OCTOBER 2002

Tuesday - October 1, 2002

Today was a busy day. I went to LZ after work. I ordered a new cell phone this afternoon. It doesn't look like I am going to get my old one back.

Wednesday - October 2, 2002

This is my last day of being 44. It was awful at work today. Our Network drives were down nearly all day. Phones were ringing off the hook.

I was amazed! My new cell phone was waiting for me at the office this morning!!

Jack and I went to Casa G. for dinner. He paid me some of the money he owed me... which will pay for my phone! That works.

Thursday - October 3, 2002
Happy Birthday to me! (age 45!)

This was a nice day. There were balloons, streamers and banner waiting for me at the office this morning. Debbie made a delicious birthday cake for me. It was very nice... it made me feel very good. I was a little embarrassed at first, but I got over it. (Then I discovered my zipper had been down the whole time and I got embarrassed all over again!).

I wanted to do something tonight, but was bored. I had a few beers and answered some email. Later, Jason called me and said he would come over to pick me up and we would go do something. We left, and on the way out I stopped at the front desk to show Tim my new phone. I told about losing my old one and he asked me if it was an Erricson phone.... yes, it was. Guess what? He had it at the front desk!! I was flabbergasted... I could not believe. Oh, well... I wanted a new phone anyway.

Friday - October 4, 2002

2:54p - It was raining when I got up this morning. I took Kira for her walk and in the process, I ran into a cement beam with my head! It almost knocked me out. Hurt like hell and drew a little blood. I was spacey for hours.... still feel a little off.

After I got back in, I called AT&T and got my old cell phone reactivated. I gave it to Skip as a birthday gift, plus one month of service that I will pay for as well as the activation fee. We got in turned on a new number in about 20 minutes.

2:58p- I am getting ready for Jack to come over. He got his license back today. We are going out to buy new memory for my computer. I better get in the shower. These time references are about 5 minutes off.

3:05p - Yikes! Jack just called... he is on the way!

I bought 512Mb of RAM, and new CPU fan and a new power supply. I was going to buy a new 400 MHz CPU, but they could not get it to run on my older model mother board. All total, I spent about $130.00.

My computer is locking up! I will deal with it tomorrow. I am getting depressed.

Saturday - October 5, 2002

5:33p - I have been working on this computer all day. I managed to wipe out the CMOS settings and got that back. I managed to get the CPU speed down from 266 (which was probably what was causing it to lock up), down to 240. It should be 250, but I can't find the jumper setting combination that will result in 250 MHz.

5:36p - The main problem now is that I cannot get the EtherNet card to work. There is an IRQ conflict. This is REALLY getting on my nerves.

I went out for a while this evening. Had some beers at the Complex. It was pretty boring for the most part. I am depressed about my computer.

Sunday - October 6, 2002

1:07p - Now I have no drivers on the PC for my ethernet card. At least I can still boot the PC up and make my journal entries. This really sucks. I think there was a CD that came with this ethernet card, but I can't remember for sure. Neither Jack nor I appear to have it any longer, so I will have to try to download drivers from the internet at work. I am not sure what drivers I will need though. I may have to just go buy a new card. I sure won't buy it from that place that screwed my computer up, that's for sure.

While I was walking Kira this morning gut pulled over and got me to take some pictures of him with the Arch in the background. He was an attractive guy, from Florida, in what looked like a fairly expensive car. My imagination could run rampant at this point.... Anyway... I think I took two or three nice pictures for him. 2:38p - I am so bored. I just got 3 bags of chips and 4 kinds of beer. There's a vampyre movie on and I am doing some web design.Che sh'aalye Y'aank' iinkth' aavy' uudeignye.

4:46p - I got the November page all done. Getting sloshed and stuffed by chips. The vampyre movie is over... it was interesting. Iith' einm' aige, aasw' erviir' aath! ose ^aasheiia! Now there is another vampyre movie on. I think I have this one on video. Not really watching it.

6:16p - I just finished setting up the December page. So... now I am ready for the rest of the year.

6:18p - I have some Chili (no-beans) on the stove now in the double boiler. I've added a cube of cilantro, some minced fresh red onion, and some fancy cheese mix. I have a "real healthy diet" going on here tonight!!

9:07p - It was edible. I have finished all the beers I had and am sipping some rum now. I am so bored. I am TOO easily bored. I took Kira for a walk on the Arch Grounds to night. I took some pictures of her while there.

9:15p - I am so upset about my computer. I know Jack really likes the place he took me, but I am sorry. My first experience with them was awful. I will not go back there if I can help it. They offended me. I was thinking about buying one of their computers, but not any more. They are too far away and I don't have a car. Plus, I don't trust them now. I felt very uncomfortable with them and now I am (temporarily) disabled, as far as on-line connectivity goes.

9:20p - I have redesigned my main journal page now. It looks like this...

... but I cannot test it until I get my Ethernet card functioning again.

11:02p - Skip is up and I am about to got to bed. Back to work tomorrow. I will almost be glad to go to work. I have been SO boOored today!!

11:08p - Okay... I am off to bed!

Monday - October 6, 2002

9:21p - This was a typical day. Nothing outlandish to mention.

10:01p - Jack called a little while ago. His charged was reduce to something like "excessive vehicular noise" ... like a bad muffler, or something. That is so weird. Our legal "system" has become to strange for belief!!

10:03 -Then Devon paged me, but the number she gave me was missing the last digit (which am thru as a question mark). I had to call Calisa to get the number (she knew it off the top of her head). I called Darlene to see what she wanted. I was sure it would mean money. And of course it did. Devon needs $105 for her braces. It would not bother me all that much, except that Darlene had the money and had to spend it on her horse earlier this month/(week?). So, Darlene spent the money on the horse and now comes to me for my nieces medical needs. This does bother me. I will probably send them the money because I love Devon with all my heart and am happy to help... but I sure didn't need to hear about the horse part of the problem. Of course, Darlene plans to pay me back, but I have had pretty poor results in people (even family) paying me back. My expectations are low. I have to think about how I am going to handle this....

10:09p - Becky said she is going to have Dale build a PC for me since mine is not "on-line" at present. I am also thinking about buying a new system this week. I am going to see about taking Thursday off. I will ask tomorrow. I will also plan to go with Jack to get my cash bond back and to pay his fine (which has been DRAStically reduced!). (that's still weird... but I am not complaining!!).

10:11p - I am cooking some rice and a pot of turnip greens with bacon & a pork steak for supper. I have had 4 beers... have not eaten yet. Speaking of eating, Kira does not like the new dog food I bought her at "Pete's Sure Save" the other night. She would not touch her food last night. I made her a dish with Gravy Train, milk, brown rice and a couple of Doritos on top as a garnish. She LOVES Doritos... yet she refused to go near the dish. She just turned her nose up to it and proceeded to starve herself. I dump it all down the toilet tonight. (It had set for over a day).I made some fresh rice and mixed it with the new dog food, but with NO liquid this time. She ate some of it this time. Almost finished it off in fact. So I added some milk to the remainder and she finished it all off. I feel better. I was not happy with her not eating her food.

10:16p - Speaking of food... I need to finish off this last beer and fix my own food.

I finally got Kira to eat. She doesn't like the new food I got her at all. Expensive bitch. I had to dump out all the food that had sat all day long and fix fresh food for her. I did not add water this time, made fresh rice to go with it, and had some of her old food mixed in with it. Plus, she had to be hungry. She ate.

I returned a call to Darlene tonight. She wants to borrow money from me to pay for Devon's Dr. visit (for her braces). I would probably not have that much problem with it, except that she had save the money up for this and had to spend it on her horse. I disagree with them having 2-3 horses when she only gets SSI to live on. She said she will pay me back, but I don't want them to be in debt to me when I am doing so much better financially. I hate being put in these positions. It's very awkward.

Tuesday - October 8, 2002

7:27p - I started sneezing as I was leaving for work this morning. I had noticed a touch of a sore throat when I first awoke, but didn't think too much of it. I had the usual bout of coughing that I have been experiencing lately, but it wasn't much worse than usual. However, the sneezing and sniffly has continued all day long. I feel rotten. I guess I've caught a darn cold. I picked up some Advil cold medicine and some chicken noodle soup this evening.

7:29p - My computer is still off line. I am getting another one from the office here shortly and Thursday I am taking off from work to go with Jack to the Courthouse where I will get my cash bond back and pay half of Jack's fine. That will then be OVER! Then we are going out to Computer Conceptions again. I think I will buy one of their computers. I am still not happy with the service I received and am only going to do this because of Jack's word. My PC is aaly' estm' aapy' aane and it all stems from their error; subsequently compounded by my own.

7:41p - I just read tonight that this Saturday (Oct 12), at I think 12:00a (Sunday actually) the movie "Incubus" will be playing. This is an old 1963 movie starring William Shatner and is entirely in Esperanto! I have wanted to see (or buy) this movie for a long time. It probably sucks, as far as the movie quality goes, but as an Esperantist, it is a "must-see!" Y'aåv' úut' iiremeirb' úut' ets' iithe VCR! .............(Iiv-Iis-Aårye)

7:48p - I HATE not being able to access the 'net from home! This really bites the proverbial "big one."

7:53p - The kitchen is a mess (mostly my doing). I am trying to get motivated to go clean it. But on top of being tired, I am getting this damned cold.

Wednesday - October 9, 2002
Happy 34th Birthday to Skip!

8:46p - It is cool and overcast this morning. I made rice from 2 different bowls of leftovers this morning. I put them in a pan a baked them. It looks like its going to be good. I feel a little better this morning, but I am going to take some of the medicine I bought last night with me to work.

8:50p - Nearly time to leave for work <sigh> ...

9:36p - Skip is on the phone with Mike's sister, Karen, in Deltona at the moment. I (we) just got back from Casa Gallardo. I learned tonight that they are closing on Oct 27th!!! I am VERY upset! That REALLY sucks. That has been one of my favorite hangouts since coming to St. Louis.

9:39p - I sent Darlene the money for Devon's braces tonight. I also walked Kira, hoping to see Milan (the Valet at WS Hotel) tonight. Milan was not there, but I ran into the elderly homeless guy, Don, who I took food to one night. We had a nice chat. He's a pleasant ol' chap.

9:40p - I shall load the NDIS.VXD file that I downloaded today and see if it helps my PC.

11:30p - Nothing worked. As it turned out, that file was still on my PC. I don't get it. This is very depressing. I do NOT want to buy PC from this place if the can't fix this whole mess. It is all on them. I hope Jack understands, but they REALLY f---ked me over! I don't like that very much.

11:32p - Time for bed. Skip has altered his time frame so we can to something tomorrow. I understand Jack is in on it too... cool. We will see.

 

Thursday - October 10, 2002 What a busy day... Jack and I went to the court house and got his legal matters resolved. We went to CompUSA, Office Depot and finally Best Buy where I bought my new computer. Skip took me to Lombardo's, an upscale Italian Restaurant where he had reservations. Then he, Jack and Adam too me to a live production of Rocky Horror Picture Show for my birthday. What a wonderful birthday gift! Had a great time!!!

 

Friday - October 11, 2002

Today was a long day. I could not wait to get home to work on my new computer. I ended up messing something up really bad. It would not boot up again! I was very upset and went to bed.

This was also the day Dennis thought his truck was stolen and called the police before he remember that he had put it in the shop the night before for repairs! He was very embarrassed, but no harm was done and we all had a healthy and most needed laugh. We've all had our blond moments!

Saturday - October 12, 2002
View my Video Diary entry from 10-12-1990

I got the computer working again this morning, but I had to completely restore the system. I lost everything that I had done, but at least it was not too much. I got my hair cut today. I got the old computer working and the hub is set up. I have transferred most of my files from the old computer already and had Dream Weaver MX working now. That's what I am using at the moment. Scott and Helen came by to visit us tonight! I haven't seen my ex-sister-in-law since May of 1984. We ordered pizza, had some beers and caught up on old times as best we could with the limited time and our failing memories!!

Sunday - October 13, 2002

2:47a - The 1963 movie "Incubus" has been recorded. It came on at 12:00a. It is totally in Esperanto.

2:48a - Skip walked with Helen & Scott back to where they parked their truck. It is cold out tonight!

11:45a - Diana just came by. She has invited me to go to The Loop with her. We're going to watch a Japanimation movie called "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" (or the English title "Spirited Away").

9:02p - The movie was pretty good. The theater was packed. We went to Blueberry Hill afterward and had a couple of beers and some cheese sticks. Then we walked around some before going to "Thai Country" where we really pigged out. I had some fried tofu as an appetizer and it was delicious. Then some roast duck and rice. It was time to waddle home. There was a Ram's game tonight and it was a mad-house downtown!

9:04 - I had some problem with my network setup, but figured it out tonight. My next challenge is getting my email working on the new computer.

I watched Incubus this evening. It was not that great, as movie's go, but it was awesome watching an entire movie in Esperanto, and with a well known start like William Shatner too.

Monday - October 14, 2002
View my Video Diary entry from 10-14-1990

Not much happened today. I made some Vietnamese style soup for breakfast this morning instead of the usual rice. Of course, I made it with rice noodles. I finished the Alan D. Foster book, "Cyber Way" at lunch. It started off slow... picked up speed around the middle and was pretty wild by the end. Went by LZ on the way home. It was fairly boring. I started making the flyer for the Halloween party. I think I have it about complete.

Tuesday - October 15, 2002

8:24a - Wow... it's halfway through this month already. I have a lot of things scheduled for this month. An Esperanto meeting on the 20th, a seminar downtown on the 25th, a Halloween party on the 27th. That's off the top of my head.

8:26a - I have rice cooking this morning... it's "Rice Tuesday." I have been coughing all morning again. It is getting worse it seems. I guess I am going to have to get an appointment with the doctor, but I keep procrastinating.

10:53p - I had to leave work this afternoon. I was feeling awful. I still don't feel all that great. I think I am going to call in sick tomorrow and get a doctor's appointment.

Kira was real good and cleaned her plate tonight.

I was supposed to work overtime tonight... that's out now.

10:46p - I began reading the first book of The Mallorean today. I also noticed a book on the racks that I must read later. The Dune series has some new books out. At least one... if not a trilogy!

I got the flyer done for the Party on the 27th.

Oh... I also have the office picnic to go to this next Saturday.... if I am not sick :(

Wednesday - October 16, 2002
Happy 34th Birthday to Gary Anderson

9:40p - I did not go to work today. I needed to go to the doctor, but I just did not have the energy. It's bad when you have to walk to the doctor and feel to sick to do so. I updated my "Lee's Place" web site a lot today, and translated it into Esperanto.

Kira saw a mouse on her evening walk. It ran into a knot hole in a tree and she went ballistic trying to get at it. She was on her hind legs, pawing at the tree, barking at it and biting it. She took out some chunks of bark and was spitting them out. She was getting so frantic I was afraid she was going to hurt herself.

Thursday - October 17, 2002
Happy Birthday to cousin Joe Frank Wingate!

7:51a - I feel better this morning. It is overcast and chilly out. It's nearly time to turn the heat on I think. I hope I don't have another coughing spell when I take Kira out in a few minutes.

8:20a - I haven't been coughing too much this morning... a little, but not much. Kira, as I expected, went straight to the tree this morning, but I guess she did not smell the mouse in it. She didn't go whacko this time, though she did give it a thorough examination!

10:11p - Kira went off on that tree again this evening. She must have smelled a mouse in there again. I worked late at home tonight. Only a couple of voice mails early in the evening, then nothing. I've been organizing on the new PC and updating some web site stuff.

Friday - October 18, 2002
Happy Birthday to Barry Stoves,
In memory of Todd Gauvin,
...and what goes around, comes around, Terry!

7:56p - It was very cool today, and was raining when I left the office. I picked up 2 containers of macaroni salad and 2 of cole slaw for the picnic tomorrow. Kira is going with me. She should enjoy that!

Saturday - October 19, 2002
STAFF PICNIC

9:41a - It's cool out this morning. Kira has been for her walk, I am showered, and Skip is off on a K-Mart Safari. Lisa should be here in about 20 minutes to pick me and Kira up for the picnic. I've got my camera ready and am just about ready to go. I've been telling Kira we're going to "go bye bye" and "go fer ride" ... her ear prick up every time I tell her, but I don't think she believes me. The picnic went rather well. Better than I expected. I took a lot of pictures. Kira was limping again by the time we left, but only a little. I came home and mostly just drank beer and puttered on the PC. Me (Lee) and Kira... at the Annual MIR Staff Picnic

Sunday - October 20, 2002

10:51p - This was such a busy day. I got up about 9:00a and took Kira out. She had not been out since the picnic... so I was pushing it! I fixed a bite to eat, then caught the Delmar bus at noon and headed off for my monthly Esperanto meeting. I had not been to a meeting since before May! (something kept getting in the way). I showed my translation of the menu to the members attending and they seem to be very interested. We may have our Banquet next year at Talayna's.

I left the library in University City where the meeting was being held and went to wait for Jack who was going to meet me. However, he went to the wrong library since I only said "THE library." I was surprised he misunderstood since the only library I have been to since living in St. Louis was the one in University City, I first went there with Jack, he has picked me up there after an Esperanto meeting in the past and I was dumbfounded when he called to tell me he was in front of THE library. Anyway, we finally got connect, though I had to walk down the street to meet him at the Shell station on Delmar. His car was overheating. He put in some antifreeze and it was fine. Then we went to eat a bit at KFC (horrible service... screaming kids), and then to buy a new coffee pot at "Linens & Things" (I think that's the name of the place).

We went to Barnes & Nobles where I bought a Windows XP (Home Edition) book, and what I thought were the last 3 books of the Mallorean (but one of them was actually book #3 of the Belgariad which I already have... I did not realize it!).

I got home and walked Kira, put on some rice, did some laundry and put away the chicken and pork that Skip bought for me at Soulard yesterday.

11:25p - Skip just left for work. I am pooped. I am just not going to eat a bite and go to bed. I will be tired tomorrow I bet. At least I will have some clean clothes!

Monday - October 21, 2002
En Memoriam - Danielle Debelius....
(Skate on, Danielle!!)
Happy 46th Birthday
to my Aunt Marlene (Jones/Muñoz) Pardue!

7:57a - The sun is up this morning, but it feels pretty cool. I've had the heat on for 2-3 days now. The temperature is 38 degrees as of 7:52am on Yahoo.

8:03a - It's time to get dressed and go out and see for myself. I'd rather not. Too bad for me.

8:32a - It was not so bad out. I think it's closer to 45 than 38.

7:39p - This has been a long day, and it's not over yet. I am working late again tonight. Kira is walked. Time to fix her supper.

Tuesday - October 22, 2002

11:52p - I just got back from the Summer Dart League Award Ceremony... and the meeting pertaining to and thereof. Much to my surprise, our team took 9th place and won $100.00 (which meant $20 for me). I also won a door prize... a mug with a little dart board and darts in the bottom... so cute. So... since it cost me $10 to and from the bar by cab tonight (including tips), then my transportation was for all intents & purposes were free.

Wednesday - October 23, 2002

I have been developing another aphthous ulcer and it is getting bad. I wish I were not afflicted with these damn things. Skip worked an earlier shift last night and came in at 6:00a this morning. I had put the chain on the door and he had to ring the doorbell to get me up and let him in. Diana called me this evening and tells me she got fired for using profanity at work! How ridiculous! I worked on the old PC tonight, trying to get it to connect to the internet through my hub, but it just WILL NOT co-operate. Jodi chatted with me today and I found out she was in jail for several days. Something to do with child support. That sucks... she is struggling to survive and they want her to pay child support... and then throw her in jail for it too. Now she will have more court costs and such to pay when she already can't meet the child support payments! Are they *really* thinking of the child? I don't think so. It's just a process to take money from people that meets the approval of the general public due to the surface appearance of the process. Ce'Nedra had Belgarion's baby in the book I'm reading now. It was a great point in the series. I was all but laughing out loud. Garion went totally brain dead when Ce'Nedra went into labor. It was so hilarious!

Thursday - October 24, 2002

My mouth has been so sore for the past 2-3 days. I have an ulcer on the left side of my tongue way back in my throat. It is so very painful. I dropped the Romanian Music CD's off at the front desk for "Victoria." I hope she likes them. Diana came over and fixed up her resume on my computer this evening. Speaking of computer, I had 15 warning notices of a virus on it this evening! In one of Skip's directories... I don't know WHAT he's doing. I worked OT tonight and cleaned the kitchen. I loaded Easy CD Creator on my PC tonight, but I could not get it to work right.

Friday - October 25, 2002
Skill Path Conference

5:56p - I went to the Skill Path - Customer Service Conference today. It was supposed to start at 9:00a, but the speakers did not get there until 11:00-ish. They had to slight condense the course, but I think they did a pretty good job of it. They left out a lot of their advertising for books and tapes and such. It was interesting I suppose. The main thing that I learned is that I am really good at what I do! I still have room for improvement, but I have most of the techniques down almost just like they described it.

On the way home I stopped by the Mall and picked up some dye for my hair, plus a few other items (sponges, orange-oil cleaner, dishwasher soap, and zip-lock bags). Then I went to the little Chinese restaurant and got a large take-out of hot&sour soup. I had skipped lunch today (so I would not fall asleep in the seminar) and was fairly hungry by this time!

6:43p - Just got back in with Kira from her walk. Sxi estas lerninta pli vortoj en Esperanto. Mi pensas ke sxi nun komprenas la vorton "muso." Sxi estas cxasinta la musojn kiam ni eliras por marsxi. Sed, sxi jam ne kaptis unu! Ankaux sxi komprenas, "Sidu Angule!"

Saturday - October 26, 2002

I was a lounge lizard today. I did not do much of anything until around 6pm. Jack called and we ended up going out for dinner at Seki's. I had been thinking about having sushi... it really hit the spot. The we walked around for a bit. I stopped in a music store and bought a couple of DVD's to try out on my new PC's DVD player. I got Lord of the Rings and The Time Machine. I watched Lord of the Rings when I got home.

I also dyed my hair tonight. I went darker for a change, but no too dark. It's call dark blond.

Sunday - October 27, 2002 Daylight Savings time change Wopituity Party I tried to watch my other DVD today, The Time Machine, but I got about a third of the way into it and I locked up! I was very disappointed. It was proving to be a good movie. I bought the DVD's used, so maybe I got a bad one. I still want to take it back. Lisa picked me up around 6pm and we went to Tad& Deana's annual Halloween party. It was a blast as usual. Lisa left early and I was kind of stranded, but she picked me up the next morning. Monday - October 28, 2002 I got home around 7:40, walked Kira, and crashed for a few hours. I felt pretty much rotten all day. And getting an email from Jodi in which she was very mad at me for something I inadvertently said, did not make my day any better. I finally got my old PC to connect to the internet again... through the hub even! YAY! It was, of course, a simple matter of loading the correct driver (PPP3oE). I found instructions for loading in on the internet quickly and easily. However, I still cannot get BOTH PC's on the 'net at the same time.

Skylar pose for a sexy shot...

For supper tonight, order Chinese and had it delivered. Sesame chicken.

Tuesday - October 29, 2002
Denise (Batz) Tyler's Birthday ... where ever she is...

It is cold, rainy and windy out this morning! I got a good night's rest. I should be more alert and energetic today. I am taking left over Chinese food with me for breakfast.

11:55p - My Chinese food lasted all day. I wrote Nikki a long letter tonight. 'lisa called... they have moved into their new place in Modesto! She gave me the new address & phone number. I loaded Norton Utilities 2002 on my new PC. OH! ... and I learned that Darlene broke her arm!! Apparently she was holding a rope and the Horse (Tessa, I think) bolted, jerking the rope from Darlene's and snapping her Ulna.

Wednesday - October 30, 2002

7:15p - I am on duty tonight. I slept awful last night. My sinuses were bothering me and I kept waking. Maybe it's the weather. It's cold and drizzly out side tonight. It's very dark now too, since the time change. There has been one or two elevators not working since about last Thursday and is still out of commission. It has been irritating. Tomorrow is payday, and I did not have to touch my savings!

Thursday - October 31, 2002
Samhain
Blesséd be for the New Year!

11:14p - I was on duty again tonight. I had two calls... one a bit complicated from the Emergency Room at Barnes-Jewish. I learned today in fact, that Barnes-Jewish actually pays Washington University for my position. I did not realize that. Diana wanted me to join her at "BeeBee's" tonight, but I couldn't make it. If it were Friday, I would likely make it, but I have to work tomorrow. (...and I think I am still recovering from the party on Sunday!!)

11:30p - oh yes... I had THE most peculiar dream last night. It was about Jack and Adam... mostly. It was so intense, I had to get up and send an email to Adam about it. Let me see if I can find the email and paste it in here... the part it blue is added post facto. This is mostly as I wrote it to Adam this morning. It is very strange and quite morose. Yet appallingly clear in my mind, even yet this evening.

I was going through some building. It was very narrow and long with lots of windows. I am not sure what city I was in, but I seemed to know that there was some ordinance there about people decorating their apartments themselves; that it had to be done professionally to avoid it being a public eyesore (sounds like Orlando). So I am going through this building... there are just long rooms with mattresses on the floor (below window level). They are mostly empty, but I see some people there. The floors of the rooms were of polished wood, maple possibly. I found a mattress and staked claim on it and was going to get some rest. Then I notice someone on the mattress next to me. They were smoking a cigarette. The light was dim, so I did not realize it was you (Adam) at first. You looked my way and I recognized you. I said, "Adam! I haven't seen you in years! I didn't know you smoke cigarettes!" The sun was shining from the East through the window between us. Our backs were to the wall and you were mostly in the shadows. The halls and wall of this place were plain, barren and ever so Spartan. You answered somewhat tiredly, "That was before I was working everyday for a mortgage lending company." You did not look too happy. A blue tendril of smoke wafted into the morning sun shining between us. I asked, "Where's Jack?" "Oh, I don't know," you answered indifferently, "I haven't seen him since before Robert and I broke up. He was seeing some long haired guy...." About that time, some heavy set guy with a short brown beard, glasses and a horrid green plaid shirt (cotton, short sleeved) came up to you. I asked, "Who's Robert?" But you were distracted, "Can't talk again..." was all you said, somewhat cryptically, and turned all your attention to your guy friend..... ... and I went back into a "normal" dream state. I left the building, then remembered that I had forgotten my shoes and tried to go back in, but everyone was streaming out of the building and I couldn't get back in... everything gets confusing and vague at the point. Not the crystal clarity of the "Adam segment."

11:46 - I got paid my back pay today. My paycheck was quite plump! ...and I had not had to delve into my savings this month, so that was yet another plus. So, I added an extra $100 to my savings deposit. 11:47p... my movie is back on. It's a Vampire movie (hosted by W.Shatner).

11:56p -My movie is over. I need to go to bed, which means I will  have to wake Skip. He has taken the Sabbat off tonight. I tried to download and install some Windows XP software for my HP OfficeJet 720 tonight, but it keeps failing... I don't know what the problem is.

12:59p -  I bought a bottle of a liquor that I have never tried before called "Ciclon" (with an accent over the "o"). It is a dark rum, infused with Aguave and Tequila. I tried a sip of it... it seems quite festive! I poured a little over a small chicken breast that I have in the fridge to marinate. We will see how it goes.

.... and so we end October of 2002...