Saturday, May 18, 2013

Bedtime, early.

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The sun did come out for a bit.  I have gotten to not one more thing anyway, but I was happy to see the sun.  I am tired, though, now, hard.  Thinking about things though, I have been doing a little of something almost every day.  And through a cold spell.  No, not perfect, but... good.  Some of the efforts have been bigger, harder, longer from home.  Hope inducing.  And I am pretty set up for work whenever it does start.  This, that, the other.  From tools to hardware, to understanding as much as book-learning allows in the new areas, it is all ready.  I am so very tired though.  Perhaps I can get my days to swing back to starting in the mornings too.  Weather fronts and such do seem to throw a wrinkle in all that.  Maybe as it passes I am resetting?

A bit done. Always more to do.

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Water?  Yep.  Then again it makes sense.  Before I turn off the water for some unpredictable amount of time, as things can turn out, having water set aside is a very good thing.  Beside that, I had meant to get water put up for emergencies anyway.  It is simply a doubling up of need and want that is seeing it done.  It sounded like an easy enough task.  I never can tell how long something will take, until having done it of course.  Even then something can crop up that hadn't been a problem before.  As is, I have all the five gallon containers washed and thrice rinsed.  Further, I have four of them full of tap water, with their vents opened, and the two tanks that will be the primaries tapped, with the spouts attached.  I just have to fill the last two five gallon containers with water from my revers osmosis.  Why?  The soft water treatment puts salt in the other water.  Hmm...  I should have used my new hydrant out doors!  It taps the line before it gets to the water softener.  Bah...  Next time, or later, when I have more time, a warm shower, and less to do.  For now that water will work for washing and whatever.  But I do need potable water, or salt-free potable water anyway.

I am moving slowly.  Not without purpose, and not without intent.  I was pleased that I was able to move those full containers with zero problem.  It's not much but it is something.  I looked the plants over today.  Thinning them has really helped some of them.  The recently transplanted ones seem to be doing okay.  They aren't thriving yet.  A bit of sun would sure help.  Oh, and great news!  My neighbor found someone who will be able to plow.  The ground has to dry from this recent, and ongoing, rain.  And it should before too long at all.  That gives me time to figure out preen and miracle grow application.  I ought to do that while I rest, after this post.  I was getting a little nervous.  Some bacon, a couple of slices of ham, and maybe some chops, or something, would work as a thanks for that.  They don't take money, but sometimes you can slip them a little bit for the dinner plate.  Hmm... it's a little early yet, but I think I am going to put in for another hog for, say, October...  I'll call and see how to figure that soon.  I am hoping to get a side of beef in the freezer sometime this year too.  Maybe see about planning for a lamb, or when they come due, and planning on that.  I wish I could hunt, that would add a lot of free meat, once the major costs are paid, just the license, tags, and such and a few bullets.  I'm a game eater, for sure.

On to a bit of rest and then more work.  The last jugs are going to be tricky, as I can only do three gallons at a time.  It will draw down the reserve tank from the revers osmosis system, which will then have to recharge for... a while.  Bleh...  That's the part I am not looking forward to messing with.  Hmm... then again, the hydrant might work for this?  Right...  Okay.  That solves that.  Putting two and three and one and nine together, sometimes, just... it takes some time.  Later.

Limericks?

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A new challenge has been presented.  I can't say how it will work, and right now I am in the middle of things.  Some of the haiku folk have been playing in this area.  As for me?  Well, limericks have always been just a bit out of reach for me.  Superman has cryptonite, Batman had bats, everyone has their areas of weaknesses and fears.  Oh, I've wanted to do limericks.  The will is there.  An impish grin impales my face when I think of the things.  Oh, the time I could spend on them.

One of the ladies put one up that caught my fancy.  I had to dance and giggle like a schoolgirl about it too.  And coo a bit about the notion, whine about my weakness.  And even suggest the topic of a limerick that has been haunting the tip of my tongue like a flavor profile I can not find or make but want.  I knew, for some reason, that if I could write a limerick, it would somehow include the notion of vodka and an upside-down woman!  Why?  I don't really know.  It must have been festering in my subconscious though.  Because while reading there, I knew the topic, just not the fill, or how those bones would fit.

To feed my fantasy, prime the pump, and get Doom going, several of my colleagues in word crime decided to write examples.  Suggesting that I take the field.  I suggested, that their works were quite excellent and filled the requirement.  And, that, as a little (or massive) firestarter, I had indeed, through them, already written two!  Bah!  Who am I fooling.  I was dodging, if cleverly.  I decided to try my hand at the project.  But... it may take a few days.  I am laying low until the sun, and life, return and some jobs are completed.  Then I will be... digging in my basement for a rhyming gig on just such a topic.  Oh, but I am stealing their works and putting them here... for my easy repetitive viewing, to honor their work, and to keep the notion in mind.  Here they are:

foam

Limericks I really can't do
But, perhaps if I drink some more dew
They'd be about vodka
Upside down women, lotsa..
And rolaids the next morning too..

Rafael

I once knew a girl who could drink
Of vodka, I think, she did stink
But flip her aroun'
My UP to her down
Her temple was Shirley and pink

Hehehe  The devil is... in the details?  Just sayin'.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Overcast, a bit late, but plans.

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I don't know how much I will get done today.  I do have some hopes though.  I don't really want to put the air conditioner in until it is going to be dry.  I don't mind the insulation getting damp once in a while.  But it has been raining daily, will for a few more days.  Then it is supposed to heat up and then possibly go through another rainy period.  So, that is off for a bit.  But I do have everything ready.  I would like to get started on the water heater though.  I did, as I looked over the project, forget to get new strapping to hold it in place.  But if I am careful I can reuse the old.

I have been dragging my heals because if any part of it doesn't work...  I guess doubts... just gnaw at me.  Well, and I am still rather tired.  The weather hasn't been a great help either.  Just little bits of everything.  Those cold showers are a motivation.  What I fear greatly, though, is having the water turned off, then having to go back to town.  I do have wash towelettes, but that just isn't quite the same.  Oh, right... I know a few things I could do...  Yeah, store water in the containers and tub.  I had been meaning to do the one, for a long time, anyway.  Hmm...

Oh, I know.  Sleeping on the job.  That is just a fact of life at times.  At least I have figured a solution to one of my problems that will help for a short while.  Ugh, though.  Even this requires... a bit.  I want to do some things a certain way, I have simply been reluctant to get to it?  It requires a bit more than what it seems on it's surface, that is all the details I will bother you with.  Work, to do work, to do work.  Layers of this and that.  Nothing is as easy or straight forward as even as seemingly simple task sounds.  Nothing.  Tired.

I'll get to some or all of that today.  I will at least see if the new sump pump works and fill the jugs.  If the pump works, I will, hopefully, get the new water heater drained, and in either today or tomorrow depending on how long it takes to do the other "little" things on my prerequisite check list.  Help!  I don't need a hand, I need a wakeup call?  Bleh.  I've fallen and I can't get up?

Oh, I might, when "resting" set up the cups for the last of the transplanting for when the sun does finally come out or the size of the plants demand it.  That makes the job very quick and easy.  I am excited though, to finally have, as I have mentioned, 17 or 19 habanero plants.  I might honestly plant them all.  I am not sure how many of them will make it or how much any of them will produce.  While there is a thin market for them, what market is there is quite keen on them and they are otherwise expensive.  Gifting any extra might not be that difficult.

On to waking up though, first.  Hmm, and I think I'll turn the furnace up a hair too.  It is chilly enough, for the first time in a while, for me to finally need a little extra warmth.  This might be the last period for the furnace until fall?  Hard to tell, as things have gone though.  Good day.

Is there a perfect woman?

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I think there is.  No, I don't mean one woman is perfect, or a tribe of them, or something.  I think one, many really, woman is perfect for a particular guy.  The whole thing of finding a perfect woman, or the perfect woman is, well, it's a dead end.  I do think there has to be some basic mutual understanding.  It wouldn't be difficult to be with a woman who didn't speak the same language, for example.  You may have to trust me on that, but you can.  But it would be nearly impossible to have much of a relationship.  That is required.  There are other requirements, on both sides.  Some things that aren't negotiable.  I also think that, once you find the woman, the right one, bonding with her really does cover a lot of that... imperfection, on both sides I presume.  Of course, that is the start.  From there a guy has to do more.

To town with a warhammer and loaded bullocks!?

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Well.  Maybe not the warhammer.  And I am not even sure about the bullocks.  No, I don't mean I don't have them.  I just mean they weren't in the cocked and locked position.  Just a bit of business and a visit.  Still, all very good.

I was running very late.  My friend almost didn't answer the phone.  Actually, he didn't on my way in.  Twice I think.  Finally, when I got there, he did answer.  I suspect he knew from the timing of the calls that I was probably there.  But he knew, for sure, the DMV would be closed.  And he was almost right.  Almost is a big word sometimes.  He wanted to drive by, just to be sure, anyway.  I had offered to just head out and come back Monday.  No, no, he thought... there is a chance, maybe.  Hah.  Then to dinner.  I forget to eat, and with the sink and hotwater both down, everything is backed up.  No cooking will happen any time soon.  First I have to replace the heater, then the sink, THEN do the dishes.  Ugh.  So I grabbed a bucket of chicken to go on my way out.

I am still sort of tired, so I didn't want to stop at my friends.  I'll do that Monday, or the next good shooting day, though.  He likes having a bit of company at his place, where he can chill, chat, talk, and show me what he has been doing or is thinking of doing.  I got him home, and headed out.  I almost, that word again, left town without buying insulation for the ac.  Home Depot, and though I have never bought insulation before I seemed to know right where it was.  And it was.  At $20 I was fine with it.  It is way more than I need, but who knows where I can find to fit some of the stuff through time.  I bought two different types, the smallest roll type they have and a board type.  I like this board type better.  It's solid, water resistant, no foil, and no 'particle board' type center.  Beats the old stuff I am familiar with, at least up front.

I could transplant more.  With it being cloudy and rainy, and there being room for growth for the remaining plants, I believe I will wait for a sunny day.  I thinned the remaining Serrano, and did all of the jalapeno plants that needed moved.  I have all the Tai and what of the habanero I will be transplanting left to do.  This is turning into a wonderful little hobby.  My haiku wasn't just a castoff.  It was heartfelt.  Doom, indeed, feels things, good things, pleasant things, even for the tiniest of creatures.  Food just happens to be a reciprocity that works.  After this group is safely in the garden, I do believe I might just keep going on into indoor/outdoor herbs.  I have always wanted mint, for cooking and tea, fresh and spirited.  I have wanted that since I was a child and a grandma type let me taste.  Yum!  More, since I have grown and learned to cook, fresh spices have become a love interest.  Even if you are eating canned tuna, a touch of spice can make the mundane come to life.  So expensive, and fresh is a hassle to keep up on, and more... many of the spices I have come to know are simply not available.  No complaints here.  This is "if you want it, do it" country.  I am home.  Now to plant a few more... roots.  It is a circle, that makes sense, once you get off and take some time to see.  I see.  Now...  I do.

One thing I love about going to town?  The occasional flirt.  I absolutely love that.  The herbs of life.  As humans we play so... coy, or civil.  Civility, in it's finery, is one of the finest of flirts, at times.  A touch with they eye, a nod, it all happens so fast sometimes.  Then off to the races.  Mutual appreciation and a flurry of quickly spoken, purely business, words and gestures, all thinly cloaking... human nature.  The waft of little bits of the erotic, unspoken appreciations.  With... no costs... only promises.  Pure pillow talk, baby.  Younger women usually aren't good at it, if they can be taught should they decide to dance.  Then again, they don't have to flirt so much, for a lot of reasons.  But a right proper dame knows how to throw those dice.  *come on... sevens, yo-leven*  And I'm an easy roll.

Well, on to... something or other.  Later.

Today?

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Today, today, what is today?  Ah, right.  Friday.  Or so they say.  What is on the schedule?  Well... getting into town.  I have to buy insulation.  Oh, and my friend called right when I woke up.  Something about stopping in and goofing a bit, and perhaps getting him to the DMV for a new I.D. card.  Right.  We can do that.  I just have to get a shower.  Oh that sounds cold.  The sun is still down, it's been raining at night, and staying lusciously cool during the day.  I love the weather if I could just get even a warm shower.  Yeah, I might do just a bit of transplanting too, really quickly.  On the good side?  It looks like most of those plants I thought had died are back.  I don't know what happened to them, but half or more are back in action.  Been there, done that.
The lad that mows my lawn is here.  He asked if a friend could help.  I suggested that would be fine.  However, I won't hire them both, I told him.  The way it works is I pay lad 1.  Lad 1 takes that money and pays lad 2.  Don't think I wasn't thinking on this one, either.  It wasn't simply a matter of escaping duties or responsibilities.  First, it is how leaders do things.  I give and tell, they do.  Second, I think lad 1 has... a chance to figure things out solidly, and young.  Learning that holding the money gives both power and command, if too responsibility... will go far with this fine young capitalist.  Plus, to be in command you have to know what you want and be able to relay that.  All things I was taught in my due.  I may not be his dad, but I am an interested participant.  I may have to leave them to it.  But, knowing him, I may trust to keep a door open so they have the rest room and water.  Wouldn't do it for most.  Not sure, but I think so.

The faucet showed today.  Somethings are very pleasing, some things not so much.  The holder for the sprayer is plastic.  Aye, it is very thick, hard, but... plastic is plastic.  I had thought it all to be metal.  As well, there really aren't any troubleshooting guides.  I had hoped for a bit more, an actual manual.  There is nothing but a simple installation guide, pretty weaksauce by the looks of it.  I am going to dig around in the spare time before installation to see about obtaining a break-down, troubleshooting, and repair guide, and parts.  As to the piece itself?  When is the last time you held a four or five pound faucet?  I LOVE that.  A few grumps, but really, so far?  A firm mostly positive maybe.
I best get on to waking and a shower.  I'm not in a true rush, I have some time, but...  Oh?  Hurry up.  What are you doing watching turtles grow, anyway?  Dang kids, get off ma porch! 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Peppers, tomatoes, and the rest.

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I  didn't pay attention for a day and my peppers have nigh onto jumped the container!  They were growing fast enough, if nothing like the tomatoes, so I just checked each day to see if they seemed happy.  Which they did.  Then I noticed, this evening, that I must do a bit for them.  I set up some of the smaller cups for transplants, but I will wait until tomorrow to do that.  A few of them seem to have taken some sort of a beating.  If it were systematic, across the board, or even in large numbers, I would assume fault.  But as is, it looks as if some of them just quit.  Perhaps the girls are playing "Giant in the garden".  But, no, I don't think that is is.  They aren't just down, their stems have shriveled.  It is only, say, six or eight plants, and not side by side, and with no other indicators, and out of 110 plants?  I checked that they were all watered, and gave them each about a half a teaspoon more.  I have found a home for some of the extras.

As for anything else today?  Well... mostly thinking and planning.  The faucet is not yet in, which is fine.  I won't be installing that until I replace the water heater.  I was a bit tuckered today, as I thought I might be.  The ac hasn't gone in, as I suggested, I haven't purchased insulation for that yet.  Which reminds me, I ought to see if I can nail down a better, more sure, technique regarding insulation for it.  Just a bit of digging around, seeing what other people have tried that seems to work best.  My guess is some harder board insulation combined with some of the layering fluff will provide the best results.

I suppose I could have tried the sump pump.  I am just not up to it.  One more cold shower, before I go to town for insulation tomorrow.  Burrrr!  And it clouded over last night and today, so the warmth we had is gone.  It isn't exactly cold.  But the rain brings it's own special chill.  Something I normally love, save when facing the prospects of a cold shower or at the end of three longer, colder, seasons.  I am grateful, over all, though.  It hit 95 the other day and I just wasn't quite ready for it.  I'll take the chill on the cold shower over 95 plus from now till cold again.  My mother said they got up to 106 already!  And it is humid out there.  Bleh.

Hmm, oh, and I had told her so.  My last always sought proof of the obvious.  Mostly dead and, to a degree, in a way, I'm still a prime cut.  And, yeah, it shows.  Thought it was funny when I questioned men who... failed the skinny lad tests.  Gimme?  Give you what you earn.  If I would suggest Arnold isn't exactly a prime example.  He was politically crippled by active morality issues, and the herd mentality.  A whore more than a strongman.  I still think his wife had to know though.  My guess is she... found another herself?  Or just wanted to be other than another Kennedy memento on his shelf?  Something.  I also beg to differ on the "right wing" assessment.  Right wing is just another wing of the left wing.  What was NAZIsm and Fascism but forms of socialism?  No, strong men are more likely to be freemen.  Or... what Americans where for most of our history.  An anomaly, one put down in most countries by both the left and the right... those being the two sides of big government.  Don't get lost in words and changed meanings or party affiliations that are meaningless once they are directed from sources other than their constituents' best interests and for the protection of their rights.

Well... on to a bit of research I suppose.  Later or good night.

Hrumhm?

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It seems my haiku has a fan on this day.  Funtabulous coupled with food offered the coup de  grace?  Who knew?  It was the most free form, entertainingly light, of my offerings, in my opinion.  Either that or I am being tested!  It's a trick, a trap maybe even!  I'm Doom, paranoia is required per my nature.  Enough silliness.  Ah, but the winning submission was:

Green seedlings grow well.
Their scent and playfullness please-
Funtabulous food!

At first I wasn't sure what to do, but before I had finished writing a note of thanks to the hostess, and rummaging around in my confusion about things, a bolt of lightning straight from a very recent dream electrified every neuron in my brain.  I did spit out something, sage or not, then left in a daze...  Work to do.  But just a note here.  I sputter as I try to understand things.  A bit of pleasure in... actually producing something that others give merit?  Perhaps even a little bit of relief that not all I touch or offer turns to darkness and decay?  Little notions glide under the surface of the pond, good things.  Though being of a dual nature, not always easy things.

On to the work though.  Getting what is in my head to post, and doing it as rightly as possible, is going to take a bit.  At least I have a very solid skeleton, etched and figured, just waiting for the foundations to be bound, hidden structures creating the limits, and finials for final embellishments.  I do like this game.

Later!

Keen advise for the young women out there.

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And a few other notions to boot.

To bed, not long, back again soon?

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I hate nights like this.  I don't know what is blocking sleep.  I won't complain much.  To be honest, I have, other than being slightly unhealthy, been doing quite good.  Sleep is relatively regular.  Days and nights might be a little long but not bad.  No real great pains lately.  I'm even slowly slogging through some things and, if pushing the line, buying what I need to do what I must and should.  Actually, it makes things like this stand out, irritate more?

I wrote a haiku for a woman.  She didn't seem to really like it, but these aren't really for everyone's taste.  They might easily be seen as castoffs.  And, perhaps, they are?  I like to think I tailor them but then who am I?  No, not for the contest.  I've been hogging up and putting many in.  Then again I could probably write a dozen haiku a day, or more.  But to what end?  I am just sharing it because... I liked it.  It is hers, but I wrote it.  Could work for other women, but when you see something when thinking about someone specifically, and the elements you know about them come together... at least to my mind, the thing is owned.  Did I mention I hate art?  Some crazy thinking in there.  Gets tight.  I'm sleepy-blathering, never mind the chatter.

She grows them of sorts.
Bovine, fowl, green, man to boy-
Has the scars to show.

Hmm... Bedtime, again.  Good night... I hope!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

No, really, I think so.

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I know I've been dragging lately.  Sure, I can write a bit.  But physically?  I've been gimped up hard.  As I said, I do have strength.  Strength enough to manage the water heater, and even some rather heavier barrels.  And I have been tinkering.  A bit here, a bit there.  All told though, what I have done in the last month another man does in a day.

And it has been physical.  The work the last few days has lead to my lungs opening up.  With with access comes removal of... what... bits of broken luck?  dust?  phlegm of some sort?  It's a good thing, just a little rough to go through.  Like a car with a carburetor which hasn't fired in too long there are issues.  I can't really clean my lungs like you would a mechanism.  I just have to push through it, if I can.  Pushing through it means pushing physically, to my limits, then going as far over that as I can.  The demand for air, along with time, is all that will clear those lungs.  Of course, while I am pushing a bit beyond, all I get for my efforts is a difficult time breathing.  Limits, but there isn't a manual.  On the good side I am pretty sure I can't kill myself this way.  But I can shut myself down.  Balance, again.  The good news is I think they are more than half the way to being clear.

Gah!  I forgot to buy insulation for around the air conditioner.  I'm on it.  I best get busy.  I have a hot water heater to install, a faucet to install, an air conditioner to put in.  To bed early.  I keep waiting for the results for haiku though...  A bit longer, another check or two, then lights out no matter.  Oh, medicine...

Oh? Perhaps!

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A bit of cooling and a little reading, just out of the heat, and my vigor returns.  I am not going to push it too much.  However, while I have it a bit of work can take place.  First, putting the air conditioner in the window.  Next, to see if the sump pump will work.  Beyond that I don't know.  Getting the water heater down the stairs would be possible, I think.  The problem is, I don't want it down until the water has been pumped.  But it is useless to drain with the water still on.  However, I don't want to turn off the water until right before I pump, and as I am removing the old and putting in the new.  The drain plug leaks a bit.  Gah!

The same goes for detaching the water pipes.  I can't do that until the water is off and better yet not until the water heater tank is empty as well.  It all seems so simple, and it can be.  It is simply that I can really only do just so much on any given day, or period of time.  To see my stamina come back so quickly, though, today?  I had eaten lunch, that might have been enough to throw off shooting a bit.  And this heat is relatively new.  It's been pretty perky chilly until a few days ago.

I suppose I am just saying that, perhaps, it won't be as difficult to at least try and get into some kind of shape as I had thought.  I truly am amazed that I am already ready to hit something again.  I thought it might be a day or two.  I am more surprised at how much capacity seems available, too.  I'm back to full strength, top level, if I know it won't be for long.  Perhaps swimming is still paying off, even with time passed.


For now, one thing at a time.

Hot heavy and hard.

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Running late, as I suggested.  I finally got on the road at about 14:00 and change.  It seemed cool enough but it really wasn't, hitting 85 if I had to bet money.  My friend was ready, he had a 9 mm and a .45, and his gun kit ready.  I think he realized how hot it was so asked if we could go mountain shooting.  We tried near the girl scout camp, since it is closed.  But the gate to even higher up was locked down and there was a hiker.  On to the next place.  With no one around it made for the perfect range today.  Even up there, and with a few clouds, it was pretty warm.

We did well enough.  I collected all the brass.  Even if I can't reload the 9 mm at the moment, due to a lack of small pistol primers, I just can't see letting the brass sit.  Then again, I'm not reloading .45 either.  And if I do start that, it won't be from spent brass.  Still, it's not a bad item to have around.  The little I did burned me out pretty harshly though.  I had better start getting going on something.  This will not do in the desert.  Then again, if I had to guess, what is wrong is not my strength or stamina.  It's just a rough period for my heart.  I'll muddle through.  And when my mom shows up, she will get me going as well.  Plus, as soon as the lake is open for swimming, I will begin walking/biking out there just for that.  Even if I just initially use the lake as a cooling off point, that would give me a six mile walk in serious heat.  Three times a week, really, has to be the goal.  More if I can push through.

Ah well.  It will work out.  At least I haven't already started losing the muscle I gained.  If I can throttle up a bit, and plateau again, I can still add to that.  It is, and probably will always remain, stamina that is the issue.  And that isn't what I had thought.  It isn't physical stamina, it is the hearts inability to fill that stepped up pace.  It becomes clearer the more I push on it.  That is something I am not sure will grow much, at least until the heart is working and probably until I can back off the level of medication... which brings their own sets of difficulties in this area.  Yeah, well, I am actually really on it this time.  Meds, pushing when I can, keeping it all on my mind, nearly a day schedule again...  Balance...

Later.

Good "morning"!

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Now, to be fair, I think I was out of bed before noon.  And I did stay up very late.  Couldn't get started, I mind you, until very late in the afternoon, 19:30 before I headed in, at least.  And while the hot water heater was no 300 pound block, it was a bit to move, especially on a doubly filled belly.  Plus it was a bit warm.  It took to after 4:00 to sleep, pushing pretty close to 5:00.  All good.  Not only that, but I woke in really good shape today.

My friend called.  Something about, to my waking ear, along the lines of... "ARE we there YET?".  The lad is enthusiastic and we are definitely going.  I just have to wake just a bit more, then take a co.. co.. shower.  COLD  That'll wake me.  I will also look for insulation for the air conditioner.  Last year I stuffed old socks in.  It did okay but... yeah, no.  This year, just a bit more expense and I'm hoping to make that actually seal, or much closer.  With the style of window, being casement, and the need (to my mind) for base supports to keep the unit off the (to me) slim window runs, I am not sure how much of a seal, but better than last summer.

Other than that, shooting.  Not too much else.  And it is a glorious day.  A few fluffs in the sky, but pretty much wide open blue.  And yet it has cooled a bit I do believe.  Oh, no better summer/spring type day to be out.  I feel like I have been in the corral for too long.  I am really looking forward to this.  But I best... wake...  Just a bit more.  At 13:00, in 22 minutes my time, I will be getting into the shower.  *plink* 

Have a great day.

It's late, and all, but... nagging...

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I wasn't sure I wanted to do what I did.  I had looked at both box stores, at their faucets.  I was extremely displeased with what I saw.  I do weary of buying junk to replace junk.  Yes, fine, perhaps this or that will do.  Assuming, well, assuming a lot.  If you can open it, if you can find parts for it, if it is even worth monkeying with.  I know, it is really about what you have, and don't have.  On the other hand, due to availability, the water heater, plus kit, ended up costing less than the water heater I had been planning to buy by itself.  And... I had forgotten, but I have a card with that particular big box.  Which means my main credit card, with any luck, will be paid off.  Save for, uhrm, a faucet.  Yeah, I know.

No, I didn't just lump it and take it.  Not this time.  I also didn't go full bore.  There are faucets in the thousands of dollars?  Man, I definitely live in a cave.  Hmm, actually... I do!  If a pretty nice one, minus the man-mess.  And... considering I do live in a cave, as in my needs and wants aren't high maintenance.  I didn't even go absolute top of the line within the lines I chose.  I did go with an extra tidbit though too, given that I have a three hole sink and didn't want to add a plate that might or might not fit.  A soap dispenser, matching of course.  Oh, I measured first, too.  This thing needs 13 1/2" of clearance, with a 10" reach.  Fits.

I checked reviews in several places, if I could not find much about repairs.  Reviews were pretty solid.  And it is through Amazon, so returns aren't that bad.  This is the faucet, this is the matching soap dispenser.  I did go with chrome.  I know, nickel is supposed to be less problematic, but it cost a bit more... when every penny is precious... and I don't like it.  Chrome is happy shiny face or something.  I pulled the trigger, even thought about overnight but... nah...  I just can't go for newfangled, of design or use.  Pull-down sprayers looked like a ready-to-break item too, square stuff is gross.  Old fashined, simple really, mostly.  Clean, solid.  It's as good as I can do. 

I may still try to tinker with the old faucet.  If I can fix it, I may just keep it around for who knows what.  And, it would be something light, and possibly real, to do.  Assuming I can find an allen key to fit it.  I can't believe, as many of those that I have, that not one seemed to slide in.  Perhaps, since I was having to use the bent length, they simply didn't go in far enough.  But isn't it really stupid to have to completely remove a faucet to fix it?  Anyway...  Now, with that one last thing off the list, I can go to bed.  I'll probably dream of debt collectors and all out war, or something.  Hmm, maybe of flowing hot water and a hot shower?  Oh, yes, indeed.  I like that notion better.

Good night.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Those water heaters weigh a bit.

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A cold shower, in the afternoon.  WOO-HOO!  I CAME AWAKE.  Them's almost sexy somehow.  WOO.  That's all I'm saying further on that.

My friend called.  Today didn't seem right to him.  Which worked out.  I'm just not able to go as fast as I had hoped on the project, so I am still in the middle of it.  But!  I am doing a bit much a bit fast.  So, with no partner shoot today I decided to go ahead and try to get the big stuff.  A bit of looking at the store and, sure enough, there it was.  The sump pump, oddly, was half the cost of what I was seeing online.  I couldn't even find a 9-year 50 gallon, if I did only stop at one store.  I found a 6 or 12 year.  The 12 was way too expensive.  At pretty much double the cost, and along with my dubious nature, the 6 year took the award.  I grabbed a couple of sharkbites, neither store had one with a valve.  So I bought a compression valve as well.  I also checked for a kitchen faucet.  Nope.  Everything both stores offered were tinny.  Even the expensive ones.  I saw one of the priciest floor models with a crease-ding in it.  My guess is my water pipes are thicker.  Bleh.  I may just buy a more high end, solid metal one.  Some limits on price, and I will look the thing over with a fine tooth comb once here, after checking for parts beforehand (and what, if anything, to buy for sure up front), but...  Well, and the damn thing has to open easily enough.  No super Spidey rings, or Batman flash signals, or holes that don't lead to anything.  Ugh, ugh, double ugh.

I had a cart for store to Xter, but from Xter to back room, for now, all manual.  My cart is broken.  Note to self, new cart... heavy duty appliance one.  This winter.  Noted.  It wasn't that heavy, it just wasn't light at all.  Everything is in.  I stopped at the post office, the sun lotion is in.  I thought they were going to be tiny so got two.  One for my partner-in-law, one for self.  Damn but they don't look like quart jugs each.  I know what I am going to be offering for gifting.  Ew!  Hope it's silky smooooth.  Hey, don't even go there.  This is just medical, if I might have a weight and sex limits... just to make it go farther.  Women... you ought to smile more!  Stick with me and I'll get the snagglepuss purring if it kills me.  Which it might.  Then you'll purr.  See?

Tomorrow, I decided, to take off and take my friend shooting.  I may or may not be half way through the project, but I am done for a bit either way.  The thing is I really can't do too much on any given day.  Shooting tomorrow might be a little tight, but with nothing else planned, and cold showers to keep me motivated, it'll work out just fine to take a day for that.  I'll hit it again either Thursday or Friday.

Not great but not bad.  I really had only hoped to get the heater and accessories bought and in the house.  Done.  Well, putting the ac up too.  Might yet do that, or not.  It's still might warm out.  Summer has landed.

Good night, or later... Not sure yet.

A rebel, with or without a cause.

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Haven't we all made the claim?  Whether directly and vocally or simply by ignoring what we consider the rules, I think most of us have joined that club.  It seems so freeing!  We can do any damn thing we want and there isn't a single person who can make us do it the "right way".  Oh, yes.  I remember playing the music (not the softer stuff I do now), growing my hair, enjoying women I fancied, drinking until dawn, and doing it as I pleased.

Story teller, poet, liar. Coughing up life like I had it.

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A stretch, a truth, a well placed blow.  Blend it as you wish.  This is the story I tell.

The day wore down before I timed back up.

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I simply couldn't get a shower in and then get on to town, not in time.  I was glad of my tinkering.  While not much of it panned out, at least I know where to start tomorrow, I know a bit more about what is needed, and I have an idea of what it will take.  Everything is mostly set to go.  The fierce heat did not let up, if that wasn't the real problem.  If anything, that was helping.  No, I had simply run out of battery life and the recharge rate is too slow.  A night of sleep will help.

Okay, this cost is going to make the next months much slimmer than I had anticipated.  That is, assuming the costs are no more than I am hoping for them to be.  I might have to skip the second water heater, too.  I just don't know that I have it.  I had a nice plan to slowly do this, that, and the other thing.  It was already going to be tight.  I am not even sure what to call it now.  Then again, I had planned to pay off the last bit on my card in there, which soaks up most of the cost (some cash as well).  But that leaves me less for an emergency.  I have winter to financially recuperate, and perhaps plan for next year, if with some gear in hand and some notions of what else would be or could be useful.  I'm not sure how many cans of tuna I have, if I think that and what is in my freezer, plus canned, is it.  Milk might just have to be from dry.  I'm going to have to gut life to make this work.  No worries, I enjoy challenges.  So much for a camera though.  Maybe next year.  What is one more year on the list?

And this isn't just a vacation.  There are specific goals with it, call it a working lunch.  Sure, there will be some fun.  And who knows, I might even meet a legitimate woman.  I will be able to associate much more freely.  Most people have work, family, church, and whatever else.  There I will be living in a city where no one is working, and what they are doing they might well be happy to include me in.  You would be surprised just how far a "please" or "thank you", genuinely offered, will get you.  Especially if you are just looking for innocent company and activity. 

Good night.

Monday, May 13, 2013

What a whisper can do.

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I learned first the fist.  Oh, I knew how to speak, but did not yet learn the tongues of fire.  When the fist failed, could not be used immediately, or in a certain setting, I learned the way of the fine tongue.  Words, from there, went on to include the written.  I learned, first, how to change men, bend them to my will or favor.  A whisper of "Not here, not now", spoken in just the right way and even an enraged opponent might settle.  When this failed, I learned to seek a man's wants, and show them taken, so as to cause worry, concern, fright.  I learned more.

Slow, so very slow!

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I did finally get some things going. A garden hose was detached and brought in to the effort. The discharge connection was really rough though. After this that and the other way about it, I have the connection made as well as it can be made. Water flow isn't great, but it will do for the moment. I released the pressure valve but that just flooded out through the vent pipe, so at least until the water lowers I will leave that alone. The sump pump was still in place. I checked the connections then brought a couple of my plate weights to tie the discharge hose onto, so as to keep the hose in place and then the nozzle in the sink. I had been letting the water fill the sump basin while doing this other. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Gah! I messed with the pump a bit. The float switch had been jammed. That got the pump to work, but what about flow. Another time up the stairs. What was that, the tenth time today? Nope. Not a drop. A bit of fiddling with this, that, and the other things, three more times up and down those stairs and still a big fat nothing.

I decided to check into sump pumps. Well, they go for $150, at the low end. I don't know if they come with hose though, none seem to indicate that. The hose I have is old. A bit of comparison shopping and I notice some possible problems. For one, most suggest that there be no extension cords. I'm not even sure if that is possible but I will check the next time I go. The other thing is the rise, with or without a direct plug-in, might be too much. The grate seemed to be clear. Before I get all snazzy and buy new, however, I want to make sure this sump pump won't work. If the problem is the initial head, perhaps putting the hose in a bucket, down there, to create flow, then taking up the flow to the sink? Well, in my world of theories it seems a possible fix.

A soda would be good though. Actually, something to eat would be really nice. I'm hungry, thirsty, and hot. Yeah, it's a scorcher out there. I'm doing fine, even being active. I suggested the heat wouldn't be a problem. Going from 75 as a recent and rare high at that to 95, and actually doing somewhere between better and great, is a good sign. I was pretty sure it would but you never know. Then again, I have a cold shower on the menu before going to town. I might not like the expense, but I do like having something to tinker with. I like more that I am able to tinker. Mom says, "Get both water heaters", by the way.

Finally, Mother. Between me calling when she sacked out, her calling while I was sleeping, me calling back to no answer, her calling me, me calling back seconds later but her being already in the middle of a huffy cleaning job... we finally talked today.  She is fine, of course.  She is busy as a bee, as usual. I forgot to ask about the weather. She is looking forward to visiting. I told her about the smoker/grill I am considering and she wants me to wait until she is here. Well... it's not like I want to, or can, buy it tomorrow. But I won't buy something I don't like. All-metal smokers can be fine, but they are fuel hogs, burn out relatively quickly, and need to be constantly checked/stoked. I'm just not a babysitter. The one I am considering can take one load of fuel and run eight, even twelve, hours, perhaps more. Once you set the temp, it does well. Still, I'll... listen.

I offered her the last three poems I wrote. Like flowers, they might be okay for a while, but what to do with them? Still... The title of the first, is 'By the One'.  I don't always put the titles in but this one was for her.  I gave her these right at the end.  She wanted to write them down.  Before her little female mind could wrap tears around them, I was... *poof*   I heard them in the background of her voice, coming through before she even knew they were sneaking up on her.  That quavering thing dames get right before they cry.  *laughs* She's gonna bawl like a baby!  Hehe.  At least it isn't because I broke a vase, threw a ball through a neighbors window, or got in another fight at school this time!

Hmm, a soda, I think. Maybe a handful of chips. Then to see if my bucket-carry technique will work. Later.

No Mommy!

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I tried several times to call my mom yesterday.  I knew, eventually, she would answer.  Once.  Twice, and a message left.  Three times!?!  Doom... was sweating it.  Timed out, too late.  She isn't up that late.  If something happened, no one knows or at least no one has her phone.  Worried.  Up a bit late chewing on my broken luck with a bit of worry as a side dish.

First thing when I woke I checked the phone.  A call had been placed and a message left.  Well, okay.  Mom is fine, I am up early enough to possibly get the water heater, but... it is HOT!  I don't know what the temp is, but it is definitely in the 70's, possibly running up to the 80's?  Last year I handled this fairly well.  Up until there were no breaks and without ac I crashed hard.  It took several months, but it finally crashed my summer.  This year I will be putting the air in early, perhaps right today.  I will hold off using it though, as long as I can.  The heat can bring me to my feet, so long as I can get a break from it when it eventually becomes too much.

On medicines, doing well with stats which I checked again this morning, with the heat of the summer coming to the rescue, plus with BMan driving me onward, and my mom visiting in a few weeks, the prospects are better for a very good summer.  I do hate the heat, but my body loves it, so long as it isn't humid heat.  Much as I love the night but my social and business needs are met by the day I think.  I honestly wonder if being a bastard is what makes duality possible, my way of it anyway.

So, to figure it out.  Actually, a cold shower is sounding rather inviting today, luckily.  That makes cleanup a lot simpler.  Sure, camping towelettes, but... that seems so goopy.  I know, I used to take washcloth baths back when I was... more afield.  But I hated that even then.  It was a matter of limited choices, need, and professionalism, none of which are an issue at hand.  A cold shower indeed.  My friend just called.  He wasn't wanting to go today anyway.  It is, he said, supposed to hit 95!  I'm thinking his notion is true.













All of the chairs, including the rocker, the table, water cotainers, (NATO) gas can, table are in.  Not grand class camping chairs, fit for giants, if the others are much more sturdy.  All have been tested and given a tentative Doom butt-stamp of approval.  They work and held my weight for a short spell.  The camping chairs are, however, perfect for tiny little ladies, their drink, and food.  Each has a side table with cup holder, and two have whole side-chair gear packs, as does the rocker... for the ladies who become regulars.  I am not sure if...wait, no, some very special sun screen is on the way... European don't you know, but not because it's stylin'.  Doom is almost nothing but practical, even when the path leads to the impractical and somehow on all accounts.  I thought to bring something to... help if they are clothing poor, but I have to go with the prime directive on this one, save in sharing out some sun screen.  Cats, women, all need a hand from time to time.  Just so you know how I roll.  Oh, you know better though.  While quite libertine in allowances, if not without a word to the wise in it's place and as I see things, Doom is rather a prude these days, as to personal conduct.  Mostly.  Until the right door is unlocked with the right key and all the right things are said, done, and observed.  Then...  Yeah, well... it gets... busy, naturally uncouth... or more, messy.  I might be mostly dead, but it just doesn't seem to... affect that area of my life, if to the docs confusion and my misery.  Never le mind.

I think I will let the world cool down a bit before trying to brave a run to town.  In a couple of hours a quick cold shower then a run to town to see what I can find.  I should be able to drain the old water heater in that time though, depending on if the sump pump works and hoping sediment isn't too much of an issue.  What a world.  Later.

Haiku Monday -

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There is no theme this week.  I have to admit, of the challenges, I thought this one would be the most difficult.  And, really, I think it is!  No worries, challenges are the spice of life.  I'm feeling numb, overwhelmed, out of sorts, and some other things I can't quite identify.  But that is no reason not to roll some haiku.  I decided, before the thing got away, to just roll a couple right there and then, the second or third time I visited.  Here they are:

Winter's cold brings blues.
A hunger for sun and shine-
Yet way too hot, ugh?!?

Green seedlings grow well.
Their scent and playfulness please-
Funtabulous food.

Uhrm, right.  For my own purposes but happily for others, here is the link to the contest.  Thanks for hosting CoreyJo. 

I would like to create a few more.  The thing is to pick a subject or topic that really means something to me.  Then I need to decide whether to make it straightforward, keep my little secrets if a few of you might be able to read right through, make the thing broadly knowable, and then whether to do something that contrasts with itself, or boosts the meaning.  So much in so few words.  Hmm?  The progenitor of tweets?

Born of a reckless
nature, of things here and there.
Bastard!- But loved.

 A woman loving.
She knew everything, good, bad.
Changed diapers.

Crazy, female, mom.
Call her what you will, I do!
Blessed, worthy, good. 

Sleep and work problems, plus, I'm not a poet.

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I've been trying to get moving to get the trash and recycling out.  I just want it done but it isn't getting done.  I am getting really tired though too.  Might just have to call it a night, try to get some sleep, and... well... deal with it next week, or such.  Bleh.  It isn't a lack of will.  Ah well.

By the way, I am not a poet.  I just made the notion up in my head and then played the part as if I knew what I was doing.  I am as poetic as a brick.  A plain one.  In a stack of thousands of other bricks that look just like it.  Maybe bricks are poetic, but they are in a different brick factory.  Trust me.  It's down the road and to the left.  I shouldn't goof with people like that.

Yeah, I want to get that water heater tomorrow.  Along with a bit more copper pipe and whatever fittings might be required.  This won't set me back as to Bman.  It just means my credit card won't be paid off.  I think I can still have a cash reserve restored, a bit... get to and from BMan with most of my credit open... have a small stash of cash on the side for emergencies... and have the gear, mostly, that is needed and wanted.  Assuming no emergencies, I should be good for more saving after the event.  How, you ask?  I'm eating my larder, and going lean beyond that.  I'm holding my breath as if a skunk just deigned to offer it's posterior for my inspection.  It stinks, or will before long, but... it'll work. 

Actually, if all works out, with no emergency costs, I might buy the the camera that I want...  I have two, probable, lenses I want with it, if only one at a time as they are a bit pricey.  There are better, there are cheaper, there are other, but for my money... that's the ticket.  I've been holding off on that for a very long time.  Hopefully I can use half credit, half cash, and still have a bit of both anyway.  I wonder how well cameras hold up at BMan?  I know you have to register your camera.

Look, if I can fake being a poet, I might as well go all in for photographer, eh?  Next thing you know... never mind.  Good night.