How does one deal?

Good-bye

2006-10-28T12:42:00.000-04:00

The Emancipation of Mikell... from Blogger anyway!

Please see me at my new home. The furniture isn't all in place, I've no pictures up on the wall... but I'm going to call it home for a while.

**UPDATED** November 2007

This Town Needs an Enema!!

2006-10-26T20:18:00.001-04:00

I gotta get out of here. But first, let me deal with how I left yesterday's post.
--
I'm fine. It was only a joke to mention that I was hoping it was food poisoning. Meaning, that when one takes toxic medications -as I do- and has to throw up first thing in the morning (or any other time of day now that I think of it!!) one HOPES that it isn't a bad reaction to the drugs that one is taking to stay alive.

After all, I've mentioned before how many different drugs that I've been on - many of which are no longer even used. Yes, they were that bad. I've also mentioned how one of the drugs has twice (!!) put me in the hospital. Oh... and then there were the shots. Ugh.

But, since I've been on this current regimen, I've been pretty okay. My scores are getting better each time, and I should be seeing the doctor again soon. I'll admit, I've been putting it off, but only because it is so hard to make it to that side of town (where the VA clinic is) and not miss very much work.

It is either a failing in me or an asset: I don't like to miss work. Ever. So the spell of vomiting passed, just as quickly as it showed up. I'm fine, haven't tossed my cookies since. Nor felt like it. I appreciate you all asking, though.
--
I'm moving soon. The colors just aren't doing it for me. The decoration? The pits.

No sleep...

2006-10-25T07:30:00.000-04:00

Well, some, just not enough.

TheHusband and I met some friends for dinner last night. A great time was had by all, and I'll leave you all to figure that out on your own. You are probably getting tired of hearing about the Orlando Bloggers and their food functions by now.

TheHusband went to bed earlier than me, unusual I should point out. Typically this means he had too much to drink the day before (which, btw, he did not) or he isn't feeling well, and doesn't know it yet. So as I went in there, I noticed he was already asleep, with the Bitch Cat next to him, as she normally is. The bed and the bedroom are hers, don't you know.

After I got in, something unusual happend. TheHusband's favorite cat came in the room, got on the bed -on my side- and started purring and making a little pocket nest next to me. I should also point out that this cat's favorite Daddy is not me...

So not only did I have to sleep lightly so that I wouldn't roll over and crush him (he stayed there all night), I couldn't turn over and fall into a deep sleep, because if I did, the Bitch Cat would probably wake up in the middle of the night, realize he was there and ATTACK!!! How's that for an arousal? You laugh, but it has been known to happen.

TheHusband woke up at 0200 and was awake until 0400. I finally got out of bed at 0500, and in the midst of making coffee, realized that I needed to throw up. I barely made it back to the sink before the vile concocction of last nights pills errupted from the pit of my stomach. Then, the sweating, stuffy nose, and shaking started.

How sad am I that I'm hoping it was food poisoning?

Danger!! Danger!!!

2006-10-24T22:10:00.000-04:00

If you receive an email entitled "Bedtimes" delete it IMMEDIATELY. Do not open it. Apparently this one is pretty nasty. It will not only erase everything on your hard drive, but it will also delete anything on disks within 20 feet of your computer. It demagnetizes the stripes on ALL of your credit cards. It reprograms your ATM access code, screws up the tracking on your VCR, and uses subspace field harmonics to scratch any CD's you attempt to play. It will program your phone auto dial to call only 0898 numbers. This virus will mix antifreeze into your fish tank.

IT WILL CAUSE YOUR TOILET TO FLUSH WHILE YOU ARE SHOWERING. It will drink ALL your beer. FOR GOD'S SAKE, ARE YOU LISTENING?? It will leave dirty underwear on the coffee table when you are expecting company. It will replace your shampoo with Nair and your Nair with Rogaine. If the "Bedtimes" message opened in a Windows 95/98 environment, it will leave the toilet seat up and leave your hair dryer plugged in dangerously close to a full bathtub. It will not only remove the forbidden tags from your mattresses and pillows, it will also refill your skim milk with whole milk.

*** WARN AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN. ***

And if you don't send this to 5000 people in 20 seconds, you'll fart so hard that your right leg will spasm and shoot straight out in front of you, sending sparks that will ignite the person nearest you.

Send this warning to everyone!!! THERE'S A LOT OF SADNESS IN THE WORLD! Right now, as you read this, 17 Million people are having SEX!!! And look at you - you're on the computer!!!!

(P.S. I'd like to take credit for this, but I can't. It was in an email from my eldest brother. Except the picture, I found that somewhere else.)

I forgot to mention...

2006-10-23T20:59:00.000-04:00

... in this morning's post:

On the walk back to Spider's cottage, as we passed the restaurant we'd eaten at a few hours ago, I noticed one of our local celebrities... Lauren Rowe. Lauren sat at my table a few months ago at the poker tourney.

She had that same look on her face: "I know you." Of course, this time she was right, but she couldn't place me, I could tell. I stopped, said "Hey!!", and asked if I could see the baby (since she was sitting right there, in a stroller). Cute - as if I'd be surprised. Lauren is a damned hottie, as is her husband. All kinds of the typical baby fat that one is supposed to have at five months old. The baby was not enjoying the heat, was my impression, but she was giggling and/or smiling. Or she could have been passing gas... it is so hard to tell at that age. I'm sure Lauren's hottie husband was inside ordering they're food. It was tempting to go in and look.

I wish I'd asked about her co-anchor Jacquie. I wanted to know when Jacquie was going to announce that she was pregnant again. I giggle every morning when she tugs at her clothes to hide the impending baby-weight she's been putting on. And that one day she worked the morning news from 0500 to 0630 and then suddenly disappeared, and the "traffic" reporter had to finish the last half-hour of news.

I just want conformation that it was morning sickness that made her leave that day.

Weekend Warriors

2006-10-23T08:15:00.000-04:00

Saturday, TheHusband started clearing out the garage, to make room for the freezer we bought a few weeks ago. Now I figure you might be wondering if I helped him, aren't you? Well, in a word, no. It wasn't my shit. He took two loads to a storage unit, and one to the landfill. I would have taken it all to the landfill.

Besides, knowing that we had plans for brunch on Sunday, I had to get some of my Sunday Chores (TM) done. So I started on laundry. Until I got bored with it and stopped. Funny how the interest I have in doing laundry lasts about as long as it takes to get MY laundry clean... as once I start on TheHusband's, I pick up a book, put in a DVD, or just flip through the 74 channels on this cable system. Note to self: get a cable box for more options.

Sunday, TheHusband and I met Spider and Sorted for brunch. We sat outside this week, but so did some young couple with four, count 'em, FOUR, stair step little girls. Obviously, they've been using the Rhythm Method of birth control.

After a walk around Lake Eola, and more conversation, TheHusband and I headed back to the house. He went back out to the garage (I have no idea what he was doing) and I took a nap.

About two hours later, I began dinner. I made some Cuban Black Bean Soup (Mikell's version), Beef BBQ Ribs, and corn-on-the-cob. It was the first time I'd made the soup, and the reason it was "my" version is because TheHusband has pilfered some of the ingredients over the last week, so I had to make substitutions. It was still quite yummy.

How's this for extremes? Yesterday we hit record highs in the 90's. Tomorrow, we'll hit record lows in the 40's.

30,000

2006-10-22T20:58:00.000-04:00

Thank you. Thank you all.

Because it is funny as...

2006-10-21T20:22:00.000-04:00

... all get out.

Thanks, Michael.

An explanation...

2006-10-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

... about yesterday.

A week ago, I would have had no second thoughts about putting up yesterday's post. But I almost didn't. Not because it didn't happen (from my point of view), because it did... but because now people know who it is I am referring to in the post, and I don't want them to get the wrong idea about him. Let me try to explain with a bit of a story.

This weekend, as has been blogged about completely about, I made a few statements BEFORE anything was said.

Example 1: When I broached TheHusband about meeting Spider, Sorted, et al for dinner Saturday night, I told him that he might hear about things I said here, and if he had any questions, to ask. This wasn't necessary (it turns out), but I also prepared him by showing him my first post.

Yes. It was a preemptive strike. I know. I was weak. I really wanted to go out to dinner with these people. I wanted to see if I (we) could make some new friends and have some new experiences, so that we could get past this homebody rut we've gotten into. And I wanted him to understand that I don't post negative/bitchy things about him, and he wasn't walking into an ambush of people who would hate him. Especially since I'd asked him NOT to read my blog.

Example 2: When I introduced TheHusband to all of the other bloggers, I quickly said to them "He doesn't read my blog, and he's never seen yours, either (as far as I know)."

In other words, don't talk about the time I mentioned that he was stretching his foreskin, or I posted pictures of his face after having some cancerous skin cells removed, or... you get the point.

Someone asked me why I had asked TheHusband NOT to read my blog. I told him the same thing I told TheHusband that one time he had, "If I know he's reading it, I might not be as honest when posting something." If I have to pick my words carefully, then what is the point?

Which brings me to last night's post.

I almost didn't write it. When I decided to, I chose my words carefully. I left out parts of the conversation. I finally hit "publish", and then changed it to "edit". Then I made a few changes, removed the option to comment, and hit "publish" again.

All because people who read this blog know who I am talking about.

Quote of the Day

2006-10-18T21:30:00.000-04:00

"It’s a funny thing about being a perfectionist: on the plus side you tend to work harder. But on the downside all that self-criticism can prove very self-destructive. In striving for what is humanly impossible, you run the risk of losing yourself. Now all I have to do is convince myself of that."

Boy, can I relate to this.

Foul moods

2006-10-17T22:33:00.000-04:00

Someone came home in a mood tonight.

Obviously, he had a bad day at work today, and I can understand that. I had one yesterday.

But here is the difference. I didn't go off in a totally unconnected and different direction, and blame it on him.
---
This is not why we begged off dinner plans for tonight. Mostly. He was in a bad mood, and that much is why... everything else happened later.
---
So, because he was in a bad mood, he worked on "the books". Something TheHusband does when he is in a bad mood. He laments the lack of cash flow. And, although he does NOT say so, he makes it obvious that it is because I make quite a bit less than he does.

It isn't that I make a horrible wage. I do okay. If I lived by myself, I'd be able to pay my bills. I do this new-fangled thing called- keeping spending down.

You see, TheHusband hasn't learned this lesson, because he is a dreamer.

He can't stand the fact that he works for someone else. It bothers him. To him, the only success in life is to work for yourself. Period. And I have proof of this, of course. Pipe dream after pipe dream we've pursued. All because he felt that the NEXT plan would be the winner. If I were to ball park a figure, I'd say $50,000 has been borrowed/paid to follow these dreams over the last 13 years.

I don't understand this type of thinking. I wasn't raised this way. Of course, I know his father, and with this knowledge, I know that TheHusband wasn't raised this way either.
*----
I'm just venting here. I have this conversation with myself every few months or so, when he gets into this mood.

Conundrum...

2006-10-16T21:26:00.000-04:00

When TheHusband and I lived in D.C. I had recently been diagnosed with HIV. (oh, crap, that rhymed.)

It wasn't a big deal. I mean, it was, but it wasn't. People didn't care. They cared, of course, but you were just another person they knew, that was HIV positive. I am not ashamed of it. It was a stupid decision (not to use a condom) on my part, and I accept that.

But, after moving to Orlando, I noticed a difference in attitudes. People would whisper "See him? He's got the AIDS..." And yes, this was in a gay bar.

I learned to keep my mouth shut. People didn't want to know. And if they did, they'd surely talk behind your back. And make shit up.

When I started this 'blog, it was because the illness was seriously attacking my body. I needed some way to vent. It has, of course, become something more than that.

I made friends. Both virtual and now, real. At least I hope so. And there are too many things that can happen to keep me from at least taking the next step.

After spending the weekend with some extremely nice people, who I hope will be friends, I noticed something. I was letting them take my picture, but they knew that I don't post my face-pic without it being very far off in the distance, or covered by a plant or something. So these new friends didn't post them. I didn't ask them not to, they just assumed it was what I wanted.

How nice is that?

And so... I release you all. Post away.

And if you are mean to me, I'll delete this post and call you out for the evil bitches that you are.

Tread lightly, Sorted.

Orlando Gay Pride 2006

2006-10-15T21:35:00.000-04:00

Just some observations, m'kay?

Bitches kept me out, way too long. This one, this one, these two, and this one.

Typically on Sundays, I clean the house, do the laundry, and shop for groceries. None of which got done today.

But no. After dinner last night, I was begged of, cajoled, nay, it was demanded that TheHusband and I join them all for brunch this morning. Yes, we were weak. We capitulated. After we got home last night (late for this old homo) he started hammering and nailing, and sawing again, to try to finish the changes he was making in the kitchen, and I gave up waiting for him to finish at 00:30, and went to bed. At 01:30, I yelled out that it was time to stop all the noise (which he did), and he finally came to bed at 0300. I was sure I wouldn't be able to get him up in the morning in time for brunch. I dreaded making the call to beg off.

But, after I'd been away this morning (at 0700) for an hour, TheHusband was making noises. I was shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you.

So we arrived at Spider's house on time and walked downtown for brunch, which was nice. I wish we'd been able to sit outside, as the weather was so nice. Then we were going to walk down to Lake Eola to the little market, but someone had left his wallet home. Back to Spider's house, so he could drive home and get it. Once he returned, we all walked back downtown and looked at the trinkets. After that, we all wandered down to the "Pride" area, for more vendors.

I must say, it was my first time going back to Orlando Pride. I stopped a few years ago, because all of the money was going to the straight businesses downtown.

At this point, some people wanted to eat. Again. We decided to sit on the patio at The Globe, a place TheHusband and I have been to once or twice. When it was busier. And had better service. Am I making my point?

The conversation was nice though. Oh. I got carded. Unlike certain other people in the group. Take that, bitches.

Of course, certain individuals decided to play footsie:

And deep-throat TheHusband's fingers:

Okay, it was chicken fingers.

And, oh yes, Bitch. I published it.

Off to the parade, we were. Starting with my love, Moira, random pictures:

Oh, yes. We had media coverage:

And hot boys:

Fine, maybe just one.

Lesbian Humor:

In case that isn't obvious, that's a U-Hall truck. Funny stuff!!

Oh. The "Star" of the show:

You see, in Orlando, we CAN afford a Has-Been. Even a bottom-of-the-list-has-been.

People were breaking their necks to read my t-shirt (which is o-l-d, I might add, but there were plenty to read that were quite cute, including this one:

which, in case you can't see it, I got a close up. I'm good that way:

Oh. And then there was these two. My friend "D" and his new boyfriend.

One of them was wearing jeans that looked like this, from the back:

At least, until this guy:

and this guy:

... said something to him. For the record, I would have done anything they told me to... anything. Also, I don't have a nice enough ass to have worn those jeans, anyway.

That's it. Shortly after that, the political talks started where I learned that everyone there must absolutely join the Democrat party, and vote Democrat, and hate George Bush, Dick Chaney, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera... blah blah blah.

At that point, we all walked back to Spider's little bungalow. TheHusband and I begged off going to dinner, and came home.

We had the best time.

Because they didn't believe me...

2006-10-14T23:53:00.000-04:00

...tonight at dinner - I present:

The Evidence.

TheHusband loves, Loves, LOVES flat surfaces. All the better to put something on.

-- And yes, he's back in there, using the Dremel tool.

Changes...

2006-10-14T11:08:00.000-04:00

I called my grandmother yesterday. I had to. You see, she lives in Detroit and it was snowing. And cold. I felt it was best for the news to come from a family member. Someone she knows and trusts.

Someone had to tell her that it was 88 degrees down here in Florida.

Of course it does snow here in Florida sometimes. Here is an example, taken in my back yard.

Oh, yes. It was all over the place. I may never get it all shoveled.

One of my cats was fascinated by it.

And yes, I cautioned her not to eat the yellow snow.
--
TheHusband traded out the dishwasher. Today he has installed it (insert grunting noises, yelling, and screaming here). Actually, it wasn't as bad as the other day, and now the washer seems to be working just fine. We are running a "test" load, just in case he forgot to attach a water hose or something. I figure if the kitchen doesn't sprout any river rapids, I'll load it for the first time. So far, everything is pretty quiet. I keep touching it to ensure it is running. THAT's quiet.

Now, if I can get him to stop looking at it so he can go down and get a haircut.

Dinner tonight is going to be a treat. I'm meeting bloggers. Oh, yes. I got an invitation to meet Spider, Sorted, ~~Six~~, and others. And I'm bringing TheHusband.

I haven't said anything here that they can't repeat to TheHusband, have I?

National Coming Out Day

2006-10-11T20:11:00.000-04:00

Someone, please let Tom Bowman know that.

Lovely...

2006-10-10T21:27:00.000-04:00

As I said earlier, if you are in government or the armed forces and in the closet, you are a security risk. Even if you are a janitor - you could be blackmailed into giving access to someone's access on pain of outing.

If these guys want to be in the closet, they should find jobs where their closet can't impact national security or compromise their employer.

Personally, I would never hire a closeted gay person in my company.

--
No comment.

Dog Day Afternoon...

2006-10-09T20:16:00.000-04:00

If I get my cats to watch this, maybe they will let me get another dog.

Enjoy.

Unabashedly stolen from Nathan. If you are not reading his blog, you should be.

He kills me...

2006-10-08T22:00:00.000-04:00

I just walked into the Laundry Room to find TheHusband putting up shelves.

The aren't new shelves, recycled I think is the word. The issue I have with them, was that they were WAY over my head (I am not a tall man), and therefore, they would pretty useless to me, since he doesn't even know how to do laundry.

I said: "What the hell are you doing now?"

He said, "They are not The Hell your Whales."

Oh. Sure. Disarm me by quoting Star Trek. It just isn't right.

I laughed for ten minutes.

Wash, rinse, drain...

2006-10-08T21:37:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I pointed out to TheHusband that we needed a new dishwasher, soon.

After all, I was tired of cleaning all the dirty dishes in the kitchen, only to walk out of the kitchen, walk back in 30 minutes later to find more dirty dishes. I was also tired of seeing a sink-full of dirty dishes, and watching him make something to eat and then ONLY washing the dishes he had just used.

And the dishwasher that came with this house still didn't work.

So yesterday, TheHusband was out running errands and stopped at the World's A-largest Appliance Showroom, close to our neighborhood. He called me and said the prices were pretty good. It's a "scratch and dent" type of store, but that doesn't mean the stuff is non-working, or bad. I told him to come and get me.

We spend 2-1/2 hours there, as I drooled over the front loading washer and dryer sets. TheHusband wanted a freezer for the garage, but I insisted that we get one ONLY if we got a dishwasher. So we picked out one that matched the stove (uhm... duh!) and TheHusband picked out a freezer. I told him to pick a different one, because it was an upright, and everything inside it would be easier to find. Also, it was twice the size, and only a few dollars more.

We brought the dishwasher home, and said we'd pick up the freezer next week, as both wouldn't fit in his little truck.

And then the yelling started. And the cursing. And the banging. And the sawing. TheHusband can be quite loud when things are not going exactly his way.

Finally, it was in, and hooked up. The power was switched back on, and... and... and... it didn't work. Lights would flash that were not supposed to flash. Buttons you could push would not react.

-insert more screaming and yelling here-

I went to the Internets. I got the installation guide and the operation manual (both of which were mysteriously missing from our purchase). Neither of which were any help. So TheHusband called the store to ask what would happen.

He got a sales manager, who said they would pretty much do nothing. TheHusband is pretty much livid.

I reminded him that the salesman had said we have three days (which I think is the Florida Lemon Law), that they can't sell us something that doesn't work (at least without telling us that it was "as-is"), and that we had used a credit card to pay for the items. He immediately asked if we should do a "charge-back" on the credit card. I said no. We need to give the company a chance to fix it first. Visa would require that.

I used to deal with charge backs all the time, at one of my former jobs. Credit Card issuers tend to be fair, depending on their own discovery of a transaction. You have to give the store/company a chance to "make things right". If we don't, the Credit Card company will side with the store.

Unfortunately, it was late in the day, and the store is not open on Sundays. That gives us until Wednesday to complain and seek a solution.

Besides, who has to wash the dirty dishes, anyway?

And...... I'm done.

2006-10-05T22:45:00.000-04:00

Something is stinking up this whole story, and it wasn't reported on ABC.

The "child" turns out to be... not so much.

Though you will not find a link here, the "child's" name is out there, on the interwebs. He is currently 21. He and I have the same birth date.

If the reported IM messages (not the reported emails, since they turned out to be nothing) are three years old, that would make him 18 at the time. According to reports, it was a prank that he and another ex-paige were playing, trying to get the ex-congressman to, uhm, say too much. For laughs. Also, according to the reports, he never meant to have the three year old transcripts to "get out".

The Ex-Congressman? Formally molested (don't care), drinking problem (!?! don't care), and now, gay. Still don't care.

The former Paige? Left college to work as a politico's staff in another state, probably not getting a whole lot of work done at the moment.

One of them has reportedly hired the lawyer most famous for defending this guy, unsuccessfully.

Any guesses as to which one?

Dreams and nightmares, Sustiva style

2006-10-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

"The doctor can see you now, but he only has a few minutes."

Uhm, okay. Let me stop what I am doing here (I have no idea where I was or what I was doing).

In the hallway, with a waist-high wall between us, I show him my left forearm. He examines it closely, and says I need surgery to remove it. I have no idea what "it" is. I agree to the surgery, and realize that he is standing there in scrubs, a mask, the apron-thingy, and that little hat they wear. He calls for a scalpel.

I interject, "uhm, you are going to do this RIGHT HERE?" He says, yes, that it is the only time he has, and "it" HAS to come out.

No anesthesia, and still standing, he cuts an eight inch line into my arm. I calmly watch the other direction, wondering why all those other people are at the hospital. He finishes removing "it" and closes, with help from his nurse.

Shortly after that, I am discussing my deductible payments with my insurance rep. He looks at the bill and wonders why this particular surgeon did the procedure. He is an OB-GYN, after all. Then, the rep ponders the question as to why the doctor did the surgery in the hallway of the OB-GYN clinic.
--------
At this point, I woke up. It was 0520. I doubt it means anything, but as soon as I got to the kitchen (where there was some light), I checked my arm for stitches.

Judging from my last two posts...

2006-10-02T20:32:00.000-04:00

... I was right.

We are not allowed to post anything political here at How Does One Deal, since we tend to think while leaning to the right.

After all, Right is Wrong in the Gay-Blogisphere. Post a fake picture of some cutie from Hollywood? Comments. Fake picture of the residents of Sesame Street having gay sex? Comments.

What a crock. I think I'd rather eat an Oreo Cookie.

I would be remiss...

2006-10-01T19:46:00.000-04:00

If I said nothing. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is having a cumfest over on his blog, as if he had anything to do with reporting the allegations, except for after the fact.

Of course, assuming all reported items are true, he's a dick. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Personally, I think he gave up without a fight, and too soon. So far, according to what has been reported, he -actually- did nothing legally wrong.

But, I have to ask the question. Would this have been such a big deal if he were a Democrat and admitted to what he did wrong? Or, for that matter, denied it, even thought he was lying?

I don't think so.

Let me remind you that, when you are watching NBC's "Dateline - To Catch a Predator" show, they ask the "perpetrator" to bring something. Jello, Beer, Vodka, whatever. It proves the intent to molest.

This did NOT occur in the case of Mark Foley. And, in fact, he never touched the 16 year old.

I read a response to a post over at Towelroad that stuck a chord:

My, my, my, but this is a complicated one. Not just a "bomb," but one that is going to have a great deal of collateral damage beyond its target. While happy to see Republican numbers reduced in any case, the circumstances here may not be worth the cost. First, trying to get ABC and Americans generally to understand the difference between a CHILD stalker/pedophile and a hebephiliac or ephebophiliac [attracted to those between 13 & 18] is impossible. Or that the pages were apparently past the age of consent, even if they had no interest in doing consenting to anything with Foley. Regardless, is Foley, in fact, an ephebophiliac or just a chicken queen or are they one and the same? Is this a case of "sick" or just "ick"? Is he guilty of anything besides hypocrisy and self-destructively bad judgement, even if they were interested in him. The latter would be irrelevant to Americans as straight men can pursue much younger women but gay men are dangerous perverts if interested in much younger men. See Christopher Isherwood...

Further, except in terms of House majority rule, which IS very important, have we thrown out a moderate Republican vis-a-vis gay rights for a Democrate of unknown beliefs. I had paid no attention to this race until now, but was shocked to discover that Foley's opponent was a Republican himself until convinced by Rahm Emmanuel to switch parties to run against Foley. I can find little about his position on gay issues except for publically criticizing Bush for trying "to divide the nation" over gay marriage AND that Mahoney clearly has been gay baiting Foley. Make no mistake: this scandal will hurt gays more than the GOP by reinforcing the idea that we are all child molestors just waiting to pounce. And Mahoney, whether or not he was involved in the exposure of the e-mails, is doing US no good by feeding on the corpse of Foley's career in the name of protecting children.

From Daily Kos:
Mon Sep 04, 2006 at 08:28:13 PM PDT
What, pray tell, is Rep. Mark Foley's (R-FL) "dirty little secret"? To hear his Democratic challenger Tim Mahoney tell it, it's the fact that Foley is a Republican who campaigns to the left of his caucus to confuse people into thinking he's a Democrat. But that's not what Mahoney's language, specifically using the phrase "dirty little secret," is meant to evoke. Indeed, Mahoney is using coded language that's only barely code for anyone who's been living in South Florida for the last 12 years of Foley's tenure. Foley is gay, despite having never acknowledged as much publicly, and Mahoney's despicable gay-baiting ought to be denounced up and down this community, if not by the Democratic caucus itself.
Beyondo98's diary :: ::

It would be one thing if Foley were hypocritical on this issue, but his 'yes' vote on the DOMA notwithstanding (people, please remember Clinton signed that trash into law), he's the most pro-gay member of the GOP caucus, maintains a strict non-discrimination policy, voted against the gay marriage ban, and has been a sensible voice in the GOP caucus on the issue of fighting AIDS. His contribution to the GOP majority is abhorrent, but he does NOT deserve to be the target of coded hate speech.

I'm not writing this with Sista Soulja-esque intentions. I'm writing this because Foley is a decent man despite his party affiliation; because his sexuality should not make any difference; and because campaign tactics like this demean Democrats and threaten progressivism nationally. What difference is there between 'Macaca' Allen and gay-baiting Mahoney when each is playing on the xenophobic fears on the Republican electorate to either increase or depress GOP turnout? This is the same thing a primary opponent of Foley's tried to pull back in 1994--proof enough that Mahoney's tactic is reprehensible--to his own detriment even among GOP voters."

Posted by: Leland | Sep 29, 2006 7:21:07 PM

(All misspellings and gramatical errors belong to the author, not me.)

The Gay Terrorist...

2006-09-28T19:17:00.000-04:00

... is at it again.

Yesterday's post over there, which I responded to, asked if anyone knew any "information" regarding whether a current candidate for Florida Governor was gay. As a reminder, anyone with a (R) behind their name is a "right-winger".

I am gay. I live with and love another man. I am also HIV+. But these issues do not define me, but only are part of me. So let me ask this question:

Who said this:
"Personally, I believe marriage should be a bond between a man and a woman [...]"

He goes on to say:

"[...] however, I voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment because I also believe the United States Constitution should protect rights, not deny them, and states should have the right to decide whether same sex marriages should be recognized within their borders."

(This was obviously not the Bow-down-before-me-gay-god Bill Clinton)

I agree with the second statement, actually. Blah blah blah... insert history lesson about changing the constitution, and then he states:

"Although the Federal Marriage Amendment failed to pass, current federal and state laws pertaining to same sex marriage remain in effect. In 1996, Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which is intended to deny federal recognition of same sex marriages and further dictates that states are not required to recognize same sex marriages from other states. In 1997, the Florida Legislature passed what is known as the Florida Defense of Marriage Act, a law I support, which states that marriage is between a man and a woman and that the State of Florida would not recognize any same sex marriage deemed legal in other states. 35 states have passed similar DOMA laws."

No mention of the fact that, Jim Davis, in his Freshman year in the United States Congress, voted FOR the Defense of Marriage Act.

So. If you are a one issue voter you must be confused as who to vote for in the Florida Gubernatorial Race of 2006.

Charlie Crist may be against gay marriage, might not ask for a repeal of the "No Homo's shall Adopt in FLA" law, but Mr. Davis is no better.

Charlie has at least said that a Domestic Partnership Law should be considered. Jim Davis hasn't even gone that far.

I stand by my prediction.

(Full disclosure, I am a registered Republican, but I did not vote for George W. Bush, either time. I also did not vote for Jeb Bush the first time, although I did the second time. I tend to vote FOR a person/issues, not having anything to do with "party".)

Mario

2006-09-26T21:32:00.000-04:00

I don't care if it IS fake.

~~I'd hit it.~~
New Link. I'd still hit it. Over and over again.
--
And suck it. And sit on it. Oh. My.

I'm still not watching "Dancing with the Stars", though.

N.S.F.W.

2006-09-19T21:45:00.000-04:00

I warned you.

I had no idea one of them had such a cute little ass.
--
And before all you two year olds try to boycott me, threaten my life, or offer a fatwa on me - you should remember that I didn't say/post it first. Someone else did.

At least they are being "safe".

Question...

2006-09-19T20:22:00.000-04:00

I am trying to figure this out. Stick with me for a minute.

I am a gay man. I am HIV+ (or have AIDS, depending on my blood work this week). I seroconverted after having sex. Unprotected sex.

I make no apologies for it. I am not asking for your sorrow. It happened. 13 years ago, the doctor told me. I accept it. Because of it, my life changed. I take pills. I cannot do certain things. I cannot go certain places.

Does the fact that I had sex -in and of itself- make it my fault?

I've never told you, gentle readers, who gave me this "bug". I know his name. I know other people he "gave" it to. I also know that he knew, at the time, that he was POZ, but did not tell me so.

I do not believe that it is on the same level as, say, an unwanted pregnancy. There are things you can physically do to make a "baby" go away. Plan B. RU486. Abortion. Adoption. Besides, pregnacy does not necessarily become a death sentence.

As of yet, there is no "cure" for HIV. Except him, of course.

Do people in this world say the same thing about Type II Diabetics? About people with Heart Disease? TB? Leprosy? Influenza? Stroke? I guess because they are not "contracted" by having sex, you get a pass. Oh, gods, what are we going to start thinking about women who are diagnosed with HPV now?

But because I had sex without using a rubber, I "got what I deserve". And I'm not talking about some right-wing-conservative-preacher type.

I read this tonight on a gay blog.

Monday Meeting

2006-09-18T20:38:00.000-04:00

At the office, we typically have a meeting in the morning, especially on Mondays. We talk about issues that have come up and what is on the agenda for the week. There was a time when we had this meeting EVERY morning, but since the new supervisor guy came in from the corporate office (he drives in from across the state every day) this hasn't happened so much. Especially if there isn't a quorum.

Today, there was three people, plus the new Supervisor. He said we should all meet.

He went around the table asking if any of us had issues, nobody did, except me. I asked why a "call" from a customer, which was opened for a technical reason, was in my name. I reminded the room, I am a typist. I, you know, type things. Sure, as my notes in the call said, I had called the customer (at the company's owner had requested) to explain that they (the customer) would NOT be charged for fixing a piece of equipment that was under warranty - because the customer service person had not explained it correctly, but that was my only comment. And the next thing I know, it (the call) is my responsibility. Do I need to explain, again, that I am a fucking typist? I don't care who typed the last comment or talked to the cusotmer last, a typist does not need a call on his list. He/she is not a call center/customer service person. Do not put the call/resposibility on me to make YOUR reports look good, bitch. --- It doesn't matter, nothing will be done.

Then the new Supervisor got to the REAL reason for the meeting.

GoofySalesGuy has had the most sales in the company for four months running, and none of us had told him what a good job he is doing.

Really?

None of us had said to him "Great job doing, you know, your fucking job."

I thought the purpose of congratulating someone was to say "nice job doing more than you were expected to do." I have, more than once, said so someone, "Don't thank me for doing my job, there is no reason." The thanks is the paycheck.

Correct me if I am wrong: In sales, you are rewarded by selling. Meaning, you have a quota. You must meet said quota to remain employed. Once said quota is met, you make commission. The more you sell, therefore, the more you make.

The more you make = thanks for doing your fucking job.

Although I kept my mouth shut during this part of the entire ~~diatribe~~ meeting, my face was quite expressive. I may have rolled my eyes once or twice. And yes, I was called out for it.

Help Wanted... part three

2006-09-16T08:40:00.000-04:00

The finale.

To: TheHusband
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 9:12 AM
Subject: from Headhunter Guy

I certainly appreciate your participation in the search for {The Company}. However, there was a candidate already in the process that had worked with {The Head Guy} at a prior company and yesterday they made an offer to him that was accepted. It was a sudden and unanticipated move on their part.

You have an impressive background; we will retain your information for consideration on other opportunities that appear to be a match for you.

Best regards,

Headhunter Guy

Allow me to translate.

"They had already hired a guy, but in the interest of looking fair, they thought it to be best to 'conduct' a country-wide search for the 'best' candidate. It isn't our fault they didn't choose you.

Don't email us, we'll email you."

Open Wide

2006-09-14T22:20:00.000-04:00

I went to the dentist today.

Yeah. First time in, oh, I don't know... 13 years. When I made the appointment, I also made them promise they wouldn't yell at me. The original 1st appointment (diagnosis, cleaning, x-rays) that I made last week was scheduled for November 29th, the soonest available. They said they'd call if they got a cancellation sooner.

Boy howdy, they called.

I have pretty good teeth, luckily. Up to now, I've had three cavities. In 40-year-old teeth, that isn't too bad, I think. I had some veneering done on my front two about 20 years ago, to close a gap and cover some discoloration. The hygienist says it is in pretty good shape for being on there that long.

I went to this particular office because TheHusband recommended them. I call them his unofficial second home, he is there so often. Each and every person I spoke to asked me about him. "How is he doing?" "Tell him we said HI!!". Wasn't he just in here last week with his latest chipped-tooth, or lost filling, or whatever?

They cleaned my teeth and said I was doing a good job, obviously brushing my teeth twice a day and flossing. I said thanks, and in my head, telling myself not to mention that I only floss if something is stuck after a meal, and only brush once a day. But EVERY day, if that means anything.

The doctor was so sweet, I felt the need to brush my teeth afterwards (a lame joke, but I am going to own it!). I was feeling offended for the "girls" in the office because he kept calling all of them "honey", until I realized he called me "babe", as in "How's it going, babe?" He just doesn't use names, I guess. TheHusband says the Doc does the same thing to him.

He said my x-rays looked good, no issues. I, uhm, said, "Don't I have a cavity?" He said no... I asked him to look again. I thought maybe I had one on my last molar, back left top side. He looked again, adjusted the x-ray, and said, "Oh, yeah. There it is..."

I have to go back, once in November and once in December. I have a bit of periodontal disease, so a major scraping is in the works. That will be fun...

I think I should get a discount for diagnosing my own cavity.

Is Audrey...

2006-09-14T21:45:00.000-04:00

... getting paid for this?

Really, I wanna know.

--

Is this thing on???

2006-09-13T19:41:00.000-04:00

I've "upgraded" to Blogger-Beta, and I'm just not sure. I can see my posts, I can see some of the minor changes I've made, and I don't THINK I lost any of my "extras", but I don't think it is working.

Or, you are bored.

Someone, please comment on this. I just want to know if they are working.

Please? Anyone??
-
UPDATE: I've turned off the "must-be-a-registerd-user" part of commenting. Maybe that is the issue.

Please comment. Somebody.

Email exchange...

2006-09-12T21:30:00.000-04:00

... from yesterday, about this.

----Original Message-----
From: TheHusband
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 10:34 AM
To: Mikell

IT'S after 1030, and the phone hasn't rung -- no news is bad news

---
On Sep 11, 2006, at 10:34 AM, Mikell wrote:
No, in fact, no news is NO NEWS. You can't give up that easy. Not yet, anyway.

When did you send it?
----
From: TheHusband
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 11:07 AM
To: Mikell
Subject: Re: RE:

Last night at 11:00. I wonder if maybe he was impressed enough to forward it directly to his people, and is waiting for their feedback...

----
On Sep 11, 2006, at 11:18 AM, Mikell wrote:

My guess would be that it is a combo of the two. He is probably NOT making this particular decision on his own. Probably has two or three candidates, and they will decide as a committee to present to the client.

----
From: TheHusband
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 11:29 AM
To: Mikell
Subject: Re: RE: RE:

True. I forget that I'm just a pea in a pod of potentials. Hmmm, I wonder where I'll stand...?

----
On Sep 11, 2006, at 11:31 AM, Mikell wrote:

Think good thoughts. I wanna move to New Fucking England.

----
From: TheHusband
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 11:52 AM
To: Mikell
Subject: Re: RE: RE: RE:

Yeah, I'm ready for a "cool" change. I'm just a little concerned, because this guy said he would call me today. Maybe he didn't expect to get my package, and decided the call wasn't warranted since he did...

----
On Sep 11, 2006, at 11:53 AM, Mikell wrote:

Give him time to process what you wrote.

And stop pinging.

----
From: TheHusband
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 12:30 PM
To: Mikell
Subject: Re: RE: RE: RE: RE:

Just got a phone call...

He wanted dates.. Then he asked if he could have my permission to
call his client regarding me!

----
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 12:44 PM
To: TheHusband
From: Mikell
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE:

He want's a DATE????

Kidding. I kid.

**fingers crossed**

------ End.

As much as I would like for this to happen to him, and to us, I'm not holding out too much hope. Good shit like this doesn't happen to us.

Circa 1993

2006-09-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Remember this picture (please note the shirt I'm wearing), taken on our first trip to New York together? Want to know where we were headed on the subway?

TheHusband lay down on the sidewalk, and took this picture of me.

I could turn this into a political post, but I won't. Those of you who do, should reconsider.

Celebrity Duets: Week 2

2006-09-07T21:12:00.000-04:00

Live Blogging Week 2:

Hal Sparks, 21:05: I like him. Really I do. I don't know about this choice of song though. And, Wynona? WTF, over?

Time To Judge:
Marie Osmond: Has soul, but last week was too white.
Little Richard: What?
Producer Guy: 1 to 10 too fast. I don't disagree.

Lea Thompson, 21:14: Could she look more slutty? Her kids should be embarrassed. And she's horrible this week. Yeah. Maybe not this song ~~against~~ with Belinda Carlisle. Too much pressure.

Time To Judge:
Marie Osmond: "... when you started..." that can't be good. Wait, she liked it. Really?
Little Richard: "Something.. something... Tina Turner... not the voice, the legs.... something something..."
Producer Guy: Wrong wrong wrong. Yes, she did.

Cheech Marin, 21:20: I don't know if I can comment. I don't know this song. Oh. Clint Black. Must be one of his songs. No wonder I don't know it.

Time To Judge:
Marie Osmond: Reach in the Cheech?
Little Richard: Great. LR talking about others "going into the closet." He knows ALOT about it, actually.
Producer Guy: Evil guy gets it right. Audience be damned.

Commercial time.

Alfonso Ribeiro, 21:28: Off tune. You'd think a guy that works that hard would have less time to eat. Jeffery Osbourn? Just as I remember him. Perfect.

Time To Judge:
Marie Osmond: "Too white." Funny joke, after her comment to Hal Sparks last week.
Little Richard: What?
Producer Guy: You are telling a black man not to dance? What country do you live in?

Commercial time, again.
As with any "Reality" show, I am quickly losing my interest.

Carly Patterson, 21:37: Again, Who the Hell is She? I didn't like her last week. She's awfully hefty for a "gymnast", don't you think? I know, that was wrong. - Egads, she's bad. Anita Pointer is FABULOUS, of course. Not enough to cover for Carly, though.
Time To Judge:
Marie Osmond: Wrong answer, Marie.
Little Richard: Again, What?
Producer Guy: Thank you. A reasonable answer.

Jai Rodriquez, 21:45: I really don't like him. I hated him last week (for his singing.) If he is a homo, do the girls in the audience know? How could they not? Brian McKnight is defiantly carrying this song (and has a great ass). Jai is horrible.

Time To Judge:
Marie Osmond: Ewww. Whatever.
Little Richard: What is he drinking? I want some.
Producer Guy: Aargh. Maybe I hate him too much. They all liked him.

Commercial time, again.

Lucy Lawless, 21:52: Nice. Really. Nice. Probably the best performance of the night. An actual DUET, which, if I recall, is the name of the show. This is also nice, since I wasn't crazy about her performance last week. And I would still do Kenny Logins. Hubba Hubba.

Time To Judge:
Marie Osmond: Wrong Marie. She was good.
Little Richard: What?
Producer Guy: Wrong, again.

That's it. It's over. I doubt I'll be back to this next week.

Help Wanted... part two

2006-09-07T19:59:00.000-04:00

TheHusband got a call the other day. A Headhunter was perusing the web and fell into a copy of his bio at TheHusband's current job.

What???

Even better, the job pays -at a minimum- more than he makes now at his current job, plus his military retirement, plus my current annual pay. At a maximum, QUITE a bit more.

Hook: The job would be in New England. New Fucking England. I've never even visited, much less lived in NFE. He's lived in Boston before, back in the Navy.

Knowing how I feel about cold weather, he said he wouldn't even think about it. I answered: for that kind of money, I could buy a sweater or two. And a coat. And get a house with two or three fireplaces.
--
Of course, it is way too soon to start counting Rhode Island Reds. Initial stages and all. But he did get ANOTHER call today. And the job description. And a series of three "hypotheticals" to answer.

Baby steps.

From Labor Day...

2006-09-06T20:33:00.000-04:00

... some pictures. Not many, but more (and better quality) than you are used to here at HDOD.

The first one of you bitches that makes fun of my belly fat or my hair color is in deep kimchee, as my Step-Mother used to say. (In other words, big, big, trouble. With a capital T. <-- there's a reference most of you Queens will get...)

Here is a picture of 1/3 of the ribs I prepared. That is TheHusband cooking them. He had just started, and hadn't gotten to the three other tubs I had pre-cooked. Or the corn. Don't you love, Love, LOVE that manly BBQ Grill?

I promised OurFriend "D" that I'd actually get into his pool, if it wasn't green, like it was on July 4th. This is the best I could do. I can swim, I just don't like to anymore.

Here is another, this guy and I talked for a bit. I'm ashamed that I don't know his name. I was trying to look coy, hiding behind the foliage.

Eventually, there was a group of us on that side of the pool. I've adjusted the photos to protect the ~~guilty~~ innocent. Again, let me remind you about discussions about my hair color or belly fat. Regardless, I'm still the skinniest one in the room. That is, of course, by design.

Look!! There was a REAL GIRL there...
Please notice the two guys in MATCHING bathing suits. Ah.... young love.

Bitter... Party of One...

2006-09-05T21:15:00.000-04:00

...your table is ready.

Honestly, I was disappointed ONLY because they showed her legs, twice. I don't think that is appropriate for the evening news.

Otherwise, I thought she was fine. You can't judge her too much on the first broadcast. Besides, if you criticize too much on the first day, how will you ever be able to bring up her poor choice of make-up, hair color, and/or outfit.

Give it a rest. You know she beat the other two networks, at least for tonight.

Mikell IS a member of...

2006-09-05T20:10:00.001-04:00

...Team Orlando. And I proved it.

You see, whenever I am ~~asked~~ directed to do something that is outside my job description, I raise a stink. Okay, not EVERY time, but sometimes.

Today, I was called by the Director of Marketing (don't get me started on yet ANOTHER Department of One in this company), who asked me if I'd received some shirts that were inadvertently sent to me. Yes, was my answer. I received them on Friday, didn't know why but DID know what they were for, so I set them aside until they were needed. He asked that I stop what I was doing to count them. Yes, to count them, and tell him what color they all were.

Dude. Are you kidding?

Luckily, my new supervisor walked into my little area and took it upon himself to count them, and look at their colors. I had to back him up on this, since he is color blind. Then they started to talk about the shirts getting laundered.

I took myself out of the conversation. I had some busy work somewhere, I just had to find it. Oh. And stay within earshot to see how they got themselves out of this little issue.

I heard my supervisor state that he would make sure that the shirts got laundered before Thursday morning, when they would be needed. Once the conversation was over, he turned to me.

"Uhm... Mikell, can you take these to the cleaners and pick them up before the Sales Meeting on Thursday?"

Oh... My... gods...

My response: "(Insert his name here) I am NOT a secretary. I don't take dictation. I don't pick out a gift for your wife's birthday, and I don't pick up your laundry."

He walked away while I steamed. Then I started to feel guilty. I should have said everything that I had, but tempered it with, "but, I'll do it THIS time." After all, they will point to THIS episode and say that I am not being "a member of the TEAM", that I don't go out of my way to help other people in the office. This is bullshit, of course. Being a member of "the team" does not mean that you pick up the slack each and every time another member screws up. Sure, once or twice, but each and every time? I don't think so. If that were what everyone was supposed to do, nobody would get fired from any job. Ever.

Turns out, he was steaming too.

A few minutes later, he walked back into my area, put the shirts back into the box they arrived in as I said, "(HisName), just set them there. I'll be leaving for the bank in a few minutes, and I'll find a cleaner to take them to."

Obviously pissed, he told me not to bother. Of course, then he set the box of shirts OUTSIDE his office, and shut the door (after he went inside). On my way to my car, I picked up the box of shirts.

I guess I better learn to take dictation.

Another post about Ribs...

2006-09-04T08:04:00.000-04:00

... and me making them.

It was decided, after the last holiday, that we'd do it again. Our small little affair has blown up to about 15 people, though. At least I knew this beforehand.

I spent quite a bit on ribs and corn-on-the-cob for today. No dessert from me this time. Last night, I pre-prepared the ribs and rubbed my meat for about 45 minutes. *giggles*

Today, I will cover my meat in plastic wrap and cook it at a very low temperature for about three hours, thereby steaming the meat in it's own juices and ensuring that it will fall off the bone when it is time to eat (my meat).

I also need to make the BBQ sauce, as that stuff that comes out of a bottle is crap.

I'm off to the kitchen.

I needed something to lighten the mood...

2006-08-31T21:17:00.000-04:00

I am watching again. And yes, I missed the first hour - again.

I can't wait to hear what Tom thinks.

I am NOT a Secretary...

2006-08-30T20:33:00.000-04:00

... let me be clear about that. I am an Administrative ~~Assistant~~ Coordinator.

Here is a list of things I do NOT do:

1. I do NOT answer phones because they are ringing, although I am the "Operator" for my satellite office.
2. Act as the company "Operator".
3. ~~Pick up your laundry from the Dry Cleaners.~~ **
4. Pick out your wife's Birthday/Anniversary gift from you.
5. Answer or respond to your email/voice mail messages for you.
6. Type letters/emails for you.
7. Receive faxes for you, only to put them back into the fax machine and re-fax them to your home office.
8. Stop what I am doing on the other side of the building because you are calling on the phone or sending me an email. No Matter How Many Times You Call/Email.
9. Change your sales proposals because you are too lazy to log into the company database.
10. Take messages over the phone and pass it to someone. We have Voice Mail.
11. Care that you are the Number One salesman in the company. No man is an Island, and as far as I am concerned, you can walk the plank. (I know, I know, mixing my metaphors here...)

Here is a list of things I'm not required to do, but make the office run smoother:

1. Receive in faxes, and place them in the intended recipient's Inbox.
2. Replace the paper towels on the holders.
3. Replace the toilet paper on the holders.

Here is what I am required to do:

1. Receive each and every little bit of product that we sell.
a)Update the company database so the accounting types will pay for said product
b)Add tracking codes to each piece of equipment
2. Coordinate anything and everything that the Project Manager needs to implement said installation.
3. Coordinate anything and everything that the Installation Technician needs to stage, and install said installation.
4. (Occasionally) Ship out, via the UPS system, equipment needed for said installation.
5. Maintain installation calendar, so that said installations of product to not get installed five in one day, and nothing else that week.
6. Maintain Training/Conference room, so that Salesmen and Project Managers do not duplicate the use of said room.
7. Enter serial numbers of equipment into sales contracts, so that we can track RMA information.
8. Open and Close Service Calls in our Company Database.
9. Send countless emails to you, asking that you do your job. Like getting a new customer's name, contact, address, and phone number correct.
10. Send numerous emails to you, requesting that you pick up payment from customers, since that is, after all, your job.
12. Order Office Supplies, including paper towels, toilet tissue, etc.
--
So, in case you are wondering...

Sending an email to my supervisor, even with a CC:Mikell in it, that accuses me of NOT doing my job, when the company database clearly shows I have, is not a good idea. On the other hand, if you want me to delete future emails/voice mails from you without reading/listening to them, you've succeeded.

Here is what I said, in an email, to my supervisor:

"Please tell GoofySalesGuy that if he is going to try and call me out for not doing my job to please check his facts before doing so," along with a screenshot of our database showing how/when I had CLEARLY done my job properly.

I was so mad I was shaking. And it was only 0930 in the morning.

I feel bad for my new supervisor, actually. He is a "YES" man who is clearly in over his head. Honestly, I don't think he is going to last that long.

Although he is afraid of me, which means I'm doing something right.
--
UPDATED 9/05/06: I had to strike this today.

Celebrity Duets is rocking my world...

2006-08-29T21:26:00.000-04:00

Are you watching this show?

All of these celebrities sucked during their first performance, but rocked during their second. So far at least. Every time they perform their second song, I think to myself, "I am SO voting for that one."

And besides, how can you NOT love Marie Osmond?

Oh. And how could Little Richard NOT like Chris Jericho? Homo. (Not that there is anything wrong with that...)

21:34: I missed Hal Sparks? Crap. The clip sounded good. And I love me some Gladys Knight. Ouch. He's missing the notes. Too bad. She is flawless. He is NO Pip.

If I had to choose between a free concert by Barbra Streisand and Gladys Knight, Barbra would have no chance whatsoever.

What did Little Richard say?

21:38: Cheech Marin. Uhm... the first time, he sounded like he was at the Kareoke Bar down the street.

Actually, he sounds better this time. It's Randy Travis that sounds like he's put away a few Jack & Coke's. And looks like it too. Cheech should probably lay off the Little Debbies. Oh. Wait. They don't have those on the West Coast.

Yeah. I don't know what Little Richard was saying either. Again.

Commercial time. I need another beer.

-
Is it just me? I feel like this is a great waste of time, but nobody is going to be hurt over it, unlike some shows that I refuse to watch. The winner gets a donation to his/her charity of choice. Everybody wins.
-
Back at 21:45: Jai Rodriguez. Did he just say he was mor nervous singing with Michelle Williams than Gladys Knight. Kill him now. That might cloud my judgement a bit. He's doing fine, though.

What? Leading the pack? I don't know about that.

Commercial time.

It's time.

I'd suggest getting rid of Lucy Lawless. That's my choice.

Who the judges chose: Chris Jericho.

I disagree, but that's okay. Regardless, I'd rather watch him walk around in tights, anyway.

Yummy.

Jinx...

2006-08-29T06:26:00.000-04:00

So TheHusband's father called yesterday. Usually, he calls on Sunday nights, and not before 22:00 hours, since he's in California. Something I always tease him about.

TheHusband had his hands full, so I had to vamp a bit. The conversation between us moved to how much sleep we each get at night. I told him it was usually around six hours for me, more or less, depending. He said it was usually less for him. He would wake up around 0230 or 0330, start tossing and turning, and eventually get up.

I said yes, this happens to me, but I can usually turn over and get another hour or two, each time waking up at the 30 minute mark, until I give up around 0500 or 0530.

Bastard jinxed me. Woke up today at 0230, rolled over and went back to sleep. Woke up again and looked at the clock. It was 0235. AAARRRGH! I gave up at 0400.

I should have called him to see if he was awake yet.

Hope you had a good time...

2006-08-28T21:13:00.000-04:00

Ever heard that someone was having a party, and you weren't invited?

It happened to me, recently. People who, I thought, were becoming friends of mine. They even posted public announcements of said party, but I saw them once, saw no way to respond to the announcement, and the next time I looked? Announcement removed, and no further word was mentioned. I assumed the party had been cancelled.

I'm glad they had a good time, and I may not have been able to join in ALL the festivities, but considering the nature of the "invitation", I'm thinking I probably should have been considered an "invitee".

Of course, I could be feeling a bit too sensitive.

It wouldn't be the first time.

Live Blogging the Emmys...

2006-08-27T19:25:00.000-04:00

Again, I don't know how long I'll make it, but here I am.

It is currently 19:20 hours, and I am watching that awful Guiliana woman and Ryan Seacrest on the E! channel. Please. Fire both of them and bring back Kathy Griffin.

Is Simon Cowell drunk?

I would so do Howie Mandel if I had the chance.

YEAH!!! KATHY GRIFFIN!!! With that Major Todd. Oh. yea. right. Seacrest wanted Kathy to stop by and "see" him. I believe that.

Jeff Probst is on now, explaining CBS's decision to divide the upcoming Survivor season teams by racial make-up. I don't care. I haven't watched the show since the third season.

Paula Abdul is drunk already. She stood there for two minutes, talking with Ryan, then said "didn't I talk to you yesterday?" before walking off the set -- in the middle of a question from Ryan.

It's okay, Paula, I hate him too.

Ryan is really short, isn't he.

The show starts now... it is 20:00

This opening might not have been a good idea, with that plane crashing today. Just a thought.

I have yet to laugh at the opening. Is it me, or is the laugh track a bit much?

Crap. I spoke too soon. The South Park/Tom Cruise spoof.

Chris Hansen of Dateline was pretty funny, too.

The obligatory Mel Gibson joke. Thanks for getting it out of the way.

I think the "host" has more than just limited musical ability, but maybe it is just me.

First Award: Best Supporting Actress, Comedy: Megan Mullally. Good for her.

Best Supporting Actor, Drama: Alan Alda. I still love him.

Commercial time.

That whole Bob Newhart thing is funny.

Best Supporting Actress, Drama: Blythe Danner. Uhm... why? Sympathy vote?

Get off the stage already.

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy: Jeremy Pevin. Shocker. I thought people hated him.

Commercial again?

Supporting Actress, M/S, Movie: Kelly MacDonald. Uhm... who?
What the hell is she saying? I'm having a hard time with that accent.

Commercial again.

Variety Music or Comedy: Daily Show.

Awards announced two weeks ago. Blah Blah Blah.

Directing in Comedy: My Name is Early, Pilot. Oh yeah. The exact show I turned off after five minutes. Funny speech though. He has a wife?

Outstanding writing, comedy: My Name is Earl, pilot. Eh. Thank you speech even funnier. Why isn't he writing the show that funny?

Commercial time, yet again.

Simon Cowell, who get's boo'd, announces the tribute to Dick Clark. Simon is sweating like a pig.

Thank goodness, they didn't have Dick walk out onto the stage while on camera. He's still not quite well. And then he joked about it. And was funny.

I swear it is true: I listend to my copy of The Essential Barry Manilow today.

Commercial time.

Individual Perfomance comedy/musical: Barry Manilow. Shouldn't he have thanked Bette Midler?

Guess Actress, Actor, Drama: Don't care, not tonight. Show me Wenty without his shirt.

Outstanding Director, Drama: Some guy who directed 24 once or twice. I've never seen the show.

The "new" Golden Age of Television? I don't think so. Does he watch the same crap I do every week?

Outstanding Writing, Drama: Some guy for the Sopranos. Another show I've never seen.

Commercial time.

I'm not going to make it to 11. I'll probably stop watching and start surfing for porn, as Colin suggests.

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Mini/Movie: Jeremy Irons. Okay, whatever. What's the next award? Never heard of this movie/mini.

Outstanding Directing, variety, music, comedy: Like anybody cares.

They are running long? They've got 1-1/2 hours left. How many more fucking awards could there be?

Outstanding Writing, comedy, musical, variety: Daily Show. Okey Dokey.

Commercial time. Shocker, I know.

I am not going to make it to 23:00 watching this show.

It has just occured to me that I haven't been time-stamping the indiviual posts. Crap.

Is that what it looks like when you fast forward in TIVO? I may have to get one.

Lead Actor, Mini/Movie: Thank goodness it wasn't Jon Voight. He would have been whining about not seeing Shiloh.

Lead Actor, Comedy: Tony Shalhoub. Don't watch the show, but the commercials are always funny. Speech funny, too. And short, not unlike him.

Commercial time, redux.

That's it. I can't stand it anymore. I gotta stop and go to bed. Let me know how it ends, will you?

Crap. One last thing. What the hell was Candace thinking with that outfit?

-----
Yes, I saw the original Charlie's Angels in the Aaron Spelling tribute, and I'm all teary eyed. But now, I'm turning the show off.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat...

2006-08-23T20:07:00.000-04:00

Here's how I do it.

In the shower (never a bathtub):
Hair.
Left Arm.
Right Arm.
Neck.
Torso.
Unmentionables.
Left Leg.
Right Leg.
Both Feet.
Nether regions.
Then I rinse my ENTIRE body, head to toe.

This takes between five and eight minutes, max. Also, I get into the shower sometime between 0710 to 0718, depending on the story running on the Today Show.

After that, I:
towel dry my body
towel dry my hair
wrap the towel around my waist
comb my hair straight
apply my deodorant
remove the towel and hang it up
get dressed
brush my teeth
apply "product" to my hair
re-comb my hair into today's, uhm... effort
grab my keys and lunch if:

TheHusband made it, and then:

walk out the door.

Start to finish: 35 minutes.
--
How about you?

If you live in Florida...

2006-08-22T21:26:00.000-04:00

... your next Governor will be Charlie Crist.

I know this will bother most of you, since you are against anyone with a big (R) behind their name, but it is true.

I watched the debate between the two Republican candidates tonight. Tom Gallagher was an ass. Crist was much more moderate than I remember.

What was that? There are Democrats running for the position?

I hardly knew.

Sorry, pumpkin. You will not win. But I will watch your debate tomorrow anyway.

Sad songs say so much...

2006-08-21T21:29:00.000-04:00

... and so do certain words.

Like Goodbye.

Although I would prefer something like "So long.." One has to do what is best for one's self.

As one of the first bloggers that I linked to, I wish him well.

And hope that he'll meet me when I am sent down south by my company. I have been reading his blog long enough that he has become a member of my close friends. He doesn't know this, but it is true. And I don't say this easily. I can count my close friends on one hand.

Oh, gods, that sounded possessive. I didn't mean it that way.

I only mean that he could be a really close friend of mine. He can understand how I feel, in a way that the few friends I have, cannot. They are missing a simple thing, though it is to their credit. He is HIV+, and my friends are not. While I do not fault my friends for not being stupid enough to get this life debilitating disease (as I was), I still can't get a level of understanding from someone who is NOT HIV+ than someone who IS positive.

As I only got to know him from his blog posts and comments here, I don't claim to "know" him... just the feeling that he "let" me know him. Even though his posts were riddled with humor.

I will miss his take on life. He touched me. Not physically, but in a good way. Though, had he touched me physically, that would have been in "a good way" too.

;)

Duh moment...

2006-08-20T19:26:00.000-04:00

Me: I need your card to go to the grocery store tomorrow.
TheHusband: Why don't you use yours?
Me: Mine isn't working. The stripe has stopped reading in retail environments.
TheHusband: Then use a credit card.
Me: I don't want to use a credit card. I like to pay cash for everything, when it is not an emergency.
TheHusband: But I don't have that much money in my checking account, and I don't want to transfer anything to it from my savings.
Me: Don't worry about it, I'll write you a check and you can deposit it into your back account on Monday morning.
TheHusband: Then why don't you just write a check to the grocery store.

** pause **

Me: How very 20th Century of you.

Help Wanted...

2006-08-15T21:19:00.000-04:00

TheHusband sent me many, many emails today. They were all links to jobs posted. In the DC Metropolitan area. To get him to stop, I finally sent the message:

"I am not moving back to DC/VA. If you are thinking about it, you have to decide if it would be better to live with me, or without me."

Moving back to DC would be a step back, not forward. I don't think I want to do that.
--
P.S. He does this whenever he is unhappy at work. This equates to about every four months or so.

Reflections of...

2006-08-13T09:35:00.000-04:00

... a Poker Tourney.

Wow. I had SUCH a great time last night. I must say this about all the folks over at Real Radio. Great people. I've been on The Monster's show, back when they were Mid-Day once. First of all, Russ (with Bo, in tow) were awfully drunk, but he at least pretended to remember me, which was nice. He was on is way to Mako's, I think. Saw Daniel and BlackBean too, who actually DID remember me, as I sat right behind them while on the show.

I am much more of a fan of the whole station than TheHusband is, so all night I was pointing out people (discreetly, I hope) and telling him who each one was. Bubba, Drunkee, Chunks, Dirty Jim. TheHusband is ONLY a fan of the Philips Phile. This was our fifth or sixth outing with the Phile, starting with the last Fantasy Fest Cruise.

Right away, we saw Jim and Moira. We mingled with them for a bit and I found my table. I was at #39 of about 40. I played conservatively, but went all in on the 2nd hand. It ended in a tie with the guy next to me, so we split the pot. I'm up, I'm down. Not bad. The local celebrity at my table was Lauren ~~Perkins~~ Rowe. Extremely nice. Oh, and a Potty Mouth that woman has on her! When she sat down, I said something goofy like, "Didn't you just have a baby yesterday, or something?" She smiled, and said "Seven and a half weeks, yes." Later on, after some banter back and forth, she looked at me (when we had both folded) and asked if we had met before, that I looked familiar to her. I said no, we hadn't, but isn't that supposed to be MY line to HER? She would high-five anyone that made a good play resulting in a win, and talk about her husband. He finally wandered over, they spoke, and he walked back to his table. I asked if that had been him, she said yes, and I said, "Girl, you did GOOD!" She giggled at this. Here's a really bad picture taken with my cell-phone cam. Her husband is the one standing behind her.

Finally, the group running the games came around and combined the tables. We were all split up to fill in positions at another part of the room. Here is what I took with me:

There were no celebs at my 2nd table. I only wanted to survive to the next level at this point. I did.

I made it to the final six tables, and sat down next to Moira. She was kicking ass and taking names. The first hand I had pocket Jacks. I bet like a mad man. And lost. On the next hand, I had to be all in, since I didn't have much left. I would have won that one, but someone got a flush on the River card. Bastard.

I have no idea who won the tournament. I couldn't even see who was playing on the final two tables because of the crowds surrounding them. I know that Moira was at one and Lauren was at the other, but I went wandering around with TheHusband and talked to the local celebs. More with Jim, Jack, Oddo, Janna Banana. Mark McEwen was there, but I never got a chance to talk to him.

At the end of the night was the drawings for door prizes. The first number drawn was for a vacuum. I looked at my tickets. It was read again, and I remember saying "Oh Shit, I think I won!!" Moira said, "Really? Then get up there and make sure." Jim said, "It figures you'd win that..." It was a vacuum. Really, a vacuum.

We left shortly after that, me making TheHusband carry the vacuum to the car. He wanted to stop at Studz to see "D", I wanted to see that hottie Josh, who works the bar until midnight or so. I wasn't disappointed. Skimpy red shorts never looked so good. A quick stop at the Wendy's Drive Thru (TheHusband was cranky, so I made him eat) and we were home.

It was a good night.
---------
UPDATE: I am told that they earned over $42,000 for the Mustard Seed. Happy about that, I am. That is over $1000 per table.

The reason I go on, and on, and on, about the vacuum is because I have a house filled with ceramic tile floors. What the hell am I going to do with a vacuum?

I am happy nontheless.

I'm all IN...

2006-08-10T20:30:00.000-04:00

... I hope I get to say that this Saturday.

I'm playing in the Philip's Phile 2nd Annual Poker Tournament to benefit The Mustard Seed.

Honestly, I've never played Texas Hold'em. Ever. But really, how hard can it be? Celebrities do it all the time on Bravo.

Here's a lesson...

2006-08-09T20:21:00.000-04:00

... in how to tell your children why it is important NOT to have sex.

Really.

In the first video, I was thinking that it should be shown in every Sex Education class from now until eternity. It doesn't matter that it was filmed in the 1960's (at least that's my guess, judging from the haircuts).

The second video, I was a bit more appalled at. My first thought was that "someone" should put that poor woman out of her misery. Permanently. After that, I began having flashbacks to the Alien movies. Watch and you will understand.

It happened...

2006-08-08T19:35:00.000-04:00

...I was injured at work today. And it was because of this issue.

No worries, like you were anyway, but I'll probably be fine.

I was pulling yet another order of equipment, sidestepping boxes piled all over the floor, and lifted something wrong. My hand is currently in an ACE bandage. I didn't go to the doctor, as the pain has gotten worse since I got home.

Right away, I notified my former supervisor, as is required of ALL workmen's comp claims. He did not make a formal report of it. (This is not his fault, as I don't think this company has procedures for an incident like this)

By the time I reached the house this afternoon, I realized I was in quite a bit of pain. But as the old joke goes, I stopped moving it when it hurt, and asked TheHusband to buy me an ACE bandage on the way home. Mostly to keep me from using it, as the ACE bandage is a big reminder, if nothing else.

It definitely affects the way that I type, and that could be an issue. It's a good thing that I am right-handed.

Well, mostly.

I think I learned a lesson today...

2006-08-07T20:30:00.000-04:00

... but first, my day.

Almost everyone was there. CEO, Goofy Salesguy, Wannabe Salesgirl, NewSupervisor, OldSupervisor, both service technicians, new Project Manager, and HomeOfficeProjectManager. The only one missing was WelcomeBackProjectManager. She was smart enough to create her own deal in order to return. She wouldn't have to follow any of the established policies and she wouldn't have to come to the office very often. Oh, and they gave her a raise to return and paid for her to move back down here from New York. Oh, yeah, she got a deal.

Anyway, since my campadre in the South Florida office hasn't returned to work yet, and the Home Office campadre was off on Thursday and Friday of last week, I was completely unable to do any of my site-specific work. All emails were auto-forwarded to me, as well as any phone calls. Since I am ALWAYS willing to take one for the team, I accepted those responsibilities for those two days. Unfortunately, they forgot to un-forward the emails and phone calls today, when things were supposed to back to normal.

And then there was the whole IT-Orlando thing. I joke that I AM: I.T.-Orlando, because the I.T. department calls me to be their fingers in the office, mostly because I am usually the only one in the office everyday. But today it was, "Mikell, so that I don't have to deal with the language barrier with a Puerto Rican employee, can you wander over to Juan's (not his real name) desk and program his phone? Just do this, type this, blah blah blah, and you will be done."

Oh, if it were ever that easy.

What he told me to do took down the entire phone system for our office. In order to correct it, he said, "is there anyone there with a cell phone?" My answer, of course, was that "everyone in the office today has a company provided cell phone, except me. I'll call you back from one of them in a minute."

The irony is lost.

This went on, until the phone system was up, except mine and one other. The IP's were conflicting. I was unable to do my job. I could get calls and people one the other end could hear me, but I couldn't understand a thing they were saying. Another call to I.T. He was too busy to help me, natch.

He finally called me back when I was eating lunch. I told him he'd have to wait, as I don't get paid during my lunch time. So he sent me an email wondering when my lunch was over. This pissed me off, so I replied:

"Well, I technically take lunch at noon, but since so far today (it's 12:20) I've been interrupted by GoofySalesGuy once, by the UPS delivery guy twice, by the FedEx delivery guy once, and you twice, it might be a bit longer that 10 more minutes."

The reply I got back? "Who pissed in your wheaties today?"

Uhm... you, and just about everyone else.

Then there was this: ServiceTechnician Two asked me "What do you want me to do with this piece of equipment, that needs to be shipped back to the manufacturer because it doesn't work?"

Before I could tell him to stick it up his ass, he asked for an answer that WASN'T sarcastic. I guess he has figured me out...

So the lesson I learned today, way too late, is not to say (early in your employment) "I'll take care of that for you..."

Once you do, it becomes part of YOUR job, not theirs.

This Weekend...

2006-08-06T19:15:00.000-04:00

...has been a bit on the "ho-hum" side.

Friday, TheHusband made it to his plane on time. Mostly because I printed his boarding pass before he left. I told him to make sure he left early enough and not to check any baggage... since he was only going to be gone two night. I also asked him to pick up a coffee mug for one of my co-workers, as he is a big fan of the Iowa Class Battleships. Since TheHusband was on the New Jersey, I figure that maybe I can bribe my co-worker to fix the DVD player I installed on my desk top.

I was supposed to meet someone for drinks after work, but he didn't show up. Eh, I had a good time at my local watering hole anyway. I stayed a bit longer than normal expecting this person to walk in the door, but to no avail. Spoke with my Friday Friends (R) anyway. Made plans for "Saturday Night Out" since TheHusband was out of town.

Saturday, I went shopping. But it was the FUN kind of shopping. For someone other than myself. Well, actually, that's not totally true, since I bought season 3 of Smallville and a book for myself. While checking out at the last store, I was behind a very pregnant woman, who was paying for some piece of furniture with gift cards. A lot of gift cards. At one point, she looked back at me and apologized for taking so long. I giggled and said I had plenty of time (but thought to myself, she obviously didn't).

Then I went home, watched two or three disks of Smallville and waited for the phone to ring. TheHusband called saying it was cocktail hour. He was having fun, so many people had brought their spouses (and/or kids), and I was reminded how bored I would have been. The call for "Saturday Night Out" never came.

I woke up about 0230 today. I couldn't sleep anymore, so I did what any other red-blooded American homo would do... I put in another Smallville disk. Long about 1000, I decided that my chores weren't going to do themselves, so I took a TomWelling break. TheHusband called. His flight is screwed up. He doesn't know which airline to go to.

That man needs a babysitter every time he flies. THAT's why I printed his first boarding pass. But you can only do that within 24 hours of flight time, so for the return flight, he's on his own.

I may, or may not, have watched the scene with TomWelling in red lycra shorts - over and over again.

It is not 1930 and TheHusband has just called. He's in the garage at our local international airport, helping someone that left their lights on, by jumping their car.

I guess I should start dinner.

Work it, gurl...

2006-08-03T21:30:00.000-04:00

Did anyone watch Work Out on Bravo last night?

I did. There was nothing, and by that I mean NOTHING else, on my basic cable TV to watch. I enjoyed it. Plenty of eye-candy, even if the main character is a girl. But she's a Dyke, so, there is that.

Anyway, there was a confrontation during dinner of her born-again Mormon of a mother and all of her friends in L.A. Hmmmm... a gym-owning Dyke in L.A. Do you think the dinner guests were mostly gay? You'd be right.

They attacked Jackie's mom on her views of gay marriage. I thought it was a bit unfair. Sure, I disagree with her views, but really. It was the dinner party's host's mother. Give her a break. After all, she didn't rant or rave, they asked her what her opinion was, then proceeded to bash her for it.
---
Flashback:
I told my mother I was gay in 1994. The reason I told her, not that we were close, was because I was home for a family reunion and I was considering moving "home" with TheHusband. So I said, "I'm thinking about moving here soon, and when I do, TheHusband (yes, I used his real name) will be coming with me. We are together, do you understand?

Blank stare.

"Momma, I'm gay. [HisRealName] and I are together."

Quothe Mikell's mother: "What about A.I.D.S.?"

-- Utter heartbreak--

I still haven't told her that I am HIV positive.
---
Back to the present.

If I held a dinner party where people said to MY mother what people were saying to Jackie's mother, I would stop passing the Cous Cous and declare the following:

"All of you. Get. Out. Now."

I completely forgot...

2006-08-03T20:23:00.000-04:00

...TheHusband was leaving town this weekend.

I had to convince him to do it, though as I look back, it really wasn't that hard.

He is a Retired Naval Petty Officer (which, contrary to what Queerty believes, is NOT an officer, but an Enlisted rank). When one is in the Navy, I've come to understand, one gets attached to some silly boat-thing that one spends so much time in/on.

I like to cruise. Really I do. But this is just a little too much for me. Not the lack of women, which is actually a PLUS in my book (sorry girls, no offense) but staying that long in such a limited space.

Yuck. Sorry. No can do.

To TheHusband: Have a good time a the reunion. I dare you to stand on the bow and pronounce that you are The King of the World.

Really. I dare him.

--
UPDATE: I've preprinted his boarding pass, but I won't be driving him to the airport. I have to be at work. He hasn't packed a suitcase yet, and it's 10:00 the night before he leaves.

Memories...

The Final Straw.

2006-08-03T19:32:00.000-04:00

With all of my bitching about the office move and lack of chairs, desks, computers and phones, I finally realized what would get some action at the home office. And I swear, I didn't do it on purpose. I would have, but I never thought of it before.

On Tuesday, I was pulling yet another order for one of our service technicians to install on Wednesday. I was wandering through the maze of boxes I have on the floor, because I have no storage shelves in the new office/mini-warehouse, pulling equipment, placing it in a box, and tripped over a box sitting on the floor.

The box I was holding was worth over $4000. Dude, it takes me MONTHS to make $4000, after taxes, thank you very much. But that isn't what pissed me off, as thankfully, none of the equipment was damaged or hurt.

I ruined a pair of pants.

I know. So what, it was a pair of pants, you silly fag.

That wasn't the point. It could have been worse. Much worse. I could have broken my arm, my leg, my back, or more importantly [in my advancing years] my hip.

I got up, placed the box of equipment on the shelf where it was intended to be, brushed off my pants, checked for bruises, and walked back over to my desk. Then I grabbed my phone and dialed the C.O.O. of the company.

I am done pussyfooting around with this bullshit.

I told him what happened, and explained that if I HAD been hurt, so would the company. Not because I am not expendable ~~which of course I'm not~~, but because if I HAD been injured, it would cost the company major bucks, and NOT go against my insurance. It would come out of the Workmen's Comp funds that my employer pays each payday. For the ambulance ride, the hospital stay, the in-home ~~deep tissue massages with happy ending thank you so much~~ therapy I would need, PLUS the wages that I would have to be paid while ~~sitting on the couch watching soap operas and eating bon-bons~~ recuperating.

THAT, my friends, is Ownership Thinking.

And he saw the light. Today, finally, he gave verbal approval to purchase $400 in shelving for my mini-warehouse. I compromised too, and ordered the size smaller of the shelf I wanted. And only ordered two of four that I think I need.

It is a start.

Someone has been...

2006-07-31T19:22:00.000-04:00

...perusing the archives here at How Does One Deal?

Three of those links are so old, I would have to take 20 minutes to find them. And I linked each and every one of them myself. Hell, the number four link doesn't even work anymore.

Things I've learned...

2006-07-31T06:50:00.000-04:00

...from watching Smallville, Seasons 1 and 2:

1. It almost never rains in Kansas, unless it is a plot point or an opportunity to show off some neat-o-keen special effects.

2. They take every opportunity to gig the audience. Like Clark's metal shop project, Jonathan Clark listening to "The Ballad of the General Lee", referring to Clark as "bulletproof".

3. They used the expression "Truth, Justice, ... all that stuff" during Season 1, years before the movie came out and no one made a big deal about it.

4. People in Kansas can drive at 14 and 15.

5. People in Kansas always, always, grab their coat before they leave a building, go out into the field, or drive off after a friend.

6. It never snows in Kansas.

7. People in Kansas don't celebrate birthdays, unless it isn't actually your birthday, but the day you land on earth.

8. Speaking of birthdays and age, if Clark was three when he crash landed in Smallville in 1989, that would make him 16ish at the end of Season 2. So, at the beginning of the day he says it isn't his actual birthday, just a date his parent's chose to celebrate. But this is the date that Jor-El speaks to him via the ship, so that would probably mean that it took EXACTLY three years to travel from Krypton to Earth, right? After all, Life Changing Events wouldn't happen when you are 16 and 10 days or so, right?

9. A lot of people (teenagers) die in Kansas, and nobody seems affected at school the next day.

10. Three out of four kids in Kansas are not being raised by their biological mother and father.

11. John Schneider doesn't watch 60 Minutes. If he did, he would notice something that he has in common with Andy Rooney.

... I'm sure there are more, but it is early in the morning. When I buy Season 3 next week, I'm going to write them down as I notice them.

Guns don't kill people...

2006-07-28T21:31:00.000-04:00

Stupid assholes do.

I have a (loose) connection to this particular crime.

When will we learn?

A Joke

2006-07-28T21:23:00.000-04:00

Via R.J.

A quick joke...
Q: What's the difference between a Vitamin and a Hormone?
A: You can't hear the Vitamin.

Personally, I don't get it.

Wink wink.
(And yes, I had to explain it to TheHusband.)

Email to TheHusband

2006-07-26T20:34:00.000-04:00

After reading today's Big News, I emailed to TheHusband.

To: TheHusband
From: Mikell
Subject: LB: Yup, I'm Gay.

File this under "I told you so..."
Link to story
---
Reply from TheHusband:

"Whaaaaaaat? I don't believe it. Not for a minute. But, if I did, a German husband? Good for him, I can imagine all the well-hung, uncut sex they are having."
---
Reply from me:

"Uhm... Reichen is as American as you or I. He was 1/2 of the winners of The Amazing Race a year or two ago. Keep up, missy."
---
TheHusband is so far out of the loop, it's kinda scary.

You want me to WHAT?

2006-07-24T20:56:00.000-04:00

I arrived at work today to a voice mail. It's Monday, so that didn't really shock me. Happens all the time on Mondays.

Then I listened to it. It was recorded at 0730 today. Odd. It was from my "NEW" supervisor.

I say "new" in quotes because this guy recently moved over from the corporate office to ours and was supposed to be in charge of part of our office, but not me and not the service technicians. I got this information from my "then" supervisor, who tells me things. There has been no word from the corporate office, nor from him. He's easy about telling me to do things. He asks, which should be a plus. It isn't his fault, so I don't hold it against him.

Anyway, over the weekend, a decision was made. Some of our employees are not updating the company database everyday, and so TPTB cannot keep their thumbs on them as firmly as TPTB feel they should be. So, a plan was created. Myself and the other administrator in our South Florida office, would call these employees at 1530 each day and "timestamp" the open call in our database that each employee had "touched".

"What?", I thought. "You are saying that people in this company cannot (or will not) do what is required of them in a timely manner, so you are going to make it MY responsibility?"

After explaining, he asked, "Can you do this?"

My answer, silence.

He said, "Hello, you still there?"

My answer, "Yes."

His response, "Did you hear what I said?"

My answer, "Yes".

His response, "What do you think of this plan?"

My response (without saying what a stupid plan this was...), "Wait. You are saying that you all are concentrating on the fact that these people will not do their jobs, so your plan is to push the responsibility off onto me?"

Him: "We have to do something. The Execs are looking at this report..."

Me: "Well, make the people who are not doing their jobs responsible, not me. I can be a team player. I understand that they might not be able to connect to the server while on site (even though the company provides them with a laptop computer with wireless connection), so if that is the problem, let them call me, and I'll be more than happy to update the database for them. Besides, what if I am at the bank at 1530? What if I am off work? What if I am on the other side of the building, receiving in a pallet of equipment? Shouldn't the onus be on them to call me? I have voice mail. If they call me, and I'm unavailable, they can leave a voice mail message, and I can update sometime in the next hour."

Him: "You might have a point. Let's try that for a while, and see how it goes."

Thanks, asshole.

Oh. Then there was the kicker. He asked me to send him, via email, a breakdown of each employee, the customer's account they worked on, and the amount of time they worked. Literally, the example I was given looked like this:

Employee One:
Customer 1: 1 minute
Customer 2: 5 minutes
Customer 3: 45 minutes
Customer 4: 1 minute

WTFO?

We have a database, have I mentioned? I run a report for everyone in my office on Monday morning. All of this information is included in this report. Someone at his level should be able to run this report.

Really.
---
When I left the office today, I had received NO calls from employees who were supposed to call me with the above information. Consequently, I sent out no email to my new supervisor.

I can't wait until tomorrow when he asks, "Why?"

My Weekend

2006-07-24T19:35:00.000-04:00

It didn't start out as much.

Saturday, TheHusband decided to "make something out of" the old air conditioner closet. As I rolled my eyes, I thought of (at least) three "projects" he has started, and yet not finished. 1)The backyard pond (still leaks) 2)The 'make two rooms out of one' (the "new" walls have still not been painted), and 3)the back porch.

It will be fine, I'm sure...

Anyway, I finally decided that I need to force myself to buy a DVR. I no longer tape TV to watch, because our VCR is old, and sometimes just doesn't feel like it. I didn't care if it was TIVO or a CD-R/W system. As long as it was hooked up to the TV here in my den, I would be happy. And besides, I deserve it. I never spend money on ME. So I told the husband where I was going, and drove off to Target.

I got there and wandered around. I found myself in the housewares department, and looked at bedspreads. We've been using the same quilt for the last five years, and while it works great in the winter, it's use is lacking in the warmer weather, if you know what I mean.

So I found the PERFECT one... provides warmth, without being too hot, in the perfect colors... meaning that I wouldn't have to purchase a new sheet set, too. I pondered purchasing this for 10 minutes before finally putting it into my cart.

Then, off to the men's clothing department. After all, it was the first day of No Sales Tax" for clothing purchases of less than $50. In the ENTIRE department, I found one... count 'em... ONE pair of pants that should fit. They had NO pleats, and they satisfied the 'neck test' as well as the 'holding them up to my waist' test. Though I should, I still can't force myself to try them on before I leave the store.

Then I wandered over into the electronics section, where the DVRs would be. I stood there looking at each and every one of them... There was a TIVO for $199 (with a $140 rebate, but then you have to sign up for the service) and four or five different CD-RW of all different price ranges. What I really wanted was something that records to a hard drive, but not have to pay a monthly fee for. I guess I want too much.

I spent 20 minutes doing this. I am sure that the cameras were trained on me, wondering when I was going to try and steal one. I left that section of the store without putting anything in my cart.

Then I wandered over to the DVD section. I looked at quite a few, but only one was catching my eye. Smallville, season 1.

Let me just say this about that. I have not followed the show over the last five years. I have only begun watching it on Saturdays, on my local WB station. Unfortunately, I've only seen every OTHER episode, as they are skipping them. I don't know why. I know. It is very gay (I hate that term) for a man of forty years to admit he watches Smallville. Hell, I go through the same thing whenever I admit to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer series. Consequently, whenever I am watching TV, TheHusband will wander into my den to ask "Are you Buffy-u-lating?", no matter what I am watching.

Anyway, I picked up the Season 1 DVD, and put it down. Picked it up, and put it down. Then I decided to chose another path, and picked it up and put it down. I did this for another 20 minutes. Finally, I put it into the cart, and proceeded to the check out.

I did make it out of the store with all three of these things, amazingly enough. I was without, however, the reason for driving to the store. No DVR.

I don't get it. Why is it that I can spend countless $$$ on a gift for someone else, without thinking about it, and can barely spend anything on myself?

BTW, I watched the DVDs until 23:00 that night, woke up at 0430 Sunday and started watching again. I watched through the day, while doing my chores, and finally finished about 1800 Sunday evening.

My goal for this Saturday is to force myself to go back to Target and purchase Season 2.

Don't think they need to learn English?

2006-07-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

I would disagree.

Lyrics NSFW, but funny as hell.

Via Thomas & Co

You're the what?

2006-07-20T21:41:00.000-04:00

Stop it.

Really.

My job is to show up at the office everyday.

I am... the Office Administrator.

No. Strike that. I am...

Administrative Coordinator.

dun - Dun - DUN!!!!!

I type. I answer the phone. I update calendars.

I coordinate... stuff.

Really, I do.

Lately, after the big office move, I have begun to wonder what my function was.

"Mikell, the air conditioner doesn't seem to be working."

"Mikell, the toilet in the men's room is leaking."

"Mikell, there are no exhaust fans in the restrooms."

"Mikell, there is no hot water in the building."

"Mikell, it's raining outside, and there is water leaking in the ceiling."

"Mikell, is the building manager aware at how much water is leaking from the toilet in the bathroom? That would be QUITE a lawsuit if someone slipped, you know."

"Mikell, it is raining outside, and there is water coming in under the front/back door(s)."
--
That last one was the final straw.

I reached into my desk drawer and pulled out my job description. Then I flung it at my supervisor and said, "Where on here does it say Facilities Manager?"

He looked at it as he laughed.
--
The company has recently decided to do ALL employee reviews during the summer, as it is our "off season".

I better get a raise like I did last year.

Misty Water Colored Memories...

2006-07-20T20:30:00.000-04:00

If you looked at something for five years, it would stand to reason that you'd recognize it again after not seeing it for a while, right?

Like when I visit my "home town".

I know my way around. I know shortcuts from point A to point B. I know where the main drag is. I know where my High School, Middle School, and Elementary School all are. I know where the restaurant where I had my first job NOT picking a fruit (or vegetable) was. I know where the kids would drive to on Saturday nights and watch the "submarine races". I remember where the Laundromat was that I used to buy ~~cigarettes~~ candy out of the machine ~~for 60 cents a pack~~. Where the best peanut butter shakes in town can be bought. Which bridge has the best rope swing from which you could drop into the river ~~and ogle the high school football players~~.

I said "home town" in quotes because I only lived there for a total of six years out of my life. Not six years in a row, mind you. I moved there at eight years old, again at 12 years old, and finally at one month shy of my 17th birthday. I've not lived there since I graduated High School, and have only been back a few times in the last 22 years.

So, would you agree? If you look at something closely for five years, would you recognize it if you saw it 15 years later?

I would. I do.

I did.

I was ~~trolling~~ looking through Craigslist DC the other day and ran across a picture of my ex-husband. (NSFW!!)

You think I'm kidding.

I'd know him anywhere.

The Office In Pictures

2006-07-20T19:11:00.000-04:00

As usual, I am inspired by Dave.

Somehow, I don't think it is quite the same at my office as his.

The Kitchenette

The Copier. The Fax. The Printer, Printer, Printer, and Printer.

My Comfy Guest Chairs

My Personal Assistant

Yes. Those are pins sticking out of him. One for each of my co-workers.

Maybe they are hiring in Kansas.

Stupid is as stupid does...

2006-07-19T23:10:00.000-04:00

"We must also remember that embryonic stem cells come from human embryos that are destroyed for their cells. Each of these human embryos is a unique human life with inherent dignity and matchless value," Bush said in his comments to specially invited families at the White House."

Link.

Yeah. Right. Because EACH and EVERY one of those human embryos would have become a child.

Wait... you mean they wouldn't have?
--
BTW, this is my 400th post.

I was wrong... about being wrong

2006-07-19T22:10:00.000-04:00

And thank the gods.

I guess that this is what an EMMY nomination will do.

The Penny

2006-07-19T21:15:00.000-04:00

I know, I know. All the stories lately about removing it from circulation lately. These stories pop up every few years.

I don't want them to. Not because, if they did, the price of EVERYTHING would go up, which it would (uhm HELLO?? do any of you live in a state where the sales tax is either 5% or 10%? I'd say no. And if your current sales tax rate is 6.5%, as it is for me, do you think they will LOWER that tax to 5%? I think not.)

But because of my father.

Sometime after he found out about his illness and before he died, he typed some messages to his children. He then took those little print-outs and placed them into a small little envelope with a penny. He also wrote our first initials on the envelope, so my step-mother would know who to give them to.

He didn't write our full names out on each envelope because he was suffering from a type of Parkinson's disease, caused by Agent Orange (used in Viet Nam), which made it nearly impossible for him to write ANYTHING out. In his later days, he switched to his left hand to sign his name or write anything, though he'd been a right-handed person for his entire life. But, if he wanted anyone, including himself, to be able to read what he was writing, he had to painstakingly write it with his left hand. It was no wonder that the computer became his best friend. Typing with two fingers is a lot faster than trying to write with hands that shake so bad you can't control them.

Back on topic, here is a picture of my envelope:

Here is a picture of the envelope and it's contents:

It is a 2000 penny, the year he did it, as he died in March 2001.

The note says:

"I am like a penny. Not a bad one, but a bright one.
Remember, I'll always turn up wherever you find a penny
anywhere. In the years to come, you'll pick one up and
say, "There's Dad!" In time you'll have a thousand
reminders of how much you are loved."

It's true. Although I do not pick up each penny I see lying on the ground, I do think of him each and every time.

Blockbuster

2006-07-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Months ago, TheHusband and I went to Blockbuster and rented three movies. BTW, he almost NEVER goes with me when I rent DVDs to watch. I might ask him if there is anything special he wants to see, but he won't go with me. He had to go with me of course, he was trapped in my car, with me driving.

Anyway, I watched "Rent" by myself and returned it the next day (I knew I'd buy it later on when it was cheaper). The other two movies, I never watched. TheHusband said he did, but they were both so bad that he only watched a few minutes of each before giving up. Another week goes by and he was on his way out, so I asked him to return them. That next Saturday, I get a nasty-gram from Blockbuster about not returning them, and if I don't, I'll be charged and I will own them. I asked TheHusband if he had, in fact, returned them. He said yes. I asked if he took them back to the store we rented them from, and he said no.

The next week, I got yet another nasty-gram, but they had "received" one of the movies back. I blew this off, since they got one, and they were both turned in at the same time, they'd get the other. Eventually.

Fast forward to this last Sunday. I rented two movies, "Date Movie" and "Jarhead". The clerk said there was a "hold" on my account for a movie that wasn't returned on time. $22.04. She called over the supervisor... I was told what the movie was (remembering the story), and I asked if they got it back. She said yes, that they had received one movie in late March, and the other sometime in May (MAY???) but she didn't know where the movie actually was at that moment. I told her that I could own up to returning the movie late, and could probably accept that I now, in fact, own the movie, but that I wouldn't pay for it if she couldn't hand it over to me right at that moment. She agreed, and temporarily removed it from my account so that I could take my new choices home.

She said she'd ask the manager where the movie was, and also asked what an "acceptable" resolution would be. I said, again, I'll pay for the movie, but they had to hand me the disk at the same time, or have the charges removed from my account. Simple. Happy as a clam (at the moment), I left.

Then, once I got home, I looked at my receipt. Using the "Jarhead" DVD as an example, I have a question.

If I spent $4.29 on the rent, and the receipt says I can own it on 7/31 (the OVERdue date) for an additional $8.70, how does that equal $22.04? By my calculations (granted, elementary math was a really long time ago for me) there seems to be an additional $10 unaccounted for) Shouldn't some obviously unrentable movie be LESS than the widely popular "Jarhead"?

Too much thinking for this morning. "Date Movie" was funny as all get out, and "Jarhead" was extremely thought provoking (read: good).

Rent/buy them both.

Birtha Venation

2006-07-16T09:07:00.000-04:00

No, not the Charles Pierce character from the movie Torch Song Trilogy.

Someone had her babies. And there are pictures!

Doctor Visit... July 2006

2006-07-13T19:36:00.000-04:00

Eh. Turns out, the doctor forgot to call.

While I showed up 1/2 hour early for my appointment (BTW, I only had to have my BP tested twice to get it low enough to be recorded- yay me!), the person I was meeting (the pharmacist) did not. She came to get me 1/2 hour late.

Do people who are late realize how fucking annoying this is? I have a life. I would like to live it. Stop fucking with my life. I am not paid a gazillion dollars a year. In fact, I only make a few dollars an hour, and if I'm not at work, I make nothing. Zero. Bupkis. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Anyway... my Viral Load came down. Crashing down. From 1018 last time to 218 this time. I said something about the Doc would call if it was good news and I wouldn't have to show up today, but she brushed it off saying he's still under the weather and forgot. She apologized for him. Whatever.

My weight: The same. I STILL hate that stupid scale.

Also noted: My bad cholesterol is record breaking low, and my good cholesterol is record breaking high. The gods were good to me here.

Yes, I gloated to TheHusband. He takes both Niasin and Fluvastatin for his cholesterol. They turn him pink.

20,000

2006-07-12T19:04:00.000-04:00

Sometime in the last few days (my guess? yesterday) I went over 20,000 visitors.

I guess that's what happens when you are AWOL.

Thanks to all of you. I promise to be better. It's those demons that I am fighting.
--
Speaking of that post, I have to return to the doctor tomorrow. Obviously, I didn't get the phone call which only means one thing. My Viral Load went up, and I will be taking the Genotype test again. I had this done in 2000, finding out that I was resistant to many of the older HIV drugs (of the time). This was mainly because I'd taken most of them, either for a long time, or for a short time and couldn't handle the side affects.

Of course, in 2000, many new drugs or drug combinations had come out, so I was switched to them. This would lead to the Great HIV Drug Holiday that would give birth to this blog.

Baby Watch

2006-07-07T07:10:00.000-04:00

Someone has been in the hospital for the last few weeks. Today should mark her 32nd week pregnant, with TWINS!!!! According to the last update, she might get to leave the hospital today, even if it means not going home, but to an apartment across the street from the hospital-- for more bedrest. Both of the babies are boys [and all of you know we like boys ;) ], but she's still calling them "Baby A and Baby B".

Here's to hoping she keeps them in there as long as possible... and names one after me.

It's someone's birthday.

2006-07-06T20:16:00.000-04:00

Can you believe he's 43?

Good gods, but I wish I would look like this at 43.

Hell, I wish TheHusband had looked like this at 43.

--
R.J.: I'll remove the picture if you ask me to... but my 10's of readers will be disappointed if I do...

The Day After

2006-07-05T22:43:00.000-04:00

TheHusband is still "recovering" from yesterday. Seems he had a few too many Coronas yesterday. It's probably a good thing we could walk home from our friends house. Of course, he is on the downside to the big five-oh.

** snicker **

On another subject, my nipples are hard.

Nothing like THAT you silly people.

The air conditioner is working like a charm. The first thing I noticed when I got home was how cool the house was. I did what I always do, strip off my school clothes and walk around in my skivvies, t-shirt, and flip flops. An hour later, I turned off the ceiling fan in my den. Then I closed the vent. Then I turned UP the temperature on the A/C thermostat. Then I got a sweater out and put it on. Then I got a blanket and draped it over my legs.

I think it has started snowing in the kitchen.

Happy Independence Day!!

2006-07-04T07:14:00.000-04:00

This picture was taken by me, of the flag at my house. Yeah, I took it last year, but still. At least I'm not using someone else's picture to make my own political statement, when it may or may not be appropriate. Whilst I would agree that the basic idea of today is to celebrate all things American, including the Right of Free Expression, it is also a day to remember that just because you have the Right to say something, doesn't mean you shouldn't pick a better time and place.

'Nuff said.

Today, TheHusband and I (well, mostly me) have invited ourselves over to the house of a friend of ours (whom I mention on this blog a lot, actually). He was recently broken up with (huh?) and is a bit broken hearted. Nothing he can't get over, but, you all remember the feeling, right? (SIDENOTE I never did like the other guy, shhhhh don't tell anyone!)

So, our friend has a pool. We'll bring the ribs (our friend LOVES the way I cook ribs), the corn-on-the-cob (insert gay-themed joke here), and the dessert (Red/White/Blue fruity whipped-creamy goodness). Someone needs to provide the Coronas. I have a Key Lime tree in the back yard, so I've got that covered, too.

I know, I know. Corona is a Mexican beer. I don't care. It's what I like with Lobster, All-You-Can-Eat Crab feasts, and holidays at the house.

Much Better.

2006-07-03T20:35:00.000-04:00

Today, TheHusband had the day off. I work for a real company, and had to work.

Heh.

Anyhoo, we had a company come over and install a new Air Conditioning system.

I'm so glad I wasn't here for most of it. I couldn't have handled being here in the house for that long without it.

Here's the old air handler, outside.

It was so loud that I could hear it inside the house. I suppose it didn't help that it was right outside the kitchen window.

Why I was surprised I could hear it? Because the inside unit fit into this little closet, also inside the kitchen. I couldn't hear much when it was running.

Anyway, we had them both replaced with these. 1st, the outside unit:

It is easily three times as tall, and four times as quiet. You can stand next to the damned thing and have a conversation without even raising your voice.

Oh. And the Inside Unit? It wouldn't fit inside that little closet in the kitchen. We had it put into the laundry room. I thought that was the best place for it, since it made it difficult to have a conversation in the kitchen when it was running.

Which was most of the time, here in Central Florida during the spring-summer-fall.

So we had them move it. I don't know if you can get the feeling of how much bigger it is from the picture, but it is.

As I told TheHusband, I won't know until tomorrow at noon if it was worth it. Typically, during the day, we'd set the temperature at 78 degrees (assuming we are home), and are lucky if the air conditioner could keep the temp inside the house somewhere around 87 degrees.

It can't be good for them to run 24 hours a day. And our old unit(s) just about did that.

Some peoples kids...

2006-06-29T19:45:00.000-04:00

So, yesterday, I was standing outside enjoying ~~the fresh air~~ a cigarette, and my new co-worker, a 23 year old, walked out as I was clearing my throat.

He said: "You wouldn't cough like that if you'd stop smoking."

I said: "I wasn't coughing, I was clearing my throat."

What I should have said: "Mind your business, stop talking about some non-existent "ex" girlfriend that I don't believe you've ever had since I think you take dick up your ass each and every night, and remember that I started smoking before your father worked up the spooge of baby-batter that would eventually bring you into this world."

I do not like it when people feel the need to tell me how to live. My government does that enough.

One of my favorite episodes:

2006-06-28T21:35:00.000-04:00

Of South Park.

The one where they see how many times they can say "Shit".

It's on right now. They include a "counter" on the bottom left corner of the screen where they count how many times their characters say it.

Funny Shit.
--
Update: 162 times.

Funny:

2006-06-28T21:25:00.000-04:00

Yesterday there was a ~~pretty fierce~~ really really big thunderstorm in the Orlando area.

All apologies to those outside the Orlando area.

This morning, during the 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30 news, I was told about two (yeah, just two) house fires that were started by yesterday's lightning storms.

They spent about 10 seconds showing a fire on a house in Pine Hills.

For those of you outside the Orlando area, Pine Hills is a section of town that houses the poorer community of Orlando. Mostly Black, quite a bit of Latino, and a growing group of Asians.

Then there was the OTHER house fire they reported on. In Winter Park.

Winter Park (another community that makes up greater Orlando) typically houses upper middle class WHITE folk.

In this story, they spend quite a few minutes showing the damage created by the fires, how the owners had recently had the home built/upgraded. How the firemen spend SO MUCH TIME trying to save the house, and how the "homeowners" were going to have to live in a hotel for a bit longer. Oh. And there was an update to the story twice for every half-hour that they reported. Live. Really, there was a reporter doing live reports from the street outside the home in Winter Park, where it is requested that you "Please Drive With Extrodinary Care". Thank you very much.
--
So I thought it was just me. And then I read the story on their own website.

Three sentences on the Pine Hills house. The rest of the story? The Rich Folks House.

Here's the link, if you don't believe me.

Dave asks, I respond:

2006-06-28T20:53:00.000-04:00

Per his request:

It took more than five minutes, but ONLY because it's the most-used-drawer-in-my-desk at work. I give you:

My Top Left Drawer:

Company Deposit Slips
"For Deposit Only" stamp for checks (for the above)
Envelope for Petty Cash Receipts
"Received" stamp (for use in the "mini-warehouse" that I operate)
1/2 bag of pistachios (I get the munchies)
Black handled scissors
12" brown wood ruler
Hand cream (Have you ever heard of cardboard rot? It isn't pretty on the hands)
My smokes (duh!)
My keys (gotta put 'em somewhere)
1 box of small binder clips
1 fat yellow highlighter
1 not-so-fat yellow highlighter (I never use it)
3 extra copies of the office mailbox key (we've just moved, I might have mentioned)
1 tube Blistex (It's been there for 1-1/2 years. I never use it anymore)
My headache pills (just in case)
Two types of staple removers
An old picture of TheHusband and myself (you've seen it)
4 dimes
2 nickels
13 pennies
1 AAA battery
10 Black ink pens (I hate black ink pens)
4 Blue ink pens (The ones I use)
11-- 37-cent stamps

I have no idea what is in my bedside table, but I'm willing to share.

Want a giggle?

2006-06-27T20:24:00.000-04:00

Go here.

National HIV Testing Day

2006-06-27T06:34:00.000-04:00

Did you know it was today? I wasn't aware that we "needed" a designated "day" for it, but hey, whatever works.

Don't know your status? Want to avoid some of the crap we have to deal with?

Get tested.

You can find out for free, and anonymously (if you need to) by going here: www.hivtest.org.

You can put in your zip code, choose a radius of miles you want to travel, and voila! There are 28 places within 20 miles of my home that are giving FREE tests today.

Quick Post: Weekend

2006-06-26T07:05:00.000-04:00

Didn't do much. Usual Sunday chores. Got mad at TheHusband. Twice. I don't think he noticed.

Her mom died (I don't want anyone google-ing her name and ending here...) Did I ever tell you my connection to her? Her dad and I used to have the same boss. I know, its a weak connection, but its true.

Her dad died, too. Sad, but one can't live forever, right? He was the same age as my grandfather, when he died.

I did get my haircut on Saturday. Pete, the barber, finally returned from vacation.

Late Anniversary Dinner

2006-06-23T21:28:00.000-04:00

Not really. We didn't do anything to celebrate this year... maybe next year.

But tonight, since I didn't do any grocery shopping last week (TheHusband was out of town, and there was no need), we decided to go out for dinner after our weekly stop at Studz.

Since it's only three doors down, we went to Friends. Our Waiter was Jeremy, and we sat outside. We were the only couple sitting outside at the time. Patty Sheehan was sitting inside, with a woman (SHOCKING!!!), but I have no idea who the woman was.

TheHusband had the Blackened Fish, and I had the Grilled Salmon. Both, with asparagus. As usual, we traded bites of each other's dishes, and wished we'd ordered the other's.

We asked about the "All you can eat Crabs" on Tuesday, but Jeremy said it was packed, so we'll probably skip that. Too bad. I love crab. I spent too many years in Maryland NOT to love crab.

We might have spent $40 between the two of us, and I tip extremely well, so if you are in the neighborhood and want to eat... I'd suggest it.
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Would someone PLEASE tell Daisy Lyman (D-Orlando City Council) that if her mid-thirty-year-old son is calling her in the middle of the night because he was pulled over in one of the best known drug selling neighborhoods of the city by a white police officer, that calling it "racial profiling" is probably NOT the best way to make it go away? Also, BTW, if I were said 30ish year old man that called my mommy to get me out of trouble, I would be too ashamed to run for County Commissioner, and Juan Lyman should probably take note.

Just a thought.

Doctor Visit... June 2006

2006-06-23T07:11:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I returned. Not bad, but not great, either.

T-Cell count: Up to 212. Yay for me.

Viral Load: Also up, to 1018. Bad news, but not insurmountable. Doc thinks that I may have been having a bad day, or I could be starting to resist one or two of the meds that I've been on for a while (before and after the self-imposed med-holiday). We did another VL test yesterday, and in three weeks if it's higher, we'll do a Genome test to try and figure it out, possibly changing my meds. I'm thinking that going to the shots is a possibility. Yuck.

BP: Way up. She took it three times before finding something low enough to put into the record.

Weight: The same. Stupid scale.

I did mention that I've noticed that EVERYONE lately has had a higher Viral load, and asked about that. He said that they've changed the test, making it different. This calls into question all those months (years?) of undetectable tests we've all been given. Of course, alot of the bloggers that have noticed this do not go to the same lab, so they should ask about this too.
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I think I'm coming out of my funk. It's a depression I've been under, more than your standard funk. Usually, once I realize what it is, I can work on it and get over it. My mantra is that I don't want to take another pill (for depression), so that reminds me. I think I'll be fine.

On that note, thanks to Gina (again), Steve, and Joel ~~(who doesn't seem to have a blog)~~.

Thanks to TOS

2006-06-22T21:06:00.000-04:00

Over at "Chasing the Wonderlust", we have this little audio clip.

Good comedy writing doesn't happen everyday.

Julia was always my favorite character.

Yesterday was number 14

2006-06-22T07:22:00.000-04:00

Happy Anniversary to TheHusband and myself...

Of course, he thinks it is today.

Yeah. I'm still here

2006-06-20T20:58:00.000-04:00

I just don't have much to say. Actually, I have a lot to say, but nobody really cares, so what is the point?

Thanks to Gina for asking.

I turned off comments as my first step towards deleting this blog.

I am still reading all of your blogs, and quite a few more. Daily reads haven't changed.

Kathy Griffin is on. Need I say more?

Somebody misses her Daddy already...

2006-06-12T19:55:00.000-04:00

... in fact, she is either protesting the fact that he is going out of town, or trying to get herself packed in the suitcase. I'm not sure which.

TheHusband left this morning for a trip to Chicago. Oh the drama.

TheHusband is never on time. I may have mentioned this before. In fact he's missed more than one flight, and has caused me to miss the flight for my brother's (2nd) wedding. I don't DO late. At least not very well.

This morning, I moved up our departure time (from the house), without telling him, so that he would make it on time. It worked. Even though his "checked" baggage was too heavy, so he panicked, before realizing that he could re-distribute the weight and still make his flight. Which he did.

Carpet Muncher

2006-06-05T20:32:00.000-04:00

Saturday, while I was out buying groceries, I stopped at the local Tuesday Morning.

There was a carpet that I had my eye on for the living room. Sisal with a brown border. I thought it would be perfect for our living room area. Not that we sit there, ever, but because it matched the furniture.

Besides, I've mentioned that I HATE the tile floors in this house.
--
I think one of the cats likes it, and I haven't even rolled it out yet.

This picture was taken within 10 minutes of me bringing it into the house.

And I've caught her there 10 times since. She loves it. I think she's realized that her coloring matches it.

Moving Day and Moving Day Plus One

2006-06-05T20:25:00.000-04:00

Sorry. Took a blogger posting hiatus this weekend. Let's see if I can remember Friday, since it was so long ago.

I got there at 0800, sent an email out saying that we were losing phones and internet access (to remind everyone in the company - again) and shut down my computer and pulled the plugs. I had already emptied my desk into two boxes the day before.

Movers arrive at 0930. Two of Latin decent (one CUTIE), one immigrant from Israel (this isn't important). They discount the hourly rate right away, probably because there was supposed to be four of them. And then they move stuff. And move some more stuff. At one point, I was down at the new place and got a call on my cell phone from my supervisor. They were about to pack some boxes (that they provided) and were going to charge us $150 to pack six boxes. I told him to tell them to hold off, and I'd be right there.

Armed with a copy of the quote, I said no way. Packing boxes was included in the quote, and charging us $25 a box was completely unacceptable, since I'd asked how much "boxes" might cost (prior to the day of the move) and hadn't received an answer. Back and forth, back and forth, and it was determined that they would NOT be packing any boxes for us, we'd move the smaller stuff with our company van. Screw that.

Other than that little surprise, I thought they did a good job. Of course, If they'd picked up a stack of similar boxes, loaded them in the truck, unloaded them at the new place in that same stack of boxes, I would have felt better about it, but that didn't happen. Everything was stacked against the wall as it came off the truck. If "item A" was a box 3x5x5, then it was placed on the floor and "item B" was a .6x1x.6 box, it was placed on top of "item B", instead of a tower of "item A"s next to a tower of "item B"s. Did that make sense?

Goofy SalesGuy showed up. His only responsibility (other than his office/desk) was to remove the pictures from the old place, get them to the new place, and hang them AT the new placed. He showed up long enough to move the pictures that I HAD REMOVED and GATHERED in his car to the new place and PLACE THEM IN THE NEW PLACE. He said something to me about showing up, and I said "No need, we could have done without you". He pointed out to me that he'd been "selling product" all day. I asked if he'd brought a check, as usual. He said no, so I replied, "If you didn't bring a check, then you should have been here, and since you weren't, you are useless to me today, and you may as well leave." Someone piped up from the peanut gallery and said "Gosh, Mikell, tell us how you really feel." My response was "Do not step to me next time you need something and say it's for the good of "Team Orlando", as that phrase has lost it's meaning as of this moment.

If ANYTHING defines "Team Orlando", its moving from office to office. All hands should have been on deck from dusk to dawn, as necessary.

Lunch time rolled around, and the company provided. Actually, I did, using Petty Cash Funds. Pizza, of course, for a group this size. THIS is when I found out that one of the movers was from Israel. All of the pizzas I ordered had some sort of pork product on them... shoot me already. I didn't know. He picked off the pepperoni and ate the pizza plain. A man after my own heart, adapt and overcome.

They'd moved everything by 1530 or so. Then the very little stuff was left. Trash cans, tossing the leftover trash from the old place, other piddly stuff. I was still there for an extra hour that day. --Remember, my company frowns on me having overtime. They can't bill a customer for it.

Oh. Salesgirl showed up sometime during the afternoon and unloaded a box or two out of her car. I have no idea what, I couldn't get over the fact that she was wearing high heals and a cocktail dress. In black.

Saturday, TheHusband and I went to Home Depot to pick up some parts, and then went into work. He installed three electrical outlets so that people could connect their computers to, you know, electricity. Myself included. Two hours (of my time), not billed to the company. I tried to find the items for my desk so that I could work on Monday, and hung pictures in the office so that it would LOOK like we were open for business. Common areas: Done. Rest of the building: Not so much. Also, didn't charge the company for TheHusband's work, just the parts needed.

(I should also mention that TheHusband designed the layout for the new office, all five (count 'em) versions of it. At. No. Charge.

So then there was today.

My mission was to create order out of chaos. It wasn't easy, and I'm not actually done yet. Maybe by next Monday. I'll be patient.

But I had to find a product for install today. I didn't know the install was today, as NO ONE HAD TOLD ME. Fine, see this? Install it. I don't think it is the right product, but see THAT PILE OF PRODUCT? I think the right stuff is somewhere in there. Until I brake that all up, I don't know what else to tell you. If, sometime today when I sort through all this stuff I find the correct product, I'll call you.

I hated making that call. It was in the last box I put my hands on. Of course.

Also, this: "Where are my scissors?" Uhm, I don't know. Did you pack your desk? "No, someone else did." Oh. Then ask "someone else" where they put them. Of course, had you been here to pack your own desk, you'd KNOW where they were, wouldn't you?

Next: "I can't print to XX printer." Really? Neither can I. In fact, I've NEVER been able to print to XX printer, so I'd suggest calling the IT department, not me.

And: "Can I borrow your scissors/stapler/whatever?" You could, but I've been too busy trying to make sense out of this office to FIND THE BOX THAT HAS THESE ITEMS IN THEM, so no, you can't, as I don't know where they are yet. Remember, my thought process is "Team Orlando".

What? There isn't any toilet paper / paper towels in the bathrooms? Find the box.

You don't know where to throw out your trash? Find a trashcan that was moved from the old office and place it by your desk. Then you'll have a place.

Bitches/Bastards, all of them.

Call from the landlord's agent: "What are you doing about the shelves you left?" We discussed them. You said you were going to demolish the old office, walls and all, and I said we weren't taking them because of the way they were built and we wouldn't be able to break them down and put them back together in the new place.

Insert snippy comments from Mikell to landlord's curmudgenly 63 year old agent. End phone conversation (me adding in some stuff that was not complete prior to move in).

Next, I find out that the curmudgenly agent called the CEO, and having to swallow my pride and apologize. It was deserved, of course, I should not have taken my day out on her... but I'm still right.

There were other things, and I can't remember them all.

At the end of the day, someone said something to me (probably kidding), but I'd had enough. I gave in.

I grabbed my keys and my cigarettes, closed the open programs on my computer, and walked out the door. Without saying good-bye. I always say good-by to whatever worker is still there, everyday without fail.

I didn't feel guilty about it until I started this post, three hours later.

Out of Order

2006-06-05T19:12:00.000-04:00

Blogrolling seems to be down, so I can't see any of the sites on my blogroll.