so don't ask if you don't want to know
Archive for August, 2010
Away from the world!
Aug 27th
Here’s the deal.
We’re leaving in a bit to go camping. No computer (ack!) and likely my phone will die before the weekend is out because I forgot my car charger in my car.
And my car is at the repair shop because my 7th cylinder is retarded. Let’s hope that turns out to be a slight and only temporary retardation.
Anyway. Tubing, Strongbow, campfire, tents, the whole shebang. Should be fun… right?
I meant to write!
Aug 26th
Other than the breathing thing, I’m having a great vacation.
The trip up was just constant. I’d planned on taking my time and exploring a bit, seeing roadside attractions and what-fer. But realistically, I drive like a maniac. I’d pull over long enough to slap together a sandwich or take a nap and then continue on as fast as I could get away with. Completely missed most of Colorado (which I REALLY wanted to see) because it was dark.
Imanidiot.
Actually, with no A/C it was just too hot most of the time. Too hot to stop and wander around, too hot to sleep in the car, too hot. Plus you get to smell more of America than you really want to. I counted 7 skunks in Arizona and New Mexico. Kansas and Nebraska – of which I took mostly back roads – smells like cows shit and corn. Except Omaha smells like chocolate chip cookies… and then dog food.
The stretch between Omaha and Des Moines is some of the most beautiful country I’ve seen. Once I got past the rain, it’s all hills and green and beautiful old but nicely kept farms.
I got here Friday afternoon after spending the night in a room north of Des Moines. I needed a decent night’s sleep and a shower by then. Cara just kept smiling at me. It’s amazing how we only see each other about once a year but it’s just like we’re neighbors. Thank you Internet for such a great friend.
Until she tried to kill me.
Kidding. She’d bought one of those full-sized blowup beds and thought she’d aired it out enough, but not for sensitive old me. I didn’t notice the fumes until I was in it and too tired to venture far. So by morning I was guppying for air and by nightfall I was in the local VA emergency room. Much better now with my own (different brand – no fumes) blowup mattress in my own cat-free room.
Sunday was spent at the Ren Fest. Hot, humid, fun. Hung with Wickedgroovy Heather too. Pictures up on Flickr.
Pretty much vegging this week while she’s at work. It’s nice to just sit, even WITH all the drama going on at home. I can’t do much so they’re all handling their issues on their own. But that’s for another post.
Tonight is my tweetup. I’ll see old friends and spend time getting to know a couple more IRL strangers/virtual friends.
Tomorrow we’ll plan out the weekend which will include tubing, and may include State Fair? Horseback Riding? Camping? Movies? Dunno.
I should probably leave Monday morning. And my hoped-for second half of a vacation… the SEXcation doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. He’s not in Cincinnati anymore and I really don’t want to venture further East. That just make the drive back that much further too. Dammit.
Fucking asthma
Aug 22nd
The breathing is becoming a real issue here. One trip to the ER last night and I’m already tight again this morning. I’m not sure what to do. I’m taking everything they can give me and I’m not maintaining a baseline I can live with. Hopefully a day outside will help. Or I’ll die.
Other than that I’m having a great time!
Killing time at the laundry
Aug 17th
Watched my friend Jeff Moriarty on TV being interviewed about Facebook scams while I loaded my washer.
Fun fun sitting here with no deodorant on because as soon as I’m done with this I have to venture to Phoenix for another mammogram. Then kill an hour before the stupid allergy testing my doctor insisted I get, followed by a visit to the allergist himself.
All while driving around in this heat with no air conditioning. Some small yet vital part of the automatic directional flow thingy in the deep dark recesses of my dashboard decided to die. The A/C works fine it just doesn’t blow into the cabin thankyouverymuch.
And I’m doing this stupid post on my phone cuz I forgot to grab my laptop.
Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow I leave.
Road Trip!
Aug 15th
The plan is to leave here Wednesday morning to go to Minneapolis. This is my route. If you’re on this route, let me know and maybe we can catch a meal or a drink or something.
The first weekend I’m going to their Ren Fest.
While I’m in Minneapolis I’m hosting a tweetup, but you don’t have to be on twitter to come. You can see the invite HERE and let me know if you want to join us. 
The next weekend we’re going camping. SHF. Sacred Heart Festival? I dunno, she’s all pagan and shit so I think that’s what it is. All I know is there’s probably Strongbow because she’s the one who started me on the stuff.
After that… well… I might be heading a bit more East. I’m not sure yet. The person I want to see isn’t sure about his plans yet. Maybe.
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This is funny. People keep alternating between calling me an idiot for wanting to drive and suggesting places for me to check out on the way. I want to drive. I want to see some of this country and this is as good a time as any. I know I’ll likely be tired and sore, but I seriously HATE flying so much I’d rather drive. I’m hoping my car will get me through all right.
Another Shoulda
Aug 13th
I shoulda stayed where I was.
I swear sometime in the conversations with my son and his roommates about this fucking apartment, I was told utilities were included. Then at some point someone mentioned the electric bill, right? So I knew about the electric. So a couple of days ago Shane called me to remind me to get the gas turned on because he was getting it out of his name next week.
Gas? For what? Hot water and heat in the winter. Shit. I’ve never had to pay for gas before. Sign up online? Sure no problem except I HAVE TO CALL THEM. So why bother having the online sign-up if you can’t start your service that way? Dumb fucks. So I call and guess what? I have to go downtown Phoenix and show them my ID and lease. WTF. Great, Tuesday I have to be downtown at the VA Medical Center all day so I’ll go then.
Then yesterday I get an electric bill. Meter read 8/3 though 8/9 = 362 kWh. What the fuck? That’s $60 for 6 days. I don’t fucking think so.
Old apartment: rent, utilities included: $782
New apartment: rent: $595. Electric at this rate $300 Gas: who the fuck knows.
Again, I’m fucked over.
Good thing it’s only a 6-month lease. This is bullshit. I need to figure out what the fuck is going on with this electric bill. The A/C is not on all the time, I barely cook and I have one light on in the living room.
Mila's Daydreams
Aug 13th
Another of my new favorite sites is Mila’s Daydreams. This woman sets the scene and when her baby naps, she photographs her in all these interesting ways.
This is my evil favorite so far. I wonder how long she can keep this series going, but I’m really enjoying the ride. Just another happy daily in my Google Reader.
Stuff No One Told Me
Aug 13th
One of my new favorite sites to visit daily is Stuff No One Told Me. I won’t say I love every one of his daily comics, but when I love one I LOVE IT.
I have this in my Google Reader so every morning I get a little smile or outright laugh. You should too.
I want to print about four of these comics out and put ‘em up on my wall.
Game On!
Aug 12th
I first saw this video during The Guild panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Though I think it’s not as good as their first video, “Do You Want to Date My Avatar?” it’s still pretty cool.
And don’t forget The Guild Season 4 is already up to episode 4. If you haven’t been watching The Guild, you should. Go back and start from the beginning. The episodes are fairly short.
Two thumbs up!
Oh, here you are!
Aug 5th
No I didn’t forget ya, I’ve just been busy and distracted. Here’s how the last week went.
Thursday Mom called to tell me my cousin Jackie died unexpectedly. Well not that unexpectedly as I had noticed she was posting hospital testing comments on Facebook. I feel bad that I didn’t pay more attention before it was too late to commiserate. Apparently she went to her local Michigan hospital thinking she was having a heart attack and they sent her to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Nine days later she was gone in her sleep. Something to do with Amyloidosis. I’m clueless about what that is.
Friday night #evfn at Whole Foods was fun. LaDawn and I went to Yucca Tap Room but after a drink and a game of pool I pretty much dumped her there. I had too much to do and didn’t feel well anyhow.
Saturday I spent the day packing the last of my stuff and in the afternoon Casey and bunch came over to move the heavy furniture. They said they’d move it all so I left to go have my…
Debbie’s Naked Pool Party. Seriously. Excellent. Party. I had three ciders and no problem getting naked. Good friends, good party and we even recorded a show during it.
I came home to my new apartment to find that no, in fact they did NOT move everything else after all. So Sunday Ginnie and I schlepped back and forth looking for house keys and then finally packing as much crap as I could into my car before Casey and bunch came back to move the rest…
While I drove to Phoenix to bail Max out of jail. Long story I really can’t go into, but I just paid the bail and left him to find his own way home hours later.
By Sunday night – between the moving and the stress and the humidity and the dust – I was really struggling to breathe so I ended up at the VA emergency room Monday morning. I might post more about that fiasco later. A couple of albuteral treatments and I’m just fine.
Monday night I went over to CJ’s to record their show (the first half is about Star Trek TNG/the second half about their life) about our trip together to SDCC.
I think I finally have my new apartment mostly put together. I need a few things like shelves and plug thingies. Most of the sockets in this apartment are two-prong sockets, which poses a problem in our three-prong electronic world. Easy fix, just gotta do it.
Whew, I think we’re all caught up. SmallChild and her cousin are here and we’re watching Ella Enchanted for I think the 615th time.
