1. It is warmish outside right now, but it looks like it could pour any minute. It was supposed to be nice today. I hope the weekend weather is nice. I have lots of outside work to do.
2. This weekend I also have the monthly chore of paying my bills. Not my favorite thing to do. I hate writing out checks and dealing with the register. This is what I get for not trusting on line bill paying.
3. The garden is in great shape with all of the rain we have been having. I can hardly wait to see the veggies starting to form on the stalks and vines. I can, however, wait to deal with the weeds.
4. I feel like a slacker for not having written any poems this week, but the inspiration just has not been there. My muse has been on spring break, I guess.
5. No work whatsoever in my department tonight so I am leaving at 7:00. I had all of my paper work done within an hour of getting here. Most of my people are leaving at 7:00 also, and the rest are working in other departments. It will be nice to get home early and before dark. I'm sure the dogs will be glad to see me.
6. Help! Bosco peed on the front of my guitar amplifier last night. It dried. Does anyone know what will take a pee stain out of tolex? Tolex is fake leather, in case you didn't know.
7. Everyone have a great weekend. I mean it.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Still
I'm still tired today. I didn't sleep that well last night. It was on and off. I did not take my sleeping pill last night. I had a doctor's appointment this morning and I did not want to sleep through it.
The appointment went okay. The results of the pill cam were nil. The procedure found nothing physically wrong with me: no tumors, lesions, cancer or internal bleeding of any kind. I'm thankful for that. I have to have more blood tests though, which I am not happy about. The doctor believes that one of the medications I take for my bipolar disorder is causing me to not produce blood properly. The new blood tests are to confirm that. For now I am on an iron supplement and that's the only change in anything. Maybe I'll start to feel less tired in general once this is all sorted out and my meds are fixed. I can only hope.
I am going through something right now that I want to talk about here but can't, in fact I feel like I can't talk to anyone about it, and it's driving me up the wall. The thing itself is killing me, and not being able to talk about it to anyone is killing me, too. I've never had this kind of problem before, and my inability to deal with it properly is part of the issue, for which I can blame no one but myself. It relates to my ex-wife putting me off on something, and that's all I can say about it. Is that cryptic and mysterious enough? I wish the solution would just drop into my lap, but I know that's not going to happen.
The appointment went okay. The results of the pill cam were nil. The procedure found nothing physically wrong with me: no tumors, lesions, cancer or internal bleeding of any kind. I'm thankful for that. I have to have more blood tests though, which I am not happy about. The doctor believes that one of the medications I take for my bipolar disorder is causing me to not produce blood properly. The new blood tests are to confirm that. For now I am on an iron supplement and that's the only change in anything. Maybe I'll start to feel less tired in general once this is all sorted out and my meds are fixed. I can only hope.
I am going through something right now that I want to talk about here but can't, in fact I feel like I can't talk to anyone about it, and it's driving me up the wall. The thing itself is killing me, and not being able to talk about it to anyone is killing me, too. I've never had this kind of problem before, and my inability to deal with it properly is part of the issue, for which I can blame no one but myself. It relates to my ex-wife putting me off on something, and that's all I can say about it. Is that cryptic and mysterious enough? I wish the solution would just drop into my lap, but I know that's not going to happen.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Random Flotsam
Music fans: In a current concert series, Weezer is the opening act for Blink 182. This is just plain wrong. It really should be the other way around, mainly because I (and many, many others) think that Blink 182 sucks. Is there no justice?
I'm tired. After getting to bed at 1:00 AM last night I got up this morning at 6:00 and went to get my blood test done. I went back to bed after I got home, but it just wasn't the same.
What the hell is wrong with Pyongyang? What possible good, reasonable reason could they have for wanting to crank up the cold war machine? I have a couple of questions for North Korea, like mainly, what do you plan on doing with the bomb, and why do you want the rest of the world pissed at you? Stupidity.
On Monday night, as soon as I finished shampooing the living room carpet, the shampooer broke down. Then I got out the floor fan to run in that room to help the carpet dry out. It ran for five minutes and broke down. I went to get the oscillating fan to use it instead and found that Bosco had chewed the plug off. What are the chances?
I don't have anything to eat in my house except some fish sticks, a half a box of Wheaties and a couple of cans of soup. I have to get to the grocery store soon.
Lonely is an empty corner.
I'm tired. After getting to bed at 1:00 AM last night I got up this morning at 6:00 and went to get my blood test done. I went back to bed after I got home, but it just wasn't the same.
What the hell is wrong with Pyongyang? What possible good, reasonable reason could they have for wanting to crank up the cold war machine? I have a couple of questions for North Korea, like mainly, what do you plan on doing with the bomb, and why do you want the rest of the world pissed at you? Stupidity.
On Monday night, as soon as I finished shampooing the living room carpet, the shampooer broke down. Then I got out the floor fan to run in that room to help the carpet dry out. It ran for five minutes and broke down. I went to get the oscillating fan to use it instead and found that Bosco had chewed the plug off. What are the chances?
I don't have anything to eat in my house except some fish sticks, a half a box of Wheaties and a couple of cans of soup. I have to get to the grocery store soon.
Lonely is an empty corner.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
It Was Fun But...
...I could have used just one more day. The weekend was a busy one for me. The thing that took the longest and the most effort was tilling my garden and getting everything planted. It took most of a day. I planted cherry and beefsteak tomatoes, bell peppers, egg plant, cucumbers, squash, and sweet potatoes.
I also cut my grass, cleaned my living room carpet, cleaned the house, trimmed a tree in my back yard, and worked on a couple of music projects. Saturday I talked to my brother and sister on the phone, and Saturday night I had a nice fire in my outdoor fireplace, which I enjoyed with a couple of beers. Sunday eveing I went to my son's apartment, and the kids and I ate Chinese take out and played video games. Monday I slept in late, and took a nice bike ride in the early evening.
The only thing I wanted to do and didn't was go fishing. The stripers are running in the Delaware and I want to try for some. You have to plan for that though. You can't just go at any time. You have to go when the tide is almost finished coming in. The river is tidal where I live because we are so close to the ocean. Maybe next weekend.
The weather was beautiful all weekend, but that's over now. It started raining last night and it is supposed to continue until Friday afternoon. This will be a busy week. I have to get a blood test done tomorrow, and I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday. I need to have another doctor's appointment on Friday, and on Saturday I have to take Cortez to the groomers. I also have to pay my bills over the weekend. Today is pay day.
The hair is starting to visibly grow back on my chest and stomach. It still itches, but not like it was a few days ago. I'm glad that I don't have to have any more tests like that. At least, not as far as I know.
Work is somewhat slow tonight. Half of my people are off in other departments, and the other half will be doing the same within the next hour, so most of the evening will be quiet for me. Maybe I'll get some writing done this evening.
Well, I'm off to read some blogs...
I also cut my grass, cleaned my living room carpet, cleaned the house, trimmed a tree in my back yard, and worked on a couple of music projects. Saturday I talked to my brother and sister on the phone, and Saturday night I had a nice fire in my outdoor fireplace, which I enjoyed with a couple of beers. Sunday eveing I went to my son's apartment, and the kids and I ate Chinese take out and played video games. Monday I slept in late, and took a nice bike ride in the early evening.
The only thing I wanted to do and didn't was go fishing. The stripers are running in the Delaware and I want to try for some. You have to plan for that though. You can't just go at any time. You have to go when the tide is almost finished coming in. The river is tidal where I live because we are so close to the ocean. Maybe next weekend.
The weather was beautiful all weekend, but that's over now. It started raining last night and it is supposed to continue until Friday afternoon. This will be a busy week. I have to get a blood test done tomorrow, and I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday. I need to have another doctor's appointment on Friday, and on Saturday I have to take Cortez to the groomers. I also have to pay my bills over the weekend. Today is pay day.
The hair is starting to visibly grow back on my chest and stomach. It still itches, but not like it was a few days ago. I'm glad that I don't have to have any more tests like that. At least, not as far as I know.
Work is somewhat slow tonight. Half of my people are off in other departments, and the other half will be doing the same within the next hour, so most of the evening will be quiet for me. Maybe I'll get some writing done this evening.
Well, I'm off to read some blogs...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday By The Numbers
1. Well Friday is finally here, and that makes me happy. It's been a long week. Good riddance.
2. About last night's delima, I took the sleeping pill. I woke up this morning at 11:00. I did not get done what I wanted to get done. Grrr.
3. The big house behing mine has been for sale for a couple of months now and I finally saw someone looking at it this morning. I just wish the real estate company would cut the 2' long grass. It makes the whole neighborhood look like crap.
4. The weather is beautiful today: warm, sunny, a slight breeze. It sure made it hard to come in here to work. On the up side, this is a furlough day for the front offices, so I got a nice close parking spot this afternoon.
5. Work is kind of, sort of, but not quite busy this evening. It's better than it being dead slow. I'll take it, I guess.
6. Today I put on this white shirt that has a pleated front. Everyone keeps asking me if I'm going to a wedding. I never thought it looked like a tux shirt, but I guess it kind of does now that I think about it.
7. I'm feeling sleepy sitting here at my desk. I need to get up and walk a round a bit.
8. Everyone have a really super Memorial Day weekend. Don't forget what the holiday is about.
2. About last night's delima, I took the sleeping pill. I woke up this morning at 11:00. I did not get done what I wanted to get done. Grrr.
3. The big house behing mine has been for sale for a couple of months now and I finally saw someone looking at it this morning. I just wish the real estate company would cut the 2' long grass. It makes the whole neighborhood look like crap.
4. The weather is beautiful today: warm, sunny, a slight breeze. It sure made it hard to come in here to work. On the up side, this is a furlough day for the front offices, so I got a nice close parking spot this afternoon.
5. Work is kind of, sort of, but not quite busy this evening. It's better than it being dead slow. I'll take it, I guess.
6. Today I put on this white shirt that has a pleated front. Everyone keeps asking me if I'm going to a wedding. I never thought it looked like a tux shirt, but I guess it kind of does now that I think about it.
7. I'm feeling sleepy sitting here at my desk. I need to get up and walk a round a bit.
8. Everyone have a really super Memorial Day weekend. Don't forget what the holiday is about.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Delima, Fire, Email and The Morning Paper
I want to get up tomorrow early and do some things, so I don't want to take a sleeping pill tonight. However, I dont want to have another night like I had last night, in which I spent half of it awake, tossing and turning. I'm not sure what I will do about this. If I take the pill, I know from experience that I'll probably sleep until 11:00 or 12:00. Decisions, decisions.
I got a nice email from my half-sister in South Carolina this evening. She told me that she is getting married this weekend. This is so sudden, but I am very happy for her. She deserves a good man.The last one was such a lying, cheating scumbag.
I also got a nice email from my mother. She was thinking of me because she looked out the kitchen window and my dad was out at the fire ring burning some brush and was leaning on his rake, staring into the fire. She knows how much I love a good bon fire. She wished I was there right then, so she wrote. Aren't mothers great?
Setting up my tent in the back yard to dry it out this morning had me thinking about an old ritual of mine and my brother's. When Columbus had a morning paper, The Citizen's Journal to be exact, he was a paper boy. He was about eleven and I was fourteen. In the summer on Friday nights we would sleep out in the family tent in the back yard, and at 4:00 AM I would go to deliver papers with him. We rode all over our small, one traffic light farm town on our bikes. We had the run of the place. We were the only ones up in the whole town except for the baker, who gave us free donuts, and the mortician, who scared the hell out of us when he would come to the door to retrieve the paper. Who knows why he was up at that hour, fully dressed in a three-piece suit, you know? Creepy.
After delivering the papers we would go back to the tent, eat donuts and read the paper by flashlight. Not the whole paper- just the copmics and the almanac. We would have discussions about the almanac- what planets were in the night sky, the big historical events, how many days were left in the calendar year, how many days until harvest. We would do this until dawn would creep in, at which point we would nestle back into our sleeping bags and snooze until about 9:00 AM. Ah, good times...
Everyone have a great evening. Remember when...
I got a nice email from my half-sister in South Carolina this evening. She told me that she is getting married this weekend. This is so sudden, but I am very happy for her. She deserves a good man.The last one was such a lying, cheating scumbag.
I also got a nice email from my mother. She was thinking of me because she looked out the kitchen window and my dad was out at the fire ring burning some brush and was leaning on his rake, staring into the fire. She knows how much I love a good bon fire. She wished I was there right then, so she wrote. Aren't mothers great?
Setting up my tent in the back yard to dry it out this morning had me thinking about an old ritual of mine and my brother's. When Columbus had a morning paper, The Citizen's Journal to be exact, he was a paper boy. He was about eleven and I was fourteen. In the summer on Friday nights we would sleep out in the family tent in the back yard, and at 4:00 AM I would go to deliver papers with him. We rode all over our small, one traffic light farm town on our bikes. We had the run of the place. We were the only ones up in the whole town except for the baker, who gave us free donuts, and the mortician, who scared the hell out of us when he would come to the door to retrieve the paper. Who knows why he was up at that hour, fully dressed in a three-piece suit, you know? Creepy.
After delivering the papers we would go back to the tent, eat donuts and read the paper by flashlight. Not the whole paper- just the copmics and the almanac. We would have discussions about the almanac- what planets were in the night sky, the big historical events, how many days were left in the calendar year, how many days until harvest. We would do this until dawn would creep in, at which point we would nestle back into our sleeping bags and snooze until about 9:00 AM. Ah, good times...
Everyone have a great evening. Remember when...
Almost
I'm glad that the week is almost over. I've pretty much decided that this weekend will be a working weekend around the house. I will till and plant my vegetable garden, retill the front herb garden and replant. I will recaulk the tub and shampoo the living room carpet. I will do some weeding and run the weed whacker over the whole perimiter of the yard. I will also spend Saturday evening sitting on the back patio, listening to music, drinking some beers and enjoying a small fire in the outdoor fire place.
I didn't sleep all that well last night. I didn't not take a sleeping pill because I wanted to get up early and get a few things done. I got up about 9:30 this morning and caught up on a few chores and errands. I picked up some paperwork at the doctor's office. I went to the post office. Now that it is warm and not too breezy I set up the tent and set out the tarps in the back yard so that they can dry out from the camping trip. I will clean them either tomorrow morning or on Saturday. I also cut the front lawn. The back didn't need it yet.
I also spent some time practicing the guitar late this morning. I have a little project going. I have pulled a bunch of old forgotten songs I wrote in the 90s from off of the old four-track recorder and dumped them into the computer. I am relearning them and will re-record them digitally with new vocals and instrumentation. This is something I am just doing for myself for fun. I have about a dozen songs to work on, and I managed to relearn three of them this morning. That's progress.
It now looks like tomorrow night will not be a slow one at work, which makes me happy. I want the night to go by quickly.
Well, I'm off to read some blogs. More later...
I didn't sleep all that well last night. I didn't not take a sleeping pill because I wanted to get up early and get a few things done. I got up about 9:30 this morning and caught up on a few chores and errands. I picked up some paperwork at the doctor's office. I went to the post office. Now that it is warm and not too breezy I set up the tent and set out the tarps in the back yard so that they can dry out from the camping trip. I will clean them either tomorrow morning or on Saturday. I also cut the front lawn. The back didn't need it yet.
I also spent some time practicing the guitar late this morning. I have a little project going. I have pulled a bunch of old forgotten songs I wrote in the 90s from off of the old four-track recorder and dumped them into the computer. I am relearning them and will re-record them digitally with new vocals and instrumentation. This is something I am just doing for myself for fun. I have about a dozen songs to work on, and I managed to relearn three of them this morning. That's progress.
It now looks like tomorrow night will not be a slow one at work, which makes me happy. I want the night to go by quickly.
Well, I'm off to read some blogs. More later...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Catching Up A Bit
So yesterday was my "pill cam" test. It went alright as for as far as I know. I'm not sure when I will get the results. I still have to have a couple more blood tests. I still seriously doubt that I have internal bleeding anywhere. None of the other tests have turned up anything like that. I still think it's just a matter of me having iron poor blood. Line me up for the cod liver oil or whatever.
I have to say that there is one thing I feel stupid about, and that's the shaving I had to do for my test. Monday night I sat in a tub of hot water. I got myself all wet and rubbed shaving cream all over my chest, stomach and lower. Then I went to work, and it was work. It took forever to get done. Finally I got everything shaved except for my very upper chest, which I couldn't see just looking down. I would need the bathroom mirror for that. I don't know why exactly, but after the bath I dried off and took the razor to my upper chest dry, using the mirror for guidance. The hair came off so quick, I couldn't believe it. I wish I had known about this!
I received in the mail yesterday a batch of poems from my nephew in Los Angeles. He suffers from what I would call a severe case of depression, in that it has incapacitated him in terms of leading a normal life. And he has had a hard life- his father killed in a drive-by gang shooting when he was just 13, having a step-father that he doesn not get along with, a battle with drug addiction. The poems are confessional and stark. There are a number of references to him feeling useless and unloved. There are a number of references to his wishing he was dead, and wanting to end it all. Of course this disturbs and concerns me quite a bit. And I understand how he feels. I have been there in the past. I wrote him a long letter back, and plan to write to him more. I encouraged him to keep putting his feelings and thoughts into poetry, and to keep writing to me. I don't know that there is anything else I can do for him except to be there for him to communicate with when he feels the need.
I'm glad that today is hump day. The upcoming three day weekend is appreciated. I'm not looking forward to Friday, though. According to the work forecasts it will be very slow in my department on Friday, so the time will drag. We all know how I hate a slow night at work. I have no real plans for the weekend except for the usual dinner with the kids on Sunday night. And on Saturday I'm going with the ex to finally end the family phone plan. We will have separate plans from now on. I think it's a mistake because it will end up costing us both more. I guess I'll find out for sure. I also have to find out about getting internet service at home again, since the wireless was Billy's and he's gone now. I hope I can afford the cable DSL service.
Well, that's all for now. everyone have a nice evening...
I have to say that there is one thing I feel stupid about, and that's the shaving I had to do for my test. Monday night I sat in a tub of hot water. I got myself all wet and rubbed shaving cream all over my chest, stomach and lower. Then I went to work, and it was work. It took forever to get done. Finally I got everything shaved except for my very upper chest, which I couldn't see just looking down. I would need the bathroom mirror for that. I don't know why exactly, but after the bath I dried off and took the razor to my upper chest dry, using the mirror for guidance. The hair came off so quick, I couldn't believe it. I wish I had known about this!
I received in the mail yesterday a batch of poems from my nephew in Los Angeles. He suffers from what I would call a severe case of depression, in that it has incapacitated him in terms of leading a normal life. And he has had a hard life- his father killed in a drive-by gang shooting when he was just 13, having a step-father that he doesn not get along with, a battle with drug addiction. The poems are confessional and stark. There are a number of references to him feeling useless and unloved. There are a number of references to his wishing he was dead, and wanting to end it all. Of course this disturbs and concerns me quite a bit. And I understand how he feels. I have been there in the past. I wrote him a long letter back, and plan to write to him more. I encouraged him to keep putting his feelings and thoughts into poetry, and to keep writing to me. I don't know that there is anything else I can do for him except to be there for him to communicate with when he feels the need.
I'm glad that today is hump day. The upcoming three day weekend is appreciated. I'm not looking forward to Friday, though. According to the work forecasts it will be very slow in my department on Friday, so the time will drag. We all know how I hate a slow night at work. I have no real plans for the weekend except for the usual dinner with the kids on Sunday night. And on Saturday I'm going with the ex to finally end the family phone plan. We will have separate plans from now on. I think it's a mistake because it will end up costing us both more. I guess I'll find out for sure. I also have to find out about getting internet service at home again, since the wireless was Billy's and he's gone now. I hope I can afford the cable DSL service.
Well, that's all for now. everyone have a nice evening...
Monday, May 18, 2009
Eat Something
I'm still starving, only worse now. Tonight I have had several cups of coffee, a Coke Zero and the broth from three ramen cups. It's just not enough. I purposely had a big lunch to try to tide me over. It really didn't work. And I'm not allowed to eat anything until lunch time tomorrow, and even then only something light. I am craving a big burger and fries in the worst way. Once the test is over tomorrow I'm going to gorge myself silly, I swear.
Everyone have a great rest of the evening. Eat something for me...
Everyone have a great rest of the evening. Eat something for me...
All The News
I have a lot to talk about today, but will do my best to not make this a real long post.
First of all with the exception of having to pack up in the rain on Sunday morning, the camping trip was great. Thanks to my new camera, I will have photos to post of the trip in a day or two. About nine of us ended up in attendance and we had a really good time. They had a birthday cake for me on Saturday night. Cool.
On Sunday, after unpacking my camping equiment and cleaning up the house a bit, I went shopping with my birthday money. First I went to Target and bought camera accessories- a 2GB memory card, carrying case, tripod and cleaning kit. Then I went to Home Depot and bought hanging flower baskets for my back yard. Then I finsihed off at Kohls, where I bought a new pair of slacks and a casual shirt.
Later on was the poetry group meeting. It was a good meeting. I received the first supply of my new book, Big Time, and I was very pleased with the results. Maverick Duck Press did a great job with it. The group also had a birthday cake for me. I have a fair amount of sugar free cake at home right now.
The only bad thing about the weekend was that I took a little nap on Sunday afternoon before the poertry group meeting, during which I had a startlingly vivid nightmare. I dreamed that my first ex- wife came to Jersey, found me, and shot me to death- right in the forehead. It seemed so real, it was awful.
Tomorrow is my "pill cam" test at the hospital in Camden. It's so much fun. Liquid diet all day today. I'm so starving right now. I won't be allowed to eat anything until lunch time tomorrow. Tonight I have to completely shave my chest, stomach and abdomen so that they can attach the electronic patches to my skin for the data recording device. I will be so nervous shaving around my nipples. I'm so afraid of getting cut right there for some reason. I hate to think what this will cost me. My portion of the last tests I had is costing me $300 out of pocket. I just have a feeling like this will be more. It seems like such a high tech procedure.
Well, back to work for now. More later...
First of all with the exception of having to pack up in the rain on Sunday morning, the camping trip was great. Thanks to my new camera, I will have photos to post of the trip in a day or two. About nine of us ended up in attendance and we had a really good time. They had a birthday cake for me on Saturday night. Cool.
On Sunday, after unpacking my camping equiment and cleaning up the house a bit, I went shopping with my birthday money. First I went to Target and bought camera accessories- a 2GB memory card, carrying case, tripod and cleaning kit. Then I went to Home Depot and bought hanging flower baskets for my back yard. Then I finsihed off at Kohls, where I bought a new pair of slacks and a casual shirt.
Later on was the poetry group meeting. It was a good meeting. I received the first supply of my new book, Big Time, and I was very pleased with the results. Maverick Duck Press did a great job with it. The group also had a birthday cake for me. I have a fair amount of sugar free cake at home right now.
The only bad thing about the weekend was that I took a little nap on Sunday afternoon before the poertry group meeting, during which I had a startlingly vivid nightmare. I dreamed that my first ex- wife came to Jersey, found me, and shot me to death- right in the forehead. It seemed so real, it was awful.
Tomorrow is my "pill cam" test at the hospital in Camden. It's so much fun. Liquid diet all day today. I'm so starving right now. I won't be allowed to eat anything until lunch time tomorrow. Tonight I have to completely shave my chest, stomach and abdomen so that they can attach the electronic patches to my skin for the data recording device. I will be so nervous shaving around my nipples. I'm so afraid of getting cut right there for some reason. I hate to think what this will cost me. My portion of the last tests I had is costing me $300 out of pocket. I just have a feeling like this will be more. It seems like such a high tech procedure.
Well, back to work for now. More later...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Yay Camping!
I've been so preoccupied tonight with the camping trip. I know that Rachel packed her car up tonight, and I'm so keyed up right now I'll probably go home and do the same rather than going to bed. Hell, I know I won't be able to sleep. I just can't wait. I'm so like a little kid about this...
BDay Recap
First of all, a huge load of thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday yesterday on here, in email and on Facebook. It was literally dozens of people. Second, I have to say that I was very freaked out that one of said people on Facebook was my first ex-wife, whom I have not heard boo from in probably fifteen years. It was spooky. I won't go into the story now, but she waschronically physically, mentally and verbally abusive to me, which is why I left her.
Anyway, I started the day by getting up at 6:00 to get my blood test. I got there at 6:45 and was very surprised to be out of there in a half hour, especially given the number of people in the waiting room when I got there. I was so happy about that that I promptly went fishing. For four and a half hours. I caught two very nice rainbow trout that are now in my freezer, awaiting the frying pan. A third got way from me at the dock.
After that I had lunch at Checkers and went to the store to buy the goods for the camping trip. I had the hardest time finding vienna sausages for some reason. I never thought to look by the canned chili. Silly me. Then I took my car in for service. For the hour and a half that I was there in the dealership waiting room I read a David Sedaris book and watched a surprisingly explicit movie about two lesbians in a high school level boarding school. There was explicit language, full frontal nudity and sexually explicit scenes. Being a typical guy in some respects, this of course made me happy. Heh.
After the car business I went home and showered and got ready for dinner with the family. We ate at the Macaroni Grill. They screwed up and didn't assign us a server right at first, so the mananger gave us free appetizers, gave us each a coupon for $5 off an entree at our next visit, and gave us free post-meal coffees. It was great. Everyone chipped in and got me a new Canon digital camera, which I am extremely happy with.
I went to bed a couple of hours after I got home, but found myself wide awake with the RLS raging in my legs at 1:30. What could I do? I got up and packed all my camping gear up and went through my check list several times, that's what I did. I'm ready now. I just have to load the car. That took me until about 3:30 AM. I then went back to bed, and luckily fell asleep. I got up this morning at 11:30 feeling pretty good.
Now I just have to get through the work night, which is already going smoothly. The visit by our director was nothing. No bad news was issued. He was just there to introduce our new manager, and answer questions.
Well, it's almost 8:00 PM- dinner time for me. More later...
Anyway, I started the day by getting up at 6:00 to get my blood test. I got there at 6:45 and was very surprised to be out of there in a half hour, especially given the number of people in the waiting room when I got there. I was so happy about that that I promptly went fishing. For four and a half hours. I caught two very nice rainbow trout that are now in my freezer, awaiting the frying pan. A third got way from me at the dock.
After that I had lunch at Checkers and went to the store to buy the goods for the camping trip. I had the hardest time finding vienna sausages for some reason. I never thought to look by the canned chili. Silly me. Then I took my car in for service. For the hour and a half that I was there in the dealership waiting room I read a David Sedaris book and watched a surprisingly explicit movie about two lesbians in a high school level boarding school. There was explicit language, full frontal nudity and sexually explicit scenes. Being a typical guy in some respects, this of course made me happy. Heh.
After the car business I went home and showered and got ready for dinner with the family. We ate at the Macaroni Grill. They screwed up and didn't assign us a server right at first, so the mananger gave us free appetizers, gave us each a coupon for $5 off an entree at our next visit, and gave us free post-meal coffees. It was great. Everyone chipped in and got me a new Canon digital camera, which I am extremely happy with.
I went to bed a couple of hours after I got home, but found myself wide awake with the RLS raging in my legs at 1:30. What could I do? I got up and packed all my camping gear up and went through my check list several times, that's what I did. I'm ready now. I just have to load the car. That took me until about 3:30 AM. I then went back to bed, and luckily fell asleep. I got up this morning at 11:30 feeling pretty good.
Now I just have to get through the work night, which is already going smoothly. The visit by our director was nothing. No bad news was issued. He was just there to introduce our new manager, and answer questions.
Well, it's almost 8:00 PM- dinner time for me. More later...
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Pondering
Something in Bobby's post today got my brain whirring. He said something about still feeling like he's seventeen years old. I had always felt like I was still seventeen inside. It was great to be that way. Then I hit fifty and something sort of changed. I don't exactly know what it is. Maybe more focused thoughts of impending mortality. Maybe it is my recent decline in health. Maybe it is the small pot I have developed just above the waist line. Maybe it's seeing my parents and siblings aging. Maybe the realiziation of how much time has really passed has put the whammy on me. Maybe it's a combination of all these things and others that I just haven't sorted yet.
In a way, I want to still feel that young inside. I want to feel that carefree, which I know will not happen. I want to have that many wild times, which I am too responsible for now. I want to have that many close friends, which I don't. The old adage is that you are only as old as you feel. I belive that, but only to point, as it only seems to work for me to a certain point now. My doctor, who is in his early sixties tells me I am still a young man. I know that's bullshit. I'm fifty. Fifty one tomorrow, to be exact. I know that I have spent more days than what I have left.
On the other hand, I'm happy, or at least content almost every day. I've learned to be content with what my life is and what life has handed me. I've beaten my bipolar disorder and my inner demons to a pulp, which I am proud of. I have my medical issues under control. I'm finding that I can do with less than I thought I could. I've learned to deal with my career not going as far as I wanted it to go. I'm slowly learning to live without my wife, without a wife. I know that I don't look as old as fifty. And honestly, when I look in the mirror I like who I see.
I've never discussed this with someone my own age. Perhaps I should just to get someone else's perspective on it. I don't know.
Anyway, I'm glad for Bobby that he feels like he does. He's a great guy, and I hope he always feels that way. I wish him nothing but the best. As for me, I believe I've kind of settled into fifty in a way, and I think I'm alright with it.
In a way, I want to still feel that young inside. I want to feel that carefree, which I know will not happen. I want to have that many wild times, which I am too responsible for now. I want to have that many close friends, which I don't. The old adage is that you are only as old as you feel. I belive that, but only to point, as it only seems to work for me to a certain point now. My doctor, who is in his early sixties tells me I am still a young man. I know that's bullshit. I'm fifty. Fifty one tomorrow, to be exact. I know that I have spent more days than what I have left.
On the other hand, I'm happy, or at least content almost every day. I've learned to be content with what my life is and what life has handed me. I've beaten my bipolar disorder and my inner demons to a pulp, which I am proud of. I have my medical issues under control. I'm finding that I can do with less than I thought I could. I've learned to deal with my career not going as far as I wanted it to go. I'm slowly learning to live without my wife, without a wife. I know that I don't look as old as fifty. And honestly, when I look in the mirror I like who I see.
I've never discussed this with someone my own age. Perhaps I should just to get someone else's perspective on it. I don't know.
Anyway, I'm glad for Bobby that he feels like he does. He's a great guy, and I hope he always feels that way. I wish him nothing but the best. As for me, I believe I've kind of settled into fifty in a way, and I think I'm alright with it.
Misc. Bits And Pieces
I so did not want to get off the bed this morning. I did not sleep that well for the majority of the night, in spite of taking a sleeping pill. I don't know why they work some nights and not others. It was one of those nights when I didn't fall asleep until around 4:00 AM and woke up around 10:00 AM. I feel like a broken record continuing to talk about my ongoing sleep issues.
I woke up with some kind of bites on me this morning. I haven't actually seen any mosquitos yet, but these are suspiciously like mosquito bites. There is a small hole in the bathroom window screen. Maybe that's the culprit. I have been leaving that window open at night.
My brother sent me a message wishing me a happy birthday today. He thinks it's today. I won't tell him any different. He does seem to get a bit mixed up at times.
I was so bored at work last night with nothing to do. I made up my camping check list, shopping list and menu. Then I left early, about 9:30. When I got home I figured out how to change batteries in my new lantern, figured out how to set up and take down my new camp table, and scoured my camp stove really well. It was good I did it since I really didn't have time to deal with those things this morning.
Have you ever heard that Bon Jovi song Who Says You can't Go Home? I can't stand that song, and now the radio station that is on the work PA system keeps playing this country and western version of it by I don't know who, and it is just awful- torture to my ears. Like the King Missle song says, I am a sensitive artist. Heh.
I'm really glad that Xanadu has decided to stick around. I hate losing people, hate to see them leave, as it were. It's enough for me that Billy is heading out this weekend, but I know he's got to do what he's got to do. Man, the house is going to be quiet...
I woke up with some kind of bites on me this morning. I haven't actually seen any mosquitos yet, but these are suspiciously like mosquito bites. There is a small hole in the bathroom window screen. Maybe that's the culprit. I have been leaving that window open at night.
My brother sent me a message wishing me a happy birthday today. He thinks it's today. I won't tell him any different. He does seem to get a bit mixed up at times.
I was so bored at work last night with nothing to do. I made up my camping check list, shopping list and menu. Then I left early, about 9:30. When I got home I figured out how to change batteries in my new lantern, figured out how to set up and take down my new camp table, and scoured my camp stove really well. It was good I did it since I really didn't have time to deal with those things this morning.
Have you ever heard that Bon Jovi song Who Says You can't Go Home? I can't stand that song, and now the radio station that is on the work PA system keeps playing this country and western version of it by I don't know who, and it is just awful- torture to my ears. Like the King Missle song says, I am a sensitive artist. Heh.
I'm really glad that Xanadu has decided to stick around. I hate losing people, hate to see them leave, as it were. It's enough for me that Billy is heading out this weekend, but I know he's got to do what he's got to do. Man, the house is going to be quiet...
Monday, May 11, 2009
I Can't Stop...
...thinking about this coming weekend. I am just so preoccupied right now. I love camping and I can't wait to go. Last night's weather report said drizzle on Friday and posible rain on Saturday, but I don't care. I've camped in downpours and wicked thunderstorms before, so a little wet doesn't bother me. I went out Saturday and bought a new camp table, a new lantern, and get this- 100 feet of camouflage rope. Camouflage rope. How cool is that? Tomorrow I have to scour the camp stove. It needs a better cleaning. I also have to plan my camp menu and go to the store for the food. There will be lots of hotdogs, beans, bacon, macaroni & cheese, apples, raw carrots, vienna sausages, beef jerkey and granola bars.
The weekend was okay. Nothing to write a book about. Saturday's highlights were the shopping, getting out my lawn furniture, fixing chicken dinner for Billy and I, and spending the evening watching music videos on Youtube. I got no sleep in Saturday night thanks to my RLS. Sunday I cut the grass. It was very windy all day, and somewhat cool. The highlight was Mother's Day dinner with the ex and the kids. My daughter picked the restaurant, as usual, so it was fancy and expensive, as usual. Put out wine goblets, cloth napkins and fresh flowers on the table and I'm just not that comfortable. The food was really good though. I had two huge lump crab cakes and some kind of southwest flavored corn paste dish.
It's going to be a busy week. Work today and tomorrow. Off on Wednesday during which I'll get my blood test, get my car serviced, and have my birthday dinner with the kids. Thursday our division director is in with our new manager and there will be group meetings to deal with. Thursday, more work, and on Friday, I hit the road for camping and Billy hits the road for Florida.
It's going to be a boring evening. No work in my department, so all of my employees are off in other departments working, and I'm left alone at my desk for the night with little to do.
Well, I'm off to read blogs. More later...
The weekend was okay. Nothing to write a book about. Saturday's highlights were the shopping, getting out my lawn furniture, fixing chicken dinner for Billy and I, and spending the evening watching music videos on Youtube. I got no sleep in Saturday night thanks to my RLS. Sunday I cut the grass. It was very windy all day, and somewhat cool. The highlight was Mother's Day dinner with the ex and the kids. My daughter picked the restaurant, as usual, so it was fancy and expensive, as usual. Put out wine goblets, cloth napkins and fresh flowers on the table and I'm just not that comfortable. The food was really good though. I had two huge lump crab cakes and some kind of southwest flavored corn paste dish.
It's going to be a busy week. Work today and tomorrow. Off on Wednesday during which I'll get my blood test, get my car serviced, and have my birthday dinner with the kids. Thursday our division director is in with our new manager and there will be group meetings to deal with. Thursday, more work, and on Friday, I hit the road for camping and Billy hits the road for Florida.
It's going to be a boring evening. No work in my department, so all of my employees are off in other departments working, and I'm left alone at my desk for the night with little to do.
Well, I'm off to read blogs. More later...
Friday, May 8, 2009
FBTN, Continued...
6. I was going through some medical paperwork and found an unfamiliar brochure about diverticulosis. Then I thought back long and hard to the day of my endoscopy/colonoscopy. I vaguely remember, while I was still sedated and pretty out of it, the doctor telling me something about me having a mild case of this. So now I'm thinking, what next? Osteoporosis? Arthritis? When will I stop collecting illnesses? Luckily, according to the brochure, all I have to do for this is eat more fiber. I'm glad it doesn't involve another pill.
7. I've taken to writing some semi-erotic to erotic poetry lately. I don't know why exactly. No, I won't post any here. It's only for a very, very select few to see.
8. Speaking of poetry, my poetry website, Watershed, is newly updated. Please feel free to stop by and have a look around: www.geocities.com/filthydm.
9. I have off work this coming Wednesday. It is my furlough day for May. It's also my 51st birthday. How do I plan on spending the day? Getting a blood test and getting my car serviced. I know, I know- thrilling stuff. Maybe I'll get Billy to go out for seafood for dinner with me.
10. I also have this coming Friday off for the big camping trip in the Pine Barrens. I can hardly wait to get there, and to hang out with my friends. I've been looking very forward to this. I still don't have arrangements made for the dogs yet. I don't know exactly what day Billy is leaving on, and that makes a difference.
11. Everyone have a great, great weekend...
7. I've taken to writing some semi-erotic to erotic poetry lately. I don't know why exactly. No, I won't post any here. It's only for a very, very select few to see.
8. Speaking of poetry, my poetry website, Watershed, is newly updated. Please feel free to stop by and have a look around: www.geocities.com/filthydm.
9. I have off work this coming Wednesday. It is my furlough day for May. It's also my 51st birthday. How do I plan on spending the day? Getting a blood test and getting my car serviced. I know, I know- thrilling stuff. Maybe I'll get Billy to go out for seafood for dinner with me.
10. I also have this coming Friday off for the big camping trip in the Pine Barrens. I can hardly wait to get there, and to hang out with my friends. I've been looking very forward to this. I still don't have arrangements made for the dogs yet. I don't know exactly what day Billy is leaving on, and that makes a difference.
11. Everyone have a great, great weekend...
Friday By The Numbers
1. TGIFF
2. Don't you just hate it when you tell someone something that is a proveable fact and they don't believe you, so they go to someone else with it? I do, very much. Grrr.
3. I woke up at 6:30 AM this morning and could not fall back to sleep, so I got up and headed to the lake. I fished for three and a half hours. I caught nothing. I saw turtles swimming by. I saw two eagles, one carrying a fish in it's talons. It was quiet. I had the fishing dock to myself most of the time. The coffee was strong. It was a good morning.
4. I started cleaning house this morning, also. I don't want to spend the whole weekend doing it. I want to have some fun. I feel like I deserve it.
5. More later...
2. Don't you just hate it when you tell someone something that is a proveable fact and they don't believe you, so they go to someone else with it? I do, very much. Grrr.
3. I woke up at 6:30 AM this morning and could not fall back to sleep, so I got up and headed to the lake. I fished for three and a half hours. I caught nothing. I saw turtles swimming by. I saw two eagles, one carrying a fish in it's talons. It was quiet. I had the fishing dock to myself most of the time. The coffee was strong. It was a good morning.
4. I started cleaning house this morning, also. I don't want to spend the whole weekend doing it. I want to have some fun. I feel like I deserve it.
5. More later...
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Fog Zone
It is unbelieveably foggy outside right now. You can't even see half-way across the parking lot. Luckily I know my way home like the back of my hand. This fog somehow reminds me of a head shop that existed in Columbus, Ohio back in my college days. It was called The Fog Zone. It's radio spokesman, who did all the commercials, was called The Wild Man. The best head shop name I've ever heard was Bongs And Thongs.
So here's a new poem to wrap up the evening for you:
Thought Springs To Life
Cold skies keep the clouds
that hold my inner desires
like a wallet holds dollar bills,
and the rain drops come down-
bits of shredded, green linen
falling through the atmosphere
to land on the heads of those
who know me.
Desires come from wants
which come from needs, seeds
of flowers newly stuck into the
moist ground in the morning
of a warm day in the middle of May.
And the fresh cut grass bristles
green at the thought of my dreams,
hung on the edges of the clouds.
Lead me to fields of new dandelions,
butter yellow heads bowed to hear
the sound of the wind in the pine
trees as they whisper the thoughts
I cannot, dare not speak aloud. Take
me to the side of a stream that runs
cold and quick over rounded stones
as the minnows play, little whimsies all.
Strum the branches of the willow tree
like living banjo strings and sing my song
to the valley from the top of the hill
where my footprints lead west down
the side to follow the tendrils of the sun
as it sweeps across its kingdom, the
burning sovereign it has always been
and always will be.
Everyone have a nice evening.
So here's a new poem to wrap up the evening for you:
Thought Springs To Life
Cold skies keep the clouds
that hold my inner desires
like a wallet holds dollar bills,
and the rain drops come down-
bits of shredded, green linen
falling through the atmosphere
to land on the heads of those
who know me.
Desires come from wants
which come from needs, seeds
of flowers newly stuck into the
moist ground in the morning
of a warm day in the middle of May.
And the fresh cut grass bristles
green at the thought of my dreams,
hung on the edges of the clouds.
Lead me to fields of new dandelions,
butter yellow heads bowed to hear
the sound of the wind in the pine
trees as they whisper the thoughts
I cannot, dare not speak aloud. Take
me to the side of a stream that runs
cold and quick over rounded stones
as the minnows play, little whimsies all.
Strum the branches of the willow tree
like living banjo strings and sing my song
to the valley from the top of the hill
where my footprints lead west down
the side to follow the tendrils of the sun
as it sweeps across its kingdom, the
burning sovereign it has always been
and always will be.
Everyone have a nice evening.
More rain again today, unfortunately. Thunderstorms this time. I actually like thunderstorms, but I am tired of the rain. This make nine days of it in a row, and we are supposed to have a couple more. This is April weather. I guess nature doesn't follow the calendar.
I can't believe how dirty my house has gotten this week. I just cleaned on what, Saturday? Yeah, Saturday. It's mainly the floors. The dogs have tracked in a lot of dead grass on the carpets and the kitchen floor. This weekend I absolutely have to shampoo the livingroom carpet. After I do this time, no more rawhide treats for the dogs in the living room. The flavor coating on them gets onto the carpet.
My mother sent me an email asking about my vacation in August. With everything else that is going on in my life right now I keep forgetting to schedule it. I also don't know what I will do about the dogs. Having a family member watch them for that long is out of the question. So is a kennel, which I would hate to do. And I checked that option out and the price tag would be over $700. Not going to happen. I told my mother this, hoping that she gets the point that I need to bring the dogs with me. Anyway, that's a long way off. Hell, with Billy's nomadic ways, he could be back in Jersey by August and looking for a place to stay.
I got a pages long survey in the mail from the census bureau that I am required to complete. Did anyone else get one of these? It pissed me off because the answers to all of the questions they asked in the survey they could have gotten from within the government. All of the information the census bureau asked for they could have gotten off my 2008 tax paperwork, from the DMV and the social security office. I think they just didn't want to pay someone to compile the information, so they pawned it off on the citizens. I know this trick. Our corporate office at work pulls this all the time- one department asking for data they already have at corporate and could get from a different department or even from within their own. Like I have nothing better to do. Shitty. Just shitty. Boo to the census bureau!
More later...
I can't believe how dirty my house has gotten this week. I just cleaned on what, Saturday? Yeah, Saturday. It's mainly the floors. The dogs have tracked in a lot of dead grass on the carpets and the kitchen floor. This weekend I absolutely have to shampoo the livingroom carpet. After I do this time, no more rawhide treats for the dogs in the living room. The flavor coating on them gets onto the carpet.
My mother sent me an email asking about my vacation in August. With everything else that is going on in my life right now I keep forgetting to schedule it. I also don't know what I will do about the dogs. Having a family member watch them for that long is out of the question. So is a kennel, which I would hate to do. And I checked that option out and the price tag would be over $700. Not going to happen. I told my mother this, hoping that she gets the point that I need to bring the dogs with me. Anyway, that's a long way off. Hell, with Billy's nomadic ways, he could be back in Jersey by August and looking for a place to stay.
I got a pages long survey in the mail from the census bureau that I am required to complete. Did anyone else get one of these? It pissed me off because the answers to all of the questions they asked in the survey they could have gotten from within the government. All of the information the census bureau asked for they could have gotten off my 2008 tax paperwork, from the DMV and the social security office. I think they just didn't want to pay someone to compile the information, so they pawned it off on the citizens. I know this trick. Our corporate office at work pulls this all the time- one department asking for data they already have at corporate and could get from a different department or even from within their own. Like I have nothing better to do. Shitty. Just shitty. Boo to the census bureau!
More later...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Wednesday Report
Yay for Hump Day! I'm glad we are getting near the end of the week. I hope the weather turns out to be nice. I want to get the bike out and ride.
It stopped raining today for a while so I was able to get my front lawn cut. I felt fatigued when I got up this morning, so cutting the grass felt like a real chore. It is raining again prettty hard right now. We are all going to get washed away soon.
I got an email message from the new old boss this evening, and he is wound up about our performance and so on here already. He will be like an over-tightened mainspring before he even gets here. I don't have any word yet on when that will be. He said in his email that he has slowed down a bit. I highly doubt it, especially from the tone of the rest of his message. Oh, boy.
I had canned ravioli and meatballs for dinner, plus a banana, and it is giving me heart burn. I'm sure it's not the banana doing it.
Well, next weekend is the big camping trip in the Pine Barrens. I'm excited about it but there is one wrench: Billy says he is leaving for Florida some time that weekend. I will have to make some arrangements with family members to get the dogs taken care of while I'm away. I'm sure it will be done begrudgingly, but it's not like I ask for anyone's help very often.
I hope that everyone has a nice rest of the evening.
It stopped raining today for a while so I was able to get my front lawn cut. I felt fatigued when I got up this morning, so cutting the grass felt like a real chore. It is raining again prettty hard right now. We are all going to get washed away soon.
I got an email message from the new old boss this evening, and he is wound up about our performance and so on here already. He will be like an over-tightened mainspring before he even gets here. I don't have any word yet on when that will be. He said in his email that he has slowed down a bit. I highly doubt it, especially from the tone of the rest of his message. Oh, boy.
I had canned ravioli and meatballs for dinner, plus a banana, and it is giving me heart burn. I'm sure it's not the banana doing it.
Well, next weekend is the big camping trip in the Pine Barrens. I'm excited about it but there is one wrench: Billy says he is leaving for Florida some time that weekend. I will have to make some arrangements with family members to get the dogs taken care of while I'm away. I'm sure it will be done begrudgingly, but it's not like I ask for anyone's help very often.
I hope that everyone has a nice rest of the evening.
Bella Award
I just received a wonderful Bella Award from Xanadu (Thanks X!). Now I'm going to pass it on to a few blogs that are favorites that I know have not yet received one:
Jerzeyjeep @ Jerzeyjeep
King Of Pain @ That's My Soul Up There
Lizardo @ Your Mom's A Whore (Stories I'll Tell My Children)
Simon @ Simon's Ramblings
Antic @ Antic's 17 Syllables
Steve @ Lumberg's Going To Have My Come In On Saturday
Please pass it on, and lets keep the love going!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Productive Night- Shot To Hell
The work was going slow tonight even though there is plenty of it. People just seem out of it, unmotivated. I think it's the weather.
Any way, long story short, our computer system went down an hour and a half ago and just came back up. We paid 55 people about $41.25 to stand around and do nothing for an hour and a half. That's $2,269 to you and me. The IT people at the help desk were so utterly useless. They could barely speak English. They did not know what a bar code scanner is, our hours of operation, our mainframe type, our operating system. Nothing. We told them right off the bat that this was severe and the name of the person to contact who could fix the problem. They never did it. We ended up calling that person ourselves and got the issue resolved in about five minutes time.
And to top it all off, I somehow lost my favorite pen in the deal. Grrr. I'm glad the night is almost over for me.
Everyone else have a nice evening...
Any way, long story short, our computer system went down an hour and a half ago and just came back up. We paid 55 people about $41.25 to stand around and do nothing for an hour and a half. That's $2,269 to you and me. The IT people at the help desk were so utterly useless. They could barely speak English. They did not know what a bar code scanner is, our hours of operation, our mainframe type, our operating system. Nothing. We told them right off the bat that this was severe and the name of the person to contact who could fix the problem. They never did it. We ended up calling that person ourselves and got the issue resolved in about five minutes time.
And to top it all off, I somehow lost my favorite pen in the deal. Grrr. I'm glad the night is almost over for me.
Everyone else have a nice evening...
Productive Day- So Far
Well, I woke up stark awake at 7:00 this morning. I was not real happy about that, but I got myself up and made the most of it. I paid my bills and got them in the mail box. I got my appointment scheduled for my pill cam procedure. Then I went fishing for a couple of hours in the drizzle- got to try out my rain suit that I got for Christmas finally. I had a couple of bites but didn't catch any fish. I enjoyed the quiet time just the same.
The good news for today is that I got my annual job performance appraisal from my boss, and it was a glowing review. I was very pleased. Too bad there was not a raise or bonus attached to it this year.
In other news, my other boss (I have two) is headed for Dallas next week. Permenantly. It's a big promotion for him. I'm happy for him but it stings- he's only been with the company two years compared to my twenty-six, and he passed two steps above me just like that. He is being replaced by my old boss, who has been in Los Angeles for about the last seven years. He is a very intense, super-organized guy who can juggle dozens of balls at once without losing anything. He is also very good to work with. He's a real no B.S. type.
Well, that's it for now. I have work to do and blogs to read. More later, perhaps...
The good news for today is that I got my annual job performance appraisal from my boss, and it was a glowing review. I was very pleased. Too bad there was not a raise or bonus attached to it this year.
In other news, my other boss (I have two) is headed for Dallas next week. Permenantly. It's a big promotion for him. I'm happy for him but it stings- he's only been with the company two years compared to my twenty-six, and he passed two steps above me just like that. He is being replaced by my old boss, who has been in Los Angeles for about the last seven years. He is a very intense, super-organized guy who can juggle dozens of balls at once without losing anything. He is also very good to work with. He's a real no B.S. type.
Well, that's it for now. I have work to do and blogs to read. More later, perhaps...
Monday, May 4, 2009
Where Are They Going?
One by one, people I like/care about are dropping off of Blogspot:
AndiMac and Like I said have gone elsewhere. Jerzeyjeep, Chiaroscuro and Dylan Mitchell haven't posted in forever. Natalia The Russian Spy posts on a spotty basis. Soiled Dove and The Lone Groover are temporarily (I hope) gone for who knows how long.
The gang is getting smaller, and It makes me sad. It also makes me appreciate that much more those who are staying around. To those of you are still here and those of you who read me, thank you very much.
AndiMac and Like I said have gone elsewhere. Jerzeyjeep, Chiaroscuro and Dylan Mitchell haven't posted in forever. Natalia The Russian Spy posts on a spotty basis. Soiled Dove and The Lone Groover are temporarily (I hope) gone for who knows how long.
The gang is getting smaller, and It makes me sad. It also makes me appreciate that much more those who are staying around. To those of you are still here and those of you who read me, thank you very much.
For Xanadu- Monday By The Numbers
1. Still raining here. It rained all weekend. It's not supposed to stop until next Sunday. My lawn will be knee high by then at this rate, and I just cut it on Thursday. The local streams will start flooding soon. And the weather has turned cool again. I'm wearing a thin sweater and I'm still cold right now.
2. We were told this afternoon that our director is coming for a quick visit next Thursday. This cannot be good news. Right now business travel is only allowed for high level HR issues. I'm a little scared.
3. Billy Boy will apparently be moving to Ft. Lauderdale before the month is out. His cousin is floating him some money to get started on so he's leaving sooner than originally planned. Not a happy thing.
4. The vet says that unless I want to have to spend $400 to have Bosco knocked out and his teeth professionally cleaned, I have to start doing it at home now. I can tell that this is not going to be a fun chore. I can just picture the ordeal it will be now.
5. The biggest news is I found out yesterday that my daughter just got engaged. They will not be getting married for a year or so, but it's still great news. She want's to have a very small wedding on an island like Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean. This will not be cheap. I'd better start saving up right now. She wants to go back to school and get a different degree before the wedding. She already has a masters in English. She wants a science degree so that she can do technical writing for a bio tech company or a computer company or something like that. I'm awful proud of her.
6. I didn't do a couple of the chores I wanted to do this weekend. I just got out of the mood with the weather. I didn't pay my bills, which I will do tomorrow morning, and I didn't re-caulk the bath tub. I also didn't go to the gym, which I now feel quite guilty about. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow also. I did, however, watch my favorite movie, House Of Yes, and the Coldplay concert video. I also went fishing for an hour Saturday evening when there was a slight break in the rain (priorities). I didn't catch anything, even though the state had just restocked the lake with trout on Friday. Well, maybe next weekend.
2. We were told this afternoon that our director is coming for a quick visit next Thursday. This cannot be good news. Right now business travel is only allowed for high level HR issues. I'm a little scared.
3. Billy Boy will apparently be moving to Ft. Lauderdale before the month is out. His cousin is floating him some money to get started on so he's leaving sooner than originally planned. Not a happy thing.
4. The vet says that unless I want to have to spend $400 to have Bosco knocked out and his teeth professionally cleaned, I have to start doing it at home now. I can tell that this is not going to be a fun chore. I can just picture the ordeal it will be now.
5. The biggest news is I found out yesterday that my daughter just got engaged. They will not be getting married for a year or so, but it's still great news. She want's to have a very small wedding on an island like Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean. This will not be cheap. I'd better start saving up right now. She wants to go back to school and get a different degree before the wedding. She already has a masters in English. She wants a science degree so that she can do technical writing for a bio tech company or a computer company or something like that. I'm awful proud of her.
6. I didn't do a couple of the chores I wanted to do this weekend. I just got out of the mood with the weather. I didn't pay my bills, which I will do tomorrow morning, and I didn't re-caulk the bath tub. I also didn't go to the gym, which I now feel quite guilty about. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow also. I did, however, watch my favorite movie, House Of Yes, and the Coldplay concert video. I also went fishing for an hour Saturday evening when there was a slight break in the rain (priorities). I didn't catch anything, even though the state had just restocked the lake with trout on Friday. Well, maybe next weekend.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Slammed, Jammed, And Damned
Last night I was minding my own business, doing my job. As safety administrator for the building I was doing the monthly safety inspection. I went to inspect and test an eyewash station in one department, and it was totally blocked by...crap that shouldn't have been there. I tried to move some of the stuff and work around it, and I ended up tripping and falling on it. I sent a polite email to the department supervisor asking him to have the junk and clutter removed. That's my job.
Today when I came in to work, I found in my in box the most hateful and snarky message from this supervisor. In this message he asked me why I didn't take care of the problem myself. Then he went into a tirade, questioning my performance of my assigned duties! I was floored, to say the least.
I sent off a carefully worded reply. I advised him he must be under the mistaken impression that I solely am responsible for safety in the building, when in fact it is everyone’s collective responsibility. I told him that I spend plenty of time and energy dealing with a lot of things that have nothing to do with me simply because they fall under the heading of safety, but one thing I won’t do is spend my time personally dealing with safety items that are a matter of housekeeping for another department.
I then told him in so many words that he was way out of line questioning my performance of my direct responsibilities, that that right is reserved for my superiors. I closed by asking him to come see me in person the next time he has a beef with me. The whole thing has me stunned and aggitated.
Other than that, It's raining buckets right now. I'm watching two departments because one of my cohorts is out. One fourth of my department is out and we have piles of work. I'm thinking more and more that tomorrow I'm going to skip the chores and go trout fishing. The weather will be perfect for it.
Today when I came in to work, I found in my in box the most hateful and snarky message from this supervisor. In this message he asked me why I didn't take care of the problem myself. Then he went into a tirade, questioning my performance of my assigned duties! I was floored, to say the least.
I sent off a carefully worded reply. I advised him he must be under the mistaken impression that I solely am responsible for safety in the building, when in fact it is everyone’s collective responsibility. I told him that I spend plenty of time and energy dealing with a lot of things that have nothing to do with me simply because they fall under the heading of safety, but one thing I won’t do is spend my time personally dealing with safety items that are a matter of housekeeping for another department.
I then told him in so many words that he was way out of line questioning my performance of my direct responsibilities, that that right is reserved for my superiors. I closed by asking him to come see me in person the next time he has a beef with me. The whole thing has me stunned and aggitated.
Other than that, It's raining buckets right now. I'm watching two departments because one of my cohorts is out. One fourth of my department is out and we have piles of work. I'm thinking more and more that tomorrow I'm going to skip the chores and go trout fishing. The weather will be perfect for it.
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