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Thursday, December 30, 2004

How I spent my Christmas vacation


Thursday, Christmas Eve eve, was bone-chilling cold and I felt like hot sake. Went with Aud and Nik to Ru San's and had huge amounts of fish and spiritous beverages. For the first time I tried the Japanese pickle plate/sampler and a new menu item, "white tuna". Then we went to Apre Diem for deserts and "nightcaps" where Nik showed off his belly to all who could not avert their eyes quickly enough. I have to admit he's lost a lot of that "Buddah Belly" and should be quite proud of that. But maybe it's not so polite to show it off in public.


Christmas Eve was spent at my parents house. Dad was able to be home for the holidays and sleep in his own house in the hospital bed my parents still had from his mother. He gets a lot of pleasure from company and loves to have people visit but he and my mother are constantly tearful these days. I hope that the hyper-emotionalism doesn't keep people away. My uncle Ron and wife Joyce came to the house and stayed most of the day. Dinner was smoked turkey on croissant sandwiches.


Christmas Day was spent at my parents house. I arrived noon-ish. My brother and his family came. So did my uncle Robert and his wife and youngest daughter. We exchanged and opened gifts, ate leftovers from yesterday as well as a roast that Mom got with a HoneyBaked Ham gift certificate from friends.


Boxing Day evening was a gathering at J's house in Conyers. Huge group of people of all tribes and ages were there. Lots of food. The Women were all there at some point, with the exception of Pam who is now expecting her own blessed event and is a bit delicate these days. Nik has no memory (or so he says) of showing his belly at Diem.


Monday was my last day off work and I ended up seeing "The Aviator" at Phipps Plaza cinema and doing some shopping at GAP to spend the gift card I had.

Friday, December 17, 2004

Things I didn't know until today


My friend John now has his own spanking new website.


My pal David's family is actually Swedish.


According to Monster, JRR Tolkein based the Elves languages on Finnish and Welsh.

a growing entropy



Today they moved my father into a nursing home. This was actually a huge relief to my mother as the location is very close to my parents' house and it will be much easier for to visit him there. He is at this point still unable to walk. I hope his pain management is much better now but I'll find out more on that when I see him this weekend. That's all I know.


I should be hanging out with friends in East Atlanta tonight at the King Sized show but it's quite cold tonight and I am very cold natured- a complete wimp when the temperature drops. Thus far, I've been catching up with friends via email and snail mail and telephone, but the night is still young.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

The "chalupa" I had at lunch today is making me feel like Bloaty Pig. And to think I was so hungry this morning!

Sunday, December 12, 2004

the update



This week my father has developed a blood clot in his leg. He has been, in his words, completely pain-free until now. Now the pain in his leg has left him crippled. This was made worse yesterday when he fell while trying to get into the car to go to his daily appointment for a blood thinner injection. Unable to move him, my mother phoned for an ambulance and he's now back in the hospital. This has been a mixed blessing for him and my mother - in the hospital, they are able to manage his pain much more effectively while still treating the clot and a newly discovered "blood infection" of some sort and my mother finally has some relief from taking care of him. So I guess everything is working out for the best.

Monday, November 29, 2004

icy bottom



It's freezing at work today. Despite my usual multi-layer dressing for this time of year, my feet and butt are more than lightly chilled. I'm waiting to loose the feeling in my toes and fingers. Despite working in the computer room, I might ask for a small heater to place under my desk.


Thanksgiving was a good holiday. Both of my uncles came in the afternoon with their wives. My teenage cousin was there with her dad and my brother and his family showed up in the early evening. Dad slept most of the day in his easy chair but was quite happy and comfortable after my mother was finally able to nag him into getting a shower and freshening up for company. He's like a three-year-old now. Never wants to get up to bath or brush his teeth and hair. He has to be nagged until he has a small tantrum and finally gives in.


I brought home enough leftover turkey and dressing and sweet potato soufle to feed me for a week.


Friday evening was spent impromptu at J's new home in Conyers for a family and friends cookie decorating gathering.
After all the years I've known J, this was my first opportunity to meet her brother and his offspring. At 9 p.m., when everyone turned into a pumpking, J sent me home with a plate of frosting and sprinkle-encrusted cookies. Fun.


Saturday we were at a Benihana's to celebrate Donna's birthday. The birthday girl looked fabulous with a new do and a glittery colorful top that had most of the men all sneaking furtive glances, trying not to stare in front of her husband.
I realized this over-priced restaurant is really like Disneyland in a way - geared for families with children or prom dates. I haven't been in the door of one in at least 15 years but I still really like the food, the ginger salad dressing, the miso soup and the sushi is really good there. We left there stuffed with most of the crowd going to D&A's for games and leftover wedding beer. I was cold and, not being much of a gamer and not quite knowing where their house was, decided to go home and sleep.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm finishing things up at work and getting ready to head home even as the entire metro Atlanta area seems to to shutting down for the holiday. Pies are ordered. No groceries to buy. Tomorrow will be spent eating, sleeping and doing laundry. Maybe I will pick up a bottle of Cointreau (for hot cider) or Tawny Port (a luxury I reserve for holidays and celebrations).


We are having really spectacular rain and wind today which, oddly enough, makes me want to be outside. It's a great show and it will not be getting colder until after the rain blows past.


Be well. Travel safely. And if you have a cold, please don't share it with me.

Monday, November 15, 2004

comfortably numb

Monster is a really good man who takes care of me when I need it. He was really sweet when he stopped by to fix my lock.


The little micro-waveable sake cups at Publix are actually quite good. I had one on the shelf in my kitchen for a while that I finally tried out tonight after a long day at work that was spent mostly shivering and trying to feel my feet. Seemed to be just what I needed.


Perhaps the little Japanese vending machine sake cups are too good. I am now over both the cold and the work-related tightness. mmmmmmm...

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Listening to old T.Rex



The Slider album. Mystic Lady.


Thinking of going out when I should really be getting a bath and cleaning my dusty nest. I have ruled out doing laundry tonight because 1. I have very few quarters or cash on me. 2. It's just a bit too misty-wet-cold to be outdoors. Reason 2. is why I probably will take a nice hot bath in a few minutes and stay in, dispite my chronic cabin fever.

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

I want this

Saturday, November 06, 2004

Snotty

Why must some people share EVERYTHING?

How's the Family?



This in from my mother:


Dear Friends - Jim has now returned from the hospital again (Wed.nite) and is doing okay. He had a pocket of fluid on his lung that was infected and they had to drain it for several days and treat the infection. He has now had his second round of Chemo and will have another round next Wed. if his blood count is high enough. He had 4 units of blood while in the hospital so hopefully it will be.


He is resting at home and sleeps a lot of the day. His appetite is good so I am doing a lot of cooking (I still remember how to). Thank you for your many prayers on his behalf. God has been good to us. Jim hasn't had any nausea and he says he doesn't hurt any where. The tube coming out of his back for drainage was very uncomfortable but it has been removed now and he is happily back in his own bed!

                                                     Love, Loretta

Thursday, October 28, 2004

It was a fun Halloween Parade



We didn't win the prize this year but I think our float had the most soul to it. This year's theme was Attack Of The Purple People Eaters. Lots of fun .


Dad is back in the hospital. Something to do with unexplainable chills although his temperature is normal and so far they've found no sign of infection or other complication. Hopefully, he'll be back at home in his easy chair soon.


Should nothing worse happen, I'm looking forward to more Halloween festivities and parties all weekend.


This has been an interesting month.

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Boycott for Equality this Friday, October 8.
RIP Rodney Dangerfield

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Happy Birthday to Chaz and Gretch this week.

followed by a pretty bad weekend



My maternal grandmother passed away a couple of weeks ago. This coupled with a supeona I'd been served on another frivolous lawsuit from my downstairs neighbor meant I missed her funeral. I raced out of the courtroom after the case was thrown out (like every other one he's made) and made it to the graveside ceremony.


That was also the weekend that they decided to take my father off his drug program entirely and switch to traditional chemo, which he actually started this week. So far, he's doing well with it except for the usual fatigue. I noticed a good bit of swelling in his face when I visited last Sunday. We sat in the living room of my parents house, my dad napping on the porch, and divided up what small trinkets my grandmother had saved over the years. I knew she'd thrown away most of her letters, but there were a few prized correspondences and photos she'd saved over the years - one from her favorite brother about my mother's birth.


One mysterious letter that I believe was from her first fiance. It was written before my grandparents were married. I remembered the story she told me years ago, of how she and my grandfather ended up together. She loved a boy who was grandfather's best friend, who died of pnuemonia. They were both broken hearted at his death and brought together by it. It's the only person I can imagine the impassioned old letter being from.


My uncle handed me a small jewelry box and said I should take it home - that it was in nearly new shape and too good to toss. I picked a few key pieces of her costume jewelry to keep and put those in the box, along with a pair of green dress gloves like the kind she'd wear Sundays and holidays. The box has little black hairs in it that are obviously from one of her dogs but otherwise looks perfectly clean.

Wednesday, September 08, 2004

fairly good weekend



Went to both DragonCon and Drive Invasion on Saturday. Hung out with friends all day but didn't feel I did enough with either.

Nursed a headache for three days straight as well. No idea what brought that on. Slept most of Sunday and Monday. Headache was still with me Tuesday morning at work and finally left me alone that afternoon. Must have been the chalupa and hot salsa my boss brought me for lunch. I need more peppers in my life.

Now I'm healing from the fat lip I gave myself at lunch on Friday, eating hot tofu too fast. I can't seem to avoid biting myself sometimes and yet I'm always surprised that I've done it again.


SHAUN OF THE DEAD


A smash hit in the U.K., this "rom zom com" (romantic zombie comedy) follows the bloody funny adventures of underachiever Shaun (co-writer Simon Pegg) and his best mate Ed (Nick Frost) as they cope with a zombie invasion of North London. The two losers grab whatever is at hand (cricket bat, shovel, LP) to repel the attacking zombies, summoning reserves of strength they didn't know they possessed and straining muscles they forgot they had. Rounding up friends and family, and pressing on towards the sanctuary of a local pub, all that stands (or lopes) in their way are hordes of the flesh-eating undead.

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

In other news



My grandmother seems to have pulled through this latest crisis but is now residing in a nursing home for the rest of her days. My mother and uncle take shifts visiting her and she so doesn't want to be there but this is what her life has come to.

Mother is too emotional these days to talk to on the phone much. I went to see her and my dad briefly on Sunday while she was cooking lunch before he had to leave for another doctor's appointment in Houston this week.

My cousin had a baby boy, named Robert James, last week. Her sister is still on bed rest with twin girls, Autumn and Amber (according to my mother) that still have a good bit longer to go before making their entrance into this world.

I feel fine but



For the last couple of days I've been a bit shakey and weak. Kinda light headed. Otherwise I feel perfectly fine - no fevers - no aches or pains - no vertigo - just really rattled and running on vapors. Eating fine. Sleeping okay.

Perhaps my body is fighting off some very very small bug and this is all I have to show for it.

Not complaining too much - just want to be back to normal soon.

Monday, August 23, 2004

Adjusting to Loss

I just got off the phone with someone I know who is a carpenter. Kinda morbid conversation - he lost his thumb working last week and wants to see old photos I have of him with his thumb. He is longing for it. And I do have some very good photos of both of his hands.


And yet he says he isn't really depressed about it yet though his doctor assures him that depression over it will definitely come. I hope he manages that part of his recovery and adjustment to life as an amputee. I remember how depression over a much worse disability ended the life of one of my best friends years ago. He is a strong man who accepts that life always includes pain and sorrow and decline - that it is our attitude about it and action in response to it that makes all the difference. I think that acceptance will shield him from a lot of the rougher edges.

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

fading lights



My grandmother Crowe is still in ICU. Mother and my oldest uncle are at her side as much as they can.


On the other side of things, babies are sprouting everywhere. I've been looking forward to the baby welcome party for Deb and Kev on Sunday. I also got a baby shower invitation from one cousin this week, I think for the same day. That cousin's sister is due to have her baby this Friday, if it doesn't come sooner. Urghh... D&K or my cousin. Normally family would come first with no hesitation, but my family is so very not in touch with me and this same cousin did not invite me to her last baby shower twelve years ago. D&K's gathering will be happy, loving people that I see fairly often and I am dying to see their new baby daughter. I guess this all depends on hourly schedule and whether I make it out to go shopping for shower gifts this week.


And in the end, everything hangs on my grandmother's future.

Saturday, August 14, 2004

gray state



Monster is in town for flea markets and just hanging out. There are voices of ghosts from the past in the electrical ether.


My mother phoned last night to tell me that they'd had to put my remaining grandmother - the one I love and am close to - in ICU the previous evening. No information on what's wrong exactly, only my mother's frustration at what she perceives to be the doctors' complete disinterest in treating or diagnosing my grandmother, who turned 90 in June. Of course, all family information is rationed out through a distorted filter most of the time, so all I can do is wait for the next call. There are no visitors for her other than my mother and uncles for the time being. My mother tells me that my grandmother is too out of it to really communicate or notice anyone now, even if they did visit her.


This year is turning into quite a season of death.

Friday, August 06, 2004

Overslept. Broke. Too much Sake.



I over slept this morning. After having a really bad headache night before and taking and exedrinePM, I was laying in bed all comfortable and quiet and then I realized the sun was coming in - and it wasn't Saturday! The alarm was on but either I had managed to sleep completely through it or the thunderstorm last night knocked it out. Anyway I frantically got ready for work as quickly as possible and headed out. My boss was very cool about it, thankfully, and just thanked me for calling in while I was on my way there.


I didn't get a paycheck today. Apparently this is a company that pays bi-weekly so I am cash poor this week in a big way.


Went out with the boy next door and spent twice as much as I 'd budgeted for dinner. Jeepers! Those guys drink a lot of sake. Naturally, since the whole table was going in on it, I shared equally in what they ordered. I am a bit hazey tonight. The colors are not as brilliant as they usually are but its all warm and cozy here at least.

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

very tired


This weekend was very busy - in a good way. Went to Chattanooga with Monster on Saturday and spent most of the day shopping for antiques. Also saw a fantastic storm - the kind that's so heavy you can't see the other side of the parking lot. And we still had time to go to the Aquarium before heading back to Atlanta.


Sunday was Joy's birthday party, organized by her loving husband and filled with tons of great food, drink and friends.


Monday after work, we made it to the Variety Playhouse to see The Finn Brothers. Good music show. They've aged quite well.


Tonight is my first evening of rest. Tomorrow is going to be busy with software classes that I signed up for over a month ago. And then maybe, just maybe, I might see a play I've supposedly won free tickets to - that all depends if they arrive in the mail or not by the time I get home in the afternoon. Otherwise I'll be happy at this point to sleep tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Reasons to be hopeful


Jobs come and jobs go more quickly now. Less than two weeks at my last job, which paid well but didn't last long enough and was way too far to drive every day. Now I have a new job in just three days. That's a record for re-employment for me. Maybe Monster is right and the economy really is getting better. I will try to take this as a positive sign.


Meanwhile, J is having to sell her house and consider moving with her son to her parents' house in Conyers. This is because: 1. ex-husband took all her money. 2. her entire department at the company she's been with for years is going to be outsourced to Canada.


We are all too old to need to depend on our parents as much as we must for support but that's the condition of my generation. Two of my much younger, highly educated neighbors are somehow making money on online gambling - poker. Who knew you could actually make a significant amount of money at that? And I've also met someone who is filling in the gaps in their income as a professional backgammon player. I obviously have never had a clue on how many ways there are to make money. Not having ever been a gamer, I don't know if gambling is really the answer for me but I am trying to remain open to new possibilities.

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Life on a thin branch

My right breast (same side as my gimpy arm) has a burning sensation in it when anything rubs across it (like when I'm lifting something). I can't decide whether to worry about it or not. I'll wait a couple more weeks to see if it gets better on its on before seeing a doctor about it. Meanwhile, I'm taking saw palmetto supplements (which Monster also tells me is good for men - prostate).


Murray was in town this weekend but I didn't get to spend any time with him. Would have loved to but he was being a jerk about wanting me to himself and not wanting to be around my friends or Monster. Especially Monster. Fine - just be a selfish crybaby Mr. Married With Children who acts like he's looking for some play. Not. He just can't be friends and he never could seem to be anything else that has a word in English for it either.


Mom phoned tonight to say that Dad isn't doing well at all this week. He's not eating again and has taken to his bed for the last several days without getting out of it. His breathing is fine. His doctor couldn't find anything wrong on examination this week. He's just unable to eat and has no energy. I don't know anything to do or say. My Uncle Ron, the good brother that he is, came over to the house and helped her with a few things she couldn't reach or do (like changing those high-up lights, etc.) and took her shopping for electronics. Thanks to Georgia Power and a surge they had, my parents house and six others behind them had everything that was on ruined and in need of replacement. Fortunately, the electric company seems to be very cooperative and has stated they'll reimburse her for the damage.

Tuesday, July 06, 2004

Last night Monster and I watched Life Force on DVD. What a cheesy movie. I'm afraid he was a bit offended that I referred to it as a silly B-Movie. Then he was making jokes along ahead of me while watching the rest of the DVD. It does have a brief appearance of the sexually ambiguous Patrick Stewart, which was kinda cool.


I need to get cable in time to watch the new Farscape mini-series.


Tomorrow is Wednesday, my day of rest. The rest of the week should be booked up with Monster, friends, and interviews.

Monday, June 28, 2004

Parade. Rain. Friends and family



Sunday around 1:00 I walked down to the park to catch the pride parade, camera in hand. Great fun. Nice folks all around. The main theme of the parade was equality in marriage laws. Many floats and costumes featuring weddings. The weather stayed beautiful and sunny for the entire parade. In almost perfect timing about 10 or 15 minutes after the parade passed through midtown the skies opened up and it rained for the rest of the day and evening. Monster and I hung out at Asada, which was nearly empty because of the constant downpour, drinking, eating and chatting with Liz at the bar. It was a chill-out night after the funeral saturday. The large part of his father's departure is over and the sorting out of his life and possessions will be going on for the next few weeks.

Saturday, June 26, 2004

a long day



Last night, around 9PM, Mom phoned and said she was going with me and Dad to the funeral. She gave me a wake up call this morning at 7AM. I still managed to roll over and sleep another hour before getting up. Still made it to the house in good time to leave.


We showed up a bit early and ate lunch at the old family restaurant just up the street from the funeral home. It was an unchanged 60s style southern restaurant. Game trophies all over the walls and ceiling. Very clean, but the tables, cabinets and fixtures were obviously the same ones that had been there for the last 30 or 40 years. Very worn and with that patina from years of use. Mom and I got the vegetable plate. Dad had the smoked sausage dinner with lemon rice pudding for desert.


We went into the funeral home, signed the book for John's family, and looked at the family scrapbooks laid beside the casket. Then we waited on the divan in the hall for John and his mother to arrive. The funeral was conducted by the pastor of the Stephens family southern baptist church. A bit long winded and very fundamentalist. Dad nodded off twice during the sermon. Fortunately, when my father falls asleep, his head goes straight forward he's silent enough to make you think he's in prayer or meditation. I saw other nodding head that sorta went off to the side. It was a military funeral and graveside service. The most touching part to me was the folding of the flag. Mom said she was the most moved by hearing taps played. It is amazing how much my mother can talk to absolute strangers. As we got into the car and headed back, she seemed to know the complete history of the family and their friends. Dad did really well on the trip. I was quite happy to see how well he was for traveling. Once we got back to Smyrna, we stopped and went out to eat again for dinner before finally returning to their house. I changed into jeans and visited a while longer with them before heading home.


Talked to John a while on the phone when I got in. Made plans for his arrival tomorrow. Took a benedryl after being around the pups so long at my parents house. And now, with any luck, sleep will come soon.

Friday, June 25, 2004

It's a strange week here. Getting stranger.



Yesterday morning, John's father passed away. He'd been suffering from numerous illnesses for a long time. I told John last night I'd go to the funeral with him. I planned to get up early Saturday morning, drive to Pell City, Alabama to be with him and his family and drive home after the funeral to be back in Atlanta before dark. It's a two-hour trip each way.


This morning my father phoned apparently not long after he'd gotten up and informed me that he was going with me to John's father's funeral in Pell City, Alabama. I had not told my family I was already planning to drive there for it so that was not a influence in my father's thoughts. Personally, I don't really know if Dad is really up to four hours on the road in one day. He's been a bit out of breath these days. Taking a road trip alone with my Dad, something we've never done, at a time when his health is already delicate is really going to be a task.

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Slow Day

Had two interviews scheduled this week, today and tomorrow. The interview today was for a marketing company in a sales trainee position. It was a long shot but might have been a good thing to learn about. The interviewer for Wednesday cancelled on me, unfortuntately. Hopefully more will phone and schedule me for later this week and next.


Hung out a home puttering around. Went out to EyeDrum in the evening to see the ongoing exhibit as well as live music performances. It was a good decision to get out and go where I could see something new and people present know me.

Sunday, June 20, 2004

Thankful for a cool breeze



Fortunately, Saturday was much cooler and pleasant than I feared. We were under a shelter beside the lake and a cool breeze kept up all day. My grandmother had a great time. She was all smiles for everyone who came to celebrate her birthday with her. The family had the usual fare of fried chicken (though now from the grocery, not home fried - too many of us for that), deviled eggs, those strange hard sweet little pickles, fruit trays, etc.


Went by the new restaurant later that evening. Nick seems to be really enjoying working there. Joy was working her last regular night but planning to still come in occasionally. Ian is working the bar now. The whole Grateful Gluttons family is involved with the place. It 's really sweet and beautiful now.

Friday, June 18, 2004

My japanese name is ?? Kojima (small island) ?? Yumi (beautiful bow, as in bow and arrow).
Take your real japanese name generator! today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Happy 90th Birthday to my Grandmother

I've just been hanging out with old people and puppies and cable television. Spent most of today hanging out with my family, watching cable TV and doing laundry. Went out to eat at the Olive Garden and came back to the house stuffed on salad and grilled tuna. Came home. Checked email. Got a phone call from Murray in N.J. He's planning to come into Atlanta on or around July 4. Wants to start a business here with Larry, who is going to hell in a handbasket right now living with two other 40-something mooches in a sad middle aged version of the teen bachelor pad. Murray joining Larry: maybe something good - maybe something bad - we just don't know. Should be interesting. I have not bothered to tell him about my favorite Monster now taking up large portions of my life at the moment. I'll deal with listening to his usual response if he really does come down here. I am not taking him seriously nor do I want to at this point.

Speaking of ghosts from the past trying to suck the life blood out of decent folks, I wonder how J (who is still haunted by B) is doing lately. I really need to get in touch with her. It bothers me when she doesn't check in and let me know she's okay. I miss our coffee chat.

Happy Birthday today to my Grandmother Crowe, who is 90 years old.
Lets hope the outdoor family party my uncle and his wife have planned for her doesn't cause her or anyone else to die of heat-stroke this Saturday.

Saturday, June 12, 2004

Warning!

PARENTAL
ADVISORY
WEREMONKEY CONTAINS
EXPLICIT LYRICS

Username:

From Go-Quiz.com

Heat Stroke Weather

This has been the hottest day of the year so far. Its been that sort of unrelenting heat that promises to stick around all night long. I started wilting so badly today that Monster had to keep giving me iced water to drink and douse myself with. That did help a lot.

Last night we made it to Michael and Liz's new restaurant. It was an insane and incredibly sweet at the same time. Great food. Good atmosphere.

Wednesday, June 09, 2004

Makes a pretty good drink

For my after dinner refreshment I tried a mixture of red wine, orange juice and sprite. Actually pretty good. I wanted to make "Sandria" but I couldn't open the last bottle of orangina, left unopened by Monster in my refridgerator. I gotta have something in there for him to come back to.

Last week was insane. After a steady decline all week long, Big Daddy had a meltdown at work and was fired for insubordination when he decided to make the vice president of the company the object of his vent, at one point apparently following him into the press room to verbally abuse him.

This week has been unusually quiet and the workload has been lighter than usual. Makes you wonder where the problem was. Or if there's a storm of work and discontent brewing in a far away office.

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

My Memorial Day weekend

This weekend was mostly spent sleeping and eating. Alot. With very little physical activity inbetween. The sun drains all my energy and I could go out for half an hour and come back home to go comatose for an hour or two.

Tonight, Monster decided to stay in the city one more day since he was pretty drained today and probably not physically or mentally up for the drive. Cool with me. We fixed a big home-cooked meal together and he joined me tidying up things inside and outside the fortress of solitude tonight.

mimosa blossoms

This weekend every mimosa tree started blooming at once. By Saturday afternoon, trees that were invisible the previous day were covered with "cotton candy" flowers.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

so. . . very. . . tired

I did get a regular amount of sleep last night but I'm still beat tonight.

Of course, I was up late fiddling around at home on Tuesday and Monday.

Visited my parents this weekend. My mother's just bought $3,000 of purebred puppies - two little white westies.
Good news this weekend is the new medication my father has started has restored his appetite, to the delight of my mother.

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

Blogger... has changed since I was last here.
I need to keep up with things a bit better.

It's late and I'm wondering why I'm having such a difficult time putting myself to bed tonight. Could be the heat - not unbearable but a bit moistening in my little place. I refuse to crank up the AC after spending most of my days freezing in the pre-press area, the coldest part of the building where I work. A small inconvenience, but I enjoy the feel of a hot car at the end of the day when I finally get to thaw out. Still, I really enjoy working there and feel there is a lot of potential for me with this company.

The new term for those full-time, long-term employed is now "Perma-Temps" according to NPR and MicroSoft. Gone are the days apparently of anyone below management level being anything other than an independent contractor. And when I look around me at the people I know and their positions as well as my own, I know this is true. I tried to relate this story to Monster but he (who is self-employed in his own business and doesn't need a job anyway) was refusing to accept the new reality of the workplace.

Ripe is this weekend. Not cheap and I need to buy my ticket in advance. It'll be worth it though - last year was great fun and I think this year may be even better.

Friday, May 07, 2004

Today I hung out with Monster after work. Went to Express and had a delicious spinach salad. Afterwards we spent to much time in the bookstore behind the restaurant. Was happy to see many Farscape titles, though not the episodes that would be the logical next addition to what I already have.

Tomorrow I get my hair cut, car washed, coffee beans, and hopefully laundry done.

Now I must sleep. Tired enough to be scatter-brained.


Tuesday, May 04, 2004

Good Sushi


Tonight is a good night for sushi at Ru San's in Midtown. The eel was especially tender and fresh and I ordered the tamaki & sushi special that was more than I could eat for less than nine dollars.

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

a regular day with no trauma.

now, hopefully, I'll be motivated enough to work for a while tonight.

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

I had the most incredible migraine headache last weekend. It started Saturday morning as a vague weariness as I was making my way through the first Green Market saturday at Piedmont Park. Bought some blueberry bushes for my mother to cheer her up. By the time I drove to Smyrna with the shrubs and Monster at my side, I had lay on the couch and hand the car keys to him to drive me home. Lost the rest of the day, sleeping, drinking coffee, eating and taking exedrine (my drug of choice).

Sunday, I made it out just long enough to meet J. for sushi and went back into a coma for the rest of the day.

Monday I was mostly back and fully operational but a bit slow. We ordered chinese food (our new monday tradition) and watched DVDs of Farscape.

I think the entire physical crash I went through was a result of several factors all coming together for one catastropic event. Low blood sugar. Low blood pressure. Hormones. Stress over project management and family. Too little caffeine for the morning java monkey. Skipping breakfast. And that glass of red wine I had at dinner the night before with Nik and Aud.

I'm feeling much better now.

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

Started the day with discovering my car had been broken into over night. Nothing of any value taken other than my cell phone earpiece. I learned a long time ago that locked cars in my lot mean broken windows.

It seems that I have NO time these days. Not that I'm complaining too much. I just wish I could have taken a few minutes here and there to fully prepare to talk about the freelance thingie I agreed to do today. Had to show up with a completely unprepared book because my only real free time to work is evenings on Tuesday til Friday. That's it. and I am still in the midst of upgrading machines, software and printers.

I am tired tonight. And how did it get so late so soon??

Saturday, April 03, 2004

So, it's like midnight and there is absolutely no one home in my building except me and Aziz. And there's this maroon car just sitting in our lot, in James' space, that obviously doesn't belong to anyone who lives here and they've been out there 15 minutes now. Should I be suspicious or am I paranoid?

Thursday, April 01, 2004

315 is dead.

Chaz phoned to tell me that tonight. And it wasn't the cancer that killed him. He was hit by a car at the Georgia-Alabama border yesterday. Seems he was pulled over on the side of the highway when another car hit him.

Tonight he had planned a birthday party for himself at Eyedrum. Around 9PM. What little unofficial word I've heard is that 315's family asked that the party or gathering of friends still happen tonight. That'd be just like him.

Only now it'll be a wake.

Monday, March 29, 2004

Another very warm, sunny day. Started off very overcast with a prediction of rain that never materialized.
The morning was one of those space-headed, very low blood pressure things for reasons unknown. Sometimes nothing flows to my head without my hanging upside down.

Thursday, March 25, 2004

Resolution: No more online or credit card purchases.

There are three different things I'm paying for this month on purchases or services I either haven't recieved or have already been cancelled. Emory has still not credited me for the expensive night classes I registered for that were cancelled. MBNA is still billing me finance charges for the computer I've already paid off completely- handling charges included - last month. And I still haven't recieved the Amazon.com DVD's that, according to online communications, were supposed to have been shipped to me on March 10. From now on, I am only purchasing items I can immediately hold in my hands. Not registrations for future events. No catalogue or online purchases. This resolution will continue AT LEAST until I have gotten compensation on the things I've just mentioned.

Friday, March 19, 2004

I so want this job and would be perfect for it.

Plus, they have this wonderful Heidleberg Prosetter that looks like a giant inkjet, completely proportional to small desktop printers including oversize ridges in the plastic ornamentation and the giant power button on the side. I feel like Invader Zim in the darkroom.

And the staff are lovely to be around. I truly hope they like me. I want this job.

Wednesday, March 17, 2004

It's raining petals today all over town. A shower of pink and white every time the breeze comes up.


Today I had two very good interviews. One for a big company that has quite a long standing reputation in this city. The other for a new company very very close to home.

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

I'm not as desperate as I think I am. Tomorrow morning I'm cancelling that appointment. I still have limits and that is a good thing.


I attract stalkers and weirdos like lint.


The rant of the day: I can't work at a bank because they will not accept my amended birth certificate. The problem lies in that for a bank, you have to be registered with the IRS and the IRS requires, along with fingerprints, the state AND city of birth. This does not appear on an amended birth certificate like my own. Once again, I am made into a second-class citizen because I am adopted.

Friday, March 05, 2004

Cheap. Fast. Good.

You can have any two you like but never all three.

You decide.


Wednesday, March 03, 2004

This from Pam:

Things You Have to Believe to Be a Republican Today

1. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

2. The United States should get out of the United Nations, but our highest national priority should be to enforce U.N. resolutions against Iraq.

3. Government should relax regulation of Big Business and Big Money, but crack down on individuals who use marijuana to relieve the pain of illness.

4. "Standing Tall for America" means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India.

5. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

6. Jesus loves you and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

7. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

8. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins ... unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican.

9. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

10. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

11. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart.

12. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

13. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

14. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "We can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

15. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

16. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

17. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's MADD driving record is none of our business.

18. You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states which local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

19. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

20. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

I would add #21: Going trillions of dollars into debt is good for America,
unlike the surplus in the 1990s.

Tuesday, March 02, 2004

Goth
Goth


What Kind of Goth Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Monday, March 01, 2004

David has been standing on Monster's tits in high-heeled shoes lately.


Tonight's word: circumspect

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Americans under attack from their own country


I sent Jeremy a link to this scarey story about John Ashcroft and he shared this commentary from noted conservative blogger Andy Sullivan.


Thanks, Jeremy.

Wednesday, February 18, 2004


I Am Gaz




Which Jhonen Vaquez character are you?
By EmReznor.

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

V-Day


Oh yeah - did I mention Valentine's Day? Despite my statement that it should be no big deal, Monster gave me a lovely Valentine's gift that was three-part: Godiva chocolates, a great T-shirt in my size just like my favorite of his (extremely soft, stretchy white Banana Republic tee) and for a "Valentine" a copy of "So I Married An Axe Murderer" with the big heart in the background of the cover graphic. He's so good at this!

V-Day


Oh yeah - did I mention Valentine's Day? Despite my statement that it should be no big deal, Monster gave me a lovely Valentine's gift that was three-part: Godiva chocolates, a great T-shirt in my size just like my favorite of his (extremely soft, stretchy white Banana Republic T) and for a "Valentine" a copy of "So I Married An Axe Murderer" with the big heart in the background of the cover graphic. He's so good at this! Being with him definitely raises the bar.

Cold and Silent

I lack motivation today.


I should have gone to yoga tonight with the boy next door but it's too darn cold. I was about to change into my gym clothes but wimped out and told him to carry on without me. Since yesterday, I've had a chill I can't seem to get over.


Today as completely silent except for the few calls I made to family and friends. I've been in a closet-purging mood and snacking non-stop out of boredom. I should have taken myself to a matinee but, like I said, I feel too cold to go out. Maybe I should take vitamins with iron.

Thursday, February 12, 2004

Back to the real world.


Monster and I got back into Atlanta at midnight on Tuesday night from our trip to move Daniel and Sam to Manhattan. Daniel's new job is incredible and I wish him all the luck in the world in his new city. Monster is sure Daniel will surpass all expectations of him there because he's brilliant and has a great degree of common sense as well.

We were able to work in a visit with Rick and Rachael in New Haven, CT after dropping off the rented truck and taking the train directly from Grand Central Station to New Haven. How convenient! Why can't southern cities be so smart and easy to travel to and from?

Now it's back to the search for new work and possibly more freelance. Unlike Monster, I really would prefer the benefits of fulltime employment to the freedom of being an independent contractor. I want health insurance and a better income tax deal.

Thursday, January 29, 2004

The last two days have been phenomenally slow. No new projects and no calls coming in at all, except for the occasional news item from monster. Went to yoga last night with the boy next door, whose car isn't running at all now and had a good workout.

Going to class tonight.

Meanwhile, monster is planning the trip to NYC and NewHaven to move Daniel to his new job in the Big City.

Monday, January 26, 2004

A pretty good day.


I spent the first half of the day picking Joy up and taking her to pick up her truck from one shop and drop it off with another mechanic. Afterwards she bought me lunch and tried to buy gas. I told her the lunch, as well as the breakfast she made for me before we left her house, was an equal trade for the gasoline I used. It's good be able to help friends - makes me feel useful.


John was able to pick up my new computer for me before he went into work today, so getting acquainted with it is how I plan to spend this evening and most of this week.

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Angel
You are one of the few out there whose wings are
truly ANGELIC. Selfless, powerful, and
divine, you are one blessed with a certain
cosmic grace. You are unequalled in
peacefulness, love, and beauty. As a Being of
Light your wings are massive and a soft white
or silver. Countless feathers grace them and
radiate the light within you for all the world
to see. You are a defender, protector, and
caretaker. Comforter of the weak and forgiver
of the wrong, chances are you are taken
advantage of once in awhile, maybe quite often.
But your innocence and wisdom sees the good in
everyone and so this mistreatment does not make
you colder. Merciful to the extreme, you will
try to help misguided souls find themselves and
peace. However not all Angelics allow
themselves to be gotten the better of - the
Seraphim for example will be driven to fighting
for the sake of Justice and protection of those
less powerful. Congratulations - and don't ever
change - the world needs more people like you.


*~*~*Claim Your Wings - Pics and Long Answers*~*~*
brought to you by Quizilla

Sunday, January 18, 2004

All I seem to do lately is spend money without making any. Saturday, my afternoon was spent in the customer lounge at Toyota waiting to find out why my check engine light was still coming on after two previous visits on the same thing. I leave with the light off and it comes back on the following morning when I start the car. $450 dollars later, I have my car again. So far, I'm spent over $750 on what is probably a very minor problem. I think if it comes on again, a wide piece of black electrical tape over the light will be my fix.

Thursday, January 15, 2004

What started out as a lousy first week of the year is now growing into a bad month. Today my new boss of one week (actually half a week if you count the days I was out at the funeral home and the cemetery) says he's disappointed with my inability to catch on fast enough at work - but wait: he's not firing me... yet. He wants me to come in on a flat salary of much less than what my living expenses are now - a fraction of what I was hired for. And he wants me to take on more responsibilities. Like running the shop for a month when he's out of the country for a family visit.


My parents are in Houston all this week for my father's cancer treatments.


My car's check engine light is staying on constantly. This means eventually taking it in for even more expense that they can't guarantee will solve the mystery. I thought this was all computerized to the point there being no guess work. ehh.... I just hope I'm not being intentionally taken advantage of.

Sunday, January 11, 2004

We buried my grandmother Thursday at West End Cemetary. A very small ceremony with just immediate family - my parents, my brother's family, and myself as well one friend of my brother's who played a couple of hymns and spoke a few words over her grave. The hardest part was for my father. It was his mother and only relative we were burying. Despite the surrounding area being rough and downtrodden, the cemetary park was very well kept and beautiful. Forty years ago it was the one of the most desirable memorial parks in Atlanta. There is an older section that has marble markers and a few stone sculptures and beautiful ancient oak trees mixed with the magnolias. Jessie and Rufus Hardy are in their final resting place side by side now.

Tuesday, January 06, 2004

Not a good day.
This is my first week at a new job. I am trying to learn my way around a new office while dealing with the family business of death.
Tomorrow is the visitation hours (wake) for my grandmother and the family wants me there. I have nothing to wear and no time to shop for anything proper. I will have to tell my new boss, just two days into my job there, that I need to take most of Thursday off and I need to get out of there as early as possible tomorrow to make it to the funeral home.


I came by my old work place tonight to handle just a few odds and ends before finally going home. I already miss Debbie and Burton terribly but I can't afford to work there any more. Partime maybe if I can balance it with a full time job that pays a liveable income but not full-time as my sole livelyhood.


I really must start buying lotto tickets to at least have self-justification of fantasizing keeping my fun job just because I don't need the money.

My grandmother Hardy (my father's mother) passed on from this life yesterday.


Both of my parents have been taking turns sitting with her at the hospital. My father could only be with her part of the time. She and my mother always had an intense dislike of eachother, to say the least. I was talking to Monster yesterday morning, about how ironic it would be if she died in my mother's arms. As things happened, my father had to go home to prepare to fly out to Texas today and my mother was at her bedside. Mom took five minutes - maybe less - to walk down the hall for a soda or break and when she got back they told her Mrs. Hardy was dead. Mom turned her head for a few minutes and my grandmother slipped out when she wasn't looking. That, to me, seems just like her.

Monday, January 05, 2004

Today my grandmother in the hospital in Smyrna, with her body shutting down apparently from a stroke, according to her doctors. Dad still must make his trip to Houston tomorrow for his treatment at the Anderson Cancer Center. She's expected to make it at least two more days, which should give him time to return to Atlanta to handle the family arrangements when she passes on. No one is expecting a turnaround really and, at nearly 97 years of age, she seems beyond ready to leave if she's allowed to.


Personally, it's not death I fear at all but ending up in this world well beyond when life as I know it has ceased.

Sunday, January 04, 2004

Today's weather: Milky White Skies and Soupy Air.


I went to see Big Fish with Monster today. Great movie. Tearfully quite appropriate for the two of us and our families these days. Beautiful imagery without being too sweet.


Tomorrow I start my new job and I'm quite anxious tonight. I'll have no real lunch break at the new place but I've been promised that I'll be out of there by 5 PM most days. My plan tomorrow is, rather than trying to bring a desk-lunch, I'll eat a good breakfast and bring some juice with me for the day.

Friday, January 02, 2004

Happy New Year


It's been a pretty good New Years holiday so far. As we toasted the coming year at midnight around the fire at Joy & Cam's house, I felt like this year will be much better than last. All of us have had a horrible 2003 and we're all quite ready to put all that behind us and look forward to the future now.


Monster and I went to my parent's house together on New Year's Day for the tradtional blackeyed peas and greens dinner. Late in the afternoon I went to Aud and Nick's place spent the rest of the evening with them and Sandy and a couple of neighbors with an appearance by Chaz celebrating Aud's birthday.