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I plan on attending DragonCon for my first time!

STAFF PICNIC
September 5, 2003

Monday - September 1, 2003

This was my first full day in the new house. It rained all day. I did not do much. Around 6:30p I walked over to Block Buster's and rented a couple of films. Then I went to the Walmart and picked up a few items, including a towel rack, toilet paper dispenser and reflectors for the stove. I am very upset about the condition of the stove. I thought it was being cleaned back in July when we inspected the house, but it is filthy. The reflectors were corroded and charred; the oven handle is loose; and there is not even a light bulb!

If I had this move to do over again, I most definitely would not do it. I feel it was a mistake. Skip expects to lose his job, I have further to travel and the bus ride is erratic, and the house is lacking in many things I did not expect. Not only does it not have a dishwasher or garbage disposal, it does not even have a medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Also, the back door does not work. I am sorry I moved. I wish Skip had been able to get his life in order ... then he would not have moved here and I could have continued in my apartment at Gentry's ... keeping it clean and neat and not having to move. Oh well... it's done. I will have to take it from here and deal with it.

Tuesday - September 2, 2003

Happy Birthday to Alvin Terrell! 1980 - Nephew - Moyock, NC

1:55a - I need to get to bed. I start back to work on a "normal" basis tomorrow. It's going to be rough. I am STILL not taking my meds now (except for the BP med). This is going to affect me when I start back to taking it this week I bet! I have made it home. I went to K-Mart on 9/2 and bought a few items which deny drowning (... here we go!).

2:10a - I am so tired & a bit tipsy! Time for bed....

It was raining again this morning! My second day to catch the bus from Cahokia, and my second day to do so in the rain!

All networks were down this morning upon arriving at work. This lasted until about 12:00p and started my return to work about as well as one could expect!

I went to Wal-Mart after work tonight. I bought some trays for the silverware drawer, a dish rack (for washing dishes); then went to Schnucks and bought some collards and a sliced port butt.

I was going to watch the remaining movie ("Reign in Darkness"), but I was too tired and ran out of time.

Wednesday - September 3, 2003

10:50p - I drank way too much beer last night, but managed to get through the day okay.

I was very irritated with that frelling back door this morning. I could not get it open to let KDog out and had to let her out the front door and walk her around back yet again. My time was being eaten up as I did this. Not good. I went back inside and ripped the entire door knob off of the door trying to fix it! It is just too horribly mismatch with parts to ever work right

I caught the bus EXACTLY on time this morning! I walked up to the bus stop and the bus pulled up and I got on. I did not even stop & wait! Then, I got to the train station and the train pulled in exactly on as we arrived, so I did not wait again (in fact, I had to hoof it onto the first available car before the doors closed!). I am getting more reading done since I am riding further on the train PLUS the bus ride. I am reading my $25 Anne McCaffrey book ("Pegasus" ... non-autographed). It is, of course, quite good.

I got to CWE at about 8:55a this morning (very early), and had more than enough time to go for a bite o breakfast. I got a couple of eggs over easy, 6 slices of bacon and toast. I made a sandwich out of it all and washed it down with some milk (2% of course).

I arrived at the bus stop JUST as the bus arrived! (great timing). The bus arrived at the Metro train station just in time for me to transfer over to it with no wait yet again and I arrived at CWE at 8:55.

I got a little accomplished today. I had the old phone disconnected, but since it has DSL it will not be in effect until the 8th of this month. I have the new phone slated to be turned on, but I am not exactly sure when this will take place. I will have to call them back I guess. I also began the process of getting a satellite dish setup with 2 receivers so I can have some decent TV reception. I am going with the 100 channel plan. There will be a $49 setup fee, but $200 will be credited to my account (if it all works out right). I had problems with printing out the order at work and had to reboot. I will try again tomorrow.

I stopped at the little plaza by where we live made a visit to the hardware store. I will call it the Q-Mart hardware store. Right next to the Q-Mart grocery store. I picked up an exhaust duct for the dryer, a new broom, a couple of molly bolts and a latch core for the back door.

I got home and tested the new latch core. Still doesn't work. So, since I was out of milk again/still anyway, I walked back to the Q-Mart and exchanged the latch core for a complete door knob & key set. This is really getting ridiculous. I hope TC does not have a problem with my deducting these expenses from the rent. If so... then I will just start packing again. I am not too happy with things here anyway, and Skip is really complaining about the 3-4 extra hours he is spending in travel. I have some, but not much, sympathy for him. He had the chance to say "no" to this move, but he did not do so. I knew I could handle it, but if he had said that he did not want to make the move, I would have respected that and it would not have happened. Now he is saying he will lose his job and seems to be making it somehow my responsibility... or so it seems to me.

I am still not "on-line" ... but I think I can save my journal entries to a floppy diskette and FTP them to my site from work. That will keep me current.

Thursday - September 4, 2003

7:58a - I did not get to sleep until late again last night. This has got to change. I cannot continue at this pace. Money goes in the bank tonight (that's a GOOD thing!). The annual staff picnic is tomorrow. I have to work on Saturday from 4pm to 8pm (yuck). I will carry my floppy diskette in to work and FTP these journal updates to my site. It should work. We will see.

I left the house at 8:07a... the bus arrived at 8:18a. The train pulled out just as we got off the bus, so I had to wait for the next one. Skip arrived and transferred to the Cahokia bus while I was waiting. We had been in touch by cell phone, so I knew he would be on that train and I saw him exit, but he did not see me. He was focused on catching the bus! I know the feeling.

10:27p - The FTP-ing of my updates worked fine! Some of the links are not valid yet, but I got the phone scheduled to be turned on next Wednesday between 11:00a and 3:00p. I am having a jack installed in the "office." The dish-TV is to be installed on Thursday (between 8:00a and 12:00p). This weekend will be kind of boring, but maybe we can get some stuff organized around here. Except that I have to work on Saturday.

I caught the right train home again this evening and made decent time. It takes about an hour to get to/from work if I time it right. I went by Schnuck's, the dropped my videos off at Blockbuster. Oops... one of them was empty! Oh well, its not due back until the 10th. They screwed up though and slipped a DVD in with my 2 video tapes! ...and charged me for it! I am very irritated. I wonder how often they do this!? I am taking it back tomorrow and demanding they correct the error.

Skip got the back door knob/latch installed... it works fine.

I watched "The Source" on video tonight. It was okay. I had never heard of it.

I think I am coming down with semething. I noticed a little nasal drainage in the back of my throat yesterday, and today my throat feels scratchy. I hope I am not catching something. Oh... I am on my second day of taking my meds again. And no beer tonight. I am going to get to bed early too. I hope to feel better tomorrow (though I still have no idea what I am going to wear!).

Oh yes, Julie called me from Gentry's Landing today. She wanted me to bring the keys back. I had not forgotten, but we have just been very busy. She said she could charge us rent for another month since I did not bring the keys back and started to get a little nasty with me. Why do people have to be that way? She acted like I was going to refuse or something... and I have been an exemplary tennant for over 2 years. Whatever... Skip and I arranged for him to drop off the keys & check the mail in the morning.

I am not going to the picnic tomorrow. Its on a Friday, after work, and just to inconvenient for me with no car AND have to work this weekend. There are only 4 or 5 people going to the picnic from our department anyway (LR, GV, LZ, Bruce and maybe Joe). I have been to the last 2picnics and I would like to have attended this one in order to keep up the history, but it was just not possible. I was the only person left to cover the Help Desk. Oh well... whatever....

Anyone wondering when I will be back on-line.... It may be next weekend. Depending on what kinds of problems I have with the modem which is built into this PC (and which has never been used).

10:54p - It's nearly 11:00p and I want to get to bed early tonight...

Friday - September 5, 2003

7:15a - I slept fitfully with dark dreams all night. My throat is feeling very raw this morning. I thought seriously about calling in sick, but it's Friday... I think I can make it. I thought I would feel so much better this morning since I went to bed so much earlier and drank no beer. There is just no winning sometimes. Well... I haven't been taking my vitamins like I had been for so long. Maybe this is the result. I will have to get back on my strict regimine once again. I took a dose of vitamin C this morning; maybe it will help.

7:20a - Kira is out in the yard... better go check on her. I still have not figured out what I am going to wear either! I got no laundry done last night.

7:46a - It is very chilly out this morning. Fall is surely upon us. The Summer and Spring in this part of the country always seem to go by so quickly, and cold weather lasts for so long. Each year I have spent here, my enthusiasm over the change of seasons seems to have decreased a bit. Autumn and Spring are still spectacular, however. There is no denying that!

8:21p - I just got home! I am so tired. I may have a touch of fever too. I caught the 6:01 train from CWE on time (leaving the office a bit early to do so), but the #2 Cahokia bus pulled out before I could cross the tracks to board it! How rude. It was just 6:22p. The next bus left at 7:40p. I took a ride on the train back to Union Station so I could sit in the AC and read my book. I got back to 5th & Mo. at 7:15 and still had to wait for a half hour. I was NOT a happy camper... especially since I am feeling sick.

9:14p - I've gone through 4 beers and am watching "The Mystic Masseur" ... its not quite what I was expecting so far.

9:16p - I just check my entry for this day last year. I was getting sick then too! I seem to be like clockwork!

9:57p - This movie is a bit boring :(

11:08p - As far as the cultural education side goes, this movie is most intriguing. However, I thought it was a comedy. Not quite...

Skip is still in bed, I have had my supper of greens and turkey. One beer left. Glad I can sleep in tomorrow!!

Saturday - September 6, 2003

Happy TWENTIETH anniversary to Calisa & Mitch Selfridge! My Sister & Brother-in-law Modesto, California

1:41a - I almost fell asleep at the computer as I wrote the above! Then I got up and put the exhaust duct on the dryer and cooked another pot of food. Skip got up around 1am. I did not realize it was so late. I have to get up and to in for a haircut at 12:30p tomorrow, so I must hit the rack now.

9:57a - I am dressed and ready to head out. I get my hair cut at 12:30, and am meeting Diana in CWE for a late lunch. Then I will go to the office to work from 4pm until 8pm. I hope the buses are running on a decent scheduled this evening.

That duct popped off the dryer already. I guess I will have to tape it.

I waited at the bus stop... it finally ran at 11:11. I was downtown by about 11:40. I went to James Henry Provisions (aka: "The Taliban") and picked up some cough drops. (Haresh's hair is growing back finally!) I then went over to Gentry's and filled out the "move out form" for them. Diana was still home, so I visited her for a bit. We decided to have lunch at CWE. I headed over to Executive Salon to get my hair cut. I was thinking it was on 7th and Pine, but it is on 7th and Olive (one street North of Pine). I don't know what my malfunction was, but when I got to 7th and Pine and found the entire building uprooted... I was freakin'!! Then I slipped over one street and found Executive Salon right where it always had been and calmed down some. Jo cut my hair as usual.

I left and met Diana at the train station. We endured that and got to Central West End where we were able to take a seat at Culpeppers on the veranda; she got a Cobb Salad and I got the Club Combo, which included a half of club sandwich and a bowl of clam chowder. I was hoping to get a bowl of their Gaspacho, but I missed it again (they only serve that during the summer until Labor Day).

I got to the office at 3:00p, officially going on duty at 4:00. Nothing out of the ordinary happened and it was fairly quiet. I left work and went to Talayna's to say "hi" to the gang and slug down a quick drink (a rum & coke and a shot of Southern Comfort {chilled} ... it is Saturday, afterall!). I caught the 8:51 train at Forest Part station, arriving at 5th&Mo at 9:13, caught the 9:20 outbound Cahokia bus, arriving at about 9:40p. I went to Block Buster and picked up a couple more movies; "Spy Kids II" (for something silly and amusing), and "Children of Dune" ... a double set of tapes. Then I went over to Schnucks and picked up some beer, which is all I had time to shop for because there were closing in 5 minutes. I made that very quick and headed to KFC to get a bite for supper, but they apparently closed at the same time as Schnucks since their lights were turned off. I suppose it was about 10:00p. I went home, watch the "Spy Kids" movie, warmed up some left overs, had a few beers and went to bed around 1:00a.

Sunday - September 7, 2003

Happy Birthday to Barbara C. Jones! Deltona, Florida

1:10p - I got up to let Kdog out around 10:00a, but went back to bed. I finally got up at about 1:00p when Skip informed me that he was going to install the towel rack and toilet paper dispensers.

1:15p - I think I will walk over to return some videos and get some KFC chicken in a few minutes... If I can get the cobwebs out of my head. I am still sleepy.

10:31p - I returned the videos and picked up "Mind Storm" in compensation for the "Elm Street" DVD that I was wrongly charged for. They were cool about that, fortunately. This moive, "Mind Storm" was pretty good! I enjoyed it. I still haven't watched the "Children of Dune" video. I have seen part of it before on TV... but I want to see it in its entirety.

I also went by the Dollar Store and picked up some treats for Kira and a pack of kitchen towels (4 for $3). Then I stopped by KFC and got a 3 piece meal with corn & coleslaw. So far that's all I've had to eat today.

I thought it was cool when the check-out lady at the grocery store, Julie, remembered me from the night before and instructed the bag-person to double bag my purchase (since she knew I had no car and would be walking). I would have tipped her if that were normal or appropriate. Maybe I should have done so anyway! I just may in the future. As I have said before, "piss on convention." (Much to Carl's apparent disgust, abhorence or dismay!).

I have been working on two "DragonCon Galleries" for my on-line displays tonight. They seem to have come out pretty good so far, I think.

Marty and JR came by this evening. They picked up some cans for recycling and brought over a big barrel for us to dump cans in. JR set Marty's maglight on the back of the truck and it fell off. Marty call me a few minutes ago and I went out and found it laying in the driveway, so I brought it in for him.

10:46p - I am wondering if I should try to load my DragonCon site to a CD and upload it via FTP at work tomorrow. I am thinking I may try this...

10:50p - I am not so motivated toward getting my new home organized as I was when I moved it to the my apartment at Gentry's. I wonder why that is? I know it must have something to do with Skip living with me. I already see the signs of him making a mess. The TV in the livingroom is strewn with debris and gaming devices already. It is very dismaying. I think that if he does not get organized better in the next year, I shall move out on my own without him. He can deal with things as he will. I cannot continue to deal with his inconsiderate and slovenly behaviour. I love him, but we all have our limitations!

10:59p - I guess I need to be thinking about bed time. I don't feel like I had a weekend since I had to work in Saturday, but... that's how the cookie crumbles.

Monday - September 8, 2003

7:15a - I slept solidly last night and almost did not get up this morning. I bolted out of bed in a near panic at 7:15a and threw myself together. Amazingly, I managed to get everything done that I had to and was the second of 4 people waiting at the bus stop. I had to wait about 6 minutes.

Last night I cooked some food using one of the Habañero peppers that Marty brought me. Boy was it hot! Not more than I could handle, but VERY picanté! However, it was not so enjoyable this morning. About half way to work on the train, my insides started to go critical mass. I broke out in a cold sweat and started to get abdominal cramps. I was hating life there for about 15 minutes. I was better by about 10:30 or 11:00. In fact, I had leftover pizza and hotwings for lunch!

This weekend's PACS upgrade is still experiencing fallout today. Lisa Z will be coming in at 6pm as I leave to cover until midnight. Her shift may be fairly boring... but MINE sure wasn't! It was a hectic day! The phone was ringing off the hook, yet I only let one call fall to voice mail and recorded 40 tickets. I worked through lunch since no one seemed to remember that I was entitled to one and so there was no one present to cover me.

Lisa Z arrice about 5:48p and I was already starting to shut down. I zipped on out and caught my 6:01 train in time and then caught the #2 bus on time. I went by Schucks tonight and picked up some fixins for Egg Plant Parmesan. I haven't made that in a long time.

My information for the phone and SBC Yahoo arrived today. However, the mail that I put in the mail box to send out with RETURN TO SENDER marked on it was not picked up. There was a letter from Skip with a stamp on it that was not picked up also. Maybe they don't pick up mail. I may have to take it to the office to mail it. That will suck.

8:29p - I spent some time cleaning up the kitchen for most of the evening so far. I put away the dishes Skip washed on (Sunday?), and washed some more, placing them in the rack. I laid all 'the fixins' out for the Egg Plant Parmesan, but thought I would come update my journal, have couple of beers and relax a bit before getting back to it. I guess I had better hurry. Skip will be getting up in about a half hour ... plus, I want to watch my Children of Dune tapes if possible. It's kind of strange not having the TV on all the time.

8:33p - I am about caught up to the present and my beerses is out.... so ... time to go cook I guess.

10:08p - Skip tells me that the bus I rode in on this morning that he was in such a rush to catch caught on fire and delayed his return trip home this morning! How strange. That boy always seems to catch things on fire... or be around things that catch on fire at least!

10:47p - I have made my Egg Plant Parmesiano Suprémo.... I will try some shortly. I hope its as good as the work I put into it!

I put some of Skip's clothes in the washer... the smelled like cat piss. He mentioned it might be his clothes that I smelled... I sniffed them and ... "yes" ... that was the source of the smell. I don't know why he has left them in the "laundry room" floor, but I had to wash them to get rid of the smell. Hope that does it.

11:00p - Time to go eat some of my concoction now. I only have one beer left.

11:49p - I did some of Skip's laundry... it smelled like cat piss and had been laying the pantry/laundry room for several days. I thought Barnabas has sprayed in there, but now I think it was just the dirty clothes. I resent doing his laundry (like I don't have enough of my own), but I had to do it to get it up and off the floor. Damn, I wish he would get his life together and quit causing it to me an infringement on mine. I love him every so much ... he has no clue, but I worry about where he is headed. I am not in the best of health and won't live forever. I would like to have the minor comfort of beleiving that if/when something happens to me he will have a plan and his life will not collapse around my organization. What an ironic and dismal thought!

11:53p - I have rice ready to "roll" in the morning and some of my Egg Plant dish to place on top of it. I hope Gary likes Egg Plant! Y'ishw' iih' utk' iib' aim' uthyerthaafhe, t'be Y'esge ch'aantk' iib' ose.

11:56p - Time to crash!

Tuesday - September 9, 2003

7:58a - My monitor would not come on this morning! I had to power the entire system off/on to correct it. I hope this is not a sign of some problem coming up!

This was embarrassing, but I could not find any underwear this morning! Not even any dirty ones, including the pair I had on last night! I thought I was going to be late for work and how do you tell your manager you were late for work because all your underwear were missing?! I finally found them in the laundry I did for Skip last night. I thought I was going daft!

I am taking leftover Egg Plant to work for lunch today. I wonder if Gary likes it? I will take some to him.

7:08p - He didn't like it. I thought not, but I fed it to Joe B. He will usually eat about anything. I don't mean to make him sound like a human garbage disposal, its just nice to have someone not turn their nose up at something you cook because of an ingredient in it. On the other hand, when I cook something for someone like Gary and he likes it, I feel like I have achieved something.... lol

Y'aatg' ey' aangl' iiyelm' aamfre Jack uuteede. Ch'aasw' utg' uut' irh' os' aachm' aafr' ime. Iih' uzdench' aitr' uut' aachme nyeinorme. Iihe sh'aikl' ey' uthbreerth' uut' iime, ose Y'aantw' uut' one twe sh'ogeingyaanye thw' ime.

7:12p - I have Kira's bedding, which has been kept outside since we moved here, is in the washer. I put it on EXTRA LARGE load with hot water and 3 cups of detergent. Maybe it will help. I will run it through a second wash if it still stinks!

7:24p - I got home earlier than usual tonight... Lisa Z gave me a ride home. That was nice! It will be great to have a car and get home quickly! She commented that the traffic was very moderate at 6pm. That's another bonus I guess.

The phone company is due out between 1pm and 5pm tomorrow. Hopefully they will be here early so Skip does not have to stay up too late. I tried to do the basic installation of the SBC Yahoo Dial software, but it requires a connection and dial tone, so I will have to wait.

9:52p - I just finished adding to my AShoKhe word list... bringing it up to about 316 words. Skip left for work a few minutes ago.

10:07p - I just set Kira bedding to wash for the THIRD wash! This time I have added about a quarter bottle or more of vinegar. I don't know why, but I think that will help reduce the odour.

10:54p - Wow... I have about 402 words entered on the AShoKhe list now. That is nearly double what I had.

11:12p - The list is up to 415 words now and time to eat.

11:39p - 417 words, beer is gone and definitely time to eat. I only entered two words in near a half hour? Sheesh!

Wednesday - September 10, 2003
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRITIES
José Feliciano - Singer - September 10, 1945
Fay Ray - Actress - September 10, 1907
Arnold Palmer - Golfer - September 10, 1929
Charles Kureault - Commentator - eptember 10th

I am back on line today!

I am going to go into work about 40 mintues late tomorrow. The Satellite dishes are to be installed.

Thursday - September 11, 2003
Remembering the tragedy of 9-11-01

12:43a - Supper is cooked, but its getting closer to breakfast! Roast beef, greens & rice. I've been trying to catch up on over 1000 back-logged emails all evening. Now I will see if my ability to upload from DreamWeaver works...

12:46a - It seemed to work without a hitch!

The Dish-TV guy (Will, an acquaintance of Tad's!) came by a few minutes after 8:00a. He got it all installed. I got to work at 11:00a. We had our luncheon today which was a combination of a 9/11 memorial and a tribute to and celebration of our achievments at work. Lisa left shortly thereafter for a root canal. Luck her :(

I saw Tad's sister, Deana, with the young girl from next door, Tiffany, as I was walking home this evening. They stopped and chatted with me for a moment. Deana mentioned the flyer for the Halloween Party on October 24th. I have to see if I can find the one from last year and revise it.

10:20p - Came home, watched some of the new TV, took a pseudo-nap, warmed up some leftovers, checked email, and am now going to bed! I am pooped.

Friday - September 12, 2003
John Ritter & Johnny Cash.... farewell!

7:44a - I got eat up by mosquitos last night. At least seven bites I've found this morning. However, I seem to have gotten a good night's sleep. Maybe the best since the move.

It was a surprise to learn tht Johnny Cash and John Ritter both died today! Cash was 71 years old and having health problems, so it wasn't as much of a surprise in his case, though sad. John Ritter was only 54 and in the middle of the production of a new series. I was surprised and very saddedned to hear of his passing as a result of a coronary aneurism. Such a shame...

I was still tired and sleepy this afternoon. It was a struggle to keep my eyes open. I didn't eat a heavy lunch either; just some left overs from yesterday's luncheon (pasta salad, potato salad and regular salad).

I caught my bus on time today, and went by Schnucks. I picked up a beef roast.

Saturday - September 13, 2003

I got up around around 9:00a and laid back down but could not sleep. I got up about 10:00a. Around 11:00 Skip and I walked over to the Brockland Pontiac Dealership. I saw a 1999 Sable that I liked, but we were really getting irritated with our dealer, "Andy" ... who had to run back to the office every time we had a question about a vehicle. We couldn't make any progress. He even had to run back to the office just to get a business card. We did not have time to wait for him evertime. There were no prices indicated on the cars like they used to do. It was very aggravating so we left and went to Wal-Mart, then Schnucks, the Block Buster, the Q-Mart and home. We grilled some port ribs on the grill, had some corn on the cob, baked beans and mashed potatoes. Very nice meal. The flies were bothersome out on the patio though due to the trash bags and the fact that it was sprinkling rain and they (the flies) were seeking shelter.

I figured out how to set "favorites lists" on the satellite this afternoon. That is a handy feature with so many channels to choose from.

Marty & JR came over later this evening. Marty got his MagLite and the picked up the cans we had accumulated so far. PLUS he brought more tomatotes and peppers! I have too many... they are going to go bad if I don't do something with them.

Sunday - September 14, 2003

1:06am - It's about time to go to bed. I need to take shower first. I think I will watch some of SouthPark with Skip first

3:52p - I didn't get up until 12:40p. I am still sleepy and bored. Not getting a thing accomplished today. I need to get some of the mess in the kitchen put away, but I feel depressed. It's a beautiful day out. I let Kira out a bit ago and set on the patio with her afew minutes. Very pleasant, sunny, cool breeze... very nice. I have the window open in the office here and the birds are a riotous cacaponhy twittering chatter.

6:41p - I just took some pictures and put them on a web page to show the current state of the house (which is a bit of a disaster). Be aware ... there is a significant delay in downloading the pictures.

I finally got the tomatoes put in the freezer.

Monday - September 15, 2003

12:59a - I'm pooped. Off to bed...

7:23a - I lay awake almost all night! I could not have gottem more than 2 hours of fitful sleep at best. This is going to be a long day.

7:53a - I guess I will make it, though I feel the sleepies hovering in the background already.

It wasn't too bad. I did not get as sleepy at work as I expected.

Deana came over tonight and we worked on the Halloween Party flyer. I am making a website for it as well.

Tuesday - September 16, 2003

I was VERY sleepy at work today. I am really hating this recent development.

I installed a new computer, KVM, and thin panel monitor at my desk this morning. Gary installed his also. Lisa will probably get her installed in the morning.

I went to bed as soon as Skip left for work and got to sleep by about 11p. No beer. I want to get through a day without suffering from sleep deprivation!

Kira had ANOTHER little accident while sleeping tonight. I am getting very worried about her recent incontenency. I hope its just a passing problem and not a sign of her encroaching age.

Wednesday - September 17, 2003

7:22a - I woke up around 3:30a and could not get back to sleep. I tried watching some TV, then listened to some music, then just lay in the dark. I finally dozed off sometime around 4:30a and had a short dream about Thor. He was old and blind, much as he was when I last saw him. I was trying encourage him to go through the garage of my house in Florida, but he was growling and upset because he didn't know who I was. I spoke to him and let him smell me and he started to wag his tail... he realized it was me... then I woke up. It's always such a sad feeling to remember his is no longer alive. Very depressing.

I got up around 5:30a and ate a bite of food to try to make myself sleepy again, but I never made it back to sleep. The alarm went off and I got up... so now of course I am sleepy and want to go back to bed! This is really starting to aggravate me.

Thursday - September 18, 2003

I got up late today and did not make it to work until about 3:18p. I did get some straightening up done in the house before leaving for work. Then the train was late and my bus had left on the way home. I went to Union Station and got som beer and buffalo shrimp. While there, I finished off the book I was reading, "Venus Prime." Then I tried to catch the train to the 7:40p bus, but missed it too! I ended up calling Deana for a ride... bless her!

Friday - September 19, 2003

1:35a - I am off to bed...

7:50a - Amazingly, I slept all night without waking! When I did wake, I checked the clock and it was 6:49a. My alarm is set for 6:50a! Of course, I drank so much beer, I feel rotten, but at least I slept.

I felt fairly good today, once I got through the early morning "blahs." Lisa Z. was out all day, so I was hectic. I did not do any imaging diagnostics.

I just barely caught the Cahokia bus coming home tonight. I would have been SO pissed if I had missed it!!

My evening was fairly ruined by the postman. I got a letter from Gentry's saying I owe them $700.00+ for cleanup and replacement of the carpet and flooring! I can't believe they are doing this. I was exemplary tennant for 2 years. Never late on rent; no loud musis... nothing. They were supposed to replace the tile in the kitchen after the telephone installer damaged it right after I moved in and they never did. Last July the A/C flooded the place and they never cleaned up after it properly. That was one of the deciding factors in my moving out! After spending Independance day trapped in my apartment becuase the elevators were down, AND having my apartment flooded, they want me to pay for this? They never cleaned up after the flood. I spent two weeks waiting for the carpet to dry. The stench was awful ... even Diana (next door) commented that she could smell it in the hallway. They carpet had to be replaced; they told me they would replace the flooring in the kitchen (but they never did)... and now the think I am going to pay? I am so upset.... this REALLY pisses me off!

Click here to read Gentry's letter.

Saturday - September 20, 2003

What busy day (once I finally got up). Tad came over and mowed the lawn. I took some pictures of him for his records. I paid the rent too. I got some more work done in the house... the dishes were a major ordeal. Skip has got to start cleaning up after himself more. I did not eat a "meal" all day, but Skip cooked some Fajitas. He ended up not eating any of them either though. Marty & JR came over in the evening and Skip fed them a nice meal of Fajitas, but he still did not have any himself. I munched on a few strips of beef and bell pepper & onion, but did not actually fix a plate.

Skip and I got the black "wall shelf" hung tonight. We were like a comedy of errors, but it finally got hung despite all the problems.

Before Marty arrived, right after getting the shelf hung, I walked over to the Q-Mart and picked up a couple of 18-packs of beer. I called Marty's cell phone on the way to the store and he was on the way... just crossed over into Illinois. As I came out of the store, I saw him drive by. He missed the turn onto Lazarcheff! (oops). I called him and asked if that was him I saw drive by; it was. I was almost home by the time the had gotten turned around and came back. They picked me up just down Melvin Street and I sat on the tailgate and rode home (totally illegal, I'm sure!).

I moved my keyboard to the living room tonight... beneath the newly hung shelf. I thought it would look nice out there.

Sunday - September 21, 2003

I drank a lot of beer last night and did not feel much like getting up this morning. I did get up around 9-ish though and let Kira out. I decided to go back to bed. I stayed in bed most of the day, but did not sleep until somewhere betweek 1:09p and 2:00p when I dozed off for a bit. I finally got up just before 2:00p since I knew Skip needed to be getting to bed. Once I got sufficiently energized, I walked over to Wal-Mart. I bought a matt for the front porch, and a rug which I placed in front of the sink & stove area. I got some new shoes (only $9.xx). A few household items like laundry detergent and fabric softener. Then I went to Schnucks and bought another Chuck Roast; then to Q-Mart to get cigarettes and a lighter for Skip.

Skip found my missing bag of laundry today. Most of my good shirts, underwear, socks, etc., were in it. I put it right into the laundry.

7:54p - The Chuck Roast is cooked (in the pressure cooker). I added some Habañeros, onion, and heavy herbs including some fresh cilantro. I'm having some beers first before eating, and will try to focus on the halloween website.

The food was tasty!

Skip missed his bus! It ran early! It was supposed to run at 9:22p ... He was back here telling me about it at 9:23p. That sucks.

We got Tad to give Skip a ride in to work. He was going in to St.L anyway apparently. That was a good thing.

Skip's co-worker, Nate, called. I told him Skip was alerady on his way to work.

Monday - September 22, 2003
HAPPY 42nd BIRTHDAY TO...
Mitch Selfridge - Brother-in-law
Modesto, California - September 22, 1961

Time for bed! Kira just had another of her little mini-accidents. This time it was on the mat under the chair here in my office, so it was easy to clean. What am I going to do about this development? ... I just don't know. I am very worried about here. She keeps "leaking" ... that's not a good thing. I fear it is a sign of her age.

12:37a - Anyway, off to bed...

I made rice & hamburger meat for my lunch today. I got no breakfast, then at lunch I had little appetite and only at a few bites of my rice.

Construction is in progress on my office building at 4525 Scott ... it's a disaster.

I came home and was dismayed to find that Skip had not taken out the garbage, done dishes, cleaned up the cat litter in the bathroom, or (as far as I could see), done anything more than his usual of drinking beer and playing EverQuest. He doesn't even step outside to dump his own cans in the barrell.

So, I got the garbage out to the curb, including the old chair from around back that I had asked Skip to move. I did dishes for about an hour and a half, while trying relax a bit and watch Star Gate. Supper was no problem since I picked up some food at KFC. I did not even check email tonight!

I took some Tylenol PM's around 10pm and I finally got to bed around midnight. I was very tired and thought I would get a good nights sleep. However, the movie "Alien Hunter" was on Sci-Fi and I wanted to watch it. I couldn't stay awake for the whole movie though and slept through much of the main parts. I woke up at the end and it did not make much sense. Then I could not get back to sleep again! I lay awake until about 3am when I got up and made some warm milk.

However, Kira continued to have here breathing problems and another of her small "leakage" accidents and this kept me awake. I keep laying there listening to her heavy breathing and worrying about her. I love her so much and am sick at the thought that something might happen to her. She is my life and has been the core of my strength for so many years now. Anyway, I think the warm milk actually helped, but I did not get to sleep for maybe another hour. Then, suddenly, it was time to get up and I was so sleepy!

Tuesday - September 23, 2003

I did not even take a shower this morning, but I did take one last night, so I was not a total scuz-ball.I struggled to get motivated this morning.

I had finally managed to go to sleep and (as usual) it was suddenly time to get up again.

It was chilly this morning, so the clothes from the dryer were a wonderful feeling.

I showed Kira how to get up on the sofa and look out the living room window this morning. Strange that she had not realized she could do that. Once she figured it out, she seemed amazed that she could look out the window. Her breath was visible as it steamed against the cool air coming in the open window, so I decided to wear my light jacket. Fall is well on its way. As I left for work at 8:07 this morning, Kira was in the window and I scratched her nose through the screen. She watched me as I headed off to the bus stop. I had a slight worry that she might push through the screen to try to follow me, but she knows better.

I had no energy this morning, though I only had about 8 small beers last night. I had no appetite for breakfast either, but the coffee helped some. More sleep would have helped more, but that didn't happen... again... oh, well.

At lunch I walked over to Hon's Wok and got some General Tso's chicken. I like ther version... very "garlicky." I only ate about half of it though. I am glad my apetite is less. Maybe I will lose some weight. I eat too much as it is.

I managed to get Skip's phone sent out in the mail for repair this morning and Darlene's (and Devon's) package sent out to them as well.

Lisa Z. gave me a ride home this evening. We stopped and I picked up 2 18-packs of beer! This should last me a few days!

The Waste Management did not pick up the chair that I struggled to put out for them last night. How rude! Nor did Skip have the consideration to bring the trash bin back up to the house; or to dump his used beer cans in the can barrel tonight. Grrr!

I bought chuck steak and an pork rump roast tonight at Schnucks, but I decided not to have either of them for supper. I am warming up leftover ribs from the weekend (before last?!) and my General Tso's chicken from lunch. However, I have the chuck roast marinating in the fridge with wine, garlic and other seasonings.

I "met" Calais' roommate, Melissa, online tonight and we chatted for a bit. I made her a jubbie email addy.

Skip got up late and is missing his first bus tonight. He will be late to work. I hope it doesn't cause major problems.

Wednesday - September 24, 2003

1:52a - I have struggled to get the information on Gentry's right. I think I have it all as is true and correct. Gentry's can try to discredit me to their total extent, but my credit line is also ruined beyond their ability to affect it! I have no loans, no credit line, no credit cards... nothing... they cannot affect me unless they want to try taking this to small claims court! That would be a bit extreme. I am very upset about this entire situation.

Here is the letter the wrote to me: THEIR LETTER
Here is my response: MY REPSONSE

5:02p - I did not go to work today. I woke up very sick this morning. I think it might have been the leftover pork ribs that I warmed up last night. I barely kept myself from throwing up and my stomach was a mess.

9:28p - I slept most of the day, then I finally got up so Skip could go to bed. We are still sharing one bed until he can buy one. Frankly, I need a new bed since this one is like sleeping in a big bowl any more. Anyway, I am feeling better now. Whatever it was seems to have gotten through my system. I feel tired, but that's normal anymore. I think its all the meds.

My Piña Colada glass got broken today! I was very upset. I knew it was going to happen. Skip had his bamboo shoot growing in it. I wanted him to get his own container for it, but he would rather buy beer I suppose. So it was sitting out on the patio table and the wind blew it over and broke 3 chunks out of the glass. I've had it for 22 years and was very depressed. I am going to glue it back together, but I'm sure it will never be the same again. Now it is "damaged goods."

10:30p - Skip is off to work already and I am working on my web pages. I just added some items in the side bars, the quality of which I was very please with. Maybe my skills are impoving.

Thursday - September 25, 2003
Happy Mabon!
What is Maybon?

2:26a - I can't believe I am still up. I must get to bed...

I was SO tired today. I managed to work my way into the work-day, but I just wanted to die.

I went to bed tonight with NO beer around 10:30pm. I took a couple of Tylenol PM's but otherwise I felt fine and had no undue influence.

Friday - September 26, 2003

Happy Birthday Robin Pashia! (Sept 26, 1966) - Coworker

11:44p - I got in to it with Skip tonight about the problem with the dirty dishes. I washed dishes 2-3 nights ago, and now he seems to think that the dishes that have been setting for him for the last couple of days are my responsibility. I washed his dishes last time and I washed his dished this time. From now on, I shall put his dishes in the box (that I emptied tonight). I will not wash another dish of his. If he has a dish I need, I will put it away and out of his reach. When he learns what I mean... maybe we will come to an understanding!

We moved into this new house ONE MONTH AGO today!

It STORMED violently tonight!!!

Saturday - September 27, 2003

12:16a - Okay... time for bed. I have had a tasty supper of pork and turnip greens with rutabega. It was good, but I must crash now.

I finally got up around 1pm today. I was up earlier, but I could not get motivated and kept going back to bed. I finally got up and fixed a bite of food (left overs from last night). Then Skip and I walked over to Wal-Mart. It started raining and stoming on our walk over, but we had umbrellas and were ready for it as well as we could be. He bought a video and I bought nothing. We left Wal-Mart, the sun was out, and went to Schnucks. I bought a Pork Butt roast, an imported chinese rabbit (which I've not fixed in years), and a turkey breast (for .99 cents per pound).

We came home and I proceeded to clean up more. I repaired the Hawaiin glass from the 1981-FAM ... I sent Nikki pictures. I hope she doesn't think I am totally weird. Of course, despite the fact that I have maintained my friendship for/with her since the 70's ... when everyone thought she was a weirdo and did not want to associate with her... I fear she has now has found her place in life (what ever that means) and has found the strength to discard my friendship. I know I might have seemed to have left her behind there for a while with my problems between 1995 and 2000, but anything she might think was forsaking her was acutally trying to have her avoid the horrors which were besetting me during that nightmarish time. If I have to give up her friendship to keep her from ever knowing what was happening to me, then it would be worth it. I love her dearly, and so I would never wish knowledge or memories of those days to bother her. I love her too much.

Strange how I find these kinds of situtations plaguing my life. Just like with Doug's parents and not wanting them to know what the real story was. I prefer to let them hate me and say bad things about me than to tarnish their son's image in their eyes. I don't want to sound like some magnanimous martyr, but I just cannot bring myself to hurt those I love with some of the horrible truths that I have had to deal with. Not that they cannot deal with it, but why should they if they do not have to?

If I love them as I have said I do, why should I subject them to painful truths which they can do nothing about except feel grief and pain over? It's not any kind of martyrdom, just protecting loved ones from pain and unpleasant knowledge.

I got the first utility bill today from Blake. I am not happy with this "taking over" by Blake. This was not my original plan. We will see. I am ready to move again in a heart beat. If I had known all the drama was taking place between Tad & Blake I would never had gone ahead with this move!

The "storming" continued today. Very strangely... it would be sunny one moment, then it would pour down rain and the wind would start whipping violently. Very strange weather!

Sunday - September 28, 2003

Happy Birthday Greg Richards! (Sept 28, 1956) - Friend - Deltona, FL

I was up until 5:30 this morning writing a letter to rotten.com expressing my distaste at what they had written about John Shryock and how it upset Calais and our family.

I did not get up until about 2pm. Skip had one of the 2 turkey breasts we got yesterday on the grill. Once he had gone to bed, I walked over to Wal-Mart and picked up a fiew items.

10:58p - It has been a fairly lazy day and I will be going to bed soon. I did finally color my hair. It was looking crappy. I think its better now.

Oh... bills came in yesterday. I water bill and electric. They are not very much, but the phone bill is about $280.00!! ouch! I could not reach Tad or Deana yesterday or today. I think he is on his trip to San Francisco.

I am happy to report that rotten.com was very nice about the matter and removed the Shryock article from their site. I was a bit surprised, to tell the truth. It was, I must say, very admirable and honorable of them.

Speaking of which, I am wondering what the answer will be from Gentry's. I haven't heard anything yet.

Monday - September 29, 2003

It's cold this morning. I turned the heat on for the first time.

Work was a typical day. I came home though, and Kira had had a major "accident" in the livingroom! So, my first chore coming home was cleaning and scrubbing the carpet. I think I did a pretty good job. The "bad spot" looks better than the rest of the carpet now!

Then I had to gather the garbage and set it out for pickup. Skip once again "forgot" and tries to blame it on his schedule. I just don't accept that. He may throw his garbage away on a different schedule than most people, but he can still take it out to the curb before going to bed the same as anyone else. Then he tells me to leave him a reminder... so now its my job to remind him? Who reminds me? Me. Oh well, whatever....

I rested a bit... this is my "StarGate" night. I got a goblet of my "cooking wine" and watched most of one episode of SG-1 before hitting the kitchen again. The dishes were (of course) still dirty. I had to wash those (again). I had plans of working on some web sites concepts tonight, but it was about 9:00p before I got my supper cooking. While supper cooked I caught up on some email. Oh yes, I also got my old dehydrator out and sliced up a bunch of those habañeros and jalapeños, some mush rooms, some tomatoes and some onion. That took a chuck out of the evening too. Then I to on-line and ordered my meds, and I still need to pay some bills, but I did not get to that.

By the time I had gotten all the chores done, and my email and online business, plus eating supper, it was 3:30am!!!

Tuesday - September 30, 2003

7:46a - The alarm was a piecing noise from Hell this morning! I only got a few hours sleep. This is going to be a LONG day! I dread this. Tonight... straight to... well, the sofa for a nap until Skip gets up.

Kira had ANOTHER accident today! This time we figured out why she has had stomach problems. She pooped out an oven bag. Literally! She is getting into the trash. It was out of her reach in the pantry at the other place. I will have to put it out of her reach and/or get a can with a lid.

9:59p -I was a long day... I am so tired! Not much to write. I just made it through the day. Oh... it was cold and I did not take my jacket; and it rained. Fortunately I had my tiny "emergency" umbrella. Skip turned the heat on, but its TOO hot in here now. Gadz... I am SO tired....