Birthdays in December: Calisa Selfridge (28th); Lola Lopéz (13th); Jack LaPlante (24th);
Blanca Terrell (6th); Judy Marie Almond (21st); Scott Kuhr (16th); Donna Holleritter (26th)
and we mustn't forget, Dick van Dyke on the 13th;

Sunday - December 1, 2002

11:10a - I slept awful last night... or rather, his morning. I finally got to normal sleep around 3:00am or so. I did not get up until about 10:00am when Diana called on my cell phone. I took Kira for a walk, came back in, called Diana, and she is here now checking her email.

12:18p - I am chatting with Devon at the moment, and I have a sweet potato pie in the oven. I am going down to the store for some milk and stuff in a moment.

12:54p - I just went down to the store for a few items. On the way back in, a was approached by a white woman begging for money. That makes the 10th white person to beg money from me. No Asians, Hispanics or other races, but hundreds of black people. That is very indicative of the cultural stated of this area. Very sad, not to mention irritating. I can rarely walk out doors without someone hitting me up for money.

2:00p - Yummy! The sweet potato pie came out pretty good. It was my first time to try making it. Oops... the rent check is laying here next to me. I had better take it down to the office.

Monday - December 2, 2002

7:35a - Here we go. Another week. I feel rotten this morning. I have my breakfast in the oven. I wonder how cold it is out this morning? I will know in a few minutes. Kira just got up. Time to "go walkies...."!

7:59a - Despite feeling like crap, I am ahead of schedule this morning. Kira has been for her walk, breakfast is cooking and it's only 8:00a.

8:28a - .... and now I am showered and shaved. I love it when I'm on time. Lisa Z. is out with a sick child today. I guess Debbie is covering the Help Desk until I get there.

8:46a - I am all ready to leave for work, but I have to wait until Skip gets in. He has my transit pass. He should have picked his up this morning. Come to think of it, he might be a bit late as a result...

Lisa Z. made it to work before noon. That's good. I hate to have to work the day, especially a Monday, by myself.

1:25p - At lunch today, I went to get my new glasses. It cost me $76 and I had to turn in my old glasses. I did not think that was right, but that's the way it is. They are a little smaller than my other pair, but still glass lenses as well as the "photo gray extra" variety.

6:20p - I have an acquaintance named "Vann" who lives here in the building with his wife. We often meet and ride on the train together. I haven't mentioned him in my writings as far as I can remember, but I thought I should. Tonight I got off the train and he was waiting for me on the corner of Washington and 6th street. That was nice of him. We have a joke as we are walking home about the little store (James Henry Provisions). I usually have to go in to pick up something (milk, beer, soda, dog food... or something). He once joked about there being a magnet that pulled me into the store. Then one day he had to go in and I did not so I commented that the magnet had its poles reversed. Just a stupid little joke, but another piece of the trivia that constitutes my life!

9:28p - I am watching "Taken." ... it seems like it is going to be too short! I have been watching it for 90 minutes and it is supposed to be 120 minutes long I think. We are still in 1947 and have not made much progress. Well... we we see how this goes.

11:27p - I did not realize this was a "mini series!"  It is 20 hours long! (including commercials). The first 5 episodes apparently show this week, Monday through Friday, 2 hours each. Then on Sunday they will show all 5 episodes in a row from 9:00a until 7:00p.

11:34p - Skip just left for work. His alarm did not go off and I had to get him up a few minutes before 11:00p.  He was running late and will probably be late to work.

11:36p - Phew! Barnabus' cat box is wafting a malignant odor all the way out here to the living room! Yuck. I've spray disinfectant and air freshener. Time to burn another incense I guess.

11:46p - I just hear again that Star Trek:Nemesis starts on the 13th. I mentioned to Marty today that we should try to get the local Klingon gang together and see if we could all go together. I emailed my Klingon friends and asked about the cost of getting a Klingon head piece. Marty was inquiring. I meant to suggest to him that I would consider fronting him the money if he wanted if we could get a good headpiece ordered for him. We will see where this all goes....

11:50a - Skip is off to work and I should be going to bed, but the kitchen is a mess. I am about half drunk, but I can't leave the kitchen this way. So... off to clean

Tuesday - December 3, 2002

12:23a - I have rice cooking for my Tuesday morning rice. It is going to include Ham, turkey and much, much more.

12:24a - I banged my right shin on the opened door of the dishwasher while ago. I stung for a moment, but I did not notice that it drew blood. This was on part of my leg that has very little feeling left. I have to be so careful about that. I could conceivably cut myself and be bleeding to death and not even know it!

12:26a - I am sort of watching the first episode of  "Taken" for the third time tonight. I've also poured myself a weak rum & coke (well... it's a rum & diet Dr. Pepper to be more specific).

7:57a - My throat was getting sore yesterday. It's still bothering me; and I'm coughing still.

8:00a - We don't play darts tonight. This is the "Dining for Life" night. I am not sure what we're doing. I am supposed to join Xavier for dinner, but I haven't spoken with him to verify.

7:53p - It sure did get cold today! It was 29 degrees when I walked to the train station this morning. It's supposed to snow a little tonight and tomorrow.

7:56p - No one is making it out for the "Dining for Life" ... so I will sit home and watch episode 2 of TAKEN.

Tonight's episode of "Taken" was great. This is a very interesting mini-series. I knew it would be!

Wednesday - December 4, 2002

12:14a - The 3rd showing of the second episode of Taken is on. I am about to go to bed. I had a most flattering email from Randall James (former body guard to the last 2 mayors of Orlando) tonight. He sure does bring back fond memories. As usual, we don't know what we have until we lose it.

12:22 - I just put some water in the pressure cooker (with some cloves) ... I think I need more humidity. I have been dehydrating at night.

12:30a - Okay... gotta go to bed! I've turned the pressure cooker down to warm. I don't think it should be a problem while I sleep and will (hopefully) increase the humidity level.

7:55a - There's snow on the ground this morning! Needless to say, it's cold too.

8:29a - There's about an inch of snow out there! It's COLD!

10:59p - I think it finally quit snowing a little while ago. It has been falling all day. I watched the third installation of TAKEN tonight. It's really great. I hate it when 10:00p comes along and it goes off! I expect I will miss tomorrow nights episode. I am planning on going to Talayna's for supper after work.

6:27p - I am on the train at the Kiel Station. I just finished book #3 of the Mallorean, by David Eadings.

11:02p - When I took Kira out this morning and she hit the firs snow in the garage, she had to squat and pee immediately. She squatted again before I got her out of the garage. I think it was due to the cold... she never does that. Then this evening I took her out and she did it again. Very strange.

11:03p - I made a pot of soup for supper tonight which was unexpectedly excellent. I used some of the cornbread that skip made and that I ran thru to processor, poured over the top, like crackers. It also had a pork steak chopped up in it. It was just one of those accidental creations that was unbelievably great.

11:05p - I was on duty tonight. No calls. I still have not heard from Scottie. Don't know what's up there. I hope he's okay. I have not seen him on-line, he did not call me back and he has not email me back. Y'on' iihe sh' aatne ny' uut' iime, t'be Y'udw' ilst' aikl' uut' aav' im' orf' ey' endfre. Aanje fye ch' osg' iibaanj' aat'the, enthe t'le ch' iib' ose!

11:10p - I was just thinking tonight that I need to put the other half of the memory into my new computer.

11:11p - Oh yes... Laura and Becky are still at RSNA in Chicago. Dave and Colin were there also. Us Help Desk people don't warrant such trips I suppose.

I got some more of my "diary.doc" edited tonight. I am past page 200 (of about 335 pages).  I made SO many errors and typos! I am appalled at how badly I have written much of my diary and journal. I do not use spell check enough (as may have been noticed!).

I am taking my shower tonight before going to bed instead of in the morning. It is just too cold to get wet and go out. I didn't shower & shave at all yesterday! That's not like me at all.

Thursday - December 5, 2002

7:49a - I had weird dream all night long... I am sure of it. They were related to watching the movie "Taken," but I can't remember any details. I hate that!

7:52a - Of course, everything is covered in snow this morning. I feel the coldness through the window and I am sitting 4 or 5 feet away from it.

8:19a - It is freezing out.... literally! Kira had to stop and pee in the driveway again this morning. That is so strange and not like her. It must be the cold.

8:20a - Gary says Lisa is out today.

9:50p - I just got in from Talayna's It was very pleasant except for one thing. I learned that Nathaniel was very sick and no one has seen him for over a month. Lee (a long standing waiter of repute at Talayna's) thinks that he may have died. The last time he saw Nathaniel, he says he was grossly bloated with a distended stomach and was covered in lesions of some kind. Nathaniel was in his 60's I think and a very colorful and nice person. I will be most aggrieved if he has been call unto the Presence.

I went over to the WS Hotel for a few drinks after walking Kira.

Friday - December 6, 2002
Happy Birthday to Blanca Terrell!

I was an hour late getting in to work this morning. It was so hot when I woke up. Skip had turned the heat up. I was sweating and dehydrated. This is getting ridiculous with him always being cold and me opening the windows a wearing just shorts. He could put more clothes on... I can't take any more off!

I worked late tonight. This will be the last night of working overtime. I liked making the extra money, but I am kind of relieved it's finally over.

I watched last night's episode of  "Taken" which I had recorded, then I watched tonight's version which came on at 10:00pm

Saturday - December 7, 2002
Happy Anniversary to Jack & Adam!
Pearl Harbor Day

12:18a - I just finished watching episode 5 of "Taken."  It has been a very good series so far. I am so tired. I took a Tylenol PM. I am going to get Skip up shortly so I can go to bed.

11:39a - It's a beautiful day out this morning! Most of the snow and melted and it's still a bit chilly, but the sun is shining and there is not too much wind.

11:43a - I got a good night's sleep for a pleasant change. I didn't get up until a 11:00a, which means I got about 10 hours sleep. I needed it!

I got my journal document edited. I sure do make a lot of mistakes!! It is now 347 pages long.

3:20p - I've taken a shower and feel fresh and ready to do something. I am trying to get motivated to get up and go to K-Mart. The one over on Manchester. I've never been there.

4:36p - That was very irritating. I went down to catch the #57 Manchester bus which, according to the on-line schedule, is supposed to stop at Locust and Broadway at 3:57pm and 4:27pm. I waited over a half hour and it never ran. I finally stopped the #40 Broadway bus and ask the driver where it stopped and he told me that it does not run downtown any longer! I would have to catch the MetroLink down to the Grand station and the catch the Manchester bus from there! That's not only too much hassle, but it's too late now.

4:39p - I think I will just go down to Hooter's and have some beer. I'll take my book.

7:06p - I just got back from Hooter's where I had a few beers and some buffalo shrimp. This time I ordered them with the 3-mile Island hot sauce. That was much better. I normally order them "hot" ... but it's never really that hot. This was much more tasty and enjoyable! I took my book with me and read a few more pages of book #4 of the Mallorean.

I met Jack & Adam at Talayna's and bought them dinner, then I went over to LZ for a while. I took a cab home from there.

Sunday - December 8, 2002

The cab was one of the vans.

10:28a - I got up later than I intended at about 9:45a. I SEEM TO HAVE LOST MY NEW CELL PHONE!!! This is very upsetting. I just bought it 2 months ago. I had it in my coat pocket most of the evening. I think it may have fallen out since I was carrying my coat around in my hands for a good part of that time. I've tried calling it and there is no answer. I did have one voice mail from Diana. We are supposed to be going to Circuit City today.

10:32a - Speaking of which, I need to go take my shower. I am really bummed out about my phone. Maybe its around here somewhere. I will look in the sofa cushions; maybe it fell in there.

This was an intense day; a productive day; an EXPENSIVE day! Besides just losing my cell phone. Diana and I went out for the day and had a fairly decent day. We took the train down to CWE and caught the #52 Forest Park. We went first to Circuit City where I made my first thrilling purchases of the day. I picked up 2 items here. First was "WinTV" and also "Dazzle." WinTV allows me to connect my PC to cable and watch TV while I work. Dazzle (which I have not work with yet, is supposed to let me copy material from my VCR (VHS tapes) to file (and then to CD). I also got a new cordless, optical mouse. But... that's not all... I also bought some new ear muffs!! Does it stop there? NO! I bought more photo printing paper too. No more big items? NO! I have more... I bough a PS4-290 Yamaha keyboard (the musical, piano type keyboard... not the typing-on-the-pc type keyboard.

However... my bubble got badly burst when I got home. The mouse did not want to work, for starters, but I finally managed to get it going. The the keyboard had not power supply! I waited till Skip got up and confiscated 6 D batteries from my boom-box.

Then the WinTV program locked up my PC... I had to force a reboot. Then it happened again and when I force a reboot the PC would NOT boot up! It said a/the SYSTEM file was missing or corrupt. I was SO upset and depressed.

Oh... before I go further, I should mention lunch. It was VERY nice. Diana and I went to Macaroni's Grill. She had the Steak Katarina (I had a bite.. EXCELLennnnnnt!!!). I had the "Soul Parmagiano with a MOST delicious pene paste pilaf.

Monday - December 9, 2002

I was so depressed and irritated today due to my computer problem. If I have to reformat my hard drive again, it will majorly suck. I will lose a 347 page document that I just finished up on Saturday, all my email, all my digital photography since October and more. Plus, I will have to start from scratch, reloading all me software and moving files over from the old PC.  I will be most horrific!

We had a little SAN party at the office today to celebrate all the work our dedicated network people did getting the new SAN equipment installed this weekend.

I got a copy of XP Pro at work to try to over-write my XP Home OS ... maybe that will fix my problem without having to completely re-write and lose everything.

I called Talayna's, LZ, and LaClede's Taxi.... looking for my phone. None of them had it. I am afraid it's gone. This really sucks. That is a $200 phone!!! Skip said he did not really need his phone, so I could just take it back again. But it does not work that way. I have a contract with AT&T now for both phones for a year. We can't just drop them because we changed our mind. It doesn't work that way

IT WORKED! I did not completely re-load XP Pro, but I got my Windows working again! WinTV has locked up on me once or twice again tonight, but it didn't mess up completely

I watched the 6th episode of Taken tonight. I was great... I had tears of awe in my eyes.

My musical skill has deteriorated to something comical, but I can tell I am getting some of it back... slowly. It's wonderful to have a piano keyboard at my disposal again!

Tuesday - December 10, 2002

12:08a - Next I have to get "Dazzle" working. I hope I don't have the same problems (or worse) that I had with WinTV!!!

12:41a - Okay.... gotta go t'bed!!! I had fun playing music tonight. It's very nice to have this outlet at my disposal again!

7:53a - I am up.. but as usual would rather be back in bed. I had a string of weird dreams last night, but as usual I can't remember them very well. Just one segment where I was in the military, or a religious order, or maybe it was the Peace Corps..... It was some kind of structured organization. I was being transferred... it is all very vague.

I did not play darts tonight. This is my only night I have missed so far though. I understand our team really kicked some booTAY!

Wednesday - December 11, 2002

I had another cluster migraine around 3:30 this morning. I finally passed out, but when I got up I felt weak and disoriented. I called in sick. I slept most of the day. I got a call from the taxi driver, "Marsha," who said she found my cell phone! She is supposed to drop in off at the front desk for me around 2:00p.

I checked with Dennis at the front desk; no phone was turned in yet.

I worked with my new Dazzle "Movie Star" program and made several video clips.

My new satin comforter FINALLY arrive! Skip had a package too, which turned out to contain his Nepalese Kukhri knife and a "Klingon" knife which he bought for me for Yuletide.

I found a used humidifier. I will run it tonight and see if it helps.

Thursday - December 12, 2002

8:30a - The humidifier did seem to help, but it was awfully noisy! Actually, its constant thrumming lulled me to sleep. I feel great this morning! So rested.

I took my CD with the video clips in to work to show off today. I think some were impressed. (I know I still am!).

8:53p - I am watching hours 17 & 18 of Taken.... this is such a GREAT mini-series!!!

9:29 - 30 minutes left of tonight's episode. I am so enthralled by this presentation. It is great. I think it is awesome how Spielberg has made this entire production so believable. It fits in with about everything that I have ever heard.

9:32p - Incidentally... I am watching this tonight, again, on my WinTV connection. I've turned the TV off.

9:33p - Oh, I forgot to mention; I got a little token

10:05p - Well, it's over. Just one more episode tomorrow night.

Friday - December 13, 2002
Star Trek:Nemesis premiers

8:26a - I had another cluster migraine last night! This one lasted longer. I am behind schedule this morning. I am going to call the doctor today. This is getting ridiculous.

7:17p - I got my CELL PHONE back this evening! THANK YOU MARSHA, OF LaCLEDE'S CAB!! The battery is still charged and phone was on! 

I called "Ultimate Electronics" today and found out the my new Yamaha Keyboard does NOT come with a power supply! How odd. I will have to buy one. It seems they would have suggested that to me when I bought the computer.

I called and made an appointment with my Dr. today... but it's not until December 20th!

Saturday - December 14, 2002

I felt AWFUL today. I sat up working on my computer and drinking some beer and the some rum & cokes and seem to have drank more than I intended. I had a horrible hangover and felt really stupid. I had a lot planned for the day, and did not feel like doing any of it. I did at least manage to drag myself down to the Soulard Market and pick up some items.

I got my cell phone reactivated this morning. It's so nice to have it back!

That stupid "Media Outsourcing" finally got their money from me. I think I am being scammed, I don't want their magazines, I told them I do NOT want to have money taken from my account automatically (and the did it anyway). I told them to bill me or forget it; but they did what they wanted anyway. On two different occasions I was told that I was being removed from their list, but they still kept calling. Oh well... maybe I learned a lesson.

Sunday - December 15, 2002
Dr. Ludwig L. Zamenhoff's birthday
(Creator of Esperanto)

2:46p - I finally got laundry done today! I also made it over to Walgreen's and spent $56 on a little bag of items. I am go to the Zamenhofa Bankedo at Bevo Mill this afternoon. I have to start getting dressed shortly. I am just going to take a taxi. It will probably cost me as much as the entire Banquet; but, whatever...

10:26p - The taxi was only $14.00 +$2 tip ($16 total). Not too bad. The Banquet was quite fun. The food was good, but of course I only ate some "anakardioj" (cashews) all day, so I was starvéd!! I only took a couple of pictures and I am not in any of them. Mr. Glossup (nia Prezidanto) gave me a ride home... Dankegon, Ron! Then I went over to the WS for a few drinks. Erica was my waitress and I got to talking to her about Esperanto. She might like to get involved. I gave her my email address. Maybe we will have a new Esperantistino joining us soon?

10:41p - I just finished chopping and bagging 3 bunches of turnips greens and 3 bunches of mustard greens. It came out to about seven 2-quart bags.

10:45p - It has been about 4 or 5 hours since I ate, even though it does not seem like it. I think I am getting hungry again! I still have food to put away from my shopping trip to Soulard yesterday. Chick and pork steaks. The pork steak looked very thick and lean. I suppose I will head back to the kitchen, put away more food and fix a bite to eat while I'm at it.

I guess the Rams won the game against (the Cardinals?) tonight. Fireworks were going off and Kira was going bonkers again. That sure is irritating.

Monday - December 16, 2002

12:02a - On my way to bed. I made me a snack first. I sort of call it "When China meets Alabama." It including stir fried pork, chicken, cashews and green onion with giant lima beans (or butter beans) and some Asian style mushrooms. A little Vietnamese hot sauce was dribbled over the top. Seasonings included Wei-Chuan soy sauce, onion powder and black pepper. It wasn't too bad! In fact, it was quite tasty!

12:07a - Any way... time to crash. Back to work in the morning.

8:18a - I didn't fall asleep until sometime after 2:00a. I could have stayed in bed. But, I'm up. Rice is cooking. It looks festive with chicken & pork (which marinated overnight), mushroom, green onion and Roma tomato slices. And of course, the rice is my usual homemade blend of Jasmine rice with a sprinkling of fancy wild rice, dried soup veggies, and baby red split lintels plus some seasonings. Oh! I forgot to put the chicken bullion in! Darn... oh, well... it should okay.

10:29p -  Went to Talayna's after work, the went home. I got stuck in the lobby waiting for an elevator. The Fire Dept. had to check out a possible fire on the 7th floor. (someone probably burned popcorn).

10:32p - I fixed a pot of mustard greens with onion, pork steak bones (with some meat), and other seasonings. It is helping a little with the onset of another cluster migraine. This is my fourth instance of a cluster migraine since Thanksgiving. Prior to that, the last one was February 2000. It is not full fledged yet. Maybe I can avoid the full brunt of it. I took some naproxen and am eating these greens which are hot and soupy. Very good for the sinuses.

Tuesday - December 17, 2002

7:48a - I am up, and a large batch of rice is cooking. Debbie is on line and tells me Lisa Z. is caught in traffic. I is so foggy out that I can't see out the window. Also, we apparently lost power to the entire East Building and the MIR tower. It's a mess at work this morning!

7:52a- Lisa just signed on; I guess she made it through the traffic.

7:53a - I still have a little twinge of the headache. I had it all through the night, but it wasn't a full-blown cluster migraine. It was just at about one-third power I would say.

3:50p - The headache is persisting, though not as bad. I left early and came home around 1:00p. I will have to manage my dart game tonight. I home the headache is gone by then. I promised to be there and if I miss tonight I will be dropped from the team.

3:52p - I am almost to the end of book #4 of the Mallorean.

6:05p - I took a nap, fixed some hot steamy mustard greens for supper, walked kira, took a shower and downed some more Naproxen. I don't feel great, but I think I can make it through a dart tournament. Billy will be picking me up at 6:30p.

Wednesday - December 18, 2002

1:38a - We did pretty good at darts tonight. I know I won at least one game. That should help my standing. I was, if I recall correctly, in position 26 of 28. I know I was second to the last. That was depressing. I played much better tonight. It helps having my glasses! I also called Aunt Marlene and my friend Nita (in Osteen) tonight. I tried calling Calisa, but she was (Christmas?) shopping. I spoke to Steph instead.

1:41a - I am going to be SO dead in the morning!! I just finished fixing some rice noodles and pork... very tasty... but I MUST get to bed!

7:54a - I would rather be back in bed, but I am not as dead tired as I expected to be this morning. My headache is not present either! That helps a lot.

7:57a - I better get Kira out for her walk...

8:45a - It is unseasonably warm out. I was actually outside with my shirt off last night and this morning the fog a blown off and it's not cold. Just a little bit windy.

7:16p - It has been a long, busy day. I logged about 32 calls today. I finished Book #4 of the Mallorean and will be starting Book #5 tomorrow. Our office Christmas Luncheon is tomorrow. I have to make something tonight, but I don't know what to make. Some rice noodle lomain maybe. I am still thinking. I also need to work on some Yuletide cards for co-workers and family, but I am so tired!

7:19p - I am hot too! It was 61 degrees as of 6:52p.

I was up late tonight working on Yuletide cards and cooking food for tomorrow's Christmas luncheon.

Thursday - December 19, 2002

I got THE headache again! I woke up around 3:30a with it. This is really beginning to concern me. I am getting this headache way too often, and it totally incapacitates me. I had to call in sick again. This is very bad. Our office luncheon was today and I missed it! I always take pictures and have never missed one of these functions since I worked here. I was very upset and depressed about it all day, on top of having to deal with the headache, which subsided but did not really go away all day long.

I started "The Seereress of Kell" today, the 5th book of the Mallorean.

Friday - December 20, 2002
Happy Birthday to Debie "R"

8:02a - I took a couple of Tylenol PM's last night and slept pretty solidly. I still feel some twinges of the headache, but not too bad. I have a doctor's appointment at 2:20p today and am taking the remainder of the day off. We will see how things go. I haven't been to the doctor since December 4th of last year. He will probably want to lecture me about that and I am not ready for a lecture and don't want to be bothered by it.

8:31a - It's cool but sunny out this morning. Kira got to chase a squirrel. That made her day.

8:35a - I just looked at my journal entries for December 4th of last year and all of my entries past the 4th are missing! I am sure I did not miss a day in December 2001. How frustrating. It must be an affect of the virus that messed things up in April. Darn!

The doctor agreed with me that my headaches are classic "male cluster migraines." I gave me some Immetrix. I hope it works. The dosage is much higher than we I used to take it.

6:30p - Just got home. It's time to walk Kira. Again.

I took pictures of the Christmas tree at the LZ and used my new Dazzle flashcard reader to download them to my PC. It was AMAZINGLY fast! I was impressed. I emailed the pics to Donnie at LZ at his request.

7:13p - I am supposed to meet with Xavier and his friend, Norman, who is from England to night. Iiw' udsh' iitm' aatch' iithe LZ.

Met with Xavier and his friend from London, Norman. They also had a friend, Tyrone, with them. Kevin M. was there too. I finally left and went down to Tomatillo's for some food (I was staving), but the were closed. I stopped at a sushi place, but even though they were open, they were out of rice and not serving sushi. So, I went home and chopped up a piece of pork with some left over rice and made a tasty and spicy stir fry.

Saturday - December 21, 2002
BLESSED YULETIDE DAY!
Happy Birthday to cousin Judy Marie Almond!

12:07 - I am through eating my spicy-ricey dish. It was tasty and saved me money.

12:09 - Y'esge Y'aav' uut' og' uut' edb' eyonle yeng' uut' aitne. :(

7:56a - I am up early this morning. I had another headache last night and took some of the Immitrex as soon as I was sure it was starting. I still went through about an hour or more of awful pain, but it subsided enough that I could sleep. I feel a little groggy this morning, but its bearable.

Diana and I went on a Walmart Safari. I bought a new coat with a detachable and reversible in vest and a detachable hood. I got a tournament style dart board with electronic score keeping too. I got Skip a Yuletide gift; a new clock radio, and some Star Wars Galactic shampoo (with a Yoda head lid).

I wore my new SPAM shirt and the vest portion of my new coat out tonight. Larry & Vern were at Bastille when I got there, then Billy, Marty, JR, got the. Bill never showed up, but Jack and Adam arrived later. I started getting "the headache" again and the liquor was not helping. J&A gave me a ride home. The headache was getting worse. I tried to take one of my pills, but it was too hard to get the package open and my head was hurting. I lay down on the sofa for a bit, but ended up having to run for the bathroom. The combination of the reubin sandwich at the bar, the alcohol and mostly the headache caused me to lose everything. I felt a little better and then finished opening the Immitrex and took it. It did not really help. I lie in bed crying in pain almost all night. I didn't get to sleep until after 5:00am. It was pretty bad.

Sunday - December 22, 2002

3:50p - I got up this morning and managed to walk Kira. I wasn't to perky. I was starving though, so when I got back in I started making some potato soup. It came out pretty good. I've been lounging around most of the day. I just took 3 asprin. I think I feel the headache trying to sneak up on me again. The aspirin seem to have helped so far.

3:54p - I am experimenting with putting sound on my page now. I am about to test it and see if it works

4:00 - Well, it works, but I did not want the control icon to show on my page. I just wanted the sound to play in the back ground automatically. But this will do for now.

9:07p - YAY!  I figured it out. I can now embed wav files on my web page, let them play automatically, hide them from view, or show them with a pluggin so the using can play them. This opens up all new opportunities and ideas.....

Skip has been cooking all evening for his luncheon (if that's the right word) tonight. He has gone to bed and the kitchen is a disASter! Dirty dishes piled sky high; no room to do anything. I was going to try to tackle it, just because I hate the mess, but I could not get into the mood.

Monday - December 23, 2002

I had another headache last night and took the last of my 3 freebie pills. It only lasted about an hour or more. I was able to get enough sleep that I can to go work.

It is supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow. Devon told me its snowing in OK already. I've been learning how to make a PPS files using Power Point. I never realized they were made with power point. So simple (duh). I've had twinges of The Headache off & on all day. Nothing major, just enough that it reminds me. I am not going to drink any alcohol, just in case that is triggering it. I like to drink beer though. That's one of my few remaining pleasures these days. But its not a pleasure if I end up in excruciating pain!

I came home tonight and the dishes were STILL piled up in the kitchen. I was a bit irritated with this. I hate the mess this place stays in. When I moved in here, I kept it so tidy and felt I FINALLY had a place to myself. Oh well, Skip pays rent and that really helps. I try not to complain, but the cat box, the cigarettes, the constant disarray.. it starts to get to me sometimes.

Anyway, I tackled the kitchen. Emptied the washer, re-loaded it, and washed another batch by hand. The stove was covered with crud which had to be soaked a while, but finally got fairly clean. It took most of 2 hours to do; and I thought I was moving pretty quickly.

I got it all done and made myself a batch of sloppy joes for supper.

Tuesday - December 24, 2002
Happy Birthday to my adopted brother,
Jack LaPlante
(Welcome to the Merry Forties, Jack!)

I did NOT have The Headache last night! YAY! That was a relief. I still feel it lurking in the background though.

Well... no snow. I was hoping for snow, but there's none. I made my Tuesday Rice this morning. Gary always loves my rice and I love his flattery. Y'ishw' iih' udk' ivle thw' iim' ose Y'udk' uk' orf' imh' aaly' iith' aimte.

The trains were weird this morning. I got down to the stop just a little bit late (9:18a) and the East bound train was leaving. A total of 3 trains went by on the East bound side before my West bound train came. However, it was traveling WAY too fast! It must have been going 50-60 mph! Two little girls on the platform started screaming (which was a bit much). The train was obviously straining to come to a stop; just short of screeching its wheels. It ended up stopped part way into the next tunnel and only about one car was aligned with the platform. Apparently the driver did not understand that the doors will not open if the train is not properly lined up, nor can the train backup (which I just learned today). He sat there for several minutes, then apologized and told the people on the train that they would have to get off at the next stop, and the people waiting to get on  would have to catch the next train! A forth train passed on the East bound side, then finally a train with a sane driver stopped for us. However, this train had to stop for reasons unknown several times on the way in; not a normal stops, but in the middle of nowhere. Strange.

It started to snow just a tiny bit as I was getting to work this morning. They said we could leave four hours early today; however, Lisa and I still had to make sure the Help Desk was manned. We finally decided that I would stay until 4pm and she would cover the phones from 4 to 6pm.

My friend, Sheik Anwar of Pakistan, paged me from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tonight. He says he received my pictures. He also commented that I am "so fat." How depressing. Yes, I've gain a lot of weight. I used to be a national level competitive athlete with a trim waist, flat stomach, rock hard legs and a tight ass! Time passes.... things change.

I has been snowing heavily all day... YAY! I wanted snow; a white Christmas. I got to put my new coat to the test on the way home. My legs were cold! The coat is great. It's nice to have a hood. I hit page 100 in book #5 on the way home tonight. I chatted with Calisa on-line this morning, and both Devon and Darlene this evening; and Shalisa, Tammy's daughter. Devon says they have a foot, or maybe two of snow in Minco. Everyone here is stressing out over the snow. I love it. They have to drive in it and risk their lives. I ride the train; no problem!

Skip has the kitchen messed up again tonight, but not TOO bad. He was working on our Christmas dinner for tomorrow and has most of it completed, except for the turkey breast. Jack and Adam are coming over tomorrow. They are nearly ready to move, so their stuff is all packed or stored. That's why we're hosting the meal.

I got some fresh baby carrots tonight and am soaking them in honey & brown sugar. I will add butter and bake them tomorrow.

6:17p - I am being foolish and having some beers tonight. I will probably have another headache tonight. I am out of  Immitrex, so it will not be pleasant! (Not that it is pleasant even with the medicine).

6:19 - It's still snowing! I am going to take K-dog out into in if a moment. I should be warm enough in my new coat, and having had 4 beers. My head is started to hurt some too. I know I should avoid the liquor. Stupid me. I am going to REGRET this I suspect.

6:41p - Yeesh! It's cold out. The snow is 4-5 inches deep, not counting drifts which are much deeper here and there. It was up to Kira's belly almost. My head is starting to hurt. I haven't eaten since my bowl of rice and a few cookies today. Maybe that has something to do with it.

10:41p - I have made some nice progress on my January site tonight. It is coming along quite nicely.

10:44p - I've been drinking some beers tonight. I feel a headache pending in the background. I too some Naproxen, Gensing, and a handful of other vitamins. I hope something keeps the headache away!

Wednesday - December 25, 2002
Merry Christmas!

The headache was back again in full force last night. I thought I was going to die. I was in so much pain it made me throw up. I had chills and was sweating... it was awful. I finally got to sleep a little around 5am. Skip had to take Kira out for me this morning since I could barely walk still. I finally got some rest, not much, and got up around 10am.

Skip had the turkey cooked already (it came out GREAT). Jack and Adam arrived around 12-ish. We ate a nice meal and then went to the Chase Park Plaza Theater where we watch "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers." It was EXCELLENT!

Thursday - December 26, 2002

11:07a - I slept good last night; no headache! I was almost afraid to go to bed last night, but I got some good rest for a change. It is bright and sunny out side, but COLD. The snow is still on the ground, but the sun is trying to melt it. I have been working on my email this morning, trying to create domain blocks to reduce some of the junk e-mail I get.

12:39a - I am making soup out of the turkey skeleton

I made a lot of headway on my web sites tonight.

Friday - December 27, 2002

1:45a - I have been drinking some wine tonight (Livingston, Cabernet Sauvignon). I am hoping I do not get THE HEADACHE as a result. So far I seem to be doing okay, but it usually hits after I go to bed. I have an ever-so-slight pain in the head now, but its not the same. I hope it is not too bad....

The Headache hit me in a major way around 3:30am. Skip had to walk Kira for me. I did not get to sleep until around noon. I just slept fitfully for about 2 hours and got up around 2pm. Skip was gone; he went to Union Station. I sat around for the rest of the day going through email and working on my web-site.

Saturday - December 28, 2002
Happy Birthday Calisa!

I ended up not getting to bed again until about 3:30a this morning. I was just not sleepy, but at least I did not have the headache. I am avoiding any alcohol, which seems to be the trigger. It's awfully boring though.

I got up, took Kira out, the came back in and cleaned up the kitchen. I watched the tail-end of "The Lost Boys" then Diana and I went down to Soulard Market where I picked up some spices and veggies. On the way back we went to TGI Friday's. We shared some potato skins and a "JD Tower." That was interesting. The "tower" is a stand with 3 levels of platters. The lower on had chicken nuggets, the middle had BBQ ribs, and the top one had fried shrimp. It was very tasty and quite filling. I bit too pricey though.

We left there and went to Walgreen's where I spent another $40 for some household products and miscellaneous. It's amazing how fast the money goes!

I got home, rested then cleaned the kitchen again. It seems to be a never ending chore. I got the veggies put away and I am cooking supper now (9:48p). The TV has "The Mummy" playing.... again.

Sunday - December 29, 2002

9:05p - I wanted to get up around 9am in an effort to get myself back on schedule this morning, but I didn't wake up until 10am. Then I fell back asleep and didn't get up until 11am! Poor Kira had to wait for me before she could go out to potty. She is such a wonderful dog. So patient and loving.  Where would I be without her? Probably not alive. She got me through most of the hell I went through back in Deltona. Sometimes I would just cling to her and cry in my despair. But she was there and it was just enough for me to maintain some sanity and not go completely off the deep end; and I came frighteningly close!

9:09p - So I took her for her walk; it was sunny out and not too cold. Most of the snow has melted except for some patches here and there. I took Kira over to the Arch grounds for a change. She needed to get some exercise. The geese were there, and they have left what all geese leave on the ground in great abundance. I was walking down hill and nearly slipped and fell at one point! Then, when we got back, I had to clean off my shoes in the shower. Yuck.... such a green and gooey mess!

9:12p - Later, Skip and I ordered a Pizza from Papa John's.  I continued to work on my web design skills today. I successfully incorporated a Guestbook on my "Lee's Place" site!

11:16p - It's about time to go to bed. I have been trying to learn more about CGI scripts tonight. I am not making any great progress though. At least not yet.

Monday - December 30, 2002

7:42a- The year is almost over. Back to work this morning. Fortunately, I have not had the headache in 3 days.

7:44a - I had some awesome dreams last night, about flying. Suzzane Burns (former City of Orlando employee) was in one segment. There was a skyscraper and I flew to the top of it... and high above it at one point. I was a long and complex dream and I've only touched upon it, but it was a fun dream. Weird, but fun. At one point I had to fly down a bar on the first floor of the building to get a couple of harmonicas. When I flew back out of the building, the harmonicas were whistling in the wind, and for some reason the made it hard for me to fly. I had to land on a terrace part way up the building to take an elevator. Oh, our old dog (from back in the 60's) was on the top of the building. She had a little baby carrot and did not want to eat it (I know; I said it was weird). In another part of the dream, I was flying over a lake and was dipping in and out of the water. Yet another part of the dream I was flying as high as I could. The air was getting thin and I saw the aforementioned skyscraper far below me. There was still more, but it would take too long to mention it all. I will probably forget it by the end of the day too.

7:50a - Time now to start a bite of breakfast and walk Kira. It is dreary and overcast outside. I hope it's not too cold.

10:46p - I went to Talayna's tonight.  I risk having some beers  and also had some shrimp scampi and cheesy garlic bread. It's taking its toll.  The headache is hitting me. I have food cooking... took soem tylenols... drank a lot of water.... DAMN... I hate this. It's not fair!  (Oops... used the 4-letter F-word).

11:04 - The headache continues to encroach. I ate and it helped... but not enough. I am going to suffer tonight. I've got to go to work tomorrow. I can't miss a day before a holiday (again). AND Lisa won't be there. :(

Tuesday - December 31, 2002

10:36a - I am going in late today. The headache lasted until about 5am. I'm pooped.

7:06p - I got in around noon today. Everyone was getting to go home 4 hours early, so I volunteered to stay till 6pm. (so I don't have to claim 2 hrs of sick time). I am just going to stay at home tonight. I already have a touch of a headache, so I am not going to touch any liquor. I would like to go out and drink, but I know it would be a mistake <sigh>  ... this is very depressing.

11:49p - The midnight hour doth approach. Yet another year hath nigh passed.