Stretching my days.

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It's not too brutal or anything, yet.  I should learn to back this down though.  I simply end up staying up far to late, or even early into the morning really.  While I can, with all other  factors managed, handle this occasionally and short term, it isn't in my best interest for any period of time.  Plus I do like a day schedule and I am on one again.  I get into a part of the game that I either wish to power through or I become fascinated with... or a bit of both.  I figure in another week I will have completed the game and all add-ons, including all of the side missions allowable given my decisions.  Then it will be time to run another character through to try and get the whole game... just... right...  Yeah, I know.  But I decided, after abadoning the first two game starts that, like with playing music, quitting and starting over only creates a bad habit.  You just play through, mark the mistake in your mind, and work on that part itself later or whatever.  Don't stop just because you made a mistake.  But I forgot.  You have to do the whole game to get that feel for when you try to do the whole thing right.  Weeks of data lost to fidgetry!  Then again, I didn't realize how immense this game was, either.  In one sense, it can be as short as a week or two of heavy play.  But if you do the side quests, find all (or most?) of the locations, and really work it, it can take upwards of nearly a month to play full on, more so if you never played it before.  I don't know how people with real jobs can play this game!  It would be like two hundred chess games one play a week.  Sure, you'll get there, eventually, but... You'd almost go half crazy in the interlude, especially at the higher levels of play and it would take forever(tm by teens).

Sam got kicked out of little Eden last night.  I caught her clawing my leg when I was asleep.  I think it was about food.  First, I feed the girls pretty well.  Sam doesn't get as much or she will simply chuck it.  She loves to gobble then blow chunks.  Poppo doesn't like this so much.  She doesn't care where or when.  Poppo, again, does.  Besides, while I seem to be oddly diabetic, I am.  And lacerations in my lower extremities worry me.  So, she has been banished for 3 days.  I will take food and water out to her, but she won't be let back in until that time is up.  No, she won't like it.  But she does know why.  I happened to wake right when Sam was doing it and Sam knew she was in trouble for it.  I don't want her teaching Sassy her bad ways, either.

Well, on to my day.

Overcast.

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Oh, not complaining.  When it is this densely overcast it is simply cooler.  The fans are all off and the ac isn't kicking in.  I slept quite well, perhaps even a bit too well.  I set my alarm for 9:00, just in case.  I had a feeling this morning would be tough after yesterday.  And it was.  I had to reset the alarm for 10:00.  Even then I almost just reset it or turned it off.  Intellectually I didn't want to do that, but the animal side was not as negotiable.  I woke on the wrong side of the bed to boot.  Still, I made it out at 10:00.  It took a good half an hour of wakefulness before the grumps retreated to a mild case of heat hangover, I suppose that is what I would call it.

I have set the dishes to a fresh soak and am eyeing the place to see what else needs done.  Or, not really what else but more what else I can knock out quickly if I can rise to the occasion.  Uhrm, there is a lot to do.  But it comes down to what I can do.  Work, for me, isn't about knowing it needs doing, it is about how to do it in such a way that I don't overreach.  It's quite a trick to even sweep and mop usually.  But that is what I have been eyeing.  That and picking up.  Laundry has almost been completed but nothing has been folded.  So... I go with wrinkled clothes until at least the next time I wash.  Ah well.  It's not like I am having to showcase being handsome or something though!  There is that.  *chuckles*

The girls got a small taste of my grump this morning.  And, for the most part, they let me alone to "enjoy it".  But they aren't at fault so I fed them shortly after I let them know I was grumpy.  I don't mind them leaving me alone but I also don't like them not getting fed fairly.  Grump or not, they do deserve to eat and more or less on a regular cycle.  Sam is already outside basking in the day.  She is just that type of girl, she seriously hates winter because she simply can't go out with snow and ice everywhere or if it is too cold.  Sassy is fat and happy almost always.  Chunky little girl, but quite a doll.  When she isn't acting on her feral instincts.  Hmm, sounds like the rest of us.  Ha.

Well, on to a bit more waking up.  How odd that as soon as I get used to summer I hit, mid-summer, a winterish day... and crash.  Oh, never mind.  I really won't ever figure it all out.  I will simply learn to live a little more surely through a tried and true simplicity.  That simplicity will be complex, just the least complexity I can manage.  Just like everyone else, only with some serious weak spots that others don't have.

Have a great day.

Never a break.

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I made it to town in time to load my friend on board and get to the hair cut appointment, but barely.  Even with a flat tire.  It seems there was a huge gash in the sidewall.  Now, I had to drive on it a bit, but I made it to a gas station immediately after realizing it was going flat, added air there, and it was gone in less than a block.  Somehow, through heavy duty SUV tires, while driving, the side of my tire was gashed.  And I am a road watcher.  There was nothing in the road.  I'm just not sure what caused that.  Could someone have tried to cut the tire but not quite gotten it done, then it gave out at some point?  That's the only thing I can imagine that would have done that.

I tried to change the tire.  I was stymied by how to get the spare off the hook.  I really need to figure the whole process out rather than wait for another such instance.  The tire shop couldn't fix the tire and didn't carry that size of tire.  They did put the spare on, and showed me how to get the spare off, and didn't charge me a dime.  Quite nice of them, really.  That was a Big-O shop.  And, yes, when I can, from now on, that is where I will take my business.  Went there last time, when I had a leaking valve.

Right now I am driving on the spare.  And, it works just fine, for now.  I would love to simply replace the flat tire, but that won't work.  With three old tires and one new, things don't work well.  Even two new and two old doesn't work.  So it looks like it is time for new tires.  Bleh.  I had hoped to stretch this out another 10k, but it just doesn't always work that way.  Oh, and the spare doesn't seem to gauge right.  I get a dummy light that there is low pressure in one of the tires, which meant a stop on my way out of town.  All were pressured correctly.  It must be that the spare doesn't have the device needed.  At least it is a full size spare.

After the haircut (I went with a flat top and, at the advice of my beautician, kept the tail), my friend wanted to go to the hardware store.  Tin snips, it seems, are needed.  He had asked to borrow mine, but I keep forgetting.  When I make it to town that is.  Oh, and I set up a date for next Tuesday, if her schedule is clear.  Barring that the Tuesday following.  Hey, it's something fun and new.

Have a good night.

Oh well.

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Not much done today.  Actually nothing was done.  I did, however, enjoy the day.  I mean it was a fine day.  I have had about a week of them.  All good.  I have been playing the heck out of Fallout 3.  I've almost gotten to the point where I might consider almost beginning to start doing the end projects.  Not quite, but close.  The game is massive, especially with five add-ons, on two of those have been explored (in a previous playing).  So, really, I have to finish the main game and finish the adds.  THEN... I get to start all over, this time setting out to create the perfect game.  *shrug*  It's what I do.

I did, actually though, call my mother today.  Just a feeling.  And she was rather down.  Some days she is in pain, arthritis.  Most days medicine works.  Today was a less than optimal day.  She wants to come out closer to Thanksgiving.  She has been worried about me being all alone on holidays.  I had to chuckle out loud a bit.  She hurts more for me than I do.  I don't even notice being alone on holidays... or... ever, really.  And, sure, I would like company, such as a wife, and more kids, I do just fine all on my own.  I do have some company, occasionally, when folks bring food.  If I can get my place cleaned up I will invite them in for a more proper visit.  And I do sometimes anyway.  I'm just not the lonely type?  I've been there, at times, more when I was younger.  Though some of that was dealing with other issues too.  Still, Thanksgiving it is. 

Tomorrow afternoon is time for a haircut, or two.  I should be quite ready to get out again.  I need milk as well.  A few other things would be nice also.  Getting out hasn't been so bad, with the car ac and some cool going on here at home.  I can deal with it, if not as often or well as when it is cool or even downright cold.  I do miss the winters, if I am getting to an age where after a while they can tend to drag on a little long.  Age does make one a little less... appreciative of extreme weather, in either direction. 

Have a good night.

Yeah, sure, you had to know it.

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While relaxing this last week, my cooking has slumped.  Not that I was doing much before, but at least enough for a one to two meals a day when the incoming meals were added, usually.  What I found myself doing was bad... raiding my candy bar midterm stash, and drinking the non-caffeinated but sugar filled drinks I usually keep on hand for the young man who does my yard.  I also stopped checking my blood sugars as I knew that must be terrible by now.  But, finally, after one last gulp and bite, I... checked.  Hahahaha  It was 103.  They want it below 120.  Go figure.  No, I don't plan to continue that though.  Just... probably not wise for a thousand and one reasons.  Still, it looks like I passed the test.  It really was Gatorade.

While shopping yesterday I looked for other sorts of treats.  There were snack bars and discreet bundles of various nuts, in bulk.  I mean, the bulk was that I was buying a large amount of small packets.  Peanuts, cashews, and snack bars.  They officially go into my larder, but I bought a second grouping for up here.  Oh, I'll still have a soda from time to time, and a candy bar.  I just don't want that to be even an everyday thing.  If for no other reason than that I am getting no nutrition per calorie.  Hmm, and I have still lost and kept another 10 pounds off.  Really, seriously, go figure.  Living on snickers, Squirt, and Seven-Up, plus four meals incoming, and my blood sugar goes down and I lose weight.  Way too funny.

Tomorrow I hope to finish the laundry.  Just a bit remains.  As well, I really need to hit the kitchen.  Barring that, I really don't have too much planned.  I can push but that usually nets me less than just... doing a little at a time.

The game system I promised has arrived, as have three of the games.  I spoke with the father tonight, and asked if I should give them (the parents) the games, and let them dole those out.  He said no.  He said if there is a problem, he will simply confiscate whatever needs taken.  Yeah, I like that.  As he suggested, he is not their (his children's) friend, he is their father.  And he will do what he has to do.  Absolutely fantastic.  Fair always?  Pffft.  The world isn't fair.  But it is good to have a relatively stable force to keep young ones on the right path.  That is where children learn most of what they ever will learn.  And they need to learn it young, and over and over and over again.  And he has pretty good kids to show for it, from what I can tell.  He has one rebel, but he is... at that age.  Gonna happen.  Still a good kid though, just unsure of what is going to happen, what changes are taking place, and graduation.  He'll do fine though I think.

Well, on to bed pretty quickly.  I have been doing close to 16 hour days with 8 hours of sleep, so it's mostly working.  All good.  Good night.

Not bad.

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I actually didn't want to push it and get out again today.  Seriously, I just got better.  Still, I had thought one of three things would force my hand.  It turns out all of them were smoke on the horizon without a fire to them.  I called to check on a haircut, as I had told my friend I would.  It turns out Thursday is the only reasonable next day for that.  So I set it up.  Since the meeting isn't until next week, I can shop for the beverages I will be taking when I next go to town, and the snacks can be bought right before the meeting give or take.  So, I get to stay in today.  But I did keep my end of the bargain on several things, so far, and I did let the people know who needed to know what they needed to know.

Today is just a chill day.  I think the cool well in back is helping.  But I am not sure it will, in the end, help all that much.  Time will tell.  On to goofing!

*Pop*

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Two days in a row I have made it out of bed, before 9:00, like an ice cube coming out the tray when everything works.  The girls are hungry first thing.  And I have not been in such a mood as to facilitate their desires.  So, I set the timer for an hour and a half.  They are then being taught to leave me the hell alone until I've had my morning waking time.  Some mornings are better than others, but these girls are spoiled.  I'm not going to mar them further.  I implemented this long ago, actually, but now that I am looking to be heading toward a regular sleep cycle again, it might mean something for them.

I plan to get to town again today.  I want to check on a haircut.  And while I do, I will check for my friend.  Further, I need to do a bit more shopping.  More meats, more milk, and there is something else.  I think I will be back for dinner time though, or that is the plan.  The foray into town today is meant to be short and sweet.  As any time in town really should be.  A town or city really, is just a bunch of people trying to get what they want, do what they want, go where they want, all when they would rather not (usually) be doing what they are doing but for their need to eat.  It is not a happy place.  A farmer may not always be happy to be awake or doing what he is doing but he is alone enough to be more congenial when he does happen upon another human face.  City folks... not so much.  While you are feeding them, you are another smelly human who has "slaved them" to some master so they can eat.  You are part of their problem.  Some are better, some are worse.  Some wear their slave collar well, others buck at every chance.  And those who think they have thrown their slave collar are often predatory.  Who is the master you ask?  Flesh.  We have biological needs and wants, we sell or rent (depending on a number of things) bits of ourselves, or more, to obtain those.  Like it or not, what I have isn't worth sale or rent.  But I am still a slave to food, fluid, and some other things, I just don't get to earn my way anymore.

I had, sort of, wondered if the meeting was coming up.  Nope, next week.  I at least knew what day it was, I just hadn't reconfigured my system data to know what day of the month it was.  I have been asked to do something for the meeting and I mean to do so.  Setting up the room, bringing refreshments, and such.  Nothing fancy, but I take it seriously.  It isn't quite possible to please everybody, but four types of liquid refreshments, a small plate of fruits, and some other nibblings should do.  It isn't supposed to be a meal replacement, just something that allows a minor snack.  I can do that.

Hmm, a few hours to wake up, another shower, then to simply air dry while I plot my escape from the dungeon.  I'll begin putting the chair together tomorrow.  Oh, I noticed the back area of my home might be used as a "cool well" or some such.  Yeah, I am making up terms for all I know.  But what I mean is, it is closed off, like an old porch.  But it has been fully upgraded to a part of the house.  It is now the wash area and the basement access.  So, at night, I am opening the windows in that area now, and closing them with at the due time.  I am experimenting with things, now that I have some balance to do so.  How to keep my home cooler, longer, more efficiently.  It is the sort of thing I would do professionally if I could, if at a steeper degree of complexity in the working world it will do for now.  I don't think the upstairs can be used.  But more, I don't always have the energy to trudge upstairs twice a day, open and close eight more windows, and remember to do that in a timely manner.  And, if I were to guess, it might even be that opening those in the day would be the thing...  I can't be sure, but that is how I think that would help.  Hmm, though maybe only if we had more wind.  The valley, while not quite stagnant, is not very breezy even really.  If I had more on the ball I would figure that portion out too.  Hey, my whole world, fighting and learning and practicum has been about observing patterns, making enough sense of them to utilize them to the advantage of whatever I am doing, then implement that to the best of my ability.  I can't quit that until I die, if when I get laid up I do end up more like a beached whale, that is not by choice!

Oh, hey, most of you wouldn't know this but... I've been posting at your sites and it hasn't been posting.  I can't do a thing about it though.  Looks like the system, for me, again, is broke.  I'm finally in health enough to go check for responses and... I'm not seeing my posts.  Aardvark, Sig, Aunty, Neo, Jean, and... all of you I normally visit and yak at?  Yeah, it's... not publishing my comments again.  And hasn't been for a while if I haven't been of a state of mind to notice.

Have yourself a fine day.  Keep cool, though, kiddies.  Life ain't fun when you cook.

Out like the big people!

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After a week or so of recovery, I was finely truly able to get out.  My friend was glad to see me, he had to get rid of his reloading contraband.  For a crusty old salt he might have been too open with the wrong people.  I can't fault him for that though, that is a good quality.  It's just too bad it isn't always appreciated.  Well, that and the fact that he smokes, never mind that he only does so out of doors.  Anyway, to make up for my negligence, I decided to bribe him with a free meal.  Not that that works, but... not that it doesn't.  Whether it works or not, it is all I have to offer and about all I can do since there are no cat houses around.  Ha!  Oh, don't get so serious.  He wouldn't be all that interested and I wouldn't offer such a treat, even if it was available.

But before dinner I went to Sam's Club.  I restocked what I think I remember using.  I hit some things a little extra hard, like beans.  While I love to cook my own beans from dry, the summer is not the time.  Further, I am not always up to a four to six hour cooking episode.  Canned may be salty, may have other problems, but... put a can or two in with a pound of frying hamburger, add cheese or sour cream or tortillas or whatever you like, and *bam* dinner, for two or three days maybe longer.  Love my beans.  While I was there I ran into the post mistress I like.  I spoke for a second outside the store.  But then, inside, ran into her again while I was looking at a new large/tall office chair.  She shared a little story about someone she recently helped out with a chair, I told her my bit about my current chair, and she assured me I should get it.  Now, I was only window shopping, pricing, and such.  What happened?  I ended up with a new chair.  Doh!  Never mind.  Too funny.  Women do that to us, don't they guys?  They don't even have to be "our woman".  We just have to like em' in some reasonable fashion.  So, I have a new chair and needed it.

I got everything in, then spent time trying to chill back down.  I can handle getting out for a bit now.  With the ac in the X and ac at home to come into, I can venture forth.  But it still bites me pretty hard.  I don't think it is just the weather being extra hot, I think I my illness is catching up to me in this particular way at this particular time.  Or even the heat is just adding that final touch to a bad time.  Now I need to get back in touch with medical and try to sort things out.  I am running out of medicines in a most drastic manner.  That... won't do.

Have a great night.

Alright boys and girls, time to get out.

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I told my friend I would be over a few days ago.  It just didn't happen.  I completely lost track.  He called today, and I had planned to go in today, so that works.  I took a shower last night, almost hoping I would get in then.  Another shower today and I am ready.  I knocked off some of the beard that was forming with the trimmers, but as is my usual anymore I leave a decent amount of stubble on.  Now to get dressed and going.  Oh, I best let the family that usually feeds me know that I will not be here so they don't have to fuss.  I need to remember that in the future too.  I... just would prefer to be fair about things.

The ac in the room is great.  This house must truly be built well.  Even when it hits well into the 90's the ac keeps the bedroom quite cool, which leaks into the rest of the house, and yet it doesn't run all that often or long.  That bedroom isn't in the stone part of the house either.  It must simply be very well insulated.

Time to get going.  I should do some shopping too.  Have a good day.