January 2008

TUESDAY – JANUARY 1, 2008
– –
Taline iga – Unolvtani Saquu
ᏔᎵᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏌᏊ

This is the 50-year-old face I begin the year 2008 () with!

1:19p – I got up about 12 noon, took my shower, spent some time fixing my schedule which was all messed up, ironed a shirt, fixed a bite to eat, checked email, and am now updating my journal. Needless to say, I am running behind schedule!

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 2, 2008
– –
Tsoine iga – Unolvtani Tali
ᏦᎢᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵ

5:32a – Off to bed!

7:53p – I got up around 11:00a today. That is earlier than I've been getting up on a work day, and I went to bed at nearly 6:00a this morning. That is a clue as to how this job affects me. I just don't want to wake up or get up because its just too depressing.

I tried another variation of making hash-browns this morning. I just can't seem to get it right. This time I tried shredding a raw potato, then dumping the mix briefly in boiling water, and straining it off. I heating some Crisco to a high heat and dumped them in. I ended up with a somewhat edible glop of mushy, greasy potato crap enhance by some easy over eggs. It did "look" pretty good, but I would never serve this to anyone I know unless we were starving!

I have spent much of this evening tediously creating a set of GIF files to represent my dates in Cherokee in the "old script." I think I have succeeded! I will no longer have to make a separate file for each and every day. I can now create them for every day of the year up to December 31, 2010. That should give me time to improve the system even further.

8:16p – It has been nice having a day off finally. I was going to pick Skip up from the train today, but he got a ride home with Greg (his boss).

I set some of those so-called "beef steak" patties out to thaw last night and plan on fixing them for supper tonight.

9:47p – I've finished up the process of updating my MySpace blog. I see Stefo and Devon are both on line, but ... they do not have their IM active, so I can't contact them.

Meanwhile, I have some mustard greens cooking to go with my "beef steaks" ...

Supper was great!

THURSDAY – JANUARY 3, 2008
– –
Nvgine iga – Unolvtani Tsoi
ᏅᎩᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏦᎢ

Birthday en Memoriam
for Douglas Edward Cross
Jan 3, 1955 - Mar 31, 1996

Last night I had an unusually clear, if bizarre dream. I was someone else (not myself). Where ever and who ever I was, there was a major storm coming our way. I lived near the shore, possibly in Florida, maybe down around Key west. I had to go to an off-shore island with some other people and we were going to have to stay there during the storm in order to take care of some expensive and sensitive project. I was driving a truck and was following one of my associates. We had to cross a bridge to get out to the island (or cay). I went there all the time and I was very familiar with my route to get there. However we were taking a route I was unfamiliar with. There had been an old bridge, now partially destroyed, and a new bridge had been built. My usual route took me directly to the new bridge, but the route we were taking headed to the old, destroyed bridge, and from that point there was some kind of re-route to the new bridge. I was following (I think his name was Paul), but just as we got to the old bridge, he had to stop and Paul had to get out and speak with someone. I waited for a while for him, but his conversation was taking too long. I decided go on without him. I just needed to get on the new bridge and I knew my way from there. How hard could that be? I waved Paul and let him know I was going on. I pulled my truck around him and headed on down the roadway, looking for my exit to the new bridge. Their were so many people being evacuated that traffic in the opposite direction was heavy and chaotic. As a result of the confusion, I missed my exit and ended up at the "dead end" part of the old bridge. There were flashing lights and a black, female cop directing traffic to circle around and head back.

Here the dream got kind of strange. I seemed now to be out of my truck, though I don't remember getting out of it. The cop confronted me, as though I was doing something wrong. She thrust her (now gloved) hand between my legs from behind quite brusquely and told me to turn my head and cough! (Shades of AFEES!). I did so, and she asked me if I could use some home grown vitamin-C? I was like, "umm... sure, ok..." and she produced a large, brown plastic vitamin jar. (We now seemed to be standing in a supermarket, incidentally). She said that this was all she had and offered me an empty plastic which had obviously been opened and its previous contents emptied out. I took the empty capsule and pulled it apart, then tried to scoop some of the white powder (vitamin-C) from the bottom of the container. There was not much in there. The other half of the capsule slipped from my fingers and managed to catch it. I then managed to fill the large half of the capsule with this vitamin-C, getting white powder all over my hands in the process (this was really bothering me). I did not really want to be doing any of this, but she was in a position of authority. Before I could seal the capsule together, I woke up ...

9:15a – I am up early this morning. It's bright and sunny out. I must try to make the most of this day, because tomorrow can be expected to be a nightmare. At work, we began support Insight as of yesterday. I still do not even have any logins for any of the tools, nor did hardly anyone as far as I know. Steve called me last night after work and said it was a mess. I dread it more than I can express in words.

12:28p – I am getting ready to head out to Soulard Market. I've been up for 3 hours, eaten, showered, watched some TV, checked email, created some humorous art... and I am usually just getting out of bed about now!

7:29p – I am still trying to clean up my email. Some of my email folders are taking forever to delete files. I am on Carl Masthay's email folder now, and it has been going for about 20 minutes. I am stuck until it finishes. I just hope it does not get stuck and I keep waiting for nothing.

As I was taking my shower, I had flash backs to my childhood. I remembered a movie we used to watch in school every year, back at Del Sur in Lancaster, CA, call "The Red Balloon." I also remember a book in the Bookmobile that I used to check out repeatedly (back in 3rd grade) called, "Le Petite Canard." Both movie and book were in French, but even back then I was fascinated by language and understood a good deal of French. I just did a search and found what may be a copy of "La Ballon Rouge" ("The Red Ballon"). Out of nostalgia for times gone by, I would like to see this movie again. It says it is from 1956, so the time frame is right. I hope its the right one.

3:55p – I went to Wal-Mart first to take back the alcohol that Skip bought. He got the wrong kind. I want the 91% alcohol (he got the 70%). I picked up some bird seed for the feeder for the first time in a while too. And some of those Lindor Truffles. (Delicious!). I headed off to Soulard Market, but unfortunately, they were closed. So, I decided to go to Jay International. I am getting low on rice anyway. Just as I got back on the road, I realized I was reflexively head back home! Oops! I had to cross the river and turn around and go back again. Eventually, I did get where I was going! I picked up a few items at Jay's, including a large bag of black rice for $4.95, and 2 bags of dried shiitake @ $1.49.

4:04p – Skip just called for a ride from the train. Darn ... I just got the groceries put away and sat down to rest.

4:55p – We home again. The sun is setting, which means the day is mostly over. At least I got a few things accomplished, and I still have another 7 hours at least before I go to bed. I am currently in the middle of copying my entire email database to another folder for safe keeping and then I am going to chopping my existing files into separate "1 year" files.

Lisa K. sent me a Holiday card. It's a bit late, but that's okay (I didn't sent ANY so I cannot complain!).

My (so far) last card of the year (or first card, since it is now 2008!)
comes from Atlanta, from my dear friend of 30 years... Lisa Kendrick!

8:46p – I am still working on organizing my email. I am not even 10% done with this I think. Meanwhile, I have been in the kitchen (while files were deleting) chopping up jalapeños. I have the "guts" of the peppers simmering on the stove. I will add that to my hot pepper concoction I have in the icebox.

9:52p – Well... Skip and I just blew up. He is off on a rampage about saving electricity now. The bill is behind and escalated due to the summer air conditioning bill, but now he is going on about me leaving lights on. These are 25w lights... energy efficient, an which are adding only cents to the bill. I leave the back patio light on because it has a motion sensor and I think it is good for security. (Maybe he has forgotten we were burglarized?). He is giving me a hard time about not making enough money. After years of supporting him and keeping him from living on the streets he has the nerve. I am reaching a limit here. At this point in time I would like to just put my stuff in storage, and move away. I am wondering what that might cost. Maybe I could put my stuff in storage for up to 2 years and move in with 'lisa and Darlene. I don't know how that would work, but I can't keep on like this. Skip is my only anchor... if he pulls loose, I am done for. I have to move on. Life has to go somewhere more meaningful than this crappy life living in Cahokia, the outskirts of a black slum; working for a demeaning call-center at humiliating wages; getting fatter, older and uglier every day; and with no one in my corner to whom I can confide. Life is really a suck-fest lately, and I don't see trying to continue it here in Illinois/Missouri to be in my favor. I need to take control and get out of here. I hate it. This is not where I want to be. I have no friends, I hate my job, I despise my neighborhood, I can't stand to look at my gross body in the mirror... it MUST change, or I will simply die a sad excuse of what I was and/or could have been.

10:14p – And... after all his tirade, he has just gone to bed. Leaving on the lights in the living room, the TV, he turned on the electric space heater and has contradicted himself on every item. I have turned off the TV, the lights, and will remove the space heater shortly. I think I will turn off the heat too. I don't really need it. Actually... I just did. I am fine with it. I have a (as Jack says), "Rubust Constitution."

10:18p – Meanwhile, I have given up on my attempts at fixing the email. I may just give it up entirely. I tried, but the system keeps locking up and failing. I will, however, begin a process of keeping my email under control and separated into annual files.

10:20p – I have a pot of rice cooking (in the kitchen, in the dark). I have used a handful of the black rice I bought today. I am also thawing out some pork. I am not sure what I am doing with it yet. However, I am really stressing over the prospect of going to work tomorrow and dealing with this new INSIGHT nightmare. That, plus Skip going off on me tonight, is just about the limit. I think I need to start giving serious consideration to the SSDI thing. I don't want to go on disability, but its getting worse every day. And the added stress and depression just makes it worse.

10:42p – I was going to work on my resume tonight, but due to (mostly) the problems with trying to get my email backed up and (secondarily) the blow-up with Skip tonight... I have not accomplished a fraction of what I had intended.

FRIDAY – JANUARY 4, 2008
– –
Tsunagilosdi – Unolvtani Nvgi
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏅᎩ

12:03p – I was up at 11:25a. I am so much dreading this day. I don't want to go to work. Maybe it won't be as bad as I am fearing. Or maybe it will be worse. I hate this feeling of dread. It is wearing me out.

It was not too bad today. I did floor support all day and did not have to do much by way of supporting Insight. I gave Daniel his samples of our home brew tonight. Two small porters (the overly sweet batch), and one 32 oz. Boch... the good stuff.

SATURDAY – JANUARY 5, 2008
– –
Unadodaquidena – Unolvtani Hisgi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᎯᏍᎩ

1:34a – I am going to work on my résumé tonight and/or this weekend. I spoke to Sean again tonight. I am very serious about this. I want to do this. I have to get out of this job I hate.

5:06a – I have been watching the "Resident Evil" sequel. (I am not sure if I watched the original). Anyway, my supper was very good. Off to bed now. I hope I have some interesting dreams.

1:55p – I got up around 1:00p and finished watching "Resident Evil." We are getting ready to head out to South County here shortly. Its a nasty, gray day out. It looks cold.

Chevy's Tex-Mex Restaurant in Westfield Mall, South County, St. Louis, MO

10:48p – I have been working on my resume all evening. My "official" resume is now reduced to just 2 pages and very much smaller. My online resume has more pictures and is much more expansive.

SUNDAY – JANUARY 6, 2008
– –
Unadodaquasgv – Unolvtani Sudali
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏑᏓᎵ

12:02a – I at all my leftovers from Chevy's today. They were very good. Now I have some rice and sauce in he oven from last night's meal.

1:10a – I just finished up my rice & chicken from last night, on top of my leftovers from lunch today. I am SO full!

11:42a – I had my usual three-ring circus full of dreams last night. One in particular I remember. Or a piece of it. Skip was in this dream. As is common in my dreams, he was very young. About 7 years old. I was sitting in a reclining chair trying to read something and he was behind the chair. He started spouting off some kind of gibberish and I thought it was cute and amusing. I figured he was pretending to be speaking some foreign language. At some point, I realized that he had found some kind of label on the back of the chair written in Spanish. He was actually trying to read the label in Spanish, but was horribly mispronouncing everything. I encouraged him to read some more to me and he did so. I think I heard "tendu" ... and wondered if that was supposed to be some form of the verb "tener." Odd little dream!

11:47a – This morning I am busy trying to repair the problem on my thumb drive. Last Friday was a nightmare of confusion without my Firefox running. I had about 20 little Internet Explorer icons on my task bar, all of which looked alike. I couldn't find anything. Add that to the stress of the new Insight project and ... well, I came very close to walking out in disgust and frustration.

I think I got the thumb drive completely repaired including recovery ALL the data.

5:11p – Skip and I got home about 4:20p. We ate at Boston Market, but their food was not nearly as good as it usual. The chicken was dry... burned in spots even. The cornbread was cold and dry. Usually it is deliciously steaming and buttery. Maybe we just got them on a bad day, but ... it did not cost any less. I actually wrote a letter of complaint to Boston Market on this.

6:49p – This has been a BEAUTIFUL day. In the mid-70's, sunny, slightly too windy. But for January, this is amazing. After we ate, we went over to the Burlington Coat Factory. Skip has been looking for a coat. He got a very nice black leather (or faux-leather) trench coat for $150.00. I would not mind having one myself! Then we went to the Dollar Tree where I could afford to buy something (lol!). I picked up a couple of jars of roasted bell peppers, and some new dish towels.

MONDAY – JANUARY 7, 2008
– –
Unadodaquonvhi – Unolvtani Galiquogi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᎦᎵᏉᎩ

1:37a – I have eaten. I am stuffed. I am off to bed. I dread tomorrow again, as I must return to Hell. (err... "work" ... whatever).

1:52a – Off to bed. I hope I dream something good enough to make up for having to go to work!

11:29a – Up again. It's back to being overcast and bleak outside. The windows are still open though. Its not very cold, but I can tell the temperature is dropping.

I call Lee Anne at Network Solutions this morning as directed by Sean. However, she says there are no positions open at this time. I sent my resume anyway. Sean says he will investigate further.

TUESDAY – JANUARY 8, 2008
– –
Taline Iga – Unolvtani Tsunela
ᏔᎵᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏧᏁᎳ

3:40a – I managed to spend the entire day in floor support. I can't keep this up forever though. I am going to have to take some phone calls again soon, and I just hope it's not in INSIGHT. We are going to be doing this for the next year though, so ... I better bite the bullet, until I can get a new job.

I heard from Jack tonight. He seems to be doing better, though times are harsh.

4:13a – I am off to bed now. Nearly on time!

10:53p – I called in tardy today. Then I called in absent. I am suffering from major depression. I could have made it in, but I just can't stand this job. It's going to hurt me in the long run I fear, but I just can't keep doing this. My health, my sanity, my grasp on reality... its all getting increasingly tenuous.

11:56p – I am off to bed.

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 9, 2008
– –
Tsoine Iga – Unolvtani Sonela
ᏦᎢᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏐᏁᎳ

4:46p – I woke up this morning around 2:30a and could not get back to sleep. I had a persistent dry cough that kept me awake. Finally, around 5:30a I dozed off. I awoke shortly from a cramp in my right hand. I was laying on my right side and my hand was off the edge of the bed. I tried relaxing my hand and thinking of it as being very light and floating. My hand began to raise slowly, and with my voluntary control. Out of curiosity, I began focusing on my left leg in the same manner and before long, my leg start to lift up until it was sticking straight up in the air. A sliver of moonlight shone on my big toe and it appeared to have a bloody scrape across the top. It didn't hurt though and I did not recall have scraped it. Something seemed suddenly very wrong about my laying in bed with an arm and a leg involuntarily lifted into the air, like some grotesque, bed-ridden ballet dancer. As the realization of how strange this was became clear in my mind, I realized I was dreaming it. A slight mental shift and I found myself laying normally in bed and probably awake. I drifted in and out of these weird states, which were part real and part dream all night. At one point I woke up and found my bed was soaked in sweat. I think I may have had a fever at some point. I am getting increasingly worried about my health issues, but with the horrible insurance I now have, I am afraid to go to the doctor and and get a huge bill I cannot pay.

5:08p – I got Rubydancingmoon's package in the mail for her this afternoon. Then I went by the Dollar General for some aspirin, and to Schnuck's for something to cook for supper. I got a pork butt and some turnip & mustard greens. I picked Skip up from Q-Mart. He was able to make one copy of my Cherokee dictionary for me. However, its bigger than he had realized, so we are going to have to arrange something with providing paper for this project.

5:18p – I can't believe I did it again! I was going through some papers earlier today, and an unopened Christmas greeting card from Chuck fell out. From last year! (Again). How embarrassing. However, here is the card, posted diligently in my journal...

Christmas card from Chuck sent in December 2006 and opened in 2008! (oops!)

Better late than never!

11:09p – I have cooked a huge meal of a pork butt and turnip/mustard greens. While cooking, I have been working up updating my on-line "Autobiography." I have made a lot of progress, and the new version is now on-line and viewable.

I gorged on good food tonight!

THURSDAY – JANUARY 10, 2008
– –
Nvgine Iga – Unolvtani Sgohi
ᏅᎩᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏍᎪᎯ

1:02a – Off to bed. I hope I don't have the awful dream-like experiences again tonight.

I got to work on time. They have set up a new "floor support row" for us. I also received a "teal lanyard" which is a kind of ranking system which I refuse to wear. The teal colored ones denote that at level 2 of 4 levels (just above a new trainee). It also means I should have received a $100 bones (which I have in writing in a brochure). Well, I never received any such bonus. More lies. I hate this place. However, on the bright side, I got a call from Kelly at Network Solutions with possible job offer. The position is for a supervisor though. I am not sure I can just step into a supervisory role in a place I know nothing about. We will see. Meanwhile, I finally took phone calls again today for the first time since January 1st!

FRIDAY – JANUARY 11, 2008
– –
Tsunagilosdi – Unolvtani Sadu
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏌᏚ

2:54p – I have not accomplished much today. I did respond to the email from Network Solutions, but I did not call.... I probably should have. I did not pick up my BP meds from Wal-Mart, and I have been out for 2 or 3 days. However, I did get the dishes all cleaned up and the kitchen is tidier than usual. I put some leftovers out for the birds this morning... I check a bit ago and they are ALL gone. Wow... that was fast. Feathered piranha! I have been working on my Autobiography site a lot tonight.

I have not made a lot of changes to the content, but I have completely restructured the layout. I think it is MUCH better. And I still have lots of work to do.

SATURDAY – JANUARY 12, 2008
– –
Unadodaquidena – Unolvtani Talidu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏚ

12:59p – I am off to bed. I have a long stretch of 4 days ahead of me. I am not looking forward to it.

I ended up going in late again today. I am going to have to stop taking advantage of this "loophole" ... it is not good for my image, and not only are some people starting to comment, but I am suffering since I do not get paid.

I picked up 4 quarts of oil and put two of them in the car before going to work, as well as some gas treatment. I checked on my BP meds, but they (the pharmacy) had not contacted the doctor to get the refills reinstated. I picked up some more of those delicious Lendt chocolate balls. They are expensive, but ...damn they're good!

I thought I would pick up my BP meds at the pharmacy today, but they were not ready. I assumed, according to the telephone recording, that the pharmacy would call my prescription in to get more refills, but they did not.

I did floor support until a bit after 7:00p, then I answered calls for the rest of the evening. The only thing out of the ordinary was that I bought a half order of catfish nuggets to compliment my lunch. Too exciting, I am sure...

SUNDAY – JANUARY 13, 2008
– –
Unadodaquasgv – Unolvtani Tsogadu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏦᎦᏚ

4:07a – I got off work and head out to James' birthday party at the Adams Mark Hotel, in downtown St. Louis. Unfortunately, I could not find a place to park! I drove around for nearly a half hour, trying to find some place to park, but the lots were full, the meters were taken, and I could simply find no where near enough to park. I had brought my camera, my tripod and remote control. I was prepared to have a good time and take some pictures. However, the car's engine was smoking and could not be kept driving in slow circles downtown. I had to give up and go home. Very depressing.

4:33a – I ate some of Skip's left over tacos from last week for supper. I will probably have heartburn as a result. Whatever. Off to bed.

I had some wild dreams last night, but one of them stands out. I really can't remember it clearly now, but... let me explain. I was with two people. One was a glamorous black woman... I think it was Dion Warwick. The other seemed to be a black Drag Queen, and I think it was a person I've seen at work. (This very tall "guy" who dresses very fem, but always needs a shave ... I don't ask... I recommend you don't!). So I am in some place with these two characters, and there is some problem with my car outside (I think). We are discussing my jack and how many pins it requires (which makes no sense... I know). I made some joke about what kind of pins were needed and we all found it hilarious and keeled over laughing. I woke up laughing my head off in the middle of the night. Now I am trying to understand just WHAT I found amusing! It seemed to make perfect sense at the time, but in typical dream-like fashion, the logic of it has escaped me.

I got up about 11:45a and bumbled my way into the bathroom. Seemingly a typical morning. As I was head out of the bath, I coughed and then gagged... and found myself puking my guts out over the toilet in seconds. Stunned and reeling, I headed to my room to get my water glass. However, before I could get out of the bathroom, I was again wracked by heaving convulsions and found myself kneeling before the porcelain altar.

Nevertheless, I managed to get to work more or less on time, though feeling weak and tired. I am getting increasingly concerned about my health.

MONDAY – JANUARY 14, 2008
– –
Unadodaquonvhi – Unolvtani Nigadu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏂᎦᏚ

3:50a – I just finished watching the movie "Balls of Fury." It was stupid, but funny. I am fixing some hamburger, barley, noodle type soup for my supper. I need to get to bed soon. Two more days of work and then I will have a couple of days off. I still need to take 40 hours of PTO before the end of March too.

4:29a – I probably ate too much and can expect an acid reflux attack tonight. We will see... off to bed now.

12:57p – Getting ready for work. I need more sleep. I also need my BP pills. I haven't taken one if about 5 or 6 days.

I had no floor support scheduled for today, but Steve wanted to stay on phones and let me take his FS time. I ended up in FS all day, which is fine with me.

TUESDAY – JANUARY 15, 2008
– –
Taline iga – Unolvtani Sgigadu
ᏔᎵᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏍᎩᎦᏚ

12:53p – Rushing to get ready for work again. Last day of four, then I will have 2 days off 1 day on 2 more days off.

I had floor support from 7:00p to 10:45p today, but Steve had me cover him from 3:00p to 7:00p. Meanwhile, he was recruited to INSIGHT VIDEO to provided support (on something he knows no more about than me! lol! He is my superior at BS.) I was left to do floor support for both Comcast and Insight all by myself. It was a horrible, chaotic mess. I was "five deep" in chats for about 3 to 4 hours. My lunch was scheduled for 6:30p, but I did not get to take lunch until after 9:15p. I often had 2-3 people crowded behind me asking for help. I was asked to do INSIGHT supervisor calls, but ... I drew the line there. I simply could NOT do that!

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 16, 2008
– –
Tsoine iga – Unolvtani Daladu
ᏦᎢᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏓᎳᏚ

4:03a – I just finished watching, "My Science Project." It had a good theme, but it didn't do much with it. It left one hanging way out there. Meanwhile, I've made some Mexican taco soup. I am going to eat, crash, and NOT worry about getting up in the morning!!

11:55a – I just got up and the first thing I did was pick up my phone. I saw there were some messages, and one of them was from ᏊᏈᏅᏓᎵᏍᎩᏯ. She just received my gift in the mail and was moved to tears. I felt very warm knowing she was pleased.

I got an email from a family member today, telling me about another family member who is going through some marital problems. I am "sworn to secrecy" on the matter though, so I can't say more, but I had to make this note in my journal for future reference. I will write more when it's all over and no longer hush-hush.

I got about nothing done today. I did call about the job in Swansea, but Kelly was not at her desk. I left a message, but we have not communicated further. I will have to call again tomorrow.

I picked Skip up at the grocery store where Gregg dropped him off. We picked up some stuff and made tacos for supper. I ate too much.

My host server was off line for a while tonight. I actually had to call Technical Support. They seemed to indicate that it was due to my recent activations of FrontPage extensions on the host server, but then the said the server was down too. It finally came back on line after a while and I received an email from them saying the server had been down. I am still wondering if my attempted use of the FP extensions is going to work out. To get them to work, I may have to move my entire jubchuQun directory. That could be a mess!

THURSDAY – JANUARY 17, 2008
– –
Nvgine iga – Unolvtani Galiquadu
ᏅᎩᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᎦᎵᏆᏚ

12:27a – I was laying awake in bed this morning and I heard a distant sonic boom. My mind drifted back in time... back to the 1960's. We lived outside of Lancaster, Ca. (Where Skip was born). We lived very near to Fox Airfield. (I seem to remember being able to see the aircraft from where we lived, but that may be a false memory). Not too much further away was Edwards Air Force Base. I would often hear the sonic booms of aircraft flying over. Including the famous X-15...

As I lay there reminiscing about those long ago days, I heard the sound again. It was not a sonic boom at all! Someone was pounding on the front door. UPS! I am expecting a package. I floundered out of bed, struggling to throw on some clothes, knowing I would never make it in time... but I did. I got my promised ribbon shirt from Anita! It's beautiful!!

9:28p – I got a call from Skip to come pick him up from work this afternoon. I was just about to cook something, I also needed to call Network Solutions still.

I went and picked him up.

However, the car would not start. After two tries, I got that fixed. However, I was out of gas, so I had to go fuel up. That cost just over $44.00. Plus I added about $7 for a "deluxe" car wash. Then I had to run over to Wal-Mart and see if my prescription was ready. Unfortunately, Dr. Parks would not renew the prescription. I guess they want me to come in and pay more money I can't afford. Well.... I can't afford the post-insurance costs. I guess I will have to just have a heart attack or stroke. I can't afford any medicine any more... of any kind. I can't even afford to go to the doctor. This country had gone so far done hill, I am no better off now than some poor third world person in Africa... except that I (so far) have been able to get food on a more regular basis. Thank you, Bush!!

I visited his new office for the first time, and took a snap shot of his double-monitor computer...

We left his offices, and went to look for some place to eat. We ended up going to Pho Grand, which is "the" Vietnamese Restaurant in St. Louis. It's the first place I went to with Jack to eat back in June of 2000.

Anyway, we left there and walked down to Jay International. Skip wanted to buy one of those little coffee strainers like the have at the Vietnamese places. He found them and bought one. I picked up about $10 worth of good too. Including more dried mushrooms.

FRIDAY – JANUARY 18, 2008
– –
Tsunagilosdi – Unolvtani Neladu
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏁᎳᏚ

12:18a – Off to bed. Work tomorrow. Yuck.

8:46a – I slept amazingly well last night. No waking up and laying away for 2-3 hours like I usually do. In fact, I am up before 9:00a this morning! That is a rarity.

I had a long complicated dream...

I was working with some kind of crew in the woods, and we were supposed to be getting paid, but there was some kind of confusion. Chad (from my past in Deltona) was in the dream and he was upset that he had not received his paycheck. He said something about his "Burlington cigarettes" and someone corrected him saying, "You don't smoke Burlingtons...". Chad suddenly seemed to have a realization and came back over to where we were standing behind a pickup. On the bed of the pickup was a pack of Burlingtons. He picked them up and looked inside, then carefully pulled out a folded slip of paper. It was his paycheck. We knew who the cigarettes belongs to. (Some guy in a white T-shirt, and well muscled). We went after the thief, but he saw us at the last moment and escaped into the woods. At this point the dream gets blurry, but eventually I find myself back in my room (in my house in Deltona). There is an older man sitting by the door in my room, smoking a cigarette. (The smoke was bothering me). I was discussing the missing pay with this man, who seemed not to really care. I decided to look up information on my computer. There were four restaurant style chairs in my room (taking up way too much room). They were matching with red seats and backs, and dull gold legs. I pulled one of these up to my desk and sat down at the computer. However, the keyboard was way up around my chin and I was starting to feel very frustrated by everything going wrong. Someone knocked on my bedroom door and in disgust I said, "Who's whining at my door now?!" I opened the door, and it was my sister, Calisa (as a teenager). I am not sure what she wanted. The dream blurs out again and takes up later. I am on roller skates now, and I have a cut in my mouth. I am skating down a hallway, then exit out some doors onto an outdoor covered path. I am spitting blood from my mouth now, and there is someone walking along side of me. The blood I spit out is like chunks of red Jell-o. Rather than splattering, the bound and roll down the path in front of me. I enter another set of door and go into another building. It seems to be a Mall... maybe. As I am skating along (my mouth is no longer bleeding), I encounter a man walking along. I seem to know him, yet it was a surprise to me to learn that he is blind. I offer my assistance and join him as we travel down the corridor, destination unknown. At first, I was a little awkward in assisting him find his way, and the skates became something of a hindrance since I had to go very slow. Some people were an obstacle for me, so I slipped in behind the blind man to let them pass, and then came back up on his left side. I thought to comment to him that I had changed sides. There were several more minor events as we traveled the corridor, but they have blurred in my memory until we reached a place where there were people pile on top of each other. I warned the blind man, "We have a pile up in front of us!" and grabbed him so he would not join the pile of people. This was awkward in skates. I looked at the pile of people, who were all trying to get back to their feet and saw that apparently a man in a wheel chair, and a woman using a walker had collided, become entangled and the other people had all tripped and fell over them. Ironically, the wheel chair man, followed shortly by the walker woman, were the first to escape from the pile-o-people and were leaving the scene. As this happened, I was describing events to the blind man. We made our way around the crowd of fallen people, most of whom were getting up and brushing themselves off by this point. We found ourselves on some square pillars which formed huge steps which we needed to get down. On one side of us was a sudden drop that went down a long way. I got close to the edge and realized what a dangerous fall it would be and scrambled (still in skates) away from that dangerous place. The blind man wanted to know what was wrong and I told him of the danger and that I had just realized how far down it was. Meanwhile, I guided him over to the first of the extreme "steps" and proceeded to help him down. I had him squat down and stick one leg over the side, while I held him from behind with my hands under his arms, and tried to lower him slowly. The skates were wanting to roll, and bracing them was strenuous and awkward. The step was so high, the blind man was not able to get his foot down to the next step. I let him down just a little further and finally he felt the step. I was just about to collapse, unable to hold him much longer... and this is where I woke up.

9:23a – I am getting hungry. I am up early enough... I should go out and have breakfast! But, I will cook something at home instead and save my money.

11:22a – My food was not that good. But it was filling. I am starting to get sleepy now. Great.

1:15p – Time to get dressed and head out to work.

Work was a pain. Now they are blocking us from using our flash drives. I could not load up my flash drive, so I have no access to all my various notes, my stored sessions to all the tools I need to be using, my phone number, passwords... they have just (once again) cut off their nose, spiting their (already ugly) face.

I stopped off at Route 3 to by some beer on the way home since I had my beer sitting out on the back patio to keep cool. However, the temperature was down to about 16°f and... well, it was slushy.

SATURDAY – JANUARY 19, 2008
– –
Unadodaquidena – Unolvtani Soneladu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏐᏁᎳᏚ

4:39a – Off to bed.

11:15a – ..and up again. Earlier than I want to be up. We need to go to the bank and it will be closing in 45 minutes. I need to get a move on!

11:47a – We made it to the bank in time. It is SO cold out! Well below freezing.

My coins came up a bit short of the expected $269 ... at $267.27. I don't know why they always total my coins at less than I count them! Okay ... whatever...

We left Belleville and went in search of some place to eat. We ended up going to the Flying-J. The last time I ate here was with Scott. My dining experience was not so great today. I had the buffet... and it basically sucked. Skip order from the menu, a steak and shrimp scamp meal. He seemed pleased, but he paid a bit more too.

We headed out from our meal and as we were getting onto 255, we saw a very wild case of a dinosaur being hauled down the road!! Skip grabbed my camera and took some pretty good shots.

Here is one of them...

I made the following humorous graphic as a result of the above experience...

We then went to the Super Wal-Mart in Collinsville and bout a bunch of groceries. I bought a huge container of beef and after getting home, I separated it into 5 containers with various seasonings...

(1) Tumeric and Curry - (2) Chipotle & Paparika - (3) Jalapeño
(4) Garlic - (5) Fresh Ginger and Soy Sauce

I am going to let them set in these flavorings for a couple of days, then I will freeze them.

9:59p – I am off to the kitchen now to fix something for us to eat tonight. It will be something "Mexican" I am sure... but I am not sure just what yet...

11:19p – I've finished cooking the food. Skip has eaten.

11:50p – I am going to go fix my own food now. I've been busy rebooting the sever and trying to get our network back on line. Skip is in bed... so it is not affecting him. I think it is all ok now.

SUNDAY – JANUARY 20, 2008
– –
Unadodaquasgv – Unolvtani Talisgohi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯ

12:39a – I am stuffed... and off to bed.

12:29p – I slept bad last night. What sleep I got was not good quality and was filled with uncomfortable dreams.

Skip and I traveled to Sough County to see if his computer, which has been in the shop for over 2 weeks, was ready yet. He has been on the phone with them over and over. However, once we got there, they told him that the mother board they had ordered was was the wrong one. WHAT?! Why couldn't someone have told him this BEFORE I droved all the way over there and wasted my gas and time and money? I am personally very DISGUSTED with the pathetic service provided by Computer St. Louis at 10011 Watson Road, in St. Louis, MO. They ... S*U*C*K!!!

We left Computer St. Louis and went looking for Olive Garden. We never did find it, so we went to Outback Steak House instead. It was too expensive, but we had some good food anyway. I had an 11 oz. steak with a sweet potato and broccoli on the side. Skip had the same with garlic mashed potatoes and a cup of French Onion soup.

OH.... and we found the Olive Garden we were searching for as soon as we left the Outback and headed home! lol... so ironic.

The sunset was beautiful tonight. I wanted to take pictures, but did not have the opportunity.

MONDAY – JANUARY 21, 2008
– –
Unadodaquonvhi – Unolvtani Talisgo-Saquu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪᏌᏊ

1:58a – I dread work tomorrow. I hate my job. I don't want to go. Jeez... I hate it. I've never hated a job so bad.

11:09a – I am up, though still half asleep. The clothes I put in the dryer last night are still moist. I am glad I checked them first thing this morning.

1:17p – I got a shirt and trousers ironed and starched for work, but I am not feeling well. I've cooked some rice and curried beef and will eat a bite, but I think its going to make me so sleepy. My system seems to be all out of whack since I am no longer taking that blood pressure medicine. I just called in late. I have not been late in a while, but I need more time to try to get myself functional.

8:47p – I cancelled my tardy and called in sick. I have felt rotten ever since getting up. I think a good deal of it is psychological. I am suffering from a great deal of depression today. I don't know how long I can keep this job up. On the bright side (sort of) ... I got the bills as caught up as I could tonight. I paid everyone off except for the electric bill. I paid them $150, but the still need over $200 to pay them off. I tried. I usually feel pretty good when I get bills paid up, but not today. I just feel drained and so depressed. My life has become a dead-end ... a boring litany of depression, pains, and feelings of failure.

However, on another little positive note (I am frantically searching for all I can find...), I cleaned off the "bar" in the living room and got all my various papers and "junk" off of it. It is presentable again. Of course, the remainder of the living room is still trashed since Skip does not clean up anything. He has food, trash, DVD's & Videos, papers... all kinds of clutter all over the place. But, what can I say? Now I am in the position of owing him. So, I just shut up. If I could go on disability, and stay home and clean up after the both of us, I would be okay with that. I could keep the house tidy, do our laundry, cook meals... be a "perfect little house wife" ... lol... I would not mind that really. But, working full time, 10 hours days, on a job I hate... I am sorry. I would like to NOT come home to a pig sty. I am funny that way I suppose...

Well... anyway... I am very despondent and depressed tonight. I have tried so hard to do the right things, take the right paths, and be the right person. I have made some (many) mistakes. I know I am FAR from perfect. Like most people, I wish I could undo many actions in my life. But I can't. Yet I don't think my errors and faults are as bad as the result of what I must live with. Oh well... I am whining and complaining at this point I suppose.

Back to counting blessings ... I do have plenty. I must focus on those.

TUESDAY – JANUARY 22, 2008
– –
Taline Iga – Unolvtani Talisgo-Tali
ᏔᎵᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪᏔᎵ

12:17p – I am up. I will be to work on time. I didn't sleep well again, but better than the night before. I've been feeling a tightness in my chest that worries me. It's probably digestive issues though.

I was surprised to see a little snow on the ground when I left this afternoon.

Got to work on time. Hodiaŭ kiam mi sidis je mian komputilon, mia memorilo funciis. Dum la lasta tago mi laboris, ĝi ne funkcius ĉar ili (la administraro) enmetis novan programon sur la reto kiu ŝtopas la uso de memoriloj en siaj maŝinoj. Mi ne sciias kial ĝi decidis funkcii en ĉi tiu maŝino hodiaŭ, sed mi feliĉas ke ĝi faris. Ankaŭ, mi estis parolinta kun unu el miajn kunlaboratojn, Chris, kaj li eksplikis min metodo por eviti la garda programo. Mi jam ne provis ĉi tiu metodon, tial mi ne scias se ĝi funkcios.

Ho... ankaŭ, mi sidis apud nia "Insight" spertulo, Zach, ĉi nokte. Li estas alta, blonda, kaj tre belega viro. Mi tre ĝuis parolanta kun lin. Eble mi ne povas tuŝi, sed me ja povas admiri... :)

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 23, 2008
– –
Tsoine Iga – Unolvtani Talisgo-Tso'i
ᏦᎢᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪᏦᎢ

4:34a – Off to bed.

12:10p – I feel awful this morning. No energy. I am glad I don't have to work, because I can't afford to take any more sick days.

4:44p – I am feeling much better. I actually made some coffee this morning. It's probably not very healthy for me, especially now that I have no blood pressure medication, but it perked me up. Later I fixed a bit to eat, set out a roast to thaw, cleaned up the stove and mopped the foyer. Fairly industrious for me these days! Skip just got home a little while ago. He looks pooped. This job seems to be wearing him out, but I think he really likes it. He is in a much higher position now, and those who were his bosses are now on an equal level with him.

8:33p – My roast does not appear that it is going to be thawed sufficiently for me to cook it tonight. I guess I should have taken it out sooner. I guess I will cook my garlic beef blend that I put together last Saturday. I've already cooked the curry version. Meanwhile, I mopped the bathroom floor a bit ago. More industriousness which I have not had in a while. Skip has been trying to stop smoking in his room in order to protect his computer. (Never mind my lungs). So I took his old carboy box, turned it over, draped a towel over it and set it by the toilet for a little smoking table. That gets his smoking tools off the sink and out of my way.

8:37p – About 6:00p tonight, Dale informed me that his dog, Murphy, passed away due to complications from the injury to his mouth a while back. I was very saddened to hear this news and my heart goes out to Dale. I loved dogs so much, and I miss my dear Kira, and this just struck a painful chord in my heart.

My tax booklet arrived today, but I still do not have my tax forms.

RD finally chatted in to me tonight and apparently has some dire family issues. I am very concerned. I thought it was an awfully long time for her to go without communicating with me. I have a feeling she will have some very bad news to report. I wish I could be there for her. And Dale. And my niece & family who are going through some serious problems. But, I am barely here for myself I fear. :( It's frustrating to care so much and do so little in this world.

9:01p – Anyway... next project tonight is to get my work schedule for February done.

11:43p – This is embarrassing. I am trying to scan in more pages from the Alexander Cherokee dictionary, and I cannot figure out WHERE I have it stored! Damn... It should be under my "Amerind" folder... or at worst, under my "Documents" folder... but I can't find it. How odd.

Duh... It was on my secondary drive. Doh!

THURSDAY – JANUARY 24, 2008
– –
Nvgine Iga – Unolvtani Talisgo-Nvgi
ᏅᎩᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏅᎩ

11:30a – I was going to get up at 11:00a, but spent another 30 minutes in bed. I've checked email. Now I need to fix a bite to eat, do some ironing, and head off to work.

I went in late today, and then was made even later by traffic. I was backup up on I-70 as soon as I got merged into traffic. The radio mentioned that there was a pedestrian hit by a vehicle around near Salisbury and Grand. I had to move over to let a police car squeeze by, but by the time I got to the accident scene, there was nothing to see but more slow moving traffic.

I managed to stay in floor support all day, but Saturday I know I am going to have to take Insight calls. There are no Comcast calls any more and Michelle will be working, and she is fanatical about letting people work floor support. I need to take some calls anyway. I may as well get the pain out of the way.

I heard that Ernestine was fired yesterday! Wow... not sure what that's about, but something drastic must have happened.

ᏅᏓᎠᎵᏍᎩᎠ sent me an email explaining why she has been absent for so long. I can't publish such private information here, but I was glad to hear from her and find out what was going on, even though the news was very dire.

All the news is about the probability of the US going into a recession. I hope things don't get much worse. I can't take much more. Soon I am going to have to build a fire in the back yard and roast squirrels to survive. However, there is new about a tax rebate that may help. I may qualify to get up to $600 back. But, they will probably find some way to keep me from getting anything since I am considered "white," male and had the sense not to have children I can't support. We will see how that goes.

FRIDAY – JANUARY 25, 2008
– –
Tsunagilosdi – Unolvtani Talisgo-Hisgi
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᎯᏍᎩ

2:09a – Home again with no work tomorrow. A day of respite, but I am already dreading the weekend. I hate this job so bad. I've got to get another job. This just sucks.

3:52a – I just finished watching, "Star Trek: New Voyages 'Of Gods and Men" (Part I) ... an online Star Trek episode. It was really very good, and it starred some of the original cast, including the characters of Uhura and Chekov; also Tuvok.

Walter Koenig (as Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (as Uhura), and (James Cawley) as
Captain Kirk (nephew of the oiginal James T. Kirk)

I recognized this character, but could not place him. After reading the credits,
(which I rarely do), it dawned on me.
This is Ethan Phillips who played "Mr. Nelix" On ST:Voyager.

This is "Charlie "X" Evans" ... from the old series and the new...

4:00a – Meanwhile, I have a "fake" filet mignon on the stove with onion & ginger, and a pot of Jasmine rice with my home made dried greens wait for my last meal of the day. I smells really good. Off to eat, and then to bed.

1:18p – I slept for 4 hours solid, got up and took some aspirin, then slept for four more hours without waking. That is phenomenal for me. I just got up at 1:00p, and Skip called within 10 minutes. We will be heading over to get his computer in a bit. I have to get woke up first.

8:41p – I picked Skip up and we headed over to get his computer. We did not really know the router to get there from Central West End. We got in Kingshighway, then took 44 West. We got off on on what we thought was Watson Road, but found ourselves going down Kirkwood instead. We tried to turn around, but even this was not easy. We pulled into a side road, turned around and headed back out. There was a car in front of us, broke down. Not just broke down though, but blocking my view of traffic coming from my right. I pulled forward so I could see around him, but then he got out and raised his hood! LOL! Now I could see even LESS! We finally got pulled out and immediately zipped around into a Taco Bell where we ordered a bite to eat. We were both hungry. I am very disappointed in Taco Bell's food any more. Now that they have no onions (in Mexican food!) it is pathetically bland. I got a Mexican Pizza... and the fried tostada tasted like it had been fried in old motor oil. I got home and had to make several repeat trips to the bathroom... and I think it was due to my Taco Bell meal. I would rather risk E. Coli infection and enjoy my meal, than have a sickly meal, and then get stomach problems!

I cooked a beef roast with a rice pilaf for supper. The beef was too tough and dry in my opinion.

Off to bed soon. I am so dreading work tomorrow. The hate for my job has reached new levels of despair. I keep thinking it cannot get worse, ... and it does.

SATURDAY – JANUARY 26, 2008
– –
Unadodaquidena – Unolvtani Talisgo-Sudali
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏑᏓᎵ

11:37a – I got up promptly at 11:00a. Skip is still working on getting his computer working. He finally got it to connect into our network, but now the speakers are not working. The drivers do not appear to be loaded. He is having such a hard time and has spent so much money.

Meanwhile, I need to get ready for work. I am trying not to dread this day too much. I am sure I will be taking Insight calls for the first time and it will be very stressful.

1:10P – Time to head off to work. This day is going to suck. And this is day 1 of 4.

I got to work about 15 minutes early. One of the first things I did after getting logged in was to go to my locker to get my things. I managed somehow, to slam my hand into an adjoining locker, with sharp metal edges, and slice my skin open on my right hand. It's not too bad, but it hurt a lot for a few minutes. I may hurt more as it heals, but it's just a minor, annoying, "boo-boo."

I was in floor support until about 7:30p, then had to go on phones. I was grateful that we were taking Comcast calls and I was put in the Comcast queue. No problem for me there.

I had bothersome computer problems tonight. First I could not copy and paste. Then my applications would not retrieve from the task bar. I rebooted and got a "battery low" error. I finally moved to another machine, but was still having problems. Others around me were having similar problems. (This place is so screwed up). It took me around an hour to get moved to another machine and back up & running.

SUNDAY – JANUARY 27, 2008
– –
Unadodaquasgv – Unolvtani Talisgo-Galiquodi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᎦᎵᏉᏗ

3:50a – I have been watching "Torchwood" again tonight. Again... great series! I have a "faux-fillet mignon" cooking with some corn. It's about time to go eat, and crash. I also got Dale's tribute to Murphee on Kira's website tonight. (so sad... <sigh> ) ...

4:19a – Supper was good. I have nothing for tomorrow though, and Sunday is a poor day for food at Convergys. I may need to whip something up in the morning, or stop for a burger on the way in. Meanwhile, I am off to bed. Three more days to go.

11:34a – I was having such strange dreams (as usual). One main theme that ran through much of the various dream segments was from "War of the Worlds." I never saw any of the invading aliens, but everyone was stocking up and heading for the hills. At one point, there I was in a parking lot at night, and there was a big, greenish, Tyrannosaur type creature coming toward me. I don't think it had see yet, but it was headed my way. It got distracted by something small, a rat maybe, and pounced on it. While it was distracted, I slipped into my car. The car was red, but I don't know if was my Celica (from the past), or my Taurus (from the present). In a later dream segment, I was speaking to Skip and wanted to tell him about part of my dream. He seemed annoyed and said he did not want to hear about any of my dreams, then start to walk away. I said, "Wait, this may BE one of my dream!" He kept walking. I realized I was right. This was another dream. The irony was amusing.

11:47a – Speaking of Skip, he just called me (and I am barely out of bed). His train broke down and he needed me to check the schedule to see when the next bus left 5th&Mo. The next one he could catch would be over an hour. He wants me to come pick him up, but I don't think I am going to have time.

1:44p – I picked up Skip, and then got some chicken at KFC. I am running behind scheduled, but I should not be too late.

I was just a little late to work ... surprisingly. I spent my time in Floor Support, then more time taking Comcast calls. I still have not had to take an INSIGHT call! (Not complaining!).

MONDAY – JANUARY 28, 2008
– –
Unadodaquonvhi – Unolvtani Talisgo-Tsunela
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏧᏁᎳ

3:30a – I have spent much of my time tonight, after getting home, dealing with the sad news that Don Harlow has died. I have known of him, and communicated with him, for many years. He was once the head of ELNA (Esperanto League of North America). We have had many correspondences. I knew he had stepped down from his position with ELNA a couple of years ago due to health issues, but I did not realize he was so gravely ill! I am not sure of the details, but I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. It is a sad day "en la mondo de Esperantujo" (or "Esperantio" as they say these days).

3:38a – I have been so caught up in responding to Don's death... I am quite saddened. I have called in late for tomorrow already. I know I will not get to sleep in time. Mi sentas tre trista ke li forpasis. Mi ne havis ŝancon por diri lin "Adiaŭ" ... Mi ne sciis ke li estis tiom malsana.

3:32p – Off to work!

It ended up that I was asked to cover floor support again today, though I was not scheduled. I ended up in floor support all day. However, I did end up taking about 5 or so Insight supervisor calls. That was a first. They did not go too badly.

TUESDAY – JANUARY 29, 2008
– –
Taline-iga – Unolvtani Talisgo-Sonela
ᏔᎵᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏐᏁᎳ

12:19p – Finally ... day four of four is here and I begin the less demanding part of my two-week cycle.

Skip just call a couple of minutes ago. As I reached for the phone, my nose suddenly started to feel runny. I put my hand up to check, and it came back drenched in blood, which was pouring from my left nostril and dripping down my chest! That was out of the blue and unexpected. I am wondering if it was just a fluke, related to the cold dry weather of late, or could it be due to the fact that I am not taking my BP meds now?

We were doing only Insight calls today, but I managed to stay in floor support all day again. I don't know how long my luck will hold out, but we will be migrating the Insight accounts over to Comcast on February 4th, so if I can hold out for just a few more days, I may get through this entire nightmare without ever having taken an Insight call. yet I have been support Insight floor support issues, and doing Insight supervisor calls! lol... how ironic.

I went in to the building today with no jacket. It was chilly, but not daunting to my robust, arctic build. However, after I got inside, the temperature dropped down to 16°ƒ. I went out to the car on my last break to get my coat, but I only had my light "Florida jacket" in the car. I could have sworn I had my heavy "big bird" coat. I had to exert myself to get the back door of the car open. There was no ice coat, but the door was frozen shut. Once I got it open and got back in to work, I was sniffling, sneezing and coughing. I got a hot cup of flavoured coffee. (Raising the temperature and humidity of the passageways will deter viruses, according to latest studies).

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 30, 2008
– –
Tsoine-iga – Unolvtani Tsosgohi
ᏦᎢᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᎤᏃᎸᏔᏂ ᏦᏍᎪᎯ

8:33p – I got up around noon. I did not do much. I am afraid to drive the car much, since something is "vibrating" and it may be a tire, or struts... not sure. I am going to try to make it to Soulard tomorrow. All I have eaten today is some hamburger & tomato soup. (I don't eat much on my days off, I've noticed). I picked Skip up from the train around 4:40p. We went to Schnuck's and then home. However, I discovered I did not have my wallet with me, so Skip, who was using another free "Schnuck's card" bought my small purchase for me. (Also, not having my wallet meant I was driving without my driver license! oops!!).

After getting home, I chatted briefly with RD for the first time in days, but she had to go to bed, and I as feeling so tired and exhausted, that I went to bed too. For about an hour. I dozed a bit, and got back up around 6:50p.

10:35p – Skip has gone to bed. He had an MS Access class today. That is a good class to have. I have had at least one my self.

Earlier today I made a slight complaint to Skip about the accumulation of cracker boxes, trash, and general clutter of the coffee table area in the living room. I was rebuked with "you have your beer boxes in the kitchen, so I have my cracker boxes!" ... Umm... its really not the same thing. I have been using "beverage" boxes (beer, soda, whatever) in the kitchen to catch garbage. I usually put a plastic grocery bag in the box and slip it between the microwave and the cabinet and use it to dispose of minor disposable items, such as when trimming vegetables. As far as I know, he has been using these make-shift receptacles also. I regularly pull the plastic bags out and dispose of them. (He has never, to my knowledge, disposed of any of these mini-garbage bags).

Frankly, I am not concerned about the fact that he would like to have a small box to dispose of garbage in within his usual "area." I can understand that and have no complain. However, when the containers of trash continue to accumulate, and the trash is spreading out around the containers, and the general clutter has become unacceptable, disgusting, and even he does not want to invite a guest into the house... well... I think it has gone WAY past the point of acceptability.

I think it is time for me to 'put my money where my mouth is' ... and go clean up after him. Waiting for him to do is no working. If I did not owe HIM so much money now, since he is making the better income, I would be a real bitch. However, he is pulling his weight financially and keeping us afloat. I am the one actually tracking and managing the bills, but he is paying his fair share or more. That's all well and good, but I wish he would contribute to keeping our home presentable and livable.

THURSDAY – JANUARY 31, 2008
– –
Nvgine-iga – Unolvtani Tsosgo-Saquu
ᏅᎩᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏦᏍᎪ-ᏌᏊ

12:47a – I have been cleaning up in the living room. I finally just could not take it any more. I am disgusted with Skip for being such a slob. I am not the cleanest, nor neatest person myself, and I hesitate to criticize, but at least I do not have a problem with inviting people into my home normally. Skip has had his friend Brian over several times, but he never lets him in the house. I don't blame him, since it is embarrassing. I have spent over 2 hours trying to clean up some of the clutter and mess in the living room. Here is what it looks like now...

There is still a lot of work to be done, but I think I would be able to invite someone into the living room now, without being embarrassed. Not that cleaning up after someone else was how I wanted to spend a day off from work. (Though it is more rewarding!).

2:36a – I am off to bed now.

11:47a – I was up early this morning. I left the house around 10:30a after putting quart of oil in the car. Then I stopped for $5 worth of gas (and forgot to get my receipt). My money is very low, but pay should go into the account tonight.

12:42p – I just fixed a very delicious pot of chicken soup. The snow is slowly accumulating. Skip called and may be getting off work early. And I feel awful

9:00p – I picked Skip up at about 3:00p, stopped by Q-Mart and came home. Snow is still falling. I just finished up to page 116 in my compilation of the J.T. Alexander Cherokee Dictionary. That is up to the word "penny" (saquu-iyadanvtedi ... ᏌᏊ-ᎢᏯᏓᏅᏖᏗ). That is 122 pages in a word document so far.

9:25p – I am now converting the Word file to a PDF FILE. Meanwhile, Skip has been showing me some of his possible houses to purchase. We may go look at this house on Saturday. It was built in 1857, 100 years before my birth!

9:33p – I just went out to the freezer and got some frozen chicken breasts to thaw for supper. I put them in my old brown bowl. I do not remember when or where I got this old bowl, but I have had it for many years. Back in Deltona I used it for the dogs' water dish for a long time. Thor used to drink from this old bowl. I have since cleaned and sterilized it and have been using it as a regular bowl for many years. I filled it with water and put my chicken in it to thaw tonight, but a few minutes ago Skip went to move the bowl from the sink where it was setting, and managed to pick it up from it's "weak side." (It has has a crack down one side for several years, but it was still useful). Well... it snapped off. The bowl has become unusable now. Another piece of my life's memories has become trash.

10:56p – I am working on fixing some fried chicken strips. I have used the food processor and blended up some chipotle, garlic, red bell pepper and eggs. I mixed that with flour and am heating up some canola oil to fry it in.

11:03p – So far it all smells good.

11:38p – I just took some leftovers and put them out on the tray I made for the birds. The snow looks like it is up to about 2 inches, and it's still coming down. Meanwhile, I have put on a pot of sushi rice and am planning on make sushi from my fried chicken strips tonight. (Remember, "sushi" is NOT raw fish. That is a misconception. However, "sashimi" IS raw fish... and very delicious!).