Back 2 It

Morning … I was supposed to go back yesterday but woke up with an upper back ache.  The longer I sat at the table eating breakfast the worse it felt.  I just took the day.  Actually more like a 1/2 day. 

In the morning I laid around, napped and watched TV.  Rudy reminded me when it got to be his lunch time and that’s when I got up.  I fed him, had some lunch as well.  Then threw on some clothes and headed down to try to get ahead at work.  I was making great progress for a few hours.  Then late in the afternoon I got an email that something was wrong with a door at the office so I said I would come check it out.  I never said when that would be.  However, I headed up changed clothes.  Stopped at the post office to get my Amazon package that should have been here on Saturday.  Then headed over. 

Timing couldn’t have been worse.  It was the start of rush hour, but I knew what I was getting into.  Going over was simple.  I saw a few people and said hi and chatted for a moment.  Then got to work.  By the time I got the fix in place (it was a small computer board, like a motherboard but on a way smaller scale) it was 15 minutes after 5p.  Traffic on the way home was horrible and it took every bit of an hour to get home.  Yet another reminder of why I don’t miss the office.  However, a very small part of me wants to go back. 

I was all set to reward myself with eating Mexican out but the closer I got to home, I talked myself out of it and just wanted to get home.  It’s super hot out.  The Midwest is having a heat wave and you only want to be outside for a second or two then back to the AC. 

I had left over cold pizza and fed the cats.  I gave them something new and Rudy was a hog.  He left a little bit for Mora and it was enough to conjure up a fur ball.  Glad she did that right in front of me.  I held off giving her medicine for a while.  I passed out treats and she had a few of those, then I got her pill in her.  She knows what’s coming and tries to run from me but I always manage to catch her.  I don’t like giving any cat medicine but I know it’s helping her. 

Happy to report that her rear end looks almost normal, so the antibiotic is doing it’s job.  We just have to get through this week and then we will be done.  Hopefully, this is a one off situation and she doesn’t have any further issues.

I wound up doing some more work when I got settled after having supper.  Before I knew it I only had an hour left to my evening and that’s when I focused on TV and put the computer away. 

Took an extra sleeping pill so I’d hopefully stay asleep all night long but that didn’t work.  I was up at 2a and after an hour I went back to sleep.  Woke up this morning on Rudy’s schedule feeling okay from an energy standpoint.  My upper back is still bothering me a little bit. 

That scene on Guys In Sweatpants is out and I have it.  I watched part of it last night despite not being in the mood.  It was hot but I hit pause so I could save the rest of it and get maximum benefit from watching it when I was in the mood.  I plan to give it another whirl tonight unless I am exhausted. 

All of the work I did yesterday really put me in a great position this morning and I am all caught up.  Just sitting around waiting for some time to pass before I have to join some dumb meetings.  There are 3 of them on the books for today.  Jeez I didn’t miss them at all while I was out. 

The more I take time off, the more I fantasize about quitting and just walking away, it sounds so nice.  Until I realize that my income would stop and that’s the part that keeps me coming back.  Speaking of income I still don’t know my pay raise and it’s supposed to go in effect tomorrow.  Maybe someone will tell me or maybe I will just find out when I get my first paycheck next month.  It would be nice to know in advance. 

Hope all is well in your world.  2 more days to go before this week is over.  That’s something to look forward to!

Man Candy - Enjoy!

Stormy Saturday

Hey, hope your having a great weekend!

I’m a little sad that today is Saturday already.  I woke up with a leg cramp aka Charlie Horse.  I pushed poor Rudy off of me so I could get out of bed and stand up.  I don’t think he quite understood but I needed the pain to stop asap.  Then I made my way to the bathroom and eventually the kitchen to pass out breakfast for the cats.  It was early.

I returned to bed and watched a little TV before I passed out, didn’t take terribly long.  I only fell back a sleep for around an hour which was disappointing to me I wanted to sleep longer but my body said wake up. 

I loafed in my room for a while watching TV.  Eventually headed out to the kitchen for my breakfast.  Rudy was right by my side incase I wanted to feed him again.  He was hoping for a second breakfast but that didn’t happen.  I had a glass of milk, a brownie and a banana.  Not exactly a typical breakfast but I made it work.  Got my meds and headed back to my room. 

Still thinking about the hot guy that was here yesterday.  The more I think about him the more I believe he’s probably straight.  I mean so is Spaghetti until you get it wet.  I will still shoot my shot and ask him out if our paths cross again.  Anyway, I got myself all excited so I had to watch some porn.  Even after I was done I still wanted more.  Watched more TV and eventually decided I should get up and get moving because the day was going to pass me by. 

I got dressed and headed to the office.  It started raining on the way there and I thought to myself I’m crazy for driving in.  However, it paid off because we had a give away and I had a gift waiting for me.  Nothing I will probably ever use but still it was nice to get it off of my desk. 

Wanted to stop and get mail but it was pouring hard so I just came home.  Had plans to go back out for cat food and mail but they never materialized partially because of the weather and the other part because I’m just lazy. 

Working on laundry.  Put new sheets and blanket on my bed, looking forward to climbing in to take them both for a spin tonight.  Been in front of the computer for a good part of the day.  Took time to eat my left over Chinese food, which wasn’t all that much.  My fortune cookie said that I will make great changes.  Yeah, okay.  Might as well have said help, I’m trapped in a fortune cookie factory.  

Made sure Mora ate something so I could medicate her, we have 9 more days to go with medicine and were both going to hate each one but it’s totally necessary.  Her rear end looks a little better this morning.  She’s got a scab that is peeling but her rear end looks like a train wreck.  She is her normal self, eating, drinking, playing and bothering her brother.  Also reaching out to me for attention.  I just kicked her out of my lap to make it easier to type.  She is in a chair behind me resting and anxiously waiting for me to head upstairs, which is going to happen eventually.  I’m not in any hurry. 

Pretty well caught up on porn surfing today, didn’t miss a whole lot but there is one scene out at Guys In Sweatpants with Greyson Lane that I am dying to see.  I don’t have it but the preview and photos look very appealing. 

What didn’t get done this vacation?  I didn’t do anything with the deck because I know there is a Racoon family living there and didn’t want to take the risk of chemicals harming them or worse yet them getting pissed and attacking me.  So I never made it to the Home Improvement Store.  Need to pick up some florescent lights for the basement got a couple that are still working but they are seriously delayed if they even turn on when I flip the switch.  I’ve got a finished basement. 

Otherwise, I pretty well accomplished everything I wanted to.  Could have done without the alarm issue and the cat/vet issue but at least they were timed appropriately.  Now hopefully everything including but not limited to the cats stays in good working order and behaves.  I spent way too much money but it was nice that I had it to spend rather than racking up debt.  I remember the days in years past when I would have been figuring out which credit card to put it all on.  Thankfully those days are over and I hope they never come back. 

I made a list of the remaining tasks that I need to accomplish, most of which is just my normal Sunday routine.  Unless I change my mind I will be headed to the pizza place with the hot straight guy that I have a crush on and made a pass at.  Not sure if he will be working but it’s worth the trip to find out plus I will be getting pizza, what’s not to like about that.  I will have plenty left over to snack on for a few days too so that’s nice.  It would just be a bonus to me if I get to see him and his nice sweet ass.  So then I will have a reason to drool while I eat.  Sure would be nice to bring an end to the boyfriend search that has been going on way too long.  I told my friend that I had lunch with on Thursday that I figure that I will probably die alone.  I’d like to be wrong about that but things honestly don’t look terribly promising right now.  My search is limited to when I see a cute hot guy that I like I make a pass, if it works great, if not well at least I took a shot.  I know that I could be more aggressive and hit up gay bars but that’s just not my thing, hence why I think I’m going to be alone for a long time. 

Unless something remarkable happens I don’t know that I will be posting tomorrow.  Kind of a great day to take a computer holiday before I go back and am stuck in front of the machine for 4 long days.  At least I won’t be on-call though so that’s a plus.  I think I’m going to queue up some Man Candy for your viewing pleasure. 

If your on vacation next week, color me jealous.  I kind of wish I would have taken 2 weeks but that would be even more crap to deal with coming back.  I still have plenty of time to use and I am going to do my absolute best to try use as much of it as possible. 

Thanks for stopping by! Take care and enjoy what’s left of the weekend.

Adventures of Friday

Hey,

Ah the last week day of vacation.  Thankfully I still have 2 more days before I have to go back.  I really don’t want to go back but need to be able to keep paying bills and putting food on the floor (for the cats) & table (for me). 

I got up early and got a shower.  Passed out breakfast for the cats.  Made sure Mora had her pill before I left.  Then headed out for breakfast at a local fast food place.  Sat inside eating.  A bunch of old guys talking.  Another old guy comes in about the time they started talking about the Obama Presidential Library.  The guy that walked in heard their comments in interjected himself to their conversation.  It went from calm to a shouting match in about 15 seconds.  Jeez that was uncomfortable.  Thankfully the old guy just walked away and had his breakfast with his wife.  The crowd of old guys kept talking about him for a few minutes and quite loudly like they wanted to egg him on but they switched subjects.  Everything was peaceful when I left.  Not the entertainment that I was looking for while I ate breakfast. 

Got the mail because I saw I had a check from Facebook.  Ooh a whole $7.  Nice to get but wished it was more.  Came back home and relaxed with the cats and watched TV.  Eventually it was time to leave for my Facial.  I looked forward to this and it was my reward to myself. 

The facial was similar to facials I have had before but the esthetician that I got had her face covered in acne.  Seriously, your going to take care of my skin but you can’t take care of your own?  It was an okay experience but I had a bright light in my face for the whole time and had to keep my eyes closed, that was the most uncomfortable part.  I do feel like she did a better job but wish we had a rapport like I do with the lady at the place I normally go once a year.  One of the things that turned me on about this place was that it was $125 total and that included the tip.  Damn if the fuckers didn’t charge a $3.25 administrative fee for taking a credit card, that jacked up the price a bit.  However, I got a receipt and plan to dispute that $3.25 fee, not sure if that will work in my favor.  My skin is glowing and feels super clean.

Came home and had a brownie & a soda.  Chatted with the cats.  Then decided about supper.  Before I left I called a guy that I found on Facebook to see about having him replace the column.  He said he would be right over.  He was pretty quick.  We met and damn it was love at first sight.  I was all tongue tied and had problems talking.  Eventually I got my words out and we had a nice conversation.  My heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to jump out of my chest.  My little voice said go on tell him he’s hot as fuck.  I used different words but told him and he said thanks, my good looks come from my mom.  He asked if there was anything else he could help me with.  I think he was being professional, but I wanted to fuck so bad.  That’s not my make up but I wanted him that bad.  I just said no.  We shook hands and he drove away.  He assured me that I would hear from him within a week.  He doesn’t need any money up front and I wouldn’t pay until the job was done.  When I came back inside I washed my hands just because we shook hands.  My hand was covered in white dust.  I wished that was his load instead. 

Needless to say he’s been on my mind ever since we met.  I think he’s probably straight.  I did some searching found that he is 23 and lives not far from me.  23 no wonder he’s so appealing.  If he comes back here I’m going to ask him on a date but that’s only after business is done.  Worst he can say is no or so I figure. 

After I was done washing my hands I said bye to the cats and left for supper.  I drove to a seafood place that is an hour and 15 minutes away.  Oddly it wasn’t terribly far from the BBQ place that I wanted to go to.  I kept getting lost trying to find the place.  I was clearly in a bad neighborhood.  Two state troopers had two different traffic stops, one happened right in front of me as I was waiting for a light to change.  That said, the food was prenominal.  I had Broiled Orange Roughy.  It came with a salad, green beans and potato.  I had rice by accident instead.  Still it was a nice and quick meal.  They put a small loaf of bread on the table as well but I only ate one slice, didn’t want to fill up on bread.  There were a few alcoholic drinks that I’d like to have tried as well as a couple deserts that looked good.  I think I might have been there 20 to 30 minutes tops.  The place was packed and more people were piling in as I was leaving.  My friend I had lunch with yesterday told me about this place months ago and I decided to give it a try.  I will be back for sure!

Got back on the road home, ran into lots and lots of rain.  From a quick sprinkle to a heavy downpour.  By the time I got home there was no rain here.  It’s been raining off and on all day long.  More is on the way tonight.  Hopefully, I won’t need an arc in the morning to get out. 

I have yet to check work email today, planning on saving that either for later or possibly tomorrow.  Not eager about it at all.  My plan for tomorrow is to visit the office just to see if there is anything waiting for me.  Not sure if I will stop by the Mexican restaurant or just come home and have my Chinese food.  Also not sure if I want to get it done early in the morning or wait until the afternoon.  Kind of depends on how I feel. 

Wishing I wouldn’t have cancelled Rudy’s vet appointment.  I think Mora needs to go back.  Her rear end smells bad again and I think that she is in the process of forming another abscess.  I skipped her dose of antibiotics last night, kind of feel bad about it but she didn’t have any food on her stomach and I was told not to give it to her unless she has eaten otherwise it can cause GI Upset.  Didn’t want her to barf or to take the risk of it.  Right now I am keeping an eye on her.  I plan to soak a couple of paper towels in some warm water and see if she will permit me to wipe her butt gently.  If I have any concerns at all I will get her back to the vet, despite the fact that I really don’t want to go back there anytime soon.  However, my cats health and well being is my #1 concern.  While I shouldn’t put them above myself I do because they mean that much to me.  I know the pain all too well of losing them and while that day will eventually come I don’t want it to be because I failed or hesitated to seek care.  Besides that they both honestly love me and they show that to me constantly.  They know that I love & care for them.  There’s no doubt about it. 

Now I am home for the evening in front of the computer and porn surfing.  Eventually I will head up and call it a night but I am in no hurry to do that.  The cats might make me go to bed.  Last night Mora came down after me and she got me to go upstairs but she wanted to stay down here.  Not sure why she loves the basement.  It’s cooler down here year round.  Cats however like heat and to be warm. 

Here’s hoping that it’s an enjoyable and productive weekend.  The only good thing about going back to work is that I will be back in a routine.  Being free from that short term is nice and I could stand to be away from it a little longer, however I know that eventually no matter what you have to go back.  I didn’t miss a single person.  Glad next week is only a 4 day week. 

Take care and hope you had a great day.  Thanks for reading my adventures/rambling. 

 

 

Nice Lunch

Hey,

My body woke me up at 5a and there was no going back to sleep right away.  I waited until closer to 6a before I got up and fed the cats.  I didn’t want to start something where Rudy things he can wake me up at 5a, bad enough that he wakes me at 6a.  I watched some TV and eventually had breakfast.  Then headed back to bed for a while.  Both cats slept with me and Mora snuggled up to me to help me get to sleep.  She is doing tons better, I think were out of the woods so long as I keep up her antibiotics.  She hates pill time and so do I because it means I have to fight with her. 

Came downstairs when I woke up and watched some porn for a bit.  Then headed up and got dressed and headed out for lunch with my friend.  It was nice.  Had a foot long Chili Cheese Hot Dog with Tatter Tots.  Damn it was so good!

On the way back from lunch it started to rain so I opted to just come home.  I wasn’t in the mood to get wet.  That gave me time to rest and watch a little TV before I fell asleep with Mora in my lap.  Rudy woke me up because he wanted lunch, I was way past his lunch time.  I got up and took care of him.  Then decided since it wasn’t raining I would go fetch the mail and stop by the police department to give them the new alarm code.  I wanted to go to Target but opted to put that on the I will get to that tomorrow list.  Regardless if I get there tomorrow or Sunday I will get there eventually. 

Confirmed my facial for tomorrow.  Got the trash rounded up and taken out.  Then grabbed my water bottle and headed down to the basement.  Both cats joined me.  Mora was sleeping for a while until she heard the Racoons chirping outside.  They sound like baby birds.  She woke up and took off like she was going hunting.  Meanwhile, Rudy was sleeping in my lap and he looked at her and then promptly went back to sleep. 

Called the last person on my list for the column replacement and damn if he doesn’t do that type of work.  I’m going to call a guy back that was here months ago that never got back to me, just to see if he will give me a price.  Otherwise, I will probably wait and see who I can find that I feel comfortable with. 

I’ve peeked once this morning at work email and things weren’t too bad but it’s been several hours so who knows what I will find when I login next. 

I plan to watch porn and chill out with the computer until I just can’t take it anymore, then I will head up and watch TV.  I’m going up in a few minutes to pass out treats and get my evening medicine. 

Can’t believe that tomorrow is Friday but like I said when I started this little adventure time goes by so fast.  I will be back to work in no time but that will hopefully only bring me closer to planning more time off. 

Hope you had a great day!

Buffet Trip

Hello,

Today I was able to be lazy in the morning and get some extra sleep in.  Got a shower and headed out to Sam’s Club.  I was surprised at the total.  The only thing I got that wasn’t on my list was some Cookie Dough Brownies.  I am not a fan of Cookie Dough but these aren’t bad at all.  I like going there during the week because the weekends are total madness and it’s more wall to wall people.  I hate crowds. 

Came home, unloaded and had a brownie & a soda.  Relaxed and watched TV.  Decided to text the dummy that was supposed to come tonight.  He said he would get back to me with a time but he never did.  He asked me what time I’d be home I told him 6p.  Then he sent another text several minutes later when I was in the car asking me if it was correct that I’d be home at 6p.  Jesus Christ, if your that stupid then I don’t want you anywhere near me.  I didn’t bother to answer him because I had already answered his question. 

I made my buffet trip when he was texting.  I got to the buffet and I was the only one there.  First time that has ever happened.  It was around 3p.  I got the lunch price.  Walked it before I ordered and saw they had fried chicken and figured that I could clean up pretty good.  Turns out they didn’t have but a few drumsticks.  I asked if they could put out more and they did but told me that it was a one time thing.  Next time if I want something specific I’d have to order off the menu.  I am not the only person in the world that likes drumsticks.  They had lots of breasts and wings.  I’m not interested in those I’m a drumstick kind of guy.  Had some mashed potatoes, some funky pasta dish, some shredded roast beef and finished up with Peach Cobbler.  Not a bad lupper (lunch & supper combined). 

On the way home I got another text from the dummy he asked me to confirm that I’d be home at 6p.  Again I was driving and didn’t bother to answer him.  I didn’t hear from him again until I pulled in to the driveway, he texted let me know asap.  At that point I blocked him.  If he’s that stupid I don’t care if he did the job for free, he sounds like the type of person who could fuck up a one car funeral.  I don’t do well with stupidity, especially now that I am older.  He asked me what time I’d be home, I told him 6p and then he kept asking me over and over again if 6p was the correct time.  I’m moving on to the last person on my list.  I plan to call them tomorrow. 

This morning I had to get on my knees and trap Mora to get her to take her pill.  It’s getting progressively more difficult to pill her but I’m determined and she knows that I am trying to help her.  I think if this was anyone else she would have probably bitten them by now.  I had to trap her on the bedroom to get her evening pill in her.  She’s got one more pill before I go to bed, which is the anti-inflammatory.  This is the last doses of that.  I stopped the narcotic for pain, she doesn’t appear to be in pain any longer.  The abscess has dried up.  There is some black marks on her bottom, that I plan to try to clean up tomorrow with some baby wipes (have to buy them).  I know that won’t go over well.  As long as she stays on the antibiotic I think she is going to be fine.  If it looks like this is flaring up or going to reoccur I will take her back, otherwise I think were done with the vet. 

Decided to jump on Amazon to see if there was anything I wanted since it’s PRIME DAY/week.  Managed to spend $160 – got a water bottle, some sheets, a blanket, some water sensors and a new cell phone case that I have wanted. Told them that I would wait a day to get things so instead of getting 5% back on my Prime card I will get 7%.  Not bad but I’m not sure that I really got a deal.  I think the whole PRIME thing is largely a scam to get people to buy things.  I have seen some good deal videos on You Tube. 

Got an email asking me to confirm Rudy’s vet appointment.  I plan to call and cancel that tomorrow.  He’s doing fine and since they didn’t vaccinate his sister there is no point in taking him over, until I am ready to get him his shots or he is in need of medical attention.  I think it would just be a waste of time and money – two things I can’t afford to waste. 

I will say that the duffel bag carrier I bought is a true hit.  They both take turns laying in it and hiding from me.  The video I saw about it said to leave it out so the cats get used to it so when it’s time to go to the vet they aren’t traumatized by being stuffed into a bag.  At this point I think they might just jump in the bag and we could go.  However, since it would be what I wanted and needed to happen they would probably turn the tables on me and make it difficult. 

As for tomorrow – plans are to hit up Target.  Have lunch with a friend.  Might hit up the home improvement store got to remember exactly what I need.  Got to get the mail and get with the police to update my records so they have the new code for the alarm.  Right now I’m the only one who can turn the thing off and on.  If something happens to me the poor cats would have to listen to the damn thing for 4 minutes each time it was set off.  I am planning on finishing up the left overs from my Chinese food. 

Friday is facial day and then perhaps I will travel to a new place for a bite to eat.  I will try to make the most of the day since it’s the last week day I will have off.  Then get through the weekend and presto it’s back to the bullshit.  At least it will only be a 4 day work week but it’s going to be 4 long days.  I’m keeping up with work email pretty well.  Just filing what needs to be filed and deleting the junk as well as marking what I need to follow up on.  Thus far nothing horrible. 

I am way behind on my porn surfing but there will be time to catch up.  I want another brownie and some milk.  Then I plan on staying up for a bit to watch TV before I hit the sack.  Rudy will have me up at 6a regardless if I want him to or not.  That seems to be every days wake up time.  I think he must have been a Rooster in his past life. 

Hope you had a great day. 

Woken by Rudy

Hey!  I had problems with feeling tired and wanting to sleep last night so I was up until around midnight before I crawled into bed.  I told Rudy that I didn’t need to get up until 7a and not to wake me early.  He did the opposite of what I asked.  He got me up at 6a and there was no going back to sleep. 

I fed him and his sister, got breakfast for myself and then had my medicine and threw on some clothes.  Sat and watched TV as I played a little bit on my phone and then scrambled to find something to watch.  By 8a I wanted to go back to bed but I knew that the alarm tech would be on his way so I kept myself awake somehow.  The tech arrived a little after 9a. 

The alarm job was supposed to take 2 hours wound up taking the morning and then some of the afternoon, it was 12:30p by the time he walked out the door.  I was bushed.  First thing I did was check in for a haircut and shampoo.  I booked it for 1:45p.  Takes 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic to get there.  Then I laid down and relaxed, hoping to take a brief nap but my brain was hardwired to the ON position. 

I like the new alarm, I can turn it on and off from my phone.  I’ve got a duress feature so I can enter a code that I chose and it will silently send a signal that I need help and the police will come.  It operates over Cellular Signal and WIFI.  The system talks to you and it scares the jeepers out of the cats.  They were both resting and I turned the system on, it talked and they both woke up and looked around as if they were looking for a person.  No doubt they will get used to it with a little time.  They used to jump at every little noise my phone made and now they ignore it.  I’ve got access created for the police/fire department.  I just need to call or stop by to give them the updated code. 

Left a little late for my haircut appointment and I had to do some aggressive and slightly illegal driving.  Almost had someone side swipe me because they had no idea I was beside them.  Thankfully the signaled that they were wanting to change lanes and I caught it, blasted my horn and they got the message.  Phew, disaster avoided.  That would have ruined the day as well as the rest of the week. 

I got my haircut and had a nice shampoo, talked the nice lady into doing two shampoos.  She used 2 different shampoos to add some variety to it.  Then I got some leave in conditioner.  Stopped for gas.  Saw a lady driving a vehicle that I am interesting in buying, talked with her at the gas pumps and she told me that she loved her vehicle.  That was helpful, even though for now I am keeping what I have. 

I returned home and tried to take a nap.  It took forever but eventually around 3:45p I passed out and woke up around 4:30p  I really wanted to head for a drive but I didn’t fully trust myself that I wouldn’t tire out.  Instead I ate supper locally at a Chinese Place I’ve been wanting to get to.  It was nice, had a red headed twink that was helping out and we had a few interactions.  Man he had a nice body.  He looked to be right at the border of potentially legal and illegal.  I didn’t make any moves, just admired him from afar. 

Tomorrow is a free day for me, nothing scheduled.  I wanted to get together with a former co-worker but she is out of town, also on vacation.  Therefore I will be taking care of my shopping needs.  Hitting up Sam’s Club, Target and The Home Improvement Store.  I anticipate that to wear me out a little bit.  Then I’d like to head to the buffet or perhaps a new place that is on my travel to list.  A guy is supposed to drop by in the late afternoon/evening to give me a bid on the column.  The hillbilly guy that was here gave me a bid of $1,200 which is a little on the high side.  The other guy with the contract and 1/2 down was cheaper.  This is not high on my priority list but I am kind of tired of dealing with it so I am ready to pull the trigger but I’m sure patience will pay off in the end or so I hope.

Paid bills tonight, including the alarm system. This was expensive.  I’ve spent a little more than a mortgage payment on this alarm fiasco but it’s over now!  I forgot to mention to you that I got hit with a $39.00 fee for the tech coming out today, he failed to mention that to me.  He was kind enough to leave his number so if I have any issues at any time I can call him instead of waiting on hold with customer service.  

Now it’s off to deal with a little work email and then perhaps I will have some porn time.  My battery is running on low and I have a feeling that I am going to be ready for bed very soon.  Tomorrow I really can sleep in but not with Rudy around, he is an early riser wanting his breakfast!  Mora is mostly medicated for the evening.  She hates pills.  Need to give her some pain medicine before bed and then were done for the day.  Here’s hoping we all sleep soundly tonight. 

Hope it was a great day for you.  Talk with you tomorrow.

Productive Monday

Hey thanks for stopping by. 

Today was a productive day.  I got the car taken care of.  It needed to have the brake fluid changed, that along with the oil change & filter.  Tires balanced and rotated.  Around $250 and about 3 hours of my time.  It’s solid and got a clean bill of health.  Spark plugs are due at 100,000 miles.  Don’t know if I will have it quite that long but good to know that I can keep on driving it without any concerns.  I’m so addicted to saving the money I would otherwise pay for a vehicle.  I have gotten a decent return on the purchase of the vehicle and it’s serving me well.  It’s a 2017. 

Got the alarm issue all worked out as well.  I called the company this morning and after about 45 minutes on hold and then another 15 minutes on hold to talk to the correct department, everything is taken care of.  The tech also called me and told me that he would be here tomorrow.  He didn’t set the appointment for Monday and told me that he wouldn’t have come out because we discussed the work being done on Tuesday.  It’s all good. 

I’ve medicated Mora a few times now.  She’s not fond of having pills shoved down her throat or liquid squirted in her mouth but she is tolerating it rather well.  I put the cone of shame on her this morning otherwise known as an Elizabethan Collar, she is not happy with it.  It is the only way I can prevent her from licking or otherwise bothering her rear end.  She walked around bumping into things and trying to get the collar off.  Rudy didn’t help and she got mad at him more than once and hissed at him.  I hated to stick the collar on her and then dash out the door but I needed an assurance that she wouldn’t constantly lick or otherwise bother her butt. 

When I came home after the car service she was waiting for me in the living room sitting down.  She normally is right by the door.  I knew she was miserable but she was so happy to see me.  I took the collar off for a bit and she was relieved.  I let her relax and enjoy her freedom.  Passed out lunch and she ate a little bit.

I came downstairs to get laundry started and to watch some porn.  Then I decided to check work emails and needed to tend to a couple things that were time sensitive.  Yeah, I know I had the day off but I almost never totally stop working, unless of course I am sick.  Peeking at emails on vacation helps to lighten the catchup work that I will need to do.  A few hours passed but I got things taken care of. 

Headed back upstairs, put the collar back on Mora.  Was all excited to go for a drive, get some Onion Rings and BBQ.  Turns out the BBQ place I was heading to is actually closed forever.  I asked my Echo before I made the trip.  Imagine traveling an hour all excited only to find the placed closed.  I would have been super upset.  Glad I avoided that.  Instead I went to a local place had a Philly Cheesesteak and some Onion Rings.  Got tied up in traffic, damn near everything around here is under construction.  Eventually I made it home. 

I was never so glad to get home.  My lower back was killing me and my bladder was full.  The pain was like nothing I have had before, it was clearly in my kidneys.  After I went to the bathroom the pain went away.  It was a serious close call I almost didn’t make it home.  Sitting in bumper to bumper traffic didn’t exactly help things. 

Mora was once again happy to see me.  She rolled over to show me her belly.  I rubbed it and gave her lots of attention.  Took the collar off and gave her about an hour to be free of it.  We played a little bit.  She sat in my lap and got brushed.  Her purr motor was on high.  I peeked at her butt and things have dried out a bit, it looks way better, as if it’s healing.  Like time and the medication are working together – to her benefit. 

I almost forgot to mention that I made a trip back to the vet to complain about some of the treatment and things that have been festering for years.  It felt good to get it off my chest.  I talked about Gator and I was overwhelmed and reduced to tears for a bit.  It hurt.  I am over the loss and have accepted her death but it was like a flash back being there.  I made it clear that I wasn’t there to seek money back but kind of felt like Mora got the short end of the stick yesterday and I was talked in to wasting money on the x-ray.  Now that I am home I got progress notes from her exam and it says that I chose to go the medical route and not have them flush her anal gland.  That’s not the case at all I wanted them to flush it but the vet didn’t seem to want to take the time to do that.  I am pissed off all over again but it’s done. 

I’m watching more porn, believe it or not.  I will be headed up soon to get ready for bed.  Give Mora her pain medicine and then we will retire for the evening.  I need to be up early for the alarm install tomorrow. 

Other plans for tomorrow include getting a haircut & shampoo from a place that knows how to do the shampoo right.  Hitting up Sam’s Club and Target.  Then taking a road trip to either discover a new place OR go back to the buffet, either way I will be on the road for at least an hour each way.  It will give the vehicle a bit of a workout, plus hopefully get me some good food.  I need some time to decompress a bit. 

Hope you had a great day.  Talk with you tomorrow.

More fresh hell

What an exhausting and costly day this has been. 

This morning after I came home from the grocery store and we had our nap, I came downstairs to surf on the computer.  Mora jumped on my lap and she has this bad habit of rubbing her butt on my arm.  She doesn’t always do it but it happens more frequently than not.  It happened today and she didn’t leave anything but it smelled really bad.  I took a look and she has an Anal Gland Abscess. 

I made a vet appointment for her thinking that it was this Tuesday, that was the soonest they could get me in.  As we got into the afternoon it looked like things were getting worse.  Something told me to call and check to see if there were any cancellations.  Turns out her appointment was booked for next Tuesday and not this Tuesday.  I got her moved up to this evening at 6p. 

As you might imagine the poor thing is in a lot of pain.  I haven’t seen her actually go to the bathroom but she has tried.  That made me glad that I was taking her over.  It’s a few minutes after 8p and we just got home about 15 minutes ago. 

I hate professional people.  We waited 30 minutes to get to a room and then another 15 minutes before a doctor came in.  Since she (Mora) wouldn’t let me touch her rear end I knew that she wouldn’t be super pleased about the vet poking and prodding.  However, the vet was able to take a look and determine that the abscess has ruptured and is draining.  They took at x-ray at my request to make sure that she didn’t have any stones or wasn’t constipated/impacted.  She has some stool that is in the process of working it’s way out the exit so she should be going to the bathroom eventually. 

She got a shot of a NSAID to help with the inflammation.  They sent her home with a narcotic for pain and I’ve got her first dose on board.  I’ve got more of the NSAID in pill form to give her in the morning.  Then I have to make sure that she eats breakfast and I can give her an Antibiotic.  She’s got 2 weeks worth of the antibiotic.  They want to re-check her in 2 weeks.  However, if she hasn’t made progress in a couple days we will be going back.  Otherwise as long as things progress and she heals I honestly see no reason to go back. 

I booked an appointment for Rudy on Saturday but I am going to be calling and cancelling it, he’s fine and there is no reason to take him over just yet.  I think it would be wasted money. 

Now on to the alarm.  I had this feeling that I should check the appointment to make sure that were on for Tuesday.  I logged in and found that the appointment was scheduled for Monday by the tech.  I told him specifically Tuesday, I said it twice and he confirmed it to me.  However, when he plugged it into his computer he did it for Monday.  I won’t be available because I’m taking the car in and I have no idea how long that visit will take.  I suspect just a couple hours but it could go longer. 

Anyway, I called and was told that they didn’t have any availability on Tuesday and that I would have to wait until Thursday.  The dummy I talked to cancelled the Monday appointment and then tried to book for Tuesday but the system wouldn’t let him.  He transferred me to “scheduling” and they told me that the first open date they had was Thursday.  I asked what I had to do to cancel service.  They said to call back tomorrow as the cancellation department was closed on the weekend.  Needless to say I am quite pissed off. 

I calmed down a little bit, called back and got someone to work with me.  We booked the Thursday appointment just to have something on the book so I don’t get totally blocked this week.  I have to call back in the morning and talk with another department as they should be able to get this fixed.  I also called the tech and left him a voice mail message, asking him to call me back to confirm that we are on for Tuesday.  This is going to be done my way, since it’s my money.  If they can’t accommodate me then I will sever the relationship.  I’ve been a customer for 28 years.  I paid for the install in full which back then was $700.  Then add on to that all of the money I’ve spent over the last 28 years for monitoring.  They have made a bundle off of me.  I really don’t want to lose the low rate I have for monitoring and if I cancel I know that will go away. 

However, I thought about it and while I miss the alarm system and the peace of mind it provides, like I told the tech we have never had any issues or needed to use it.  There have been a couple cooking related “fires” back when my late spouse was the cook.  We have had multiple false alarms because one of us forgot the system was on but I’ve not needed it.  That made me realize I can just walk away from this and save my money if I so choose.  I am not under any contract, nor do I want to be. 

We shall see what tomorrow brings, hopefully not more headaches and tons of money siphoned from my bank account.  However, vacation is always expensive even if you don’t go anywhere.  I can’t wait to get on the road to travel to a restaurant and clear my mind.  If all goes well that will happen tomorrow for supper.   

I’ve done a light cleaning of the house and got the trash out.  Need to still do laundry but there is no hurry it’s not like it’s going to get up and run away.  I am going to head up, hope that we can get a good nights sleep and get up early tomorrow, shower and put on some fresh clothes.  Have breakfast at home and then take the vehicle in for the service appointment.  While I am there I will call the alarm company and see what we can work out or if I am going to wind up walking away. 

I’m not sure why the black cloud that is over me is dealing me so much chaos but it’s like I have had a bit of a break for too long and it’s making up for lost time or so it seems.  I know it can always be worse. 

Talked with my Thanksgiving friends, they like the idea of going out on the 4th, so I am waiting to hear where they would like to go and a time.  I’m not going to push if they call great and if they don’t well then I will go somewhere by myself. 

I do hope that your day was way better than mine.  Damn I hope that things get better soon.  Take care and I will talk with you again soon. 

Alarm Results

Greetings,

Hope that you’re doing well and enjoying the weekend!

The tech came for the alarm system, I had to pay a trip charge, but his labor was waived. It was a 15-minute visit. He confirmed what I pretty much knew already. The keypad is fried and I need a new system. It’s an upgrade, most of the hardware can be re-used but a couple pieces must be replaced. I will get a touch screen keypad and can control the system from my phone. The cost with a discount on my account brings it to close to $1 thousand dollars. It will take 2 hours to install, and the work is scheduled for Tuesday. I will have to pay the full cost when the job is done but my low-price monitoring rate of $6 will remain in place since I’m not signing a new contract. The system uses cellular and WIFI to communicate, as I suspected. Therefore, there is no need for a home phone. My home phone is under contract since it’s bundled with my TV.

I like the old-fashioned home phone even though it’s not a copper line anymore and it’s VOIP. There is just something about it that I honestly don’t want to part ways with, but I will have the option when the contract is up next year.

While I really didn’t want the alarm system to fry, I am hopeful that it’s my largest expense on this “vacation” that I am on. I am hoping for a clean bill of health for the vehicle. I will find out the results of that on Monday when I take it in. I like it and keeping it, a bit longer will permit me to continue to save money so that I can be in even better shape when it’s time to buy. The plan was to trade in September no matter what, but I am really addicted to saving money. I like seeing my bank balance rise which beats seeing a credit card balance rise.

I took time off from work because I needed a break. I didn’t need extra problems; life has given me plenty thus far.

Wanted some human companionship so I talked to my Thanksgiving friends, and he joined me for supper, she wasn’t feeling up to it. That’s when I found out that they aren’t going to be doing anything for the 4^th of July. He’s got prostate cancer and the treatment is wiping him out. He looks like life is draining out of him, kind of like my late spouse looked when he went through chemo & radiation. My friend only must go through radiation, and it starts on Monday. They started him on two pills, one of which is a testosterone blocker and the other is Estrogen. I made the offer that we could go out on the 4^th if they wanted, I’m waiting for an answer on that. Not sure that they will take me up on it but time will tell. Sounds like our gatherings outside of Thanksgiving might be stopping for a while. The folks are old he’s in his 70’s and she is in her 80’s. I know they aren’t going to last forever but I am kind of hoping for a couple more good years. When one dies, I think the other will follow in short order. I don’t relish losing them even though they haven’t exactly been the best of friends.

Got the mail, hit up the bank and got a 2^nd breakfast this morning. It felt good to get out and check some things off my list. It also feels good not to have to rush to conform to my usual weekend routine. I am not doing laundry now as I normally would be. I plan to work on that tomorrow. Cats need food but I might get that tomorrow if not then for sure on Monday. They have a few cans left so I’m good for a short time. However, I don’t like pushing things to the absolute limit.

Hopefully, I will feel better as the week progresses. One I know about the car and the alarm install is behind me then I will exhale and I think that’s when things will get better.

Well off to surf for porn, cuddle with the cats and eventually prepare for tomorrow. Plan to get up early, have breakfast and hit up the grocery store and Target. BBQ for supper tomorrow night, wanted that tonight but I had Olive Garden instead.

Stay tuned and we can both see how things turn out with the car, the alarm and the rest of my time off. I know that time off always flies by quickly. Shame that’s not true for the work week.

Take care!

Friday

Hi

It was so nice to be able to sleep in this morning.  Sadly I woke up at 6a and passed out breakfast for the cats.  My body has an auto alarm clock.  I sat around watched TV and tried to fall back to sleep.  Eventually I wound up getting up and eating some breakfast.  Then watching TV and I finally was able to fall back to sleep.

We had a medical call and a fire call several houses down the street, they were back to back calls.  The medical call was a person having a seizure and their neighbor smelled natural gas.  What are the odds of two back to back calls like that?  Fire Department was down that way earlier this week because of a Carbon Monoxide Detector going off.

Being on call I got a couple emails that had me reaching for my phone, nothing for me to be concerned with.  Just file them away and call it a day.  I like the fact that it’s a longer weekend but being on-call kind of sucks!  Perhaps I will remember that later this year when I make out the schedule. 

The cats are having a ball hanging around me.  I get followed around the house.  Someone always wants to snuggle or curl up next to me.  It’s kind of nice.  Not the same as a person but still nice to know that something loves me. 

Feeling a bit blue I decided to phone a friend to see if we could get together for supper but I got voice mail.  Didn’t bother to leave a message.  Just took it as a sign it wasn’t meant to be. 

Went outside this afternoon to fetch the trash bin.  I got the weed whacker out and took care of some crab grass growing by the garage.  Then headed to the deck where I had several things growing.  I whacked them all.  Noticed that the tree that I share on the property line with my neighbor (who has moved out) had a large section fall on the neighbors side.  I never heard a thing.  That tree has Gall and while there are still leaves on it, you can clearly see it’s dying.  It’s going to either fall or be taken down.  That just reminded me while I am a little overwhelmed about my current problems, it can always be much worse.  It kind of did get a little worse for me.  More on that in a moment. 

I had the great idea of going out for supper.  However after using the weed whacker even though it was just for a few brief moments it was enough to stress my back muscles and I had the shakes.  It took two hands to get a drink.  That’s when I knew there was no way I was going out to eat.  I got a shower and felt better but still had slight shakes.  I certainly could have gone out but I think that I would have had people staring at me and would have been a spectacle and don’t like being the center of attention like that.  Stayed home and had frozen lasagna.  It was just okay, not as good as it usually is.  I also wanted some cheese garlic bread to go with it and didn’t have that.      

Speaking of worse.  Last night I got out a screw driver and took the keypad for the alarm apart, I broke two plastic teeth that anchored it in place at the bottom.  Now it won’t go flush.  However, I saw a yellow blinking light and a switch that apparently resets the keypad.  I pressed it and sadly it does nothing.  However, based on the testing I did every component of the alarm system has power so I don’t believe the system it’s self is bad, I think the keypad went out.  Now hopefully the tech that comes tomorrow can replace the keypad perhaps not tomorrow but next week presuming they can still get the parts.  The system is quite old.  I just want my alarm back.  It’s my security blanket.  It also helps when I am away to know that if something went wrong that police or fire would come.  Right now I hate to leave for any reason, I just worry that something will go wrong.  It’s been a few days with no alarm and nothing bad has happened and probably won’t but it would be better to have the peace of mind.

My plan now is to wake up early tomorrow and grab breakfast, get the mail and if it’s early enough stop by the bank to get some cash.  I’ve got a couple places that I’d like to eat at this week and it helps to take cash when you don’t know for sure if they accept plastic aka credit/debit cards. 

Then I will sit here and wait for the technician. Hope and pray that they can fix this alarm system in one visit and within an hour and then I am back in business.  Regardless, when they are done (system fixed or not) I plan on leaving to grab some supper.  Then just have to make it thru Sunday before my next big hold my breath moment of seeing how the vehicle is doing.  I have been looking and it’s kind of tempting to ditch service and just go for something new.  However, I know that I am doing better service to myself and my bank account by waiting.  I don’t expect a bad report but it’s the not knowing that causes the anxiety. 

Once I get past Monday, Tuesday thru Thursday are totally wide open and free.  I’d like to get the deck cleaned off and take a couple of local trips to eat.  I need to make a Sam’s Club run as well as a trip to the Home Improvement Store.  That’s it.  Friday I’ve got my facial at a new place that I am looking forward to.  Here’s hoping that this time off isn’t terribly expensive and that I can actually enjoy myself and have some fun before I have to go back to work.

Hope you had a great day and have a nice weekend.  If it’s applicable to you, Happy early Father’s Day!  Take care. 

Survived the night

Made the night with out the alarm system, everything is in tact this morning.  It’s just odd not to have to turn the system off or hearing the chime when I open a door.  I do not have high hopes that the replacement backup battery will remedy the situation but when it arrives I will install it and power the system backup.  If it works great I can cancel the service call.  If it doesn’t work then I will leave it hooked up and see if it magically comes to life.  I’ve pretty well decided that I am willing to throw some money at it to bring it back to life but I don’t want to spend a small fortune. 

The alarm industry preys on your fear and insecurity.  Having the alarm won’t stop a burglary or determined thief, you’ll just get notified that it’s happening and help will be on the way.  Knowing all this I still like the comfort feeling it gives me.  Might be a false sense of security but it’s something I’ve grown used to. 

Slept actually pretty good.  I don’t feel super refreshed but it was nice to not have an insomnia attack.  Just need to make it through today and then work is pretty much done.  I’m still on-call but the likely hood that something will come up will be slim.  I will have some testing to do come Sunday morning.  Vacation officially starts for me on Monday. 

Then when I come back I will only have to work 4 days because we will be celebrating Independence Day so that will be a short week.  Then the following week I only have to work 3 days because I scheduled time off to see the doctor.  It will be nice break but sadly it will all play out way too fast.  Here’s hoping that I am happier as this time goes by. 

It’s kind of like I told a colleague if my personal life was more like my professional life I would have way less stress and troubles.  Once again I hope for a great day for all of us.  Take care!

Long Hot Day

Howdy!

Things were moving along and I managed to some how wake up.  I had some lulls in work but kept busy.  The meeting this morning was super short which is quite uncommon but I was thankful for that. 

This afternoon around 1p I lost power.  It came back quickly but then was out again and stayed out until 4p.  It got quite hot in here.  The cats were enjoying it but not me.  Every UPS in the house was drained of it’s battery.  The backup battery in the alarm system died as well.  I heard that the cause was a tree fell.  It took out quite a large area from what I heard on the scanner, glad I wasn’t the only one without power.  We don’t have power issues much but when we do they tend to be lengthy.  Back when we moved in the power would go out all the time, so glad that is not the case today.  It’s not fun running around setting clocks. 

Electronics don’t like power outages and usually when we have one it costs me some money.  This time it looks like it’s the alarm system.  When power came back on the system got power but no display or light on the keypad.  I think that perhaps the system board or the keypad got fried.  I did some research on line and tried a couple things but no luck.  Reluctantly I called for service, first time in years that I have had a problem.  This system has been with us since we moved in.  Tonight will be the first night that I will fall asleep without setting the alarm.  Service won’t happen until Saturday afternoon and I have a large window to wait.  Hopefully the tech shows up early and this doesn’t get too costly but I have a feeling that I am going to be sinking some money into repairs.  I’m not wild about the idea of a stranger in my house but I really need this problem fixed.  I’m sure they will try to get me to upgrade but I’m quite happy with what I have and want it back in working order.  I ordered a replacement backup battery that will be here tomorrow.  It would be awesome if I installed that and then things came back to life but I don’t think I will get that lucky.  I’ve got the whole thing disconnected now so it has plenty of down time to discharge and perhaps reset. 

I’ve made multiple trips up and down stairs.  Had to get on my hands and knees to get to the plug for the alarm system.  I’m sure I will be sore tomorrow, hopefully I will get lucky there and things won’t be that bad but I know I’m quite out of shape. 

Had another contractor stop by, he looked like a hillbilly missing teeth and kept calling me by a wrong name.  He took some measurements, told me that he couldn’t replace it with wood but that he could find a replacement in aluminum so I’d never have to worry about the column again.  I am fine with that, I know it’s going to cost more.  He takes all forms of payment.  I’m looking forward to getting his quote hopefully it’s not too much more than the last guy and despite his looks I will hire this guy just to get this behind me.  The sooner the better.  However, I know when you solve one problem it’s not long before another one comes along to take it’s place. 

My neighbor that moved out is back and doing some churching up on his stairs to his enclosed deck.  I think he is either going to rent the property out or eventually it will be sold.  Right now it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing.  He’s been working all day long and made quite the progress, it looks nice. I’d just like to see him disappear, get a new neighbor and perhaps make a friend. 

It’s 5p and my boss calls to tell me that someone is getting fired tomorrow and he had a technical question about removing access.  I answered that and told him that I would be on standby tomorrow.  I’m pretty sure we know who it is but I don’t have anything from HR asking about it so I don’t for sure know a name.  I just hope that the mistake maker comes back tomorrow because there are 2 other people leaving and I could use the help.  If not I can handle 3 people leaving, it is a bit much but I’ve done it before.  I have a very strong feeling that tomorrow is going to suck and not in the good pleasurable way. 

To add to the fire, we have a high wind advisory and are under a Tornado watch.  I hope that doesn’t create any additional problems for me. 

My neck and shoulder are aching just from the little work that I did.  Looking forward to getting a shower, watching some porn and maybe just maybe a good nights rest.  Rest would sure help me a lot.

Here’s hoping that tomorrow and the days ahead aren’t nearly as bad as I think they will be.  Time to get away from computers for the day and watch some TV.  I hope your day was better than mine!

330a Alarm

Morning …

Yet another semi-sleepless night.  I’m so tired both physically & mentally.  Ready to take a couple strong pills that I know will knock me out for the night and leave me hung over the next day just to get a good nights sleep. 

Last night I woke up around 3a to use the bathroom, made it back to bed and fell asleep.  Only to be woken up at 3:30a by the burglar alarm.  It was a beeping telling me something was wrong.  Turns out it was a communication problem.  I looked it up online to be sure.  Then power cycled the alarm, tested and everything was fine.  I pressed my luck and tested a second time only for the issue to come back.  I got it cleared and set the alarm.  As I went to climb back in bed the actual alarm went off, apparently I forgot to bypass a motion detector and that picked me up as I was trying to get back in bed.  Rushed to cancel the alarm, sat up in case the phone rang, which it didn’t. 

Finally by 4:30a I was able to climb back in bed and try to go back to sleep.  Rudy climbed on top of me, which was nice of him.  Then I was able to fall back to sleep. Had a strange dream which isn’t out of the ordinary.  Woke up at 5:45a went back to sleep, woke up again at 6a and then 6:30a.  By then I just decided to get up.  Alarm has been silent since, so I’m thinking that it was doing a silent test (which are done all the time at random) and the phone line wasn’t available for some reason so that’s what caused the alarm.  Last thing I need is to add another problem to the list. 

The guy who asked me to send photos for the column on my porch, called me yesterday afternoon and came by in the evening.  I got a better feeling about him seeing him in person but then he ruined it when he told me that he would require half of the money down as well as a signed contract.  Half of the money down is what causes concern, he wants cash or electronic funds.  The contract isn’t a big deal.  I may still wind up hiring him but for now I’m waiting to hear from the other guy today to see what he will charge.

The mistake maker is out sick today, claims he lost his voice.  I wanted so badly to write back, do you know where you left it?  If not head to the nearest store and you can hopefully pickup one that sounds better.  Yeah it’s mean but I’m not fond on the sound of his voice.  He should be back tomorrow but since tomorrow is our last day of the week I have my doubts that he will actually return for one day, I wouldn’t.  I actually wanted to call out today and spend the day in bed resting.  However, I’m not leaving the new guy all by himself. 

It’s been a busy morning and more work just came in so time for me to dash.  Have a great day!

Yawning

Morning … I’m yawning but got a slightly better nights sleep.  I still feel tired this morning and really want a nap.  Yesterday I was able to hold out until 2:30p before I had to lay down.  Just as I was about to close my eyes my phone went off and I had to get up.  So with no real nap to speak of I thought for sure I’d not have any problems.  I woke up at 5a to use the bathroom and headed back to bed.  I was able to get back to sleep and woke up an hour later but rolled over and went back to sleep until just before 7a when I woke up and Rudy started doing his dance. 

Time to start the day.  Nothing remarkable has occurred yet thus far.  However, the day is still very young so there is plenty of time for that to change. 

Last night was just an average evening.  My neighbor that moved out came over to cut his tall grass as I was jumping into the shower. 

I have someone scheduled to come out tomorrow to give me a price on the column on my porch.  Another guy I am working with by text is trying to provide a quote by having me take photos and not doing any measuring.  I really don’t want him doing the job since he seems too lazy to come out and meet and grab his own photos and measurements, it sounds like a recipe for disaster.  Plus I’m sure the price he quoted me would change once he found out that column was taller than the one he wants to replace it with.  I have 2 additional people to call but am holding them in reserve.  If I can get this little hassle out of the way while I am on vacation that would be nice but I am not holding my breath.  It does seem like a pretty simple job that shouldn’t take more than a few hours but that’s just how it appears to me. 

Got all sorts of home improvement ads popping up on social media.  From pop on roofing and siding to metal roofs as well as roof trade in programs.  The pop on concept is appealing but does it hold up and/or cause any damage.  I have no plans for a roof or siding right now but a new roof is in my future.  Home Improvement marketing makes the jobs seem simple like they can be in and out in just a matter of hours and the cost well that’s no problem they have low cost financing.  Yeah your jumping into debt but the improvements are cheaper than starting over on a mortgage.  Kind of like buying a used car is cheaper than a new one. 

3 meetings on tap today, one of which is with the new guy.  I’m the teacher.  Even though we only have 2 days left in this week, I’m mentally checked out and as we approach Wednesday and Thursday I will be even more mentally checked out.  I’m over working and honestly want to quit but I’m addicted to the money if I didn’t need that for my survival I’d love to just walk away.  It’s the meetings and politics that are killers for me.  It’s true the older you get the less you are able to tolerate bullshit.  I am sure that I am well on my way to being a cranky old man assuming that I am fortunate enough to live that long. 

Well off to head up and go on standby until I am needed.  Of course you and I both know that will be the very moment I am comfortable and away from the computer.  Hope it’s a great day for all of us and a fast moving one at that. 

Awesome Pizza–No Guys

Morning … I had an awesome pizza.  Full of flavor and baked to perfection.  Only one problem no cute guys to look at.  Perhaps they hang out there on Saturdays so when I go back I will try to remember to go on a Saturday just to see if that changes anything. 

Ride was nice both ways.  Went through the city and took the long way because of construction.  Took a detour and got on the freeway past the construction for my ride home.  Sun was out and it was a beautiful day. 

Gathered my list of contractors to call about the column on my front porch.  Plan to start calling later on today to see if I can’t get folks out here for estimates and start that wonderful process over again.  I’d really like to put this behind me. 

Got my bug spraying done yesterday.  Then came in to pass some time before I went for pizza.  Rudy was a cuddle bug. 

Insomnia flared up again this time at 3a.  I took some Melatonin in addition to my sleeping pill.  It really got me knocked out but sadly didn’t do anything to help keep me asleep.  Sat up for 45 minutes watching TV before I climbed back into bed.  Mora cuddle up with me and I was out for a bit.  Woke up a bit later confused on what day it was but managed to go back to sleep.  Had some strange dreams and then just before 7a my body woke me up.  Rudy was all cuddled up next to me sleeping and I woke him up for a change.  He was quick to rise and start his biscuit dance. 

I’m on-call this week and not looking forward to that but it comes with the job.  Glad that it’s only a 4 day work week but there will be windows patching over the weekend which means I will need to get up early on Sunday.  Then perhaps I will be able to start my vacation and break free from work.  However, I don’t plan on turning work email off until very late in the evening on Sunday if not first thing on Monday morning. 

Speaking of work one meeting on the books that I honestly don’t think I need to be at but my presence was requested.  Outside of that just watching for things to squash for the rest of the day.  More meetings on Tuesday & Wednesday.  No word yet on a pay raise but I’m hoping that comes this week. 

Next Monday is the big car checkup, that is if I can resist my new car fever a bit longer.  Been busy on YouTube watching videos of vehicles and really wanting to take something out for a test drive.  I will always drive something before I buy it but the drive is usually what causes me to either fall in love with the vehicle but it has kept me from buying some models before.  Usually I think of the test drive as what seals the deal.  I am eager to go for a test drive but not until I am ready to fully commit to the purchase.  I’m also afraid that after I make a large purchase something else will go wrong either at home or more likely that my job will go sideways.  Always had that fear as well when making a large purchase.  It’s never come to fruition but call me gun shy. 

Time to go climb the stairs and head up for the day to be with the cats.  It’s a nice sunshine day here and cool out.  That helps with my mood but still I’d like to work in a short nap to make the day even brighter.  That’s what happens when my insomnia flares.  My hope is that I will be able to ditch it when I am on vacation and go back to a normal sleep schedule. 

Hope we all have a good day.  Take care! 

 

Sunday

Hey, I hope your having a good day. 

My insomnia flared up again last night at 4a.  I didn’t bother to try to fight it just got up and started watching TV.  By 5a I was back asleep.  I moved up the alarm clock by 15 minutes.  Much to my surprise Rudy didn’t bother me and the alarm clock went off.  It took me a minute to realize what the sound was because I hear it so infrequently. 

I really wanted to go back to bed, I was still tired.  However, I knew that I needed to stay moving and stick with my routine.  I wanted to go to Target but forgot all about it until I was at the grocery store and then just said it will be there next weekend.  Breakfast was much more enjoyable than my supper was last night. 

Got in some TV time with the cats and got a nap in when I came home.  Brushed both of them and Rudy got some extra cuddle time because he curled up in my lap.  He wanted my spot but I didn’t realize that until I got up and started cleaning. 

It’s a nice sunny hot summer day.  I need to mix up some bug spray and get to spraying the perimeter of the house, that’s my plan when I am done here.  Not looking forward to the humidity but it will be nice to get the application down.  It’s my first spray of the year and I am way behind on this mostly because of all of the rain we have had.  However, if the chemical can sit and fully dry it will be effective for about a month.  Same stuff the exterminator used acquired much, much cheaper.

Planning on hitting up the pizza place that used to have a lot of hot guys working there.  Not sure if now that were into summer if the guys will be back but I am curious enough to take a look.  Plus the food (pizza) is really good.  I will have left overs to munch on for part of the week as well.  Here’s hoping for some enjoyable eye candy to look at. 

Logged into work to take care of something that came up last night.  I’m not on call but it would be left waiting for me tomorrow.  I would have thought the on call guy would have picked it up but it wasn’t marked urgent so it didn’t need an immediate response.  It was from a big wig which is why it got my attention. 

Looking forward to what I hope will be an enjoyable and calm 4 day work week.  Not much else brewing here.  Typical relaxing Sunday vibe going on. 

Take care!

The weekend

Hey thanks for dropping in. 

Friday … proved to be a day that I would talk on the phone for hours to the mistake maker.  We talked work and then just socialized.  It was enjoyable but by the end of the day I think we were both tired of talking.  He agreed with me that we are back office people.  Yet we are still mandated to come in 3 days a week.  The mistake maker confessed to me that he was only in 2 days this week.  I told him that I honestly didn’t care.  While I didn’t say this it’s because I am breaking the rules and have been for quite sometime.  Unless each of our offices gets a snitch to check up and report on us, I anticipate that we can still get away with whatever we want.  At least I am going to keep doing my same thing as no one is complaining. 

By bed time I was super horny and eager to get off.  However by the time I settled down my energy level dropped drastically.  I still tried but there just wasn’t enough stamina and strength left in me to pull it off.  So I gave up and watched TV.  Before I knew it I was falling asleep in my chair.  That’s when I got up and climbed into bed. 

Saturday … woke up at 4a from a dream that I was going into the office and forgot my cardkey.  I was talking to a security guard and I knew I was talking out loud in my sleep I heard myself as I was waking up.  Rudy was puzzled by it.  He wasn’t on top of me so I was able to get out of bed quickly.  Headed to the bathroom and then came back to bed.  Tried to fall back asleep but I couldn’t so I got up.  Rudy started his happy breakfast dance but I told him he had to wait a few more hours.  I think I was up for around an hour.  He let me sleep in until close to 7a.  At which time I got up and passed out breakfast for the cats.  Then went back to watching TV. 

Eventually went back to bed for a few more hours.  Then got up and had breakfast and my medicine.  Then headed back to rotting in my room where I did manage to accomplish the task I wanted to last night and that helped me fall back to sleep. 

Watched several videos of people caught on camera doing dumb things like falling, leaving their cars in gear and getting out.  Then changed over to the same thing but camping accidents.  Rafts capsizing, people falling into water, dealing with wildlife.  It was enjoyable and passes time rather quickly. 

Took some time to look at vehicles on the internet, all new.  Found a couple that look really nice and are tempting.  I just really don’t want to jump back into car payments.  Patients is my friend here I need to find out if there are any major concerns with my current automobile.  Provided all is well keeping it longer makes sense.  If it’s time to pour in some money well then I might have a decision to make.  My new car fever is and has always been itching away, it flares up often.  Which is understandable considering that I’m technically due for a new auto.

I got going in the early afternoon with a shower.  Then started laundry.  Finally headed out to a new restaurant that just opened this weekend.  It was a familiar place that I had been to before there were several restaurants in this same location.  While it was nice to be in a familiar location the food sucked.  I ordered Sloppy Joes which I don’t know how they made them but they didn’t taste like Sloppy Joes to me.  The French Fries were the best part of the meal.  I had a side of Cole Slaw as well but it wasn’t from KFC so it wasn’t good at all.  Disappointed with the 45 minutes I traveled to eat the food and the 45 minutes I had to ride to get back home.  It was nice exercise for the vehicle, just logged 80 thousand miles.  I might go back again in a while but will order something different.  Parking was super tight but I backed into a spot with ease. 

Working on going through the mail and finishing up on laundry.  Took care of finances and waded through some personal email.  Now it’s time to surf for porn as I wait for the dryer to sound off.  Then it will be upstairs to play with Rudy as I put the laundry away. 

Hope the weekend is going well for you. 

Add it to the list

Morning and a very happy Friday to you!

Nothing terribly special going on here.  Napped a little bit yesterday.  I got woken up with several emails flowing in.  One of them was a reminder from my boss that his boss and his bosses boss asked him to pass on that was a reminder we need to be in the office three days a week.  Since they are leaders they need to set an example.  They were asked to remind their teams/staff.  I think this stemmed from them finding out that an executive wasn’t meeting this goal so it’s time to send a reminder to try to scare the rest of us.  There was some verbiage in the email which I can use to my advantage that says “back office positions” can work from home, I know it doesn’t apply to my specific position.  However, my position is very much a back office position, I’m in the shadows lurking.  I’m there virtually every day of the work week and always watching even when I am not working.  I always go above and beyond.  It just makes no sense to waste time, energy and gas to travel to a box in the sky where I sit in a closet that they call an office for 3 days a week.  I don’t have enough work to occupy my every second and there is lots of free time.  I’m not stupid to ask for more work so that I am drowning all the time.  I don’t want that kind of pressure.  Still all it takes is one person to blow the whistle on me and I’m cooked.  Not sure if that will mean I am asked to get back to the office or if they would truly kick me to the curb.  I know I should probably heed the warning but as of right now I am just planning on keeping up what I have been doing, no one is complaining per se.  We get these types of reminders periodically about all sorts of silly crap.  It has added to my list of worry.  I’ve been away so long that it would really be tough to go back one day let alone 3 days.  Besides that if you trust me enough to let me work 2 days from home then there should be no difference with the other 3 days of the week. 

The whole RTO (Return To Office) is because companies signed leases for space and they want to occupy them.  It’s not my fault you signed a lease for a ton of space that we honestly don’t need.  They could downsize the space and save money.  They won’t.  It’s funny that ever since the whole pandemic and remote work thing came about that year over year we keep making record breaking profits.  I know that I am not the only one who abuses the system and doesn’t go in, there are others.  My work still gets done, I’m quick to respond and often finish ahead of deadlines.  That’s not because I am working from home it’s because it’s who I am and who they hired.  The only thing that has changed is the fact I don’t wake up an hour early to travel in and spend an hour traveling home.  Corporate America does a lot of stupid and wasteful things the RTO movement is one of them. I have thought for a very long time that eventually we will revoke remote work entirely and require everyone to come back to the office full time but thus far it hasn’t happened.  People like remote work and the flexibility that it offers, it’s a great perk.

Speaking of work, the new guy is out today.  Sounds like this was unplanned.  It’s just me and the mistake maker.  No word on salary increases just yet but I am hoping that I get that call today.  It should happen soon if not today then next week for sure.  I’m on call next week but it’s a 4 work week day.  Were off on Friday for Juneteenth.  I have nothing planned yet but it leads right into my vacation time, which including weekends will be 10 full days off.  I know I won’t want to go back even if I am working remote and I know there will be an avalanche of email to wade through.  It’s the punishment for taking time off.  However, it’s my benefit and I plan to try to use every hour of time that I am given. 

When I take time called PTO which is short for Personal Time Off, in my case it stands for Prepare The Others.  Its usually at time when something hits the fan and not in a good way.  I’m not saying I am irreplaceable or unable to be fired, I’m saying that I am a vital part of our team and have a lot of working knowledge.  If all of that walks out the door I can tell you that things will seriously be fucked up.  Its noticeable every time I am out of the office.

I’m closing out this venting and worry and heading back to goofing off while I keep an eye on work before I head up to be with the cats.  They are longing for me.  Imagine how lost they would be if I had to go back 3 days a week, I know they would adjust but it would be difficult for all of us at first. 

Have a great day and weekend!