Siber-Den
31 October 2002
My Life....It's A Veritable Friggin' Laugh Stop
Cathy's journal entry:
Thursday morning, October 30, 2002Kev's reply:
John mentioned this morning that Kevin wants to go to the Firehouse on Friday night to listen to a band.I'm up for it. But what about Callie? Is she invited? Is it too soon?
I think a place named "The Firehouse" is probably one of the safest places we might go with her. :)*sigh*
klw
[Posted at 09:25 on 10/31/02]
29 October 2002
I Have An Alibi...They Probably Didn't Have Hall Heaters
Kev's lovely, long-time friend, Mr. Hutchison, emailed today wanting to know if I, by chance, happened to have been in a certain small town in Missouri yesterday. You see, their school burned down.
*sigh* You guys are killing me.
[Posted at 23:09 on 10/29/02]
28 October 2002
Oh Those Brits And Their "Humour"
Dearest Cathy just sent me an email.
So, Callie . . .. . . how was your trip to the SMOKY Mountains?
It was the Smoky Mountains, wasn't it?
Were you PUFFING as you hiked uphill?
Hope you remembered to put your clocks back AND change the smoke detector.
I expect the hotels up there are quite EMPTY at this time of year.
*groan*
I'm surrounded by comedians.
[Posted at 20:02 on 10/28/02]
27 October 2002
When Was The Last Time You Caused An Evacuation?
Some observations from our recent roadtrip and excursion:
1. My car isn't that bad. It handled some pretty bad rain situations and fog situations quite well. And I've finally figured out the cruise control, though it still sometimes can be finicky about working.
2. It's cool to downshift and pass slower cars on two-lane highways. It's REALLY cool when those highways wind through the hills and mounains. Kev might care to differ with that assessment. I love the way this car ROARS around. Kev might care to differ with that assessment as well.
3. The fog in the Ouachitas is the worst I've ever seen. Last time we were up there, we went through night and day fog, and the visibility in both is nothing. This time, we had to deal with day fog. Talk about soup. Bad stuff.
4. Fall foliage is something we in Houston, or Texas for that matter, aren't used to. It's pretty damn amazing though. The Ouachitas are brilliant with their reds, golds and oranges.
5. I was not in good enough shape for this trip. My legs held up fine, but my lungs didn't. I wasn't in good enough aerobic shape. I guess I know my weakness now and should get to work on it. Bike, here I come.
6. The people in small-town Oklahoma are EXTREMELY friendly. Maybe that's the case for people in small-town anywhere. I don't know if our Texas plates were the cause or what, but we also got a lot of stares and a lot of attention. Maybe everyone knows everyone and we weren't known. I still can't get over the old dude who followed us out the convenience store, leaned up against the wall in front of my car, and watched us both get in and drive off. Weird.
7. If you're going to spend a lot of money building a new chain hotel, it might not be a bad idea to check the heaters before opening it to the public. Maybe then, when someone turns the hall heater on and it smokes a bit and sets off the fire alarm instantly, you won't have to evacuate the entire hotel on a Friday night (yes...I did turn on the heater in the hall...yes...it did smoke...yes...it did set off the fire alarms in the entire hotel...and yes...they did evacuate the ENTIRE hotel *sigh*)
8. I love Kev, but does he have to mention right after this fiasco (as we're flicking channels in the hotel room and he comes across pictures of a burning building), oh look, Callie must have turned on the hall heater in that building as well. *sigh* I'm surrounded by comedians.
9. There really isn't a need for the hall in hotels to be heated. Word.
10. I actually was responsible for a whole hotel's evacuation. I shouldn't be allowed out of the house.
11. Trips like this feel like I've kidnapped Kev and have him all to myself. Makes things like fog and cold and crappy weather and hotel evacuations all worthwhile.
12. We're home. It is good.
[Posted at 12:58 on 10/27/02]
23 October 2002
Dusty Musty Stairwells
Kev chooses to do his backpacking training by putting on his pack and walking around the neighborhood. I do stairs.
For the past month or so, I've been using the stairs at work instead of the elevators. The first time, I went down fifteen floors of stairs (one floor equals two flights of eleven steps...yes...there's nothing else to do but count). The next day or so, I found it very difficult to go down even a step, my legs were so sore. I've slowly worked my way up to forty floors of stairs. But that's just going down. I can easily go down forty floors and not break a sweat, but going up is a different story (no pun intended:). A week or two ago, I started adding a few floors up, and let me tell you, NOW I'm breaking a sweat. Today I went up eight floors and down forty. It took me about fifteen minutes. By the time I got to the lobby, my legs were ready to kick my arse. My goal is ten up and forty two down before we head out. We'll see.
Hopefully this will help lessen the crippling effects of downhill trekking in the Ouachitas. THOSE downhills REALLY tax my legs. Add a thirty pound pack on back and we're talking debilitating after a while. Legs have to be in shape for that.
The things we do to get away.
[Posted at 23:00 on 10/23/02]
Chestnuts Redux
Last year, in the midst of a major chestnut binge, I went searching online and found some chestnut farms that sell their harvest through the internet. I bookmarked the sites and vowed to visit them again at the start of this year's chestnut harvest. A week ago, I ordered TEN pounds of the damn things from these people. My mom received the box today and opened it and has been feeding her addiction all evening. She says they're the freshest chestnuts she's ever eaten. Yum. I can't wait to taste them.
What the hell am I going to do with ten pounds of chestnuts?
[Posted at 22:34 on 10/23/02]
19 October 2002
And I'm A Good Mom To Kiwi Too
It is a lazy, dreary Saturday. I get kind of mopey when cool fronts start blowing through. They signal shorter days, earlier evenings, crappier weather, and cold. Give me 90 degrees any day. And dusk at 8 P.M. I'm a Houston baby through and through. I'm wearing shorts in protest. I might freeze to death in this 60 degree weather, but I refuse to break out the sweats.
Anyway, I ran some errands earlier and stopped by our local sandwich shop to pick up a sub for Kev (I have leftovers...yum). The sandwich shop is run by a Korean couple. At least, I think they're a couple. The man seems a bit older than the woman. For all I know, they could be father and daughter. They seem married. Regardless, they're very efficient and friendly and always make a fuss over us. They seem to cherish their repeat customers. Amazing huh. Anyway, Kev and I stop in pretty regularly together, so they're used to seeing us together. The funny thing is when one of us stops in without the other. Immediately, the woman will ask Kev where his wife is and if she's ok. She always asks me when I go alone how my husband is doing. Today, she asked about my husband, and when I replied that he was at home watching football, she very happily replied that I was such a good wife.
I'm sorry. I don't mean to get such pleasure out of all this. It's amusing. Kev and I aren't married. But they aren't the first to think we are. I don't know what that says about how we appear to people.
It's amusing because of the fuss they make over us. The man seems like such a curmudgeon. Still he smiles to us and remembers how we like our subs. At least HE realizes his customers are the lifeblood of his business. Not like certain dentists I won't EVER be going back to.
I'm a good wife. How about that.
[Posted at 13:51 on 10/19/02]
18 October 2002
Alright Now...Don't Encourage The Freebirders
Ryan probably just should have kept on playing.
[Posted at 17:49 on 10/18/02]
17 October 2002
The 'B' Fits In Somewhere
Ok...I dislike the "Freebird" shouters as much as the next guy. Ok...maybe I dislike them more. One of these days I may kill me an Adam-you-effing-rock shouter. CC concerts seem to be full of them. But this seems a bit ridiculous. There are those on the cc-list who consider Ryan an amazing artist. Maybe. He sounds like a jerk to me.
Maybe I'm coming off my vicodin at the moment. :)
[Posted at 14:01 on 10/17/02]
16 October 2002
Toothless And Feelin' Fine
At what point does accommodation and trust turn into lack of assertiveness? At what point does assertiveness turn into bitchiness? Does any of this even matter when my peace of mind is at stake?
I had a wisdom tooth removed today. I know. What is it with Kev and me and the dentist lately. I had to do this one. I had broken it, and it was hurting. Instead of going to my last oral surgeon, I tried a different one this time. The last oral surgeon HURT me when he removed that tooth. He'd given me three shots and still I felt that sucker coming out like nobody's business. Even brought tears to my eyes. Not good. Maybe it was the dentist. Maybe another one would be more diligent about numbing me. Maybe. Evelynne says she got six shots for each tooth, and she didn't feel a thing. It happens. I was hopeful. Full of hope.
So I met with the new one. He thought BOTH wisdom teeth on that side needed to come out. The upper one would be a "useless" tooth, in his opinion. I didn't want to get both removed. I didn't think the extra procedure was necessary. He convinced me otherwise. Ok. I agreed. He also advised me to go the i.v. sedative route. With my asthma, he explained, it would be best if I were completely calm throughout the procedure and the sedative would ensure that. Hmmm. I guess. Ok. But as the time drew near, I began actually to get antsy and apprehensive about the sedative. I've never gone the i.v. sedative route. I'm always getting locals and not having any sort of lung reaction to it. I didn't know how my lungs would react to the sedative.
It's weird. Most people don't have to give second thoughts to things like this. Colds can be life threatening to me. Too much animal dander can be life threatening to me. Too much smoke affects my lungs greatly. I have to think about things that most people don't. I've been hospitalized three times in the past ten years for this damn thing, and the last time, three years ago, I had to be intubated. I stopped breathing in the emergency room. So when I get concerned about something reacting with my lungs, maybe, just to humor me, I should be heard. It's not like there aren't other courses of action for the dentist.
So I discussed it with the nurse when they called to confirm and after discussing it with the dentist, she said that would be fine. She didn't seem happy about it, but she agreed. Whew. I was very relieved. It's simple to me. If I do have some kind of reaction, I want to be aware enough to be able to force the air in and out at least until I'm in the emergency room with competent people who can take it from there. Asthmatics are weird. Our lungs are reactive, but we have this amazing strength when it comes to forcing the air in and out when we have to. I did it for six hours in the emergency room the last time before I had to be intubated.
So anyway, I was assertive about that. Please do it this way for me. Ok.
So I settled into the chair this morning and asked the nurse how many shots are usually given. She answered two. I told her that the previous tooth I had removed HURT after THREE shots (yes...i'm being very gentle, but i'm realizing i'm approaching pain-in-the-ass category at this point). She gave me a surprised look and went on to say that everything should be fine. That dentist probably didn't get the block right, or something. I took a deep breath and tried to relax. Doc came in and gave my four shots at once. Two up, two down. Ouch ouch ouch ouch. Fifteen minutes later the nurse came in and asked if my tongue was numb. I said no. It wasn't. She asked if my lip was numb. I said no. The back of my mouth was numb, but nothing else. She said she'd tell the dentist. He came in a few minutes later. He gave me two more shots and then started on the procedure. Immediately. I braced myself and sure enough, that damn sucker hurt from the moment he clamped it. The nurse kept repeating that I should feel some pressure, but dammit that thing was HURTING. I groaned a bit and teared a bit and they finally got the damn thing out and got the mouth piece out because i wasn't having anymore of it. I cursed and told them they weren't taking the other one out. I didn't understand what part of I'm not numb yet they didn't understand.
Omigosh, I cursed at them. *laugh* I never curse at people. I really have gone from meek and mousy to pain in the ass *smile*. Bastards.
If the other tooth gives me trouble in the future, I'll find another oral surgeon to take care of it. Maybe a woman this time. Both guys treated my head like it was some kind of basketball. Enough already. It shouldn't be that hard, in a city of two+ million people, to find a dentist who doesn't mind sufficiently numbing my mouth before working on it.
I was accommodating and trusting while they kept telling me everything was going to be ok and I'll feel a little pressure (whatever) and just relax and it isn't going to feel like we're ripping bones out of your skull. Fine. But I won't sit through it again. I won't be so meek as to sit still for the second. Screw that.
Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I just should've done the i.v. and everything would've been fine. Maybe. Maybe it's just supposed to hurt when one has teeth removed. Maybe I should just accept it and get over it.
I'm not as worked up at the moment as this journal entry sounds. I'm on my beloved vicodin. Extra strength at that. Some of this is actually seeming funny at the moment. I love vicodin.
I hate the dentist.
[Posted at 11:12 on 10/16/02]
15 October 2002
Animal Welfare Concerns Indeed
To the breeders and shelter spokespersons who feel the need to knock rescue: THIS is rescue.
[Posted at 10:08 on 10/15/02]
Bring It On, Ghol
This nonsense wouldn't fly in Texas with our concealed handguns. I dare anyone to try to confiscate my dog from me because of religious nonsense. Bastards.
[Posted at 08:39 on 10/15/02]
12 October 2002
Not A Lazy Weekend.
Wow. What a weekend. And there's still one more day to it.
Kev and I drove over to New Braunfels Friday afternoon. Again. Scott Melott and the Dead End Angels were playing again, this time at Saengerhalle, and Kev and I didn't want to miss the show. It was pretty laid back and low key, but the guitarist was much better this time. He was kind of a grungy, tattooed, chain-wearing (yes...chain...hanging from his pants...go figure), cigarette-hanging-from-mouth, geeky-looking type of guy. I think all the paraphernalia was to make him look tougher...actually he looked kinda like the guy everyone beat up in high school, but he played a better guitar than the last one, so I liked him. He gave the music a harder edge which was interesting. They are sounding better and better with each song and each performance. I do believe Libbi Bosworth has begun to be a better backing vocalist than Susan. Libbi's voice is perfect for his.
In between sets, Scott came over and sat with us and chatted for a while. I kind of gushed over him and mentioned to him (after warning him that it's ok for me to gush. a. I'm a chick and b. I had had two beers:) that we thought he had been the musical genius behind the Groobees. I made him blush with that, but he went on to admit that he really enjoys putting the fine touches on songs and tweaking them till they sound perfect. He was really nice. After the band finished playing, he came over and asked us where we were staying. We told him we had planned just to drive back to Houston. He wished us a safe trip and told us to drive friendly (hmmm...has he been reading my journal :).
Before the show, Kev and I managed to drive around and explore the area a bit. We found a few more of the local hangouts that serve as venues for local artists. We also managed to find the road the winds along the Guadalupe River, so we spent a while winding along aside the river. We got to view first hand what kind of devastation the floods wreaked on the area. It's pretty frightening to be driving down a road and see debris almost twenty feet up in the trees surrounding the river. Most of the float outfitters along the river were deserted and/or destroyed. It'll be interesting to see if they manage to get things back up in time for next year.
Note to Callie: make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. I must have been extremely tired on the way back. I had a very difficult time keeping my eyes focused. The straining made for a very exhausting drive and a worn out day today. *sigh* I might be getting to the point where I might/maybe/sorta need glasses at night. Not good.
This evening I'm exhausted/hoarse for a different reason. College football. The Sooners put on a really good show for us this afternoon. I'm hoarse from screaming and exhausted from the adrenaline. I really do need to chill while watching football.
Funny note: the Sooners finally pulled ahead in the fourth quarter. When they managed to put a second touchdown between them and their opponents, our landlord, who lives in the upstairs part of the duplex, began to bang on the floor in exultation. He's an Aggie fan and hates them too. I banged on the wall in response. Yes, we're weird. What's it to you?
Tomorrow it's the Texans at Reliant Stadium, courtesy of Kev's boss, who's in transit to London. Unfortunately, we have to be there at 10 a.m. to catch the band that's playing for the tailgate party in the parking lot. Kickoff's at noon. Should be fun.
When do we get a break from the weekend?
[Posted at 21:28 on 10/12/02]
07 October 2002
Roasting In A Microwave
I am in heaven. I found chestnuts today while on the weekly shopping excursion. Omigosh. Kev hasn't stopped rolling his eyes.
I microwaved them for the first time ever. It's something that might get my Chestnut Aficionado card revoked, but I don't feel like waiting 30 minutes for the things. Mmmm. They're not as delicate after microwaving, but omigosh, they're still as good.
Why, yes, I do need to get a life. What's it to ya?
[Posted at 21:04 on 10/07/02]
05 October 2002
Sad Eyes Follow Me
It's been a while since I've changed the music on my mp3 player. The last time I added music, I included a few selections from Creed's newest cd. Has anyone seen their video for "One Last Breath"? My whole reason for buying the cd was based on seeing that video late one night in the midst of an insomnia bout. The video is a bit strange. Some of the scenes seem to be a bit reminiscent of World Trade Center scenes, at least in the first half of the video...towers...things crumbling underfoot...people falling...hitting the ground....waves of swirling dust clouds. Strange. I can't seem to make sense of the rest of the video though. Too many usual hard rock video props.
Maybe I'm reading too much into the visuals and the lyrics?
Maybe I should spend less time analyzing videos on video channels and more time trying to figure out a cure for my insomnia?
[Posted at 23:39 on 10/05/02]
Yoo Hoo...We're Down Here
This is frustrating. Would someone please explain to me why my favorite band repeatedly feels the need to add dates that are in the U.K.? They're doing the east coast, midwest, and the west coast right now. I assumed at some point this winter, they'd make it down south, but noooOOooo (and no, New Orleans does not constitute a southern leg of a tour). *sigh* Maybe in the spring... or maybe we really do need to make it back to the U.K. this winter. Though it wouldn't be to see them at London's Wembley Arena again. We've been there, done that, and it ended up being a bad place to see them (Freebird fans).
C'mon, guys, you do have southern fans!
[Posted at 09:51 on 10/05/02]
03 October 2002
And Now...A Word (Just A Word) From the Chron
The Chron finally decided to mention something about the West Alabama HOV/Richmond-gutting situation. And I mean "something". There's barely a mention in this article.
Traffic flow during construction, which calls for shutting down the spur to one lane in each direction, has drawn ire.This BikeHouston dude gets around.Lawyer Dan Lundeen, who lives nearby and rides his bike on streets that will be flooded with traffic when work closes the spur, calls some aspects of the plan "absolutely crazy."
The target of Lundeen's anger is a proposal -- and officials insist it is no more than that -- to squeeze one additional lane into each of two nearby streets to handle the extra traffic. It would involve the temporary removal of bike lanes from Alabama and the tree-lined esplanade from Richmond.
"They should be trying to protect the neighborhood from the freeway's congestion problems, rather than using our neighborhood as a traffic sewer," Lundeen said.
I'm not at all concerned about what the hell the damn thing will look like after they're done. Talk of combining parks and freeway spurs is just something this neighborhood would waste time doing. What I am concerned about is most of the 85,000 vehicles a day who use the damn thing passing right outside my house.
[Posted at 22:57 on 10/03/02]
Not Good
The BikeHouston dudes keep trying, but I don't think anything is going to come of their efforts. I'm almost resigned to the HOV lane. Our city government sucks.
[Posted at 20:13 on 10/03/02]
02 October 2002
Everything's Disposable These Days
Very disconcerting...I just spent a few minutes going through my referrer logs, and one of the search phrases someone used to find my site was "houston unwanted pets drop off".
Great. Someone's looking to dump a pet and somehow got to my site? Weird. Maybe I should put up a page or something about dumping pets.
[Posted at 19:24 on 10/02/02]
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