.
.
Time is so odd, as is flesh. I'm simply not, haven't quite, it's... Oh, well, I am working on a few things. Not all that successfully, but something is better than nothing. Time and space and me just aren't quite fitting into the box called reality in an orderly fashion. It's not a bad thing, really. It just isn't working out to some goals, most goals.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Sort of an ugly day.
.
.
I couldn't sleep until quite late, and woke even later. Yesterday I realized I was missing one part of my medicinal regimen, and fixed that. It could be worse, but maybe this will make it better. I don't know if the sun was out earlier, though I doubt it. But, as luck would have it, when I woke the sun was out for a bit. The curtains were opened and I ate what I could of the light. It slowly started clouding back over. A taste, however, of sun, does help.
I still don't have enough going to try to figure out if I am missing some points or if it is the world that has gone off track. I keep working with the toilet, to try to get it clean for messing with. I just... yeah... I prefer things a certain way before I have to deal with them. At least I have options and techniques that allow me to bide my time with this project.
I am hoping, today, to do that project, unload completely, and unpack. I don't think I'll have a problem doing it all, pretty much, in one step. Between packing much lighter, already having unloaded a bit, and that my health is relatively good, only energy and focus being a minor temporary probably from pushing, I think it won't be much of a problem.
I really would like to figure out how to begin... sorting and storing... everything... in a much better way around here. I have many tools, a good deal of various pieces of equipment, firearms and maintenance tools and consumables, and a fairly interesting set up for life. But... I often don't have things arranged well. Some of it is good. Some of it simply needs attention. It's a difficult task for most men, I think. Though most people. I have known a few people who do it very well, I seem to... find them. Opposites attract? Something about people who can focus on putting things in order is that, from what I have seen, they lack the ability to think ahead as to what they might need, depending on handling it all when they get to it. And there is a place for that, but it fails for bigger jobs. As well, they aren't as imaginative as to fixing problems. They would rather pay someone else to do any work, or live without. At least, that has been my experience.
Mixing the two types is a very good thing. It adds to... difficulties, as a couple. But each helps define, and limit, the talents of the other. "She" has kept me from just buying, I have bought enough so that when "she" wants something fixed, changed, upgraded, altered to her wants or needs, up to a point, I can do that. Women might be crazy, but men drive them there. If I still think it's usually a very short trip. :) Honk, honk. Yeah!
Later.
.
I couldn't sleep until quite late, and woke even later. Yesterday I realized I was missing one part of my medicinal regimen, and fixed that. It could be worse, but maybe this will make it better. I don't know if the sun was out earlier, though I doubt it. But, as luck would have it, when I woke the sun was out for a bit. The curtains were opened and I ate what I could of the light. It slowly started clouding back over. A taste, however, of sun, does help.
I still don't have enough going to try to figure out if I am missing some points or if it is the world that has gone off track. I keep working with the toilet, to try to get it clean for messing with. I just... yeah... I prefer things a certain way before I have to deal with them. At least I have options and techniques that allow me to bide my time with this project.
I am hoping, today, to do that project, unload completely, and unpack. I don't think I'll have a problem doing it all, pretty much, in one step. Between packing much lighter, already having unloaded a bit, and that my health is relatively good, only energy and focus being a minor temporary probably from pushing, I think it won't be much of a problem.
I really would like to figure out how to begin... sorting and storing... everything... in a much better way around here. I have many tools, a good deal of various pieces of equipment, firearms and maintenance tools and consumables, and a fairly interesting set up for life. But... I often don't have things arranged well. Some of it is good. Some of it simply needs attention. It's a difficult task for most men, I think. Though most people. I have known a few people who do it very well, I seem to... find them. Opposites attract? Something about people who can focus on putting things in order is that, from what I have seen, they lack the ability to think ahead as to what they might need, depending on handling it all when they get to it. And there is a place for that, but it fails for bigger jobs. As well, they aren't as imaginative as to fixing problems. They would rather pay someone else to do any work, or live without. At least, that has been my experience.
Mixing the two types is a very good thing. It adds to... difficulties, as a couple. But each helps define, and limit, the talents of the other. "She" has kept me from just buying, I have bought enough so that when "she" wants something fixed, changed, upgraded, altered to her wants or needs, up to a point, I can do that. Women might be crazy, but men drive them there. If I still think it's usually a very short trip. :) Honk, honk. Yeah!
Later.
Quiet as a church mouse?
.
.
Mostly. A number of things, several, varied, and on too many fronts, have been disturbing my tranquility. At first I was taking it personally. Then, after a bit of rethinking, I decided not to do that. It's a bit tricky to realize some things, but, whatever all may be wrong with me, at least at this stage of health, and when I was healthier for sure, I could and now can again do this. Something is amiss, though. It isn't my thinking, in here, in me. However, my ability to interact with the world, to understand, to interact, may be shorted. Either that or the world has gone a bit haywire. I don't know. Until I do... I believe I will resign myself to enjoying what is around me and what I can do. Some of you, the "old timers" from around here, may still get comments. If they happen to not make sense, just be patient. Or better, help me to understand what I am missing. Really, while sometimes sounding like a child, I do have my big-boy pants on most of the time. But others... Most of you... Not so much. Do not take it personally. Until I can sort things out... It saves me some angst, and possibly you too. At least, that is what feedback, or the lack of it, seems to be indicating.
I am doing well, mostly. Tired. Very tired. I am staying on medication as well as I can, but that has been just a wee less regular than I prefer. No sun, and the event, sort of took it out of me. But, then, I knew the burn would do that. The sun being hidden is just an additional factor, adding to the problem. I thought I was focusing well enough. I thought I was understanding, basically, what others were writing or saying. But it seems not. Rather than step on toes, or blather like an idiot, I'll just hush for a bit. Well, and try to get a few things done. When I can, as I am able, yada yada.
It's about bedtime. I took a nap not long ago, but couldn't sleep too long, so... Back to it. Never worry, this is a mild repercussion for an extended effort. At least, to this point, other than frustration with not getting to things (if finding work-arounds) and misunderstandings(?), I am mostly enjoying coasting until I can get my feet back under me. So there! :p :)
Good night.
.
Mostly. A number of things, several, varied, and on too many fronts, have been disturbing my tranquility. At first I was taking it personally. Then, after a bit of rethinking, I decided not to do that. It's a bit tricky to realize some things, but, whatever all may be wrong with me, at least at this stage of health, and when I was healthier for sure, I could and now can again do this. Something is amiss, though. It isn't my thinking, in here, in me. However, my ability to interact with the world, to understand, to interact, may be shorted. Either that or the world has gone a bit haywire. I don't know. Until I do... I believe I will resign myself to enjoying what is around me and what I can do. Some of you, the "old timers" from around here, may still get comments. If they happen to not make sense, just be patient. Or better, help me to understand what I am missing. Really, while sometimes sounding like a child, I do have my big-boy pants on most of the time. But others... Most of you... Not so much. Do not take it personally. Until I can sort things out... It saves me some angst, and possibly you too. At least, that is what feedback, or the lack of it, seems to be indicating.
I am doing well, mostly. Tired. Very tired. I am staying on medication as well as I can, but that has been just a wee less regular than I prefer. No sun, and the event, sort of took it out of me. But, then, I knew the burn would do that. The sun being hidden is just an additional factor, adding to the problem. I thought I was focusing well enough. I thought I was understanding, basically, what others were writing or saying. But it seems not. Rather than step on toes, or blather like an idiot, I'll just hush for a bit. Well, and try to get a few things done. When I can, as I am able, yada yada.
It's about bedtime. I took a nap not long ago, but couldn't sleep too long, so... Back to it. Never worry, this is a mild repercussion for an extended effort. At least, to this point, other than frustration with not getting to things (if finding work-arounds) and misunderstandings(?), I am mostly enjoying coasting until I can get my feet back under me. So there! :p :)
Good night.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Only 11:00?
.
.
I grumbled and rumbled last night. No, I wasn't terribly angry. Just disagreeable about something I don't quite understand. Being told you don't understand something that you have read several times to make clear is... annoying. Albeit, I have to admit, I can easily be an half turn out of alignment, or more, at times. And, if I am out of alignment, it takes a goodly lot of feedback or several examples of trying to do things as I believe them to do and having them fail. Still, I don't think I'm off kilter, so I'm... confused. Aye, that would be it. I think, think I say, think, I refrained from posting deeper in the cup. Now, I didn't go all that far in, but while still in recovery it doesn't take much. Basically a couple of double shot, if tall, drinks, and then I tried a few beers. Beer just didn't taste good, mostly because it is cool. That's a summer thing, and occasional cold-weather mood thing.
Never mind. Just a sip. Coffee, kahlua, rye, and cream, two talls. I don't like the rye neat, so it's a mixer. But it is a fine mixer. Much better than bar brands, by far, as such. Though I think I can spend much less on just as good of mixers. It was an experiment.
Skin is still itchy. I'm not sure if my aloe vera stuff isn't as good or if, simply through time, the itch would have to surface. There is only minor peeling, and only where my skin was otherwise opened, by a scrape or blemish/hair follicle unfolding. Yep, just dirt brown. But... that's fine. Nose, chin, and hands got the worst of it, from what I can tell. The hands still look almost as bruised as burned. The nose has a dry patch on the tip, as with the high point on the chin, that has dried and remains pretty scaly despite my best efforts to hydrate. Swelling, however, in my hands on on the ear lobes, is gone, finally, mostly, I believe. I'll... have to be more careful in the future. But since it didn't kill me, or even interfere with the rest of the week or the return home, or recovery really, I'm not too worried.
Storming, outside, again today. I am pretty sure, though, that every drop of rain is a good thing. The last I heard, the dam was at 50%, a little under. But that was from before I left. We have had a lot of rain since. And, I hope it continues for a bit. It is far better to hike in the overcast, or even rain, for me, starting out. That reduces heat stresses caused by being out of shape, allows for faster cool downs when I sit, and I have rain gear that is more than sufficient to keep my dry of the environment. Monday? I hope so. That is the target.
I woke this morning, late I assumed. Very late. For whatever reason, I was waking all during the morning and afternoon. I thought it was around 16:00, late into that hour, when I woke. I must not have been very awake, because all the clocks 'seemed' to confirm this. It wasn't until I got on the computer, and the real time is sitting right there in the corner, that I realized it was only just at 11:00 when I woke. Crazy, but good sleep will trick you, and not let you go for a bit. Still, that is enjoyable since I don't have anything scheduled and didn't set or reset expectations from the seeming poor waking performance. As is, it was more like a practical joke by my body to my mind. Fun.
Later.
.
I grumbled and rumbled last night. No, I wasn't terribly angry. Just disagreeable about something I don't quite understand. Being told you don't understand something that you have read several times to make clear is... annoying. Albeit, I have to admit, I can easily be an half turn out of alignment, or more, at times. And, if I am out of alignment, it takes a goodly lot of feedback or several examples of trying to do things as I believe them to do and having them fail. Still, I don't think I'm off kilter, so I'm... confused. Aye, that would be it. I think, think I say, think, I refrained from posting deeper in the cup. Now, I didn't go all that far in, but while still in recovery it doesn't take much. Basically a couple of double shot, if tall, drinks, and then I tried a few beers. Beer just didn't taste good, mostly because it is cool. That's a summer thing, and occasional cold-weather mood thing.
Never mind. Just a sip. Coffee, kahlua, rye, and cream, two talls. I don't like the rye neat, so it's a mixer. But it is a fine mixer. Much better than bar brands, by far, as such. Though I think I can spend much less on just as good of mixers. It was an experiment.
Skin is still itchy. I'm not sure if my aloe vera stuff isn't as good or if, simply through time, the itch would have to surface. There is only minor peeling, and only where my skin was otherwise opened, by a scrape or blemish/hair follicle unfolding. Yep, just dirt brown. But... that's fine. Nose, chin, and hands got the worst of it, from what I can tell. The hands still look almost as bruised as burned. The nose has a dry patch on the tip, as with the high point on the chin, that has dried and remains pretty scaly despite my best efforts to hydrate. Swelling, however, in my hands on on the ear lobes, is gone, finally, mostly, I believe. I'll... have to be more careful in the future. But since it didn't kill me, or even interfere with the rest of the week or the return home, or recovery really, I'm not too worried.
Storming, outside, again today. I am pretty sure, though, that every drop of rain is a good thing. The last I heard, the dam was at 50%, a little under. But that was from before I left. We have had a lot of rain since. And, I hope it continues for a bit. It is far better to hike in the overcast, or even rain, for me, starting out. That reduces heat stresses caused by being out of shape, allows for faster cool downs when I sit, and I have rain gear that is more than sufficient to keep my dry of the environment. Monday? I hope so. That is the target.
I woke this morning, late I assumed. Very late. For whatever reason, I was waking all during the morning and afternoon. I thought it was around 16:00, late into that hour, when I woke. I must not have been very awake, because all the clocks 'seemed' to confirm this. It wasn't until I got on the computer, and the real time is sitting right there in the corner, that I realized it was only just at 11:00 when I woke. Crazy, but good sleep will trick you, and not let you go for a bit. Still, that is enjoyable since I don't have anything scheduled and didn't set or reset expectations from the seeming poor waking performance. As is, it was more like a practical joke by my body to my mind. Fun.
Later.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Still struggling just a wee bit.
.
.
The sun has come out twice, now, today. Just a hint of it, now, really. I'll take what I can get. Whatever else I can or can't get done, I do plan to get out hiking twice next week, and visit my friend as well. Though the dark of cloud is sort of keeping me down, I am hoping it stays, or comes back, for next week. It is much easier for me to try to push when it is cool than in blazing sun. But... what will happen will happen. At least I know the sun screen does an excellent job. And with twice daily treatments with aloe vera and then adding moisturizer in, my skin should be about ready Monday.
The lad that mows came by to do just that today. I noticed he had mowed recently. I paid him for feeding and scooping for the girls. Before he got to that, he wanted to try out the water mine I have. It's a CO2 operated sprayer. We tinkered with it, carefully until we figured it out. He was the, well, volunteer. It works. After a bit of tinkering with how to get it to spray best, we have it down. And, we know how to fill it and set it up safely. It's not, technically, dangerous. It's more a matter of not wasting cartridges and not getting wet unexpectedly. Oh, yes, this thing is going to be a little joy to play with. In the heat of summer it will be perfect. Not all of what Doom does is about death. Sometimes it's about creating squeals of various sorts. Hmm... Mom? Water mine? Probably not so much. Probably. *evil grins*
I have, what I am hoping, is a little project that arrived today. A new water filter for my drinking water. The old one, technically, still works. But the faucet for it broke from the piece that kept it held to the sink. The three replacement parts, perhaps more were needed, cost more than a new system. Wasteful. I'll not buy Sears products again. I simply used the system until it was pretty much ready for replacement filters, to get what of my money out of that system I could, but was looking the whole time. Without the need for electrical connections, I should be able to get this in fairly easily. Hopefully the old system, as I am taking it out, will prep me for putting in the new one. The new one was purchased after a lot of reviewing reverse osmosis systems, reading the good and the bad, and doing my own calculations. Simplicity of use and maintenance, longevity, and function were the starring roles, followed by cost, replacement part costs, and a few other things. The problem with Sears equipment is that it often seems to be proprietary. You have to buy from them, you can't just go to any old hardware store and pick up whole or partial bits. With this, if the faucet goes, or just the connection actually, I can pick up a whole new faucet, with connections, for under $20. Gah!
Oh, my books on edible plants arrived as well. Now that I have my gear for drawing, and these, I think I am going to try to combine the two. I figure, but looking for plants that are more likely to be in my a.o., and drawing those, perhaps making notes on the drawings, I will have a better chance at spying them in the wild. As I suggested, I won't be eating anything out there. Essentially, wild plants are considered toxic, at least by me. Having some of the lore down would merely be as... a curiosity... unless greater need required some risk taking. I still remember the story of a man who had been eating as such for decades, so much so that he taught others. He ended up accidentally killing himself, and over a dozen others, with a mistake. I think it was wild onions, or they look like onions. If they don't smell of garlic they are extremely dangerous, but the two types can grow side by side. Yeah... curiosity. For now. Well, and a reason to get into sketching and more impetus to hike.
A bit more sitting, after all that play time /snark and I will probably get in and try to remove the spoon this evening. I have been tinkering, to try to clean out the mess, in the meantime. It does drain, albeit very slowly. Cleaning solution goes in after each flush, and I have some hope that the thing will, mostly, be cleaned before I tinker with it more seriously. Another flush/cleaning or two and... While I'm thinking about it, I ought to see if it can handle another flush and maybe a bit of brush cleaning and more Pine Sol. It's dirty work. Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor... Joe shit the ragman. Later.
.
The sun has come out twice, now, today. Just a hint of it, now, really. I'll take what I can get. Whatever else I can or can't get done, I do plan to get out hiking twice next week, and visit my friend as well. Though the dark of cloud is sort of keeping me down, I am hoping it stays, or comes back, for next week. It is much easier for me to try to push when it is cool than in blazing sun. But... what will happen will happen. At least I know the sun screen does an excellent job. And with twice daily treatments with aloe vera and then adding moisturizer in, my skin should be about ready Monday.
The lad that mows came by to do just that today. I noticed he had mowed recently. I paid him for feeding and scooping for the girls. Before he got to that, he wanted to try out the water mine I have. It's a CO2 operated sprayer. We tinkered with it, carefully until we figured it out. He was the, well, volunteer. It works. After a bit of tinkering with how to get it to spray best, we have it down. And, we know how to fill it and set it up safely. It's not, technically, dangerous. It's more a matter of not wasting cartridges and not getting wet unexpectedly. Oh, yes, this thing is going to be a little joy to play with. In the heat of summer it will be perfect. Not all of what Doom does is about death. Sometimes it's about creating squeals of various sorts. Hmm... Mom? Water mine? Probably not so much. Probably. *evil grins*
I have, what I am hoping, is a little project that arrived today. A new water filter for my drinking water. The old one, technically, still works. But the faucet for it broke from the piece that kept it held to the sink. The three replacement parts, perhaps more were needed, cost more than a new system. Wasteful. I'll not buy Sears products again. I simply used the system until it was pretty much ready for replacement filters, to get what of my money out of that system I could, but was looking the whole time. Without the need for electrical connections, I should be able to get this in fairly easily. Hopefully the old system, as I am taking it out, will prep me for putting in the new one. The new one was purchased after a lot of reviewing reverse osmosis systems, reading the good and the bad, and doing my own calculations. Simplicity of use and maintenance, longevity, and function were the starring roles, followed by cost, replacement part costs, and a few other things. The problem with Sears equipment is that it often seems to be proprietary. You have to buy from them, you can't just go to any old hardware store and pick up whole or partial bits. With this, if the faucet goes, or just the connection actually, I can pick up a whole new faucet, with connections, for under $20. Gah!
Oh, my books on edible plants arrived as well. Now that I have my gear for drawing, and these, I think I am going to try to combine the two. I figure, but looking for plants that are more likely to be in my a.o., and drawing those, perhaps making notes on the drawings, I will have a better chance at spying them in the wild. As I suggested, I won't be eating anything out there. Essentially, wild plants are considered toxic, at least by me. Having some of the lore down would merely be as... a curiosity... unless greater need required some risk taking. I still remember the story of a man who had been eating as such for decades, so much so that he taught others. He ended up accidentally killing himself, and over a dozen others, with a mistake. I think it was wild onions, or they look like onions. If they don't smell of garlic they are extremely dangerous, but the two types can grow side by side. Yeah... curiosity. For now. Well, and a reason to get into sketching and more impetus to hike.
A bit more sitting, after all that play time /snark and I will probably get in and try to remove the spoon this evening. I have been tinkering, to try to clean out the mess, in the meantime. It does drain, albeit very slowly. Cleaning solution goes in after each flush, and I have some hope that the thing will, mostly, be cleaned before I tinker with it more seriously. Another flush/cleaning or two and... While I'm thinking about it, I ought to see if it can handle another flush and maybe a bit of brush cleaning and more Pine Sol. It's dirty work. Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor... Joe shit the ragman. Later.
It just takes time.
.
.
As I become rested, and manage some of the little problems, life begins to improve. I woke two hours earlier today. I will try to back my day into the earlier morning, though that effort has a sorted history. Then again, staying on track with any schedule is still, probably, out of my hands for more than a few weeks to months. Leave me to my delusions, though, thank you. And... it gives me something to work at, probably for the rest of my life. It's not like it is hurting my career. :p I am feeling better though, and more likely to get to this and that. Still slowly, weakly, but much improved over my last return. I do note that I missed an appointment. Not sure how, to be fair to me. I had an alarm set for five, three, and one day before but, for some stupid reason, none of them went off until... 15 minutes before the appointment, which is a two hour drive away. My phone was off, batteries dead, for a while. I guess you just can't trust phones.
I keep tinkering in the bathroom. Mostly trying to clear the toilet, then clean it a bit eventually, though the balloon experiment can happen whenever I next feel up to tinkering more heavily. Sleep was good. I let the girls in and they appreciated it. When I am pretty sure I can sleep normally I usually let them in. If it's going to be a night of rolling, or if I need to sleep hard, and sometimes just because, I close the door. Both hate that, though, and will bang on the door. Sam, I'm pretty sure it is here, will sing the songs of her people from time to time, being sure that I have abandoned her to die. :) I sing along with the songs of MY people. "Shut the *cough* up!" Which she usually does, realizing I haven't died. Gah! If they are too persistent, I do an ogre stomp hunt, meaning to NOT catch them, the return to bed. Grawl howl *stomp* grumble... *pointing* "YOU! And YOU!", back to bed. They play 'run, run away fast', chuckling the whole time. I was a kid once, I know this game.
The sun came out for just a moment, today, nearly for the first time since I have been home. That little bit helped. Yes, even as sun intolerant as I am, I need to see that thing once in a while. Then again, I know I will be seeing it all summer long, and little else if this year is like last, so I am trying to enjoy the shade while it lasts. When that sun hits, it's murder hot and hard.
Later.
.
As I become rested, and manage some of the little problems, life begins to improve. I woke two hours earlier today. I will try to back my day into the earlier morning, though that effort has a sorted history. Then again, staying on track with any schedule is still, probably, out of my hands for more than a few weeks to months. Leave me to my delusions, though, thank you. And... it gives me something to work at, probably for the rest of my life. It's not like it is hurting my career. :p I am feeling better though, and more likely to get to this and that. Still slowly, weakly, but much improved over my last return. I do note that I missed an appointment. Not sure how, to be fair to me. I had an alarm set for five, three, and one day before but, for some stupid reason, none of them went off until... 15 minutes before the appointment, which is a two hour drive away. My phone was off, batteries dead, for a while. I guess you just can't trust phones.
I keep tinkering in the bathroom. Mostly trying to clear the toilet, then clean it a bit eventually, though the balloon experiment can happen whenever I next feel up to tinkering more heavily. Sleep was good. I let the girls in and they appreciated it. When I am pretty sure I can sleep normally I usually let them in. If it's going to be a night of rolling, or if I need to sleep hard, and sometimes just because, I close the door. Both hate that, though, and will bang on the door. Sam, I'm pretty sure it is here, will sing the songs of her people from time to time, being sure that I have abandoned her to die. :) I sing along with the songs of MY people. "Shut the *cough* up!" Which she usually does, realizing I haven't died. Gah! If they are too persistent, I do an ogre stomp hunt, meaning to NOT catch them, the return to bed. Grawl howl *stomp* grumble... *pointing* "YOU! And YOU!", back to bed. They play 'run, run away fast', chuckling the whole time. I was a kid once, I know this game.
The sun came out for just a moment, today, nearly for the first time since I have been home. That little bit helped. Yes, even as sun intolerant as I am, I need to see that thing once in a while. Then again, I know I will be seeing it all summer long, and little else if this year is like last, so I am trying to enjoy the shade while it lasts. When that sun hits, it's murder hot and hard.
Later.
A simple trip.
.
.
I was able to find everything I needed or wanted, if not always exactly what I was seeking. Balloons, enough for my attempt at clearing the trap and to practice shaving, when I can get to that. No mixing and matching, mind you. Milk and cream. Milk can end up being a liquid meal, cream means I get enough caffeine to walk, or at least wake up. Aloe vera stuff was found, and went on as soon as I came home. As well, I bought a couple of packs of sole cushioning for my b.o.b. If you have ever had to walk ten or twenty miles, especially when you really aren't feeling up to it, you might know how those could help. More so if you have to walk more than that, and for several days, by needs. I have had to do so, but I was younger and in better shape. Still, I am quite sure I would have appreciated these. Not sure they were allowed, or even really existed, back then. Can't remember.
I also bought a meal while in town. Look, that just saves me the trouble. And, just making it to town was about what I could do. I did unpack some things from the vehicle, finally. The rest of it will be gotten to when I get to it. That's that for that.
As to using the purchases for the toilet? As I mentioned, I am done. I have set up a temporary toilet. It's nothing special. And I will have to take some care in it's usage due to various factors. But it will give me something else to use as I slowly clean out the toilet for an easier and more sanitary work area. And, if I get it clean enough, I may be more willing to try to reach down in there, if all else fails. Further, if reaching down in there doesn't get it, I will have to empty the water, undo the bolts, and pull the dang thing. What a mess. Yes, I am hoping the balloon works. It will get several tries, starting with simple and then going on to trying to figure out other methods. Vaseline, for example, if the balloon and tube can't otherwise get past the blockage... if that fails, taping a straightened metal coathanger onto the rest to give it some rigidity. Ugh... Hoping for simple, but... Part of the reason I can't get to it, beside physical exhaustion, is the idea that it will fail, and fail, and fail, and... When I am tired, it is difficult to... try.
Well, I am as geared for the attempt as I can be. And I have a rough toilet on the side. Life isn't always perfect, but it is doable with a little thought, care, and adaptation. Later, or... good night, actually.
.
I was able to find everything I needed or wanted, if not always exactly what I was seeking. Balloons, enough for my attempt at clearing the trap and to practice shaving, when I can get to that. No mixing and matching, mind you. Milk and cream. Milk can end up being a liquid meal, cream means I get enough caffeine to walk, or at least wake up. Aloe vera stuff was found, and went on as soon as I came home. As well, I bought a couple of packs of sole cushioning for my b.o.b. If you have ever had to walk ten or twenty miles, especially when you really aren't feeling up to it, you might know how those could help. More so if you have to walk more than that, and for several days, by needs. I have had to do so, but I was younger and in better shape. Still, I am quite sure I would have appreciated these. Not sure they were allowed, or even really existed, back then. Can't remember.
I also bought a meal while in town. Look, that just saves me the trouble. And, just making it to town was about what I could do. I did unpack some things from the vehicle, finally. The rest of it will be gotten to when I get to it. That's that for that.
As to using the purchases for the toilet? As I mentioned, I am done. I have set up a temporary toilet. It's nothing special. And I will have to take some care in it's usage due to various factors. But it will give me something else to use as I slowly clean out the toilet for an easier and more sanitary work area. And, if I get it clean enough, I may be more willing to try to reach down in there, if all else fails. Further, if reaching down in there doesn't get it, I will have to empty the water, undo the bolts, and pull the dang thing. What a mess. Yes, I am hoping the balloon works. It will get several tries, starting with simple and then going on to trying to figure out other methods. Vaseline, for example, if the balloon and tube can't otherwise get past the blockage... if that fails, taping a straightened metal coathanger onto the rest to give it some rigidity. Ugh... Hoping for simple, but... Part of the reason I can't get to it, beside physical exhaustion, is the idea that it will fail, and fail, and fail, and... When I am tired, it is difficult to... try.
Well, I am as geared for the attempt as I can be. And I have a rough toilet on the side. Life isn't always perfect, but it is doable with a little thought, care, and adaptation. Later, or... good night, actually.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Haiku Monday - Endings and Beginnings
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.
It seems Haiku Monday will be changing. No longer a contest, perhaps just a rotational, slower paced, haiku fest. Some things will remain, some things will change. I am sure it is not what haiku originated as, but traditionalists can go too far, as can non-conformists. I'm not even sure I am either, or even both, or neither. All or none of that is possible. Oh, right, Karl has the post, his considerations, and the contest, up here.
For my part, I would be happy to see volunteers take the contest, and host a theme for a week or two. No judging required, not even a post beyond the original page would be required. As I suggested, however, I may continue some aspect of that. Rather than choosing a winner, I would merely choose my favored from each poet and either do a song and dance about it or explain why it connected to my way of thinking. If I have the time and energy. I have no difficulty, mostly, judging. Some do. Okay, fair enough. Well, and losing can be difficult for some. True. I am fifty-fifty on that last. Can't win for losing or lose for winning with that attitude. :) Taking turns hosting may allow others the time to dabble without fear, until they can... take the reigns. We will see.
So, I put up a few. I may put up more. But I'm in a bit of a hurry to get to some things right now. Still... I didn't want to desert the crew(tm).
Yeah, getting repetitive. I just had to toy with the notion. Won't put this one up, but will seek other threads of the theme. It... worked for me! Next!
.
It seems Haiku Monday will be changing. No longer a contest, perhaps just a rotational, slower paced, haiku fest. Some things will remain, some things will change. I am sure it is not what haiku originated as, but traditionalists can go too far, as can non-conformists. I'm not even sure I am either, or even both, or neither. All or none of that is possible. Oh, right, Karl has the post, his considerations, and the contest, up here.
For my part, I would be happy to see volunteers take the contest, and host a theme for a week or two. No judging required, not even a post beyond the original page would be required. As I suggested, however, I may continue some aspect of that. Rather than choosing a winner, I would merely choose my favored from each poet and either do a song and dance about it or explain why it connected to my way of thinking. If I have the time and energy. I have no difficulty, mostly, judging. Some do. Okay, fair enough. Well, and losing can be difficult for some. True. I am fifty-fifty on that last. Can't win for losing or lose for winning with that attitude. :) Taking turns hosting may allow others the time to dabble without fear, until they can... take the reigns. We will see.
So, I put up a few. I may put up more. But I'm in a bit of a hurry to get to some things right now. Still... I didn't want to desert the crew(tm).
today, tomorrow
yesterday ~ before it starts it
is already over
for all good and bad
things ~ there is a first and last ~
so it starts and ends
every ending
is just the beginning of?
of a new end - is
Yeah, getting repetitive. I just had to toy with the notion. Won't put this one up, but will seek other threads of the theme. It... worked for me! Next!
Stupid spoon isn't magnetic!
.
.
So much for that. It would have worked well, I think. If one magnet didn't work, several would have. But... no. So a bit more looking and...
Later.
.
So much for that. It would have worked well, I think. If one magnet didn't work, several would have. But... no. So a bit more looking and...
What if i took a plastic hose, fixed a balloon on the end of it, shoved it down the toilet past the toothbrush, inflated the balloon, then pulled out the toothbrush and inflated balloon. My first attempt was with a rubber band to hold the balloon on...didn't work. Second try we fixed the balloon on with duct tape...pushed it down as far as we could, inflated the balloon (inflating a balloon in a toilet is hard, but possible) and started pulling it out. To my amazement, it pulled out the first balloon that we lost, as well as the toothbrush! So there you have it...plastic tube, balloon, and tape.Now, will that really work? I don't know. I do know I recently purchased tubes, if more for slingshots and maybe, hopefully, to use with a charcoal filter I ordered, as an add to my wilderness water filter. Yeah, rivers can have some serious fishy taste to them. I think I have enough length, it isn't that deep in there, at most I would guess a foot, though through some curves and such. Oh, but I never did end up buying any balloons. I need to get to town anyway. Milk, cream, tobacco, and just to get my butt off the chair. Hmm... a shower, a trim, some unpacking, then out? Yeah, maybe.
Later.
Still resting, but happily.
.
.
It's not like I collapsed when I got home this time. It will just take a bit of rest to get me back on my feet. I am enjoying the time off, rather than fighting for a breath. Sleep has been good. The girls are great company, if their humble and reasonable demands are a bit of a push. I sort of need that push to make sure I don't just fold up into thin air. Well, they help, is what I am saying. Not that it is all that close, just that it might otherwise be more possible. A bit of grounding... with claws... Laugh if you will. I certainly do. Until those claws get just a tad too close.
I still haven't gotten the spoon out. I've tried this, and that, to open up the toilet. Then, just this morning, as I checked on those... muddy waters... a thought came to me. I have a package of earth metal magnets. I am not sure if that particular silverware is magnetic, though I suspect it is. I simply have to find the big one, with the hole in it. Tie it to a string, very very well, or coated wire, and send it in where men would rather not. I am sure hoping that works. I don't think the spoon could be all that stuck, really. It is merely it's mass and gravity, plus the flow of water and... other... that keeps it trapped. The hole is too small for me to reach through, even should I wish it. I'm not even sure a child could reach in far enough. Such a simple problem. If it were a fork, it wouldn't be near this problem, or even one of the smaller headed spoons. But this thing, at that angle, completely chokes off flow. Live and learn. I just wish I had remembered.
If I am stopping, but not commenting, you'll just have to wait. I am in recovery mode. To add to it, the sun has been hidden since I arrived home. It has been raining, and cool. That sort of takes me down a notch or three all by itself. So, if I am not commenting, just... wait longer.
Best get some food into these girls' bowls. Those claws are starting to be sharpened, the back of my chair is being occupied, and I am being told... "or else". A chore I cannot refuse. So... Later.
.
It's not like I collapsed when I got home this time. It will just take a bit of rest to get me back on my feet. I am enjoying the time off, rather than fighting for a breath. Sleep has been good. The girls are great company, if their humble and reasonable demands are a bit of a push. I sort of need that push to make sure I don't just fold up into thin air. Well, they help, is what I am saying. Not that it is all that close, just that it might otherwise be more possible. A bit of grounding... with claws... Laugh if you will. I certainly do. Until those claws get just a tad too close.
I still haven't gotten the spoon out. I've tried this, and that, to open up the toilet. Then, just this morning, as I checked on those... muddy waters... a thought came to me. I have a package of earth metal magnets. I am not sure if that particular silverware is magnetic, though I suspect it is. I simply have to find the big one, with the hole in it. Tie it to a string, very very well, or coated wire, and send it in where men would rather not. I am sure hoping that works. I don't think the spoon could be all that stuck, really. It is merely it's mass and gravity, plus the flow of water and... other... that keeps it trapped. The hole is too small for me to reach through, even should I wish it. I'm not even sure a child could reach in far enough. Such a simple problem. If it were a fork, it wouldn't be near this problem, or even one of the smaller headed spoons. But this thing, at that angle, completely chokes off flow. Live and learn. I just wish I had remembered.
If I am stopping, but not commenting, you'll just have to wait. I am in recovery mode. To add to it, the sun has been hidden since I arrived home. It has been raining, and cool. That sort of takes me down a notch or three all by itself. So, if I am not commenting, just... wait longer.
Best get some food into these girls' bowls. Those claws are starting to be sharpened, the back of my chair is being occupied, and I am being told... "or else". A chore I cannot refuse. So... Later.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Yeah, a bit zapped.
.
.
Yesterday didn't see much done. Fair enough. Today, however, I am hoping to figure out a bit more. I knew I wouldn't be sprinting toward a new finish line when I returned. I did think I would try to be more active. And yesterday wasn't a complete toss. A few projects were, if they remain, in the works. A bit here, a bit there. But when I hit the vehicle, I will unpack at least half of it, if not all of it, and relatively quickly is my guess.
Now that the girls are happy I am home, they are wanting me to be up and feed them. On their schedule. I'll have to train them, a bit, again. Still, fair is fair. I'll need to go to town before too long as well. Milk and cream, for coffee. Perhaps some soda for an occasional cold sip. Nothing fancy, not a large supply needed from the store. Hmm, and when I am going, I'll see if my friend wants to do some of his own shopping. Oh, and aloe vera goop. I think my skin is past the major peeling problem, but it could dry out if I don't keep tending it. And, after using that, I am impressed with how well it works.
Oh, I suppose. The girls are whining about food and it is about time. Then just a bit o' music and on to... something. Later.
.
Yesterday didn't see much done. Fair enough. Today, however, I am hoping to figure out a bit more. I knew I wouldn't be sprinting toward a new finish line when I returned. I did think I would try to be more active. And yesterday wasn't a complete toss. A few projects were, if they remain, in the works. A bit here, a bit there. But when I hit the vehicle, I will unpack at least half of it, if not all of it, and relatively quickly is my guess.
Now that the girls are happy I am home, they are wanting me to be up and feed them. On their schedule. I'll have to train them, a bit, again. Still, fair is fair. I'll need to go to town before too long as well. Milk and cream, for coffee. Perhaps some soda for an occasional cold sip. Nothing fancy, not a large supply needed from the store. Hmm, and when I am going, I'll see if my friend wants to do some of his own shopping. Oh, and aloe vera goop. I think my skin is past the major peeling problem, but it could dry out if I don't keep tending it. And, after using that, I am impressed with how well it works.
Oh, I suppose. The girls are whining about food and it is about time. Then just a bit o' music and on to... something. Later.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Ah ha.
.
.
I remember, now, why the toilet would be blocked. The day I was leaving I was dumping wash water from a tub. I thought it to be empty. It was, all save a spoon. And that spoon shot right into the trap, beyond sight. It was a big spoon, tablespoon sized, plus. Solid metal, a bit oversized even for it's intended uses. So... that is what the problem is. Before I remembered I tried the snake. Now, the snake does open a channel which allows enough flow to vacate the stool but it doesn't seem able to catch the spoon and bring it back. I'll keep tinkering... if I can stop needing to use the facilities. Oh, I'll... get it sorted before long. At least I can use the toilet, in a bit of a limited capacity. And now that I know what the problem is I might be able to figure out a better solution. I am wondering about fishing hooks, though... I'm just not sure. A spoon is going to be a little tricky, especially being as heavy as it is and with a trap that allows it to simply slide out of sight. Looking at the trap, patterned into the ceramic, it doesn't seem like it should even be able to do that. So much for looks.
I really thought the plumber snake would catch, or would sort of get tangled on it, and pull. But nope. Oh well, live and learn. At least I don't have a wife and a dozen kids wanting in there. Now if I could just tame my own needs. Something about getting home... Do we have to mark our territories, even if we don't think of it that way? Don't know. It is definitely incentive to get going on my en suite bathroom. Two of everything, even in a home, really eases maintenance and other problems.
Later.
.
I remember, now, why the toilet would be blocked. The day I was leaving I was dumping wash water from a tub. I thought it to be empty. It was, all save a spoon. And that spoon shot right into the trap, beyond sight. It was a big spoon, tablespoon sized, plus. Solid metal, a bit oversized even for it's intended uses. So... that is what the problem is. Before I remembered I tried the snake. Now, the snake does open a channel which allows enough flow to vacate the stool but it doesn't seem able to catch the spoon and bring it back. I'll keep tinkering... if I can stop needing to use the facilities. Oh, I'll... get it sorted before long. At least I can use the toilet, in a bit of a limited capacity. And now that I know what the problem is I might be able to figure out a better solution. I am wondering about fishing hooks, though... I'm just not sure. A spoon is going to be a little tricky, especially being as heavy as it is and with a trap that allows it to simply slide out of sight. Looking at the trap, patterned into the ceramic, it doesn't seem like it should even be able to do that. So much for looks.
I really thought the plumber snake would catch, or would sort of get tangled on it, and pull. But nope. Oh well, live and learn. At least I don't have a wife and a dozen kids wanting in there. Now if I could just tame my own needs. Something about getting home... Do we have to mark our territories, even if we don't think of it that way? Don't know. It is definitely incentive to get going on my en suite bathroom. Two of everything, even in a home, really eases maintenance and other problems.
Later.
I thought so.
.
.
I am doing really good. My toilet, somehow, is clogged. It wasn't when I left, and was on the first flush. Hmm... I'll try to plunge it again, again. If that fails, the snake. If all else fails, a plumber. Now sure how that could have happened. I just hope it isn't something like roots. Don't see how it could be though. Never mind, just something to figure out, but much sooner than later. It's the only toilet I have at the moment.
I'll be working on that and getting unpacked today. I am a bit tired, but it was a long drive for an old guy, and that after packing up camp earlier on top of it. I have figured out, with breaking camping, doing a bit here, a bit there, and just taking my time... it is quite doable and even mildly relaxing. I figure unpacking will be done similarly.
My burned skin has, mostly, healed. Ear lobes are peeling just a bit. I think there might be another very small area of peel happening, but nothing major, oddly. I burned, I mean hard. My skin was getting that purplish hue in places from it. While I can't resist, or handle, the sun all that well, burns are another thing entirely. I'm curious to see what sort of coloration will result from it. I used to burn then turn golden, in my teens. But as an adult I never allowed burns, and usually just turned... hmm... dirt brown. :p At least I know that sun screen I bought really works. I didn't burn even a touch more after that first day. I need to remember to buy aloe vera stuff when in town next, that stuff is a little miracle. I used it, thankfully the Cat family brought it, twice a day. It made it so I could handle the pain of the burn by cooling it, and kept my skin from just blistering off in places, I think. Loverly stuff.
Yeah... I have a few things to do. And I do need a little time off. The sun is behind thicker clouds so I get a little break from that too. All good. I'll figure things out and be ready, I am hoping, to get out shooting and hiking, and figuring out places to camp, starting next week. I don't want to let this boost go to waste. I may try to make it to Burning Man this year, somehow. It depends. Desert Cat might not be able to make it, doesn't know because of work this year. In either case, I want to begin hiking and camping so, eventually, at one of these burn events, I can actually partake much more strongly. I enjoy people. And you don't really meet people in very many places who sort of treat you as kin, or who are unafraid to give you a hug or chat with or at you. I'm not the hugging type, but... that's a weakness if it does have it's place and time, as well, mind you.
Oh, and I'm loving the girls! They missed me too. I had to sleep alone partly last night, but woke later and let them in. I knew I would be rolling and needed some hard sleep right away. They came in later and flopped, walked on, and otherwise made sure it was me, that I was still alive, and are letting me know that breakfast is needed. So...
But, yes, I am doing quite well. A little groggy from the week and drive. But the will and health are good. And I'll be hitting medicines perfectly for a bit. I did take them okay there, but... not perfectly. It's tough, while camping, to keep that on track. I figure partial is much better than none. But... I really am in good shape, considering... though in part because the trip was a boost not a drain. Yeah, the combo of medicines and being out is a very good thing. I'll be doing things a bit slower this week, but not stopping, and with my goals set on getting out a few times a week, at least, the rest of the summer. Oh, and snowshoeing to explore for winter camping this winter! Gotta get, and stay, plugged in.
Later.
.
I am doing really good. My toilet, somehow, is clogged. It wasn't when I left, and was on the first flush. Hmm... I'll try to plunge it again, again. If that fails, the snake. If all else fails, a plumber. Now sure how that could have happened. I just hope it isn't something like roots. Don't see how it could be though. Never mind, just something to figure out, but much sooner than later. It's the only toilet I have at the moment.
I'll be working on that and getting unpacked today. I am a bit tired, but it was a long drive for an old guy, and that after packing up camp earlier on top of it. I have figured out, with breaking camping, doing a bit here, a bit there, and just taking my time... it is quite doable and even mildly relaxing. I figure unpacking will be done similarly.
My burned skin has, mostly, healed. Ear lobes are peeling just a bit. I think there might be another very small area of peel happening, but nothing major, oddly. I burned, I mean hard. My skin was getting that purplish hue in places from it. While I can't resist, or handle, the sun all that well, burns are another thing entirely. I'm curious to see what sort of coloration will result from it. I used to burn then turn golden, in my teens. But as an adult I never allowed burns, and usually just turned... hmm... dirt brown. :p At least I know that sun screen I bought really works. I didn't burn even a touch more after that first day. I need to remember to buy aloe vera stuff when in town next, that stuff is a little miracle. I used it, thankfully the Cat family brought it, twice a day. It made it so I could handle the pain of the burn by cooling it, and kept my skin from just blistering off in places, I think. Loverly stuff.
Yeah... I have a few things to do. And I do need a little time off. The sun is behind thicker clouds so I get a little break from that too. All good. I'll figure things out and be ready, I am hoping, to get out shooting and hiking, and figuring out places to camp, starting next week. I don't want to let this boost go to waste. I may try to make it to Burning Man this year, somehow. It depends. Desert Cat might not be able to make it, doesn't know because of work this year. In either case, I want to begin hiking and camping so, eventually, at one of these burn events, I can actually partake much more strongly. I enjoy people. And you don't really meet people in very many places who sort of treat you as kin, or who are unafraid to give you a hug or chat with or at you. I'm not the hugging type, but... that's a weakness if it does have it's place and time, as well, mind you.
Oh, and I'm loving the girls! They missed me too. I had to sleep alone partly last night, but woke later and let them in. I knew I would be rolling and needed some hard sleep right away. They came in later and flopped, walked on, and otherwise made sure it was me, that I was still alive, and are letting me know that breakfast is needed. So...
But, yes, I am doing quite well. A little groggy from the week and drive. But the will and health are good. And I'll be hitting medicines perfectly for a bit. I did take them okay there, but... not perfectly. It's tough, while camping, to keep that on track. I figure partial is much better than none. But... I really am in good shape, considering... though in part because the trip was a boost not a drain. Yeah, the combo of medicines and being out is a very good thing. I'll be doing things a bit slower this week, but not stopping, and with my goals set on getting out a few times a week, at least, the rest of the summer. Oh, and snowshoeing to explore for winter camping this winter! Gotta get, and stay, plugged in.
Later.
Back.
.
.
Just. I left the camp at noon, give or take. Traffic was slow getting down the dirt roads to the highway. But once to the highway, dispersion and whatever else cleared the road easily. I left Snowflake at right at 14:00, it was right at 2:00 when I arrived home. I went the speed limit plus five, and while I did stop for one very fast meal, it took an hour longer than the online map suggested. Yeah, I was fast with gas fills too, so that wasn't it. Actually I only went into one. The rest were, pretty much, drivethroughs. Ah well. I made it, and alive, and on track.
The burn was fun. It was good to see Desert Cat, and meet Daisy Cat. An entertaining lot if I ever saw one. I shouldn't have grinned and giggled so much but they WERE entertaining, according to my book. She didn't kill me outright. And she didn't end up being all that fearful. And I never pulled any punches. I don't cut corners or fib, as best as I am able, in real life or on my blog. It works out better that way, in my opinion.
I cooked, burned hard, the first day. After that, I learned to wear my sun proof solution and clothing and stayed in the shade for the most part. I did get out several times, day and night. I simply wasn't in very good shape. A good month after seven or eight months knocking on death's door simply wasn't enough to liven me. No matter, I enjoyed getting out, the company, and what activity I could do.
I am zapped. So I won't unload tonight. But I will unload, part or whole, tomorrow. Further, I do believe I will tend things as I unpack them. The tent won't need airing out. But the sleeping bag will. I'll want to go through my b.o.b. and rearrange and ensure I have what I want to keep in there. I used some of the bits, here and there. Clothing will all go into the washroom, and be sorted. It might take a few days to get it all out, but it will be done this time, and quickly.
I best get to bed. Good night.
.
Just. I left the camp at noon, give or take. Traffic was slow getting down the dirt roads to the highway. But once to the highway, dispersion and whatever else cleared the road easily. I left Snowflake at right at 14:00, it was right at 2:00 when I arrived home. I went the speed limit plus five, and while I did stop for one very fast meal, it took an hour longer than the online map suggested. Yeah, I was fast with gas fills too, so that wasn't it. Actually I only went into one. The rest were, pretty much, drivethroughs. Ah well. I made it, and alive, and on track.
The burn was fun. It was good to see Desert Cat, and meet Daisy Cat. An entertaining lot if I ever saw one. I shouldn't have grinned and giggled so much but they WERE entertaining, according to my book. She didn't kill me outright. And she didn't end up being all that fearful. And I never pulled any punches. I don't cut corners or fib, as best as I am able, in real life or on my blog. It works out better that way, in my opinion.
I cooked, burned hard, the first day. After that, I learned to wear my sun proof solution and clothing and stayed in the shade for the most part. I did get out several times, day and night. I simply wasn't in very good shape. A good month after seven or eight months knocking on death's door simply wasn't enough to liven me. No matter, I enjoyed getting out, the company, and what activity I could do.
I am zapped. So I won't unload tonight. But I will unload, part or whole, tomorrow. Further, I do believe I will tend things as I unpack them. The tent won't need airing out. But the sleeping bag will. I'll want to go through my b.o.b. and rearrange and ensure I have what I want to keep in there. I used some of the bits, here and there. Clothing will all go into the washroom, and be sorted. It might take a few days to get it all out, but it will be done this time, and quickly.
I best get to bed. Good night.
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