Friday, May 30, 2003

Apology, take 2

There were no responses to my apology all day yesterday, though it had been viewed many times. Perhaps no one will respond. At least I have done what I need to do. Though I do still feel I owe K an apology.

My contact over on D's board told me that MCC is no longer a mod there. I checked and sure thing... Don't know why or what that means. I think a lot of communication goes on in other ways. Interestingly enough, after MCC had me blocked on AIM the last few days, she reappeared today. I didn't message her, and she didn't message me.

Thursday, May 29, 2003

Apology

Well, I apologized to A yesterday. She'll probably either ignore me or say something semi-conciliatory. At least I've done what God told me to do, and while the chance of furfilling His purpose for me remains, I must follow.

Also found out yesterday that bus fares will be raised. The BART Plus pass, the way I get to work, will definitely be taken away. As will the 31-day pass, to be replaced by a 15-day pass that costs more. A quick crunch of the numbers shows that this will probably cost me around $35 more per month than I currently pay, and I already pay $56! How am I supposed to afford that?! :( Also, the 58 line that I take every day will be discontinued and replaced by the 61, which will only run out to the airport every 30 minutes, even during peak times. These are just the changes that effect me. The actual reach of these changes is far more. It will all go into effect in December. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from AC Transit. :-p

Wednesday, May 28, 2003

A Very Bad Day

Well, Tuesday was A Very Bad Day. Not only was I catching it from both sides - both enemy fire and friendly fire - but everything went wrong. First, I didn't have time for coffee. Then I left my bus ticket in another pair of pants and had to go back for it after I was already at the bus stop. But it didn't matter because the bus had broken down and the next one did show up. However, due to this, I was late to my appointment. Just as I was getting to work, I stepped in some gum on the street, and stopped in a driveway to scrape it off, a driveway that a car soon wanted in so I had to move to continue the process.

AND it was incredibly hot, and the heat just made everything more miserable.

I know I have to apologize to Ana. I don't want to, but God says I have to, so I will. I didn't do it today because I needed time to think and pray and not just rush into an answer. I know I'm screwed up, so already asked God if I can start over. I took a trust He gave me and used and abused it. It was a gift, and I used it wrong. God, can we please start over? :(...

Tuesday, May 27, 2003

The Measure of A (Wo)Man

Can't stay on long. It's 12:30 a.m. and I still need to have dinner and get to bed.

K took my suggestions about requirements for mods in the future and how we shouldn't use new believers in that role. Still she says Missy and MCC had come to her asking to do something, so we will need to find some role for them.

MCC took her name off all the folders and asked K if she should still be a mod and that K could take away her mods if she felt it was the right thing to do. K did, so now MCC is no longer a mod. If she can pull herself together, and get her life sorted out, then we will welcome her back. I wish Rose could mod again. It was very good to have a very levelheaded practicing Pagan on staff.

Sunday, May 25, 2003

The Hands of the Potter

I saw the second movie on video last night. This one made me less uncomfortable and had more fantastic things than the first one. How can anyone say this is Witchcraft?

It was also quite scary (do little children freak out?) and a nail-biter. As with the first movie, someone who you trust turns out to be thoroughly evil. Can't wait for the third installment, though I don't know how "dark" I can handle before I balk. I like entertainment, not being scared.

I liked it better than the first one. To bring more continuity from film to film (and book to book), perhaps Rowling should have spent more time developing Jenny Weasley's character in the first book, since she plays a much bigger role in the second one. Also, introduce "Moaning Myrtle" in the first book. It would make her inclusion as a major character in the second book a bit more personal.

The filming was great. Awesome special effects. I especially loved it when the Chamber of Secrets opened. That was such an awesome scene.

Thursday, May 22, 2003

Two more for the bathroom...

Two women have moved into the middle and back rooms this week. I'm terrible with names, but there's now three of us sharing the bathroom up here. :-p Not too happy about that, but oh well. I really need to get my own place, just me and my cats.

Wednesday, May 21, 2003

The Betta Version

Yesterday I bought a Betta fish at a pet store. I thought it might entertain the babies. That it's done. It's a beautiful purple male Betta that I've decided to name Frodo. The little aquarium it came in has a lid with vents, and looked sturdy enough that it might not tip over.

But I was wrong about the tipping over. Last night I placed it on the windowsill by my bed, and Xena manged to tip it over, spilling about half the water all over my bed. It was only 6 a.m., so I placed the fish in the bathroom, wrapped myself in my comforter, and went back to sleep.

Monday, May 19, 2003

Bay To Breakers, take 3

And here's the
pictures of the race
, all ready to view. I threw this together fast. I may make minor changes.

Bay To Breakers, take 2

Well, I completed the course in about 1:54 yesterday. Official time (because it takes time to get across the start line) was 1:58. The extra weight I have, and the desire to take pictures to post here, slowed me down. I didn't push myself very hard, and just run-walked most of the course.

I'm very sore. I'll feel better tomorrow. I slept about 14 hours last night, getting lots of sleep to recover.

Sunday, May 18, 2003

Bay To Breakers

Ever since I first saw the race on TV the year Mom and I moved to California, I wanted to run in it. Once again, for about the 10th time, I am. My shoulders are tight - that will significantly slow me down. :( Time to see the chiropractor again. I'll tell about the race here later. Currently, it's only 5:30 a.m. and I'm just getting ready for it (8 a.m. start in downtown San Francisco). The race/fun run/walk goes from the downtown (near the bay) out to the Great Highway (near where the ocean waves break). It's 12k - 7.49 miles.

Wish me luck everyone!

Friday, May 16, 2003

Salt and Pepper and Weirdos

This has happened twice in the last two days now, and I've decided I mustorder some pepper spray.

Wednesday night I was waiting for my bus at the Eastmont Transit Center. It's well lit, near a police station, there's always people around - it should be a safe place, even at 11:30 at night.

Well, some psychotic black guy came up to me, saying something about "white women," and lightly bapped me on the head with his fist. He talked the whole time, so I couldn't say anything if I wanted. He departed daring me to call the cops. I just sat there - he was clearly delusional and in need to psychiatric help.

He came back several minutes later, and this time I was ready. I pulled out the latest Left Behind book, Armageddon - the only book I had that was hardcover - and when he came up to me, I threatened him with the book. He threatened to beat me up if I hit him, but he backed off and walked away so that wasn't necessary.

I ordered the pepper spray online the following day (Thursday).

When I got to the transit center Thursday night, I was approached by a Puerto Rican guy (he told me he was) who was clearly quite drunk. He kept saying what sounded like "salam," and at first I thought it might be a Muslim greeting, so I told him I wasn't Muslim. I still have no idea what he meant, but as time went on it was clear that it wasn't Arabic and he wasn't Muslim.

It will be nice to get some pepper spray to protect me from these weirdos.

Monday, May 12, 2003

Pagan Acquaintances

If this happens one more time I swear I will go crazy. Although I do believe that yesterday's incident will be the last.

Yes, I ran into yet ANOTHER old Pagan acquaintance. The Bay Area must be smaller than it seems. I forget the lady's name now. I ran into her on the Muni bus in SF. I know her from the days I was involved with CUUPs at the UU church. Back then we called our group P.I.G. - the Pagan Interest Group. Today, however, she told me that some people had protested the use of a pig as a symbol. Honestly, it never bothered me. I thought it was cute. We had a little sign outside the room we met it with a little pink pig on it. She said they are now called the Pagan Interest Circle.

I gave her my business card, and since she was staring at my shirt (why do I always run into these people when wearing my D t-shirt?), I scribbled the Web addy for the main site on the back. She invited me to a ritual next Saturday, but could tell from the way I smiled and the business card that I wasn't interested. I thanked her for asking anyway.

Depending on how you look at it, this is the third or fourth incident since just before Easter:

Dale at the Episcopal church
Lezlie on e-mail
Artemesia on the AC Transit bus
the UU lady on the Muni bus

Friday, May 09, 2003

God's Gifts

Spiritual gifts test: http://www.elmertowns.com/spiritual_gifts_test/

Your Spiritual Gifts

Gift Measure of Spiritual Gift Score


prophet
79
helper
75
exhorter
68
giver
66
mercy shower
50
administrator
50
teacher
43
shepherd
35
evangelist
26

Your highest gift
PROPHET: That special ability to see the influence of evil as did the Old Testament prophets and warn God¹s people of its damage. The prophet has a deep passion to defend God¹s reputation, stand for issues. She uses negative motivation, i.e., "thus saith the Lord ..." (I Cor. 12:10,28; Eph. 4:11-15; Rom. 12:6).

Saturday, May 03, 2003

Re-birth-day

From an e-mail to a friend:

Hi Charles,

Just wanted to be able to share with you that today is my seventh [spiritual] birthday! :) Can you believe it? It doesn't seem like seven years since that Friday night on the phone with you.

For some reason, seven years seems like more of a milestone than five. I don't know, Charles - words are so inadaquate to try to recapture that day. I only know that everything changed for me that night.

I guess I don't have words. Just thank you for your sacrifices for me, and celebrate this day with me. :)

Friday, May 02, 2003

More on INDirectTV, take 3

Well, no sooner do I post that than Lou pounces on me about the remainder of the rent, which I do owe, and would have been happy to write him a check right then and there. But no. He needs cash because checks take time to clear. He wants to take me to the bank tomorrow to withdraw the money. I didn't try to explain the Sabbath concept and how I don't like to handle money and so forth because I know he wouldn't understand. He doesn't have the Holy Spirit and, like most intellectuals, thinks he knows more about the Bible and Jesus than any conservative. No, he wouldn't understand and would probably blame me for not getting him the cash earlier. Lord, forgive me for having to handle money tomorrow. Please get me OUT of this situation and into a better one, a studio apartment, a nice one that I like and will accept my cats, and where the owner will accept a CHECK each month.

And oh yeah, if I pay by check, he wants the money on the 15th from now on, so that it can clear by the 20th so he can pay all his back bills. L-O-S-E-R! [screams and runs away]

More on INDirectTV

Well, the fix-it guy showed up and found the cause - the cable had been unscrewed and disconnected. He told me confidentially that it was deliberate. Lou's cable was loose. Lou called them about charging me for it and they said no charge, I was still under warrentee. (Finally, the guy does something useful!) The tech said whoever had installed it had done a lousy job and it needs a lot more work. Anyway, that's the quicky update.

More on INDirectTV

X-Satellite got back to me yesterday and told me I was not under warentee anymore. (Dish warentees only last a month.) The DirectTV technician was supposed to be here between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. At about 10:30 he called to say he was going to be late. He'd be here around 1 p.m. Ok, cool. I can deal with that. At about 12:30, I got a call from a woman at DirectTV saying that now the tech would be here at 3! I complained, as I have better things to do than sit around all day waiting for a tech to show up when he feels like it. I told her to have the tech come by at 4 so I can run some errands and make it back. So now I have to jam out of here. :-p

Yet another reason NOT to get DirectTV. If I could do it over, I'd go with Dish Network or regular cable. Please, take this seriously, do NOT NOT NOT get DirectTV!