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July 12, 2002

We're back!

And.... now that I've had a day to recover.... I realize we really ARE here.

My ass saw a bit too much of those leather seats in the new van. And, hey.... they aren't broke in, so.... ya know what I mean?

The trip back was rather uneventful. Actually.... it was surprisingly uneventful.

Aside from M missing the first exit - 5 miles from home ;^) - nothing particularly notable happened.

Although.... the sky did seem to part as we went along our way. We missed some rather nasty weather. In 2,000+ miles we traveled, we might have encountered raindrops - and I DO mean drops..... just a couple of times.

Whew. We finally made it. My family is home!

Today, we went grocery shopping and M got her driver's license. She was amazed at the short wait compared to the Phoenix area DMV.

The boys have been having a blast. Both Kyle and Michael are tired tonight a day of exploring the yard, feeding a brush fire, examining baby toads, getting scratched up, roasting marshmallows.... they ended the day happy boys with a couple of very dirty faces. After tucking them in, they are already planning for another fire in the morn. Hmmmmmmm.... looks like we may be doing some more trimming to stoke their newfound firebug passion.

M washed the van today while I trimmed some trees. Then, we put together a new grill I picked up prior to flying out to AZ. What a frickin' monster grill it is! Wahooooooo!!!!!! It's one of those big two chamber smoker grills. I love cooking with wood fires, so.... it's perfect. AND.... it'll give me something to do with all of the apple wood there will be once I cut up the old apple tree that finally fell over. After being strangled by grape vines for years, it finally gave up. The vines won and the tree gave itself up for the good of the grill.

One thing I can say with conviction about the drive home is that we sure as hell move a ton of goods via the pavement in America. Jesus! The trucks nearly equaled the cars on the road. Our consumption is indeed conspicuous. Our need for goods keep the truckers trucking along. On a long drive, I found it to be rather annoying. On the other hand, if I happen to be looking for something in particular at a store.... I want it to be there. Hmmmmmmm.... I could be part of the problem we've created, eh? LOL

Weird. I have been out of the media loop for a few weeks now. I hardly know the least bit of news for the past few weeks. It's kind of a relief though. I get tired of hearing about all of the bad shit in the world. That seems to be all that is reported. Scandals, murders, con artists, abductions, corporate misdeeds and crap that makes me think the world is such a shitty place to be in. Hell... I can't say I miss it right now, but.... it seems weird that I've gone this long without knowing and hearing the never-ending litany of global bad shit. Especially since I know that there are so many good things that happen and good people in the world.... it so totally overrides that. But... that isn't the staple we are fed via the media. But still, the lack of sensationalistic drivel I've had lately makes me feel like I had an IV drip removed. No doubt it won't take me long to catch up when I do. Then, the general numbness will return.

Blah. So much for that. It's just the same old shit. Now... I have all this new stuff to deal with.

The changes here are already apparent. There's a helluva lot of action happening at the ol' compound.

July 13, 2002

Whoa. Busy day today.

Cut the grass after struggling to get the mower started while M cleaned up Tasha's kennel.

The kids were bugging me to, "get the box of toys out" that they collected from the limousine/dollar store run we took last summer. LOL..... and to think I had thought about throwing all of that crap out..... lucky for me - and them - I hadn't. As I had the box in hand several months ago contemplating the curb, somehow... I knew they would remember. Finally, I surrendered the box full of plastic toys after a morning shower. Between that, and more firebug activity, we had a water fight and I used the big honking grill and smoked some chicken.

I had my first night of slight insomnia last night, and... it appears that I am heading into the second as I type.

While I was gone, my ultra cool neighbor Pat agreed to pick up my mail and let Tasha out and give her treats. Knowing that made me feel happy, but.... I still worried about her because she was sticking to me like glue in the days leading up to my leaving. She knew something was up.

So, I bought some sliced turkey and a few loaves of wheat bread so Pat could make Tasha a sandwich and coax her back into the kennel after running. Except that when I got home after talking to Pat I discovered that Tasha would not come out of the Outback at all. She didn't run for 8 days! Hard to imagine that.... knowing how she likes to run. Pat said that every time she went in to let her out she would go out into the kennel and wouldn't come back in until she left. Well.... damn it! It's a good thing I gave Pat the turkey because it appeared that Tasha didn't touch the dog food I left for her at all. Obviously she was bumming big time. When I got home and went in the Outback, she was sleeping in her dog house and came out with half of her face coated in cedar chips.

That certainly explains why she ran like a bat out of hell around the yard the first time we went for a walk. Poor thing.... she might have thought I wasn't coming back. Yes.... that's part of my residual guilt.... imagining how my dog may feel.

Prior to leaving, I was feeling very concerned over the fact that M would be bringing her little 12 year old dog with her. Toby is a Chihuahua. Like an older, slightly beefier version of that Taco Bell dog. Sheesh. OK.... so I was worried. Very worried. Like thinking Tasha is gonna see this dog and think, "Yeah! Frickin' snack!" I mean, Tasha has a reputation for hating cats and chasing rabbits and squirrels and getting very, very pissed off when another dog sets its paw in the yard. A couple of days before I was leaving she was having conniptions over a stray lab that wandered into her territory. I had to forcibly restrain her from tearing this dog a new asshole. Well..... that didn't make me feel less worried. Not one bit.

SO..... I get Tasha a little calmed down after taking her for a walk/run in the yard and my heart is beating like mad as I walk toward the door knowing the introduction was about to take place. After letting her in and seeing her greet M and the boys, I leash her and ask M to bring Toby out. As I hold onto her tightly.... she has little reaction. Almost none! What the....? I can't believe it! OHMYGOD!!!! This was NOT what I had expected at all.

Within minutes, Tasha is laying on the floor and Toby is walking around and NOTHING! Like to me this was a HUGE fucking deal! To her it was nothing. What an amazing relief. I couldn't believe it. Part of me still can't.

Perhaps the mental imprinting I tried on her prior to leaving actually worked. Hmmmm.... could that be? My imagining her NOT reacting had anything to do with it? My sending her mental pictures of Toby..... could that have made a difference? I dunno..... but, it makes me wonder.

Although today, Tasha has seemed somewhat playful.... like she wants this little dog to play with her. Well.... when you are 12 years old and smaller than a lunchbox and you have a 55 pound Pit Bull who wants to be your friend.... what do you do? At 12 in dog years you are set in your ways and quite bitchy about it. Toby wants nothing to do with her new friend. In fact, Toby has now bared her teeth a handful of times. Today she even growled and bit her on the leg! And, Tasha has kept her composure through it all.

Amazing. Utterly amazing. But, perhaps I should try mental imprinting on Toby... ;^)

So.... Monday the big truck will be here with M's worldly possessions. At 8 a.m. they say. Looks like tomorrow will be spent getting some last minute things in place in the barn, and... in the house.

I've got another week off until heading back to the office. Michael reminded me of that today. Shhhhhhhh!!!!!! Don't mention it again, OK?

Why in the hell didn't I write before leaving?????
MYGOD!!!! I was flipping out!!!! Did you need to read about THAT again???? LOL.... I think not. I spent my days going around in circles... and FREAKING OUT over everything. Besides.... you've heard it all before.

Once I got to AZ, M's net connection was cut off early. DAMN IT!!!!! I had withdrawals!!!!

So..... if you wrote and thought I was ignoring you.... let it be known that for appearances sake alone - I appeared to be ignoring everyone. Don't take it personally. But wait! Shes back and she still isn't writing!!!! Awwwww..... I'm thinking about it though. Soon. Very soon. Doesn't that count? As you could bet, I'm pretty damn busy at the moment. AND.... both of the boys can READ if you catch my drift.... ;^)

Oh..... but I have a question for you..... does anyone out there have wireless net service? Write me if you do. M and I have been talking about it. I'd be happy to hear how you feel about your wireless connectivity. Looks like it'll either be that or cable in another month or so. My dial up service here sucks. I can't connect fer shit. 26400 tops 'cuz I'm too far from the freaking hub.

July 15, 2002

It's early. Damn early. I decided to write for a few minutes before the movers arrive with the truckload of M's belongings. It's like another household arriving. OHMYGOD!

This should be interesting. Let's hope it fits somehow. Hmmm.... I am thinking that as I laugh nervously - silently of course.

Tasha didn't want to go into the Outback this morning. I couldn't even coerce her with scrambled eggs, pretzels and dog biscuits. I had to politely drag her in by the collar. Poor thing. Hah. That damn dog has a great life. There have been times when I'd gladly trade places with her. Not a worry in the world.

Yesterday we got the back seat in the Jeep. It amused me to see M under the Jeep with a wrench in her hand. Why? I dunno..... but, I'm still smiling about it.

We took a ride and the kids were strapped in the back and smiling all the way. They only hid their teeth for a few seconds when I told them they'd better watch out for bugs in their open mouths. We drove down by a nearby river and climbed a few small hills. While M immediately grabbed the handle near the glove box, I couldn't help notice that she was a little nervous as the kids squealed with delight. "Do it again!" And, so we did.

We stopped and bought sodas and drove over to my Aunts place. She wasn't home. So, we took a very short walk into the woods to finish our sodas and play on the playground. Hmmmm..... they removed the slides and the swings. What's up with that? Who knows.... but M and I did find a plastic switchblade that worked like the real thing that we tossed into the trash. After the kids clambered up on the playground log bridge, we trudged back to the Jeep and headed back home. There wasn't much to do there and, we didn't have bug spray to take a walk deep into the wooded trails. The mosquitos were waiting in the forest, but this time, not for us. Last summer we did that and Kyle looked like he had polka dot welts all over him.

OK.... so I'll write again later today after the movers unload.

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- much later in the day -

OHMYGOD!

My shitload + her truckload = a frickin' boatload.

A part of me wants to run away screaming from this mass of merchandise. I told M she should think about running away with me and starting over elsewhere. Like, starting small maybe. Like starting over. Maybe we could live in the van. Or, a tent. Or, a small apartment.

>>>> aaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee <<<<

I can't aptly put this into perspective yet. Walking into the barn and you are hit with a new reality. It's like the feeling you get when you are in one of those warehouse stores and stuff is piled up over your head. It's kinda scary.

And to think of all the times M and I talked about having a simpler life.....

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....pffffffftttttt.

July 21, 2002

Alright.... so I skimmed the news. Since my momentary media withdrawal pangs overcame my sensibility of better things to do... I admit I did it.

War, personal horror, pestilence, famine, abominations, and general ignorance.

What's to miss about that? Hmmmmmm..... are you thinking what I am thinking now?

Never mind. I won't mention it. But, you see it too. I know you do.

On the home news front.... we've been busy around here trying to get settled and still keep our wits as well as keeping the kids fed and properly entertained. Cooking and cleaning seems to be the main core of the agenda.

Tomorrow we hope to have wireless high speed internet access installed. We went and bought a LAN card for my computer and, a high speed ethernet router so we can share the connection. This damn phone modem is driving both of us mad. Hopefully, that will work out.

Also tomorrow, we've got an electrician coming out. I need to talk to him about installing another circuit box on the back wall which we'll eventually use to tap into the addition, and.... it's something we need so that we can get 220 volt service into the courtyard for the outdoor spa we've been dreaming about. AND.... I have the local tree service people coming out to give an estimate on cutting down and chipping up 2 large box elder trees in the yard. One of which is destined to fall on the house if it isn't removed, and, the other because of the impending addition. The second needs to be removed mainly so that we can plant a new flower garden. Removing it will let light into a heavily shaded area.

On Tuesday I head back to the office. Ewwwwww. Already I don't wanna go. There's still much to be done here, and.... I'd rather be hanging out with them. BUT.... I have bills to pay and plenty of work piled up there as well.

The kids are still having a smashing time around here. They love the yard. Today they witnessed their first thunderstorm. We sat on the picnic table under the arbor and it rained so hard we got pretty soaked, despite the leafy canopy overhead. Once soaked, it didn't take much to coerce them to run to the barn where we opened the overhead door and stood to watch the rain and lightning. After one big lightning bolt, the ensuing crack of thunder that reverberated in my chest opened their eyes as wide as saucers after making us all jump. Wow! It scared the wits out of them but, they were laughing anyway. Probably more out of nervousness than anything.

Minutes after the huge crack, a couple of trucks in the volunteer fire department sped down the street. Something must have been hit. Hmmmm. Wonder what it was? Now, if I was more like my Dad was, I would have thrown the kids and M in the Jeep and we would have streaked down the road to chased the sirens excitedly. No doubt the kids would have been game for that. As for M..... she would have went with reluctance. I probably would have had to beg a little to even get her in the Jeep. But.... not this time. I didn't even feel the need to know what happened. Guess I'll watch the 6 o'clock news.... but, it would have been nice to have a police scanner at that moment.

Ahhhhhhhhh..... damn..... my so-called vacation is nearly over.

But.... we did manage to have some fun in between all of the business of relocation and setting up a new household. Still.... there is a ton of stuff waiting to be tackled. I doubt that will end.

I will die with unfinished business. So be it.

Why do I have such a difficult time accepting this?

Mr. Scruffy dude from the "wireless" cable company came over this morn. Aside from revealing he lived in a trailer park - without inquiry - he was honest about the product he was representing. "Do you want guide wires?" NO. No, I don't. They are frickin' ugly. "Do you want a 35 foot mast on the top of the roof?" Ahhh..... you've got to be kidding! No damn way dude! I don't want this place looking like some pirated transmission base. Can't you put it on the mailbox across the street? "Heee... heee... hmmmmmm.... well.... ummmm...." Doesn't look like it'll work then, eh? "Nope.... and, well.... I don't think this shit is all it's cracked up to be." Whattya mean? Like it's a piece of shit or something? And, hey..... you have to run a cable line from that huge antenna into the house?? I thought this was wireless?? "Well.... that's what I am saying. It's misleading. And, really.... I don't think it'll work here. Too many trees. The signal is weak. Hell.... at my house I'm only reading a 10 out of 20 on the signal meter. And, there aren't so many trees. Lots of open farm fields." No shit?! Well..... I certainly do appreciate your honesty - I really do. That is a bunch of bull.... this isn't wireless at all!!! Plus, having a big ugly mast - NO WAY! Since I've already got cable in the house.... I'll call them. "Yeah. That's what I'd do if I were you. That's what I'd do."

OK..... so, even though he'll never be me..... I called the cable company. They should be here tomorrow between noon and 5 p.m.

I'm even happier knowing I'll never have to be him.

Never heard from the recommended electrician. After calling back, some older woman on the line says, oh.... I don't know when he'll be in but he'll probably call you later today. Gee, thanks!

Probably??? Good GOD! I forgot how wonderful business people are. Especially strangers that we are willing to give money to. A courtesy call isn't too much to ask. It would make a world of difference. Especially since the first call I made was on Friday.

Not a peep from the tree service either. FUCKERS! But.... they could be very busy from a thunderstorm that blew through over the weekend knocking down trees and power lines. They may have a very valid excuse. STILL... what a difference a 10 second call would make.

A couple of phone calls and my attitude would be in fine shape. It seems to be in the process of deterioration as I type. Especially since all of these people most likely have cell phones. I mean, who doesn't nowadays?

Interruption:
One phone call received. The recommended electrician doesn't have time to do the job. The lady called back. Thanks for calling and..... DUH...... I called the one electrician I've worked with in the past. Craig the electrician who first appeared at my door in beach wear complete with flip-flops. The only republican white male who truly amuses me. Why I didn't do that right off the bat.... I dunno. He'll be over next Monday morning.

As for the tree service people.... I never did hear a peep. But.... I am sure we will. Probably when I am gone to the office and M is home. Now there's a bonus! Being a teacher leaves you plenty of time to be off in the summer. She already knows the deal on the trees, so, she can handle it. And.... tomorrow afternoon the cable net people promised to come out, so.... we should have some new net service rolling by the time I get home. We hope.

The kids are busy playing Zelda on the Nintendo 64. That will keep them busy for months to come. That is, until they get the new Game Cube for their combined birthdays this fall. Now, would that have anything to do with the new ZELDA game coming out for the Game Cube? LOL.... you betcha!

Cool.... because now I get them the toys I want to play with. So.... there you have it.... another uncovered hidden agenda. I am an admitted Zelda freak.

July 29, 2002

The Weather
The humid air seems to lack oxygen. Your chest feels like it has a small bookcase laying on it. The mold count is soaring. Clothes feel like they are painted on, or.... at least, like they are larger versions of those temporary window-clingy things - with you being the window. As mosquitos reproduce in record number, you wonder about the seasons...

...you wonder why you yearn for this during winter. You wonder why anyone would actually wish for this at all. Hmmmmmm... well, ummm.... after it's gone it's nostalgia. It didn't seem so damn bad. Or, at least..... not as bad as whatever we happen to be dealing with at the time. The stuff in your face gets precedence. In winter though, this thought is great. Fantastic even. It's permanently in the reserve pile. We have room here. Plenty of it. We stockpile our complaints.

I am happy to be living in a State that encompasses the seasons. So very happy. Textbook seasons. And.... we can bitch about it year round.

And that's another fine reason to be a proud American! We can bitch about EVERYTHING.

It's simply another vicious cycle.

Fact is, nobody cares much if ya bitch. It's not that constructive anyway.

But, we can't seem to help ourselves. So.... perhaps we should name another psychological disorder.

What time is it? What's the date today?
If it wasn't for the clock and date function of the computer, there are times when I truly wouldn't know. BUT..... I do know this..... and, there isn't enough time in the damn day.

It's Monday night and I am wishing it was Sunday. I don't wanna leave and go to the office tomorrow. That type of thinking puts a haze on today. Wahhhhhhhh.

It felt like we ran the roads today. Why? Because we did. And, Saturday and Sunday as well. Where in the hell did the weekend go?

Rewind the tape....
Saturday was spent walking through a quaint resort town. OK. So, it's really an overbuilt tourist trap, but.... you know. It's nearby. And, they built a new shopping area. A shopping area complete with a semi-soothing fake river meandering outside the shops.

There are what look like cobblestone walkways weaving around the water feature and connecting the shops. In reality it is cement that was poured and then stamped into looking more ancient than a bag of redi-mix allows. Decorative certainly, but.... an improvement over straight out sidewalks. The embossed surface looks like the actual thing if you cross your eyes and hold it just before you see double. You know, soften the edges and blend in the control cuts. Soon, Hansel and Gretel will be skipping in.

We wove our way around and spotted what we were looking for. A place for the kids to play. A giant 2 story net walled room filled with foam balls you can suck up in big tubes, load them into hoppers, fire machine-gun like foam ball cannons.... and just run around being a kid.

While the boys played, we played. After a game of air hockey < that M won >, we drove a simulated motorcycle, raced some rather bizarre looking cars, and sped along in a video hydroplane... and goofed off in general while waiting for the kids. After lunch and a bit more play, we were long into the day.

After getting home, we worked outdoors. Actually, we alternated due to the humidity. Do a little, retreat to the aircon.... and do it again.

Later, we had a bonfire out in the yard. We watched as bats swooped down after insects. First one, then two, three..... wow..... there must be six bats winging around tonight. "No, they won't get tangled in your hair." Besides, you don't have hair.

"Hey LOOK! There are fireflies!" We only caught one and released it not long after. "Let's try and catch another...." ....alas, to no avail. Maybe we caught a tattletale firefly. Everyone else decides to start flying high. The others must have went to the underground railroad for fireflies.

That done and the fire dwindling, the heat lightning show began. We trotted out to the front yard and watched as the sky lit up in patches, illuminating deep purple, pink and gray clouds. As the light grew brighter, we began to hear thunder and retreated to the house.

Another day done.

The story behind the Broadband Connection....
Yeah! We finally have it!

Just got 'er in today.... but, we haven't been home much since the install. It was SUPPOSED to have been in last Tuesday, and although M and the boys were here, the dumb shits couldn't/wouldn't/didn't install anything because I frickin' had to be home. WHAT THE....?

M was so mad she said, ".... those fuckers!" to me on the phone. Of course, I smiled. LOL.... she doesn't swear much so when she does, it's quite effective. But, I can't say I blame her for being furious. I was not happy about it either. Yet, for some reason, hearing her say ".... those fuckers!" made everything OK.

The cable dude came out today. He had to crawl in the crawlspace. He emerged the first time in full of cobwebs. Better him than me. He went outside to run a line and got bit by a yellow jacket bee. Again.... better him than me. And, I kinda felt a little sorry about the webs and the bee thing... but, the excitement building knowing we'd be blazing along on the Net surpassed his slight whining. He'd live and we'll be accelerating our limited time on the computers. Thanks and 'bye Mister - hope the day gets better!

No netsurfing.... we had errands to run. A trip to a nearby town to open a credit union account for M. The account was necessary to get a cheaper rate on the van insurance. So, we did those deeds.

That completed, we went out to the spa store to order the outdoor spa we've researched. Gave 'em the specs and ordered it. A blue granite looking spa with an ozonator and fiber optic underwater lighting.

Shut up, eh?!

Next maneuver: build a deck for the spa to sit on. That'll get figured out this week. Then, we'll order the lumber and build the spa docking station.

Already talked to my surfer-electrician buddy. No problem. He'll fit it in. And.... he's gonna be running a new lead/feed for the spa AND for the eventual addition. Wahooooooooo!!!! He can't believe what the plans are for the compound. "You're gonna do what????!!! Holy shit!!!!!! That's gonna be fucking big!!!!!!"

LOL. There is rest for the wicked.

Looks like we are going to be playing general contractor on the addition. Find a basement, foundation person/crew. Someone to dry-in the addition according to specs. Electrician, plumber and Heating/Cooling specialist. HA! I saw this coming and so did you.

Different day, different shit....

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.... I like it.

 
 

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