Good & Bad

I am thrilled beyond words to announce that after 2 1/2 years my miserable excuse for a co-worker is going away.  He put in his notice on Monday and it was officially announced today.  He was very matter of fact about it and you can just feel the disgust in his voice. Like he has given up and no longer wants to work with us.  I had a chat with the boss and he is rather confused by the whole resigning thing.  I’m not confused about it, I am glad that it’s happening even though until a replacement is found and trained it will place a greater burden on me.  It’s okay I made it through before and I’ll make it through now.  This guy has been a PITA for way too long and I am glad were finally getting rid of him, not the way I wanted it to happen but still the end result is the same.  It’s a damn shame that it took this long.  Funny thing, I checked out his profile on LinkedIn and he’s looking for a leadership role.  I couldn’t imagine him in a leadership role because he can’t find his ass with both hands.  He writes like a 3rd grader but his LinkedIn profile is very professional and of course he embellished on his duties.  If you ask him for help with something he claims to have knowledge of on paper, he will claim no knowledge.  So to wherever he is going and whoever are going to be his new co-workers I feel damn sorry for you because your getting a stupid motherfucker!

Today was a close co-workers last day.  He’s been out on leave since January.  He was forced into retirement.  He’s got cancer.  It was in his lungs and shoulder then hip joint.  Now it’s in his spine.  He looks really good for what he has been through and is able to navigate around like he’s my age.  He does get winded but he’s got his oxygen.  It was really sad for me to have to pull the plug on his access and know that he’s not coming back.  He was able to make it around the office to chat with some folks to say his goodbyes if you will.  He’s worked with many people a lot longer than the 5 years I have known him.  What is going to be really strange is a person from a different department that is brand new will occupy his old cube which is very close to mine.  I’ve been used to peace & quiet but all of that will change next week. 

Since I am on a theme here with bad news.  I found out that another co-worker is being forced out.  They put her on a performance plan and outlined so many tasks that she has to improve in within 30 days that it’s next to impossible to accomplish.    She has been married to her job, poured in her heart & soul, stayed late, came in early and this is the reward she is getting.  Were in two totally different departments and she works for a 1st class bitch.  You can see the writing on the wall that it’s either you find a new job or you can wait for us to fire you.  She is in a shambles, her resume needs serious work and she is wanting to look for a job.  So tonight I opened my browser and found 2 great opportunities for her.  One was posted a day ago and the other was posted an hour ago – so they are both fresh.  With her skill set I don’t think she will have any problem finding a new job.  My hope is that she manages to stop being married to her job, concentrate her effort on herself and her family and that she finds a new job long before she is terminated.  I’ll be the person having to pull the plug and that will suck.  It’s fine when you don’t know the person and/or the circumstances but when I know the person and/or the circumstances it really sucks.  It’s my job and I know what I signed up for.  The harder part is for her, having to come to work everyday and put a smile on your face and act like nothing’s wrong.

So here we are at Wednesday.  Another episode of Suits is on tonight.  I’m eagerly awaiting Mike’s return, even though I am fairly certain I won’t see any flesh seeing him on the screen is good enough for me. 

This morning I got a wake up call from Momma of all the cats.  She has been so soft spoken lately but this morning, she belted out a very loud meow that made me almost sit up in bed.  I did instantly open my eyes.  The little woman and her family were hungry and she was there to tell me all about it.  I love and treasure moments like this.  That’s part of what makes her so special to me.  She has started to follow me in the morning to my room and demand attention which leads to a belly rub all before I am able to take a shower.  At least she lets me eat breakfast.  This was our long standing routine and I am glad to see her pick up an old habit, I can only hope that it continues. 

Not sure what I did but my erector muscles, the muscles that hold your head up are stressed.  I have serious tension & cramping in my shoulders.  I only hope it goes away as fast as it came on.  I’d like to get a massage but I am afraid that might make things worse.

Well I’ve got my evening chores to tend to and the clock is ticking away each and every minutes that goes by we are one more minute closer to Suits coming on, so I should run.  I hope that your having a great week and that the remainder of the week is pleasant and passes quickly.  Stay cool, drink plenty of water and we will talk again.  Bye for now. 

3 times in 1 day

I am in a little pain now and tomorrow I’ll probably be sore.  I’m sure your mind is racing to all sorts of conclusions based on the title and my opening statement.  However, I am referring to emptying the vacuum cleaner.  I started in my room and after I was done that was the 1st time.  Then moved on to the hallway and rest of the house.  I was about 1/2 way done and had to empty a 2nd time.  Then finished up and emptied the 3rd and final time.  I think each week for a couple weeks it will be interesting to see what I manage to unearth and suck from the floor with my new floor sucker.  I really love my purchase, it’s doing a great job.  I just wish that it was a little easier to get the hose for manual cleaning and that the hose was longer.  Those are 2 areas where Mr. Dyson excelled.  My back is sore from all of the bending I did. 

I must be a glutton for punishment because after I cooled off a bit it was time to play with the automobile.  I cleaned the windshield, nothing like being able to see where your going, what a novel idea.  Then I had to protect & shine up the vinyl and clean & protect the leather.  The inside of my ride looks so nice.  I have had 3 people total in the passenger seat and 2 people in the rear seats.  So those seats are immaculate because they aren’t broken in like the drivers seat.  I’d love to swap the passenger seat so I could break in a new seat.  After the cleaning we had to check the pressure.  Made sure all of the tires were properly set.  Then filled up the washer fluid and it was time to go back in the house because I was dripping with sweat.  Garage temp was at 100 degrees.  Nothing like baking in the sun. 

I worked in a nap with Gator.  She demanded cuddling or she wasn’t gong to let me sleep.  That little ball of fur is so demanding and particular.  I don’t want to listen to her yap it drives me insane.  A meow here and there is fine but one after another after another is way too much. 

I figured today would be an easy shopping day and I didn’t need a whole lot so I should easily get out under $100.  Boy was I wrong.  They were out of prepared sandwiches so I had to buy bread, meat and cheese.  I bought the same flavor cat treats they are currently working on yesterday so I grabbed a new flavor today.  I had to have this cheesecake sampler and opted to keep a pizza on hand.  I didn’t need breakfast sandwiches or soda and that is where I figured the savings would come in but apparently not.  I even had 2 coupons and that didn’t help much.  When you stop and think about it $100 isn’t much considering most of my food comes out of a box.  If I had to prepare my food the cost may be slightly lower but the labor investment would be higher.  I really hope that when I meet my Mr. Right that he knows how to cook, if he doesn’t then were both going to be up a creek. 

Finished up the laundry, listened to some music and am slowly finishing up Orange Is The New Black.  I think I will have the series done tonight and that will be okay by me.  I bravely added my work calendar back to my phone.  Much to my surprise no new meetings scheduled so that is a plus.  I looked at the ticket system over the weekend and know there are at least 2 tickets waiting just for me.  I shudder to think of how much email I have.  2 days probably around 150 to 180 messages, most of which will be crap.  I refuse to look ahead of time, I want it to be a surprise.  I will have an entire day to clean up and catch up before boss man returns on Tuesday and if time allows I should be okay.  I will also be on-call so there will be an uptick in my work this week over all.  Not to mention the BS meetings that I will have to sit through.  Holy fuck makes me wish I had unlimited Pina Colada’s while I worked.  Wouldn’t that be interesting.  I think next weekend I will actually have one unless I manage to talk myself into going to some place other than Red Lobster. 

Got a computer problem where all of a sudden my contacts and calendar which are based on iCloud won’t open in Outlook.  I have rebooted but that didn’t fix it.  I reinstalled iCloud for Windows and need to reboot, hopefully that will do the trick.  If not I could be in front of this machine for longer than I want.  I feel like I am neglecting the children and the guilt is eating me up.  However, I can’t be everywhere at once. 

I saved the best for last.  Dinner – Stouffer’s Chicken Enchiladas, which are swimming in a mixture of cheese along with rice and black beans.  Holy cow they are good.  Got a family serving which is 4.  Ate 2 tonight and will have the other 2 tomorrow night.  Then 2 pieces of cheese cake.  The 1st on was chocolate laced and the 2nd one was strawberry I believe.  My palate was all mucked up from eating the chocolate first.  It’s going to be a fattening week around here but oh my taste buds are going to be in heaven. 

Shaved my whiskers off and back to a nice smooth & clean face.  Ready to take on the week so long as I get enough sleep.  Hopefully, Monday won’t be as bad as I fear.  That is the only problem with taking time off, you have to eventually go back and that sucks.  It’s nice to pause things, step back and refresh.  I need time off for the vehicle service thing in September and then in October it will be back to the doctor.  I have nothing scheduled or planned yet.

Going to reboot ye old machine to see if my problem is fixed.  Then go take in what is left of Orange and get ready for Monday.  I hope you had a really great weekend, stayed cool and got to wipe somethings off your to-do list along with having a little fun and take in some good food and maybe even a nap.  I’ll talk with you again soon.  Be kind to each other.  Bye for now. 

Time 4 a change

Good Day and welcome back!

I hope you like what I did with the page.  It took a little bit of effort but most of this stuff is canned by Google in their themes, I just did some customization work.  Something that I have been away from for a long time and it took a little bit longer than I wanted but I got through it. 

Ah Saturday the last day to “sleep in” and sit around doing nothing.  I started watching the newest and last season of Orange is the New Black.  Wow, it just sucks you right in.  I was up until almost 2a when I decided it was time to get some sleep.  Up at 8:30a, fed the kids and back to the TV.  Napped a little bit around 10a.  Woke up in time to pass out lunch.  Watched more TV.  Then tried to take a nap but wound up cuddling with Gator.

It was around 1:30p and I got a shower and got moving.  Headed out to grab the mail.  Got a bite to eat and picked up cat food.  Wow the joys of Saturday.  I could have easily gone for pie but money is a little short since were at the end of the month.  Pay day is next week but still I need groceries.  I’ve managed to do a good job of running up the bills and I’ll feel better when I get them paid.  It’s like a license to spend again.  However, I am at a danger point and that limits what I do.  Meaning unless it’s necessary it doesn’t happen – bar none. 

Gasoline is super expensive all of a sudden and every time I turn around it’s $30 and above to fill up.  That’s just with going to and from work.  I feel like my employer should pay that, at least it would be nice.  Working from home has it’s perks not to mention a full tank of gas you can keep!  That was my Yoda impression, pretty good huh?

I had my iPad out last night and was looking through it.  Came across 2 gay brothers who formed a group called Nemesis Rising back in 2007.  Looks like they only had one album from what I can tell.  Wow it took me back and I’ve been listening to their work this evening.  Amazing. 

I went on a shredding project and cleaned out my file cabinet, at least part of it.  Finished that up and then moved on to cleaning the office and rearranging a couple things.  Same old office and pretty much same look.  Just less dust and clutter. 

I do believe my mind is made up as far as phone upgrades go.  The iPhone XR appears to be what I can afford and seems most practical.  I don’t think I will make it to September to see what new phones are released.  I’ll probably bite the bullet next month.  I really wanted to do it today but I kept telling myself it’s bad timing.  I’ve spent my bonus several times over and it’s time to stop.  Anyway, I am thinking of a red phone and then I’ll get the red Mophie case.  Red supports AIDS Charities and Mophie has had this campaign in place for a while.  Apple jumped on the band wagon last year.  Why not make a double donation.  If they had a killer electric blue I’d be all over that but Red is the most appealing of all of the colors they have.  I really want the XS but it’s just out of what I am willing to pay.  I think $41 per month is xsessive, see what I did there?  Yeah that on top of my regular phone bill, wowzah the bill would really shoot up there.  Not that I am not worth it but honestly at the end of the day it’s only a smart phone. 

I will need to schedule time for the SUV to get it’s annual paint & fabric protection coating in September.  I am thinking of just bundling an oil change with it, let them have the car for the day and take a loaner.  I’ll take the day off work and lounge here at home.  Yeah I really want to buy something new but I keep hearing a little voice say hang on to what you got.  There is a special connection with this vehicle and while I want to, I can’t seem to come to terms with parting ways.  I know it’s silly but when the time is right I’ll move on.  That’s not saying in 2 months I won’t change my mind, it’s just for now I have no real plans to part ways.  Plus temptation being what it is, that’s 1/2 of the reason why my credit reports are frozen.  I can’t make an impulse purchase without waiting 48 hours, it take that amount of time for them to thaw once I issue the command. 

Each day I go to my Amazon photo app and look back at past photos from a year or more ago.  Today came up with kitten photos.  I really miss Ruth.  I want to hold her (even though I know she wouldn’t let me) and scratch her, hear her meow.  I miss Big Boy as well but there is something about Ruth that I just can’t quite get over the way things went down.  It hurts very bad.  She will always be alive in my heart.

Well enough depression and feelings.  I am miles ahead on laundry and I am going to continue my progress so that maybe tomorrow I can lounge if only for a little bit. 

Tomorrow will be breakfast out, groceries, gasoline and I am debating about another hair cut.  I know I just had it done a couple weeks ago but I am ready to go back and have it shortened again.  I’ve also thought about color but I am a bit of a chicken.  It’s like I have always wanted to pierce my ears but never have.  One day maybe I will just throw caution to the wind. 

Hope you had an awesome Saturday.  Stay cool, hydrated and do something nice for yourself, you deserve it!  Talk with you again soon. 

Halloween

Went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  They have Halloween stuff out already and are trying to upsell it when you cash out.  It’s July and Halloween isn’t until October.  I get that the cicada’s are chirping at night and that means that Fall is on the way but good lord your more than a little early. 

Picked up my medicine and yes I got a huge discount, they ran the medicine through script saver and for once it actually worked.  Normally the drug isn’t covered at all.  Not sure what happened but I am not looking a gift horse in the mouth.  I am truly grateful for the savings.  My sleeping med was run through another program and not my insurance so all is well. 

Stopped off at Target.  Picked up some cat litter, allergy medicine, my casserole by Stouffers that I love, some diet coke and another air purifier for my office.  That was an expensive trip.  I also found the vacuum cleaner isle and of course a better Bissel vacuum that I would have gotten if I shopped there instead of Amazon.  Apparently sucking is all the rage when it comes to vacuums.  Here I thought it was just a gay thing!

I’ve got some additional light chips in my windshield that I am going to fix this afternoon.  Perfect for a hot sunny day.  I just don’t want to be out in it.  Thinking dinner at Outback but Red Lobster sounds good as well. 

Got up at 8:30 and I am already, ready for a nap.  It’s like one of my favorite things to do.  I have other household chores to tend to but there is a tomorrow and a later tonight, so I’ll probably give in and go lay down.  I’m sure I will have a cuddle buddy.

Happy Friday, we made it again!  Now pass me a Pina Colada and a hot man!

Awkward Moment

Good Day and welcome back.  Today was doctor visit day.  I wanted to get going early and eat breakfast out, make a Target run and try to be productive.  Then I realized ah, what will I do tomorrow.  So I deferred that for a day.  I ate crap for breakfast, watched TV, cuddled and napped with Gator.  She told me when it was time to get up long before Echo would sound an alarm.  I don’t know how they do it but the cats can tell time pretty well.  I set the reminder for Echo or tell them what time I need to be up and presto they take care of me. 

Had lunch which was my first real meal of the day.  Watched part of Home Alone 2, got a shower and then off to see the doctor. 

I was really surprised when a guy called me in.  I’m used to a female nurse who has little to no sense of humor.  This guy was not bad looking and had a sense of humor.  He did his thing with getting my vitals and asking question.  Then he told me the doctor would be in and gave me his name again and said if I needed anything, anything at all he would be right outside.  Now I construe that as a pick up line but perhaps he was just trying to be nice.  He came back after my visit was done and drew my blood.  Wow he had some guns for arms.  I kept thinking should I or shouldn’t I make a move.  I opted to not make a move and think that was the smartest choice. 

As for the doctor we chatted about my health.  It sounds like allergies that I am suffering from at the moment.  He said that next time I get sick it would be better to call the office, phone messages are high on the priority list and messages through the patient portal are last on the list and often get put off because he gets busy.  Yeah okay.  I didn’t say this but I did call at Memorial Day and was told to go to an urgent care.  I don’t want to argue or debate subject.  Any how he is interested in knowing how my blood sugar is doing.  I reminded him that I had steroids so the numbers are probably going to be off.  We talked about the new diabetes drug he put me on and the side affects.  He told me that he is not a fan of prescribing it because of the side effects I stated.  However, given my insurance coverage it’s like the last ditch effort before we move into expensive drugs that aren’t covered.  He wants to see my numbers and then said he would advise about what to do.  I honestly think that drug is what made me sick, so I am hesitant to go back on it.  However, if I do go back on it and suddenly turn up ill then we will know that drug is no longer an option.  Blood results will be published over the weekend and I should hear back from him next week.  The hunk that was his nurse skipped the urine test and I know that won’t please the doctor but hey I didn’t have to go so it was best. 

We chatted about my foot as well.  It’s killing me but it’s not gout and it’s not neuropathy.  He doesn’t know what it is.  I managed to make the pain go away for a couple days by wearing extra thick socks and a good pair of shoes.  Today it’s back to hurting again.

One thing that I didn’t mention is that my sex drive is down.  I mean I still react to seeing a hot guy but as for doing anything about it well the desire just isn’t there.  I’m hoping this is temporary but if not then we will have something to talk about in 3 months.  I think it’s a phase that I am going through and it will pass.

I installed the latest version of Windows.  Wow I didn’t think that would be an all day project.  It started yesterday and I didn’t come back to the computer until this afternoon.  I restarted to get it installed and it said it would be a while.  So I vacuumed the basement.  Not much fur down here after all.  Also I found out that the hose is much shorter than what the Dyson had.  Anyway, came back after supper and it was ready to login.  I had performance issues – it was slower than a turtle.  I didn’t realize it had additional updates to download and install.  When that happens performance goes out the window.  Finally after several hours I got my computer back.  Whoopie!

I need to visit the pharmacy tomorrow to get my medicine.  One of the meds I take isn’t covered because it’s OTC but I need a script in order to be able to take it legally on a daily basis.  It’s normally $100 and today I see the quantity is right but they say the cost is $18 with insurance.  I’m thinking they only have part of the order.  If they tell me it’s $18 and have the full prescription I am not going to flinch, let me pay for that and get the hell out of the store before they figure out they made a huge mistake. 

Speaking of pharmacies I had to call the vet today to get Marv some more medicine.  This ditz answered the phone and wasn’t sure what to do because there weren’t any refills on the medicine.  She put me on hold and then someone with better sense came on the line and told me they would check with the vet and get back to me.  Of course they called back right when I was getting a needle shoved in my arm.  My phone flashes and it was on vibrate.  I told the hunk that was taking my blood that this was the worst time to get a phone call.  He said yeah I see something flashing in your pocket.  Ah, the pick up lines that come to mind right about now. 

So just usual ordinary day stuff going on at the moment.  I’m loving life because all I see are blue skies and sunshine.  I can only hope that the next 3 days will be very enjoyable and relaxing.  On to watch some TV and maybe put some ice on my foot that is driving me nuts.  I really wish I could find a cure for it.  I know going to the podiatrist is probably the best way to figure it all out.  Perhaps I will make some calls tomorrow to figure out what is or isn’t covered and then maybe make an appointment.  Ugh, I don’t want or need another doctor.  Don’t get old folks, everything starts falling apart.  I’m still young by most peoples standards and what I am experiencing now is just the tip of the iceberg. 

Have a nice weekend.  We will talk again soon.    

The Dirt

Well my new floor sucker arrived today.  I was so eager to make it home and see what I bought.  I got it assembled with ease, which is saying a lot for me.  There were a couple challenges but they were quickly over come by referring back to the directions. 

I plugged it in and turned it on, man it’s on the noisy side but that was to be expected it’s a vacuum cleaner.  I started pushing it around and holy cow I was amazed at what came up.  It’s like Mr. Dyson was only working part of the way.  I got enough fur up to nit a sweater for a small cat.  I will be running it again over the weekend to see what else it may pickup.  I am anxious to get it in the basement and see what if anything it picks up. 

It’s a little difficult to push compared to the Dyson which glided with ease.  However, based on a photo and the little bit of research that I did, I am very proud of my purchase and think that it will serve us well.  Most vacuums today are based on the Dyson model with the bag less technology and cyclone that generates in the canister as you vacuum. 

So in other news my 30th High School Reunion will be taking place soon.  I don’t plan on going.  There doing a dinner/dance theme and serving a meal so of course it’s not free.  However, some how they managed to arrange a campus tour on a different date so we can go back and see how things are.  I talked with a lady at a Yankee Candle shop earlier this year and she was telling me how things have moved all around.  I was on the fence about going to that but I had time to think about it on the way home and I actually think I am going to go.  It’s on a Saturday in August and I think it’s a once in a lifetime event.  There is a challenge to see if we can find our old locker.  Yeah uh I have no idea what my locker number was, much less the combination to it.  I remember where it was but it’s location has probably changed since the time I used it. 

Suits will be coming on soon.  I hate commercials but it’s one show that I like to watch live.  I just get to hear all about Lexus and that gets old after a while.  Sort of like me watching ER and hearing commercials for Honda.  It’s repeat commercials that drive me insane.  In the morning while I am watching the news I hear a local roofer advertise a deal that is for a limited time only, never mind the fact they have had the same deal in place for 3 years running.  So much for a limited deal, I don’t think it will expire anytime soon. 

I was chatting with a co-worker today, who is not a peer.  He likes watches and I asked him what he was wearing.  He thought it was a setup and that someone told me to have “the watch chat” with him.  Apparently he obsesses over them like I do over men and fine writing instruments.  He told me that he wears an Omega.  Holy fuck, my jaw hit the floor.  That is a several thousand dollar watch and way out of my league.  I told him about my recent purchases and the fact that I now own 3 watches.  I told him about my nicest watch which is a Pulsar and he said your not wearing it.  I said I can’t wear it and type.  It was at my desk.  The only fashion accessory I can keep on while I am using the computer is a bracelet and maybe a ring, depends upon how it feels on my finger. 

Speaking of accessories, my new glasses are idea at work.  Everything jumps out at me on the screen and it makes it so much easier to see without having to get right up next to the monitor.  My setup here at home is a little different and I don’t quite get the same benefit.  There is a slight blur and that was of concern but once I put them on at work it was like magic.  The part that I hate is they slip.  I’ve tried the manual adjustment but that isn’t working so well.  I tried silicone nose pads but they didn’t offer any help.  I think if the frames were a little larger it would be a harmonious perfect match but it is what it is.  I’ll work it out some how. 

I’m going to try to enjoy myself over the next 4 days because I anticipate it will be hella busy and stressful when I get back.  For now email is turned off on my phone so it should be peaceful unless someone sends a text or calls.  I don’t anticipate that but one never knows.  I was thinking last night about my last employer where when you scheduled time off you still had to carry your company phone and watch it.  They actually expected you to work if they needed you while you were off.  The day of my wedding I worked up until it was the absolute last minute time to go and then I was sending emails from the car (I wasn’t driving).  So glad to be away from that toxic mess.

Speaking of toxic, I see that my brother and his new wife just bought life insurance.  Her son apparently is selling it.  See this is all starting to fit into my prediction that she is out to kill him.  I think she wants to get rich fast and not have to worry about him.  He of course can’t see it because he’s too close to the forest.  Hey maybe it’s just them being smart and planning for the inevitable but I honestly don’t think so.  When he does finally kick the bucket I don’t expect to make any money.  In fact I am sure she will have her hand out for me to chip in for his funeral.  Funny thing is, he’s your problem now since she is legally his next of kin.  I don’t plan on paying for any damn thing.  Yeah the blood pressure is going up just talking about it. 

Guess I should go check in with the TV and see what Harvey & the gang are up to this week.  Going to see the doc tomorrow hopefully it will be an easy in and out visit. 

Stay cool – drink water and enjoy what is left of the week.  Weekend is around the corner folks!

Correction–Floor Sucker

Turns out I actually have the DC14 Animal and there is a replacement part.  However, it’s around $160 and I paid less than that for a new (different brand) vacuum, 2 Filters and 2 Belts. 

I’m now throwing my Dyson away and maybe someday I’ll spend the $ to get the replacement part.  Right now I need a vacuum by next weekend so that I can clean. 

Just wanted to set the record straight. 

Floor Sucker

Sadly my floor sucker (vacuum broke.  I don’t relish buying a new one.  I did look for a replacement part but it doesn’t look like it’s made.  I reluctantly went to Amazon and looked at several different models.  I settled for a Bissell.  I will get it on Wednesday and then in a couple week the replacement belts and filters will arrive.  I did a package and figured why not cover all of the bases.  The filters will wear out but hopefully the belt won’t wear out anytime soon.  I’ve had my Dyson Animal (DC50) 1st Generation for years and it was around $500 when I got it.  I can say I got my moneys worth but I am not in a position to shell out that kind of cash for a floor sucker right now.  Back when there were 2 incomes it was no big deal but now my money needs to go other places.  I expect that my new vacuum will only last a couple years and then it will need to be replaced.  I’d honestly love a new Dyson but I heard they aren’t made the same and I can tell they don’t hold the same amount of dirt that the originals used to.  That combined with price is why I had to steer in a different direction.  I hope that I like what I bought, it looks nice on-line but then again many other things have looked nice on the internet and when they show up in person it’s like send it back.  So the Amazon driver will love me.  They will be here Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  I did some shopping last night not anticipating that I would need to be buying a new vacuum.  If I only knew in advance.  

I got another pleasant surprise this morning a guy bought me breakfast.  He’s an older gentlemen and we see each other every Sunday at Steak N Shake.  I don’t think he has a clue that I am gay or if he does it doesn’t bother him.  We kid each other, tell jokes and just chew the fat.  Normally our interaction is 10 to 20 minutes at most.  I’ve known him for a couple years.  Last week I got him some coupons for coffee.  He eats on the cheap.  I have bought his breakfast before and it’s like $5, which is nothing compared to mine because while it’s breakfast it’s actually lunch.  I get a bowl of chili, a burger, fries and a soda.  If I feel like it I may throw in a small shake or even a large shake.  He was pretty adamant about paying for my meal.  He got the bill and I don’t think he was quite prepared for $12 and I made a joke and said hey what about a shake.  He said your cut off.  I know he was joking but I actually wasn’t.  I got a small shake and asked for the bill.  He asked me at the register what I was paying for I told him a milkshake and he said oh I would have gotten that.  I said oh you told me I was cut off.  We laughed about it and that was that.  Kind of a nice surprise.  I had money and was fully prepared to pay.  I’ve bought breakfast for strangers for years off and on, it just makes me feel good.  So I guess you can say I got some pay back today. 

I need to visit Target and was planning on it but once I got going and the heat just overwhelmed me I said why not do it on one of your days off.  So I think Thursday or Friday I will hit them up.  Right now it’s 102 in my garage and outside its 90.  Just God Awful and I have a heat intolerance.  So if I don’t watch myself I can get really sick and zapped in the process.  I cleaned the windows in the car inside and out today and that was enough to do me in.  I loved coming inside and getting a nice cold Gatoraide out of the fridge.  I gulped that down in a hurry and it sure was good. 

Laundry is all done and the house is clean, thankfully I got one last run out of the Dyson before it gave up the ghost.  Got in a nap and some cuddle time with Marv, Momma and Gator.  They got their lunch.  Marv, Gator & I went fishing and they sure did have fun.  Fishing is me getting out a fishing pole that has a toy tied to the end.  They bat at it and bite it.  Marv loves to stick his claws into it.  Then he bites at the fishing like.  I asked him if he was flossing and he meowed at me.  We play this little game every once and a while.  Marv and I used to play with a ball before bed but he grew tired of it and now when I try he just stares at me like really you want me to play.  So I don’t bother.  It was part of our bedtime routine for the longest time.  So was him sleeping in bed with me.  I made the happen today, it only last about 45 minutes.  He was beyond upset at first but then he saw what I was up to and oh he just fell in love with it  He held one of my hands hostage which is par for the course.  He gets happy and the drool just pours out of him like a river.  Something that started in his old age.  Hey if he’s happy that is what matters. 

Last night I looked at cell phones again.  My God they are expensive little pocket computers.  What I want (the iPhone XS) goes for $42 per month and that is on top of my regular phone bill.  My present phone will be paid off with this month’s bill which will be auto charging to my credit card in days.  I was paying $25 per month and that is not unreasonable but $42 seems a bit high to me.  At some point I will give in to temptation.  That could be soon or a while from now.  The price of service has gone through the roof and I dumped unlimited data 3 years ago.  Now it’s al the rage and they want you to go back to it.  Sure because it’s $100 per month (average).  I found out that I really don’t use that much data.  3GB fits me well and I had a plan with that allowance for years.  They increased the allowance to 6GB per month and I think the price may have gone up by a $1 or 2.  Looking at today’s plans it’s to my advantage to keep what I have.  If I switch away from it they don’t offer that plan any longer and I would be stuck.  If I keep myself in check and don’t give in to temptation next months bill will be $25 less and that will be a little refreshing.  I’m on a iPhone 7 and it’s old but it’s still very functional.  If I keep it long enough I will be forced to upgrade.  I like my home button and that is something I will have to give up with an upgrade, unless I go to an 8 or 8 plus but the whole point of upgrading is newer technology so why not.  Apple should be releasing a new phone in the fall which means the previous model will be cheaper.  IOS 13 will also launch in the Fall and I am looking forward to that. 

Well I guess I should get about shaving the whiskers off my face and getting a shower.  Then it will be time to heat up a pizza, pass out cat food for supper and some surfing for the evening.  Then TV and time with the kids before calling it a night and then yet another week begins.  Only 3 days for me and I am happy about that.  Taking 2 days off will be hell to recover from but I am not thinking about that right now.  I am looking forward to peace and quiet.  Plus not being chained to a desk, computer or my phone.  Seeing the Doc on Thursday and I believe Friday will be a blood draw day.  Outside of that I am free and wide open. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your doing well and staying cool.  Remember to drink water, got to stay hydrated!  Talk with you all again soon.

Friday

Made it through yet another week!  Got my new “computer” glasses today in the mail.  The frame seems a bit smaller than what I tried on as a demo and they like to slide but other than that they are okay.  I suppose it will take my eyes time to adjust to them since I have been in bifocals.  Things are sharper but also slightly blurry.  I was told that you have no depth perception with computer glasses but I can wear these and walk, it’s not comfortable but it can be done.  I fell for buying a special case and that was based off of what they sent me a couple years back.  Turns out the case the glasses came in is more modern.  In fact the whole packaging system is.  When I opened the box it reminded me of unboxing a fine writing instrument.  First class all the way!  I submitted my insurance claim and that was all done electronically, which I didn’t expect.  Now I just sit back and wait to see how much insurance will actually pay.  I don’t anticipate much but nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

Yesterday was my dentist appointment.  First time I have been at the dentist when the dentist herself wasn’t there.  I got my cleaning done and everything turned out fine.  As per usual no problems.  I was told once again on the next visit they will do a whole mouth x-ray.  Yeah okay whatever.  It’s covered by insurance, I asked and verified myself.  1 time in 5 years and I can tell you I haven’t had a full mouth x-ray in years.  I went to schedule my next appointment and suddenly no more Saturdays.  I didn’t get the normal receptionist so I will be calling back next week to see what is going on.  I kind of expected after she sold her practice that changes would be coming and weekend hours would be a thing of the past.  I looked up my dentist tonight on my dental insurance website and they show normal m-f operating hours, so I kind of expect I am right and Saturdays are a thing of the past.  That sucks if it’s the case.  I never had to use PTO to go see the dentist and I liked that.  Lots of little things have changed since she sold the practice and I am thinking about changing but the dentist herself is the reason why I go, it’s 35 minutes away from my house and there are plenty of dentist with weekend hours much closer.  The other thing that got to me is the receptionist said, there is a $4 balance on your account.  I said send me a bill.  Oh honey we don’t do that is the response I got.  I said then how in the world do you expect to get paid.  Easy I just told you how much you owe.  I said well either you send me a bill or you can keep wishing and hoping for your money.  I held firm to my guns.  That is pure bullshit that you can’t send me a bill.  It doesn’t have to be a paper bill, I mean you could do it electronically.  I don’t like surprises like that.  Sure I had the money but it’s the point and I have complained about that before.  I said I wouldn’t pay unless you send a bill and I fucking meant it.  So I have that in my craw (whatever that is). 

We are in the middle of a heat wave here.  I was thinking about driving for pie but then I thought about how hot it is outside and I don’t know that I want to be on the road for any length of time.  I will go out but it will probably be local.  I just got a call from my talkie friend and I sent him to voicemail.  We just talked last week, not much has changed and he is becoming clingy.  I need a break.  Plus he will want to meet up for supper tomorrow and I’d sooner spent it with my cats.  I am just tired and he is tap dancing on my last nerve.  Just like my brother did, he sucks up my time and I have let him thus far.  Now I am pushing back.  If it breaks the friendship well then so be it.  I’ll call him back but it probably won’t be until tomorrow evening and that will be by design.  That way no risk of the hey lets get together and grab a bite to eat. 

I was caught off guard today by a departure.  A younger guy in one of our remote offices put in his notice.  Apparently he did this a month ago.  He’s leaving for school.  I was really shocked.  Yeah I had a slight crush on him and he was always pleasant to deal with.  He gave me his information so we could stay in touch but then again he gave a lot of people the same information.  I know for a fact he is straight so I am not reading anything into it.  I may reach out later in the year and see how school is going for him.  He’s a million miles away from me so it’s not like our paths will ever cross. 

I also was surprised that we hired another help desk guy for my office.  There has been a position open but it’s taken a long time to fill.  They got a young kid, fresh out of school.  He is into cybersecurity and that is where he wants to focus, at least that is the info I got from doing recon on him today.  I am a little disappointed in their choice but hey maybe he will be the greatest person ever.  I think he will be a suck up to me since I am in the position he really wants.  Not saying he is going to try to take my job but at least I know his professional interest.  Honestly I think if his true focus is cybersecurity he will probably not stay long and be quick to move on.  This position will get him into IT and likely is a stepping stone to bigger and better things.  So be it, I mean we all started some where.  I just hope he’s not a fuck up like the other guy we got.  Plus this guy is black so the other guy will probably have to stop saying brother.  Every time I see him I greet him the same as anyone else and say hello followed by his name and his retort is what’s going on bruther.  Fuck you I am not your bruther.  One time is fine but every damn time I see him he says the same annoying thing and yes it rubs me the wrong way.  So I guess were in for interesting times. 

I felt inspired tonight and left a 1/2 hour early.  It’s Friday, nothing going on and why sit around for 30 minutes waiting for the paint to dry.  Easier to hit the dusty trail and get home.  Sure was nice.  I’ve been leaving 20 minutes early for months now and figured an extra 10 minutes wouldn’t hurt anything.  I mean I’m paid the same if I work 40 hours or 4 hours. 

Ah what to do this weekend.  I’m sure I will find something to occupy my time and sleeping/napping sounds really nice right about now.  I need to head up and check in with the kids and let them know I am still alive.  We had supper together and then I made a mad dash downstairs to start on computer stuff.  They will want their fair share of attention and I am all to happy to give it to them, they deserve it.  It’s actually beneficial for both parties but I’m not sure they know that.  Cats got my tongue and I’m not talking!

Have a nice weekend and I am sure I will be back at some point with another update.  Stay cool, hydrated and safe.  Cheers!

Mid-Week

I got an email confirmation that my computer glasses are in the mail and will be delivered later this week.  Kind of excited, I hope they help things out and give me the neck & shoulder relief my eye doctor told me about.

I heard that a guy I work with doesn’t work here anymore.  He injured his foot and that was depressing.  He’s in his 20’s so healing should be quick.  However, it wasn’t healing properly and he is in a lot of pain.  He stopped coming to work.  His employer reached out to him but apparently he stopped responding so they just terminated him.  This is one of those situations where one becomes addicted to pain medicine, goes into depression and tunes out the rest of the world.  It’s really sad.  I am not saying that he is hooked on pain medicine but it does sound like he could use some help.  He’s been here for several years and it’s a shame to see him flush everything away.

Boss man is all excited because he leaves for vacation for a week and a half of vacation.  He gave each of us little tasks to help keep us busy while he is gone.  I mean he wouldn’t want us to relax, but jokes on him because I’m relaxing and enjoying it.  When he gets back there is a huge migration project that will get started and he will need our help so it will be bonkers for a while.  Might as well savor the peace & quiet or what I hope is peace & quiet while I can. 

I made the grave mistake of leaving the ceiling fan on last night while I was sleeping. I got cold during the night and that caused me to wake up but I already felt ill.  I shut off the fan and went back to bed.  I woke up feeling a little better.  I am mostly scared for how I will feel tomorrow.  I hope that nothing comes of this and it will pass.  I don’t want to be sick again.  At least I am working from home for the morning so that will help. 

The final season of Suits starts tonight so I am looking forward to watching that.  It’s really an awesome show.  The legal system doesn’t quite work like they depict but there are some truths in there.  I am glad that Mike is coming back because that cutie was the reason that I got hooked on the show in the first place.  What a nice body he has!

Outside of that it’s all hum drum boring, average.  Lots of warm weather here and it’s dangerous kind of hot so I am thankful for AC.  I’ve got the fluids going.  I am sure Gator is hold up under the covers on my bed.  The AC is up high so I don’t freeze them out but when I get home I adjust accordingly.  Last night I didn’t touch it and it felt like it was in Antarctic mode, just when I was ready to turn it off it beat me to the punch and turned off on it’s own.  I love my AC but I don’t want to be an ice cube. 

Hope all is well in your world.  A few more hours here and then the fun ride home and my evening will begin.  Friday is going to suck coming back for 1 day.  I should have taken it off but ah well maybe it will help build my character! 

Do not panic

Yesterday I was pursuing through my email and saw something stuck in my spam filter.  I thought maybe it was a false positive so I looked.  What I found was an email that would make the average unknowing person cringe and part with their money quickly.  What I got was an extortion email from a supposed hacker.  Apparently he has been watching me for months and installed a virus on my system, he saw me on an adult site and captured a video of me bopping my bologna to an adult video.  If I don’t part with some money and send him x amount of bit coin he is going to release the video to all of my contacts.  If I tell anyone about the email that will trigger an immediate release of said video. 

I deal with bullshit like this all day long, it’s what I do for a living and I know this is a complete bluff.  First of all I don’t have a web cam so no one has “video” of me.  Second I don’t use the contacts feature associated with the email address that reached me.  Third that email account doesn’t actually exist in physical form, meaning there is no mailbox it’s a forwarding address.  Fourth most everyone that I care about already knows I’m gay.  Fifth I don’t try to hide the fact I watch porn and well I am not eating a bowl of popcorn while I am watching.  I’m busy with the aforementioned bologna.  Sixth the email address that I received this threat on isn’t an address that I have published or disclosed to anyone at anytime under any circumstances.  So there you have it and no I am not paying up.  This type of email is common and it’s the shame factor that will motivate most people.  I won’t say everyone but a good majority of people watch porn and like me they aren’t eating popcorn.  Humiliation coupled with extortion is pretty powerful. 

I heard about this scam earlier this year and it actually reached someone that I work with.  They actually sent him his password in an email.  That is of concern but the best thing you can do is change your password right away.  If you don’t have good cyber hygiene and use the same password for everything well then you have a lot of work to do. 

What are the takeaways from this? 

1.  Don’t do anything in front of a web cam that would embarrass you.

2.  If you have a web cam assume it’s on all the time, even if the light isn’t on.  Most have microphones so be careful of what you say.  If your camera is external, consider unplugging it unless you need to use it.  If it’s built into a laptop use a piece of black tape or a post it to cover the lens.    

3.  Make sure you change your passwords on a regular basis and use a password keeper like LastPass One Pass, KeyPass or something similar.  Most of these programs will generate and store secure random passwords for you.  This way you only need to remember a single password.  If the program you choose offers MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) and/or 2FA (Two Factor Authentication) which are the same thing, enable it for an extra layer of security.

4.  Never ever pay ransom or extortion money of any kind.  If you think the threat is real consider involving law enforcement, even if your told not to. 

5.  Consider archiving your email so if someone does compromise your account they can’t gain any inside information by reading through your email.  If you don’t want to archive then at the very least encrypt your mail so it requires a password to decrypt. 

6.  Don’t store your contacts information in your email.  Either use a password manager for that or setup a dummy account and only use the address book feature. Unless your email account offers MFA or 2FA.   

7.  There is no way someone can place a virus on a computer and have it never, ever detected by an anti-virus program.  Sure traditional AV programs that depend upon definitions or updates can be behind but that’s why you should either layer your protection or go with a next gen AV provider that looks at behavior patterns so they actually detect something that may not yet have a definition but the behavior is malicious or suspicious.  Better safe than sorry!

It’s kind of sad that we all have to watch every move we make.  I’m not saying live in fear but rather just live but take precautions.  It’s like P.T. Barnum said there is a sucker born every minute go get their money.  People won’t ever stop thinking up cons, scams or schemes in which to separate you from your money.  Be careful.  Most of what I have placed in this article is common cyber security knowledge but my aim isn’t to be redundant but rather to educate you so you can protect yourself. 

This is no different than other schemes where someone calls pretending to be tech support, Microsoft, Apple or who ever saying you have a virus or there has been fraud on your account and it’s caused by your computer.  Hang up on those people they are true hackers and are up to no good.

I am not looking to push software or programs on anyone, I’m not getting compensated by anyone, my true sole purpose here is educational awareness.  I hope I’ve helped you!

Bad Boy

I was a bad boy today and didn’t go to work like I should have.  I wasn’t feeling it.  I find that on Sunday’s when I take extra sleeping medicine because of my napping habit that when I wake up it causes me to say fuck it all.  I don’t care about much of anything.  However, the cats got their food and medicine.  I even ate a little bit and then told everyone I was out for the day and back to bed. 

As much as I told myself I wouldn’t nap, eventually it happened.  I got in some quality time with Marv, which he really needed.  Didn’t really do much of anything all day long but lounge.  Feels kind of good because it was a rainy nasty day outside, so I picked a winner. 

I needed to test something with email and I had to login to work, wow plenty of crap waiting for me, otherwise I wouldn’t have seen anything until morning.  My testing complete I logged off as fast as I logged in. 

My nose and eyes are bothering, allergies no doubt.  I need to head up and get some medicine.  Put a pizza in the oven, feed the pussy cats and prepare for a relaxing evening.  Tomorrow will be back to work unless something catastrophic happens.  I know I will have problems sleeping tonight (guilt) but hopefully things aren’t too bad. 

So the week is off to a start like it or not.  Hope that you had a great day.  I hope the rest of the week is easy and that we can get to the weekend again.  I’m not making any promises but I have been thinking about pie and making the trip.  Ah well pizza here I come.  Talk with you all again soon!

Technology Weekend

It’s been a whirlwind weekend.  I opted to change my personal email address.  I kind of feel like I moved, I mean digitally I did indeed move.  I got tired of my ISP’s email, we had issues.  I voiced concerns a couple times and they chose to do nothing about it.  So I am even less dependent upon them now.  I own several domains and just created an account that I wanted to use from now on.  It was simple and I own the domain so I own the account and the only dependency is me paying the bill and that’s not a problem.  If I get tired of my registrar/hosting provider I can move, the email will come with me. 

I can’t actually kill my old account, as my ISP requires me to have at least 1 email account active.  There won’t be any mail there but junk after about 6 months.  You know mail trickles in slowly and you have to tell this company, that company and friends.  Well I don’t have many “friends” so it’s one less thing I have to worry about. 

I got some additional medicine ordered for Momma & Marvin, got my computer glasses ordered ($162) and I found out when they arrive I can submit a claim to my employer provided vision plan and I will get a little something back but I don’t expect much.  I made another purchase for a subscription to a technology service.  I also paid my bills and gave extra money to a couple credit cards and managed to tuck away a decent amount into savings.  Got more money to send off for my Escrow account on my mortgage.  I’ve paid $300 in and between taxes and insurance things went up around $233.  My hope in paying extra money in now that when they balance the Escrow account in a couple months that my house payment won’t go up by much, if at all.  I hope this is a smart move on my part but only time will tell.

I got my sleep on, spent time with each of the kids.  This afternoon I laid down and set an alarm on my phone to wake me in 2 hours.  Ms. Momma knew that was way too long for me to sleep.  She gave it a 1/2 hour and then she came and woke me up.  She’s so smart, I depend on her to help keep me in line and she does a great job. 

We somehow managed to get a mosquito in the house.  I saw it when I was bring in cat food last night but my hands were full and I couldn’t kill it.  Off into the house it went and then it sought me out and nibbled on my leg.  It itches so freaking bad.  I’ve put Benadryl cream on it and that works for a short while and then it’s back to itching.  I think I managed to kill the mofo.  I hate mosquitos because they can bite me and I have no idea, I can’t feel a thing, it’s been that way all my life.  So that is one of many reasons why I am not an outdoors person!

I also pulled the trigger on something much bigger, I opted to get a very short haircut, shorter than normal on the sides it’s down to a 1 and I kept the top normal length.  It’s my version of a high & tight and it looks pretty good.  However, it’s going to itch when the hair grows back.  I can’t tell you how many times I have talked myself out of this.  I decided might as well do it.  It’s not like anyone can stop me or tell me no or not approve.  The cats would love me even if I was bald, so it doesn’t matter. 

It’s time to start living my life and doing the things I want to do.  No sense in waiting around.  It makes me happier and prouder, maybe this will help me in attracting a mate.  It’s not like I am holding my breath because if I was I would have passed out a long time ago. 

Well it’s about bed time and I still have to bring the bedding upstairs and prep for tomorrow.  I know the kids won’t be happy about it but I have been on a role with this computer and didn’t want to stop.  The email transition was the most difficult but it’s done now.  Phew. 

Time to rest up because Monday will be calling soon.  Thursday I will be working from home until noon and then I am off.  Have to visit the dentist, but I got a call yesterday that she won’t be in.  They are going to clean my teeth and if they find any problems I will need to come back.  Luckily for me dental problems are rare, I take care of my pearly whites and in turn they are good to me.  I am not wild about the dentist not being there, she does an oral cancer screening and I count on that.  I’m sure a hygienist can do it as well but there is just something about the dentist doing it that makes me at ease.   

The most depressing news came today, my long time vacuum cleaner an original Dyson is starting to fail.  It’s been running for at least 10 years if not longer.  Problem is the parts are plastic and that wears out eventually.  I’m fine in the short term but long term I will need to get a new vacuum and can only hope to find one that is as good if not better than my Dyson.  They aren’t made the same today so I probably won’t get another one.  I’m thinking of The Shark or something like that.  If you have a suggestions feel free to pass it on in the comments.  I need one that really sucks the dirt but not my wallet!

Cheers for a great week ahead.  Talk with you again soon.  Hope your had a great weekend!