A long and successful day.

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As I said, I am now having trouble getting to sleep, again. My recovery from the effects of the medicine has been profound. Other than weakness of body, about the same weakness I first had here, and lingering prospects for headaches which can be managed with Tylenol, I am back in the game. And more, I am quite anxious to work through this weakness again. I am sure there will be ups and downs on it, but that I can take it and push is something new. I do worry that maybe this is only the summer weather, that when fall and then winter sets in I might lose whatever edge I seem to have gained. I will not worry greatly, it is just a nagging thing.

In spite of not sleeping, I was able to wake this morning. My neighbor rang the doorbell pretty good. And though quite groggy at 10:30 or so from going to bed and 4:00 or 5:00 or 6:00, it sounded important so I got up. It turns out one of the places we buy ammunition and such had just gotten in a shipment of primers! So, I hurried and showered, and we headed out. Surprisingly there was not a rush on them. There were plenty, though they only allowed 1000 per customer. They did not have large rifle, but they had the rest. Too bad, I only need large rifle and pistol. But pleased, that I am. I have the powder, then the primers, and I have kept my brass, so all I needed was bullets.

Since I was awake, and primed (grins), I decided to go to Ogden for my blood draw. I need to look at a map and get some perspective there. The way they suggested has me driving through 30 miles of town (well, maybe ten miles, but at the pace it seems like 30). I tried the interstate to arrive more quickly today, but the signs do not seem to tell when I am in any particular city. They just have things like 400 N, 1 1/2 mile. Okay, but which city. There are dozens of small towns on either side of Ogden, there is North and South Ogden, and on the interstate I never stop seeing city scape till on past Salt Lake City. Actually, I have not driven far enough South to leave city scape.

In any case, I pulled off the interstate just in time to make me drive clear through Both Ogdens, and their construction season road fun house, added in with the summer rat-race thing. With the air conditioning and some music playing, that is not so bad though really. I am just blatantly hitting you up for sympathy. *sigh* At least, at this point, I have a good idea where I am going and a decent plan of attack driving here or there in Ogden. And I was able to get to the clinic in plenty of time. I also asked about dentists, for my neighbor. They had a list for just such a question. And I asked about compensation for the drive. They offered me a sheet, had me fill it out, and said they do not know who is compensated, how much, only that if I am one of those I will receive a check for some unknown amount. We chuckled about it. They added both today and last weeks visit. I can hope. I am running a wee dry, financially. The primers were a (nearly) final strain. I had to check my remaining credit card before making that purchase.

Before all that, when I arrived, I had to use the men's room, desperately. I did so, and quickly before going to the front desk. They wanted, I knew, a fasting blood test, and actually they drew five vials of blood or so. After that, they asked if I could give them a urine sample. Actually, they needed it full as they were running two tests on it. I gave them that bad doggy look, and we discussed it. They have to load all specimens by 14:30 for shipment to the VA Hospital in SLC. It was 13:15 or so. They asked if I could, you know, drink some stuff and try before then. Bless them, I know their job is difficult and I did not want to tax the system more with a return trip (or pay for the gas myself, either, if that is how it is). So I drove to a nearby gas station, I needed to fill up anyway. I bought a 64 ounce Gatorade and a 1 liter Squirt. I drove back and, in the parking lot, chugged the 64 ouncer and about 8 ounces of the Squirt. Ugh. I sat just a bit, as time was getting quite thin. I was not sure I would be able to perform, but I went in on hope. After a little chat, I received the specimen container and... specimened. I had to almost (internal) push it out. But I gave them their dues. I certainly hope this has nothing to do with yielding unto Caesar what is Caesars?


Good, all done for the day I thought. But, no, I had promised (and needed to) go out shooting. But first, I decided to go to the locally owned gun and bike shop. The only thing I needed at the time was bullets. I prefer to shoot 230 grain, and fmj (full metal jackets) if at all possible. It was possible, though I took my final financial hit. I purchased two bags of 300 (so 600 total) fmj 230 grain .45 acp bullets. Those are very heavy. Too cool, I have everything to reload now! I just need to set up my Dillon 550b. Of course, they say I can put out almost as many bullets as I have supplies for, but in only an hour. Well, I am a noob for one, so it will take longer. And, actually, I do not think I have enough brass to process 500 bullets either. Oh well. The only thing I am not sure about is whether to try to get that going here or to wait until I move. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

After arriving home, I had time to unload the items from the car to the cave, rest, check my email, maybe blog (either I read or posted, I will look later). After a brief time in, I say my neighbor go by my window. I went out to see what was going on and find out if and when he might like to shoot. He asked if I needed a nap. I guess he is getting to know me too well. But I just laughed as said that after getting over the extreme sleepiness that the medicine initially caused, that now I neither need extra sleep nor can I even get to sleep! He laughed as well.

We decided, since I did not need sleep and all, that we could go right away. He grabbed his kit, and I grabbed mine. We went, again, to the dam and graveled hilly area. He started with his .38/.357 and I only had the Henry .22 rifle. And shoot we did. I was able to get closer to the target bullseye. I am now just a little low and right. I worked with the sight and shot some more. I was able to get my shots into a 2 1/2" circle at 50 feet. I am sorely disappointed but I will keep working on it. The .22 bullets that work the best are the CSI standard loads. I still have about 4oo or 500 left. I realized, while shooting, that I should have bought more in Ogden. He was enjoying shooting too, especially now that he has primers again. I think he has enough small pistol primers, but the large pistol primers were all gone.

So, a full day! I had thought this would not happen due to my lack of sleep last night. And, without my neighbor and primers coming in, I probably would have done nothing today. Tomorrow I may rest. In the slow day, however, I would like to figure out where to advertise my apartment. I have heard nothing back from the grad student my new renters were trying to get me with, the grad student who will be arriving in Logan mid-October from field work. I have to put out the advertisement or it will end up being too late and I will be stuck with two rents for quite a bit longer. Not much else will be done tomorrow. Anything after that I will think about throughout tomorrow.

Hopefully lack of sleep will not plague me tonight. I am bothered though, that several people I have emailed have failed to respond, my lady friend has not been in contact, and some other activities seem to have ceased. I guess some periods are just slow that way. Hmm, I ought to check the mail. I have not checked it since before my birthday, maybe I have a card.

Good night.