Feeling Flush 4:18 PM

The tank of my toilet wouldn't refill after I had flushed. It seemed the gasket and the flapper were worn and needed to be replaced. I called the owner of the apartment building to have the repairs done. In the mean time I had to fill the tank by pitcher in order to use the toilet. The handyman just left and everything is in working order again. I have never been so happy to flush a toilet!

Lazy Day 7:23 PM

The intention was to get out. Never got far, did end up going for some groceries midafternoon. Spent most of the day reading. I am almost finished with the book, do not want to put it down. There are so many shows premiering tonight it's hard to decide which ones to watch, harder when I'm engrossed in a book.

All's Fair 8:33 PM

The weather was decent, Harvest Fair was pretty good, shopping was fine. All and all, it was a good day.

I Want It To Last 6:10 PM

Wow. The weather has been absolutely beautiful this past week. Even though it is now Fall, it feels like Summer and do I want to to go on and on. Unfortunately it seems the shift is coming in days and I have to prepare for it. No more shorts and flip-flops. I've been feeling great, no fevers or night sweats to speak of lately, never figured out what the issue was, going to take the good days now and not concern myself with it too much. I am going to have some blood work done in a week or so, but no doctor appointments until 2009! I hope to keep it that way.

The $250,000 Question 2:53 PM

I received notification in the mail that I won a random sweepstake. It is a total scam. For a brief second I was thrilled with the possibility, then reality sinks in and on closer inspection, questions arise. A quick Internet search verifies that the whole thing is a scam to get personal financial information. I was so close to a quarter of a million dollars . . .

Microsoft Genius 10:00 PM

My PC crashed and I could not get it to function. I attempted to reconfigure and reboot it, reinstall my operating system, with not much success. I put a call into Microsoft. Five hours later, with live assist and handing over control, my PC is up and running without any problems. All programs are up to date and I am connected!

It Was A Zoo 4:29 PM

Got off the couch (actually didn't watch the latest ANTM marathon showing) and went shopping at Target (actually spent some money), wandered around the Zoo, had Suburbia, stopped at World Market and Bed, Bath and Beyond today. It was a nice day to be running around. Going to lounge on the couch for the remainder of the evening.

Spell It Out 6:15 PM

Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs. I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Thanks Doug (via Facebook) for this insight

Communication 4:54 PM

I noticed that everywhere I go, people are on their cell phones. On the road, it is rare to see a car where the driver is not on the phone. At any restaurant, someone is talking loudly about their day. Even at the grocery store. I use my cell phone occasionally when I'm out, but usually to confirm meeting places and times, not to have a full blown conversation. I wonder with all this talking going on, is anything really being said?

One Of Those Days 4:52 PM

Slept late this morning, had to rush to get ready for work. Stopped at the store to pick up lunches for the week, made it just in time. Had a busy morning, got out for a walk through the business park and along the way saw hubcaps placed up on a light pole. Always something interesting to see along the way. Things went haywire in the afternoon, settled down by the time I left for the day, now I am going to relax and enjoy the evening. The weather has improved, I want perpetual Summer, so every day that is like this I will appreciate. It's been one of those days.

About Time I Say (and so do others) 3:37 PM

It's been one rainy weekend. I figured (with some goading) it would be a good time to actually get the apartment clean. I spent a good amount of time doing just that. The place is looking better and better. I just might have to invite someone over to witness my efforts. If I'm going to hunker down for the winter months, I may as well have an organized place to play in. I tore myself away from the TV and got out to Target and lunch with Doug for a bit yesterday, now going to start putting clothes in their proper place instead of the bed. I just may sleep in my bed tonight instead of the couch. I wonder if my body will handle the change. In between things I managed to catch a couple of my Disney favorites though.

Patrick, I'm glad you're up and about, feeling better! These things take time, so don't push too hard, and get well soon! I'll be thinking about you. Peace Brother!

Eye On The Storm 12:31 PM

I have been captivated by the news coverage of Hurricane Ike as it moves through Texas. I watched CNN and MSNBC from 8:00pm last night until about 2:00am this morning when I finally went to sleep. When I got up this morning I put the news back on and haven't been able to change the channel. It is still on the TV, now I'm watching the devastation left behind. The remnants should be effecting the area tomorrow, so I'll be watching then too.

Marshmallows 5:24 PM

my lucky charms had no yellow moons, pink stars, green clovers or any others beneath the surface of the box this morning. I was disappointed. I really don't like the cereal that much, it's the marshmallows that give it the great taste and make it magically delicious. Without the marshmallows, I might as well eat cheerios, and I don't even like cheerios.

Patrick, you're in my thoughts!!!

Obstacle Course 5:58 PM

Driving is maddening. In the morning, everyone is in such a hurry, no one goes the speed limit, they fly up on you, swerve at the last minute into the next lane, then cut you off as soon as they pass you. It's more important to have their coffee or yap on the cell phone at 6:00am then to be courteous. On the way home you have the speeders, too many school buses (I counted 15 in a three block stretch, all with less than ten kids on each), utility vehicles, and clueless people who mustn't know where they are going. It's always a challenge getting to and from work each day.

Not What I Wanted To Hear 7:10 PM

Cancer IS an ugly word. It's bad enough to hear when it's yourself getting the news, but it's just as troubling when it's someone you care about. Worse yet, I've gone through it, and having to deal with it over again, but not me going through it, beyond my control, beyond my comprehension, leaves me unsettled, helpless.

A Bit Of Culture 8:31 PM

Got out to Indian Summer on the Summerfest grounds today. Immersed in Indian culture, saw many different tribal outfits, listened to contemporary Indian music, watched dancers, a pow-wow, ate traditional foods. I met Irene Bedard, the actress who voiced Pocahontas in the Disney animated classic. I completely enjoyed the festival, one of the better ones I attended this Summer.

Afterward, finished working on the backyard, grilled out, and now watching TV, relaxing before heading off to bed for the start of the work week. I had a great time this weekend.

Keeping Busy 6:39 PM

I just threw in a load of laundry, going to have a quiet settled evening. Ran out to a number of stores this afternoon, didn't buy much. It's just one of those days where you make things up as you go along and try to get things accomplished that you don't get done during the week. Tomorrow, I will run and play.

On The Patio 9:21 PM

After a hectic shortened work week, it's now the weekend and time to have some fun. Doug and I actually spent the evening sitting on the patio instead of working on it. The majority of the work is done now, so we can relax and enjoy the back yard. We grilled out, had a fire, kicked back, and hung out with Seneca..

Come Back. . . Please!!! 5:10 PM

Just yesterday it was hot and humid. Today it is cool and rainy. I much prefer the former. Irregardless, I'm excited about tonight's two hour premiere of ANTM. I have been waiting for this since the last cycle ended back in May. Something as inane and frivolous as this gives me such a kick that's hard to explain. Mindless entertainment at it's best. I will be transfixed and hard to distract tonight.

I Want More Like This 7:49 PM

It's September 1st and it's Labor Day. Some say it's the unofficial end of Summer, but the weather has been perfect the past number of days. I want it to be like this forever, I'm not ready for cool, dreary days. Spent part of the weekend shopping, working in Doug's yard, celebrating Tim's birthday, perfect days of Summer.