10/19/07
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN
Had to go to the doctor today. Talked about some alternative methods to beating this problem of mine. She was all for it and my wife, Martha is behind me so, let's get it on! Was in kind of a funk because I thought I had a bladder infection, but the testing said no. She was happy with the test though because there was nothing abnormal about it, even sugar which is cool. So, I'm stuck on antibiotics for seven days. Bleah!
10/17/07
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN
Work was a little hectic with lots and lots of printing with a defective machine. There was a tear on the fuser roll so we had to keep checking the quality of the prints on a periodic basis. What a pain! Got everything done that I wanted to get done however. Bought the boss a few things with Tinkerbell on them for Boss' Day. she liked them a lot and was very happy to get them. She is a great boss so why not show her my appreciation. Especially when so many bosses in the world can be such massive assholes. It's good to find a keeper.
Got to leave a little early for Daniel's first scout meeting. It was misty rain outside which messes with my glasses, but I made it in plenty of time. The den is huge. Seventeen boys. I can remember when I was a den leader for Dennis' den and we have maybe six kids at the most. I am very glad that I am not den leader for this pack of crazy kids.
Now here's the odd thing; It was at a Catholic School in downtown Kalamazoo. Before the meeting they said The Lord's Prayer. Good deal, right? Then at the end of the meeting they were praying to Mary, mother of Jesus. Um, yeah, I'm not going to be able to join in on that little prayer. Martha told me to just say my own prayer and not be a trouble maker. I went with that. Dan had a lot of fun with a bunch of new kids his own age. He was a little confused when they start the prayer with crossing themselves. I caught a glimpse of him giving them the, what are you crazy?, look. It was pretty funny. I'll have to be sure to go over the whole prayer issue with him when we get home.
Afterwards we went to Target because that is the only place to get the new release of Transformers The Movie in the Optimus Prime DVD transforming case. That's right, you heard me. The DVD case transforms into Optimus Prime! How cool is that?
After that we went home, made some dinner, Martha and Delia went to choir practice and I watched The Chicken Chronicles. It was Steven Guttenberg's first movie and I saw it originally in the theaters in 1977. It still holds up really well.
Not a hugely busy day, but active. I was beat by the time it was time to go to bed and sleep.
Got to leave a little early for Daniel's first scout meeting. It was misty rain outside which messes with my glasses, but I made it in plenty of time. The den is huge. Seventeen boys. I can remember when I was a den leader for Dennis' den and we have maybe six kids at the most. I am very glad that I am not den leader for this pack of crazy kids.
Now here's the odd thing; It was at a Catholic School in downtown Kalamazoo. Before the meeting they said The Lord's Prayer. Good deal, right? Then at the end of the meeting they were praying to Mary, mother of Jesus. Um, yeah, I'm not going to be able to join in on that little prayer. Martha told me to just say my own prayer and not be a trouble maker. I went with that. Dan had a lot of fun with a bunch of new kids his own age. He was a little confused when they start the prayer with crossing themselves. I caught a glimpse of him giving them the, what are you crazy?, look. It was pretty funny. I'll have to be sure to go over the whole prayer issue with him when we get home.
Afterwards we went to Target because that is the only place to get the new release of Transformers The Movie in the Optimus Prime DVD transforming case. That's right, you heard me. The DVD case transforms into Optimus Prime! How cool is that?
After that we went home, made some dinner, Martha and Delia went to choir practice and I watched The Chicken Chronicles. It was Steven Guttenberg's first movie and I saw it originally in the theaters in 1977. It still holds up really well.
Not a hugely busy day, but active. I was beat by the time it was time to go to bed and sleep.
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE
Another week at the grind. At least I'm not working the massive amounts of overtime anymore. That's a good thing for my sanity and a bad thing for my wallet. Oh well, I guess I'll opt for sanity for the moment. Besides, we have a project coming down the pipes that is going to be as much overtime as I want in the very near (next month) future. Yippee!
Got home and did stuff. Made meatloaf sandwiches for dinner with lots of mashed potatoes and gravy. Good stuff. I still have leftover meatloaf, though. It will probably go to the dogs if I don't use it tomorrow.
All hyped to see Prison Break and guess what? That's right, baseball. I love to watch a baseball game...at the stadium. I can't stand televised sports. It's all about being at the game and feeding off the energy of the crowd. watching it at home is lame, especially when they cancel an episode of one of the three shows I watch on a regular basis. Sheesh!
Heroes was good. The story is becoming a little too complicated and I wonder if they might be alienating the casual viewer like LOST did. One of those, if you miss a minute of the show, you've lost the plot line completely. Have to wait and see. Thankfully, I haven't missed an episode so it's cool on my end of the planet.
Got home and did stuff. Made meatloaf sandwiches for dinner with lots of mashed potatoes and gravy. Good stuff. I still have leftover meatloaf, though. It will probably go to the dogs if I don't use it tomorrow.
All hyped to see Prison Break and guess what? That's right, baseball. I love to watch a baseball game...at the stadium. I can't stand televised sports. It's all about being at the game and feeding off the energy of the crowd. watching it at home is lame, especially when they cancel an episode of one of the three shows I watch on a regular basis. Sheesh!
Heroes was good. The story is becoming a little too complicated and I wonder if they might be alienating the casual viewer like LOST did. One of those, if you miss a minute of the show, you've lost the plot line completely. Have to wait and see. Thankfully, I haven't missed an episode so it's cool on my end of the planet.
10/15/07
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN
Sunday became the most laid back day ever. Martha was feeling bad so we didn't go to church. I watched a flick called The Sexploiters which was a slice of classic exploitation. Pretty bizarre stuff. Martha was in the mood for never leaving the bedroom so I made food throughout the day for everyone and watched movies on television with Martha and hung out with the kids. I think it did all of us some good to take a day and do absolutely nothing. Felt good. I think Martha started feeling a little better later in the day as well.
I was making meatloaf when Dan asked me for some dipping eggs. I told him were having meatloaf and his face fell. He said that he had opened a can of sliced potatoes and everything. Poor little guy! So,there I was in the kitchen, making dipping eggs and my world famous potatoes for Dan. That ended up being everyone while the meatloaf baked away in the oven. It was still pretty early so later we did have meatloaf and mac and cheese and carrots so it was good. Plenty of meatloaf for leftover meatloaf sandwiches as well.
I made a run down to the local gas station for sodas and candy bars for Martha and the kids. I got a package of this raisin, cashew and almond mix that is unsalted. Some company named Kar's makes them and they're good and manage to satisfy my sweet and crunch at the same time.
I also organized my movie cabinet in the bedroom, found a few thing I was missing and located movies that have to go back out to people. A lazy, yet productive kind of day.
More movies and more laid back until it was time to fall asleep for the night.
I was making meatloaf when Dan asked me for some dipping eggs. I told him were having meatloaf and his face fell. He said that he had opened a can of sliced potatoes and everything. Poor little guy! So,there I was in the kitchen, making dipping eggs and my world famous potatoes for Dan. That ended up being everyone while the meatloaf baked away in the oven. It was still pretty early so later we did have meatloaf and mac and cheese and carrots so it was good. Plenty of meatloaf for leftover meatloaf sandwiches as well.
I made a run down to the local gas station for sodas and candy bars for Martha and the kids. I got a package of this raisin, cashew and almond mix that is unsalted. Some company named Kar's makes them and they're good and manage to satisfy my sweet and crunch at the same time.
I also organized my movie cabinet in the bedroom, found a few thing I was missing and located movies that have to go back out to people. A lazy, yet productive kind of day.
More movies and more laid back until it was time to fall asleep for the night.
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND TEN
Saturday was a lazy day, we eventually got up and around becuase the kids wanted to go the the Fun Day at The Boys and Girls Club downtown. They had fun. Well, except for Delia because there were too many people about, but the rest of them had fun playing games, winning prizes and jumping around in one of those moon walk thingies. Dennis went and got us some pumpkins and a bunch of dried corn stalks and some gourds and some indian corn to decorate the front porch for Halloween. I hope it isn't crappy weather for Halloween this year. Of course, I can remmeber walking through snow to get my candy at least a couple of times. Usually it rains more than anything else, but that doesn't seem to stop kids from hitting the houses. Delia asked if we were putting a bowl of candy out for the kids this year and I said, why not?
After Fun Day we came home for food and then Delia and Martha got ready for church. I stayed home with the littles and Dennis to prevent chaos during the gospel music that was going on. When Martha got home she said that more than one person was mad that they stopped the music for the message. I would have to say that if you're listening to gospel music that that is the message. A lot of people can relate more to the music than the spoken word. If it wasn't true then commercial jingles wouldn't be so popular.
A pretty laid back day for me. I watched a couple of flicks and did some reviews and other little things. It felt good to not be busy and take it easy for a change.
After Fun Day we came home for food and then Delia and Martha got ready for church. I stayed home with the littles and Dennis to prevent chaos during the gospel music that was going on. When Martha got home she said that more than one person was mad that they stopped the music for the message. I would have to say that if you're listening to gospel music that that is the message. A lot of people can relate more to the music than the spoken word. If it wasn't true then commercial jingles wouldn't be so popular.
A pretty laid back day for me. I watched a couple of flicks and did some reviews and other little things. It felt good to not be busy and take it easy for a change.
10/13/07
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND NINE
Friday! No working for the weekend. After work came home and got ready for church. It was spaghetti dinner night and I was ready for some heaping plates of pasta. And I wasn't disappointed. Nice salads to go with the dinner and some wonderful, crunchy garlic bread. Good stuff. We had a choir for service and that was nice as well.
The message, delivered once more by The Master, (He, He). Good message and afterwards there were fun activities for the kids. We got home uber late and I watched a little television before nodding off. Tomorrow is the gospel music and the ice cream social. Definitely a busy week, but it's starting to wind down a little.
The message, delivered once more by The Master, (He, He). Good message and afterwards there were fun activities for the kids. We got home uber late and I watched a little television before nodding off. Tomorrow is the gospel music and the ice cream social. Definitely a busy week, but it's starting to wind down a little.
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT
Thursday, PAck The Pew night at church. UNitl Martha called me at work. Seems that the minivan took a dump and it was the transmission. The van was free so I'm not willing to spend too much cash for it, but we will have to see. Anyway, we didn't make it to church. We still have the station wagon, but it was choir practice for Martha and Delia so, they went and did that instead.
I watched a flick to review for Cult Cuts called Dracula's Dirty Daughter. Garbage, but I expect that a lot.
Took it easy for the rest of the night.
I watched a flick to review for Cult Cuts called Dracula's Dirty Daughter. Garbage, but I expect that a lot.
Took it easy for the rest of the night.
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN
Today was the first night of revival at chruch. I took the massive amout of peanut butter cookies I made and we went super eraly to help out with the recovery dinner. There was chikcen to carve and cornbread and cheesy rice to make. I had fun in the kitchen while MArtha did the bulletin and the bulletin board in the foyer. Lots of yummy food and then service was our guest speaker, Rich Ratts. It's funny because he's a good speaker and all, but he looks a lot like the recent incarnation of The Master in Doctor Who so there's that visual baggage going along with it. He also does that talk and then pause thing that kind of makes me crazy after a while. Lots of speakers use that method so it must be effective, but it has always grated my nerves a little. Great guy thouhg. we had a chnace to talk before and after service so it was a good time. Ate too much.
I got my reversing diabetets book in the mail as well and it primarily deals with a drastic change in diet. I'm slowly working my way into the mindset, but I don't see it being a quick turnaround. The book is filled with hundreds of recipes though so I will defintiely have all the support I need for that. Soon, no more medication. Yippee!
I got my reversing diabetets book in the mail as well and it primarily deals with a drastic change in diet. I'm slowly working my way into the mindset, but I don't see it being a quick turnaround. The book is filled with hundreds of recipes though so I will defintiely have all the support I need for that. Soon, no more medication. Yippee!
10/10/07
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SIX
On the way to work the chain slipped off my bike. Made me more than a little nervous, but I walked it into a lit parking lot and was able to get it on with minimal difficulty and be on my way. I wasn't even late for work. All around a good thing. Work was work. Went to Subway for lunch and got the veggie sub. Since I will eat any vegetable my sub is always huge. I definitely get my money's worth compared to the picky eaters in the world. Plus, that fat free sweet onion sauce is great! After work I pedaled home and took all the taco fixings from the night before and made a huge platter of yummy nachos. The two littles didn't want any, but the rest of us sucked them down like we were starving. Good stuff!
Then I was whisked away to the store by Martha to get all the things I needed to make peanut butter cookies for the church revival this week. I made a little over a hundred cookies. Martha and Delia and Dandelion all helped so it went pretty smooth.
Martha went to Walmart while we were all away at work and school and got some things for the kitchen. Paring knives, coffee mugs, a couple of really nice, huge tea cups for her and I to sip evening tea out of. Plus some flexible cutting boards and a bunch of other things that were really needed in the kitchen. She also made some delicious banana bread that we had with coffee.
My buddy, Michael Legge sent along some new Dr. Dreck episodes for us to enjoy. I watched CASTLE OF THE LIVING DEAD with Christopher Lee and DOnald Sutherland and had forgotten what a grainy, low budget affair it was. It kind of reminded me of an Andy Milligan flick and it was wild seeing Lee and Sutherland so young.
My medications finally showed up today and I was torn as to whether or not to take them. I realize that my doctor has my best interests in mind, but I know there are options I would rather explore. Unfortunately, my book I really need to guide me on this hasn't shown up yet so I have to wait for that before I get the cure in motion for this whole thing. In the meantime, I'm being a good little droogie and taking my meds as prescribed. Yippee for me!
Tomorrow starts church revival. Gonna have big, busy stuff going on until Sunday. I really hate being busy. At least there will be lots of yummy food and good company for the entire thing. Friday night is movie night and I thought I would get some Marx Brothers to show the kids. Or Three Stooges.
Then I was whisked away to the store by Martha to get all the things I needed to make peanut butter cookies for the church revival this week. I made a little over a hundred cookies. Martha and Delia and Dandelion all helped so it went pretty smooth.
Martha went to Walmart while we were all away at work and school and got some things for the kitchen. Paring knives, coffee mugs, a couple of really nice, huge tea cups for her and I to sip evening tea out of. Plus some flexible cutting boards and a bunch of other things that were really needed in the kitchen. She also made some delicious banana bread that we had with coffee.
My buddy, Michael Legge sent along some new Dr. Dreck episodes for us to enjoy. I watched CASTLE OF THE LIVING DEAD with Christopher Lee and DOnald Sutherland and had forgotten what a grainy, low budget affair it was. It kind of reminded me of an Andy Milligan flick and it was wild seeing Lee and Sutherland so young.
My medications finally showed up today and I was torn as to whether or not to take them. I realize that my doctor has my best interests in mind, but I know there are options I would rather explore. Unfortunately, my book I really need to guide me on this hasn't shown up yet so I have to wait for that before I get the cure in motion for this whole thing. In the meantime, I'm being a good little droogie and taking my meds as prescribed. Yippee for me!
Tomorrow starts church revival. Gonna have big, busy stuff going on until Sunday. I really hate being busy. At least there will be lots of yummy food and good company for the entire thing. Friday night is movie night and I thought I would get some Marx Brothers to show the kids. Or Three Stooges.
10/9/07
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE
The first Monday in a long time that I won't have to work all damned day! Yippee! So,work meant nothing to me today. I did my stuff and got it done and left at three, washing m,y hands of the place. It felt great! I got home before the littles got off the bus. I had already told Martha that I would help Dandelion with her homework now that I wasn't working overtime. So, Dandelion had no homework! Seems they are having MEAP testing this week and no homework for the kids. Dan is too young for the MEAP tests so he still has homework. After homework I read Dan a Solomon Kane story entitled The Skull In The Stars. He thought it was great. The other kids drifted in and out, but I heard them listening too. I have the entire Solomon Kane collection and will read him the whole thing. Well, there are a couple of story fragments that I won't bother with. It will just confuse him.
After story time Martha and I went to the store and picked up breakfasty stuff and the things I needed to make tacos at The Waltz Hacienda. The tacos were yummy.
Then it was time for the double threat of Prison Break and Heroes. Prison Break held my attention more than Heroes did. For a third season of a show with a pretty thin premise, they are doing a great job keeping the viewer engaged.
It felt good to get home at a normal time and do things with the family that weren't all rush, rush, rush. I had been feeling pretty depressed lately, well for me anyway. I don't depress easily. And I think this normal shift is going to feel much better.
After story time Martha and I went to the store and picked up breakfasty stuff and the things I needed to make tacos at The Waltz Hacienda. The tacos were yummy.
Then it was time for the double threat of Prison Break and Heroes. Prison Break held my attention more than Heroes did. For a third season of a show with a pretty thin premise, they are doing a great job keeping the viewer engaged.
It felt good to get home at a normal time and do things with the family that weren't all rush, rush, rush. I had been feeling pretty depressed lately, well for me anyway. I don't depress easily. And I think this normal shift is going to feel much better.
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR
Sunday morning and we left for church a little early. Martha had picked up a brick of those little, golf pencils for the pews so people can fill out the visitor cards during the revival. Missy brought breakfast sandwiches for breakfast and we were out of creamer so I had to run out and get some. I was going to go to H&B Market, but they were closed. I ended up over at Lakeshore Market and I love going to that little market. When I was a kid it was IGA Skedgell's MArket. That's the place where I got most of my comic books when I was young before there were stores that just sold comics. They even carried Vampirella Magazine back then. It has changed a little over the years, but not much. I got the creamer and made a beeline back to church.
Sam was teaching the youngsters about something when I got there and I just abandoned my lesson plan and went with the flow. I was able to interject a few things from the lesson, but it was a big group and there were lots of questions and really good discussion so I would label that a success.
Church service went well. One of our older members is going again to Ann Arbor for some eye surgery so we all laid hands on him and said a special prayer for the success of that.
After church we went to B&G warehouse because I needed a new deck brush for the driveway at home. Trees lose their leaves and other stuff on the cement driveway and after a while you get a film of this plant slime that makes it harder to get up the driveway in the winter. I usually scrub it once or twice a year. Dennis and Daniel helped me with that.
Before we got home we were all part of a protest called Life Chain. It took place this Sunday for one hour in The United States and Canada and it protests abortion. I took some pictures of the wife and kiddies in the protest and put them up here to enjoy. We only had one person yell obscenities and one woman flipped us off. All we were doing was holding signs so it was a passive protest.
After that busy of a morning we all went home and relaxed. It was pretty hot outside all weekend so being in the inside with the air conditioning was a good thing.
It's funny, I haven't been able to take my blood sugar meds or my cholesterol meds for over a week. The prescription drug place I'm forced to use if I don't want to pay and arm and a leg is Caremark and they have managed to screw my stuff up six ways from...well, Sunday. Today Martha told me to dig out the glucose meter and check it. Now this was at the end of the day and I had had pizza and breakfast sandwiches today. It read 117. Well under the 120 mark. It makes me wonder if I should even be taking this stuff to begin with. I'm going to call my doctor and make an appointment. Who knows? Maybe all the clean living and extra exercise riding my bike has caused a positive change in my system. We will have to see.
10/8/07
ONE HUNDRED AND THREE
SAturday and sleeping in. Well, sort of. We got a late start, but went to help clean the church in preparation for our revival next week. We spent an hour and a half cleaning. After church we went for food. Instead of one of the big conglomerates we went to a little place called Franco's Sub Station and Pizzeria. Tiny place that I have been going to since high school. Franco makes the best pasta and meat sauce and he brings you a bowl bigger than your head. Martha and the kids got subs and the small ones are huge! It costs a little more, but you know you ate when you get out of there.
After that we went to the mall for a while. I had to have an eye exam and everything looks good. The insurance I have for opitcal sucks so I was out forty bucks, but I wanted to make sure all was well with my eyeballs.
Aftre that we headed home because it was a scorcher and the dogs had been put up in the hosue all day.
After a little fun with the doggies we headed back out because Martha wanted to go to the dollar store. Of course, they didn't have everything she wanted so we also went to Target to find measuring cups. After that we went to MCDonalds for ice cream, well I got coffee. Ice cream plays hob nob with my stomach so I don't indulge very often.
A busy, busy day and tomorrow is church so, the morning will be busy at the least.
After that we went to the mall for a while. I had to have an eye exam and everything looks good. The insurance I have for opitcal sucks so I was out forty bucks, but I wanted to make sure all was well with my eyeballs.
Aftre that we headed home because it was a scorcher and the dogs had been put up in the hosue all day.
After a little fun with the doggies we headed back out because Martha wanted to go to the dollar store. Of course, they didn't have everything she wanted so we also went to Target to find measuring cups. After that we went to MCDonalds for ice cream, well I got coffee. Ice cream plays hob nob with my stomach so I don't indulge very often.
A busy, busy day and tomorrow is church so, the morning will be busy at the least.
DAY ONE HUNDRED AND TWO
The week is over! Friday and the end of my overtime. It will be good to get out at a reasonable hour. Get home and do stuff instead of coming home, make dinner and watch a little television before bed. I am so looking forward to next Monday.
Work was a blur, just get through it so it can be done. The only true bright spot in my week this past week has been going out to lunch with Martha everyday. We had errands to run and refrigerators to buy and it was a busy week and she wanted me along for it. So, we had lunch everyday this week. It was very nice and I wish it was more affordable so we could do it every day. Oh well, it was a lot of fun and very nice.
ON lunch today we went to STIR MAX, a Chinese buffet restaurant that we love. I ate too much, but it sure was good. Next to the restaurant was a comic shop called Fanfare that I have been going to for decades. I thought it would be fun to look around and what should I see? New issues of a Howard the Duck miniseries and a Super Villain Team Up miniseries! It was like Marvel made comics for me again! They were both pretty good. The only problem I had was they don't let Howard smoke. The comic is rated adult and Howard isn't from around here. I think the pussies at Marvel could let him smoke.
So, after work I got home and we headed off to The Art Hop in downtown Kalamazoo. Actually, we just went to The First Baptist Church because they were having two performances by an improv group that we really like called Crawlspace Eviction. It was fun and when they asked for a volunteer from the audience I was surprised to see Dennis' hand shoot up. They got him on stage and asked him about his day. OF course he went over his entire day class by class because he had school today. They did this cool, nightmare thing about how rushed and crazy his day was. It was very funny and it was cool seeing Dennis up there having fun.
After that we went home and ordered pizza from Pizza Masters and watched the season finale of Doctor Who. It was a good wrap up of the entire season and left a pretty funny cliffhanger for the Christmas episode.
After that was Flash Gordon and I had missed the last couple of episodes because, well I was sick of them being on Earth all the time. This episode took place primarily on Mongo and the guest star was Sam Jones, who played Flash in the 80's movie. Cool stuff.
Work was a blur, just get through it so it can be done. The only true bright spot in my week this past week has been going out to lunch with Martha everyday. We had errands to run and refrigerators to buy and it was a busy week and she wanted me along for it. So, we had lunch everyday this week. It was very nice and I wish it was more affordable so we could do it every day. Oh well, it was a lot of fun and very nice.
ON lunch today we went to STIR MAX, a Chinese buffet restaurant that we love. I ate too much, but it sure was good. Next to the restaurant was a comic shop called Fanfare that I have been going to for decades. I thought it would be fun to look around and what should I see? New issues of a Howard the Duck miniseries and a Super Villain Team Up miniseries! It was like Marvel made comics for me again! They were both pretty good. The only problem I had was they don't let Howard smoke. The comic is rated adult and Howard isn't from around here. I think the pussies at Marvel could let him smoke.
So, after work I got home and we headed off to The Art Hop in downtown Kalamazoo. Actually, we just went to The First Baptist Church because they were having two performances by an improv group that we really like called Crawlspace Eviction. It was fun and when they asked for a volunteer from the audience I was surprised to see Dennis' hand shoot up. They got him on stage and asked him about his day. OF course he went over his entire day class by class because he had school today. They did this cool, nightmare thing about how rushed and crazy his day was. It was very funny and it was cool seeing Dennis up there having fun.
After that we went home and ordered pizza from Pizza Masters and watched the season finale of Doctor Who. It was a good wrap up of the entire season and left a pretty funny cliffhanger for the Christmas episode.
After that was Flash Gordon and I had missed the last couple of episodes because, well I was sick of them being on Earth all the time. This episode took place primarily on Mongo and the guest star was Sam Jones, who played Flash in the 80's movie. Cool stuff.
10/4/07
DAY ONE HUNDED AND ONE
Still no sign of my medications. Yippee! As I mentioned before I have had it with this way of treating my problem. I don't want a treatment, I want a cure. I got a nice email from Donna Lucas of Video Watchdog fame explaining how she and her husband, Tim, beat cholesterol with heavy doses of Niacin. She sent me links for the book they followed as well as where to get the Niacin. I'll be ordering the book very soon. I want to absorb the first book I ordered and it hasn't arrived yet.
Our temp got her pass at work so my overtime is nearing an end. After Friday I can go back to those lovely hours of 6:30 to 3:00. I'll remember what my wife and kids look like. Yaaaaa!
After work I got home and changed the tire on the minivan. The steel belts were showing so I put on the full size spare and now we need to make a trip out to Boven's. Best place in the tri county area for used rubber. Twenty seven bucks and the even balance the tire for you.
Dandelion decided she had to cook food so she decided what she was going to make. Scrambled eggs and blueberry pancakes. We had to make a trip to the store to get a few things. I picked up this new gum by Icebreakers called Center. It's sugarless and has mega doses of ginseng and vitamin C in it. They also had a mint called Restore that has vitamins A,C,E and Zinc in it. Plus it's Lemon and Pomegranate flavored so it's yummy and also sugar free.
The big surprise arrived in the mail via Netflix. That's right it was the first disc of LANCELOT LINK! If you don't know who this is, I feel sorry for you and direct you to wikipedia.org where you can see what you have been missing.
The day felt short, but that was because I spend all that time at work. That will be over as of Monday and I am so happy you have no idea. Plus it's nice to know that I have internet friends like Donna Lucas. Her husband Tim wrote a book on the fantastic director Mario Bava. It's entitled, MARIO BAVA, ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK. It's an amazing book that I have myself and am slowly reading my way through. Donna did some fantatsic graphic work in the book and if you head on over to http://www.bavabook.blogspot.com/ you can see what I'm talking about and order one for yourself. Thanks for the advice, Donna. That meant a lot to me.
Our temp got her pass at work so my overtime is nearing an end. After Friday I can go back to those lovely hours of 6:30 to 3:00. I'll remember what my wife and kids look like. Yaaaaa!
After work I got home and changed the tire on the minivan. The steel belts were showing so I put on the full size spare and now we need to make a trip out to Boven's. Best place in the tri county area for used rubber. Twenty seven bucks and the even balance the tire for you.
Dandelion decided she had to cook food so she decided what she was going to make. Scrambled eggs and blueberry pancakes. We had to make a trip to the store to get a few things. I picked up this new gum by Icebreakers called Center. It's sugarless and has mega doses of ginseng and vitamin C in it. They also had a mint called Restore that has vitamins A,C,E and Zinc in it. Plus it's Lemon and Pomegranate flavored so it's yummy and also sugar free.
The big surprise arrived in the mail via Netflix. That's right it was the first disc of LANCELOT LINK! If you don't know who this is, I feel sorry for you and direct you to wikipedia.org where you can see what you have been missing.
The day felt short, but that was because I spend all that time at work. That will be over as of Monday and I am so happy you have no idea. Plus it's nice to know that I have internet friends like Donna Lucas. Her husband Tim wrote a book on the fantastic director Mario Bava. It's entitled, MARIO BAVA, ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK. It's an amazing book that I have myself and am slowly reading my way through. Donna did some fantatsic graphic work in the book and if you head on over to http://www.bavabook.blogspot.com/ you can see what I'm talking about and order one for yourself. Thanks for the advice, Donna. That meant a lot to me.
10/2/07
DAY ONE HUNDRED
One hundred days! Wooooo, that must be some kind of record! Sure, I've consolidated a couple of days into a single post or two, but that's one hundred days chronicled. Very cool.
Work was work. I have been fighting with my mail order pharmacy to get my medications and they are making me and my doctor crazy. I have gone without my Lopid and Glucophage for a couple of days now and while there are no adverse effects, I worry a little.
Today I have decided that this is God's way to try a different route to the whole blood sugar, cholesterol thing. I spent a lot of today at work researching what to do. I ordered a book off of Amazon and have made a decision to get together with my doctor and start restructuring my life to be free of medication. The pharmaceutical companies could care less if I ever cure myself. They want to push pills on everyone. I did some reading and have a basic plan to run through that will free me of my meds in around one years time. Hmmmm, might make for an interesting blog. No, no, that way lies madness.
Martha and I went and got a new refrigerator at Ted's Appliances. I told them it was bogus that the last one went so fast and he cut us a deal. That was cool.
By the time I got home it was there. For dinner I made a red sauce with left over roast pork and then some rotini to go with the sauce. Some of the kids just had noodles and Parmesan cheese some had the sauce. I thought it turned out pretty well.
Delia and Martha have joined a Gosepelfest choir and tonight was their first practice. They were both very excited about it and when they got home it was all they could talk about very cool stuff for those ladies. They will have fun.
Another one of those busy days. I'm excited about taking the first steps to free myself from my medication.
Oddest therapy I discovered today was uropathy. Yeah, I ain't drinking my own piss. Not gonna happen.
Work was work. I have been fighting with my mail order pharmacy to get my medications and they are making me and my doctor crazy. I have gone without my Lopid and Glucophage for a couple of days now and while there are no adverse effects, I worry a little.
Today I have decided that this is God's way to try a different route to the whole blood sugar, cholesterol thing. I spent a lot of today at work researching what to do. I ordered a book off of Amazon and have made a decision to get together with my doctor and start restructuring my life to be free of medication. The pharmaceutical companies could care less if I ever cure myself. They want to push pills on everyone. I did some reading and have a basic plan to run through that will free me of my meds in around one years time. Hmmmm, might make for an interesting blog. No, no, that way lies madness.
Martha and I went and got a new refrigerator at Ted's Appliances. I told them it was bogus that the last one went so fast and he cut us a deal. That was cool.
By the time I got home it was there. For dinner I made a red sauce with left over roast pork and then some rotini to go with the sauce. Some of the kids just had noodles and Parmesan cheese some had the sauce. I thought it turned out pretty well.
Delia and Martha have joined a Gosepelfest choir and tonight was their first practice. They were both very excited about it and when they got home it was all they could talk about very cool stuff for those ladies. They will have fun.
Another one of those busy days. I'm excited about taking the first steps to free myself from my medication.
Oddest therapy I discovered today was uropathy. Yeah, I ain't drinking my own piss. Not gonna happen.
DAY NINETY-NINE
Another new week at the print shop. Hopefully, they will give the new gal a pass so she can stay and close by herself and I can finally go home when I'm supposed to. I'll probably stay the remainder of the week. Jobs are a little more sparse so we aren't as busy. I have a couple of big jobs that need some serious time and will probably get some work done on those.
After work Martha picked me up from work. It rained this morning and I didn't feel like getting soaked. We went to Sav A Lot and picked up some serious staples. It was hard because we are still working with no refrigerator.
Lots of canned stuff and dry things for now.
Spam was on sale and it came with it's own reusable plastic container. Very cool so I picked up a few of them.
Got home and I made steak, green beans and rice. Simple and yummy.
Prison Break and Heroes were on. Both series are just getting a head of steam up so while it's exciting to watch they haven't gotten into the new season groove. Both of them are over for the night before I'm ready for it so, they must still be good.
The whole day I was exhausted. I kissed Martha and we both passed out.
After work Martha picked me up from work. It rained this morning and I didn't feel like getting soaked. We went to Sav A Lot and picked up some serious staples. It was hard because we are still working with no refrigerator.
Lots of canned stuff and dry things for now.
Spam was on sale and it came with it's own reusable plastic container. Very cool so I picked up a few of them.
Got home and I made steak, green beans and rice. Simple and yummy.
Prison Break and Heroes were on. Both series are just getting a head of steam up so while it's exciting to watch they haven't gotten into the new season groove. Both of them are over for the night before I'm ready for it so, they must still be good.
The whole day I was exhausted. I kissed Martha and we both passed out.
DAY NINETY-EIGHT
Had to get up early. It's my turn to make breakfast for Sunday School and I never like to disappoint my fans. I have tried to do interesting, yummy things for breakfast for a while now and I realized that I hadn't made one of my fan favorites is a while. My home made sausage mcmuffins. Like McDonalds, but better. I must have made close to forty of those things and when the smoke cleared I think two were left. Good stuff. I like cooking in the kitchen especially when I'm cranking out food full blast so this was nice for me. Turn off the brain and turn on the skill.
Of course, my Sunday School lesson fell by the wayside because I was busy in the kitchen the whole time, but that's alright for one Sunday out of six.
We're getting ready for revival in the church so there's lots of stuff to get done around the church. Probably spend more time than usual there.
After church we headed home. Had the kids clean their rooms some more. Took a nap and kind of took it easy.
After all the littles were in bed Martha and I watched one of the adult films I had to review. It's called Rendezvous and it was pretty good. Funny, a semblance of a plot and the lead girl Carmen Hart was very pretty. reminded me of Salma Hayek. Randy Spears was in it and he's a funny guy to begin with.
Not to get to detailed but, the movie kept Martha and I 'up' until about one in the morning. I am so gonna pay for this tomorrow when I have to go to work. But, it was a blast so, who's complaining? Not me.
Of course, my Sunday School lesson fell by the wayside because I was busy in the kitchen the whole time, but that's alright for one Sunday out of six.
We're getting ready for revival in the church so there's lots of stuff to get done around the church. Probably spend more time than usual there.
After church we headed home. Had the kids clean their rooms some more. Took a nap and kind of took it easy.
After all the littles were in bed Martha and I watched one of the adult films I had to review. It's called Rendezvous and it was pretty good. Funny, a semblance of a plot and the lead girl Carmen Hart was very pretty. reminded me of Salma Hayek. Randy Spears was in it and he's a funny guy to begin with.
Not to get to detailed but, the movie kept Martha and I 'up' until about one in the morning. I am so gonna pay for this tomorrow when I have to go to work. But, it was a blast so, who's complaining? Not me.
9/29/07
DAY NINETY-SEVEN
Woke up around seven. Thought about going back to sleep and decided against it. Watched some television, played Kingdom Of Loathing with Daniel and drew some of the comic he came up with called Sea Scratch. Sea Scratch is a sea serpent who is a super hero. I've got three pages done and it's fun to do stuff with Dan the Man.
I made Martha some Coco Wheats for breakfast and the rest of us ate pop tarts and egg sandwiches along with a cup of coffee. Yummy!
Then it was finally time to get motivated. I did watch the first half of BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE that Dan Taylor loaned to me. The lead is gorgeous ad so far it's pretty good. I'll probably watch the second half for bed.
Started on my hillside garden again. I got some of it dug up and decided to mow down the thicker parts. Found another damned bees nest so that put an end to that. Martha, meanwhile was organizing things and got to the huge CD collection. She wanted a rack for them so I took some scrap wood and this piece of rubber coated wire shelving and made a low table that holds CDs. It was fun to make something on the fly.
For lunch we all had Beef Stew and butter noodles. Dan requested mac and cheese with tuna so that was dinner.
I made up the sausage patties for tomorrows breakfast at church and then made Dandelion and Dennis hit the tub. Delia got a wicked scratch from Pashmina so she will have to wait until tomorrow to hit the tub because I put this huge bandage on it after cleaning it with peroxide. Didn't feel like wasting the bandage.
Then I got some writing done, mostly adult film reviews and blogging. Settled down with a nice cup of Chamomile tea and Graham Norton for bed.
Busy day, but it was a lot of fun and I got to build something useful.
Good day.
I made Martha some Coco Wheats for breakfast and the rest of us ate pop tarts and egg sandwiches along with a cup of coffee. Yummy!
Then it was finally time to get motivated. I did watch the first half of BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE that Dan Taylor loaned to me. The lead is gorgeous ad so far it's pretty good. I'll probably watch the second half for bed.
Started on my hillside garden again. I got some of it dug up and decided to mow down the thicker parts. Found another damned bees nest so that put an end to that. Martha, meanwhile was organizing things and got to the huge CD collection. She wanted a rack for them so I took some scrap wood and this piece of rubber coated wire shelving and made a low table that holds CDs. It was fun to make something on the fly.
For lunch we all had Beef Stew and butter noodles. Dan requested mac and cheese with tuna so that was dinner.
I made up the sausage patties for tomorrows breakfast at church and then made Dandelion and Dennis hit the tub. Delia got a wicked scratch from Pashmina so she will have to wait until tomorrow to hit the tub because I put this huge bandage on it after cleaning it with peroxide. Didn't feel like wasting the bandage.
Then I got some writing done, mostly adult film reviews and blogging. Settled down with a nice cup of Chamomile tea and Graham Norton for bed.
Busy day, but it was a lot of fun and I got to build something useful.
Good day.
DAY NINETY-SIX
Another lovely Friday. After all the overtime it is nice to know that I don't have to get up early tomorrow and go to work for ten or eleven hours. Yipee! Another day of getting these huge jobs done. Kind of sick of how busy we are at work.
Home was good, we went out for Chinese food at King Wok Buffet. Then we went to the Halloween store and found what we all wanted to be for Halloween. I also found these really cool glasses for my Baron Morbid costume. Very fun stuff.
Got home in time to see what I thought was the last episode of Doctor Who. It turned out to be the next to the last episode so we get one more week. It's pretty interesting, too.
After that I was beat and went to bed.
Home was good, we went out for Chinese food at King Wok Buffet. Then we went to the Halloween store and found what we all wanted to be for Halloween. I also found these really cool glasses for my Baron Morbid costume. Very fun stuff.
Got home in time to see what I thought was the last episode of Doctor Who. It turned out to be the next to the last episode so we get one more week. It's pretty interesting, too.
After that I was beat and went to bed.
9/28/07
NINETY-FIVE
All I did at work today was feed paper into a printer for this huge job that we had to reprint because the person doesn't know how to fill out a request form. Oh yeah, and the previous set we printed for her got thrown away by some stupid friggin' janitor. So, that's all I did at work today. Tired of the open to close and really getting sick of it. Same song, different day.
When I got home I wanted to go to the store and get goodies. Martha agreed so, I put the leftover 15 bean soup on the stove and we were off. The store seemed a little crowded. Made me think that maybe people were panic shopping because of the impeding threat of the state of Michigan possibly closing down. Seems our lovely, pain in the you know where, governor couldn't hack it and now we might get a shut down. Wheeeee!
I doubt it will happen, but not being a prophet, who knows what will occur. We'll see on the first of October.
I made sure to get a nice, crusty loaf of french bread to go with the soup. It was amazing. Even better the second time around. I will have to make this one again with a big ham bone in it I think.
Full of soup and bread Martha and I watched Resurrection Of The Daleks with Peter Davison as The Doctor. We made it through one and a half episodes before nodding off. I woke up long enough to turn off the DVD player and leave the BBC on to sleep to.
When I got home I wanted to go to the store and get goodies. Martha agreed so, I put the leftover 15 bean soup on the stove and we were off. The store seemed a little crowded. Made me think that maybe people were panic shopping because of the impeding threat of the state of Michigan possibly closing down. Seems our lovely, pain in the you know where, governor couldn't hack it and now we might get a shut down. Wheeeee!
I doubt it will happen, but not being a prophet, who knows what will occur. We'll see on the first of October.
I made sure to get a nice, crusty loaf of french bread to go with the soup. It was amazing. Even better the second time around. I will have to make this one again with a big ham bone in it I think.
Full of soup and bread Martha and I watched Resurrection Of The Daleks with Peter Davison as The Doctor. We made it through one and a half episodes before nodding off. I woke up long enough to turn off the DVD player and leave the BBC on to sleep to.
NINETY-FOUR
Wet and soggy on the way to work. I have this one hill I go down and it was fun missing the puddle that stretched over an entire lane. Thank God for the showers at work. Nothing to get the chill out of these bones like a hot shower and a cup of coffee.
Work was the same, nothing new. The newbie hasn't left yet so, that's a good thing. Seems like we are swamped at work and it only gets worse by the end of the year. I'll have the newbie trained just in time to have to work open to close anyway just to keep up with what we have to get done. Oh well, lots of extra money for the holidays!
While talking to my buddies on the Yahoo! group Eurotrash Paradise, Dan Taylor mentioned meatloaf and mashed potatoes and then all I wanted was that. Thankfully, we had some ground lamb in the fridge along with the other things for meatloaf. It turned out okay, but the mashed potatoes and gravy were the best. The meatloaf needed more salt and some other kind of meat to give the loaf more texture. Lamb is a little too tender for something like this.
I got a huge box of movies from Patti Stanley to review for the Penguin Comics site so that should keep me busy for a little while. Watched some stupid, gonzo, tattooed porn that made me grumpy. The whole gonzo movement is such a pile of crap anyway and the sooner it goes away the better. It reminds me a lot of the majority of the shot on video horror that litters the video stores nowadays. Just amateurish crap.
Work was the same, nothing new. The newbie hasn't left yet so, that's a good thing. Seems like we are swamped at work and it only gets worse by the end of the year. I'll have the newbie trained just in time to have to work open to close anyway just to keep up with what we have to get done. Oh well, lots of extra money for the holidays!
While talking to my buddies on the Yahoo! group Eurotrash Paradise, Dan Taylor mentioned meatloaf and mashed potatoes and then all I wanted was that. Thankfully, we had some ground lamb in the fridge along with the other things for meatloaf. It turned out okay, but the mashed potatoes and gravy were the best. The meatloaf needed more salt and some other kind of meat to give the loaf more texture. Lamb is a little too tender for something like this.
I got a huge box of movies from Patti Stanley to review for the Penguin Comics site so that should keep me busy for a little while. Watched some stupid, gonzo, tattooed porn that made me grumpy. The whole gonzo movement is such a pile of crap anyway and the sooner it goes away the better. It reminds me a lot of the majority of the shot on video horror that litters the video stores nowadays. Just amateurish crap.
9/26/07
NINETY-THREE
The newbie didn't quit after the first day! Hurray! She does what we give her to do, does it and does a good job and all works pretty well. We'll see how it works out. Too soon for optimism.
The bike ride home was interesting as I take the downtown mall to get home. Yes, yes I ride my bike on the mall where I'm not supposed to. Big deal! Anyway, there were cops everywhere so my first thought was, Crap! They're after me for riding on the mall! It was a gas leak and when I got a whiff of it I pedaled my big butt a little quicker to get out of the potential blast radius. Of course, if the explosion traveled into the pipes it would have made little difference. Thankfully, nothing happened.
When I got home I was pleased to see the beans I had soaking overnight simmering on the stove. Martha did a great job with them. I rinsed them put them back in the pot with some browned ground lamb and onions and garden tomatoes and some spices. An hour later it made for a fantastic soup that even little Dan the Man came back with a clean bowl. He said it was awesome so, it must be good.
After that it rained really hard for a while. The rain let up and Martha asked me if I could go get her some chocolate. She has had the worst headache for days and I went. The rain came back a little, but I got my rain gear on and headed the short distance to the nearby gas station for Twix and Caramello.
when I got home I made her a nice cup of herbal tea and brought her that and the chocolate. She was watching something on the Disney Channel and I was far from interested so I read an old issue of Video Watchdog and played some classic Sonic The Hedgehog on my Sega emulator on the computer.
After that we watched a little of Dexter's Laboratory on Boomerang and I was ready to hit the hay.
The soup was perfect for a rainy day, but tomorrow it will be better because it's leftover and soup is always better the second day and it's supposed to drop to 69 degrees tomorrow and soup on a chilly day is the best.
The bike ride home was interesting as I take the downtown mall to get home. Yes, yes I ride my bike on the mall where I'm not supposed to. Big deal! Anyway, there were cops everywhere so my first thought was, Crap! They're after me for riding on the mall! It was a gas leak and when I got a whiff of it I pedaled my big butt a little quicker to get out of the potential blast radius. Of course, if the explosion traveled into the pipes it would have made little difference. Thankfully, nothing happened.
When I got home I was pleased to see the beans I had soaking overnight simmering on the stove. Martha did a great job with them. I rinsed them put them back in the pot with some browned ground lamb and onions and garden tomatoes and some spices. An hour later it made for a fantastic soup that even little Dan the Man came back with a clean bowl. He said it was awesome so, it must be good.
After that it rained really hard for a while. The rain let up and Martha asked me if I could go get her some chocolate. She has had the worst headache for days and I went. The rain came back a little, but I got my rain gear on and headed the short distance to the nearby gas station for Twix and Caramello.
when I got home I made her a nice cup of herbal tea and brought her that and the chocolate. She was watching something on the Disney Channel and I was far from interested so I read an old issue of Video Watchdog and played some classic Sonic The Hedgehog on my Sega emulator on the computer.
After that we watched a little of Dexter's Laboratory on Boomerang and I was ready to hit the hay.
The soup was perfect for a rainy day, but tomorrow it will be better because it's leftover and soup is always better the second day and it's supposed to drop to 69 degrees tomorrow and soup on a chilly day is the best.
9/25/07
NINETY-TWO
So, up early to get to work as early as possible to get a job done. I'll bet real money that I will be working open to close this week as well. We got a temp and we will see how long that works out. She does a good job and works doing whatever you ask which is a good thing. I'm more than a little pessimistic about the entire endeavor. I put a huge amount of stuff on amazon.com for sale. I need about 170 buck to get a new video camera to shoot my cable access show I have planned. I also need to check on the editing class and the cable access station downtown. It will be cool to get this off and running after all the planning that has gone into it.
I really didn't feel like watching Prison Break and Heroes tonight because the kids go out of their way to make noise and ruin the entire thing. They're just kids so, it's not their fault, but I had no desire to go through it. I took the time to list all those goodies I mentioned on the web and then realized I could just watch the show in my room with Martha. Dandelion was also there and it was nice. The shows were good so I'm glad I watched.
Afterward I turned on Monday Night RAW and was amazed to see a cage match between Triple H and Vince McMahon. He's 62 and taking dives off steel cages. I want to be Vince when I get old.
Long day and the work thing shows no real end to it. Plus, we're getting into our busy season so I don't see it ending once we get someone in place. Can't complain though. We can always use the money.
I really didn't feel like watching Prison Break and Heroes tonight because the kids go out of their way to make noise and ruin the entire thing. They're just kids so, it's not their fault, but I had no desire to go through it. I took the time to list all those goodies I mentioned on the web and then realized I could just watch the show in my room with Martha. Dandelion was also there and it was nice. The shows were good so I'm glad I watched.
Afterward I turned on Monday Night RAW and was amazed to see a cage match between Triple H and Vince McMahon. He's 62 and taking dives off steel cages. I want to be Vince when I get old.
Long day and the work thing shows no real end to it. Plus, we're getting into our busy season so I don't see it ending once we get someone in place. Can't complain though. We can always use the money.
9/24/07
DAY NINETY-ONE
Got up early and headed for church. I'm starting to think the rotating breakfast thing is a bad idea to do on a weekly basis. We get this horde of people that are bringing their kids who think they're starving to death and then there's never enough breakfast. I think I'm going to make a motion to cancel the concept. It doesn't seem to be working for me.
Pastor John's message started out all apocalyptic and Middle Eastern and I have been hearing that crap since I was a little kid. I figure Jesus will show up when he's supposed to and it will be good for some and bad for others. I would rather it was good for everyone, but what are you going to do?
Kind of grumpy today.
Went home and made food and watched HORROR EXPRESS. Hard to say bad things about Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and Telly Savalas on a train with a monster. Good stuff. Family Guy did a great spoof of Star Wars. Did a little writing for Rancho Carne. I have to find a place to sell all this porn though. Thought it would be a way to make a little cash, but it's not turning out that way.
Didn't feel much like sleeping and when Martha came to bed we watched two episodes of Gene Simmons Family Jewels. Great show and even the reruns are fun to watch. That Gene knows what he's doing as far as merchandising himself.
Tomorrow is work and it looks like open to close for the week. Yipee! Oh well, at least the overtime will be nice.
Pastor John's message started out all apocalyptic and Middle Eastern and I have been hearing that crap since I was a little kid. I figure Jesus will show up when he's supposed to and it will be good for some and bad for others. I would rather it was good for everyone, but what are you going to do?
Kind of grumpy today.
Went home and made food and watched HORROR EXPRESS. Hard to say bad things about Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and Telly Savalas on a train with a monster. Good stuff. Family Guy did a great spoof of Star Wars. Did a little writing for Rancho Carne. I have to find a place to sell all this porn though. Thought it would be a way to make a little cash, but it's not turning out that way.
Didn't feel much like sleeping and when Martha came to bed we watched two episodes of Gene Simmons Family Jewels. Great show and even the reruns are fun to watch. That Gene knows what he's doing as far as merchandising himself.
Tomorrow is work and it looks like open to close for the week. Yipee! Oh well, at least the overtime will be nice.
9/23/07
DAY NINETY
Saturday and making it a lazy day. The refridgerator took a dump so that will need to be replaced. I thought I could call the place we got it, but all they cared about was the warranty was over so, they didn't care. Watched some television. Watched a thing from my buddy, Wolfy from my Yahoo! group Eurotrash Paradise. It's called SEXY CAT and my but it's pretty damned dull. Oh well they can't all be winners. I have to send it off to Bryan Senn as he's next for the torture. Maybe I can send him some Franco flicks to soften the blow.
Had a lazy day. Took the left over chikcen from yesterday and put it with some elbow macaroni and cream of chicken soup and cheese and baked it. Turned out alright. Not great, but good.
Graham Norton was on and I love that show. Stayed up and watched that. Read some more of my Bava Book. Sure, I'm only to page 30, but that means I have 1096 more pages to go. Well, if I read the index. There's a good chance that I will by the time I get there. I have no plans on skipping through the book like I see a lot of people do. Front to back like it was written, that's for me.
One last thing. I realize that Tim Lucas did all the writing and research and the legwork that made this book what it was, but let's not forget his lovely wife, Donna who did all the design work. The book is so much more thna informative. Every page is so well done.
Great job Donna.
Had a lazy day. Took the left over chikcen from yesterday and put it with some elbow macaroni and cream of chicken soup and cheese and baked it. Turned out alright. Not great, but good.
Graham Norton was on and I love that show. Stayed up and watched that. Read some more of my Bava Book. Sure, I'm only to page 30, but that means I have 1096 more pages to go. Well, if I read the index. There's a good chance that I will by the time I get there. I have no plans on skipping through the book like I see a lot of people do. Front to back like it was written, that's for me.
One last thing. I realize that Tim Lucas did all the writing and research and the legwork that made this book what it was, but let's not forget his lovely wife, Donna who did all the design work. The book is so much more thna informative. Every page is so well done.
Great job Donna.
DAY EIGHTY-NINE
A long work week comes to an end. I should be happy because it's Friday and payday, but bills and medication have eaten this one to pieces so, not happy. Sure, the bills are paid, but no fun money so, bleah!
We had a big job come back wrong and it had been checked, but none of us knew what we were checking because the instructions on the job were; you've done this before. What the Hell? Don't these people realize that we have no idea how many jobs we do in a given month? How are we supposed to realize what the job is. We called the client and are able to fix it with little muss and fuss so, it turned out alright.
A little snafu with my every three months purchase of meds, but that's nothing new or exciting. Caremark always screws up and I should be used to it. Thankfully, my doctor is cool so all ended well for this guy.
Home was run around and then get in front of the telly in time for Doctor Who. This one was the first part of a two parter and it reminded me a lot of the old school Doctor Who with the quarry and cheesy sets and what not. They were probably trying to do it on purpose. Not sure.
After that it was time for bed because I am friggin' beat. Sundance Channel had ALONE IN THE DARK with Donald Pleasance and Martin Landau so I made sure to jam a tape into the trusty VCR before I nodded off.
We had a big job come back wrong and it had been checked, but none of us knew what we were checking because the instructions on the job were; you've done this before. What the Hell? Don't these people realize that we have no idea how many jobs we do in a given month? How are we supposed to realize what the job is. We called the client and are able to fix it with little muss and fuss so, it turned out alright.
A little snafu with my every three months purchase of meds, but that's nothing new or exciting. Caremark always screws up and I should be used to it. Thankfully, my doctor is cool so all ended well for this guy.
Home was run around and then get in front of the telly in time for Doctor Who. This one was the first part of a two parter and it reminded me a lot of the old school Doctor Who with the quarry and cheesy sets and what not. They were probably trying to do it on purpose. Not sure.
After that it was time for bed because I am friggin' beat. Sundance Channel had ALONE IN THE DARK with Donald Pleasance and Martin Landau so I made sure to jam a tape into the trusty VCR before I nodded off.
9/21/07
DAY EIGHTY-EIGHT
So, another wonderful day at the print shop. We had someone bitching at us for a job so, we did it and they had sent us the wrong file! So, even though we busted our ass to get it done, we didn't get it done. I ended up staying late to get the job started. It could run on it's own.
I knew I was going to have to come in early and work all damned day tomorrow on a Friday! Yippee for me. I'm the only one working any form of overtime at work and it sucks. Oh well.
Got home and made some dinner. BY the time it was done it was pretty much time for bed or close enough for me. I did do my qigong again and then I started the unthinkable.
I started reading the Bava Book.
It's a pretty formidable tome and I have been leery of starting it. I have read Tim Lucas' stuff for years so, I shouldn't have been concerned, but I was. I made it through twenty three pages. It is cool how the beginning of the book sort of sums up a lot of Bava's life. I imagine the dissection of the films will come later, but this is a nice way to start the book. It gives me an anchor to get me through the other million pages of text along with some gorgeous Donna Lucas design work to boot. The book is like a text of great important combined with a coffee table book's sensibilities when it comes to layout and design. But it's dense. Very very dense and I think by the time I'm finished with this puppy I will be able to be a minor Bava expert as will anyone who reads it in detail and not just flips through to their favorite parts. The book deserves careful study so, I will not rush it, but I will stick to it.
Then I got tired so I packed the book back into it's box and put it up next to the television in our bedroom. The book originally came in a box within a box. I did discard the outer box and gave the bubble wrap to the kids, but I'm keeping the inner box and that is the book's little cocoon to keep it safe.
I knew I was going to have to come in early and work all damned day tomorrow on a Friday! Yippee for me. I'm the only one working any form of overtime at work and it sucks. Oh well.
Got home and made some dinner. BY the time it was done it was pretty much time for bed or close enough for me. I did do my qigong again and then I started the unthinkable.
I started reading the Bava Book.
It's a pretty formidable tome and I have been leery of starting it. I have read Tim Lucas' stuff for years so, I shouldn't have been concerned, but I was. I made it through twenty three pages. It is cool how the beginning of the book sort of sums up a lot of Bava's life. I imagine the dissection of the films will come later, but this is a nice way to start the book. It gives me an anchor to get me through the other million pages of text along with some gorgeous Donna Lucas design work to boot. The book is like a text of great important combined with a coffee table book's sensibilities when it comes to layout and design. But it's dense. Very very dense and I think by the time I'm finished with this puppy I will be able to be a minor Bava expert as will anyone who reads it in detail and not just flips through to their favorite parts. The book deserves careful study so, I will not rush it, but I will stick to it.
Then I got tired so I packed the book back into it's box and put it up next to the television in our bedroom. The book originally came in a box within a box. I did discard the outer box and gave the bubble wrap to the kids, but I'm keeping the inner box and that is the book's little cocoon to keep it safe.
9/20/07
DAY EIGHTY-SEVEN
Another open to close shift and the fun was that Martha had some errands to run so I went along on my lunch hour and she bought me some Wendy's. Yeah! I loves me some chili and baked potato. Then back to work. Bleah!
After work I got home and we got ready for the kids open house. Dan's teacher Mr. Brown is cool and reminds me of a young hippy type. This is a good thing and I think it's just what Dan needs. Dandelion's teacher seems pretty cool as well. Delia's teacher makes the kids take responsibility for their own actions and that's a good thing. while we were in Delia's classroom I spied this big red button on the wall. I asked Delia's teacher what it was for. It seems that many many moons ago that particular room was where the especially handicapped children went. And when they were being violent they put them in this small padded room that is now where Delia's Teacher keeps all her references books. Anyway, the red button was a release mechanism for the door. I couldn't help it. I punched the button. It was fun to see everyone flinch, but nothing happened.
When we got home Dennis had made dinner which was very cool. all we had time for after that was feed the dogs and go to bed. I made time after the kids hit the hay to do my qigong and keep on a regular schedule from here on out. I'll let everyone know how that goes.
After work I got home and we got ready for the kids open house. Dan's teacher Mr. Brown is cool and reminds me of a young hippy type. This is a good thing and I think it's just what Dan needs. Dandelion's teacher seems pretty cool as well. Delia's teacher makes the kids take responsibility for their own actions and that's a good thing. while we were in Delia's classroom I spied this big red button on the wall. I asked Delia's teacher what it was for. It seems that many many moons ago that particular room was where the especially handicapped children went. And when they were being violent they put them in this small padded room that is now where Delia's Teacher keeps all her references books. Anyway, the red button was a release mechanism for the door. I couldn't help it. I punched the button. It was fun to see everyone flinch, but nothing happened.
When we got home Dennis had made dinner which was very cool. all we had time for after that was feed the dogs and go to bed. I made time after the kids hit the hay to do my qigong and keep on a regular schedule from here on out. I'll let everyone know how that goes.
9/19/07
DAY EIGHTY-SIX
Another open to close day. I decided to get done what needed to be done and take it easy. Seems that when I use my right arm for anything repetitive it starts to ache. Gee, must be the damned falling off the bike thingie. Yippee! Anyway, work was uneventful with the exception that work is piling up at Ye Olde Print Shoppe. The big boss was here and he's a real nice guy. He asked me if I was taking Advil for the aches and pains of falling off the bike. I said no, codeine and he smiled. Good guy that Umberto.
Got home and there was porn waiting for me. This is always a good thing. Watched MALABIMBA, THE MALICIOUS WHORE just before bed. I need to review that tomorrow for the Penguin Comics blog site. Other than that dinner was pork chops, mac and cheese and sweet peas. Seems that Delia was being a little stinker at the bus stop and Martha sent her to her room for the rest of the day. We'll see how that plays out tomorrow. Felt uber tired and just wanted to sleep. MALABIMBA was good and just before bed I went through the channel listing and found out that Franco's THE DEVIL CAME FROM ASKAVA was on IFC at one in the morning! I set the VCR and fell asleep. We'll see how that plays out.
Got home and there was porn waiting for me. This is always a good thing. Watched MALABIMBA, THE MALICIOUS WHORE just before bed. I need to review that tomorrow for the Penguin Comics blog site. Other than that dinner was pork chops, mac and cheese and sweet peas. Seems that Delia was being a little stinker at the bus stop and Martha sent her to her room for the rest of the day. We'll see how that plays out tomorrow. Felt uber tired and just wanted to sleep. MALABIMBA was good and just before bed I went through the channel listing and found out that Franco's THE DEVIL CAME FROM ASKAVA was on IFC at one in the morning! I set the VCR and fell asleep. We'll see how that plays out.
DAY EIGHTY-FIVE
Monday. Bleah! Josh is still on vacation and we still don't have a new person to fill the void that has been here for quite some time. That means open to close for me and while I don't work all that hard, it is still a lot of time away from The Waltz Compound where I would rather be. Bleah!
Went through work in a haze of codeine and indifference. The ride home was weird in that I managed to pedal my chunky butt without feeling all that tired. I must be getting used to the ride. Yeah, just in time for winter to show up where I won't be able to ride my bike to work and that is going to suck my friends.
Got home and tried making dinner and it didn't want to cooperate with me. Took until almost eight o'clock.
The season premiere of Prison Break was on which was cool. It seems like forever since Season Two ended and I wanted to see where we were going from the trippy finale from last season.
It's still pretty good, but I can see where they are stretching it out a little too much. I was amazed that they have Sara Tancredi in the show being played by a double whose face you can't see. Especially since the actress is out on maternity leave. I wonder how they're going to accomplish that one in the long run. We'll have to wait and see I guess.
Monday is over and that is a good thing. One more day of bare bones staffing at Ye Olde Print Shoppe.
Went through work in a haze of codeine and indifference. The ride home was weird in that I managed to pedal my chunky butt without feeling all that tired. I must be getting used to the ride. Yeah, just in time for winter to show up where I won't be able to ride my bike to work and that is going to suck my friends.
Got home and tried making dinner and it didn't want to cooperate with me. Took until almost eight o'clock.
The season premiere of Prison Break was on which was cool. It seems like forever since Season Two ended and I wanted to see where we were going from the trippy finale from last season.
It's still pretty good, but I can see where they are stretching it out a little too much. I was amazed that they have Sara Tancredi in the show being played by a double whose face you can't see. Especially since the actress is out on maternity leave. I wonder how they're going to accomplish that one in the long run. We'll have to wait and see I guess.
Monday is over and that is a good thing. One more day of bare bones staffing at Ye Olde Print Shoppe.
9/17/07
DAY EIGHTY-FOUR
Got up around 7:30 and started the process of getting the kids cleaned up for church. It always takes longer than I expect so I think I'm going to bump up the time starting next week. I made sure that we had everything to cook Pastor John's birthday breakfast. He's a cowboy so I went with Steak and Eggs with Western style hashbrowns. I got to try out this Canadian Steak Seasoning and it smelled pretty good. Ted brought a egg and sausage casserole for breakfast for Sunday school. Sam and I decided to drag the teenagers into Sunday school since they tend to wander around aimlessly. We are doing the Book of Matthew for the next three months and I think they learned a lot from the message. It boiled down to how Jesus wants us to treat our friends as well as our enemies. Good message for newbies.
It was Pastor Appreciation Day and people got up and said nice things about John. I was downstairs because we had a potluck after service and I had crescent rolls to bake.
The potluck was yummy and Martha went across the street to get one of our Judo buddies, Dawn and see if she wanted to come over for the pot luck. She did. Next week we are going to go over and visit when she has her kids at home. It should be fun.
After that we dropped off some video games to Stew and checked the post office box. I have it until the end of the month and won't need it anymore. Of course, that meant that my buddy Dan Taylor sent me movies there. I got ahold of him and had him change my address in his database so it wouldn't happen again.
Then we went home and I mowed some lawn and did the dishes. Delia was still at her friends house and they weren't home. I wasn't real happy with the lack of communication and doubt if she will be visiting again anytime in the near future. Especially since she complained that she had homework to do when she finally got home. I laughed and told her she was the one that wanted to spend the weekend with her friend.
I made jambalaya for dinner and threw in the rest of the smothered chicken from the night before. It was one of those Zaitarains mixes but I added a chopped green pepper and a sweet onion to help it along. Turned out pretty good.
The rest of the day was spent winding down.
I watched that celebrity bull fighting thing on CMT and was pleasantly surprised to discover that Stephen Baldwin is a Christian. They had cowboy church before the big event and he dragged a couple of the guys along with him. A truly refreshing look at television. Even Gene Simmons on his show mentioned God! Pretty cool stuff.
Work starts again tomorrow with one person on vacation and still no temp.
Bleah!
It was Pastor Appreciation Day and people got up and said nice things about John. I was downstairs because we had a potluck after service and I had crescent rolls to bake.
The potluck was yummy and Martha went across the street to get one of our Judo buddies, Dawn and see if she wanted to come over for the pot luck. She did. Next week we are going to go over and visit when she has her kids at home. It should be fun.
After that we dropped off some video games to Stew and checked the post office box. I have it until the end of the month and won't need it anymore. Of course, that meant that my buddy Dan Taylor sent me movies there. I got ahold of him and had him change my address in his database so it wouldn't happen again.
Then we went home and I mowed some lawn and did the dishes. Delia was still at her friends house and they weren't home. I wasn't real happy with the lack of communication and doubt if she will be visiting again anytime in the near future. Especially since she complained that she had homework to do when she finally got home. I laughed and told her she was the one that wanted to spend the weekend with her friend.
I made jambalaya for dinner and threw in the rest of the smothered chicken from the night before. It was one of those Zaitarains mixes but I added a chopped green pepper and a sweet onion to help it along. Turned out pretty good.
The rest of the day was spent winding down.
I watched that celebrity bull fighting thing on CMT and was pleasantly surprised to discover that Stephen Baldwin is a Christian. They had cowboy church before the big event and he dragged a couple of the guys along with him. A truly refreshing look at television. Even Gene Simmons on his show mentioned God! Pretty cool stuff.
Work starts again tomorrow with one person on vacation and still no temp.
Bleah!
9/16/07
DAY EIGHTY-THREE
I got up around eight. When you normally get up everyday at five thirty in the morning, eight is really sleeping in. I watched THE WITCHES MOUNTAIN for my movie review blog and also because we are playing a game called 1972 Survivor at my Eurotrash Yahoo! group. We basically take a group of films and start voting them off the island to see which one will be left at the end. I have to keep on my toes because it started with three Jess Franco films and one of them is already off the nisland. Some of the guys were trying to get all the Francos off one two three, but I think we might be able to stop that from happening.
THE WITCHES MOUNTAIN was trippy and good at the same time. Italian horror flicks from the 70's are a pretty trippy thing to begin with and this was no exception. Head on over to www.divineexploitation.blogspot.com for all the details.
I got to play Scrabble with Martha and she won like she almost always does. It's just fun to play. If I want to win we play Trivial Pursuit.
While Martha watched a tape of Monk and The Dog Whisperer I read some comics and got some reviews out of the way. Then she watched Torchwood and I watched it a little, but read comics for most of the time. After Torchwood was Graham Norton and that is always a fun time.
Tomorrow is Sunday and church is always busy.
My arm is hurting less, probably because of the medication and I am getting more rest. I'm still sick of it being sore though.
THE WITCHES MOUNTAIN was trippy and good at the same time. Italian horror flicks from the 70's are a pretty trippy thing to begin with and this was no exception. Head on over to www.divineexploitation.blogspot.com for all the details.
I got to play Scrabble with Martha and she won like she almost always does. It's just fun to play. If I want to win we play Trivial Pursuit.
While Martha watched a tape of Monk and The Dog Whisperer I read some comics and got some reviews out of the way. Then she watched Torchwood and I watched it a little, but read comics for most of the time. After Torchwood was Graham Norton and that is always a fun time.
Tomorrow is Sunday and church is always busy.
My arm is hurting less, probably because of the medication and I am getting more rest. I'm still sick of it being sore though.
DAY EIGHTY-TWO
Friday was weird at work. Josh has a few days off so it was just Tracie and me. We haven't got the new temp to spend his one day before quitting yet so, it was me for the early morning, then Tracie got there and then she left and I finished the day myself. I did what needed to get done, but not much more than that. Tidied up the place a little and got the jobs done that could get done.
It was Friday so I made it home and we had dinner then Doctor Who was on. It was odd. Like he wasn't in the episode much. It was a neat idea, but it felt a little, i don't know, thin. The new episode of Flash Gordon was good and it was cool to see how they envisioned Hawkmen from Mongo. No Ming this time around so there was very little hassle for me this episode.
Delia went to her friends for the weekend so we were down a kid.
I knew that Saturday was going to be laid back as possible.
It was Friday so I made it home and we had dinner then Doctor Who was on. It was odd. Like he wasn't in the episode much. It was a neat idea, but it felt a little, i don't know, thin. The new episode of Flash Gordon was good and it was cool to see how they envisioned Hawkmen from Mongo. No Ming this time around so there was very little hassle for me this episode.
Delia went to her friends for the weekend so we were down a kid.
I knew that Saturday was going to be laid back as possible.
9/14/07
DAY EIGHTY-ONE
The arrival of the Bava Book sort of overshadowed everything else from that day. It was alright, though. Nothing that interesting occurred and the book was the highlight. Tim Lucas even mentioned my blog in his blog which I thought was cool.
Martha took me to work so I could show off the book to everyone at work. There was no way I was lugging that brick all the way to work on my bike. It was heavy just carrying it into the office.
Everyone thought it was pretty cool. I'm going to start reading it this weekend. I just have to figure out a comfortable way of doing it. Dinner was simple stuff spaghetti and garlic bread. I spent the entire day pretty medicated. Codeine is my friend. I thought the first one hit me pretty hard but then realized that what I thought was my cholesterol medicine was, in fact, a vicodin. So I took a vicodin with a codeine. Whoops! Explains my exceptional good mood, however.
Day was a druggy haze so not a lot to report. I am officially sick of my elbow being in pain.
Martha took me to work so I could show off the book to everyone at work. There was no way I was lugging that brick all the way to work on my bike. It was heavy just carrying it into the office.
Everyone thought it was pretty cool. I'm going to start reading it this weekend. I just have to figure out a comfortable way of doing it. Dinner was simple stuff spaghetti and garlic bread. I spent the entire day pretty medicated. Codeine is my friend. I thought the first one hit me pretty hard but then realized that what I thought was my cholesterol medicine was, in fact, a vicodin. So I took a vicodin with a codeine. Whoops! Explains my exceptional good mood, however.
Day was a druggy haze so not a lot to report. I am officially sick of my elbow being in pain.
9/12/07
DAY EIGHTY
THE BAVA BOOK IS HERE!!! I was at work and I called to see if it came in the mail. My sneaky wife said no it hadn't come...in the mail. Got it Fed Ex so, I said screw overtime and headed home at three. The book is awesome. I looked at everypage and was amazed at how beautiful it was. I have a lot of reading to do and should become a Bava expert by the time I'm done. It took Tim Lucas years to write it, but it shouldn't take me that long to read it. I usually don't publish pictures on this blog, but this case was an exception. I now give you, in no particular order, Dennis, Delia (she's the one hiding her face), Dandelion and Daniel, hefting the might tome.
DAY SEVENTY-NINE
Tuesday and we got another temp at work. This guy is driving from Elkhart Indiana! Isn't that kind of far for this kind of job? I wouldn't drive an hour and a half over state lines everyday for work. Does anyone drive that far everyday? If so, they have my sympathies.
So, had the newbie follow me around until I went to my Dr.s appointment. Martha told me that if I was in that much pain I had to go to the doctor. Luckily, Doctor Jill had an opening today. She was impressed with how good the wound looked. No infection or anything. She was worried about a fracture so she made me go get x-rays. The cool part is that they have digital x-rays now so, the x-ray guy can upload it to the doctor's PC while we wait. Pretty cool. I hadn't even thought of a fracture. She didn't see anything so, that was good news. I did get me some codeine though so it wasn't all a loss.
Martha and I went to fill the prescription which cost a whopping fifty three cents. Thank God for insurance! Then we hit Arby's for lunch before we headed back to drop me off at work.
The rest of work went quickly and I came home to make goulash and mac and cheese for the picky eaters. Other than that kind of a mellow day. Still no Bava Book, but I did get porn so that was cool.
So, had the newbie follow me around until I went to my Dr.s appointment. Martha told me that if I was in that much pain I had to go to the doctor. Luckily, Doctor Jill had an opening today. She was impressed with how good the wound looked. No infection or anything. She was worried about a fracture so she made me go get x-rays. The cool part is that they have digital x-rays now so, the x-ray guy can upload it to the doctor's PC while we wait. Pretty cool. I hadn't even thought of a fracture. She didn't see anything so, that was good news. I did get me some codeine though so it wasn't all a loss.
Martha and I went to fill the prescription which cost a whopping fifty three cents. Thank God for insurance! Then we hit Arby's for lunch before we headed back to drop me off at work.
The rest of work went quickly and I came home to make goulash and mac and cheese for the picky eaters. Other than that kind of a mellow day. Still no Bava Book, but I did get porn so that was cool.
9/11/07
DAY SEVENTY-EIGHT
Today was all about getting back on that damned bike and going to work. I was so nervous I sweated through my shorts on the way there and it took ten minutes longer than usual. Work was work and when I left I had to ride my bike again. I could feel the frisson of fear on the back of my neck and a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I didn't stand up on the bike either way. It sucked and I know that it will stop sucking soon enough but, for now, it sucks.
Home was a blur of television and dinner . Going to bed and laying there being with Martha was the highlight of my day.
Tomorrow we're supposed to get another new guy at work. Yippee! I can hardly wait.
Home was a blur of television and dinner . Going to bed and laying there being with Martha was the highlight of my day.
Tomorrow we're supposed to get another new guy at work. Yippee! I can hardly wait.
9/10/07
DAY SEVENTY-SEVEN
I felt like sleeping all day. Nights are a lot of tossing and turning and waking up and going back to sleep. I think it's better without a bandage and the wounded area seems to have dried up enough that I'm not leaving gooey crap all over the bed linen. Got ready for church. Today's lesson was about the book of Matthew. I like that book as I have mentioned before so, it was a fun read on the way to church. The lesson, I did not read the entire book of Matthew on the way to church. I don't read that fast and the trip isn't that long.
Got to church and we have this rotating breakfast thing where people bring breakfast for Sunday School. Yeah, the people responsible forgot and to add insult to injury, they made sure that they were first in line for the breakfast that someone else went and got.
I think I'll just make breakfast every week and save some grief and cash for the others.
After church we went up to see when SHOOT 'EM UP was playing. It was three o'clock and it had barely turned to one so, we went to find food. ended up at Pizza Hut, but it was one of those Pizza Hut/Wing Something or others conglomerate so it felt weird. The pizza was alright, but it didn't feel like a Pizza Hut to me.
After that we went back to the theater and my oldest son Seann was there with his roommates. We told them to come watch the flick with us, but they wanted to watch SUPERBAD. I told them it was playing at The M-89 Cinema and they headed off.
The movie was awesome. An hour and a half of gun fights and testosterone. I will have to catch this one more time in the theater.
After that we went to Fanfare Comics because they were having a huge sale. Ninety percent off all back issues. I wanted a complete run of XOMBI, but they didn't have it. Then I wanted to see if they had either of the Nathaniel Dusk mini series. No such luck. I did get the first ten issues of the Michael Moorcock's Multiverse for three bucks. Pretty good deal there. And Dandelion picked up Spy Kids 3-D because she had money burning a hole in her pocket.
Then we headed home and took it easy. I fixed the chain on my bike and tested it out. My leg's pretty sore, but I think I'll ride to work tomorrow just to show the bike who's boss.
Everyone was ready for sleep pretty early so, we all headed to bed. I wrote a couple of adult film reviews and then with the help of a shot of brandy and a beer went to sleep myself.
Got to church and we have this rotating breakfast thing where people bring breakfast for Sunday School. Yeah, the people responsible forgot and to add insult to injury, they made sure that they were first in line for the breakfast that someone else went and got.
I think I'll just make breakfast every week and save some grief and cash for the others.
After church we went up to see when SHOOT 'EM UP was playing. It was three o'clock and it had barely turned to one so, we went to find food. ended up at Pizza Hut, but it was one of those Pizza Hut/Wing Something or others conglomerate so it felt weird. The pizza was alright, but it didn't feel like a Pizza Hut to me.
After that we went back to the theater and my oldest son Seann was there with his roommates. We told them to come watch the flick with us, but they wanted to watch SUPERBAD. I told them it was playing at The M-89 Cinema and they headed off.
The movie was awesome. An hour and a half of gun fights and testosterone. I will have to catch this one more time in the theater.
After that we went to Fanfare Comics because they were having a huge sale. Ninety percent off all back issues. I wanted a complete run of XOMBI, but they didn't have it. Then I wanted to see if they had either of the Nathaniel Dusk mini series. No such luck. I did get the first ten issues of the Michael Moorcock's Multiverse for three bucks. Pretty good deal there. And Dandelion picked up Spy Kids 3-D because she had money burning a hole in her pocket.
Then we headed home and took it easy. I fixed the chain on my bike and tested it out. My leg's pretty sore, but I think I'll ride to work tomorrow just to show the bike who's boss.
Everyone was ready for sleep pretty early so, we all headed to bed. I wrote a couple of adult film reviews and then with the help of a shot of brandy and a beer went to sleep myself.
9/9/07
THE FALL (DAYS 73,74,75,76)Part Two
So, the construction made a two hour trip become a three hour trip. To make it worse was the fact that for the small stretch that we decided to get on the highway it became a crawl, mocking us every foot of the way.
Eventually, we made it to my mom's house. She had big steaks waiting to be grilled and we ate that with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy and carrots and garlic bread. It was yummy stuff. Then we sat and shot the shit for a while. Then I was beat and went to bed. Of course, I woke up every hour on the hour because of my injuries, but what are ya gonna do?
The next day we got up and went on a train ride. Sort of. The American Legion that my mom's boyfriend is a member of built this thing out of an old semi and a home made caboose. It looks like a train, but it rides on the road. They took us on a trip and the kids had a blast.
After the train ride we headed off to breakfast at a place called Mr. Pibs. I ordered the biscuits and gravy because I always order the biscuits and gravy. They did something with them I had never seen before. They sliced the biscuits down the middle and grilled them with butter before putting the gravy on them. It was the best thing I have ever had! They had pretty big portions and we were all stuffed. we headed back to my mom's place and got to see some wild turkeys and these giant ant hills. The turkeys come right up in the yard. Pretty cool. Then we decided to get headed back to home because Miss Ivy from church was going to take Dandelion to the fair for her birthday like they do every year.
Construction was a little kinder than on the way up and we made a pitstop at the River Crossings Mall. Big place, lots of stuff. Thankfully they had a Starbucks because this lack of sleep thing is turning me into a slug. If it keeps up I might have to call my doctor and see if she has anything that might help me sleep through the night.
While we were there Miss Ivy called so we got back on the road and headed towards home. We got a little lost, but Martha's phone has a GPS in it so that made it easier.
We eventually went to Plainwell and dropped off Dandelion. Then it was time to get home and get some rest and check on our doggies.
Of course we went to hook up Dandelion's new DVD player and discovered that we needed an RF adapter. This 'cheap' DVD player was getting pricier by the minute.
So, we got it hooked up and everything was hunky dory. I took a bath and soaked, but it just made everything sore. The water and my rash are not getting along very well I'm afraid.
We watched Torchwood and Doctor Who and Graham Norton with David Tennant. Very funny stuff.
A pretty busy time. This bike wound is going to give me grief for a while and it is starting to suck. I will be riding my bike on Monday. Damned thing is not going to get the best of me.
Eventually, we made it to my mom's house. She had big steaks waiting to be grilled and we ate that with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy and carrots and garlic bread. It was yummy stuff. Then we sat and shot the shit for a while. Then I was beat and went to bed. Of course, I woke up every hour on the hour because of my injuries, but what are ya gonna do?
The next day we got up and went on a train ride. Sort of. The American Legion that my mom's boyfriend is a member of built this thing out of an old semi and a home made caboose. It looks like a train, but it rides on the road. They took us on a trip and the kids had a blast.
After the train ride we headed off to breakfast at a place called Mr. Pibs. I ordered the biscuits and gravy because I always order the biscuits and gravy. They did something with them I had never seen before. They sliced the biscuits down the middle and grilled them with butter before putting the gravy on them. It was the best thing I have ever had! They had pretty big portions and we were all stuffed. we headed back to my mom's place and got to see some wild turkeys and these giant ant hills. The turkeys come right up in the yard. Pretty cool. Then we decided to get headed back to home because Miss Ivy from church was going to take Dandelion to the fair for her birthday like they do every year.
Construction was a little kinder than on the way up and we made a pitstop at the River Crossings Mall. Big place, lots of stuff. Thankfully they had a Starbucks because this lack of sleep thing is turning me into a slug. If it keeps up I might have to call my doctor and see if she has anything that might help me sleep through the night.
While we were there Miss Ivy called so we got back on the road and headed towards home. We got a little lost, but Martha's phone has a GPS in it so that made it easier.
We eventually went to Plainwell and dropped off Dandelion. Then it was time to get home and get some rest and check on our doggies.
Of course we went to hook up Dandelion's new DVD player and discovered that we needed an RF adapter. This 'cheap' DVD player was getting pricier by the minute.
So, we got it hooked up and everything was hunky dory. I took a bath and soaked, but it just made everything sore. The water and my rash are not getting along very well I'm afraid.
We watched Torchwood and Doctor Who and Graham Norton with David Tennant. Very funny stuff.
A pretty busy time. This bike wound is going to give me grief for a while and it is starting to suck. I will be riding my bike on Monday. Damned thing is not going to get the best of me.
9/8/07
THE FALL (DAYS 73,74,75,76)Part One
Normally, I enter the days events on the next day.
Normally, I do this at work.
Normally.
It was Thursday and I was working, getting stuff done. The day was a little wonky. I killed a fruit fly by smacking myself in the face. Usually, I wouldn't go to such extremes, but the little buggers are taking over the place and getting on my nerves. Shortly after that I went to go in the kitchenette in the back of the shop.
Someone had closed the sliding glass door.
I bounced off that sucker like a bouncing ball. Smacked my head and crunched my nose pretty hard. I'm a tough cookie so I shrugged it off.
It was Thursday and I was off to home to celebrate my youngest daughter's birthday. She was turning nine today.
So, here I am pedaling home. I love to ride my bike. I'm also a creature of habit and like to take the same route every time.
The stupid shits who run the city of Kalamazoo try to throw a monkey wrench into everything I do. In this particular case it's the downtown mall. It used to be this lovely walking mall where children could play. Now, it's a cobble stone road only no one knows how to do real cobblestone anymore so, it looks like crap. Now, they are tearing up the road to put this water system underneath it to thaw out the roads during winter and prevent plowing. Why they couldn't have thought of this when they were building the damned thing is beyond me, but there it is.
So, I have to take an alternate route. I was zooming through a parking lot and jumped a curb. No big deal, I do that all the time. I had some pretty good speed going and I turned the front wheel as I stood up and pedaled hard to get out of the road and back to the mall area of downtown away from the road I was on.
Then my chain snapped as I was bearing down with about 235 pounds of me on my right leg. The bike folded under me and sent my chubby butt into flight. My mind raced. I panicked as I flew and all too soon I hit the ground pretty damned hard. Thanks to years of Judo training and being a little graceful I managed to not strike my head on the pavement. I went to get up and realized I was going to need a minute. When I hit I felt the pavement tear into my right arm. It flared with some pretty bad pain. My knee felt pretty bad as well.
I got up on the second try and felt pretty wonky. I picked up my bike and got out of the road. An older gentleman asked if I needed help or needed to call anyone for me. I assured him that I was fine and called Martha.
The pain was pretty bad but my loving wife was on her way. Where I stood was a shitty place to pick up someone with a busted bike. I looked at my arm and it made me nauseous. It was mangled and dark red. The elbow looked like shit. I was able to move my arm so I figured nothing was busted. The leg worked so that was good. All told Jesus was looking out for me and made sure that nothing debilitating had occurred.
It was time to move down the road a little way to wait for Martha. I, of course, went the wrong way and she eventually found me.
We went home and the littles had gotten home while we were gone. Dandelion came out and looked at me and her little face was worried for a minute. Then she smiled and said,
"Did you have anything to say to me, Daddy?"
With a road rash that would put Bam Margera to shame, a swollen right leg and a scraped knee I looked at her and smiled and told her Happy Birthday.
Then I had to call work and tell them there was no way I was going to work tomorrow. Tracie is a good boss and she told me to take it easy. I knew that all those muscles that had tensed for a fall were going to be agony.
Then came the wonderfully painful process of cleaning the wounds. The knee was just a rug burn in that the pants never ripped. A little hydrogen peroxide and a little burning and that was right as rain. The arm was different. There are some areas that have absolutely no skin. I cleaned those the same way and man, did it burn! Martha thought it would be good to wrap it for the night to keep it clean.
I think I slept a total of about four hours and when I woke up on Friday I felt like someone had gone off on me with a baseball bat.
I slept for a while and woke up again. Pretty fitful sleep. Martha had some driving around to do and I didn't want to be home alone so I went along.
She paid the power bill and we picked up some things for Dandelion's birthday. she got a new DVD player that we found at Toys R US for eleven bucks! I picked up two more just to have spares for when one breaks. We got her some creepy crawler goop for her creepy crawler maker. And the one thing she wanted the most. The Nightmare On Elm Street boxed set. Heh, I love my daughter. For Christmas she wants the Friday The 13th set. She's a good girl.
We were going to my mother's for Friday and some of Saturday so we decided to pick up the kids from school instead of waiting for them to get off the bus.
I have never seen such chaos before in my life. In the end it would have been better to wait the extra twenty minutes at the house for them to get dropped off.
So, we were on our way to my mom's.
We hate the highway so we took old 45 to 37 to get to White Cloud. At6 least that was our intention. The construction seemed designed in such a way to make sure we got off the beaten path as much as possible.
I decided to make this a two parter because sitting here is really killing me. I'll finish this up tomorrow and then things should be back on track here at The Waltz Compound. I still have to see if my bike can be fixed.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Normally, I do this at work.
Normally.
It was Thursday and I was working, getting stuff done. The day was a little wonky. I killed a fruit fly by smacking myself in the face. Usually, I wouldn't go to such extremes, but the little buggers are taking over the place and getting on my nerves. Shortly after that I went to go in the kitchenette in the back of the shop.
Someone had closed the sliding glass door.
I bounced off that sucker like a bouncing ball. Smacked my head and crunched my nose pretty hard. I'm a tough cookie so I shrugged it off.
It was Thursday and I was off to home to celebrate my youngest daughter's birthday. She was turning nine today.
So, here I am pedaling home. I love to ride my bike. I'm also a creature of habit and like to take the same route every time.
The stupid shits who run the city of Kalamazoo try to throw a monkey wrench into everything I do. In this particular case it's the downtown mall. It used to be this lovely walking mall where children could play. Now, it's a cobble stone road only no one knows how to do real cobblestone anymore so, it looks like crap. Now, they are tearing up the road to put this water system underneath it to thaw out the roads during winter and prevent plowing. Why they couldn't have thought of this when they were building the damned thing is beyond me, but there it is.
So, I have to take an alternate route. I was zooming through a parking lot and jumped a curb. No big deal, I do that all the time. I had some pretty good speed going and I turned the front wheel as I stood up and pedaled hard to get out of the road and back to the mall area of downtown away from the road I was on.
Then my chain snapped as I was bearing down with about 235 pounds of me on my right leg. The bike folded under me and sent my chubby butt into flight. My mind raced. I panicked as I flew and all too soon I hit the ground pretty damned hard. Thanks to years of Judo training and being a little graceful I managed to not strike my head on the pavement. I went to get up and realized I was going to need a minute. When I hit I felt the pavement tear into my right arm. It flared with some pretty bad pain. My knee felt pretty bad as well.
I got up on the second try and felt pretty wonky. I picked up my bike and got out of the road. An older gentleman asked if I needed help or needed to call anyone for me. I assured him that I was fine and called Martha.
The pain was pretty bad but my loving wife was on her way. Where I stood was a shitty place to pick up someone with a busted bike. I looked at my arm and it made me nauseous. It was mangled and dark red. The elbow looked like shit. I was able to move my arm so I figured nothing was busted. The leg worked so that was good. All told Jesus was looking out for me and made sure that nothing debilitating had occurred.
It was time to move down the road a little way to wait for Martha. I, of course, went the wrong way and she eventually found me.
We went home and the littles had gotten home while we were gone. Dandelion came out and looked at me and her little face was worried for a minute. Then she smiled and said,
"Did you have anything to say to me, Daddy?"
With a road rash that would put Bam Margera to shame, a swollen right leg and a scraped knee I looked at her and smiled and told her Happy Birthday.
Then I had to call work and tell them there was no way I was going to work tomorrow. Tracie is a good boss and she told me to take it easy. I knew that all those muscles that had tensed for a fall were going to be agony.
Then came the wonderfully painful process of cleaning the wounds. The knee was just a rug burn in that the pants never ripped. A little hydrogen peroxide and a little burning and that was right as rain. The arm was different. There are some areas that have absolutely no skin. I cleaned those the same way and man, did it burn! Martha thought it would be good to wrap it for the night to keep it clean.
I think I slept a total of about four hours and when I woke up on Friday I felt like someone had gone off on me with a baseball bat.
I slept for a while and woke up again. Pretty fitful sleep. Martha had some driving around to do and I didn't want to be home alone so I went along.
She paid the power bill and we picked up some things for Dandelion's birthday. she got a new DVD player that we found at Toys R US for eleven bucks! I picked up two more just to have spares for when one breaks. We got her some creepy crawler goop for her creepy crawler maker. And the one thing she wanted the most. The Nightmare On Elm Street boxed set. Heh, I love my daughter. For Christmas she wants the Friday The 13th set. She's a good girl.
We were going to my mother's for Friday and some of Saturday so we decided to pick up the kids from school instead of waiting for them to get off the bus.
I have never seen such chaos before in my life. In the end it would have been better to wait the extra twenty minutes at the house for them to get dropped off.
So, we were on our way to my mom's.
We hate the highway so we took old 45 to 37 to get to White Cloud. At6 least that was our intention. The construction seemed designed in such a way to make sure we got off the beaten path as much as possible.
I decided to make this a two parter because sitting here is really killing me. I'll finish this up tomorrow and then things should be back on track here at The Waltz Compound. I still have to see if my bike can be fixed.
TO BE CONTINUED.
9/6/07
DAY SEVENTY-TWO
Back to work from another three day holiday and another challenge rises to make me bonkers. Seems our new guy decided not to show up to work. He called an hour late and said he was stuck on the side of Stadium Drive. Unfortunately, for him, we have caller ID here at the office and it plainly displayed his home telephone number. Tracie decided enough was enough and he was properly sacked. Now we get to go through this whole process again. It amazes me how Michigan can have such a high unemployment rate and we can't manage to keep one temp here in the office. Oh well, all he was doing was scanning so it didn't adversely affect the workload around here.
After work I made a lovely spaghetti with a sausage based sauce that went over like a lead balloon at The Waltz Compound. At least the home made garlic bread was a big hit. That must count for something.
After dinner I mowed the lawn. Before dinner Martha and I went to the store and traded in a ton of soda bottle for dryer sheets and a box of ice cream sandwiches for her and the kiddies. I haven't been able to stomach ice cream for quite some time. Makes me nauseous. Which is a shame because once in a while you really need some ice cream.
It was the first day of school for the kiddies, except for Dennis who was suspended for an incident from last year. Martha and I had to meet with the vice principal to decide his fate. She said he had the whole summer off to think about what he had done so he could come to school tomorrow. Poor Dennis! He thought he got to lounge for the first three days of school and all he missed was the blow off half day. Funny stuff.
Dan was happy he got the teacher he wanted. Dandelion and Delia seemed all right with their classes and their friends were in them.
All in all a hectic day for everyone here at The Waltz Compound.
After work I made a lovely spaghetti with a sausage based sauce that went over like a lead balloon at The Waltz Compound. At least the home made garlic bread was a big hit. That must count for something.
After dinner I mowed the lawn. Before dinner Martha and I went to the store and traded in a ton of soda bottle for dryer sheets and a box of ice cream sandwiches for her and the kiddies. I haven't been able to stomach ice cream for quite some time. Makes me nauseous. Which is a shame because once in a while you really need some ice cream.
It was the first day of school for the kiddies, except for Dennis who was suspended for an incident from last year. Martha and I had to meet with the vice principal to decide his fate. She said he had the whole summer off to think about what he had done so he could come to school tomorrow. Poor Dennis! He thought he got to lounge for the first three days of school and all he missed was the blow off half day. Funny stuff.
Dan was happy he got the teacher he wanted. Dandelion and Delia seemed all right with their classes and their friends were in them.
All in all a hectic day for everyone here at The Waltz Compound.
9/4/07
DAY SEVENTY-ONE
Another three day weekend and nothing planned. I stayed in bed for a long time and Turner Classic Movies had a biography on director John Ford that was fascinating. Then Martha and I needed to go and get the boys a new, cheap DVD player. Now, three years ago I got one for twenty bucks from ABC Warehouse. It lasted for three years. Things should go down in price, not up. After driving around the countryside we ended back at Wal-Mart paying thirty bucks for pretty much what twenty bucks had bought three years ago. Bah! We also needed dog food and milk and toilet paper.
Got all that and went home for a while. I burnt the extras for 300 and Hot Fuzz for Stew and dropped them off at his place. He had the Doctor Who movie that FOX put out a while ago. It was good. Better than I thought considering that Eric Roberts was going to be The Master, but it worked.
It was a laid back day and I was glad for it. We did make the kids clean their rooms because they were pig stys. Really! All they were missing were actual pigs. And they start school tomorrow. Well, everyone except for Dennis. On the last day of the previous school year this kid who had been tormenting Dennis all year finally pushed that last button. Dennis beat the crap out of him. This got him a three day suspension at the beginning of the next school year. I think it would have been worse if they would have delayed his vacation for three days, but what are ya gonna do? He also got grief because he's a green belt in Judo. Why didn't he just arm bar or chokehold the little shit until a teacher got there? Oh well, we are all geniuses in hindsight and maybe he will learn to just behave. Yeah, I kinda doubt it. He's one of those slow simmer then explode kind of guys. Like his dad.
Back to work tomorrow. Whooppee!
Got all that and went home for a while. I burnt the extras for 300 and Hot Fuzz for Stew and dropped them off at his place. He had the Doctor Who movie that FOX put out a while ago. It was good. Better than I thought considering that Eric Roberts was going to be The Master, but it worked.
It was a laid back day and I was glad for it. We did make the kids clean their rooms because they were pig stys. Really! All they were missing were actual pigs. And they start school tomorrow. Well, everyone except for Dennis. On the last day of the previous school year this kid who had been tormenting Dennis all year finally pushed that last button. Dennis beat the crap out of him. This got him a three day suspension at the beginning of the next school year. I think it would have been worse if they would have delayed his vacation for three days, but what are ya gonna do? He also got grief because he's a green belt in Judo. Why didn't he just arm bar or chokehold the little shit until a teacher got there? Oh well, we are all geniuses in hindsight and maybe he will learn to just behave. Yeah, I kinda doubt it. He's one of those slow simmer then explode kind of guys. Like his dad.
Back to work tomorrow. Whooppee!
DAY SEVENTY
Got up and got ready for church. Before we could get going I got the oven on and prepped my two racks of pork ribs. I rubbed this steak rub on them and then put them in roaster bags. On top of the slabs of ribs I added a bottle of barbecue sauce and a sliced yellow onion. Now they got to soak and simmer for the next four hours while we were gone. We all headed out for the twenty five minute trek to church. It's not that bad and we wouldn't consider going to another church unless we moved far, far away. Besides, we were starting a new study guide for Sunday School. I get to teach the book of Matthew for the next three months. I like the book of Matthew because here we had a guy, an accountant basically, mired in facts and figures who becomes one of the apostles. Pretty heavy stuff. He went from what he could see in front of him to what he had to believe in his heart. Of course, he had Jesus right there in front of him so that was pretty cool.
Church was good. Pastor John said he liked us getting up in front of the church and singing last week. It was fun. I thought it was especially cool that we got to sing a Violent Femmes song in church. Good stuff.
After church we went to a store to pick up a bag of ice before we headed home. Walking into the house was like BBQ nirvana. We had a little over an hour before Chris and Heather showed up for the feast. I thought that we could watch Chuck Norris in The Octagon, but it wasn't to be.
Instead we ate and drank strawberry daiquiris that Heather made and ate some more. And we talked and talked. Chris is looking to open his own dojo after leaving Southside a while ago. This is good because I miss going to Judo. Then we all settled in to watch Godzilla:Final Wars. It was okay, but we started doing Mystery Science Theater riffs on the movie and it made it better. It looked pretty good, but we had a lot of fun making fun of it. Chris let me borrow season two of Animaniacs to burn for myself and we made him take Killer Klowns From Outer Space home to watch.
It was interesting to discover that Heather used to live down the street from me and had actually been in my mom's house. After I had moved out, but it was interesting how things intertwine like that.
I was glad that the food was a success and we are already planning having them over again in the near future.
Church was good. Pastor John said he liked us getting up in front of the church and singing last week. It was fun. I thought it was especially cool that we got to sing a Violent Femmes song in church. Good stuff.
After church we went to a store to pick up a bag of ice before we headed home. Walking into the house was like BBQ nirvana. We had a little over an hour before Chris and Heather showed up for the feast. I thought that we could watch Chuck Norris in The Octagon, but it wasn't to be.
Instead we ate and drank strawberry daiquiris that Heather made and ate some more. And we talked and talked. Chris is looking to open his own dojo after leaving Southside a while ago. This is good because I miss going to Judo. Then we all settled in to watch Godzilla:Final Wars. It was okay, but we started doing Mystery Science Theater riffs on the movie and it made it better. It looked pretty good, but we had a lot of fun making fun of it. Chris let me borrow season two of Animaniacs to burn for myself and we made him take Killer Klowns From Outer Space home to watch.
It was interesting to discover that Heather used to live down the street from me and had actually been in my mom's house. After I had moved out, but it was interesting how things intertwine like that.
I was glad that the food was a success and we are already planning having them over again in the near future.
9/2/07
DAY SIXTY-NINE
The juvenile in me would like to comment on it being the sixty ninth day of the blog, but I will try to refrain myself. I must have been tired. I slept until a little after ten. I never sleep that late. Must be under the weather. I was up pretty late the night before though.
Did a little cleaning around the house because we were expecting Chris and Heather over for dinner on Sunday. Then we went to the Praise Baptist Block Party. The kids had been going to the vacation Bible school all week and they wanted to go to the block party. We took Cassidy the dog and she had fun. People petted her and gave her sno cones and hot dogs. Yes, my crazy dog likes sno cones.
Daniel had the worst time. He tried playing basketball with Dennis and fell. The area was gravel and he tore his knee up pretty bad. There were games for the kids to play and they all won door prizes. I had a couple of hot dogs and someone brought roasted, pickled, yellow tomatoes to put on the dogs. They were awesome, but my stomach tended to disagree with me.
Stew and Amy brought their children down and they all had fun. It was funny to see Addison give her daddy a weird look when he tried giving her cotton candy. Then she figured out it was candy and she was cool with that.
After that we went home and Martha and I went to the store to get stuff for Sunday. And we ended up making two trips because we forgot stuff. Fun fun going to Meijer on a Saturday that is also a holiday weekend.
I was mowing the lawn earlier in the day and discovered another ground nest. There I was pushing the mower and for some reason I decided to look up from pushing. Good move on my part. There was a cloud of about a hundred bees swarming in front of me. No more mowing for the day!
n our second trip to Meijer we went looking for matches. Yeah, that was fun. We finally found some over in the seasonal area.
When we got home we put away what we got from the store and then it was out to the ground nest. I poured some gasoline down the hole, gave the can to Dennis and dropped a match into the hole. It fizzled. I tried again. Fizzle. Finally, I lit the match and got a little closer. By this time the fumes had managed to seep a little farther and with a blue blossom and a whoosh, the gas caught fire and a little pillar came out of the ground. The fire chased Dennis for a second and he panicked, but it stopped way before it got him.
We let the fire burn for about twenty minutes, plugged the hole and doused the ground with water. I let Dennis be in charge of the water. He didn't realize that the ground was hot sand the sudden whoosh noise of cooling earth made him jump a little. It was pretty funny.
Between the walk to the block party, two trips to the store and a little pyrotechnic bee extermination it was a busy and tiring day. No sleeping in tomorrow. Gotta go to church. More want to than got to, though. Hate it when people say got to like it's a chore.
Did a little cleaning around the house because we were expecting Chris and Heather over for dinner on Sunday. Then we went to the Praise Baptist Block Party. The kids had been going to the vacation Bible school all week and they wanted to go to the block party. We took Cassidy the dog and she had fun. People petted her and gave her sno cones and hot dogs. Yes, my crazy dog likes sno cones.
Daniel had the worst time. He tried playing basketball with Dennis and fell. The area was gravel and he tore his knee up pretty bad. There were games for the kids to play and they all won door prizes. I had a couple of hot dogs and someone brought roasted, pickled, yellow tomatoes to put on the dogs. They were awesome, but my stomach tended to disagree with me.
Stew and Amy brought their children down and they all had fun. It was funny to see Addison give her daddy a weird look when he tried giving her cotton candy. Then she figured out it was candy and she was cool with that.
After that we went home and Martha and I went to the store to get stuff for Sunday. And we ended up making two trips because we forgot stuff. Fun fun going to Meijer on a Saturday that is also a holiday weekend.
I was mowing the lawn earlier in the day and discovered another ground nest. There I was pushing the mower and for some reason I decided to look up from pushing. Good move on my part. There was a cloud of about a hundred bees swarming in front of me. No more mowing for the day!
n our second trip to Meijer we went looking for matches. Yeah, that was fun. We finally found some over in the seasonal area.
When we got home we put away what we got from the store and then it was out to the ground nest. I poured some gasoline down the hole, gave the can to Dennis and dropped a match into the hole. It fizzled. I tried again. Fizzle. Finally, I lit the match and got a little closer. By this time the fumes had managed to seep a little farther and with a blue blossom and a whoosh, the gas caught fire and a little pillar came out of the ground. The fire chased Dennis for a second and he panicked, but it stopped way before it got him.
We let the fire burn for about twenty minutes, plugged the hole and doused the ground with water. I let Dennis be in charge of the water. He didn't realize that the ground was hot sand the sudden whoosh noise of cooling earth made him jump a little. It was pretty funny.
Between the walk to the block party, two trips to the store and a little pyrotechnic bee extermination it was a busy and tiring day. No sleeping in tomorrow. Gotta go to church. More want to than got to, though. Hate it when people say got to like it's a chore.
DAY SIXTY-EIGHT
Friday and it's time to gear up for another long weekend. The print shop is closed for Labor Day. I doubt we'll do anything huge and exciting for the weekend and I know that the kids are dreading school starting soon.
After Martha picked me up so we could go get some stuff from the store. School supplies, shoes and underwear for kids. You know, the works. Our Friday Television was rudely interrupted by a Stargate marathon. No Doctor Who and No Flash Gordon. The Dog Whisperer was on, but it was a lot of stuff that we had already seen.
I have been reviewing porn for a site and they sent a bondage film. It was a little disappointing. The girls started out tied up, but then the guys untied them to have sex with them. Why not just leave them tied up for that? Oh well.
Other than that it was a mellow start to a long weekend.
Still no sign of The Bava Book, though.
After Martha picked me up so we could go get some stuff from the store. School supplies, shoes and underwear for kids. You know, the works. Our Friday Television was rudely interrupted by a Stargate marathon. No Doctor Who and No Flash Gordon. The Dog Whisperer was on, but it was a lot of stuff that we had already seen.
I have been reviewing porn for a site and they sent a bondage film. It was a little disappointing. The girls started out tied up, but then the guys untied them to have sex with them. Why not just leave them tied up for that? Oh well.
Other than that it was a mellow start to a long weekend.
Still no sign of The Bava Book, though.
8/31/07
DAY SIXTY-SEVEN
The ride to work was much cooler. The temperatures came down enough in the night that I wore my fleece on the way to work. The bike rides in the morning help me to relax before I get here. It's quiet, nothing but me and the streetlights. Oh sure, there's the occasional motorist and then there's the group of guys that hang out in front of Roots Spring Scraper. They are just shooting the shit and lounging in chairs in front of the building enjoying the nice quiet and coffee in the cool morning air. I have no idea what they do there, but they are there everyday. I'll have to make it a point to see how they deal with Winter. Probably stay inside and huddle near a heater with their coffee.
So, work was more of the same. Did the finishing touches on this huge job that takes forever to do. This is the second site so I have five more sites to go. Yea!
After work we all got into the new van and headed for the land of school supplies. Dennis and Dandelion got a new zippered binder. For Dennis, the most disorganized boy in the land, this is a good idea. Dandelion just wanted one and they were pretty cheap. Dan got this little pouch that is full of pencils and stencils and a compass and other cool stuff that he said he needed. Delia got a bunch of notebooks and the three littles got pencil boxes. Dennis got a new backpack and they had this one strap over the shoulder one that looked pretty cool and the one I use is falling apart so I traded up and got one of those. K-Mart had a sale on shoes and Dennis has grown out of all of his so we got him a size 10 1/2 Wide!! He's only thirteen. By the time he reaches eighteen he's going to be seven feet tall! Delia wasn't happy with the backpack assortment so we are going out again after work to finish the quest of the school supplies. Should be fun, no not really, but it needs to be done. Delia also needs shoes so we'll be on the lookout for those as well.
We had to beat feet back to The Waltz Compound because people were coming to get the three littles for vacation bible school. The guy driving let out a girl who I assume to be his daughter, she looked about thirteen. Martha was on the front porch with Mickey the dog and when he saw her he headed right for her! Now the rule is that you never run from a dog. Stand your ground, show no fear and dominate the pooch. That's what Ceasar Milan says anyway. This girl ran for the car and dove through the window! Martha told me about it because I missed it. Her dad was laughing something fierce.
While the littles were gone I made dinner, smoked sausage with macaroni and cheese and green beans. I figured since I had oatmeal with cinnamon and flax seed for breakfast and brown rice with Mrs. Dash and a slice of flax seed foccacia bread for lunch, I could have something like this. Yeah, I was wrong. I ate tool much and felt bloated. And to compound that my neck has been killing me. I need to get to the chiropractor and get taken care of. I'll email Ray and see what kind of openings he has.
The kids got home and we watched Who Wants To Be A Superhero. They eliminated the annoyingly gay hero, Parthenon. I was glad to see him go. Not because he was gay, just because he was annoying as Hell.
I made popcorn for that and we all watched the show.
After that it was bedtime. Martha and I watched some David Tennant clips from The Graham Norton Show and it was hilarious. I stayed up too late again and will pay for it in the morning. Just can't seem to sleep.
So, work was more of the same. Did the finishing touches on this huge job that takes forever to do. This is the second site so I have five more sites to go. Yea!
After work we all got into the new van and headed for the land of school supplies. Dennis and Dandelion got a new zippered binder. For Dennis, the most disorganized boy in the land, this is a good idea. Dandelion just wanted one and they were pretty cheap. Dan got this little pouch that is full of pencils and stencils and a compass and other cool stuff that he said he needed. Delia got a bunch of notebooks and the three littles got pencil boxes. Dennis got a new backpack and they had this one strap over the shoulder one that looked pretty cool and the one I use is falling apart so I traded up and got one of those. K-Mart had a sale on shoes and Dennis has grown out of all of his so we got him a size 10 1/2 Wide!! He's only thirteen. By the time he reaches eighteen he's going to be seven feet tall! Delia wasn't happy with the backpack assortment so we are going out again after work to finish the quest of the school supplies. Should be fun, no not really, but it needs to be done. Delia also needs shoes so we'll be on the lookout for those as well.
We had to beat feet back to The Waltz Compound because people were coming to get the three littles for vacation bible school. The guy driving let out a girl who I assume to be his daughter, she looked about thirteen. Martha was on the front porch with Mickey the dog and when he saw her he headed right for her! Now the rule is that you never run from a dog. Stand your ground, show no fear and dominate the pooch. That's what Ceasar Milan says anyway. This girl ran for the car and dove through the window! Martha told me about it because I missed it. Her dad was laughing something fierce.
While the littles were gone I made dinner, smoked sausage with macaroni and cheese and green beans. I figured since I had oatmeal with cinnamon and flax seed for breakfast and brown rice with Mrs. Dash and a slice of flax seed foccacia bread for lunch, I could have something like this. Yeah, I was wrong. I ate tool much and felt bloated. And to compound that my neck has been killing me. I need to get to the chiropractor and get taken care of. I'll email Ray and see what kind of openings he has.
The kids got home and we watched Who Wants To Be A Superhero. They eliminated the annoyingly gay hero, Parthenon. I was glad to see him go. Not because he was gay, just because he was annoying as Hell.
I made popcorn for that and we all watched the show.
After that it was bedtime. Martha and I watched some David Tennant clips from The Graham Norton Show and it was hilarious. I stayed up too late again and will pay for it in the morning. Just can't seem to sleep.
8/30/07
DAY SIXTY-SIX
Hey! Only two hundred and ninety-nine more days to go for the rest of this year of mine. Sheesh! So, came to work, stumbled through that. Got home and convinced Martha that we needed to go to the bank. We cashed the check that the guy brought for the 69 Olds that he's making payments on and went out to eat. Well, eventually, first we drove aimlessly for a while. I did pick up a lottery ticket because the Mega Million jackpot is up to 350 Million. I can afford a buck at an extremely outside chance of winning that thing.
We went to Checkers to eat. Now, we don't go there very often which is probably a good thing. I'm amazed that they don't have a cardiac team just parked waiting there. I got this monstrosity called a Big Buford. You get the lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup, purple onions with two beef patties, cheese on grilled sourdough bread. These can not be good for you and I will probably feel it tomorrow. In my defense, I did have oatmeal with cinnamon and flaxseed for breakfast and a bowl of brown rice with the extra chunky Mrs. Dash on it. It kind of evens out. And Checkers has these astonishing onion rings, but when I got to the last on and saw the pool of brown grease in the carton I got a little sick.
Afterwards we took the kids to vacation bible school. Then, since Dennis didn't go with us, we stopped and got him some McDonalds. It was crap dinner at The Waltz Compound this evening.
Later, the kids got dropped off and I found this recipe for flaxseed foccacia bread online so I decided to try it out. The only bad thing in the recipe was the five eggs, but in the future I could replace them with egg beaters or these Omega-3 eggs that they have at the market. It turned out pretty good. It would make an awesome pizza crust and you could put all kinds of things in the bread to make it even better. And you could go sweet or savory with the recipe which is nice. I'll definitely be making this one again.
We watched Mythbusters before bed because they were debunking some of the things you see in superhero comics. I always like Mythbusters and this one was no exception. Very entertaining and now all my children want grappling hooks for Christmas. They thought grappling hooks were fictitious or something. All my children want to become ninjas.
That put us at ten o'clock and I was ready for some serious snoozing. Thankfully, the temperature had dropped significantly so I was able to sleep in the comfort of my own room.
Ahhhhhh, comfort!
We went to Checkers to eat. Now, we don't go there very often which is probably a good thing. I'm amazed that they don't have a cardiac team just parked waiting there. I got this monstrosity called a Big Buford. You get the lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup, purple onions with two beef patties, cheese on grilled sourdough bread. These can not be good for you and I will probably feel it tomorrow. In my defense, I did have oatmeal with cinnamon and flaxseed for breakfast and a bowl of brown rice with the extra chunky Mrs. Dash on it. It kind of evens out. And Checkers has these astonishing onion rings, but when I got to the last on and saw the pool of brown grease in the carton I got a little sick.
Afterwards we took the kids to vacation bible school. Then, since Dennis didn't go with us, we stopped and got him some McDonalds. It was crap dinner at The Waltz Compound this evening.
Later, the kids got dropped off and I found this recipe for flaxseed foccacia bread online so I decided to try it out. The only bad thing in the recipe was the five eggs, but in the future I could replace them with egg beaters or these Omega-3 eggs that they have at the market. It turned out pretty good. It would make an awesome pizza crust and you could put all kinds of things in the bread to make it even better. And you could go sweet or savory with the recipe which is nice. I'll definitely be making this one again.
We watched Mythbusters before bed because they were debunking some of the things you see in superhero comics. I always like Mythbusters and this one was no exception. Very entertaining and now all my children want grappling hooks for Christmas. They thought grappling hooks were fictitious or something. All my children want to become ninjas.
That put us at ten o'clock and I was ready for some serious snoozing. Thankfully, the temperature had dropped significantly so I was able to sleep in the comfort of my own room.
Ahhhhhh, comfort!
8/29/07
DAY SIXTY-FIVE
First day back to work after four days off and it feels weird. The whole day felt like I wasn't supposed to be here like I was supposed to be doing something else. I got through it, but it was wonky at best. Hopefully, tomorrow will fall back into the groove. We'll have to wait and see.
Got home and we had leftover chili and rice. I ate waaaay too much and felt like crap because of it. Probably didn't help that I had a twelve inch veggie sub from Subway for lunch. Definitely got my roughage for the day.
Martha and I had to go to my dad's to see what he had for us to sell. I was amazed at how organized he had already gotten the Playboys. He had them divided by hear and there were quite a few of them. My initial look into places like eBay didn't sound too promising and I think that we will have better luck with the records he has. He even has a Samantha Fox picture disc and, yes she's naked on it. My dad collects some weird stuff that's for sure.
While Martha and I were over there Delia, Dandelion and Daniel went to Praise Baptist for their Vacation Bible School. Dandelion said she didn't have fun, but I don't believe her. Out pastor's wife, Missy took them, but then she had some strangers drop the kids off at home. I wasn't real keen on that so I kinda doubt they will be going again. Maybe if I go with them. We will have to wait and see.
Dennis was left at home because I busted my hump yesterday cleaning the kitchen and he totaled the stove and left dirty dishes on the stove. I'm glad he cooks, but it's okay form to trash the kitchen because I know I have to clean it. Other people doing it kind of ticks me off. So, he got to stay home and do the dishes.
I got a box of porn in the mail today, Yea! I got a box of stuff from Larry's wife, Patti as well. It was a bunch of films and whatnot and while it was cool it felt like one of those packages from beyond the grave. Kinda creepy. Even though Larry is gone I have no intentions of letting his website die out. We will keep it going regardless. Hopefully, the webmaster Ugo feels the same way.
It was hot. Too hot to sleep so I wandered downstairs where the air conditioner was going. Delia was a little ticked that I kicked her off the couch, bu she can sleep on the floor without waking up the next morning feeling like she got beat with a cricket bat. Me, not so much.
Got home and we had leftover chili and rice. I ate waaaay too much and felt like crap because of it. Probably didn't help that I had a twelve inch veggie sub from Subway for lunch. Definitely got my roughage for the day.
Martha and I had to go to my dad's to see what he had for us to sell. I was amazed at how organized he had already gotten the Playboys. He had them divided by hear and there were quite a few of them. My initial look into places like eBay didn't sound too promising and I think that we will have better luck with the records he has. He even has a Samantha Fox picture disc and, yes she's naked on it. My dad collects some weird stuff that's for sure.
While Martha and I were over there Delia, Dandelion and Daniel went to Praise Baptist for their Vacation Bible School. Dandelion said she didn't have fun, but I don't believe her. Out pastor's wife, Missy took them, but then she had some strangers drop the kids off at home. I wasn't real keen on that so I kinda doubt they will be going again. Maybe if I go with them. We will have to wait and see.
Dennis was left at home because I busted my hump yesterday cleaning the kitchen and he totaled the stove and left dirty dishes on the stove. I'm glad he cooks, but it's okay form to trash the kitchen because I know I have to clean it. Other people doing it kind of ticks me off. So, he got to stay home and do the dishes.
I got a box of porn in the mail today, Yea! I got a box of stuff from Larry's wife, Patti as well. It was a bunch of films and whatnot and while it was cool it felt like one of those packages from beyond the grave. Kinda creepy. Even though Larry is gone I have no intentions of letting his website die out. We will keep it going regardless. Hopefully, the webmaster Ugo feels the same way.
It was hot. Too hot to sleep so I wandered downstairs where the air conditioner was going. Delia was a little ticked that I kicked her off the couch, bu she can sleep on the floor without waking up the next morning feeling like she got beat with a cricket bat. Me, not so much.
8/28/07
DAY SIXTY-FOUR
The last day of vacation. I love having Mondays off. It makes the rest of the week seem to fly by a little better. We were supposed to go to my dad's house this morning. He wants help selling a bunch of his crap online. He's got like twenty years of Playboys and a mint condition ET picture disc. That should fetch a pretty penny and even if we sell the Playboys for a buck apiece it should be a pretty good sale for the old man. But, Martha was feeling poorly so we postponed until tomorrow.
This meant that it was time to laze about the house. Yeah, right! I wrote a review of issue two of Madame Mirage. Great comic and the artwork is astounding. I wrote a review of the South Korean flick CINDERELLA. I packaged up a bunch of DVD's I sold and got them ready to ship tomorrow. Then it was clean the kitchen time.
For some reason, these pesky fruit flies decided to nest in the kitchen and I am sandblasting everything, not really, to see if I can get them, out of there. Wish me luck. After cleaning the kitchen I took a break to see how Martha was. She was the same. Oooky. Then, I was going to mow some of the lawn, but decided to clear a bunch of overhanging branches in the driveway. Most of them were pretty easy, but there's this one behemoth that is only coming down if I climb this tree. I don't mind climbing trees. I'm still pretty nimble and I have always been a tree climber from waaaaay back.
Yeah, I should have done that branch first. By the time I got up the tree with a saw and started hacking away at this thing I was pretty damned pooped. I got a decent cut in it, but there is still a long way to go. Maybe I'll be brave and get up there again this upcoming three day weekend. We'll see.
After that Martha and I had to go over to friends of ours from church, Bruce and Helen. They had a garage sale and there was this computer they didn't get rid of and they said that the boys could have it. Yeah, this thing is a mess. It was in pieces, but Martha is the techno geek so maybe she can fix it.
By the time we got home because Helen likes to talk, I think that she doesn't get a lot of talking in during the day so she was glad for the compnay, it was time for dinner and I decided that were were having chili. I had a loaf of Vienna bread from the store and some cold Rolling Rock in the fridge so it was like fate decided it for me.
We ate chili and watched the Tom Baker Doctor Who in his first appearance. It was called ROBOT and it was very good. After the chili the gang demanded chocolate milkshakes. We still had a ton of ice cream left from Delia's birthday feast so, I made milkshakes.
Then it was time for bed.
Yeah, right. I couldn't sleep to save my butt. I watched some Food Network and burned the Doctor Who disc so I could send it back to Netflix and still, no go. I finally nodded off around midnight. This is pretty late for me so I know I'll be feeling it in the morning.
This meant that it was time to laze about the house. Yeah, right! I wrote a review of issue two of Madame Mirage. Great comic and the artwork is astounding. I wrote a review of the South Korean flick CINDERELLA. I packaged up a bunch of DVD's I sold and got them ready to ship tomorrow. Then it was clean the kitchen time.
For some reason, these pesky fruit flies decided to nest in the kitchen and I am sandblasting everything, not really, to see if I can get them, out of there. Wish me luck. After cleaning the kitchen I took a break to see how Martha was. She was the same. Oooky. Then, I was going to mow some of the lawn, but decided to clear a bunch of overhanging branches in the driveway. Most of them were pretty easy, but there's this one behemoth that is only coming down if I climb this tree. I don't mind climbing trees. I'm still pretty nimble and I have always been a tree climber from waaaaay back.
Yeah, I should have done that branch first. By the time I got up the tree with a saw and started hacking away at this thing I was pretty damned pooped. I got a decent cut in it, but there is still a long way to go. Maybe I'll be brave and get up there again this upcoming three day weekend. We'll see.
After that Martha and I had to go over to friends of ours from church, Bruce and Helen. They had a garage sale and there was this computer they didn't get rid of and they said that the boys could have it. Yeah, this thing is a mess. It was in pieces, but Martha is the techno geek so maybe she can fix it.
By the time we got home because Helen likes to talk, I think that she doesn't get a lot of talking in during the day so she was glad for the compnay, it was time for dinner and I decided that were were having chili. I had a loaf of Vienna bread from the store and some cold Rolling Rock in the fridge so it was like fate decided it for me.
We ate chili and watched the Tom Baker Doctor Who in his first appearance. It was called ROBOT and it was very good. After the chili the gang demanded chocolate milkshakes. We still had a ton of ice cream left from Delia's birthday feast so, I made milkshakes.
Then it was time for bed.
Yeah, right. I couldn't sleep to save my butt. I watched some Food Network and burned the Doctor Who disc so I could send it back to Netflix and still, no go. I finally nodded off around midnight. This is pretty late for me so I know I'll be feeling it in the morning.
8/27/07
THE VACATION (DAYS 60,61,62,63)
I know that I stated in the beginning that I would report on each day as an individual occurrence, but in this case I feel that the entire experience needs to be related as a single narrative.
I left work at three o'clock and headed for home. I got to the Versluis ballfield and my bike made a horrid noise. The chain busted. Thankfully it isn't that far to home. I did stop at the soda machine and got a Coke Zero and drank half of it before I started walking the rest of the way. I did like the noise that the wind made on the top of the open soda bottle. The glass ones make a better noise, but what are you going to do?
I got home and was just taking it easy. We were all watching television when they said that a storm was headed right for us. They mentioned a tornado and Daniel panicked, but we told him not to worry about it. We live in a sturdy old farm house with a basement so were in pretty good shape.
We actually went outside to watch the storm approach. It was moving at about eighty miles an hour so it didn't take long. The rain started coming down in sheets...and then the power went out. And 50,000 Kalamazoo residents were in the darkness.
That night I discovered something. That if there is no ambient noise when I am sleeping I wake up about every hour on the hour. Plus, our room felt like a furnace so I went downstairs with the kids to sleep. Because of that my back is killing me. Too old to sleep on the hard floor I guess.
The next day we still had no power and they were saying Sunday before it would come back on. I had taken a four day weekend and it was turning out to be a big disaster. We decided to do stuff and went out and had some breakfast. We bought things for Delia's birthday which was on Sunday. We decided to give her her gift early because she was wandering through Target looking at plastic crap. When we finally fessed up and told her we were getting her a video camera, she was all for it. It's a cool in that it was designed for kids and with an additional SD card she can get about 80 minutes of video that she can download to the computer and edit. She is happy and mentioned that she will be starting preproduction work on her movie, Secret Pets.
There was no way were sleeping at home again and since we got a new minivan, well, new for us, it's a 95, we loaded up stuff and went to church. Before I continue let me relay a little information about this new minivan.
Our friend from church, Ryan, got us our last car. It is a 81 Olds Cutlass Station Wagon. She's a beast on gas, but a good solid car. Now, he got someone giving him this 95 Plymouth Grand Voyager and he said we could have it as well. Ryan is a really great guy. So, we get the new car legal and go fetch it from Ryan and start driving it home. we get a few miles down the road and Martha pulls over. She is driving the van and I'm in the wagon. She just pulls over on the side of the road. The first thing I can think is that there is something wrong with a car we have had for five minutes. No such luck. It seems there was a huge spider in the car and she needed to pull over so I could kill it for here. Sheesh! Anyway, back to the church campout. Using the pew cushions we made a communal bed and watched the new film by Michale Legge. It's called The Dungeon of Dr. Dreck and it was great. It tells of a horror host who is a real mad scientist and his sidekick is an actual zombie. Our family has been watching the actual Dr. Dreck show for quite some time and it was cool to see him get his own movie. Plus, we sent Michael some lab equipment that I got from Pfizer and not only is it featured in the opening credits, but the entire family got credits and honorary doctorates in the end credits. There are even special glasses to watch for this one segment that is really cool. It was nice to take a bad situation and have a good family time of it regardless. As we got ready for bed I put in the film 300 and played it in a loop so we had the necessary noise to keep us asleep for the night.
We packed up in the morning and made our way home. The power was on! It was a little bittersweet because it was the first time I had been on the computer in a couple of days and I found out that Larry Stanley, my editor and good friend had passed away in the night. He went to be with the Lord and I should rejoice in that, but I am selfish and would rather have him here. We had talked on the phone a couple of times and it would have been nice to meet face to face. I guess I'll have to wait for Heaven.
We went to the store and got things for Delia's feast. Steak, rice, broccoli and carrots. What a good kid! And I got the fixings to make her a cake that I decorated with tiger stripes. Delia loves tigers. It was good to sleep in my own bed again with power and fans and comfort. All was finally right with the world.
Sunday came and we were off to church. It was an exciting day because we were going to do special music. Were doing The Violent Femmes 'Jesus Walking On The Water'. Martha played guitar, Dennis played the bass line on an electric Fender we have, Delia played this little Yamaha keyboard, Dandelion used her kazoo and I played during the musical interlude on my saxophone. We thought it was horrid and Martha even joked about making a joyful 'noise' to The Lord, but the congregation loved us. No accounting for taste.
After church we headed for the M-89 Cinema to watch SUPERBAD. Delia really wanted to see it and it was one of the only places still playing it so we made the short jaunt to Plainwell. I had never been to the theater and it was cool. It used to be a supermarket and they converted it. They are smart about the concessions to. They are, for the most part, self serve. Even the popcorn. You go up to this huge chute and pull a switch and the popcorn goes in the bag. You can get as much fake butter that you want too. Yum! The movie was hilarious and we had a good time.
After the movie we went home and I got started on the birthday feast. It was delicious and I gave Delia a huge steak! Her eyes bulged and she ate steak till it was coming out of her ears. Afterwards we went to the park to play and then it was time to head home. For a Sunday it was extra busy, even for us.
I have Monday off and if all goes well it will be a relaxing day. Who knows, maybe my Bava book will show up in the mail. That will be cool.
This vacation was a definite up and down. From the loss of a good friend to celebrating the eleventh anniversary of my oldest daughter's birth it was a definite emotional roller coaster. Never was fond of roller coasters.
I left work at three o'clock and headed for home. I got to the Versluis ballfield and my bike made a horrid noise. The chain busted. Thankfully it isn't that far to home. I did stop at the soda machine and got a Coke Zero and drank half of it before I started walking the rest of the way. I did like the noise that the wind made on the top of the open soda bottle. The glass ones make a better noise, but what are you going to do?
I got home and was just taking it easy. We were all watching television when they said that a storm was headed right for us. They mentioned a tornado and Daniel panicked, but we told him not to worry about it. We live in a sturdy old farm house with a basement so were in pretty good shape.
We actually went outside to watch the storm approach. It was moving at about eighty miles an hour so it didn't take long. The rain started coming down in sheets...and then the power went out. And 50,000 Kalamazoo residents were in the darkness.
That night I discovered something. That if there is no ambient noise when I am sleeping I wake up about every hour on the hour. Plus, our room felt like a furnace so I went downstairs with the kids to sleep. Because of that my back is killing me. Too old to sleep on the hard floor I guess.
The next day we still had no power and they were saying Sunday before it would come back on. I had taken a four day weekend and it was turning out to be a big disaster. We decided to do stuff and went out and had some breakfast. We bought things for Delia's birthday which was on Sunday. We decided to give her her gift early because she was wandering through Target looking at plastic crap. When we finally fessed up and told her we were getting her a video camera, she was all for it. It's a cool in that it was designed for kids and with an additional SD card she can get about 80 minutes of video that she can download to the computer and edit. She is happy and mentioned that she will be starting preproduction work on her movie, Secret Pets.
There was no way were sleeping at home again and since we got a new minivan, well, new for us, it's a 95, we loaded up stuff and went to church. Before I continue let me relay a little information about this new minivan.
Our friend from church, Ryan, got us our last car. It is a 81 Olds Cutlass Station Wagon. She's a beast on gas, but a good solid car. Now, he got someone giving him this 95 Plymouth Grand Voyager and he said we could have it as well. Ryan is a really great guy. So, we get the new car legal and go fetch it from Ryan and start driving it home. we get a few miles down the road and Martha pulls over. She is driving the van and I'm in the wagon. She just pulls over on the side of the road. The first thing I can think is that there is something wrong with a car we have had for five minutes. No such luck. It seems there was a huge spider in the car and she needed to pull over so I could kill it for here. Sheesh! Anyway, back to the church campout. Using the pew cushions we made a communal bed and watched the new film by Michale Legge. It's called The Dungeon of Dr. Dreck and it was great. It tells of a horror host who is a real mad scientist and his sidekick is an actual zombie. Our family has been watching the actual Dr. Dreck show for quite some time and it was cool to see him get his own movie. Plus, we sent Michael some lab equipment that I got from Pfizer and not only is it featured in the opening credits, but the entire family got credits and honorary doctorates in the end credits. There are even special glasses to watch for this one segment that is really cool. It was nice to take a bad situation and have a good family time of it regardless. As we got ready for bed I put in the film 300 and played it in a loop so we had the necessary noise to keep us asleep for the night.
We packed up in the morning and made our way home. The power was on! It was a little bittersweet because it was the first time I had been on the computer in a couple of days and I found out that Larry Stanley, my editor and good friend had passed away in the night. He went to be with the Lord and I should rejoice in that, but I am selfish and would rather have him here. We had talked on the phone a couple of times and it would have been nice to meet face to face. I guess I'll have to wait for Heaven.
We went to the store and got things for Delia's feast. Steak, rice, broccoli and carrots. What a good kid! And I got the fixings to make her a cake that I decorated with tiger stripes. Delia loves tigers. It was good to sleep in my own bed again with power and fans and comfort. All was finally right with the world.
Sunday came and we were off to church. It was an exciting day because we were going to do special music. Were doing The Violent Femmes 'Jesus Walking On The Water'. Martha played guitar, Dennis played the bass line on an electric Fender we have, Delia played this little Yamaha keyboard, Dandelion used her kazoo and I played during the musical interlude on my saxophone. We thought it was horrid and Martha even joked about making a joyful 'noise' to The Lord, but the congregation loved us. No accounting for taste.
After church we headed for the M-89 Cinema to watch SUPERBAD. Delia really wanted to see it and it was one of the only places still playing it so we made the short jaunt to Plainwell. I had never been to the theater and it was cool. It used to be a supermarket and they converted it. They are smart about the concessions to. They are, for the most part, self serve. Even the popcorn. You go up to this huge chute and pull a switch and the popcorn goes in the bag. You can get as much fake butter that you want too. Yum! The movie was hilarious and we had a good time.
After the movie we went home and I got started on the birthday feast. It was delicious and I gave Delia a huge steak! Her eyes bulged and she ate steak till it was coming out of her ears. Afterwards we went to the park to play and then it was time to head home. For a Sunday it was extra busy, even for us.
I have Monday off and if all goes well it will be a relaxing day. Who knows, maybe my Bava book will show up in the mail. That will be cool.
This vacation was a definite up and down. From the loss of a good friend to celebrating the eleventh anniversary of my oldest daughter's birth it was a definite emotional roller coaster. Never was fond of roller coasters.
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