Growing Old Together

Watching "All in the Family" today on Dejaview, I was suddenly struck by what I miss most about being in a relationship - growing old together. I'm content to be alone most of the time, but when I see a couple on television, eating breakfast together, or getting ready for bed at night, I miss that. Travelling together, making decisions about where to eat, what to see...miss that too. Sitting out on the porch at night in the warmth of summer, reviewing each other's day. Having someone to hug you after a hard day at work, someone to rub your feet while you watch a movie together, someone to look after you when you're sick.

It can be lonely to be alone.

Yard Sale!

Yup, having a yard sale on Saturday from 9am-1pm. Skeptics seem to think that is too early for this crowd as many of them don't go to bed until 5am...I'm optimistic and I don't want to take the whole day up. I don't have tons of stuff, but enough I think to warrant a yard sale and I am hoping that most of it goes. I've got movies, books, knicknacks, kitchenware, and all sorts of odds and ends...I hope it doesn't rain.

Just Me And The Boys

So I was informed this week by a health professional that I need to make some major changes in my lifestyle or I shall be risking development of diabetes - that I was pre-diabetic. I didn't know you could be pre-diabetic, but apparently you can. Hmmm...that was troubling. My bad habits have finally caught up wth me.

I have slowly been trying to integrate changes in my diet for months now, with some success. I switched from white bread to whole grain, switched from regular tortilla chips to whole grain (they are actually not bad at all), have all but given up soda, have committed to buying more fruit and veggies, and choose a fruit snack at least once a day, have been drinking much more water, etc. Now I have to begin to exercise. I have been SUPER LAZY for many months now...driving everywhere, or not going at all. Sheesh...

In anticipation of wanting to go out walking, I had ordered an mp3 player from eBay, a nice SanDisk Sansa 250. I looked at the iPods, decided they were over rated and not worth the big bucks, and went for something more than half the price. Sweet little unit arrived today and I spent the evening loading songs onto it. Then me and the boys (John, Jimi, James, Jack, and Jim) went for a walk about town. What a difference it makes to have music along. The last time I had gone walking with music was with a clunky disc man that skipped, and I always got sick of the one or two cds I brought along. Now I have about 300 songs loaded on, with plenty of room for more. Who'd a thunk it...

This is my second night out walking at 10pm and so far, so good. I'm not winded by the time I return, though I know I am walking briskly enough to break a good sweat. And no one has thrown beer cans at me, or tried to run me down - yet. There are a number of cripples here from being hit by cars locally, and plenty of drunk/cracked out drivers...it's a risk...but for now I'll take it and see what happens. For the most part, everyone I've seen has either given me a nod, a hello, or a wave. Good start for me and the boys...

Oh, The Carwash...

Took my car into a car wash in Yellowknife last week while visiting...that was interesting. It was formerly a coin carwash, but the immigrants who run it found a way to make even more money from me by computerizing the water use, but still offer a shitty car wash. The "soap" function had no soap, and the hose was covered in tar...as was the floor. Some dirty bastard had obviously brought his truck in there and made a fine mess of it. I managed to get it all over both hands, arms, legs, sandals, the pedals of my car, the mat on the driver's seat...you name it. And when I attempted to complain about it to the Asian lady taking my money, her response was "twelve dollah!". Um, what? Your hose is full of grease and I need something to clean it off. "twelve dollah!". Ok lady, LOOK at the grease all over my hands. I am NOT getting back into my car with grease all over me. So she hands me dry paper towels. Like that is gonna work on tar. I couldn't get through to her that it was all over the hose and that she needed to get some cleaner to get the tar off it, and should clean the floor with something. I had tried the spray from the hose, but it didn't do a damn thing to get tar off. Sigh...I miss English.

I went to the carwash to clean my car and came out filthy. Great. I tried everything from wet naps to glass cleaner to armorall to dish liquid to hand soap and finally what took it off was one of my friend K.'s wax remover pads - real oily. Dammit.

Newfies

Just in case you don't know, I have only respect for Newfies - my father is one, my daughter is one, I have a house on the rock, and my parents live there. I was even screeched in as one decades ago...so I don't mind using the term Newfies. I love 'em! My dad sent me this one...

The Pet Diary

"Excerpts from a Dog's Diary"

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

"Excerpts from a Cat's Diary"

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe, for now...

Holy Shit On A Christmas Tree

The power cord on my laptop has shorted out...I am on my last hour of battery...can't continue...must die...gasp...

Oh, SAVE the dramatics...but the reality is, my power cord has gone on the fritz; I have ordered another, but it will be a few weeks. I have access at work, but am going on the road tomorrow until Sunday and had planned on posting from away...scratch that now...rats...

I am however, going to head home and fish out a pair of pliers and some electrical tape and see if I can't find that damn short...I can't make it any worse...unless I fry my laptop...egads...perish the thought...

Egads

Life is dull these days...no real highs or lows - nothing to write about here...sorry to bore you...other than the red lined washing maching (I dyed a shirt) nothing noteworthy has happened this week...perhaps life will pick up after a few days up north (leaving Wednesday)...

Even Stormy is dull...other than puking for the second time since I've had him...

Can't say the same for this interesting outcome - a 13-yr old girl convicted of multiple counts of first degree murder today...certainly unusual. Her life is anything but dull...

Explain This

Why do cats always choose to barf on the rug and never on the bare floor? Ewww, I know. And then the dirty little buggers go and eat it again. At least mine does. Ewww. But he sure is a handsome tomcat.

Good To Know

I just had an Aero chocolate bar and on the label it states "source of calcium". Well holy shit. Now that opens a whole new door...this chocolate bar has health benefits...I can live with that.

iBoob

Apple Computers announced today that it has developed a computer chip that can store and play music in women's breast implants. The iBoob will cost between $499 and $599. This is considered to be a major breakthrough, because women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.

Thanks to Apple, now everyone will be happy.

Oh The Joys Of Living In "Town"

I haven't lived in town for a few years, and was liking it that way, but when I moved here, there were few choices...now I get to be serenaded by mournful dogs howling, to have my television drowned out by my neighbor's gas powered weed whacker, and to wipe the clouds of dust off everything in my house due to trucks and ATV's roaring by my trailer.

I've taken to wearing ear plugs most nights, due to the racket my neighbor's dogs make...howling, barking, whining...you name it. And I wear a sleep mask due to the extended daylight of living up north. I have a fan/air purifier on in my room next to my bed to provide air because my screens are mostly ripped and I can't open many windows...I'm in my own little bubble in there...

Oh the joys of living in town.

The Flat Tire

I headed into "town" the other day on work business and managed to get a flat on the FORD van, so had to stop to change it...apparently it had been flat for a bit of distance...'because it was completely WRECKED and I had to replace it. I was driving on new gravel, and a rock punctured it, but because the ride was so bumpy anyhow, I didn't notice the flat until the van decided to just slow down on me, so I finally pulled over to see WTF was going on...and found this...oops.