God Inc. Episode Four

The latest episode of God, Inc. is up. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Taf3KI09WFM&eurl=

In other news, PhillieFan is now three hours late. I love contractors. Also, the mailman left me a nastygram because the pathway isn't shoveled when IF HE USED THE ONE COMING FROM THE DRIVEWAY IT WOULD BE. I hope he slips and falls. Just not, you know, on MY property.

I Hate Icestorms

Well, IronMom finally called at 7:00 on Friday night to say she couldn't make it to Karate, so I spent a wild Friday night watching my Scrubs DVDs. Am I a party animal or WHAT?

Saturday was really very quiet. I hung around the house in case PhillieFan showed up, which he never did. I only left to make a quick run to the dump. Saturday night was spent at Momtook's house for a birthday dinner for Geritol and VeggieBro-in-Law.

Sunday I spoke with Mr. Partridge about my legal issue with my house. He used to be on the Zoning Board so he was able to give me some actual names to contact. (As opposed to my two UNANSWERED letters addressed simply to the Zoning Board.) The rest of the day was pretty much watching the playoffs. The Bears won, which, boo, because now New Orleans will have to face them, but the Pats won so yay.

And this morning what started off as a picturesque snowfall turned into a nasty icestorm. (Which was REALLY fun driving to the drugstore in.) Hopefully it will be over and the roads cleared before Karate tonight. Other than that it's work, work work. Boy do I miss getting MLK Day off.

YAY! FRIDAY!

Well, PhillieFan showed up...8:30 instead of 7:30, but I was still happy. The drywall cracks are really coming around. PhillieFan also said he'll be back tomorrow if Kermit the Kontractor sends him to Lake Placid. (I guess they're working four different job sites right now.)

Work was crazybusy - I'm in the middle of an insane audit. At least it made the day pass quickly, even though I didn't tie up as many loose ends before the weekend as I was hoping to.

It hit 34 today, so I went for a run. Did 5K in 32:22, which isn't bad considering it's been too cold to run since Monday and Karate's been low-key, cardio-wise.

Also got a call from Dr. Z. He made it out of the wilderness and "cheated death once again" as he likes to say. He's started heading home in the pouring rain.

Other than that, it's finishing up work and waiting to hear from IronMom as to whether she's going to Karate tonight or not.

Same Old, Same Old

It's been a very quiet week, with everything kind of in limbo. However, one of the "limbo" items finally had some movement when one of Kermit the Kontractor's guys, PhillieFan, came over to do more work on the drywall cracks after no one had showed up since BlueEyes made a brief appearance last Wednesday. Hopefully he'll be back tomorrow morning as he promised. I know this is how contractors work but it's STILL annoying as hell.

In other limbo news, there were a bunch of children's promotions at Karate last night, but I'm still at green belt. However, Sensei looked at my kata and said it was much better than the first time he saw it. Hopefully that means I'll finally get my blue belt promotion soon. Although I usually don't care about rank, every time I put on that green belt now I'm reminded about how I screwed up my test, so I just want to be able to put it all behind me.

Also, I got a postcard from Dr. Z, Marcus and FNG today. (My backpacking buddies from the Colorado trip.) It was a very nice surprise. Man do I wish I was canoeing down the Buffalo with them.

Best Show Ever

God Inc.

The "episodes" are 5-6 minute clips on YouTube, but they are BRILLIANT. There's three so far:

Episode 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2f4heaG288&NR

Episode 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySqceK4SUi0&NR

Episode 3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gx_EYv8JYI&eurl=

Go. Watch.

Back...Again

Well, I'm back again, this time with a New Year's resolution to post at least weekly.

It's been a fairly quiet week. Kermit the Kontractor sent one of his guys to fix the drywall cracks on the second floor. (It's from shrinkage (...hee) as the drywall and plaster dry out.) He's been in and out all week, but didn't come by yesterday, but that's how contractors roll. Of course, Kermit STILL hasn't found someone to fix the damn tub. It's only been over 2 and a half months now. Gah!

Doctor Z is leaving for his annual canoe trip, so no Karate class tonight. I was going to ask IronMom if she was planning to be there (since she's the only other one who ever shows up), but she wasn't in class yesterday. Oh well.

Tomorrow's supposed to be a washout (like today), but Sunday looks 40 and sunny. I sent an e-mail to JewishMother to see if she wanted to go hiking. I really hope she says yes.

Almost Friday

Not much went on today. There was road construction all day long (how unusual...not) that made the house shake but that's about it. Looks like they're getting ready to pave the first five or so meters of everyone's driveway. Since mine is gravel you'll get no complaints from me. It was loud though. I will be so happy to never hear heavy equipment or power tools again.

The weather was absolutely beautiful - 50's and sunny, which is hella unusual for this time of year. Perhaps it's compensation for the sucktacular summer and fall we had. I went for a short walk during lunch, which was lovely.

Well, not much else going on. So far I've made it through two nights on call without being paged. I had insomnia last night so I'm praying to make it three.

WOOHOO!!!

Let's see. Yesterday I was nearly in tears because

1.) I was SO stressed out about work

2.) I found a whole bunch of new what-had-BETTER-be settling cracks upstairs, causing me to spend hours on the web attempting to find more information and frantically looking up inspectors because I was freaked out about structural issues.

Well today I'm STILL worried that my house may be doing more than just settling, but:

1.) Work is now under control. Busy, but under control.

2.) DEMOCRATS in the HIZZOUSE!!!

• House is now under Democrat majority.
• Senate is tied.
• Governorships is now under Democrat majority.
• Rumsfield is GONE.

It is a Good Day.

Monday Already?

Didn't get to post on Friday due to having to actually, you know, work. I went to a fundraiser for the local humane society. It wasn't one of those super-fancy fundraisers - pretty casual. It was a lot of fun except for the "concert" which featured local college kids, some of whom needed more, erm, practice.

Saturday was pretty much a lazy day. Dr. Z and I watched a bunch of "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" episodes back to back. (P & P is a very bizarre but most excellent show that lasted on Nickelodeon for three seasons back in the early Nineties.)

Sunday I went out to Plattsburgh with MomTook and FINALLY bought a new television to replace my broken one that's had a horribly blurry, sometimes hourglass-shaped picture for TWO YEARS. This means I get to make my First Trip Ever to the dump to get rid of the old television.

So now it's Monday again. Sigh. Nothing much new foreseen for today - work, Karate training and Monday Night Football with Dr. Z. An average Monday.

She's Baaaaack

Well after being gone for nearly seven months I've decided to dust off the ole' blog and at least attempt the occasional entry or two. To keep it short, since April I've:

• Bought my first house
• Moved five hours away
• Bought my first car
• Learned how to drive
• Took up canoeing and started paddling competitively
• Went on my first backpacking trip - five days in the Colorado Rockies
• Received a promotion
• Took up Shorin Ryu Karate and gotten to green belt
• Attended my sister's wedding

Suffice it to say, I've been FREAKING BUSY here, people.

Whew.

LiveBlog of Scrubs

This one's for Jay...

8:33: Church choir...hee. Cox's "spiritual" dancing...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

8:35: Baby Dominoes - Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!

8:36: Constant pages...ouch. That's hitting a bit TOO close to home.

8:39: "Inflatable five!" Oh how I love The Todd.

8:41: "Maniac" in barbershop quartet with Ted pouring water down himself? Brilliant.

8:45: Love the Wizard of Oz, although "thanks" for getting "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" stuck in my head.

8:47: "And where do we meet up in heaven?"
"BY THE MILKSHAKE POOL ON THE LESBIAN CLOUD!!!"
"I love religion."
Best exchange ever.

8:49: "DEAD PEOPLE SHOULD BE DEAD!!!!" HAHAHAHAHA!!!

8:55: Okay, can someone get the tissues? God DAMN I hate this show sometimes! And...wow does "Ted" have a great voice.

Closer to Success...

I just found out that my offer on the house I want has been unofficially accepted, which is great news. My realtor and the contractor (it's a new build) are just hashing out contract details. I should be in escrow within 24 hours. I am SO psyched! I found out the flooring allowance - I've chosen light bamboo for the first floor and will go with beige-ish carpeting (still needs to be picked out) upstairs. The benefits of buying a house while it's still being built. I also found out that the countertops will be tile. It's more work, but I really do prefer the look.

In driving news, I had my third lesson today. Hill stops and main roads were the lessons of the day. I'm FINALLY at the point where although I'm still not a great or even good driver, I'd feel comfortable getting behind the wheel and practicing by myself.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be calling a lawyer and house inspector.

Notes from a Greyhound

Dear Big Black and Canadian:

Your phone is in fact NOT surgicially attached to your ear. You do not need to talk on it for five hours straight. Shut that shit off before I ram your cellphone so far down your throat that your doctorcan use its camera for your next colonoscopy.

Thanks,
The girl across from you who keeps giving dirty looks


Dear Travelling Suit:

This may be difficult to believe, but your precious luggage doesn't get its own seat on a full bus. If you really want it to ride in comfort I'll be happy to stow you in cargo.

Thanks,
A light packer


Dear Headache:

I'm so glad you returned. After all, I hadn't seen you since yesterday and really missed you. I assume Big, Black and Canadian invited you. Good thing I have no Advil on me.

Go away,
Pip


Dear Girl in Front of Me:

Thanks so much for getting on your cellphone as well. Now I have annoying phone conversations in stereo sound.

Shut up,
Pip


Dear Lead-in-the-Ass:

While we're all relieved that you are obviously concerned about your passengers's safety as evidenced by your refusal to go over -40 mph, we'd also all like to get back to Boston sometime before the next ice age. Please pick up the damn pace, especially since the highway is deserted. And no, the eighty-year-olds passing us do not count as "traffic."

Thanks,
A better driver than you.


Dear Cellphone Part Three:

Ah, I had forgotten: stereo sound is so Eighties. Thanks for correcting my oversight and giving me Cellphone Assholes's latest in full surround sound.

Not!
Me.

Quiet Weekend

Didn't do much over the weekend except take a ton of Dayquil and Nyquil, watch television and pray for death. I had to cancel on both StarWarsGeek Friday night and SevenofColorado last night.

I'm feeling better today, although probably won't be attempting Tae Kwon Do tonight. (Which is fine anyway because the cats will stage a coup if I don't go to the grocery store and buy more cat food before supper.)

Didn't Mean To Disappear

...but it's been a crazy month. Thanks to a huge project I was working 65-hour weeks while being on-call AND getting back into Tae Kwon Do by going six hours a week. The result?

I've managed to give myself the kind of flu where even after taking Nyquil and Dayquil for 24 hours my temperature is 99.3 degrees.

Better than the 101.4 it was, I suppose.

My Mom Rules

E-mail that showed up in my Inbox this morning after U2'a sweep of the Grammys:

--------

Hee hee -
Just wanted to congratulate you on all the awards your rock group took at the Grammy's last night. Be sure to let Bono know we're all very impressed!

Love MOM

--------

I love my mother.

Also: My appointment with the Famed Podiatrist that UsedCarSalesman recommended is this afternoon, so hopefully he can figure out what the hell is going on with my foot and I can get on the road to recovery. Stay tuned!

BlogSpot Hates Apple

This is my first post from my new iMac, and I have NO formatting options nor do I have the "Edit HTML" tab.

WHY must you hate Safari?

For SHAME, Blogspot!

How Life Is

Jay asked an excellent question: "So, other than your foot and your ass, how's life?"

The problem is that even when I AM healthly, my life is pretty damn boring. Now that I pretty much spend all day and night in my apartment, it's even moreso. It's funny - I never appreciated until now what a huge part of my life Tae Kwon Do really is. Of course, when I'm healthy I do spend about 15 hours a week there.

So...how's life? Outside of either setting up, waiting for, or going to doctors' appointments (which would fall under the "foot" category), pretty much it's just work, television and the occasional dinner with SevenofColorado or StarWarsGeek. In other words, fine, but dull.

Another Techie Question

I still haven't dealt with the last techie question (getting digital feed to work for my DVD audio), but have another one:

How can I get my damn PC to play nice on my Mac Airport router with WEP enabled? Right now I'm wide open, which scares the HELL out of me, even with setting the unit power to 50%. If I had my own house, it wouldn't be a big deal but I live in a large apartment complex. I can only get it to work without WEP.

HELP!

Happy February!

Although I don't usually quote Garfield, he was right in that "February is the Monday of months."

Not much new here. Most of this week has been spent waiting for my podiatrist appointment on Friday. The anti-inflammatory (basically prescription-strength Aleve) he prescribed doesn't seem to be doing much. Maybe now he'll actually, I don't know, RUN SOME TESTS. It's frustrating - I've had six different doctors either scratch their head or throw a prescription at me , which would be fine IF THEY WORKED. At this point, I'll be happy to at least start definitively ruling shit out. (Like the ARTHRITIS you SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH WITH before telling me to come back a WEEK AND A HALF LATER. Like, nice TO BE CONTINUED, DOCTOR, but I don't want a part in your heart-stopping SERIAL.)

I'm going to tell him, "Look, I realize you can't fix this until you know what it is, so let's get with the diagnosing, okay? Tests, biopsies, scans...bring it on. PLEASE." And if he gives me a referral to a rhuematologist like he was hinting at last time, I'm going to force him to run at least some basic RA and gout tests before I waste my time waiting for ANOTHER specialist to be able to fit me in his schedule.

My toes don't hurt, just look bad, but I seem to have a huge pain in my ASS. *grins*