6.0 (without success).

I redesigned my "welcome logo" on my journal page tonight. Also chatted with Mark G. in Orlando for a bit. He and Karen went to see "Pirates of the Carribean." (she had gone to be with a headache as I chatted with him).

9:58p - I am making leftover 'enhanced' chili from last night. Skip made some Jalapeno cornbread, so I will have some of that with my meal. Time to eat. I am still bored. Just been drinking beers and wishing I had a better plan for my life....

I have made some WONDERFUL updates to my"kira" web site ... I think it is really well done!

Sunday - August 3, 2003
Happy 35th Birthday Dave!!!

I have had about 8 24 oz. beers, my left over rum and Skip's Blackberry wine. I am still ready for more! That's sad. Oh well, I am off to bed. I am so VERY happy with my web site development for Kira's site tonight. It has been pretty good and I am pleased!

I went to bed around 6:00a ... the sun was coming up! I did not mean to stay up THAT late! I slept in late (of course). Did not do much all day.

9:49p - I finally got some laundry done. No beer tonight. Just going to bed and catching up some sleep.

11:27p - Skip just left for work and I am headed to bed. I may read a bit until I get sleepy(er).

Monday - August 4, 2003

Backup did not get done right again (not my fault). Someone had set the tapes to "write protect" and (of course) the job could not finish. I reset the tapes and Larry started the backup process going again. It was only on the second tape by 6pm though, so I could not load the Tuesday tapes.

Created my "All About..." web page tonight. It will do.

Tuesday - August 5, 2003

Someone killed the backup process. Tape #2 was still in the drive this morning! I loaded Tuesday tapes and Larry started the process up again. He ended it prematurely this afternoon on purpose after the main files were backed up and I got the Wednesday tapes loaded. I think we're okay now.

Splurged for lunch and ordered sushi. It was $22 ... but I needed something to perk me up.

The train was jam packed with baseball fans tonight. I had to stand all the way to the stadium, right up against the door. I am getting to where I hate baseball!

Wednesday - August 6, 2003
Happy Birthday to Jennifer Bassett

I woke up at 8:45am!! I don't know what happened... I never heard the alarm go off. Strange.

Backup is back on track! That's a relief.

I am nearing the end of "The Hidden City" ... Sparhawk has defeated Klael. Only a few pages left.

The train was PACKED again this evening. Same scenario as yesterday ... <grrrr!>

I found the web site for constructed languages today and decided to revive my childhood language of Susachi. It has been fun. I got the Susachi web page started and submitted to LangMaker. We will see if it is worthy of acceptance....

Thursday - August 7, 2003

8:16a - I am behind schedule already this morning, but not as bad as yesterday. I did not sleep well. Will be running on caffeine today I suspect. I had weird dreams about a meteorite which landed in some place and was carrying some sort of life form. It had to somehow intermix its self with the local geography, the local life forms (i.e., people), and was in the process of evolving. It was in a very vulnerable stage... that's about all I can remember from the dream. It seemed very complex yet interesting. I wish I could have "completed" the dream and let it flesh out into a proper story.

7:31p - I finish my book at 1:40p at lunch today. I must say, I did not know if I would like this series about Sparhawk, the Anakha, but it turned out to be enthralling, exciting and a really great set of books!

8:03p - The train was packed AGAIN tonight! Another game and more of the religious convention people (or whatever it is). Three days in a row I had to stand crunched up against the door in the train. Not fun.

11:48p - Off to bed now...

Friday - August 8, 2003
Happy Birthday to JR Grubbs!
August 10, 1979

8:30a - I am so sleepy this morning. Its pay day... I've transferred money to savings. I am glad the weekend is here at last...

I finished the flyer for this year, scheduled for Friday, September 5th. However, it was not done without more ill-feeling at work. I was "volunteered" to to this because of my "artistic" abilities and skill. I created the basics of this years flyer in minutes and it was without doubt, far above anything that has been done in the past. I am not bragging, it wasn't that great, but it was still a piece of art in comparison to the abysmal versions of the past. Then "GV" started telling me how she wanted it done and had no idea of the complexity of what she was asking. My work was "art" ... and not something one could just erase and re-do. I started to just hand it all over to her and say "here... you do it." If they wanted me to created the flyer, then the would have to have MY work. I am sorry I got involved. Once again. See my final result at FLYER. I was, of course, challenged by GV's ignorant request, and managed to edit the graphic portion of the document to meet her requirements with just a little error factor. I am NOT happy with the results, but most people will never see the flaws I am sure. I don't mean to be arrogant or rude, but anyone with artistic ability who has ever donated their time & abilities for free only to have someone who has no comprehension of what they are dealing with start correcting and modifying their work.... must surely understand!

So, I got through my little hissy-fit over artistic creativity and set it aside. Though it was not left behind. I am not sure if I will be attending this year's event or not. I am not happy with my office, staff and/or co-workers as of late. I am a professional, but my profession in the "customer support" industry is not being recognized. I am being treated as a glorified receptionist and I am becoming increasingly resentful. We hired a new person in our PACS group, yet this we "Help Desk" personnel are having to perform hourly tests on ImageWeb and ClinDesk. We have been instructed to "ignore" the phone and let it go to voice mail (thus ignoring our primary function/objective) whenever we are performing our "tests." These tests have been very slipshod and based on our individual abilities to "count seconds." I used the "one one-thousand... two one-thousand" technique; while my coworker uses the "one mississippi, two mississippi" technique! Is that pathetic or what? I finally requested that we purchase a stop watch if we are going to be doing this for some time. Of course, GV (who does the ordering) did not want to order it and refused to do so until someone found a place for her to order it from. I finally broke down and found an item on-line. We still do not have the stopwatch. I re-created our forms to reflect the time it takes (they still do not understand that it can sometimes take up to 45 minutes to complete this HOURLY task!). Oh... whatever. I am getting to the point of just wanting to get to the end of each day and collect my paycheck every 2 weeks. I hate this feeling. I used to take pride in my work, but that is fizzling out and it is very sad. I am going to have to look for a new position if it continues in this vein. I am getting treated with less & less respect as time goes by and I coming to resent it.

Diana and I went out this evening to The Loop. We got a nice table at Blueberry Hill out on the sidewalk. Carl M. joined us. I met a young artist while there name Justin Tolentino. Y'ot'the iih' aswe ~asheya! He is/was of Philippino ancestry so I started speak Tagalog to him, but he is very Americanized and did not understand me (oops). I found out later that he is an artist. I have a great respect for artists! (as you may have noted from above commentary!). Check out his art work. I think I will add a couple of samples to my site here ....

After I came home tonight, I proceeded to chug run with OJ ... I had a lot. I was quite smashed in no time!

Saturday - August 9, 2003

I had a bad incident with "acid reflux" last night... I woke up coughing up acid. Not good.

I was bad this morning. I did not take K-dog out until after 9am. Then I went to bed and did not get up until after 1:00p.

Sunday - August 10, 2003
Happy Birthday to Mark Geisler!

2:45a - I am off to bed...

I got up late, walked Kira, went back to bed and got up around 1pm. Did much of nothing again today. I worked on my on-line autobiography most of the day. I made a lot of progress with that and finally got it uploaded and available on-line.

Monday - August 11, 2003

2:41a - I don't believe I have stayed up this late again! I am going to regret this in the morning. At least I have gone all weekend without taking my meds, so I should sleep "better" ... and I have not been drinking tonight, so that will help. So, I better git t'bed now!

9:03a - I am not as sleepy as I thought I would be.

I started back on my meds this morning after a "weekend break."

The $50 rebate check from Nokia arrived today! I thought I was going to have to just forget about it.

11:00p - Skip is up and he is upset because some stuff he bought is missing. He had some mayo and cat food and its all missing. I think I saw his cat food this past weekend, but the not jar of mayo. I don't know what happened to it. He doesn't put things up, so who knows. (I wonder if he got drunk & threw it away?!)

11:05p - I must be off to bed soon. Supper was tasty; I made pig-in-a-blanket with a 'cream o chicken' sauce to go over them. It was DElish!

Tuesday - August 12, 2003

I had weird dreams last night (since I resumed taking my medication). Three main "dream topics."

1. I was at work with Dennis & Lisa S. We were all given "scripts" to read and phonebooks. We were supposed to go through the phonebooks and call people and read them the "script." However, I never received MY script and did not know what I was supposed to say. Meanwhile, my pager kept going off and it was annoying Lisa S. ... she started to scream at me telling me to turn it off; that I was only making it go off to annoy her! It was VERY distressing. I woke up very upset....

2. I dreamed about my nephew, Scott, who I have not seen since he was 5 years old. The dream got very strange. Iih' orstf' iim' uut' aav' ekse thw' imhe (aanje ch'aasw' utge). Then he got violent with me and started to make threats... I was very confused and upset. I, and at least one other person, who was (for reasons unknown) staying with Ken, were forced to up & leave in the middle of the night. The other person was a black girl (who was she?). I remember her putting a TV into the back of our old Buick Station Wagon (the one from 1976!). Then I realized that Scott (just my dream version) had my wallet and it had cash in it. He was daring me to try to get it and was being very mean to me. It was an awful dream and I am sure Scott would be, most likely, both amused and offended by it. (sorry... I did not mean to have it...!!).

3. This was the least vivid, but maybe the weirdest. I was with some other people. We were in the "torch" section of the statue of liberty! It was made of rotting wood and I wanted to get out. It was about to fall apart from our weight! This was a very short but yet another dream from which I awoke very "stressed out" ...

I finally woke for work and was SO tired! I could barely get out of bed. I was only 10 minutes late for work though.

I walked down to the the ATM and deposited the $50 check from Nokia tonight.

Wednesday - August 13, 2003

12:47a - I am still up, but not for long. Off to bed soon.

8:26a - I had more weird dreams last night. One mainly. This time I was arrested by the police for a DUI/DWI and was taken to the police station. I was frantically trying to explain to them that this was impossible, because I didn't even own a car and rode public transportation, but they weren't buying it. They kept saying it sounded like a bunch of "excuses" to them and I would have to work it out with the judge. They were going to put me in jail and I would lose my job (the were actually laughing about this). I would lose my apartment, my possessions and Skip would be stranded alone, etc., and life would just generally fall apart. I woke up terrified, I was so desperate to convince them of my innocence that I tried to go back to sleep to tell them. I finally convinced myself it was just a dream and to relax, but it was nearly 5am and I did not get back to sleep until after 6am. Now I am, of course, tired and need more sleep.

I made it a point not to have anything to drink tonight. I was so tired. I went to bed at about 11:40. Then I could not go to sleep until around 3am ! Very irritating!

Thursday - August 14, 2003

I felt "okay" this morning, but not as energetic as I had hoped, since I did not get to sleep until so late (or, should I say "early" !?).

I discovered this morning that the train schedule has changed! No wonder I have been having problems catching my train in the mornings! I was properly "on time" this morning for a change! I have been being about 10 minutes off here lately. I did not know the schedule had changed.

I totaled up all the unofficial "overtime" that I have worked without pay for the past few months (since May 11th) and found that I have put in over $200.00 worth of unpaid time. I sure hope no one complains about my time when my evaluation comes along! (which is anytime now).

I was SO sleepy again this afternoon after lunch. I may was well swill down the booze all evening if its not going to make a difference. :-/

Friday - August 15, 2003
Happy Birthday to Ruby Dancingmoon!

8:03a - I rolled my Toyota, Celica, off the show room floor on this day in 1987. Sixteen years ago... wow! Other that Adam's little Renault, Alliance, that I bought for $500, that was the last car I bought. I plan on buy another one soon though. Before October. It may be my birthday gift to myself.

8:47a - There is a CoorCom meeting this morning. Ick.

I didn't do a thing this evening, but sit at home on the computer and have some beers.

Saturday - August 16, 2003

I slept till 3:00pm today. Then sat at home all day once again... beer... computer... the usual. I started my Tsalagi site finally.

Haresh (who works at the little store next door) shaved his head. It looks awful, but I learned two new words in Gujarati; "bordo" and "taklo" ... both mean "bald"!

And I learned to count to ten finally. I don't know how to spell it, so here is my rendition:
ek, beh, trahn, char, pagh, choh, sadth, adth, nau, dus.

Okay... I found the spelling on another site: ek, be, treñ, car, pãc, che, sat, ath, nev, des

I got klutzy and knocked the frelling shower curtain/rod off the shower this evening.

Sunday - August 17, 2003

I slept until about noon today, then got up, took Kira out (it was horridly hot). Came back in and made some soup. Went brack to bed until about 2:30p. This is my last "lazy" weeKend for a while! Moving next weekend. DragonCon after that. Then 9/5/03 is the staff picnic (don't know if I am going yet). But that weekend we have a new system going on-line with PACS.

I got my Tsalagi site functional... but it is still barren of content.

11:20p - I have been craving food of some kind all day. I've been munching, but can't seem to satisfy that craving.

Monday - August 18, 2003

I did not get to sleep until around 5:00a this morning! I could not sleep. I didn't have a drop to drink (which may be why), but I felt like I had a hangover this morning from lack of sleep. I was an hour and a half late to work. Worse, I had forgotten that Lisa was not going to be at work today. I was a rough day. I felt physically and mentally completely out-of-whack.

I made it a point not to have any beer again tonight. I need to get my system back on track. Maybe I will get to sleep tonight.

Tuesday - August 19, 2003

12:49a - I am am still up. I need to get to bed NOW. At least I am starting to feel tired and sleepy... that's a promising sign. I have updated my Tsalagi site, my Susachi site, and now my journal, plus been through all my email. It has been a productive evening at least.

I got the freight elevator scheduled for moving on Saturday, the 23rd. The time groweth nigh!

8:49a - I feel MUCH better this morning! I could have gotten a little more sleep, but it will do. I felt awful yesterday.

Wednesday - August 20, 2003

I got up in time and to to work about 8:45a. It was a rough day, even with 3 of us working. I am glad I don't go to work again until next Tuesday! However, packing and moving is not going to be fun.

I created the beginnings of my AShoKhe web site tonight.

I got some packing done tonight. All the pictures & wall hangings are taken down.

Thursday - August 21, 2003

I did not get much packing done today. I ordered Chinese from from Lucky Food for what I expect to be the last time. Not because I am moving, but because there was a fly floating in my "House Special Soup." I don't think that is what was supposed to be so special about it. Yuck! gag!

Friday - August 22, 2003

I got most of the packing done tonight. I went to bed about 4am again. I will get the rest done in the morning.

I didn't eat all day until about 3pm and then I walked over to Calico's and ordered a Porterhouse steak, salad and fries. It was great!

Saturday - August 23, 2003
MOVING DAY! ....NOT!!

DB was a no-show this morning! Now I am "up the creek with no paddle" for sure. I tried to find a U-Haul at the last minute, but it would be no use. I had the elevator scheduled for between 1-3pm. There would be no possible way to get to the U-Haul place, rent it, drive it back (after not having driven in 3 years) and still have to even get part of the stuff loaded. I don't know what happened to DB, but this is going to cost me big time I suspect. I should know better that to rely on anyone but myself. When will I learn.

I finally just went to bed and slept until 5pm. I got up and was still depressed and numb. This situation is stressing me out.

Since all my dishes and cooking utensils are packed so I had to go out to find something to eat again. Kira didn't get her vitamins either. Most of my clothes packed and running out quickly. Anyway, I went to Union Station. I was going eat at Landry's Seafood but they were too crowded, so I went to Hooter's. There were too crowded too! I was really getting depressed, but I have eaten nothing all day (except for a couple of bites of sauerkraut). It was now about 7pm and getting dark. I got back on the train and headed to Talayna's. I got a pitcher of beer and ordered the "Cod con Pesce" ... it was okay. I had this dish before back in Feburary of 2001.

Then I came home and proceeded to drink all the beer I had and got pretty blitzed. I know I will regret this tomorrow, but I am in such a foul mood I just don't care.

Sunday - August 24, 2003

I feel a little better today, mentally that is. Physically I felt pretty rough this morning (as predicted). However, I took a shower and Diana and I walked over to TGI Friday's. I had a basket of their battered shrimp and a baked potato. The shrimp was a bit greasy, but there were a lot of them. Actually there were supposed to be 12, but they gave me 11 shrimp and a chicken nugget! I decided to be testy about it and insisted they bring me one more shrimp. Diana ordered a fancy drink which (in the picture) had an oreo cookie. However, there was no cookie in here drink and she insisted on getting one. That poor waitress ("Stephanie") must have been glad when we got out of her hair. She remained pleasant and cheery though. That was to her credit.

I got the elevator scheduled for Tuesday morning on a tentative basis. Then later I coordinated with Marty and made arrangements to hire him & JR to help us move. I am looking into renting a U-Haul in the morning. Marty will pick it up out near where he lives in Washington, MO, and drive it in. I guess I will have to take off work one more day than expected. As I expected, this is going to cost me a chunk of money, but I could be worse I suppose. I least I have a plan of attack now.

I got some web site things done today at least. I redesigned my "Gallery" page. It's MUCH better now.

Monday - August 25, 2003

12:46a - I am still up. I need to go to bed, but at least I don't work tomorrow (today, that is).

7:42p - I got tomorrow approved off from work.

9:04p - (got distracted) I have the elevator scheduled from 9am to 2pm tomorrow. I have a truck semi-reserved for tomorrow. Marty will pick it up in the morning. JR will be helping.

Oh... for crying out loud. THE FREIGHT ELEVATOR BROKE DOWN TONIGHT!!! Aaaaaggggh! This sucks. They have repair called and they will work with me on using a 'regular' elevator, but it is starting to really seem WEIRD how many things are going WRONG with this move!!!

9:11p - I got my September journal page ready to go and my October page is advancing.

Tuesday - August 26, 2003
Moving Day #2

9:09a - I am getting last minute packing done. Marty just called... he is in town and on the way with the truck. What a mess.

Any readers please note: I will be off-line indefinitely! I don't have a hook-up at the new place yet. And when I do it will only 56k since they don't have any kind of broadband connection in that area

9:11a - Back to packing...

We finally got eveything moved. I am so tired. There is not hot water. Mosquitos bit me. Life is choas.

Wednesday - August 27, 2003

I left the house this moring, stiff and sore, at 7:54am. Arrived at the bus stop at 8:00am. Bus arrived at 8:22am. Arrived 5th & MO train station at 8:43am. Arrived CWE station at about 8:09am. Got my bus pass and some bacon and toast for breakfast. It was a long and difficult day. Got the 6:22pm bus home this evening (just barely). The next bus leaves at 7:40pm. Stopped at KFC on the way home. Struggling to pack for tomorrow's trip. I am packing minimally. Hope I have enough. I used the washer & dryer for the first time tonight.

Thursday - August 28, 2003

12:45a - I am so tired. Still up. Not packed yet. Gotta go to bed!

I managed to get up by 5:30a and caught the bus at about 6:30a. I did not sleep well. I turned out the light to sleep at about 2:00a, but Kira seemed to be having breathing problems all night. She was breathing heavily, irregularly and loudly. I was scaring me and I could not sleep. I was too worried about her. I just about decided not to go on my trip to DragonCon 2003... but decided to wait until morning and see how she was doing. She seemed to be more or less normal once I got up... so I decided to continue with my trip.

It was a beautiful morning and I took a picture of the sunrise. I was very tired, but I got everything done and made it to the airport with plenty of time left over. My American Airlines flight from St. Louis to Kansas City was basically uneventful. I slept through most of it. In KC I had to take the "Red Bus" over to the Delta terminal. I got a chicken salad while I waited, then went to the gate, through the security check and waited for about an hour. I was very sleepy. I finally boarded and was on my way to Atlanta. I once again slept through most of the flight. In fact, I was awakened by the landing!

At the airport in Atlanta, where I arrived just a few minutes before 3:00p EST, Sonia J. called me (about 3:10p). What great timing! Unfortunately, she was not even in Georgia yet! She figured she would be about 2 hours behind; however, she did not realize there would be a thunderstorm which would snarl traffic and delay her further.

While there, I ate at the "Atlanta Bread company." I had a tuna salad on a croissant. I asked for tomato, but I got red onion instead. The croissant was rubbery and bordered on stale. I was, I supposed, hoping for some kind of excellent quality like Sergio used to provide in his small Bistro at the American Plaza in Orlando in the late 80's. Silly me... such quality is history I fear :( From there I went over to the coffee place and got a coffee. I was so tired, so sleepy and so ready to crash somewhere!

I spoke to Sonia & Kim a couple of times while they were enroute. Kim told me that her Aunt and Grandmother were supposed to be waiting for the at the airport also. She gave me a description of her Grandmother: "About 70 years old, long flaming red hair, bright red lipstick and "kick-ass" boots!" I search for them, but never found anyone matching this interesting description. Eventually, maybe about 6:00p, Kim arrived. I had only met her once, so I was amazed that I recognized her right away! (That part of the primate brain that categorizes facial features is astounding, eh?). Sonia had to take her other passengers and luggage back to the hotel while Kim and I searched for her relatives. We searched most diligently; even having them paged, but never located them. I suspected that they had taken the MARTA (the local public transit train), and gone to the hotel them selves.

Sonia finally arrived, but I did not recognize her as quickly as I recognized Kim. Strange... I've known Sonia for years. Anyway, we found out that Kim's relatives had indeed gone to the hotel, so we headed out. Sonia had parked way out in Timbuktu around aisle 16 ... it was quite a walk! They drive was quite a ways also. I was very concerned about getting a room, since I had not confirmed my reservation due to all the confusion at home with the move and all. However, I lucked out! I got a King-size room with a kitchenette, office space and walk-in closet for just $89.xx per night! Regularly $209.00 per night (Thank you Sonia for your efforts!!!!).

I was tired, but I needed something for supper, so once I was established in my room, I went next door to the "Billiards" place and had a couple of beers. The bartender/waiter had an accent. I asked him to say something in his native tongue to see if I could identify his language. I failed! No wonder... it was Polish! One of my worst languages. I did learn to say "thank you very much" in Polish from him, however. I don't know how to spell it, but it sounds like: jen-KWO-yah BARr-zoh ... (roughly). I ordered a club sandwich and fries and had 2 or 3 Killian Red draughts. Then headed back to my room, figured out how the TV worked and crashed for the night.

Friday - August 29, 2003

Breakfast was being served in the lobby area between about 7:00a and 9:30a. I think I made it up and downstairs around 9:00a (or a bit after). I met Wanda Bliss (Kim's Grandmother), and Sherry (her Aunt). Also, Mark G. showed up. After eating, I went back to my room, but I was still so tired. I ended up going back to my room and fell asleep. I guess I needed it. I finally got up and out of my room and found the on-going convention at the Hyatt, just down the street from us (a spectacular building!).

The line for "pre-registration" was outrageously long. I realized about this time that I had forgotten to bring my registration card with me! It got misplaced in the move, I suppose. I got in line outside of the building, made my way inside (eventually), stood in another zig-zag line for a while until I made it to the escalator. At the bottom of the escalator was another line of about 50 people. This line went to the auditorium where the actuall pre-registration line began! This line was about 3 times as long as everything I had been in before. It zig-zagged in a line of maybe 500 or more people. I finally made it to the last "zig" ... the Dominatrix (as I shall call her) who was trying to keep the line under control handed us a lime green piece of paper and an ink pen with instructions to write down our name (this was only for those of us who lost, forgot, misplaced or did not receive a registration card). I did so, but she never brought the card back to me. I kept waiting for her. Finally I was up to the booth where I was supposed to get my card and the told me to go back to the end of the line and tell her that they needed the card. I did so. She was irritated and said that they could have looked up my name (ok... so what?... how would I know?). So I had to wait for her while she processed more Conventioneers (kinda like herdin' cattle). I finally got someone looking up my name, but they could not find it. There was, however, a 'Bradley Lee Lewis' ... and I reembered that they had misspelled my name on the registration form that way. Then, as if that was not enough confusion, there was this black dude in line ... RIGHT BEHIND ME.... by the name of Lee Lewis! The Dominatrix had given HIM my little green slip with my registration number on it! ...I thought it strange that this fellow did not say anything or seem to notice that his name was not "Bradford..." and that the paper was not filled out by him! <rolls eyes> Hello!?

Anyway, I finally got thru the line and got my badge. They made it out to my specifications as "Lee Lewis" (rather than "Bradford Lee Lewis" .... much too formal!)

Finally free of the red tape, I began to roam the Hyatt ... checking out DragonCon. It was quite massive, very impressive and pretty much boring. I could not find any of my fellow members of jubchuQun and felt very alone. One of the more interesting exhibits (if that is the right term) to me, was a huge exibition room full of vendors. I saw so many things that I would like to buy, but kept a tight reighn on expenditures. I did, however, purchase one Klingon style pendant for $45 which I thought would go well with my costume. It is a brass Komerex Stella on a leather neck lace... quite heavy and impresseive.

Later I went back to the room, stopping by a package store where I picked up some beer to keep in the room. Once I got back I ended up dozing off again. I got up later and, packing my costume items in a plastic bag (plus one beer), I headed back to the Hyatt & Marriott. I took a lot of pictures; there were so many awesome and outstanding costumes. It was very impressive. I did not see many Klingons about, but my simple outfit seemed to get some very good responses.

I bought 3 beers while there... which were going for $5 apiece! Yikes!

Possibly the highlight of my Friday evening was my encounter with an old acquaintance and former member of KLAW, John LeMay. I could not quite remember his name and called him Brian LeManz.... but, oh well! Sorry John! It has been a while!

I finally tired around 1:00a and headed back to the room. I thought I would get a bite to eat from Max Lager, the restaurant next door, or from the 'Billiards' place the other restaurant next door, but they were both closed. I was still in full costume and stopped at the front desk (freaking out the clerk, I suspect). I called Mark & Karen in room 202, but they were crashed... I woke them. Oops. Mark answered. He was polite, but I am not sure how cognizant he was. Anyway, a couple of Pizza places had slipped coupons under my room door so I called "Gevitos" and got a large pizza with onion, mushroom, tomato, sausage & beef; with tip it was $16. I finally crashed....

Saturday - August 30, 2003

I slept through breakfast and was awakened by a phone call from Mark. I got up, showered and got myself together and met Mark and Karen in the Lobby. This was the first time I had seen Karen on this trip. (She sure has lost a lot of weight!... but I don't think I like the red hair. It makes her look too palid).

We went back to the on-goin Con together. I wandered with Mark in one of the exhibit galleries for a while. We ran into Wanda and Sherry at one point. I made two more purchases.... a set of fingerless leather gloves ($8.50); and the book "Pegasus" by Anne McCaffrey ($25.00 - hard cover). I planned on getting the book signed. The book was "Pegasus" (a hard back, for $25). Just as we left this exhibit, there was a power problem and all the power went out in this section. Right about the same time, Lou Ferigno came out behind us. I managed to get a quick "on-the-fly" picture of him as he headed out the door. Not a good shot, but at least I got to see a star! :)

Mark and I rejoined with Karen, then went up a level and headed back to the exhibition hall were I had bought my pendant the day before. I stopped to take a picture of someone in costume as "Dark Helmet" (from "Space Balls"), and lost Karen & Mark at the entrance to the exhibit hall. I went in and looked around. There was a demo going on of an animation program that I was very tempted to purchase (regular $299; on special for $199)... but I didn't. I did not see them for a while. I ran into Kim, Wanda and Sherry... they were wearing their "Con Virgin" shirts.

I then headed out in search of the "Bon" room where Anne McCaffrey was signing autographs. I found it at last, but the line was wending off into the distance; there must have been over 900 people in line at a rough guess. I got in line with great hope of getting my book signed, but after about a half hour, despite the line having moved for some distance, it had made little progress overall. Then, to my great dismay, I was informed that Anne McCaffrey was only granting 75 signings due to her arthritis! My primary objective for attending this great DragonCon had been snuffed out like a candle. I was very distraught. I was not having a good time at all so far, especially considering the hundreds of dollars this excursion was costing me!

I wandered around and took a few more pictures, but I was really depressed over the turn of events and finally headed back to the hotel. I was supposed to meet Karen and Mark at 3:00p for sushi at the "Pacific Rim" which was located in downtown Atlanta in the Sun Trust Plaza, so I walked by there to see where it was located (I was hit up by two mendicants during this excursion... just like home in downtown St.L!). I found the sushi bar, but it was dark and in a very obvious state of "not open!" The time was 11:24 a.m. [EST]. I was a bit hungry, but decided to wait until Mark & Karen were back with me, or 3:00p (which ever came first) before finding food.

I returned to my room and called Mark & Karen in room 202 and left them a message updating them as to my situation. I watched some TV, read some of my Anne McCaffrey book, and finally dozed off. I was awakened by the phone ringing; it was Mark. The time was around 3:00p ... so I got up and refreshed myself, then went down to meet Mark in their room. We walk over to the Pacific Rim where Karen was waiting, but (as I had expected, surmised, and previously advised) they were not open! Apparently, the did not open until 5:00p. Oh bother..... :(

So... we walked down to Benihanna (they might have sushi... I was in the mood for sushi). Nope... closed until 5:00pm also. There was a Steak & Ale across the street, but we figured they would be closed too and did not wasted our time checking. (I expected more of downtown Atlanta.). We ended up in the Mall and ate at the "Atlanta Bread Company." This was my second experience with this company... and it was far worse. I wanted a chicken salad on a croissant (knowing, of course, that it would not be like Sergio's!). They were out of croissants. I wanted the French Onion soup (served on Saturdays, per the menu). They were out of French Onion. I wanted avocado slices on my sandwich, but they were out of avocado. So, I got the chicken salad on some kind of sourdough bread and the Pasta e Fagioli soup. It was edible. They were also out of ice and the soda/ice machine was partially disassembled, so I practically had to climb over it to get some soda. This was after the attendant had gone in back and procured some ice... and had made me run to the other side of this pathetic fast food place to pick it up (rather than bring it back to me). I ate the sandwich (most of it); but left half the soup behind. It was gross... ick.

After eating, we three headed back to our room. I went back down to the little package store at this point and picked up a six-pack of Bud Light. I was supposed to meet them again for the "Crossed Swords" event at 5:30 pm, but I again dozed off (catching up on more well needed rest... which was not a bad thing). I finally got motivated and headed back to the Hyatt/Marriott. I carried my costume with me and change in the restroom again. I then lucked out and stumbled into Karen again. She was in one of the exhibit halls waiting for the "Dawn Look-alike" contest to commence. I joined her, but I was getting hot in my Klinong attire are excused myself to get a beer. Actually, I got 2 beers and returned to continue my wait with her. We had some interesting dicussion about past and current events. I believe it was a good "heart-felt" discussion covering not just my life events, but the current state of affairs in Orlando Cityhall. It was during this discussion that I learned that Karen's dog, a German Shepherd named Rebel (or more commonly, "Rebby"), had passed a year hence from a probable heart attack. I remember when Karen brought Rebby home back in 1991 or '92. He was the typical rambunctious young puppy. It saddened me more than I let on. I was grieving so much for this small icon of my past. It reminded me of my little "Tor-tor" who left us in June of 2000 and even of my Kira who is in her tenth year and getting 'up in years' for a 'Canine American.' I have tears in my eyes even as I write these words in empathy for these wonderful beings and friends who get so little credit in our society. So long Reb!

We continued to wait for the contest to begin. I went for another couple of beers. Finally the contest was about to commence (after nearly 1½ hours). Just moments before the contest began, I decided the beer had taken its toll and excused myself for a quick run to the men's room. Unfotunately, I found out that if I left, I could not re-enter! So, I sat back down with Karen in a certain amount of distress. About 3 contestants took the stage before I had to tell Karen that I would have to go! We agreed to meet in front of the Dawn poster. I left for a while and hung out in the bar on that level for a while. I met a dude from a band called "Sebula" (previously spelled "Sebyula"). He had one remaining CD which he was giving away.... with a hand drawn CD label and jewel case label. I sure hope they become famous! That would make this CD a valuable collector's item!!

I also met "Rick" ... a cool guy with a big mustache and an expensive leather mask. We had talked at the bar the night before and re-encountered each other this evening. (see picture) With him was Michael Pond, a "cgi artist" who gave me his card and email address. I will have to email him and see if I get a response.

The contest finally ended and I caught Karen as she left the area. She joined us in bar for and drink and we debated whether we shoul seek out the rumoured Klingon party in room 1135 of the Marriott... we decided to foregoe this pleasure (not really knowing any of the participants).

We decided to leave ... it was after 10:30pm by this time. I thought we might try a bite to eat at Max Lager's (next to our hotel), but the seemed to be closed. We separated and went to our rooms. I went back out and found that Max Lagers did not close until 11pm on Saturday, but it was too late for me by this time. I walked on down to that little package store, picked up another 6-pack of Bud Light and went back to my room and ordered another pizze (same as the night before... but this time they did not provide the pepperonccinis! ... no fair...).

I thought I was suppose to leave Atlanta the next day (Sunday) at 2:50pm.... but I was mistaken. I double checked my itenerary and learned that I was supposed to leave Atlanta at 11:25 ... and I was to leave KC at 2:50. Oops! Tonight I called the "wake up call" line and placed an order to be awoken at 7:00am.

Sunday - August 31, 2003

My wake up call came through. I forced myself up, finished packing, showered, shaved, etc., and went downstairs for breakfast. I was very please that Karen and Mark joined me (I had called them around 7:30, but did not expect to see them).

I finished breakfast and headed out to MARTA to catch the train to the airport. I had no problem finding it. On my way I med "Si" (Arlene Stewart) who had also been attending the con, but was on her way to a Bruce Springsteen concert in DC (if I remember and/or understood correctly). I was very impressed by the awesome escalator which extended downward into the subterranean avenues of MARTA. I was impressive, but Si assured me this was nothing compared to the similar systems in DC which apparently were about 2-3 times this depth!

Si and I found our way to a small shop where I had a drink and she had a salad. The sun was shining in hotly on us in the shop window as we chatted and prepared to go our separate ways. She left me since her flight left earlier than mine. I sat for a while, then got up to leave. I found an interesting child's book called "Kaya - an American Girl," which seemed interesting and I skimmed through the small book quickly. I think it would be a good book for my nieces. All of them!

I boarded my plane to Kansas City (seat 7A) and met Anita Cain. I loved her! We spent time together and really got to know each other. In KC we both got a bowl of broccoli& cheese soup. We were separated on our second flight to St. Louis, but once we arrived we met again and said our good-byes.

It was raining heavily at this point and Lambert Airport was getting swamped with leaks. The entire slidewalk system was neutralized as a result. Very bad!

I got on the MetroLink and headed home (Skip called me just as we were pulling out). I got off at Union Station and went to Hooters where I continued to read my book and had some boneless hot wings delivered. It was a pleasant diversion, but we had to move on our way.

I caught the Cahokia bus, but it was a pain. I had already been on 2 trains, 2 planes, and now a bus ... all in one day. I was happy was happy to continue without further question....

I got home and (despite my exhaustion) I began setting up my page information on the 'net.. I picked up a couple of Video tapes from BlockBuster (across the street): "Dare Devil" and: "The Tuxedo."