This year was characterized by, as mentioned above, an end to my honeymoon with EW. Now the grit work begins. I moved twice this year, first from Quigley to Harrison, where I stayed only 6 months (what a terrible situation!), then from Harrison to E. 23rd St. This is my first apartment all to myself, and it's quite a nice place. The cats are fine and, as always, cute.
The Challenger was replayed this year when the shuttle (forget the name right now) exploded when reentering the atmosphere. The war in Iraq, the subsequent protests, Bob Hope and John Ritter dying...so much happened.
God bless this country, and protect us.
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Resolved...
1) I resolve not to argue with a certain unnamed person anymore.
2) I resolve to pray and read my Bible more by
3) Doing the daily reading in the devotional booklet from RBC and taking my prayer journal on the bus with me. (I spend 3+ hours getting to and from work everyday.)
2) I resolve to pray and read my Bible more by
3) Doing the daily reading in the devotional booklet from RBC and taking my prayer journal on the bus with me. (I spend 3+ hours getting to and from work everyday.)
Thursday, December 25, 2003
Excuse Me While I Scream, take 2
The water was back on this morning when I got up.
Found out more info. today. There was still lots of activity in and around the apartment. The owner arrived as I was getting ready to leave so I asked him what happened and he said the apartment had flooded and said something about a burst pipe.
I feel bad for whoever lived in that apartment. And on Christmas, too.
Found out more info. today. There was still lots of activity in and around the apartment. The owner arrived as I was getting ready to leave so I asked him what happened and he said the apartment had flooded and said something about a burst pipe.
I feel bad for whoever lived in that apartment. And on Christmas, too.
Excuse Me While I Scream
So a firetruck pulls up outside sometime after 1 a.m. I think it's odd, but don't worry much about it - until the water is turned off. I grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator so I can brush my teeth and wash my hands, and hear strange sounds as I pass near the front door, so I go outside. The fire dapartment is in one of the apartments downstairs (2nd floor, which is the 1st floor with apartments in this building). An ironing board and table are sitting outside. The men appear to be mopping up water out of one of the apartments and I overhear a conversation between a fireman and the building manager that the water will have to stay off and a plumber will have to be called (on Christmas Day!).
This is not what I needed. My period just started (no wonder I've been crabby lately). Gar! Life sucks and I hate Christmas. :(
This is not what I needed. My period just started (no wonder I've been crabby lately). Gar! Life sucks and I hate Christmas. :(
Ah, Life
Came home from work Christmas Eve in somewhat of a bad mood and turned on the kitchen light. It came on briefly, then blew out. So there I was, precariously balancing on a chair, trying to change the bulb. Blech.
Brad and I are planning to have a Christmas dinner at work later today. I bought some Martinellis and cherry pie and will bring wine glasses and utensils. He is bringing the lamb, potatoes, and salad. Hopefully Christmas won't be a complete loss.
Opened some presents tonight. The person who "Vickitimized" me sent me body wash, body splash, and body lotion, all "Warm Vanilla Sugar" flavor. Mom and Bill sent me a kitten calendar, and Ellie sent the cats some "Kitty Kaviar" fish flakes that Xena thought were okay and Abby totally ignored. I'll open the rest of the prezzies tomorrow.
Merry Christmas everyone. Hope yours is a good one.
Brad and I are planning to have a Christmas dinner at work later today. I bought some Martinellis and cherry pie and will bring wine glasses and utensils. He is bringing the lamb, potatoes, and salad. Hopefully Christmas won't be a complete loss.
Opened some presents tonight. The person who "Vickitimized" me sent me body wash, body splash, and body lotion, all "Warm Vanilla Sugar" flavor. Mom and Bill sent me a kitten calendar, and Ellie sent the cats some "Kitty Kaviar" fish flakes that Xena thought were okay and Abby totally ignored. I'll open the rest of the prezzies tomorrow.
Merry Christmas everyone. Hope yours is a good one.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Which Christmas Carol Are You?
You are 'Silent Night'! You really enjoy Christmas, and you like your Christmases conventional. For you, Christmas is about family and traditions, and you rather enjoy the rituals of going to church at midnight and turning off the lights before flaming the plum pudding. Although you find Christmas shopping frustrating, you like the excitement of wrapping and hiding presents, and opening a single door on the Advent Calendar each day. You like the traditional carols, and probably teach the children to sing along to them. More than anyone else, you will probably actually have a merry Christmas.
What Christmas Carol are you?
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Sunday, December 21, 2003
Rants
Rant #1
The bus schedule changed today. It's AC Transit's Christmas present to its patrons and employees. Lines have been cut, and service cut back. The 58 line no longer runs, and the 50 and 62 only go until midnight.
Which means that when Tony is even a few minutes late (more on that further down) I can't get home. Period. On a good night that he's late I might be able to get as far as Fruitvale BART, but from there I am on my own.
I had to take a completely different route today to get to work (COMPLETELY different), and was looking forward to taking the same route all the way home so I could learn it each way.
No such luck.
Rant #2
Tony is late yet AGAIN. His mom called to say he had run out of gas and she was going out to rescue him. In my years of working here Tony rates right up with Maurice in lack of ability to get to work on time. I am only thankful I only have to deal with him one day a week. There is always something happening. Today I have had it. I am going to keep a log of when he is late, why, and how late he is. Then when I go to my supervisor I will have something to show him. It wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the busses, but it IS a problem and I have talked to Tony many times on the absolute necessity for me that he be here on time. The guy just doesn't GET it.
I can't the day shift. There is only one position, and someone with more seniority already has it. I could go to the overnight shift, something I refuse to do. I shouldn't have to change MY schedule because one of my co-workers is too irresponsible to get his butt here on time.
It took me 2 HOURS to get to work today and *I* was on time. Early even. (The 2 hours to get to work is courtesy of the new schedule.)
The bus schedule changed today. It's AC Transit's Christmas present to its patrons and employees. Lines have been cut, and service cut back. The 58 line no longer runs, and the 50 and 62 only go until midnight.
Which means that when Tony is even a few minutes late (more on that further down) I can't get home. Period. On a good night that he's late I might be able to get as far as Fruitvale BART, but from there I am on my own.
I had to take a completely different route today to get to work (COMPLETELY different), and was looking forward to taking the same route all the way home so I could learn it each way.
No such luck.
Rant #2
Tony is late yet AGAIN. His mom called to say he had run out of gas and she was going out to rescue him. In my years of working here Tony rates right up with Maurice in lack of ability to get to work on time. I am only thankful I only have to deal with him one day a week. There is always something happening. Today I have had it. I am going to keep a log of when he is late, why, and how late he is. Then when I go to my supervisor I will have something to show him. It wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the busses, but it IS a problem and I have talked to Tony many times on the absolute necessity for me that he be here on time. The guy just doesn't GET it.
I can't the day shift. There is only one position, and someone with more seniority already has it. I could go to the overnight shift, something I refuse to do. I shouldn't have to change MY schedule because one of my co-workers is too irresponsible to get his butt here on time.
It took me 2 HOURS to get to work today and *I* was on time. Early even. (The 2 hours to get to work is courtesy of the new schedule.)
Thursday, December 18, 2003
More On Lord of the Rings
Saw the movie twice now. I think the third one is the best. As I stated, I saw the minight showing Tuesday night; at that time I bought a ticket for the 3:45 p.m. matinee on Wednesday. I caught a bunch of stuff the second time around that I missed the first time which was cool.
There were 3 people I saw dressed up, all women - one lady in a Lothlorian cloak with the leaf-shaped clasp, one little girl in female Elven garb, and one lady dressed as someone from the Shire might.
There were 2 or 3 people I talked to who were at the midnight showing and also came back the next day, so I don't have to feel so weird.
Got myself a big bucket of popcorn for "lunch" and a small cup for water to avoid having to miss anything by having to use the bathroom. In the theater those drinks will go right through you.
There were 3 people I saw dressed up, all women - one lady in a Lothlorian cloak with the leaf-shaped clasp, one little girl in female Elven garb, and one lady dressed as someone from the Shire might.
There were 2 or 3 people I talked to who were at the midnight showing and also came back the next day, so I don't have to feel so weird.
Got myself a big bucket of popcorn for "lunch" and a small cup for water to avoid having to miss anything by having to use the bathroom. In the theater those drinks will go right through you.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Spoiler Alert! (Lord of the Rings)
The midnight showing went GREAT! I haven't seen people so excited about a movie since Star Wars came back to the big screen 20 years after it was first released.
The ending was a bit studdered and not at all done well. The constant fake endings that would then fade back in - well, people in the theater were laughing because no one knew when the end was. Pretty closely following the movie except at the detruction of the Ring. The book is very clear that Frodo failed, Gollum grabbed the Ring, and accidentally falls over the edge of the chasm. In the movie, Frodo fights with Gollum after he gets the Ring, and in the fight, they both go over the edge, except Frodo manages to hang onto the cliff and Sam rescues him.
This has to be THE stupidest change of all! And all to redeem Frodo a bit, or make the Ring's destruction more interesting to viewers. (Later note: One person mentioned, and they may have a point, that Frodo's fighting with Gollum was to get the Ring back, not to destroy it, but to keep it for himself. The Ring did have a very powerful hold on them both by that point.)
I think that Frodo's failure in his quest, and the Ring being destroyed anyway, is very important.
As in the past, a reading of the books will give one an idea of what is going on on the screen. Much of the names in the dialogue, and a few props, will make no sense unless one has read the books: ex: King Elessar, and the swords that glowed blue when orcs were around.
Another big change was Gollum turning Frodo against Sam and leaving Sam behind. There was no need to add it and it only detracted from the purity of the book.
The Scouring of the Shire was completely cut, as was any mention of Saruman's death, or Gandalf taking his power away.
I was in tears at the very end when Frodo and Bilbo and Gandalf sailed away to the Grey Havens. It's hard to cry quietly in a movie, lol.
I think what gives LotR its beauty is precisely because it doesn't have a "and they lived happily ever after" ending. I was still crying when the movie ended.
I have to leave soon to go see it again. Last night I bought a ticket to the last matinee today.
The ending was a bit studdered and not at all done well. The constant fake endings that would then fade back in - well, people in the theater were laughing because no one knew when the end was. Pretty closely following the movie except at the detruction of the Ring. The book is very clear that Frodo failed, Gollum grabbed the Ring, and accidentally falls over the edge of the chasm. In the movie, Frodo fights with Gollum after he gets the Ring, and in the fight, they both go over the edge, except Frodo manages to hang onto the cliff and Sam rescues him.
This has to be THE stupidest change of all! And all to redeem Frodo a bit, or make the Ring's destruction more interesting to viewers. (Later note: One person mentioned, and they may have a point, that Frodo's fighting with Gollum was to get the Ring back, not to destroy it, but to keep it for himself. The Ring did have a very powerful hold on them both by that point.)
I think that Frodo's failure in his quest, and the Ring being destroyed anyway, is very important.
As in the past, a reading of the books will give one an idea of what is going on on the screen. Much of the names in the dialogue, and a few props, will make no sense unless one has read the books: ex: King Elessar, and the swords that glowed blue when orcs were around.
Another big change was Gollum turning Frodo against Sam and leaving Sam behind. There was no need to add it and it only detracted from the purity of the book.
The Scouring of the Shire was completely cut, as was any mention of Saruman's death, or Gandalf taking his power away.
I was in tears at the very end when Frodo and Bilbo and Gandalf sailed away to the Grey Havens. It's hard to cry quietly in a movie, lol.
I think what gives LotR its beauty is precisely because it doesn't have a "and they lived happily ever after" ending. I was still crying when the movie ended.
I have to leave soon to go see it again. Last night I bought a ticket to the last matinee today.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Computer Dr.
The computer I do this blog on is going into the shop tomorrow. I'm having it upgraded to OS X, memory added (to accomidate OS X), and getting a memorycard reader so I can upload digital pictures again. Supposedly OS X has iPhoto, which I can use to edit the pictures. Right now I have a perfectly good digital camera, but the software has gone haywire and no matter how hard I search, I can't find the original disk to reinstall. So I won't be updating this blog for a while, not will I be online as much.
Eleanor wants to get together with me on Friday (there goes most of the day) to exchange presents and have lunch. So that will keep me from being bored without my computer around at least.
Eleanor wants to get together with me on Friday (there goes most of the day) to exchange presents and have lunch. So that will keep me from being bored without my computer around at least.
She Did It Again!
When I left for work Wednesday I truly thought Xena was under the bed. Not a big deal, so okay. I come home and Abby meets me, but no Xena. I get a bit worried. I get down on my hands and knees with a flashlight and look under the bed. Nothing. I then check the walk-in closet, and as soon as I open the door I trip over a cat coming out. The poor thing had been locked in there all day, at least 10-11 hours! She was (as usual) no worse for the wear, but she was glad to get out.
My Sucky Life
Wednesday was a bad bad day...here's the low down. Written Wednesday evening:
Ok. So I've been bugging the manager about getting recycling in the building since I moved in three months ago. In lou of the lack of recycling and given my past as a radical environmentalist (spent 3 days in jail once....nuf said), I've been leaving my recycling at the curb in large garbage bags for whoever might happen along. We have lots of poor elderly asians that collect cans and bottles to make ends meet, and the money isn't important to me.
Well, today the building manager confronted me on the topic, said the neighborhood kids would break the bottles and such and he's been trying to figure out who's been leaving the bags out. So now I know he's tossing them out. Now if the kids are breaking them, how about either you or the owner just being straight with me and telling me you will NEVER implement recycling because of this? Why dither around and play games with me? I can't get a straight answer out of anyone.
So he gives me two options, neither of which are acceptable.
1) Take your recycling to a recycling center. (I don't own a car. Just what do you expect me to do - FLY?!)
2) Give up the idea of ever recycling another can in your life as long as you live in the building. (And go against everything I ever learned about taking care of the earth? Riiiiiight.)
And so that leaves me having to come up with plan C, and this is it right now: Find out when recycling is on the next block, and drag out my stuff and place it with someone else's recycling. I don't think that will cost the person I use any extra money.
Who says Christians don't care about the earth? I'd say it's the rich building owners and somewhat less rich managers that don't care. "Toss it all in the landfill! It doesn't effect me."
I have to say that today the human race has once against truly disappointed me and I have come to the conclusion that I will NEVER have a better, stable life. I will be moving once a year for many years to come, maybe even the rest of my life, and I might as well just accept that fact. Every time I try to make a better life for myself, I just get knocked down, and I might as well just admit it will ALWAYS be that way. I am so envious of people who have never been forced to move because I have moved every few years since the time I was two. It is the only life I know, and I hate it.
I know now that the building manager doesn't like me. He seemed to believe that I knew better than to put things out. How I'm supposed to know God and he only know, but that seems to be his belief. And he took everything personally, like my offer of help was a personal affont. There truly is nothing to say about this except, Some people's children! :-p
Ok. So I've been bugging the manager about getting recycling in the building since I moved in three months ago. In lou of the lack of recycling and given my past as a radical environmentalist (spent 3 days in jail once....nuf said), I've been leaving my recycling at the curb in large garbage bags for whoever might happen along. We have lots of poor elderly asians that collect cans and bottles to make ends meet, and the money isn't important to me.
Well, today the building manager confronted me on the topic, said the neighborhood kids would break the bottles and such and he's been trying to figure out who's been leaving the bags out. So now I know he's tossing them out. Now if the kids are breaking them, how about either you or the owner just being straight with me and telling me you will NEVER implement recycling because of this? Why dither around and play games with me? I can't get a straight answer out of anyone.
So he gives me two options, neither of which are acceptable.
1) Take your recycling to a recycling center. (I don't own a car. Just what do you expect me to do - FLY?!)
2) Give up the idea of ever recycling another can in your life as long as you live in the building. (And go against everything I ever learned about taking care of the earth? Riiiiiight.)
And so that leaves me having to come up with plan C, and this is it right now: Find out when recycling is on the next block, and drag out my stuff and place it with someone else's recycling. I don't think that will cost the person I use any extra money.
Who says Christians don't care about the earth? I'd say it's the rich building owners and somewhat less rich managers that don't care. "Toss it all in the landfill! It doesn't effect me."
I have to say that today the human race has once against truly disappointed me and I have come to the conclusion that I will NEVER have a better, stable life. I will be moving once a year for many years to come, maybe even the rest of my life, and I might as well just accept that fact. Every time I try to make a better life for myself, I just get knocked down, and I might as well just admit it will ALWAYS be that way. I am so envious of people who have never been forced to move because I have moved every few years since the time I was two. It is the only life I know, and I hate it.
I know now that the building manager doesn't like me. He seemed to believe that I knew better than to put things out. How I'm supposed to know God and he only know, but that seems to be his belief. And he took everything personally, like my offer of help was a personal affont. There truly is nothing to say about this except, Some people's children! :-p
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Productivity
I was very productive on Monday. I got two Christmas packages sent out, started and finished 21 Christmas cards and put them in the box downstairs to go out tomorrow, wrapped a present for Kari (included in Cynthia's package that was sent), made myself spaghetti for dinner (I never cook), and cleaned the cats' litterbox. I also received the t-shirt for Ann in the Vickitim gift exchange, so I packaged it and it can go out later today. I feel so cheap (even thought I spent more than I can afford); it all fits inside a medium-size shoe box.
Tuesday is the Christmas party for my department at Neil's house. It happens during my shift, so I will get paid.
It seems like I am seeing Voyager people everywhere on TV. Monday night/Tuesday morning I saw Captain Janeway on an old 1984 episode of Cheers. Then I saw the Doctor on a 1993 episode of NYPD Blue.
Tuesday is the Christmas party for my department at Neil's house. It happens during my shift, so I will get paid.
It seems like I am seeing Voyager people everywhere on TV. Monday night/Tuesday morning I saw Captain Janeway on an old 1984 episode of Cheers. Then I saw the Doctor on a 1993 episode of NYPD Blue.
Monday, December 01, 2003
More Quizzes
Morpheus
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
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You are Form 2, Angel: The Pure.
"And The Angel rose as holy protector forall that was created. She fought with honor
and valor to serve the good of the world. But the coming of the mankind was her downfall; and
end to purity."
Some examples of the Angel Form are Michael (Christian) and Hercules (Greek).
The Angel is associated with the concept of virtue,the number 2, and the element of wind.
Her sign is the zenith sun.
As a member of Form 2, you are a person of your word. You generally keep your promises and give everything you do your best. Although some people see you as overbearing sometimes, you know that you have to stay true to yourself and do what's right. Angels are the best friends to have because they are brutally honest.
Which Mythological Form Are You?
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