.
.
Everything on the list, if I may or may not have missed things. Oh, and a bit extra in the work department. The hour of shooting has me looking like a lobster again, but I didn't burn down to the bone this time, probably. Tomorrow will be a day of rest. I'll try to entice myself to work on the faucet, but I don't think so. Burned, done, cooked. But pleased with it. Even if I don't wake up. Might take a shower before heading to bed, but I will turn the AC on in there before I even take a shower. I was going to have a boilermaker, but, yeah, no. I have limits and that would be so far over the limit that... It would be risky.
Oh, and I just hit 50k pageviews. Uhrm, for whatever that means. I started in 2006, with this blog, but didn't get my first hit for a month. That averages to 6,250 a year, ~520 a month, ~17 a day. My guess is a random blogger will get more. Ha! Oh, that averages to ~10 active views per post. Yeah, better stick with my day job.
Good night.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Brief and few posts for a while.
.
.
I'm just going to leave a few journal like notes for the next bit. No problems, just... Well... and I am going to try to regain focus on the plumbing and home tasks and life here and now for a while. I'll flirt with disasters and traumas again soon enough.
I was able to stay awake until, by the real time alarm clock time, 16:15. It might be off from real time though, as the computer time suggested it was more like 16:30, and that is internet corrected daily. Still, that's what I had in there, and went with it. Since I am trying to fill the day out, I rounded that time up to 17:00, then added eight hours of sleep time, plus one for ticking over the day, so set it for 2:00. Not sure then, or now, if the math was right, bed time and right after waking up, even little math can be questionable. But... that's what I went with. And I slept right up until I couldn't. I know I thought of waking a time or two before I did, but never quite got into it enough to even check the time. "Time to wake up? Let me think about it for a... zzzz" When it was time to get up, though, I rolled easily. It was 1:48. Perfect! I slept, pretty much, to the intended time AND beat the alarm. That's an A+ dismount in my book.
A shower, first thing, when I can. Perhaps some more clearing and ordering of the kitchen table, but nothing fancy beyond those two things. I don't want to drain resources or upset the apple cart. The big thing today is to be ready to go to town. at about 10:00 or 11:00. The hardware store will be the first target. I need to have the parts that have to be fitted. One of the proprietary flexhoses, though I can grab an half inch valve there and then leave replace it before cashing out. Beside those parts, I need to buy some tools, plumber's wax, and valve packing. I have the list. I will also look at plants, but won't buy those right at first. I want to check several stores for those anyway.
Next, if my friend is up for it, and I will call him as I head out, I might try to get some target practice in today. I'll be taking the .45 and the 9 mm, and at least a box of each type of ammunition. Hmm... might take the .22 and some shorts as well. Oh, and I best put a chair in. I can't stand for a couple of hours, I have other things I need to do. I might try to talk him into an early meal, before we go, so it doesn't slow me down for the last part of my trip to town.
Then I am hoping to buy plants, so I will put boxes in the back to keep the plants, more or less, stable. And, finally, a trip to the store. Best put floss on the list. A three boxes of the stuff, one for the bathroom, one floating about for use after meals, and one spare? Something. Then my regular list of milk, cream, and butter. Coffee will be needed before too long, and tobacco should be kept up, but I am pushing it today and those are specialty stores and extra stops, so will not happen today. Perhaps next week as I need other things in town, or just on their own day, along with another day of target practice.
Hmm... just planning and writing that wore me out! Oh well. I'm aiming for a shower by 4:00, less than an hour and an half away. Not sure if, when, I will get to the table, but... that isn't vital.
------
.
I'm just going to leave a few journal like notes for the next bit. No problems, just... Well... and I am going to try to regain focus on the plumbing and home tasks and life here and now for a while. I'll flirt with disasters and traumas again soon enough.
I was able to stay awake until, by the real time alarm clock time, 16:15. It might be off from real time though, as the computer time suggested it was more like 16:30, and that is internet corrected daily. Still, that's what I had in there, and went with it. Since I am trying to fill the day out, I rounded that time up to 17:00, then added eight hours of sleep time, plus one for ticking over the day, so set it for 2:00. Not sure then, or now, if the math was right, bed time and right after waking up, even little math can be questionable. But... that's what I went with. And I slept right up until I couldn't. I know I thought of waking a time or two before I did, but never quite got into it enough to even check the time. "Time to wake up? Let me think about it for a... zzzz" When it was time to get up, though, I rolled easily. It was 1:48. Perfect! I slept, pretty much, to the intended time AND beat the alarm. That's an A+ dismount in my book.
A shower, first thing, when I can. Perhaps some more clearing and ordering of the kitchen table, but nothing fancy beyond those two things. I don't want to drain resources or upset the apple cart. The big thing today is to be ready to go to town. at about 10:00 or 11:00. The hardware store will be the first target. I need to have the parts that have to be fitted. One of the proprietary flexhoses, though I can grab an half inch valve there and then leave replace it before cashing out. Beside those parts, I need to buy some tools, plumber's wax, and valve packing. I have the list. I will also look at plants, but won't buy those right at first. I want to check several stores for those anyway.
Next, if my friend is up for it, and I will call him as I head out, I might try to get some target practice in today. I'll be taking the .45 and the 9 mm, and at least a box of each type of ammunition. Hmm... might take the .22 and some shorts as well. Oh, and I best put a chair in. I can't stand for a couple of hours, I have other things I need to do. I might try to talk him into an early meal, before we go, so it doesn't slow me down for the last part of my trip to town.
Then I am hoping to buy plants, so I will put boxes in the back to keep the plants, more or less, stable. And, finally, a trip to the store. Best put floss on the list. A three boxes of the stuff, one for the bathroom, one floating about for use after meals, and one spare? Something. Then my regular list of milk, cream, and butter. Coffee will be needed before too long, and tobacco should be kept up, but I am pushing it today and those are specialty stores and extra stops, so will not happen today. Perhaps next week as I need other things in town, or just on their own day, along with another day of target practice.
Hmm... just planning and writing that wore me out! Oh well. I'm aiming for a shower by 4:00, less than an hour and an half away. Not sure if, when, I will get to the table, but... that isn't vital.
------
Friday, June 20, 2014
Well!?!
.
.
Okay, no honing. And I didn't quite get the table completely ready. Yes, yes, I did do a bit of work on it. I took care of boxes I had been "storing" near the table, so now the table is circumnavigable. Oh, and, you are correct, I did just make up that word... grammatically legally is anyone's guess. Circumnavigable... I like it. Anyway... That actually took a bit of time. And, really, what remains to do, and what I did do, with the table, relates to the terrible O. Organization, if you didn't know. Trying to figure out where stuff goes, should go, could go... sorting this from that and that from these and those from the next... Yeah, well... My Achilles' heel, my kryptonite, the chink in my, if already rusty, armor... But, that is what is left to do. It's even worse than girl cooties, urhm, to a seven year old boy.
On the good side, I did, also, stay awake until 15:40, so far. My day is becoming a real day again. Perhaps I will sleep a bit better this evening than last. I'll be closing the window in there and putting the AC on for just an hour or two. The sound will drown out traffic and other day noises, and the cool will make sure I don't choke on a possible afternoon spike in temps, as I did yesterday. Live, learn, adapt, and I do when I can.
.
Okay, no honing. And I didn't quite get the table completely ready. Yes, yes, I did do a bit of work on it. I took care of boxes I had been "storing" near the table, so now the table is circumnavigable. Oh, and, you are correct, I did just make up that word... grammatically legally is anyone's guess. Circumnavigable... I like it. Anyway... That actually took a bit of time. And, really, what remains to do, and what I did do, with the table, relates to the terrible O. Organization, if you didn't know. Trying to figure out where stuff goes, should go, could go... sorting this from that and that from these and those from the next... Yeah, well... My Achilles' heel, my kryptonite, the chink in my, if already rusty, armor... But, that is what is left to do. It's even worse than girl cooties, urhm, to a seven year old boy.
On the good side, I did, also, stay awake until 15:40, so far. My day is becoming a real day again. Perhaps I will sleep a bit better this evening than last. I'll be closing the window in there and putting the AC on for just an hour or two. The sound will drown out traffic and other day noises, and the cool will make sure I don't choke on a possible afternoon spike in temps, as I did yesterday. Live, learn, adapt, and I do when I can.
Maybe not quite today.
.
.
I just don't have it to get going and go to town quite yet. The boots and clearing the table will probably be about it. I just don't have enough petrol. I am enjoying the day, mostly. Hmm... but while I'm in the kitchen I best pull out more meat to thaw. I love that stuff. And it does go pretty fast. I'm not sure what I have, but there must be a couple of decent cuts in there. While in town tomorrow, I might look at some vegetables that might be good smoked, or grilled. Asparagus, of course. I wonder about kale, especially as a meat tent, changing it out ever so often. Most other greens would be a bit too delicate. Then again, I could always chop something like spinach up, and put it in some sort of container. That is good with smoked bacon, I wonder if it would take smoke itself? Oh, I love bacon, I just don't like frying it, then chopping it, then adding it to the spinach, then cooking the spinach. Yeah... no. If I had a dishwasher, sure.
It is good to have the boots polished. I've given them enough time to cure, I suppose I could put the laces back in... unless they need washed. Clearing the table, and maybe even going on to attempt to hone one of the blades, would be nice. Oh, and maybe finding the balloons. I'm not quite sure where they might be. I did use one to extricate the fork from the toilet, but I don't remember putting them away after that. I might have though, but... where... in either case, they might be... Don't know.
I am still doing sudoku every day. I do all of them that can be done without advanced techniques, and work on speed. Some days, some puzzles, I do very well. There is improvement. But it's a slow process. I think it has helped memory a goodly bit and organizational skills just a bit. And it might have opened up some pathways to quicker action from thought, somehow. It hasn't improved energy, but it hasn't hurt it either. Try it sometime.
Later.
.
I just don't have it to get going and go to town quite yet. The boots and clearing the table will probably be about it. I just don't have enough petrol. I am enjoying the day, mostly. Hmm... but while I'm in the kitchen I best pull out more meat to thaw. I love that stuff. And it does go pretty fast. I'm not sure what I have, but there must be a couple of decent cuts in there. While in town tomorrow, I might look at some vegetables that might be good smoked, or grilled. Asparagus, of course. I wonder about kale, especially as a meat tent, changing it out ever so often. Most other greens would be a bit too delicate. Then again, I could always chop something like spinach up, and put it in some sort of container. That is good with smoked bacon, I wonder if it would take smoke itself? Oh, I love bacon, I just don't like frying it, then chopping it, then adding it to the spinach, then cooking the spinach. Yeah... no. If I had a dishwasher, sure.
It is good to have the boots polished. I've given them enough time to cure, I suppose I could put the laces back in... unless they need washed. Clearing the table, and maybe even going on to attempt to hone one of the blades, would be nice. Oh, and maybe finding the balloons. I'm not quite sure where they might be. I did use one to extricate the fork from the toilet, but I don't remember putting them away after that. I might have though, but... where... in either case, they might be... Don't know.
I am still doing sudoku every day. I do all of them that can be done without advanced techniques, and work on speed. Some days, some puzzles, I do very well. There is improvement. But it's a slow process. I think it has helped memory a goodly bit and organizational skills just a bit. And it might have opened up some pathways to quicker action from thought, somehow. It hasn't improved energy, but it hasn't hurt it either. Try it sometime.
Later.
One task down.
.
.
The second pair of boots needed a serious polish. I was a bit worried about them, they had sand from Burning Man still on them. No problems. They cleaned off well and the leather was just fine. But these were much more difficult to wax. They each have two straps, and a few doodads, plus zippers. I used to think zippers were for old guys. After having several pair of tall pull-offs I decided, even if they are for old guys, old guys got old for a reason. Still, a lot of detail work. And, yes, I do the fronts and backs of the straps, since they are buckled. Two doses was enough for these. These aren't worn in water, they aren't hikers. I may, eventually, if I decide to wear them in the winter, give them a mink oil treatment. But... they just aren't that type of boot. They look good though. I might even wear them today, or not. I'll think on it.
A bit of a break, though I don't need one for physical reasons. Just the concentration and fine detail. Actually, I don't (think) I need one for that, but that isn't the point. Next, a shower and a short break. Then some spot work in the kitchen, hopefully making room to hone a straight razor before too long. I need to find those balloons, too. Not sure it will really work as planned, but it is a thought. If it works, it would sure beat eating my face up from the getting go, and learning on it.
Yes, it takes my projects a bit to get going sometimes. You know I have stacks of projects loaded up, and some from long ago. Producing a solar oven is one of those things from long ago. But of newer vintage is figuring out the faucet in the kitchen and bathroom, changing the valves in the bathroom, checking the washers in the shower/tub, repairing or changing out the main water cut-off valve(s) here in the house, redoing the en suite bathroom whole hog, well and trying to clean, then keep up, on the cave, feeding mine and the girls' faces, taking care of their litter, taking medicine (which I am back on), and all the rest. Seems easy enough, sounds doable, and it is becoming doable. A lot less juggling and a lot more forward motion has been going on, starting several years ago.
A bit here, a tool there, a fix, a task, a set of efforts, and I am almost getting to where things get done. It will probably always take longer than I thought. There will always be complications, sometimes out of my ability or income. But I might actually be able to put somethings together here, now and in the future. If nothing else, it is enjoyable since it isn't too time dependent. I have enough tools to really do a lot of a things and slowly adding to it. I am not quite even up to the level of a handy man, really, yet. Not a reliable, by time, one. Well...
More tools later today, perhaps some shooting if my friend is available and interested, and then some grocery shopping. Then to get the faucet hooked up and tested tonight or tomorrow, and in if it works, or back on the horn if not. Though either way I would like to replace the valves in the bathroom while the house water is off. And, perhaps, during a slower time, when I need a sitting break but still have some interest and energy, I might hone one of the razors. Those are seriously sharp, but not as sharp as they need to be. I can work a blade so that it is truly beautiful to cut with. And, that is about as sharp as those are. But it needs to be more. I am hoping, between honing and a little balloon practice, I might be able to learn to shave a little more smoothly this time. I just love the idea of never having to buy another razor pack. And, with four straight razors, I seriously doubt I would use them all in my lifetime. Not sure I would really use one, unless I hone poorly, or damage one and need to eat a quarter inch off the blade to bring it back to a true. But... who knows. Oh, and... regardless of what some think, these wouldn't make good weapons. The blades are far too fragile. A kill tool, perhaps, but even then, not a preferred. Just for shaving, and Hollywood, and old time punks and thugs.
Hmm... a bit of breakfast would be good though. Have a good day.
.
The second pair of boots needed a serious polish. I was a bit worried about them, they had sand from Burning Man still on them. No problems. They cleaned off well and the leather was just fine. But these were much more difficult to wax. They each have two straps, and a few doodads, plus zippers. I used to think zippers were for old guys. After having several pair of tall pull-offs I decided, even if they are for old guys, old guys got old for a reason. Still, a lot of detail work. And, yes, I do the fronts and backs of the straps, since they are buckled. Two doses was enough for these. These aren't worn in water, they aren't hikers. I may, eventually, if I decide to wear them in the winter, give them a mink oil treatment. But... they just aren't that type of boot. They look good though. I might even wear them today, or not. I'll think on it.
A bit of a break, though I don't need one for physical reasons. Just the concentration and fine detail. Actually, I don't (think) I need one for that, but that isn't the point. Next, a shower and a short break. Then some spot work in the kitchen, hopefully making room to hone a straight razor before too long. I need to find those balloons, too. Not sure it will really work as planned, but it is a thought. If it works, it would sure beat eating my face up from the getting go, and learning on it.
Yes, it takes my projects a bit to get going sometimes. You know I have stacks of projects loaded up, and some from long ago. Producing a solar oven is one of those things from long ago. But of newer vintage is figuring out the faucet in the kitchen and bathroom, changing the valves in the bathroom, checking the washers in the shower/tub, repairing or changing out the main water cut-off valve(s) here in the house, redoing the en suite bathroom whole hog, well and trying to clean, then keep up, on the cave, feeding mine and the girls' faces, taking care of their litter, taking medicine (which I am back on), and all the rest. Seems easy enough, sounds doable, and it is becoming doable. A lot less juggling and a lot more forward motion has been going on, starting several years ago.
A bit here, a tool there, a fix, a task, a set of efforts, and I am almost getting to where things get done. It will probably always take longer than I thought. There will always be complications, sometimes out of my ability or income. But I might actually be able to put somethings together here, now and in the future. If nothing else, it is enjoyable since it isn't too time dependent. I have enough tools to really do a lot of a things and slowly adding to it. I am not quite even up to the level of a handy man, really, yet. Not a reliable, by time, one. Well...
More tools later today, perhaps some shooting if my friend is available and interested, and then some grocery shopping. Then to get the faucet hooked up and tested tonight or tomorrow, and in if it works, or back on the horn if not. Though either way I would like to replace the valves in the bathroom while the house water is off. And, perhaps, during a slower time, when I need a sitting break but still have some interest and energy, I might hone one of the razors. Those are seriously sharp, but not as sharp as they need to be. I can work a blade so that it is truly beautiful to cut with. And, that is about as sharp as those are. But it needs to be more. I am hoping, between honing and a little balloon practice, I might be able to learn to shave a little more smoothly this time. I just love the idea of never having to buy another razor pack. And, with four straight razors, I seriously doubt I would use them all in my lifetime. Not sure I would really use one, unless I hone poorly, or damage one and need to eat a quarter inch off the blade to bring it back to a true. But... who knows. Oh, and... regardless of what some think, these wouldn't make good weapons. The blades are far too fragile. A kill tool, perhaps, but even then, not a preferred. Just for shaving, and Hollywood, and old time punks and thugs.
Hmm... a bit of breakfast would be good though. Have a good day.
Could not make it to the alarm.
.
.
I set the alarm for about ten hours of sleep, hoping to push through. I just couldn't make it, or even to the eight hour mark. Seven hours and just chump change later, I woke. Perhaps it warmed too much in the afternoon. Actually, I know it did. I should have shut the window and turned on the AC for an half hour, or hour, to fix that. I simply wasn't in the right state of mind, mid sleep, to do anything but suffer back to sleep, off and on, as I could. I've had worse but that wasn't even close to even normal. I wake, now, feeling like I slept on raw lumpy ground.
No bothers. I'll figure out waking, then try to get my day kicked off. I won't be doing too much. Shopping, later in the morning, perhaps hit those boots, and a bit of gaming. The boots I did polish look wonderful. I love having rightly shined boots. It's a glory for a man, at least among men. Though women seem to fancy boots, of the right make and model for their sensibilities. Remind me to notice which women shine on leather hiking boots and avoid women who sneer. Though truth be told, a woman who can be brought in will have to be trained on many things. And even her distaste for some things will have to simply be noted and properly ignored, in some areas. Wouldn't want it any other way. And favors are returned, just by the nature of things. Flats? Pants? Crocs!?! Hmm... Oh... well... and maybe something else, for today, if I can figure it in. At least cool has returned, and I can enjoy a bit of it as I wake.
Oh, blogger seems to have... become faster again. Not sure if this is temporary or permanent. They have, in the past, waffled. At least three of the times I remember, they went good, bad, good, bad, dead... We'll see. But, for right now, they have fixed the problem. Still, as I said, if I end up not publishing for a while, or again, you WILL know why. Not a choice.
Best feed the girls, then get a cup of coffee down the hatch. *blub* Love that stuff, mostly. What to do... Wake, but coffee first. Sassy is sitting at my right arm, purring her morning "hungry" tune. At least she is more patient these days. Has learned that I need some time, and won't feed them right off so as to prevent... bad behavior. Later.
.
I set the alarm for about ten hours of sleep, hoping to push through. I just couldn't make it, or even to the eight hour mark. Seven hours and just chump change later, I woke. Perhaps it warmed too much in the afternoon. Actually, I know it did. I should have shut the window and turned on the AC for an half hour, or hour, to fix that. I simply wasn't in the right state of mind, mid sleep, to do anything but suffer back to sleep, off and on, as I could. I've had worse but that wasn't even close to even normal. I wake, now, feeling like I slept on raw lumpy ground.
No bothers. I'll figure out waking, then try to get my day kicked off. I won't be doing too much. Shopping, later in the morning, perhaps hit those boots, and a bit of gaming. The boots I did polish look wonderful. I love having rightly shined boots. It's a glory for a man, at least among men. Though women seem to fancy boots, of the right make and model for their sensibilities. Remind me to notice which women shine on leather hiking boots and avoid women who sneer. Though truth be told, a woman who can be brought in will have to be trained on many things. And even her distaste for some things will have to simply be noted and properly ignored, in some areas. Wouldn't want it any other way. And favors are returned, just by the nature of things. Flats? Pants? Crocs!?! Hmm... Oh... well... and maybe something else, for today, if I can figure it in. At least cool has returned, and I can enjoy a bit of it as I wake.
Oh, blogger seems to have... become faster again. Not sure if this is temporary or permanent. They have, in the past, waffled. At least three of the times I remember, they went good, bad, good, bad, dead... We'll see. But, for right now, they have fixed the problem. Still, as I said, if I end up not publishing for a while, or again, you WILL know why. Not a choice.
Best feed the girls, then get a cup of coffee down the hatch. *blub* Love that stuff, mostly. What to do... Wake, but coffee first. Sassy is sitting at my right arm, purring her morning "hungry" tune. At least she is more patient these days. Has learned that I need some time, and won't feed them right off so as to prevent... bad behavior. Later.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Not much.
.
.
Oh, I did... think about it. I just couldn't get up and running. It's not the worst of days, or events. I even turned the heat up just a touch. The legs and back are back to normal. Surprising, for as out of shape, in so many ways, how well some parts of my system respond and repair from stress. Oh, sure, most people recover quickly to muscle strain. And energy usage. My system isn't normal, and doesn't regenerate energy nearly as quickly as it heals. Sam jumped on my arm the other day and left a scratch. That healed in... two days, three tops? I have a replacement, from playing with her recently. Something about the laundry basket makes her a bit aggressive, much more than usual. I have learned to play with the girls without blood, for the most part. It just seems that the laundry baskets bring out her territoriality or something.
A few more hours up, hopefully until 16:00 though I can't be sure. That would see me up by... 1:00? No, I would set the alarm for 2:00, maybe even 3:00, I don't need the extra sleep, but wouldn't mind the push into days... but more, because it can take a couple of hours to get to sleep after a day off. Best get to things tomorrow, or I'll turn into jelly. Too much off time is almost as bad as too many days of push, or too heavy of a push. I've always sort of felt stuck, but usually on incapacity side of things. It's odd, and wonderful in a way, to be stuck between work days and rest days, and with nearly normal sleep cycles. At the very least, I sleep 8-12 hours and am awake 12-20. It's almost normal. Control is still tricky, normalization just can't be created or maintained. It is headed that way like I have never seen it since I was well. I am honestly hoping, by next spring, if all keeps going well, that I will find my feet. No promises there, either. But I see the trend.
I still must seem like roadkill to many. And, that probably won't ever improve greatly. I am thinking more that this will mean a much greater ability to function on a very simple level. Three, maybe four, days of work, every week, at about three to five hours a day, and maybe a nearly regular sleep cycle and day pattern along with that. Before the summer is over, I hope to get my weight bench set up and begin using the weights. Just a couple of times a week, and just the bars to start with. If I get to benching my weight, I will had chin-up bars. Luckily my garage is tall enough that I can do that without messing with any clearances. Though, being a smaller giant makes that all work as well. I'll need a heater, of some sort, out there if I wish to continue that in the winter. I love the cold, but there are limits. Weightlifting in the cold is definitely among those limits. An injury waiting to happen. I enjoy pain, from right work and stressing muscles, not from injury. I do need rubber mats to protect the concrete, first, though. Hmm... Not just with the bars though... Starting would certainly add impetus to a purchase. But, if I get to where I can do chin-ups, then I want to put up a climbing rope somewhere. Perhaps even build a small climbing wall, with a roping section? Yeah, perhaps it's just fantasy. Time will tell.
Back to gaming. I'm nearly done with an easy runthrough, trying to get the little stupid trophies out of the way so that when I go in on 'pull your hair, cuss, and yell at a black box' mode for those trophies, I don't have to mess around with anything but bee-lining and minimums. I hope the mini-games, like hacking, aren't more difficult. The penalty for failure probably will be! Just because there is less health to lose, and fewer resources to tend that. Hmm... yeah... back to gaming.
Good night.
.
Oh, I did... think about it. I just couldn't get up and running. It's not the worst of days, or events. I even turned the heat up just a touch. The legs and back are back to normal. Surprising, for as out of shape, in so many ways, how well some parts of my system respond and repair from stress. Oh, sure, most people recover quickly to muscle strain. And energy usage. My system isn't normal, and doesn't regenerate energy nearly as quickly as it heals. Sam jumped on my arm the other day and left a scratch. That healed in... two days, three tops? I have a replacement, from playing with her recently. Something about the laundry basket makes her a bit aggressive, much more than usual. I have learned to play with the girls without blood, for the most part. It just seems that the laundry baskets bring out her territoriality or something.
A few more hours up, hopefully until 16:00 though I can't be sure. That would see me up by... 1:00? No, I would set the alarm for 2:00, maybe even 3:00, I don't need the extra sleep, but wouldn't mind the push into days... but more, because it can take a couple of hours to get to sleep after a day off. Best get to things tomorrow, or I'll turn into jelly. Too much off time is almost as bad as too many days of push, or too heavy of a push. I've always sort of felt stuck, but usually on incapacity side of things. It's odd, and wonderful in a way, to be stuck between work days and rest days, and with nearly normal sleep cycles. At the very least, I sleep 8-12 hours and am awake 12-20. It's almost normal. Control is still tricky, normalization just can't be created or maintained. It is headed that way like I have never seen it since I was well. I am honestly hoping, by next spring, if all keeps going well, that I will find my feet. No promises there, either. But I see the trend.
I still must seem like roadkill to many. And, that probably won't ever improve greatly. I am thinking more that this will mean a much greater ability to function on a very simple level. Three, maybe four, days of work, every week, at about three to five hours a day, and maybe a nearly regular sleep cycle and day pattern along with that. Before the summer is over, I hope to get my weight bench set up and begin using the weights. Just a couple of times a week, and just the bars to start with. If I get to benching my weight, I will had chin-up bars. Luckily my garage is tall enough that I can do that without messing with any clearances. Though, being a smaller giant makes that all work as well. I'll need a heater, of some sort, out there if I wish to continue that in the winter. I love the cold, but there are limits. Weightlifting in the cold is definitely among those limits. An injury waiting to happen. I enjoy pain, from right work and stressing muscles, not from injury. I do need rubber mats to protect the concrete, first, though. Hmm... Not just with the bars though... Starting would certainly add impetus to a purchase. But, if I get to where I can do chin-ups, then I want to put up a climbing rope somewhere. Perhaps even build a small climbing wall, with a roping section? Yeah, perhaps it's just fantasy. Time will tell.
Back to gaming. I'm nearly done with an easy runthrough, trying to get the little stupid trophies out of the way so that when I go in on 'pull your hair, cuss, and yell at a black box' mode for those trophies, I don't have to mess around with anything but bee-lining and minimums. I hope the mini-games, like hacking, aren't more difficult. The penalty for failure probably will be! Just because there is less health to lose, and fewer resources to tend that. Hmm... yeah... back to gaming.
Good night.
Oh, if I fail to blog in the near future...
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I have been having huge problems logging into google to blog, check my email, and such lately. It isn't just nights, and it happens when the rest of the net is blazing fast, so... it's just google. They are possibly planning on unofficially banning me from blogging, again, again. Some review process is probably happening. Think of academic review processes, for a hint on how they operate and what kind of a mindset is being dealt with. And, no, I have not been contacted. That is not how those things work. So, if you don't hear from me? You will know what happened. Probably complaints from the usual suspects.
Thought I'd best get this out before I cant. Later.
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A rest day.
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Not sure all that much will get done. I needed a bit of time off and some things hit on top of it. Can't focus all that well anyway. I am hoping to get those other boots shined. A shower sometime today. A bit of a clean up, the kitchen table being cleared, or at least made much more presentable is on the list. And, if that happens, honing one of my razors. I have been treating my strop every few weeks, just to get it back into shape. It wasn't horrible, looked new when I found it actually. But it was in hot storage for a couple of years, then stored here in a somewhat climate controlled, but dry, environment. I am surprised it didn't fall apart. If I get a hone on the razor, then strop it, I may then treat the strop again. After that, just every few months, I suppose, or when it looks like it needs it.
.
Not sure all that much will get done. I needed a bit of time off and some things hit on top of it. Can't focus all that well anyway. I am hoping to get those other boots shined. A shower sometime today. A bit of a clean up, the kitchen table being cleared, or at least made much more presentable is on the list. And, if that happens, honing one of my razors. I have been treating my strop every few weeks, just to get it back into shape. It wasn't horrible, looked new when I found it actually. But it was in hot storage for a couple of years, then stored here in a somewhat climate controlled, but dry, environment. I am surprised it didn't fall apart. If I get a hone on the razor, then strop it, I may then treat the strop again. After that, just every few months, I suppose, or when it looks like it needs it.
Sleep!
.
.
Oh yeah, I needed that. Somewhere between ten and twelve hours of sleep. That sounds like a really bad estimate, but being that sleep doesn't always just happen, and waking when sleep is corporeally needed, is a thing of many shades... And, just because I am awake does not mean that I am awake. As soon as my feet are on the ground, and my eyes can send the time in and my brain can process it, I call that "awake". It's not, not really. Turn on your computer and immediately try to surf the net. The option isn't even there until your system goes through a number of routines. In my condition, usually, that takes a lot longer for me than it does for your computer or you. Actually, often my first blog upon waking is part of that routine. Eating, though, this time, for some odd reason, was first in the line up. For which I earned a bloody nose. Yeah, I'll look at the boot lineup and check the system. :p
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Oh yeah, I needed that. Somewhere between ten and twelve hours of sleep. That sounds like a really bad estimate, but being that sleep doesn't always just happen, and waking when sleep is corporeally needed, is a thing of many shades... And, just because I am awake does not mean that I am awake. As soon as my feet are on the ground, and my eyes can send the time in and my brain can process it, I call that "awake". It's not, not really. Turn on your computer and immediately try to surf the net. The option isn't even there until your system goes through a number of routines. In my condition, usually, that takes a lot longer for me than it does for your computer or you. Actually, often my first blog upon waking is part of that routine. Eating, though, this time, for some odd reason, was first in the line up. For which I earned a bloody nose. Yeah, I'll look at the boot lineup and check the system. :p
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Hmm...
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.
I might be able to kick out the primary boots, for hiking. I did smoke the pork, again. This time I tried peas and peaches, canned, with a bit of butter. Nothing tasted all that smoked, to be honest. And this time, I had the smoker set to a very cool smoke, and smoked the roast, again, for an hour. The peas and peaches got about 25 minutes. I'm not sure what's up with that. Heavy smoke. Now, the meal was very good. Don't get me wrong. No complaints. I suppose, for serious smoke flavor, it is going to take four hours? Oh, and soaking the chips is said to give off a heavier smoke. I suppose I could do that, with a second batch soaking in case the smoke weakens in a longer smoking. It was delicious, just not all that smoke flavored. I wonder if altitude can affect that... the air is less dense, so smoke doesn't penetrate meat as well? I'll have to do a bit of research, see what forum folk suggest, and such. Well, it is something to tinker with.
I didn't do much else. And kicking out the boots will... be a test. But I want that done. A good long sleep, since yesterday "night" was abbreviated. And probably another day of rest, with maybe a trip to town for parts. I'm sort of holding off on parts, as I am afraid as soon as I get those I will sink my life into getting them in. I want a few other things settled, and to get some (considering) well needed rest in. Then I will feel more comfortable digging back into everything as if I knew what I was doing. Oh, and before I go, I want to get that list of tools I am looking at, for fixing valves. A stem and handle puller, packing, plumber's wax, a box of replacement gaskets, and... something else. Something for removing what the gasket rides against. I'm not sure if the stores carry a variety pack of those, and not sure that would be a wise purchase either. After polishing boots I'll revisit my post on that and get the list typed up. Well, and while in town, I might as well go to the grocery store.
I'm trying folks. I think I am actually getting somewhere too. A few years ago, and after installing the r.o., if the rest of the system had fallen apart like that, I would have had to just go without for six months until I was up to it again, or called a plumber. I suppose, if my time was included, a plumber would be much cheaper. But with time, for me, being an excess good, it has limited value. Good, solid, time that can be used for work is very limited, but that is why I am disabled and not an engineer. Even then I would try to do it myself. Why learn to be an engineer and not use it, even in a side area? Engineers tinker, it's not just a job. Actually, much of the job is limited against hands on. Need for speed, and to tinker.
Ah, right, boots. Then maybe putting that list together. Good night.
------
Yeah, I got both the boots and the list. The boots... well... I must have been faster, though I am out of practice true enough. Three polishings, with good strength and plenty of goo. The first is a spit shine. Then a dry polish. And finally a layer of mink oil. All polishes get buffed, but the last two get a serious shine buff. It's just how I do it. I'm not sure that is how they taught me in the Navy. I took what they taught me, practiced, and found my own way. Mink oil is new(er) to the lineup. But back then, I did three waxes instead of the mink oil. We didn't really get our feet wet. That is... one of the mottoes of the Navy? Summit like that. Wet feet = bad. Yeah, two hours? Right about there. Then, getting the list together... I had almost everything in the blog, save the one thing that was really difficult to track even a name down regarding... A seat removal wrench, is what it turned out to be. I'll at least look at that. But if it won't fit smaller seats, there is no need to buy it. Well, and a grouping of washers, and perhaps replacement seats if they offer such a thing.
A bit of gaming to close out the day. I am currently playing a past minor joy, Bioshock, the first game. I played it on Computer, long ago. I had thought it lost to gaming. As it turns out, on the newest version of the PS3 game, they through the original in as a bonus. Since I enjoyed the newest version as well, it truly was appreciated. Doing little favors like that will win loyalty. While I finished the game, I didn't get the trophies. I think I was interrupted by health issues and that project languished and then was lost, forgotten in the haze of time and illness. Well, I'll... get it now, in my downtime and on my breaks.
Oh, and yes... another day of rest. All that bending for laundry, standing while folding some things and hanging shirts... It got to me. I just didn't notice it right away. It looks like I missed most of the pain somehow, but I have the stiffness now. All good, worth the price. Another day down, probably no store trip, maybe minor cleaning and emptying the last basket of clean, mostly already paired socks, and a few odds and ends. But, still... Breath the fresh air! It was getting so rough in here that I was feeling like a dog would when it gets ticks. No ticks in here, mind you, just the feeling. *shivers and scratches*
Now, for sure, good night.
.
I might be able to kick out the primary boots, for hiking. I did smoke the pork, again. This time I tried peas and peaches, canned, with a bit of butter. Nothing tasted all that smoked, to be honest. And this time, I had the smoker set to a very cool smoke, and smoked the roast, again, for an hour. The peas and peaches got about 25 minutes. I'm not sure what's up with that. Heavy smoke. Now, the meal was very good. Don't get me wrong. No complaints. I suppose, for serious smoke flavor, it is going to take four hours? Oh, and soaking the chips is said to give off a heavier smoke. I suppose I could do that, with a second batch soaking in case the smoke weakens in a longer smoking. It was delicious, just not all that smoke flavored. I wonder if altitude can affect that... the air is less dense, so smoke doesn't penetrate meat as well? I'll have to do a bit of research, see what forum folk suggest, and such. Well, it is something to tinker with.
I didn't do much else. And kicking out the boots will... be a test. But I want that done. A good long sleep, since yesterday "night" was abbreviated. And probably another day of rest, with maybe a trip to town for parts. I'm sort of holding off on parts, as I am afraid as soon as I get those I will sink my life into getting them in. I want a few other things settled, and to get some (considering) well needed rest in. Then I will feel more comfortable digging back into everything as if I knew what I was doing. Oh, and before I go, I want to get that list of tools I am looking at, for fixing valves. A stem and handle puller, packing, plumber's wax, a box of replacement gaskets, and... something else. Something for removing what the gasket rides against. I'm not sure if the stores carry a variety pack of those, and not sure that would be a wise purchase either. After polishing boots I'll revisit my post on that and get the list typed up. Well, and while in town, I might as well go to the grocery store.
I'm trying folks. I think I am actually getting somewhere too. A few years ago, and after installing the r.o., if the rest of the system had fallen apart like that, I would have had to just go without for six months until I was up to it again, or called a plumber. I suppose, if my time was included, a plumber would be much cheaper. But with time, for me, being an excess good, it has limited value. Good, solid, time that can be used for work is very limited, but that is why I am disabled and not an engineer. Even then I would try to do it myself. Why learn to be an engineer and not use it, even in a side area? Engineers tinker, it's not just a job. Actually, much of the job is limited against hands on. Need for speed, and to tinker.
Ah, right, boots. Then maybe putting that list together. Good night.
------
Yeah, I got both the boots and the list. The boots... well... I must have been faster, though I am out of practice true enough. Three polishings, with good strength and plenty of goo. The first is a spit shine. Then a dry polish. And finally a layer of mink oil. All polishes get buffed, but the last two get a serious shine buff. It's just how I do it. I'm not sure that is how they taught me in the Navy. I took what they taught me, practiced, and found my own way. Mink oil is new(er) to the lineup. But back then, I did three waxes instead of the mink oil. We didn't really get our feet wet. That is... one of the mottoes of the Navy? Summit like that. Wet feet = bad. Yeah, two hours? Right about there. Then, getting the list together... I had almost everything in the blog, save the one thing that was really difficult to track even a name down regarding... A seat removal wrench, is what it turned out to be. I'll at least look at that. But if it won't fit smaller seats, there is no need to buy it. Well, and a grouping of washers, and perhaps replacement seats if they offer such a thing.
A bit of gaming to close out the day. I am currently playing a past minor joy, Bioshock, the first game. I played it on Computer, long ago. I had thought it lost to gaming. As it turns out, on the newest version of the PS3 game, they through the original in as a bonus. Since I enjoyed the newest version as well, it truly was appreciated. Doing little favors like that will win loyalty. While I finished the game, I didn't get the trophies. I think I was interrupted by health issues and that project languished and then was lost, forgotten in the haze of time and illness. Well, I'll... get it now, in my downtime and on my breaks.
Oh, and yes... another day of rest. All that bending for laundry, standing while folding some things and hanging shirts... It got to me. I just didn't notice it right away. It looks like I missed most of the pain somehow, but I have the stiffness now. All good, worth the price. Another day down, probably no store trip, maybe minor cleaning and emptying the last basket of clean, mostly already paired socks, and a few odds and ends. But, still... Breath the fresh air! It was getting so rough in here that I was feeling like a dog would when it gets ticks. No ticks in here, mind you, just the feeling. *shivers and scratches*
Now, for sure, good night.
Ah, right, what?
.
.
I can't remember what all I had suggested that I might do. I did find my shoe polish kit. I think, first, I am going to smoke the pork roast, and some veggies and fruit toward the end of that cycle, say the last fifteen minutes. Oh, right, if I get one pair of boots kicked out, after starting the smoker and getting that going, then I'll begin rounding up firearm cleaning supplies. Oh, gee, I've got a rifle to finish painting!
Lost track. It's a bit cold and wet to tinker with that, at the moment, but... I should round up what I need to finish that, and figure out how to do it. It's a minor logic problem, but with a literal mechanical real world application involved. I have looked online, but most people just buy kits. And I suppose that works, but I want to work out the notions. And the kits I have seen honestly don't do what I am hoping to do. Might not be possible as I imagine it. There is only one way to hope to know though. It's just having fun and doing something a bit different. I won't paint any of my other guns. I started thinking... Once that is on, that's it. You won't ever get that paint off.
I am enjoying the chill a bit tonight. When I don't have a lot of demand, or a schedule, especially knowing that sooner or later it's going to get hot and stay that way until almost Thanksgiving, I've got to soak in every ounce of wet and cool available when it arrives. I didn't mention it, but my mother is getting too much rain. They got 8 inches yesterday, and fear more. I'll be praying for them. We got, perhaps, a half inch in this last hit. We will take what we can get I suspect. Though 8 inches would push it for almost anywhere.
If I get both sets of boots polished, and collect cleaning kit, I might get a shower in, then tend that last basket of clean clothes. Who knows. Not sure I'll get more than one pair of boots and the smoking done. I almost never know. Dependably unreliable. There is that.
Well, on to smoking and polishing. Later.
.
I can't remember what all I had suggested that I might do. I did find my shoe polish kit. I think, first, I am going to smoke the pork roast, and some veggies and fruit toward the end of that cycle, say the last fifteen minutes. Oh, right, if I get one pair of boots kicked out, after starting the smoker and getting that going, then I'll begin rounding up firearm cleaning supplies. Oh, gee, I've got a rifle to finish painting!
Lost track. It's a bit cold and wet to tinker with that, at the moment, but... I should round up what I need to finish that, and figure out how to do it. It's a minor logic problem, but with a literal mechanical real world application involved. I have looked online, but most people just buy kits. And I suppose that works, but I want to work out the notions. And the kits I have seen honestly don't do what I am hoping to do. Might not be possible as I imagine it. There is only one way to hope to know though. It's just having fun and doing something a bit different. I won't paint any of my other guns. I started thinking... Once that is on, that's it. You won't ever get that paint off.
I am enjoying the chill a bit tonight. When I don't have a lot of demand, or a schedule, especially knowing that sooner or later it's going to get hot and stay that way until almost Thanksgiving, I've got to soak in every ounce of wet and cool available when it arrives. I didn't mention it, but my mother is getting too much rain. They got 8 inches yesterday, and fear more. I'll be praying for them. We got, perhaps, a half inch in this last hit. We will take what we can get I suspect. Though 8 inches would push it for almost anywhere.
If I get both sets of boots polished, and collect cleaning kit, I might get a shower in, then tend that last basket of clean clothes. Who knows. Not sure I'll get more than one pair of boots and the smoking done. I almost never know. Dependably unreliable. There is that.
Well, on to smoking and polishing. Later.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Hmm? Oh, right, you again.
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Getting to bed at 12:30, but not really falling asleep until ~13:00, at best, and with a goal of being up at 16:30? That is pushing it. A good day or two off effort to top it off, and a cool day in which to sleep, with occasional rain, maybe, to add depth to sleep? Yeah. Well, I did hear the alarm, and got up right when I heard it. Thing is, I didn't hear it until 17:30. I was supposed to have dinner there by 18:00. *scramble* No time for a shower, but I did make myself presentable. Then what? What, what, what!?! Couldn't think. Had to think. Ah, order the pizza. Call and tell them I would be late? No, call when I am returning with the pizza. After ordering the pizza I would have some time to... figure out the next steps. Simple enough, tame the hair with a brush, then find a hat, but getting dressed in there too. Then go.
I made it in time. No one had yet gone off, and there was time for all to eat. I settle right down after fomenting a plan, then began to implement it. With a plan, jumbled nerves can be handled. See, that is one of the things I am very good at. Shoot at me, and if mistakenly and we get it settled, I can then have lunch with you. It just doesn't carry over into the rest of my life. It is a moment. And, even in the moment, I merely find the best solution and abide it, then settle right down. I've seen, and personally experienced, enough trauma to know that panic doesn't help. A little shot of adrenalin just goes on to that which permanently, now, flows through my veins along with the slurry of painkillers that is permanently on tap. I can live with whatever I can survive. Mostly.
After that, and getting home, I couldn't remember what was what for today though. Had I planned to work? More importantly, can I do some work? I still don't know. I never woke up, I just acted on adrenalin and with a very limited view to life. I now must wake and figure things out. Hmm... Might get to shining my boots, both pair. And then I might find all my gun cleaning kit, gear, stuff, and get that in one place, and perhaps clean one or two of my pistols tonight, and check my other firearms over the next few days. There might be a bit of this and that as well. Most likely, however, work will be light today, and maybe tomorrow. In any case, I do want to, at least, and tomorrow, head off to the hardware store for parts, and maybe plants for the garden. I'll look for hardier variants of turnips and rutabaga that can handle light firsts frosts, in hopes of pulling some of those in this year. Then, perhaps, look at how they prep, and maybe wax, those, for winter storage.
Lord knows I try. And the Lord knows I'm just barely able, and not always perfectly. But He also seems to give me enough that if I don't quit I can get it done... if humbly and stumblingly. That's how I dance, too. :) You've heard of the dragon school of kung fu, perhaps? Maybe the mantis, tiger, snake? Bet you never heard of the drunk bear school? Well, okay, I am the sole master of that rarefied form of the art, but... now you know my technique. It's special. You don't combine it with others, as you do with weak and strong schools of the martial force. It is already a combination. Though I do know a touch of crazy like a fox and snake in the grass, when need be. Never... mind...
Hmm... but first things first. Slow the flow of adrenalin, or get the affects under control. I have to do that before I can actually wake. High flow or affect is counter to any other function in life, save doing a very limited thing and doing it solid. Then to wake, properly. Then to figure out what can go forward. Yes, a bit of backtracking, then figuring, then, maybe, doing. Wee! But it is fun. Later.
.
Getting to bed at 12:30, but not really falling asleep until ~13:00, at best, and with a goal of being up at 16:30? That is pushing it. A good day or two off effort to top it off, and a cool day in which to sleep, with occasional rain, maybe, to add depth to sleep? Yeah. Well, I did hear the alarm, and got up right when I heard it. Thing is, I didn't hear it until 17:30. I was supposed to have dinner there by 18:00. *scramble* No time for a shower, but I did make myself presentable. Then what? What, what, what!?! Couldn't think. Had to think. Ah, order the pizza. Call and tell them I would be late? No, call when I am returning with the pizza. After ordering the pizza I would have some time to... figure out the next steps. Simple enough, tame the hair with a brush, then find a hat, but getting dressed in there too. Then go.
I made it in time. No one had yet gone off, and there was time for all to eat. I settle right down after fomenting a plan, then began to implement it. With a plan, jumbled nerves can be handled. See, that is one of the things I am very good at. Shoot at me, and if mistakenly and we get it settled, I can then have lunch with you. It just doesn't carry over into the rest of my life. It is a moment. And, even in the moment, I merely find the best solution and abide it, then settle right down. I've seen, and personally experienced, enough trauma to know that panic doesn't help. A little shot of adrenalin just goes on to that which permanently, now, flows through my veins along with the slurry of painkillers that is permanently on tap. I can live with whatever I can survive. Mostly.
After that, and getting home, I couldn't remember what was what for today though. Had I planned to work? More importantly, can I do some work? I still don't know. I never woke up, I just acted on adrenalin and with a very limited view to life. I now must wake and figure things out. Hmm... Might get to shining my boots, both pair. And then I might find all my gun cleaning kit, gear, stuff, and get that in one place, and perhaps clean one or two of my pistols tonight, and check my other firearms over the next few days. There might be a bit of this and that as well. Most likely, however, work will be light today, and maybe tomorrow. In any case, I do want to, at least, and tomorrow, head off to the hardware store for parts, and maybe plants for the garden. I'll look for hardier variants of turnips and rutabaga that can handle light firsts frosts, in hopes of pulling some of those in this year. Then, perhaps, look at how they prep, and maybe wax, those, for winter storage.
Lord knows I try. And the Lord knows I'm just barely able, and not always perfectly. But He also seems to give me enough that if I don't quit I can get it done... if humbly and stumblingly. That's how I dance, too. :) You've heard of the dragon school of kung fu, perhaps? Maybe the mantis, tiger, snake? Bet you never heard of the drunk bear school? Well, okay, I am the sole master of that rarefied form of the art, but... now you know my technique. It's special. You don't combine it with others, as you do with weak and strong schools of the martial force. It is already a combination. Though I do know a touch of crazy like a fox and snake in the grass, when need be. Never... mind...
Hmm... but first things first. Slow the flow of adrenalin, or get the affects under control. I have to do that before I can actually wake. High flow or affect is counter to any other function in life, save doing a very limited thing and doing it solid. Then to wake, properly. Then to figure out what can go forward. Yes, a bit of backtracking, then figuring, then, maybe, doing. Wee! But it is fun. Later.
Didn't drop as I thought I was going to.
.
.
A bit of a rest and I started doing the last chores for the night. One thing lead to another, and I started going strong and just kept on going. A load is in the wash, the last load. Further, I dug through two baskets of clean but unfolded clothes and folded, hung, or otherwise dealt with those, while doing the other clothes. There is a still a basket being taken up by clean clothes, mostly socks that have already been paired. I just don't have it in me, at this time, to figure that out. I might do that with one of the last two loads, while I sort those. And I did wash the dishes. They are soaking in a hot rinse. After a bit of a break I will get those dried yet tonight. And, I did a bit more sorting and shuffling in the kitchen. I am not down to bare table, but I am down to stuff that simply has to be arranged. Nothing messy on the table, save a spot of spilled soda. It was mostly unread mail and grocery bags. Well, and the stuff that needs sorted. Medical supplies, testing equipment, and a bit of clean cooking ware.
The deeper I dig, it sometimes seems, the further I have yet to go. A bit at a time, and I am getting ahead. Close to almost being close. Of course, after I finish today, I am going to refocus on the faucet and other plumbing. Yeah... and a hike if I can get the boots ready and the pack checked. I will just steal a day for that when I get the chance, and then the day or two that might be required for recovery. That's the way it goes. It was sprinkling earlier, so it is probably cool. And it is about time to shut the furnace down and open up some windows. Two hours more before I will try to shut things down for the night. Hopefully I can get those few things done. As long as the wash goes into the dryer though, I am not terribly worried. Still... if I can...
Yeah, a bit of a break. Folding four loads of laundry, big loads, took my wind. Later. Oh, yes, of course, it has all been put away, too. No, go. Later or good night.
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Looks like I'll make it. All I have to do is wait for the last load to dry. It's a small load, a few shirts and underwear, but tech material so they had to be washed separately. Hey, I actually do try to do things the right way for what it is worth. The dishes were done, and some of the minor other things were completed, plus all of the laundry has been handled. I need to be up by 16:30, or so, to get a shower, then call in an order for pizza tonight. I've promised to manage dinner, since the wife is absent and everybody seems busy. Hmm... going to have to do a meal for them when the whole family is there, though, soon enough. A slow-cooked brisket, minus smoking, probably at the first of next month or thereabouts. That and coleslaw and rolls or buns of some sort, to make a sandwiches. Didn't, however, smoke the roast et. al. I'll do that this evening. Other than that, today will probably be a day of rest. Yeah, yeah, shooting, and faucets, and hardware store, and... yada, yada, yada. I'm doing what I can. Good night.
.
A bit of a rest and I started doing the last chores for the night. One thing lead to another, and I started going strong and just kept on going. A load is in the wash, the last load. Further, I dug through two baskets of clean but unfolded clothes and folded, hung, or otherwise dealt with those, while doing the other clothes. There is a still a basket being taken up by clean clothes, mostly socks that have already been paired. I just don't have it in me, at this time, to figure that out. I might do that with one of the last two loads, while I sort those. And I did wash the dishes. They are soaking in a hot rinse. After a bit of a break I will get those dried yet tonight. And, I did a bit more sorting and shuffling in the kitchen. I am not down to bare table, but I am down to stuff that simply has to be arranged. Nothing messy on the table, save a spot of spilled soda. It was mostly unread mail and grocery bags. Well, and the stuff that needs sorted. Medical supplies, testing equipment, and a bit of clean cooking ware.
The deeper I dig, it sometimes seems, the further I have yet to go. A bit at a time, and I am getting ahead. Close to almost being close. Of course, after I finish today, I am going to refocus on the faucet and other plumbing. Yeah... and a hike if I can get the boots ready and the pack checked. I will just steal a day for that when I get the chance, and then the day or two that might be required for recovery. That's the way it goes. It was sprinkling earlier, so it is probably cool. And it is about time to shut the furnace down and open up some windows. Two hours more before I will try to shut things down for the night. Hopefully I can get those few things done. As long as the wash goes into the dryer though, I am not terribly worried. Still... if I can...
Yeah, a bit of a break. Folding four loads of laundry, big loads, took my wind. Later. Oh, yes, of course, it has all been put away, too. No, go. Later or good night.
-------
Looks like I'll make it. All I have to do is wait for the last load to dry. It's a small load, a few shirts and underwear, but tech material so they had to be washed separately. Hey, I actually do try to do things the right way for what it is worth. The dishes were done, and some of the minor other things were completed, plus all of the laundry has been handled. I need to be up by 16:30, or so, to get a shower, then call in an order for pizza tonight. I've promised to manage dinner, since the wife is absent and everybody seems busy. Hmm... going to have to do a meal for them when the whole family is there, though, soon enough. A slow-cooked brisket, minus smoking, probably at the first of next month or thereabouts. That and coleslaw and rolls or buns of some sort, to make a sandwiches. Didn't, however, smoke the roast et. al. I'll do that this evening. Other than that, today will probably be a day of rest. Yeah, yeah, shooting, and faucets, and hardware store, and... yada, yada, yada. I'm doing what I can. Good night.
Slow.
.
.
I won't get to as much as I had hoped but I am doing bits and pieces. Laundry is ongoing, dishes will probably be done, a bit of straightening. And, maybe, just maybe, I will find my shoe shining kit, and find a regular place for that, and find my gun cleaning kit. Not sure how those things got so scattered, though... I have my suspicions. It could be worse. I could just be setting. A little each day, a lot on some days, a few days down. It just isn't as easy as it sounds. I haven't waken well today, even with some heat. Yeah, it could be worse.
One more load of laundry, through the system, dried and put up, and whatever else I can do in that time, and then I might even head back to bed. If that. Good night.
.
I won't get to as much as I had hoped but I am doing bits and pieces. Laundry is ongoing, dishes will probably be done, a bit of straightening. And, maybe, just maybe, I will find my shoe shining kit, and find a regular place for that, and find my gun cleaning kit. Not sure how those things got so scattered, though... I have my suspicions. It could be worse. I could just be setting. A little each day, a lot on some days, a few days down. It just isn't as easy as it sounds. I haven't waken well today, even with some heat. Yeah, it could be worse.
One more load of laundry, through the system, dried and put up, and whatever else I can do in that time, and then I might even head back to bed. If that. Good night.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Another day.
.
.
With the furnace on, and up, going down was a little difficult. I realized the problem, but the fix takes a bit longer. First I had to turn off the furnace and open up the cave. That takes a bit, with little air movement. I didn't want to use a fan, as that adds to noise clutter which would aggravate the ability to sleep. While that does work when it is so hot all else has to be sacrificed for it, it doesn't work in the medium to low level area. Never mind, just part of the system I work within. But, even after starting the home to cooling, my body then, also, has to lose it's heat. I don't know how odd of a duck I am, on some things. I simply know what works, what does not, what would be better or worse, from much trial and error. I have nothing else to do with my life, if not by choice. And given that I honestly should have expired from my health issues easily a decade ago, and just for it's own sake, that I am a bit fussy, and learned to tend that, is probably why I still live and part of how I still live.
So, I didn't get as much sleep as I may have wanted. But it was good sleep. Waking to a slightly cleaner home didn't hurt in the waking process. I am still hoping to do another day of cleaning before getting back to the faucet. Yes, I am sure you could probably do both, do some shopping, clean the car, and make three squares. I am not you. Then again, could you survive what I have survived? Could you do what I do if you had my medical conditions? Sure, good to be you. But, when you don't do much? That's choice. I don't have that option. When I do anything, that is more push than you probably use on your busiest week. When I push, and do a day of my level of work, I am pushing past death, and back into it, somehow. Like stitches of life into death, holding it all together. And, often, it hurts. Thankfully I usually don't feel that level of pain anymore.
Today? I really want to kick out those few dishes, do what laundry can be done, and just do a bit more straightening. Oh, and clean the last of the cat litter boxes. I also have the shoe polish kit to find. I'd like to find my gun cleaning kit and recent purchases, put that all together, and have it ready. Polishing my boots would be quite nice. Actually I have two pair that could use it. My dress oxfords are still in good shape. And I'd like to run through my pack in prep for my next hike. Plus, I'd like to completely clear the kitchen table with honing one of my straight razors in mind. There are many little things that will probably go into what I do today, on top of what is listed that I do end up doing. This is, for the most part, organizational. It isn't my strong area. And, yet, those are the goals. Not sure how much of it I can honestly do. As long as I get half of that completely done, and start on another portion of it, I'll be good. If I get all of it? Hiking on my next up day. I might even just go, somehow, on Wednesday. Just... go.
I did try a bit of that pork, last night, while wrapping it and putting it away. It was tasty, but I didn't really get a hit of smoke. I should have added more chips about halfway through the roasting. And, actually, I could grill it again, very low heat mostly for the smoke, and give it another half hour. I don't think the meat was overdone. I really want to learn to smoke the pork correctly. Since I am the one who has to live with it, I don't mind taking chances. Those brots cooked early, and in solid smoke, and have the flavor to show. But a roast... just must take a lot more exposure to smoke to take it in. Plus... it's a fun new experiment with food. Oh, and I forgot to put a can of fruit on the grill. I really wanted to try that. Smoked peaches, maybe pairs, or even a fruit medley. A bit of cinnamon on top, drained, and even so with just a dollop of butter. Actually, you might cook a small portion of oats, then put that in there and let it dry into a crust too. Hey, mom, look! I'm becoming a hobo! :)
A bit of music to get going. And a bit of time to wake. Then on to a new day. Later.
-------
Oh, right, medicine. It seems when I get one thing going, one thing falls. If I am not very careful, and keep on top of what must be kept up, I will fall even harder. So... medicines are going back into the lineup. It's just difficult to remember, when the medicine and I are not in close proximity for much of the day. I, sometimes, seem to need much more opportunity than the average. I'll... get on that. Oh, and as a co-author in a group I generally tend to appreciate, if not always agree, I am trying to keep up on that. I put in a recent article, for immediate publishing, and have entered a second for future publishing. I was sort of shocked at how well those two articles mesh, in a way. They may well be ignored but I don't write to be read or I would be a typical talking head. I'm a living personal talking head with little care for what the world of flesh desires or believes or demand that I believe.
I'm a trying to keep up!
.
With the furnace on, and up, going down was a little difficult. I realized the problem, but the fix takes a bit longer. First I had to turn off the furnace and open up the cave. That takes a bit, with little air movement. I didn't want to use a fan, as that adds to noise clutter which would aggravate the ability to sleep. While that does work when it is so hot all else has to be sacrificed for it, it doesn't work in the medium to low level area. Never mind, just part of the system I work within. But, even after starting the home to cooling, my body then, also, has to lose it's heat. I don't know how odd of a duck I am, on some things. I simply know what works, what does not, what would be better or worse, from much trial and error. I have nothing else to do with my life, if not by choice. And given that I honestly should have expired from my health issues easily a decade ago, and just for it's own sake, that I am a bit fussy, and learned to tend that, is probably why I still live and part of how I still live.
So, I didn't get as much sleep as I may have wanted. But it was good sleep. Waking to a slightly cleaner home didn't hurt in the waking process. I am still hoping to do another day of cleaning before getting back to the faucet. Yes, I am sure you could probably do both, do some shopping, clean the car, and make three squares. I am not you. Then again, could you survive what I have survived? Could you do what I do if you had my medical conditions? Sure, good to be you. But, when you don't do much? That's choice. I don't have that option. When I do anything, that is more push than you probably use on your busiest week. When I push, and do a day of my level of work, I am pushing past death, and back into it, somehow. Like stitches of life into death, holding it all together. And, often, it hurts. Thankfully I usually don't feel that level of pain anymore.
Today? I really want to kick out those few dishes, do what laundry can be done, and just do a bit more straightening. Oh, and clean the last of the cat litter boxes. I also have the shoe polish kit to find. I'd like to find my gun cleaning kit and recent purchases, put that all together, and have it ready. Polishing my boots would be quite nice. Actually I have two pair that could use it. My dress oxfords are still in good shape. And I'd like to run through my pack in prep for my next hike. Plus, I'd like to completely clear the kitchen table with honing one of my straight razors in mind. There are many little things that will probably go into what I do today, on top of what is listed that I do end up doing. This is, for the most part, organizational. It isn't my strong area. And, yet, those are the goals. Not sure how much of it I can honestly do. As long as I get half of that completely done, and start on another portion of it, I'll be good. If I get all of it? Hiking on my next up day. I might even just go, somehow, on Wednesday. Just... go.
I did try a bit of that pork, last night, while wrapping it and putting it away. It was tasty, but I didn't really get a hit of smoke. I should have added more chips about halfway through the roasting. And, actually, I could grill it again, very low heat mostly for the smoke, and give it another half hour. I don't think the meat was overdone. I really want to learn to smoke the pork correctly. Since I am the one who has to live with it, I don't mind taking chances. Those brots cooked early, and in solid smoke, and have the flavor to show. But a roast... just must take a lot more exposure to smoke to take it in. Plus... it's a fun new experiment with food. Oh, and I forgot to put a can of fruit on the grill. I really wanted to try that. Smoked peaches, maybe pairs, or even a fruit medley. A bit of cinnamon on top, drained, and even so with just a dollop of butter. Actually, you might cook a small portion of oats, then put that in there and let it dry into a crust too. Hey, mom, look! I'm becoming a hobo! :)
A bit of music to get going. And a bit of time to wake. Then on to a new day. Later.
-------
Oh, right, medicine. It seems when I get one thing going, one thing falls. If I am not very careful, and keep on top of what must be kept up, I will fall even harder. So... medicines are going back into the lineup. It's just difficult to remember, when the medicine and I are not in close proximity for much of the day. I, sometimes, seem to need much more opportunity than the average. I'll... get on that. Oh, and as a co-author in a group I generally tend to appreciate, if not always agree, I am trying to keep up on that. I put in a recent article, for immediate publishing, and have entered a second for future publishing. I was sort of shocked at how well those two articles mesh, in a way. They may well be ignored but I don't write to be read or I would be a typical talking head. I'm a living personal talking head with little care for what the world of flesh desires or believes or demand that I believe.
I'm a trying to keep up!
Chicken and brots, with pork roast for another meal.
.
.
I shouldn't have thawed that much meat, since it is meal days. The problem is I lost track of when it was, and even had I know, it might not have made sense. The thing is, once thawed, the choice becomes simple. Cook it or throw it. I just couldn't since I have enough on the ball to cook, to throw. When I let meat go, as hungry as I am sometimes without being able to do much about it, I absolute hate it. The chicken came out just as I like it. Very done but not jerked. Oh, yeah, you can turn chicken into jerky, or a bit too close. Then I added chips for smoke, almond this time, and put the brots and pork roast in. Those brots, smoked, are seriously good. I was right. For my tastes, pork is about the only thing I liked smoked. I suppose I could try seafood... fish, maybe shrimp? Don't know but it sounds plausible. I wouldn't mind trying duck smoked either, but done medium rare, at most.
Laundry is about ready to switch over. I doubt if I will be awake long enough to deal with what will be put in the dryer. I would like to dry that load just before fully dry, but I fear mold. I will put the dried load up, and push the other load over. Then pull the roast in, let it cool, wrap it, and put up the food I just cooked. While I loved the chicken, I have gotten to the point where I am used to doing it right and how good it tastes. But those smoked brots were truly delicious and a new flavor. The pork roast is the first roast I have smoked, so I am curious about how it comes out... not quite done yet. I am too full, however, to really mess with it, sadly. I know it won't be as good heated later. Still, I doubt if it will be all that bad either.
My home is still a terrible mess. But I did rip through some of the problems and did okay. I will reset the soapy soak for the dishes, cleaning a bit as I do that. Some things were a bit too crusty to be able to wash them this time. Oh, nothing terrible. Just stroganoff goo that dried on, and sour cream that dried a bit thick. Oh, but I will get the second kitty litter pan in and maybe clean the last one so that, by tonight, the three litter pans will all be in action by tonight.
It's a start. One more layer down, and then, I suppose, I can hit the faucet installation. Oh, but before going to the hardware store, I'll figure out what I need for the bathroom faucet. I think those flexhoses are half inch, though, so what I have should work just fine with them. Bleh... Thinking ahead, this time, for what it might end up mattering anyway. There is ALWAYS something else, at least at my level of competency. Then again, I think that is probably true even for regular plumbers. They simply carry enough various parts, and have enough experience to know which parts will work and for what. I'm learning!
Good night.
.
I shouldn't have thawed that much meat, since it is meal days. The problem is I lost track of when it was, and even had I know, it might not have made sense. The thing is, once thawed, the choice becomes simple. Cook it or throw it. I just couldn't since I have enough on the ball to cook, to throw. When I let meat go, as hungry as I am sometimes without being able to do much about it, I absolute hate it. The chicken came out just as I like it. Very done but not jerked. Oh, yeah, you can turn chicken into jerky, or a bit too close. Then I added chips for smoke, almond this time, and put the brots and pork roast in. Those brots, smoked, are seriously good. I was right. For my tastes, pork is about the only thing I liked smoked. I suppose I could try seafood... fish, maybe shrimp? Don't know but it sounds plausible. I wouldn't mind trying duck smoked either, but done medium rare, at most.
Laundry is about ready to switch over. I doubt if I will be awake long enough to deal with what will be put in the dryer. I would like to dry that load just before fully dry, but I fear mold. I will put the dried load up, and push the other load over. Then pull the roast in, let it cool, wrap it, and put up the food I just cooked. While I loved the chicken, I have gotten to the point where I am used to doing it right and how good it tastes. But those smoked brots were truly delicious and a new flavor. The pork roast is the first roast I have smoked, so I am curious about how it comes out... not quite done yet. I am too full, however, to really mess with it, sadly. I know it won't be as good heated later. Still, I doubt if it will be all that bad either.
My home is still a terrible mess. But I did rip through some of the problems and did okay. I will reset the soapy soak for the dishes, cleaning a bit as I do that. Some things were a bit too crusty to be able to wash them this time. Oh, nothing terrible. Just stroganoff goo that dried on, and sour cream that dried a bit thick. Oh, but I will get the second kitty litter pan in and maybe clean the last one so that, by tonight, the three litter pans will all be in action by tonight.
It's a start. One more layer down, and then, I suppose, I can hit the faucet installation. Oh, but before going to the hardware store, I'll figure out what I need for the bathroom faucet. I think those flexhoses are half inch, though, so what I have should work just fine with them. Bleh... Thinking ahead, this time, for what it might end up mattering anyway. There is ALWAYS something else, at least at my level of competency. Then again, I think that is probably true even for regular plumbers. They simply carry enough various parts, and have enough experience to know which parts will work and for what. I'm learning!
Good night.
Lots of work.
.
.
I thought getting the trash out, and sorting the recycling would be easy. Well, it was, in a sense. It just took longer than I expected. Really, I was just doing it, with an intent to speed, and there was some speed there. It just isn't ever as easy as it seems. Well, and I am fussing with cat litter in the mix, and there have been little side projects that pop up. Still, I got out what I could. It does seem to be a recycling day. I didn't see those bins out last night, but perhaps people take those out in the morning. Odd, as they come really early. Then again, I suppose, if some processing goes on with that for folks, and they go to work earlier, then maybe that just works better for them. Dunno, but I didn't see them last night. All of it is out waiting.
I lost track of the laundry. I'll pull the whites and transfer what is in the washer over to dry, but I think that is about it for laundry today. Efficient? Maybe. But it takes an hour, sometimes closer to two, by the machine time. And the machine time is off by a pretty goodly sum. I must guess it doesn't count soak cycles in the timing. Poorly engineered. I am simply not sure I have two hours in me, plus dealing with what comes out of the dryer. Yeah, maybe not to town today, definitely not this morning. Which is fine. At least I got a serious chunk of mess handled last night, and a load of laundry done with another to be tended from the dryer. I even found my boots, if not the shoe shine kit... I'll try to find that before I sleep. A simple enough chore for this evening. Though, if I wake in time, and then wake enough, I might still be able to get to the hardware store. I really want the parts. I don't even know if the replacement part is what was needed, or more, all that was needed, and whether it works.
I am loving this. I thought I was going into a crash cycle. Figuring out that I just needed a little heat fixed things pretty well. I am still a bit winded from having gone down like that, but I will get my wind back before long, then get to working a few days and having down days when needed. If I can just work three or four days a week, even just three to four hours a day, and be a bit more active with the little things on the off days, I can really make an improvement in my life, home, and world. It will definitely lead to me getting out more often. Simply for supplies.
Hmm? Oh, food! I do want to cook that, so I might as well throw another load of laundry in. I have the few dishes to do in a hot soak, and might kick those out. Literally, few. Two dishes and a handful of silverware. Yeah, a meal right as I am going down for the day will settle me right into sleep. Nothing like an anchor to find the bottom, and a steady state. Chicken, pork, or brots though? Probably a piece of chicken and a brought. I might even smoke some veggies, or maybe try the canned fruit! That really is easy and very tasty, for what it is. Open can, drain, perhaps rinse if you are particular, then set in with whatever is getting the smoke. I won't be smoking the chicken, just the pork and brots. Yum!
Later.
.
I thought getting the trash out, and sorting the recycling would be easy. Well, it was, in a sense. It just took longer than I expected. Really, I was just doing it, with an intent to speed, and there was some speed there. It just isn't ever as easy as it seems. Well, and I am fussing with cat litter in the mix, and there have been little side projects that pop up. Still, I got out what I could. It does seem to be a recycling day. I didn't see those bins out last night, but perhaps people take those out in the morning. Odd, as they come really early. Then again, I suppose, if some processing goes on with that for folks, and they go to work earlier, then maybe that just works better for them. Dunno, but I didn't see them last night. All of it is out waiting.
I lost track of the laundry. I'll pull the whites and transfer what is in the washer over to dry, but I think that is about it for laundry today. Efficient? Maybe. But it takes an hour, sometimes closer to two, by the machine time. And the machine time is off by a pretty goodly sum. I must guess it doesn't count soak cycles in the timing. Poorly engineered. I am simply not sure I have two hours in me, plus dealing with what comes out of the dryer. Yeah, maybe not to town today, definitely not this morning. Which is fine. At least I got a serious chunk of mess handled last night, and a load of laundry done with another to be tended from the dryer. I even found my boots, if not the shoe shine kit... I'll try to find that before I sleep. A simple enough chore for this evening. Though, if I wake in time, and then wake enough, I might still be able to get to the hardware store. I really want the parts. I don't even know if the replacement part is what was needed, or more, all that was needed, and whether it works.
I am loving this. I thought I was going into a crash cycle. Figuring out that I just needed a little heat fixed things pretty well. I am still a bit winded from having gone down like that, but I will get my wind back before long, then get to working a few days and having down days when needed. If I can just work three or four days a week, even just three to four hours a day, and be a bit more active with the little things on the off days, I can really make an improvement in my life, home, and world. It will definitely lead to me getting out more often. Simply for supplies.
Hmm? Oh, food! I do want to cook that, so I might as well throw another load of laundry in. I have the few dishes to do in a hot soak, and might kick those out. Literally, few. Two dishes and a handful of silverware. Yeah, a meal right as I am going down for the day will settle me right into sleep. Nothing like an anchor to find the bottom, and a steady state. Chicken, pork, or brots though? Probably a piece of chicken and a brought. I might even smoke some veggies, or maybe try the canned fruit! That really is easy and very tasty, for what it is. Open can, drain, perhaps rinse if you are particular, then set in with whatever is getting the smoke. I won't be smoking the chicken, just the pork and brots. Yum!
Later.
Everything listed, plus.
.
.
As I am doing things through the night, I will be cleaning out the litter pans. If I can keep up on them, stir, remove, add, through time, they don't need cleaned down to the pan often. When I don't, they need... a whole process. As is, they need to be processed, scrubbed, and reset. I can only, really, do one pan at a time though. Now, I did scrape the barnacles from all, and scraped around the dry to soak up wet spots. I then emptied one of them and have it soaking outside. Oh, and I found one of my coolers, from the trip, with... stuff still in it. Not good stuff. So, I emptied that into the first trash bag I took out, then set it to soak. Outside as well. I'll probably need to bleach it. I did bleach clean the other, must have just... become distracted then just assumed it was clean. Oops.
It doesn't look like recycling is going out today. I may set it up as if it was going out anyway, and might even take a trip to the post office. Checking mail, of course, but snooping about recycling while I am at it. Two bags went out right off, and one more is needed. Of trash. Recycling will take probably the bag there, and one more. No problem, even if it isn't recycling, as I actually have a lot of room in that bin. It's just that cardboard boxes were put in without being broken down. Empty space. So, that can wait if need be.
A load has been set. There were whites in the dryer, so I set that for a quick spin and set the first load for the washer. My boots were in a bag, so I brought those out. The bag was open, thankfully, so they don't smell awful. They do need some shining though. I believe, through the night, I will be cooking while I am tinkering with some other things. Just pieces and bits, as I can. The only thing for sure is that the trash has to go out. The rest will go forward as possible. Probably not hiking tomorrow though. But if I can get my boots tended, I will be ready in a few days, I hope. I still hope to check my hiking bag, just to have that ready as well. Boots, bags, some straightening, then a hike to a yurt.
Oh, but tomorrow, regardless, I am hoping to make it to the hardware store and dig through components until I can find what I need. Not sure anything is open until 10:00, so that will be a bit rough... Or were they open at 8:00? I'll check. If they don't have what I need, I'll try to plumbing supply store. Though they don't seem to have all that much themselves. They might have that, or other things, I am looking for. A list! I need to figure out what I need and mark it down before heading out.
As to replacing the main shut-off valve? When I get to that, I think I will have to cut one side of the pipe out, then wrench the pipe and the valve, from their separate ends. Of course, I am going to try to fix the valve before then. A couple of tools and several parts, packing, and plumbers wax, will be needed to even try that, first, though. All good. I'm getting there, more so with a little heat.
Oh, and, as I look at the list of things I am in the process of doing, the things on the middle term list, and the things on the long list? GAH! *grins* Seriously though. Oh, yeah, but you know I am loving it. Looking back at the list of accomplishments, it seems short. But many of those things were much less probable than these things. Mostly. Yeah. Later.
.
As I am doing things through the night, I will be cleaning out the litter pans. If I can keep up on them, stir, remove, add, through time, they don't need cleaned down to the pan often. When I don't, they need... a whole process. As is, they need to be processed, scrubbed, and reset. I can only, really, do one pan at a time though. Now, I did scrape the barnacles from all, and scraped around the dry to soak up wet spots. I then emptied one of them and have it soaking outside. Oh, and I found one of my coolers, from the trip, with... stuff still in it. Not good stuff. So, I emptied that into the first trash bag I took out, then set it to soak. Outside as well. I'll probably need to bleach it. I did bleach clean the other, must have just... become distracted then just assumed it was clean. Oops.
It doesn't look like recycling is going out today. I may set it up as if it was going out anyway, and might even take a trip to the post office. Checking mail, of course, but snooping about recycling while I am at it. Two bags went out right off, and one more is needed. Of trash. Recycling will take probably the bag there, and one more. No problem, even if it isn't recycling, as I actually have a lot of room in that bin. It's just that cardboard boxes were put in without being broken down. Empty space. So, that can wait if need be.
A load has been set. There were whites in the dryer, so I set that for a quick spin and set the first load for the washer. My boots were in a bag, so I brought those out. The bag was open, thankfully, so they don't smell awful. They do need some shining though. I believe, through the night, I will be cooking while I am tinkering with some other things. Just pieces and bits, as I can. The only thing for sure is that the trash has to go out. The rest will go forward as possible. Probably not hiking tomorrow though. But if I can get my boots tended, I will be ready in a few days, I hope. I still hope to check my hiking bag, just to have that ready as well. Boots, bags, some straightening, then a hike to a yurt.
Oh, but tomorrow, regardless, I am hoping to make it to the hardware store and dig through components until I can find what I need. Not sure anything is open until 10:00, so that will be a bit rough... Or were they open at 8:00? I'll check. If they don't have what I need, I'll try to plumbing supply store. Though they don't seem to have all that much themselves. They might have that, or other things, I am looking for. A list! I need to figure out what I need and mark it down before heading out.
As to replacing the main shut-off valve? When I get to that, I think I will have to cut one side of the pipe out, then wrench the pipe and the valve, from their separate ends. Of course, I am going to try to fix the valve before then. A couple of tools and several parts, packing, and plumbers wax, will be needed to even try that, first, though. All good. I'm getting there, more so with a little heat.
Oh, and, as I look at the list of things I am in the process of doing, the things on the middle term list, and the things on the long list? GAH! *grins* Seriously though. Oh, yeah, but you know I am loving it. Looking back at the list of accomplishments, it seems short. But many of those things were much less probable than these things. Mostly. Yeah. Later.
Oh I will get to it.
.
.
Heat is helping. I tried to cut it just a bit, but that did not work out. I didn't crash completely, I simply couldn't get going either. Comfortable, but I have some work I want to finish tonight. At least I was able to realize the problem and fix it, in real time. That, for me, is snazzy. I'll take that. A bit of laundry, then to begin getting trash out and seeing if it is recycling is tonight... Usually, looking up and the down the street will let me know. Though I need a more powerful flashlight than the one I have on me. After that, I want to get my boots cleaned, shined, and waterproofed. I am not sure why they bother putting breathable materials in leather boots. I don't have that, but I've seen them. Then again, they use gortex and such with waterproof jackets, so... Maybe. I just think it's a bit off with leather goods, unless it is engineered with more than what it seems. Some people will buy anything though, and demand "the best" in spite of it being impossible that it could work as it is simply thought.
-------
Yeah, I have been looking and thinking a great deal about gear, prep, and such. So many things sold simply will not work well. I recently saw a kit, with two backpacks of medium grade, a smaller pack with wheels, a very inexpensive tent, and some food and maybe water pouches or purification pills and canteens. Now, for a very short run, assuming weather is somewhat reasonable, some of it would suffice to get a short distance on foot. Assuming the users can handle walking fifty, maybe a hundred miles. Something like that is purchased to make everyone feel like they are safe. It is a false hope and a waste of money.
What do I recommend to folks who really think they might end up hoofing it? Start right now, but very simply. Buy a pair of real hiking boots for everyone in the family. Then, find trails to hike and use them. Day hikes, a few hours on the trail, once or twice a week, to start. Learn to keep everyone together. Learn who has more of a problem with that and see what can be do about it. And make sure the boots work. Over time, hike greater distances, make it an half day, then full day hikes. Learn to carry loads, and how best to distribute the loads. Take enough to eat two or three times in the day, figure out what gear works for rain gear, and slowly buy and try kit for cooking, heating, rest sheltering, and learn how to deal with weather. Over time, finish gearing up for hikes that are of several days, including tents, other gear for sheltered sleeping, and learning all four seasons. Become a family hiking troupe. That won't come in a $700-$800 dollar package, and it won't be delivered tomorrow. So it goes with most of what they are selling to preppers. Thankfully, not all preppers are either stuck trying to buy survival and are doing what it will take.
Oh, I hope the worst I have to deal with is minor inconvenience from an earthquake, or even, somehow, a flood that damages power lines or such. A bit of food, some gear, an interest in preserving life as is possible, and prayer. But worst come to worst, and that odor is in the air as a possibility, I don't want to have over spent on gear that simply will not work. I don't want to be ignorant about the equipment I have. I don't want items that really aren't correct, or can't be applied. And I am hoping others really think before spending that dime, but that the thinking process doesn't hinder them. Yeah, I know, in even a solid, semi-permanent grid down, life will become brutal. Even if roving bands of vandals, thieves, and worse don't show up. Simply keeping up on water, figuring out food and just how... different... stored food is from what we are used to eating. Finding fat after the stores, and growing food, will be most of a human life.
-------
We live in very easy times. I won't admit I don't appreciate it. Not out here, but in many places, food is a phone call and 10 to 30 minutes away. I can order everything from a printer to a hammer to a metal lathe, and have it delivered to my door, assuming I have the correct numbers in the account I use. While, for me, in my condition, being single, food is a bit of a trick... it isn't bad when I am even barely going. I can at least cook meat. I'm even seeing how to do vegetables, and I'm thinking smoked canned fruit, with a touch of cinnamon, might not be bad either. Life is easy.
I have heard some suggest that gold is worth this, and the dollar is worth that, suggesting that the dollar has declined. And it has. But something that is often missing from that whole equation is a man's wages. And, of course, with women working, the labor market has exploded without a sustainable explosion in work opportunity and with a decrease in children being born. Which, on top of it all, is seriously impacting wages. And yet, compared to what my grandfather earned, and could spend, and had, I am still coming out on top. I don't have to ride a horse to town, or hook up the buggy if the wife insists on going. I don't live on what I produce, some small share of it. Kings, for all the ages of men, have never known even this declining level of luxury that we know. The poorest among us do not have to travel for entertainment, they don't have to suffer the heat of the season, or cold. Other than actual addicts, and there is no saving for that, none in this country ever needs to go hungry. Not even in the world, save war and greed for money and power at the local levels.
Yeah, it is sustainable. There are just powers that be that wish there to be only two types, the rich and powerful and the rest. For them, as the rich and powerful, it works better. Some of them think there are too many people. Others think there is too much pollution. How easy it is for people with wealth and power to lose faith. If all of the people lived in one city, depending on the density of the city, it would be a rather small area of the world. Well, and governments are not based in faith, and the further the people who run it get from Christianity, the less trust that things will work out it gets. I actually don't blame the wealthy, or powerful, I blame the faithless. Those who believe only in flesh can only believe in death. And, that is, whether they know or like it, they will lead the world. It just so happens that the wealthy and powerful tend to have no faith. An odd example was that, when studying doctors, they found that atheist doctors were much more inclined to terminate a patient than to keep working on them. Which is odd, if you think about it. If someone believes that death is the end, wouldn't they want to try to prevent that end? Only if they thought keeping someone else alive would benefit them. And, without faith, they don't believe that. Odd how that works out.
-------
Oh, I best get some laundry going, pull my boots out for a shine and remember to look for polish and such before too long, maybe get dishes together and begin bagging up what needs to go. Then a bit of a sit and a consideration of what is left to do. Later.
.
Heat is helping. I tried to cut it just a bit, but that did not work out. I didn't crash completely, I simply couldn't get going either. Comfortable, but I have some work I want to finish tonight. At least I was able to realize the problem and fix it, in real time. That, for me, is snazzy. I'll take that. A bit of laundry, then to begin getting trash out and seeing if it is recycling is tonight... Usually, looking up and the down the street will let me know. Though I need a more powerful flashlight than the one I have on me. After that, I want to get my boots cleaned, shined, and waterproofed. I am not sure why they bother putting breathable materials in leather boots. I don't have that, but I've seen them. Then again, they use gortex and such with waterproof jackets, so... Maybe. I just think it's a bit off with leather goods, unless it is engineered with more than what it seems. Some people will buy anything though, and demand "the best" in spite of it being impossible that it could work as it is simply thought.
-------
Yeah, I have been looking and thinking a great deal about gear, prep, and such. So many things sold simply will not work well. I recently saw a kit, with two backpacks of medium grade, a smaller pack with wheels, a very inexpensive tent, and some food and maybe water pouches or purification pills and canteens. Now, for a very short run, assuming weather is somewhat reasonable, some of it would suffice to get a short distance on foot. Assuming the users can handle walking fifty, maybe a hundred miles. Something like that is purchased to make everyone feel like they are safe. It is a false hope and a waste of money.
What do I recommend to folks who really think they might end up hoofing it? Start right now, but very simply. Buy a pair of real hiking boots for everyone in the family. Then, find trails to hike and use them. Day hikes, a few hours on the trail, once or twice a week, to start. Learn to keep everyone together. Learn who has more of a problem with that and see what can be do about it. And make sure the boots work. Over time, hike greater distances, make it an half day, then full day hikes. Learn to carry loads, and how best to distribute the loads. Take enough to eat two or three times in the day, figure out what gear works for rain gear, and slowly buy and try kit for cooking, heating, rest sheltering, and learn how to deal with weather. Over time, finish gearing up for hikes that are of several days, including tents, other gear for sheltered sleeping, and learning all four seasons. Become a family hiking troupe. That won't come in a $700-$800 dollar package, and it won't be delivered tomorrow. So it goes with most of what they are selling to preppers. Thankfully, not all preppers are either stuck trying to buy survival and are doing what it will take.
Oh, I hope the worst I have to deal with is minor inconvenience from an earthquake, or even, somehow, a flood that damages power lines or such. A bit of food, some gear, an interest in preserving life as is possible, and prayer. But worst come to worst, and that odor is in the air as a possibility, I don't want to have over spent on gear that simply will not work. I don't want to be ignorant about the equipment I have. I don't want items that really aren't correct, or can't be applied. And I am hoping others really think before spending that dime, but that the thinking process doesn't hinder them. Yeah, I know, in even a solid, semi-permanent grid down, life will become brutal. Even if roving bands of vandals, thieves, and worse don't show up. Simply keeping up on water, figuring out food and just how... different... stored food is from what we are used to eating. Finding fat after the stores, and growing food, will be most of a human life.
-------
We live in very easy times. I won't admit I don't appreciate it. Not out here, but in many places, food is a phone call and 10 to 30 minutes away. I can order everything from a printer to a hammer to a metal lathe, and have it delivered to my door, assuming I have the correct numbers in the account I use. While, for me, in my condition, being single, food is a bit of a trick... it isn't bad when I am even barely going. I can at least cook meat. I'm even seeing how to do vegetables, and I'm thinking smoked canned fruit, with a touch of cinnamon, might not be bad either. Life is easy.
I have heard some suggest that gold is worth this, and the dollar is worth that, suggesting that the dollar has declined. And it has. But something that is often missing from that whole equation is a man's wages. And, of course, with women working, the labor market has exploded without a sustainable explosion in work opportunity and with a decrease in children being born. Which, on top of it all, is seriously impacting wages. And yet, compared to what my grandfather earned, and could spend, and had, I am still coming out on top. I don't have to ride a horse to town, or hook up the buggy if the wife insists on going. I don't live on what I produce, some small share of it. Kings, for all the ages of men, have never known even this declining level of luxury that we know. The poorest among us do not have to travel for entertainment, they don't have to suffer the heat of the season, or cold. Other than actual addicts, and there is no saving for that, none in this country ever needs to go hungry. Not even in the world, save war and greed for money and power at the local levels.
Yeah, it is sustainable. There are just powers that be that wish there to be only two types, the rich and powerful and the rest. For them, as the rich and powerful, it works better. Some of them think there are too many people. Others think there is too much pollution. How easy it is for people with wealth and power to lose faith. If all of the people lived in one city, depending on the density of the city, it would be a rather small area of the world. Well, and governments are not based in faith, and the further the people who run it get from Christianity, the less trust that things will work out it gets. I actually don't blame the wealthy, or powerful, I blame the faithless. Those who believe only in flesh can only believe in death. And, that is, whether they know or like it, they will lead the world. It just so happens that the wealthy and powerful tend to have no faith. An odd example was that, when studying doctors, they found that atheist doctors were much more inclined to terminate a patient than to keep working on them. Which is odd, if you think about it. If someone believes that death is the end, wouldn't they want to try to prevent that end? Only if they thought keeping someone else alive would benefit them. And, without faith, they don't believe that. Odd how that works out.
-------
Oh, I best get some laundry going, pull my boots out for a shine and remember to look for polish and such before too long, maybe get dishes together and begin bagging up what needs to go. Then a bit of a sit and a consideration of what is left to do. Later.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
A love once asked...
.
.
The local and limited notion of the question related to a more simple thing. A humble game I play. I aim to play the game in a certain way, and have personal goals that go well beyond the requirements of the game, and might even counter winning. As a fact, sometimes, if doing it my specific way, I might do something that makes winning less likely, or impossible. And yet I persist. I will, if I see it in time, choose the path to a win, even if it is ugly. It is a preference, a goal, not the end sum of it. Now, my ability to play this game, even so, was well beyond her abilities. Her question was on this subject and the very nature of my play.
Why, she asked, do you play this way? You could win even more often if you just purely went for the win. But the question, I knew if she didn't, not fully, had little to do with the game. The question was related to how I live and how I choose other than just the win. Not cheating in college when that would have been child's play for me, possibly even allowed and encouraged by some, to fill a role, not having multiple lovers when that would have been easy, not taking the easy path for someone like me. Someone who could, through tongue and charms and wit, get away with even murder. She didn't understand why someone who could go all the way and just coast on fictions, chose the real, the hard work, a depth of understanding beyond the simple requirements even if there was a price to pay, and was coming to morality rather than immorality. Why?
My answer was very simple. Because I can.
She went into a state of shock at my answer. She wanted to argue. She wanted to debate. She wanted to set it aside, or even ask for the "real answer". I saw her lean in as if to say something, several times. I saw her lips quiver in preparation, and recant before a word was uttered. Perhaps I even heard a word dying at it's birth in her mouth. But the way I said it, and looking into her eyes with just a touch of love, and how I was positioned and my body language... all of it told her that this was my final answer. Anything else would trivialize the surety and fullness of it. So, after a few moments of utter blankness, then a few seconds of confusion with a consideration at asking more, she went on her way to... do something else. Anything else.
In some ways, I do believe she understood, after days of consideration. In some ways she could not and never will. Her feminism ended with that one question and answer. Much had built up to it. Much came after it. But she knew, at that point, that she would never be a man, would never be equal in will or intent or surety. Even when a man is wrong, he is strong enough to be just that. But when he is right, he is powerful. Never perfect, but with a will to it, a man is a totally different thing than women or beasts. That he is the son, and not the daughter, of God, becomes plain and potent. And, for the first time in our relationship, she knew that she loved me.
And, as I play the game to this day, I still do. Because I can.
.
The local and limited notion of the question related to a more simple thing. A humble game I play. I aim to play the game in a certain way, and have personal goals that go well beyond the requirements of the game, and might even counter winning. As a fact, sometimes, if doing it my specific way, I might do something that makes winning less likely, or impossible. And yet I persist. I will, if I see it in time, choose the path to a win, even if it is ugly. It is a preference, a goal, not the end sum of it. Now, my ability to play this game, even so, was well beyond her abilities. Her question was on this subject and the very nature of my play.
Why, she asked, do you play this way? You could win even more often if you just purely went for the win. But the question, I knew if she didn't, not fully, had little to do with the game. The question was related to how I live and how I choose other than just the win. Not cheating in college when that would have been child's play for me, possibly even allowed and encouraged by some, to fill a role, not having multiple lovers when that would have been easy, not taking the easy path for someone like me. Someone who could, through tongue and charms and wit, get away with even murder. She didn't understand why someone who could go all the way and just coast on fictions, chose the real, the hard work, a depth of understanding beyond the simple requirements even if there was a price to pay, and was coming to morality rather than immorality. Why?
My answer was very simple. Because I can.
She went into a state of shock at my answer. She wanted to argue. She wanted to debate. She wanted to set it aside, or even ask for the "real answer". I saw her lean in as if to say something, several times. I saw her lips quiver in preparation, and recant before a word was uttered. Perhaps I even heard a word dying at it's birth in her mouth. But the way I said it, and looking into her eyes with just a touch of love, and how I was positioned and my body language... all of it told her that this was my final answer. Anything else would trivialize the surety and fullness of it. So, after a few moments of utter blankness, then a few seconds of confusion with a consideration at asking more, she went on her way to... do something else. Anything else.
In some ways, I do believe she understood, after days of consideration. In some ways she could not and never will. Her feminism ended with that one question and answer. Much had built up to it. Much came after it. But she knew, at that point, that she would never be a man, would never be equal in will or intent or surety. Even when a man is wrong, he is strong enough to be just that. But when he is right, he is powerful. Never perfect, but with a will to it, a man is a totally different thing than women or beasts. That he is the son, and not the daughter, of God, becomes plain and potent. And, for the first time in our relationship, she knew that she loved me.
And, as I play the game to this day, I still do. Because I can.
Yes, a better sleep.
.
.
Having thawed during the day yesterday, and been slightly more active, sleep was much better. Oh, and a dream, of matrimony. And the first night. Just a dream, but not a bad thing to have once in a while. Waking was pretty easy, at just a bit more than seven hours. Not the idea, but... there are reasons. And, yes, I set the alarm. A shower, first thing. And it was needed. Soap and shampoo, shampoo and soap, scrubbing and laughing, enjoying the spray. The heart of a child comes out sometimes. A bath would be even better for it, but... rings.
The goal is, today, to get the trash collected and out. Recycling too, if that is the deal. Whatever won't go today has to be ready for next week. I think I can get it all out, but... uhrm... well... And, while I am clearing, some straightening and laundry. Nothing else. It is nice to wake to just a bit of warmth. I can see, outside, that it is a cool one and will remain so for a while.
Well, okay, there is one other thing. I want to go through my pack tonight, and make sure it is ready. Then I need to tend my hiking boots and get those ready. Tomorrow I will go to town, find the parts I need, probably a galvanized stepdown and another size of full thread galvanized plug. It's a matter of finding the right sizes. I just hope they make them, or have them anyway. If I can get out early enough, I will make a run for the yurt. Don't know if I will make it, or can, but... I'm tired of being cave-bound. Up, yuk, and taway! I could go without the pack, but it honestly doesn't make that much of a difference.
Yeah, so what I do today has to be done gently, in shifts, if I want any kind of a chance at getting out. Further, I am hoping I can push through and put the faucet together enough to test it, and back in place if it is functioning correctly. To be tested once it is back in place, of course. Ugh. Then a couple days of rest, before getting my friend out shooting towards the end of the week. And myself. Love to shoot, if it can be a bit spendy.
Well... Funny what a tadge of the right stuff, the needed stuff, can do. Later.
.
Having thawed during the day yesterday, and been slightly more active, sleep was much better. Oh, and a dream, of matrimony. And the first night. Just a dream, but not a bad thing to have once in a while. Waking was pretty easy, at just a bit more than seven hours. Not the idea, but... there are reasons. And, yes, I set the alarm. A shower, first thing. And it was needed. Soap and shampoo, shampoo and soap, scrubbing and laughing, enjoying the spray. The heart of a child comes out sometimes. A bath would be even better for it, but... rings.
The goal is, today, to get the trash collected and out. Recycling too, if that is the deal. Whatever won't go today has to be ready for next week. I think I can get it all out, but... uhrm... well... And, while I am clearing, some straightening and laundry. Nothing else. It is nice to wake to just a bit of warmth. I can see, outside, that it is a cool one and will remain so for a while.
Well, okay, there is one other thing. I want to go through my pack tonight, and make sure it is ready. Then I need to tend my hiking boots and get those ready. Tomorrow I will go to town, find the parts I need, probably a galvanized stepdown and another size of full thread galvanized plug. It's a matter of finding the right sizes. I just hope they make them, or have them anyway. If I can get out early enough, I will make a run for the yurt. Don't know if I will make it, or can, but... I'm tired of being cave-bound. Up, yuk, and taway! I could go without the pack, but it honestly doesn't make that much of a difference.
Yeah, so what I do today has to be done gently, in shifts, if I want any kind of a chance at getting out. Further, I am hoping I can push through and put the faucet together enough to test it, and back in place if it is functioning correctly. To be tested once it is back in place, of course. Ugh. Then a couple days of rest, before getting my friend out shooting towards the end of the week. And myself. Love to shoot, if it can be a bit spendy.
Well... Funny what a tadge of the right stuff, the needed stuff, can do. Later.
A little warmth.
.
.
Yes, that did help. I almost thought it might allow me to retake the day today. Not quite, but I can see where I will get back on my feet with the furnace kicking in. I do feel a good deal better. I just turned the heat up enough to just barely feel it. It amazes me how these things can sneak up on me. I simply am not aware enough, especially while pushing, or trying to push, a number of things through. When I get tired, and something like this comes through, surfacing through it is nigh on impossible. I'm doing good to notice it.
At least, as downtimes go, it has been pleasant. Blogging has continued. I didn't hide from the world in that way. And research has been going on a bit. I called my mother this morning. It was almost 7:00 there, so I was sure she would be awake. I almost waited. She is almost always up by 6:00, sometimes earlier. Her and my brother are morning people. I woke her! Well, as often as she has called me in the middle of my sleep cycle I shouldn't feel bad. But I do. I'm a bit jealous of people who can sleep right, but not begrudgingly jealous. Then again she believed she was going to curl back into bed and sleep in properly. Until some other intruder calls, I suppose. I'm pulling for her to sleep until 9:00. It's a rare gem for her.
The girls have been fed. I had hoped to stay up, so wanted to feed them and then carry on with the day. This will disturb my normal feed cycle, meaning odd cans or an extra feeding, both of which annoy my sensibilities. Too late to do much about it now.
I also went looking for reasonable new games. I used to be able to pick up a game every couple of weeks, most of them worth at least one playthrough. Not so much anymore. I am into stealth, fps, and some rpg. There are a few that have several elements and are extremely enjoyable. Mass Effect, X-Com, and a few others sort of... are either tops or sort of, to me, bend the genres. Not always perfectly. Even after messing with Mass Effect 2, removing it, reinstalling, wiping everything and trying again... It keeps sticking about 2/3rds the way through the hardest difficulty, preventing me from getting all of the trophies... and finishing the game at that level. So I haven't even moved on to Mass Effect 3. There is no reason to if their games don't work. I love it, but the frustration isn't worth the effort when it's merely a tech glitch they should have fixed by now. Oh, but some game types I stay well clear. Multiplayer games, of any type, are avoided like the plague. They all end up discouraging solo play, and one is forced to play with inferior players, or drudge out what enjoyment can be had solo. Too many quitters, babies, and mama's boys. Well, and troublemakers who seem to mean to get people killed. A few games a year, now, seem mildly interesting. Just avoiding political correctness and liberal hack notions is half of finding a decent game. I'm not interested in being preached the secular religion, or any other really, when playing. It's almost as bad as Hollybad.
Hmm... feeling better. I might be able to sleep a little better. Sleep was becoming as difficult as wake time. I do need the cold to sleep, but if I have been cold, and inactive, all day, sleep becomes problematic. A good evening, and a good sleep, might really get me ready to do something this evening.
Good... day, and night.
.
Yes, that did help. I almost thought it might allow me to retake the day today. Not quite, but I can see where I will get back on my feet with the furnace kicking in. I do feel a good deal better. I just turned the heat up enough to just barely feel it. It amazes me how these things can sneak up on me. I simply am not aware enough, especially while pushing, or trying to push, a number of things through. When I get tired, and something like this comes through, surfacing through it is nigh on impossible. I'm doing good to notice it.
At least, as downtimes go, it has been pleasant. Blogging has continued. I didn't hide from the world in that way. And research has been going on a bit. I called my mother this morning. It was almost 7:00 there, so I was sure she would be awake. I almost waited. She is almost always up by 6:00, sometimes earlier. Her and my brother are morning people. I woke her! Well, as often as she has called me in the middle of my sleep cycle I shouldn't feel bad. But I do. I'm a bit jealous of people who can sleep right, but not begrudgingly jealous. Then again she believed she was going to curl back into bed and sleep in properly. Until some other intruder calls, I suppose. I'm pulling for her to sleep until 9:00. It's a rare gem for her.
The girls have been fed. I had hoped to stay up, so wanted to feed them and then carry on with the day. This will disturb my normal feed cycle, meaning odd cans or an extra feeding, both of which annoy my sensibilities. Too late to do much about it now.
I also went looking for reasonable new games. I used to be able to pick up a game every couple of weeks, most of them worth at least one playthrough. Not so much anymore. I am into stealth, fps, and some rpg. There are a few that have several elements and are extremely enjoyable. Mass Effect, X-Com, and a few others sort of... are either tops or sort of, to me, bend the genres. Not always perfectly. Even after messing with Mass Effect 2, removing it, reinstalling, wiping everything and trying again... It keeps sticking about 2/3rds the way through the hardest difficulty, preventing me from getting all of the trophies... and finishing the game at that level. So I haven't even moved on to Mass Effect 3. There is no reason to if their games don't work. I love it, but the frustration isn't worth the effort when it's merely a tech glitch they should have fixed by now. Oh, but some game types I stay well clear. Multiplayer games, of any type, are avoided like the plague. They all end up discouraging solo play, and one is forced to play with inferior players, or drudge out what enjoyment can be had solo. Too many quitters, babies, and mama's boys. Well, and troublemakers who seem to mean to get people killed. A few games a year, now, seem mildly interesting. Just avoiding political correctness and liberal hack notions is half of finding a decent game. I'm not interested in being preached the secular religion, or any other really, when playing. It's almost as bad as Hollybad.
Hmm... feeling better. I might be able to sleep a little better. Sleep was becoming as difficult as wake time. I do need the cold to sleep, but if I have been cold, and inactive, all day, sleep becomes problematic. A good evening, and a good sleep, might really get me ready to do something this evening.
Good... day, and night.
Cold?
.
.
Oddly, it seems rather cool, on into chilly. Checking local temps, it is showing 48F as the low. Yesterday and more so today, it seems actually chilly. It is supposed to dip, the next few days, down into the low 40's for lows with a high dipping to 62 in a few days, from 78 today. All good. I suppose my body just got used to 80's, perhaps 90's, so this is chilly. Hmm, yeah, I'll close the windows and maybe put just a touch of heat into the cave. It is actually a very good thing. Last year seemed to be freezing, well into where it should have changed. Then when it changed, it went to mid 90's and above and stayed there. I do like a bit of change in there. That might be what has been taking me down a bit, too. The cool sort of crept up on me. It's probably right in the mid60's in here, which is fine if you aren't walking around dressed for summer... or ogre lounging in the summer.
Not getting to anything. I am thawing out meats. A few things to cook so I don't have to go more than a day or two without food. Hmm... dinners will be coming in tomorrow. Still, it's nice to eat more than one meal a day. Chicken, the other pork roast, and brots. That really does work well. I still need practice with the grill. The chicken I do just about right every time I have tried. The last roast was a bit too done, and wasn't smoked. Brots? I don't know, I may try those with smoke this time. Cook the chicken first, as I don't want it smoked, then do the brots with the pork shoulder. I can always put a potato in, for a warming, near the end of the cooking. Curious what smoke will do to it. Yes, I suppose, I should find something other than potatoes. Rutabaga, turnup, possibly even squash or pumpkin might make for a dandy side. Hmm... and, right at the very tale end, I could see putting a few leaves of kale or even fresh spinach leaves over the roast, let the moisture it catches cook it? And, of course, asparagus grills just as nicely as it cooks any other way. Gah! Now I am hungry!
Yeah, close up shop, turn on the heat, play games for a bit, and see if that won't be enough to get me going. I would certainly like to straight up, in here, even just a bit. Some sort of start that might make it easier to dig in more fully tomorrow. Seeing progress can act like the pull-cord on a small gas engine. B-zz, b-zz, buh zzzzzzzzzz! There is not guarantee, only better and worse odds. Those I can influence, no more.
I've been definitely off kilter. Medicines have been haphazard, personal care has taken a hit, food has been random and almost accidental. I haven't quite dropped it all, or all of it at once. I just haven't been doing as well as could be hoped, definitely not as wanted. I'll keep working at working at it. I don't think it is quite time to quit, take a month off, and let it all roll on. And I am hoping to avoid that. I have work I want, can, and should do... probably. Yes, some heat, another cup of coffee, and some gaming...
Later.
.
Oddly, it seems rather cool, on into chilly. Checking local temps, it is showing 48F as the low. Yesterday and more so today, it seems actually chilly. It is supposed to dip, the next few days, down into the low 40's for lows with a high dipping to 62 in a few days, from 78 today. All good. I suppose my body just got used to 80's, perhaps 90's, so this is chilly. Hmm, yeah, I'll close the windows and maybe put just a touch of heat into the cave. It is actually a very good thing. Last year seemed to be freezing, well into where it should have changed. Then when it changed, it went to mid 90's and above and stayed there. I do like a bit of change in there. That might be what has been taking me down a bit, too. The cool sort of crept up on me. It's probably right in the mid60's in here, which is fine if you aren't walking around dressed for summer... or ogre lounging in the summer.
Not getting to anything. I am thawing out meats. A few things to cook so I don't have to go more than a day or two without food. Hmm... dinners will be coming in tomorrow. Still, it's nice to eat more than one meal a day. Chicken, the other pork roast, and brots. That really does work well. I still need practice with the grill. The chicken I do just about right every time I have tried. The last roast was a bit too done, and wasn't smoked. Brots? I don't know, I may try those with smoke this time. Cook the chicken first, as I don't want it smoked, then do the brots with the pork shoulder. I can always put a potato in, for a warming, near the end of the cooking. Curious what smoke will do to it. Yes, I suppose, I should find something other than potatoes. Rutabaga, turnup, possibly even squash or pumpkin might make for a dandy side. Hmm... and, right at the very tale end, I could see putting a few leaves of kale or even fresh spinach leaves over the roast, let the moisture it catches cook it? And, of course, asparagus grills just as nicely as it cooks any other way. Gah! Now I am hungry!
Yeah, close up shop, turn on the heat, play games for a bit, and see if that won't be enough to get me going. I would certainly like to straight up, in here, even just a bit. Some sort of start that might make it easier to dig in more fully tomorrow. Seeing progress can act like the pull-cord on a small gas engine. B-zz, b-zz, buh zzzzzzzzzz! There is not guarantee, only better and worse odds. Those I can influence, no more.
I've been definitely off kilter. Medicines have been haphazard, personal care has taken a hit, food has been random and almost accidental. I haven't quite dropped it all, or all of it at once. I just haven't been doing as well as could be hoped, definitely not as wanted. I'll keep working at working at it. I don't think it is quite time to quit, take a month off, and let it all roll on. And I am hoping to avoid that. I have work I want, can, and should do... probably. Yes, some heat, another cup of coffee, and some gaming...
Later.
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