Archive for May 15-21, 2000Musings of My Mind
Sunday, May 21, 2000
Gonna be short . . .
. . . it has to be-- typing causes sweat! I'm sorry for those of you in the south: there is no way that any woman would do anything but sweat in this heat! Even though it is still over a 100F in our apartment, its probably down to about 95 on the street. How do I know that? Cuz I was the idiot that went out for a bike ride just now!! I didn't go as far as usual but, I did do about half of my usual route. Anyway, you can't "perspire" in heat like this and you sure as heck can't "glow" so, trust me when I say that I will not be posting a huge update tonight.
Other than a few errands this morning, Brian hasn't been out but, I also went out after we got home from the Costco run this morning. There's a video store going out of business so I picked up a couple-three videos: "Notting Hill", "Instinct" and "Arlington Road" for cheaper than Costco. In addition to that, Brian and I picked up "The General's Daughter" and the new 007 movie at Costco this morning so we've done pretty well for our video library today.
I also picked up a couple of tank tops and shorts-- anything to stay cool.
And that said, I'm going to try to find some way to cool down or at least not feel sticky.
Have a goooooood night, wherever you are!
Saturday, May 20, 2000
(Further Update)Fishing Expedition
Here goes: I couldn't sleep . . . I tried to sleep . . . it was hot . . . I couldn't sleep and, after tossing and turning for most of the night, I finally got up at 3:10am. I got dressed, finished putting my stuff (food and such) into my backpack and started to head out the door. I stopped for a brief second, to decide if I should kiss Brian good-bye so I went back into the bedroom and leaned over him which, of course, woke him up. We had a discussion as to what I would find in the pre-O-dark-thirty park. Out the door and on the road by 3:30am.
When I arrived at the park at 4:15, it was extremely dark. There was a full moon which was helpful and I did manage to remember to grab one of the big flashlights before I left the apartment this morning which was also helpful. Because the park wasn't officially open yet (it opened at 5:00am), I had to park on the street and walk in to the marina where I hoped to find a permit machine. Nope, the permit machine wasn't there anymore. I walked almost all the way back out to my car and checked the machine at the guard shack. The one that was there previously, was only for parking but this was a new machine and I couldn't tell if it was for parking or for parking and fishing permits. I went back out to my car and put everything back in it again. I'd heard someone a long time ago talk about a tackle shop that was close by and usually open early where I could buy a permit but, after driving around for about 15 minutes, couldn't find that either so, I drove back to the park.
Upon my second arrival there, it was 4:45 and I was the third vehicle; soon after my arrival, another truck pulled up and I asked him where to get a permit. He told me that the machine at the guard's shack was where it could be gotten but it only took $1 bills. Since the previous machines (both parking and permit) had only taken quarters, I had enough quarters with me but I wasn't sure about the $1 bills. I checked through my wallet and found three-- whew!! I walked back into the park with all of my stuff and the guy was offering to hold his flashlight so I could put my money in to get my permit. That was when we discovered that it wasn't taking a $1 bills! There was a coin slot, however, so I started feeding in quarters (I had enough to share with him if it worked) but, much to our surprise, it didn't work either. "Error Code 006, Out of Order" was all the machine said.
The marina store wasn't open yet so I couldn't buy a permit there either so I walked on down to where I was going to fish. I got "my" spot on the bank where I've had so much luck at catching fish, and I got set up. At 5:15am, my line was in the water and, I thought, I was a happy camper-- er, fisherperson!
Ten minutes later, I checked my bait. Re-cast my line . . . ten minutes later, I checked it again. It was at that time that I realized that I didn't want to be there today. I felt very antsy-- I didn't know what I wanted to do but I know I didn't want to be there, fishing, today. So, I packed up all of my stuff and walked back out to the car. At the time that I left, the marina still wasn't open because the person who was supposed to open it didn't have the right keys. The guard shack wasn't doing any business at selling permits even though, I believe, he could've been. Don't know why . . .
Anyway, after spending 45 minutes driving in each direction and on the water, I stopped at McDonald's to get breakfast for Brian and me. I thought he'd be asleep when I came in but, when I kissed him good-bye, he apparently woke up and read from that point until the end of the book he was reading. We ate our breakfast and went back to bed only rising about a half hour ago.
Its going to be hot . . . now I just have to figure out what it is that I want to do today! If I figure it out, I'll let you know later on . . . have a good one!
Well, so considering the temperatures outside and inside of our apartment, I tried to make a productive day of it. I went shopping for some new equipment for riding my bike-- knee pads. Found them and now I feel a bit more secure-- or at least, I will feel more secure riding. These have plastic over top of the padding so they won't wear down as I fall down (although I hope I don't do that a whole lot more often as a result of having these pads).
I've watched a couple of movies and tried to stay out of Brian's way. The heat in his office is worse than in the living room so he'ss gotta be in pretty bad shape even with a fan blowing directly on him. We'll open up that side of the apartment in about an hour and that'll help cool him and the rest of the apartment down.
Guess that's all for the 7pm update from sunny and HOT Northern California-- have a great evening, wherever you are . . .
Friday, May 19, 2000
(Major Update)Tying Up the Loose Ends
The loose ends from the week, that is . . . turns out that Irma can't go fishing tomorrow so I'm going to go by myself. We're already making plans for her to go with me next weekend. Turns out she's got some kind of presentation to make up for a big meeting at her office next week so she's gotta work on that. Not a problem-- there'll be fish again next week, for sure! Tomorrow, in the interim, I am going to go by myself (I said that already, didn't I?) and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm gonna get up at 4:30 and be out of here by 5 at the latest-- yes, that's "AM"!! I want to get to the part of the bank where I know the fish are gonna be biting-- its usually anywhere that I'm not but I'm gonna fool myself into thinking its the one particular spot and I'm gonna get it tomorrow!!
Closed up the week at work by signing $200K deal-- cool!! The guys from the southeast region are really great to work with-- very diligent and they don't expect me to do something that they wouldn't do themselves. We work together well as a team, I think and, there are a lot of hints about Atlanta being a great place to work and offices that are available for me, etc. Yeah, well, they gotta talk my boss into it, first!!
Last night, I had a headache when I went to bed, woke up with it again and, came home from work about 3pm to try to get rid of it. Considering the way I was sneezing this morning, I am beginning to believe that Brian's correct in thinking that it is allergies. I suppose its possible to develop new things as we age . . . no, I don't want to think about that but . . . its possible. For others anyway! ;>)
Although this may seem to be a short post, and it probably is, I'm gonna call it a night early-- its really hot here tonight and I've gotta get my stuff together to go fishing EARLY tomorrow.
I'll let you know how did tomorrow afternoon . . . have a good evening!
They're MOVING!!!!!!
The most crying-est kids we've ever heard in the world are moving!!!!! I don't know what it is with the people downstairs from us. Ever since they've moved in, their kids (a boy who looks to be about 4 and a girl who is approximately 2) have done nothing but take turns CRYING at all hours of the day AND night!!!! I was just outside hanging over the balcony (cuz it is SOOOO HOT in the apartment!!!!!) and they walked up. The father looked up and told me that they were moving back to "their country".
YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
HOOOOORRAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!Brian and I do really like kids but Brian and I could not believe how much these kids cry!!! There were times when we thought we should call someone to figure out what was up with these kids-- they were just crying TOOOOOO much!!!!
Y'know, I do realize that we could end up with something worse beneath us but I doubt it. I'm also very willing to give anyone else a try after this family!!
Thursday, May 18, 2000Typical!
As is the case with most of Northern California weather, it was sunny and warm today-- much more so than the other day, for sure! It is around 80F today with LOTS of sunshine!! I went for a ride on my bike and, afterward drove the same route with the car. I figured if the odometer I was using was "off" because of the battery, I wanted to see if it was off kilter totally. Well, it was, of course-- only five miles for my "big route". I thought it was a lot further-- mostly because the odometer said it was!
Still five miles after working all day is good! I'll take it! (And I will be continuing to do it, thank you!)
Work Details
Another busy day in the 'hood of Contracts-- lots to do and lots more to do tomorrow. I'm waiting on several big deals to close and have, in the meantime, received several more big deals. I updated my Status Report today-- I've got 35 current and various agreements and other projects on my desk. Big Fun!!
Bambi Averted
One of my co-workers was in a car accident last night-- she drove into an embankment trying to avoid hitting Bambi or some other distant relative of Bambi's. She's fine and neither of her kids were with her so they're, obviously fine, too. I've just hung up the phone with her because the silly woman showed up at work at 4:30pm!! Talk about diligent!! Her car is being fixed, rental car is in the parking lot and hopefully, her life will settle down for the rest of the week. Typically, something "not good" happens to her about once a week-- she's the sweetest person you'd ever want to meet but the most horrendous things happen to her!!
**********
Brian's not going to be eating a "normal" dinner because of getting his teeth cleaned (his mouth is sore) and he pigged out on left-over pizza this afternoon before going to the dentist. That leaves me to my own devices for dinner-- within reason, I can have my favorite Tostito's chips. Odd dinner you think, huh? Nope-- not with Brian's salsa!! He makes the best!!Have a good night-- more later if the mood strikes . . .
Wednesday, May 17, 2000Odd?
We've hired two new people in the last couple of months (I'm no longer the low-woman on the seniority poll) but, it seems like I'm busier than I ever used to be! I like being busy, as I've said a thousand times before, but I just think its funny. Hmm, that could be that "Business is Growing" thang, huh?
And Odds and Ends . . .
Speaking of growing businesses, Congratulations Matt Beland!! Matt's landed a job at Siebel Systems-- Kewlness, indeed!
My sister and I tried a chat session tonight using "Speak Freely" but, it didn't. Apparently, she could hear me but I couldn't hear her and, of course, after we decided it was hopeless, Brian informed me that it may have something to do with our firewall. It appears that when he and Tom tried it, it didn't work either. He's going to do some research and update us later.
While my sister and I were talking on the phone, we were plotting-- er, I mean . . . planning the family rebellion-- I mean, um . . . family reunion when Brian and I visit Michigan later this summer. It will be good to see some of the aunts and uncles and cousins again . . . its been a long time!
By the way, I don't think I mentioned that my cousin, Cherie and I have begun email communications. Cherie, whose name I had spelled wrong ("Sherry") was the one that gave me really cool words of encouragement when my mother died. My sister ran into her (not literally!) at a Wal-Mart and gave her my email address so we've been emailing for a couple of weeks.
The temperature warmed up today-- and HOW!! It was a hot and sunny ride on my bicycle tonight!! I liked it! I still haven't gotten a battery for my odometer so I have no idea how far I'm going but it feels good so, no matter . . . I'll still do it!
And, Saturday will be a fishing day!!! My friend, Irma, and I are going to be heading up to Lake Chabot for another try at cleaning out the lake. I'm really looking forward to it, as usual and, to be honest, I'm plotting another trip up to the lake (that makes it sound like its far, huh-- Nah!!) next weekend. It'll be a three-day weekend with Brian working on the book so . . . oh, well!
And, on that note, I'm going to call it a night, I think . . . if I think of anything else, I'll let you know.
Have a good one!
Tuesday, May 16, 2000Busy Day . . .
Another day spent mostly on phone calls and drafting agreements. When I got to work, the director was already in-- early for her as she usually arrives around 9-- so I had a meeting first thing! Then, it was a matter of trying to organize the other calls that I had for the day including two for one client (one with the client and one with the AVP).
I have another client who can't seem to understand what time and clocks meant-- do you hear my Type A personality coming out? This guy was from the South-- the slow side of the south who doesn't seem to have anything but this one agreement to work on and it was VERY obvious! "Hey, Buddy," I'm thinking, "I've got a dozen contracts to finish this week, all of which are due tomorrow-- can we get the lead out?" (Yes, my communication class week did me a lot of good-- I didn't say any of the above OUT LOUD to the customer!)
. . . in the neighborhood . . .
I got to ride my bike!!! Its cold with a windchill factor that'll make your nose run!! (How's that for a vivid image-- that may be a little over the top, eh? Oh well!) I had to modify my route by quite a bit; first of all, its been five days since I've been out on my bike. Second, the repaving happening on my main route has hit a "roadblock"-- rain. It's going to be quite a while before that's done, I'm afraid! There's also a lot of wind and it is quite cool today (52F) so I bundled up in sweats and hit the pavement-- but not literally this time! Anyway, pardon the pun, but it is good to be back in the saddle again!
Early update . . . maybe more later . . .
I've got a friend that I have a hard time getting hold of-- we've got a conversation planned for tonight (hopefully). And, there's dinner to make and . . . well, you get the idea. Have a good one . . .
Monday, May 15, 2000Nope, I didn't forget . . .
Happy Mother's Day to one and all! Mother's Day, fourteen years later is not any easier than the first year after my mother's passing. I still miss her terribly and every day, in some way, wish she were still here. My sisters are mothers as are my sisters-in-law and all of them are wonderful people. There are times through the courses of their lives that they have envied the fact that I could just pick-up and move or pick-up and travel. Truth be known, there are times when I've seen them get those extra hugs from the little ones that only a mother can give and get, and I've been as envious of them. The grass is always greener though and then, you get to the other side of the fence . . .
Brian's mother spent the day relaxing-- she is a wonderful woman whom I've come to know and love over the past couple of years. When Mother's Day comes around, I know that I've got her to spoil and that's enough for me. We sent her a bottle of champagne and breakfast scones via Wine.com-- turned out to be a very nice arrangement from what we understand. I'm sure it was enjoyed and the emotional hugs that went along with it. Brian's Grammy also got a phone call from us because, if it weren't for her, there would be no Brian's mother and, ultimately . . . no Brian so its a spiral thang.
To one and all, I hope you had a wonderful Day-- the work of a mother is tireless indeed-- you are loved and appreciated by all!!
Paradise's Weather
It is SOOOO cold tonight!! I'm cold and drinking coffee to try to warm up!! I'm going to ride bicycle tomorrow night with sweats on if I have to!! I'm tired of not riding my bike!!
Tonight we needed to do laundry and prepare for the housekeepers tomorrow. It seems to take less time when I "prepare" so I must be picking up after myself better!
By the way . . .
. . . last week when I mentioned Linda's classes for her motorcycle, I wanted to tell you to how to get in touch with them if you're in Northern California. Linda's husband, Tim, has been riding motorcycles for thirty years and even he learned some things from this class that were useful. I think that speaks volumes for this class; you can check with the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) website. (If you want to be an instructor, the website can also give you help in contacting them to "sign-up" for that, too!)
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