January 1999

Entry... 1/4/99 3:48pm

Hey there everybody! I trust you are all well, and enjoying this simply marvy weather! Woo hoo! Let's all sing a chorus of "Slip Slidin' Away" together! Come on now, join hands! (Enter men in white jackets, stage left. They tie me up and force drugs into my system. When I have calmed enough, they untie me and leave, making it clear that they are prepared to return.)

I have a new game. I am attempting to figure out on my own which coworkers here have given up smoking for their New Year's resolution. It's simple enough. To get outside, they all tramp by my cubicle, and I have determined that there is less traffic than normal. All I have to do is figure out who is on vacation today, and extrapolate the quitters.

Be watching for some new links on the links page. I did some surfing last night and found some great sites. I was thinking that I could always just put the links on here, so that they are context driven. So maybe I might do that.

It's your lucky day - two new poems have been added to the Random page. I found them almost by accident. I had started them both weeks ago, and today I finished them up. Click here for Primal Mover and here for Hairshirt

Entry... 1/4/99 5:11pm

Hey there..something else I stumbled across today. It's a full report on the two full moons January will have, and then a schedule for the moons of the rest of the year. Worth a look! Click here

Entry... 1/5/99 8:02pm

Let me update my desk pop can count while I am here. It now stands at: 49

I am really getting to loathe the Media. I mean really. Aren't you? I am fairly hot right now, and it's only partially the media's fault. I guess I am getting sick of cases getting tried in the press and on the television sets in our living rooms before it is even decided if they will appear before a judge and jury. What sells commerical time better these days? The Superbowl? Or maybe a nice hot, tasty interview with Monica Lewinsky? I'll bet you know the answer to that one.

Ok... our area encountered a human tragedy this past week. This is the time to be sober and report the facts of the case, but there is something I don't understand at all, and I hope maybe someone out there will help me understand. Please note, the details really aren't that important, so I will give you the gist, and not the hype (but believe you me, the TV announcers were almost shouting the distances out in meters and in feet, with color glossy photos of the quote crime scene unquote.)

Let me begin at the begin: An elderly lady was walking through the parking lot of a local eatery, when she was struck and dragged by a car. She lays in critical condition, and things aren't looking good for her. Now as far as the Media's resposibility of reporting an incident goes - so far, so good. And of course they do the right thing mixed in with all of their wrong. After the shocking details are disclosed and they have interviewed everyone passing by for 2 hours, they ask simply if anyone who may have witnessed the act come forward with details. That's fine. That's the beauty of our communication system.

But it didn't end there. It should have. Now we meet the whole darn family. The camera is full frontal in the sad faces of this family, broken by tradegy. Isn't it enough to face something like this without this crap? Ok, flash forward. Time goes on, and now we are covering the ongoing investigation. Shot of a detective standing on the side of the road, near where the incident occured. His hair, a dusty gray, is tossed by the gentle breezes, and his eyes (full of wisdom and experience) scan the traffic for a glimpse of his suspect. Reporters wearing thoughtful faces ask really stupid questions. "What percentages of hit and run drivers are caught?" All standard fare. Standard garbage to fuel our souls, beaming into our home on Channel Z.

But now, the unbelievable... and this is what I have trouble understanding. The family came forward tonight with "an impassioned plea" for the driver of the hit and run vehicle to come forward. To turn themselves in. Come on, buddy, we won't bite. What on Earth for?!? How will this act possibly help this family heal? They shouldn't be in front of cameras! They should be at the bedside of their loved one! In what possible way can putting a name and a face to their fear and their hatred help them? It isn't as if the driver can assist their loved one back to good health simply by confirming the fact that it happened and in what way. I know...this is tragic. This is awful. It shouldn't happen. But where do we stop? Do they need someone to sue that badly? Will it help them to have a name for that dark shadowy face they will see on their ceilings at night? Do the police require this file closed and locked up nice and tight with some poor citizen who was in the wrong place and time locked up in a tidy 5x6? I'm ranting, I know... but I really want to understand this.

Entry... 1/6/99 2:48am

There's something about this time of night that I like. It really is amazing how the number 248 comes into my life. Once again, I look at the clock as I begin a log entry and there it is. Well, more updates to the page. You've probably noticed a new page border on the left. I also added 10 links to the links page. Some of them are people who keep online diaries. New Star Wars stuff is rolling out, but I stumbled across some neat older Star Wars info. Women who smoke cigars and a magazine dedicated to them, Spacegirl is a digital artist. Plus, a good old walk in the park with the Principia Discordia (or How I Found the Goddess and What I Did To Her When I Found Her). All this without leaving the comfort of your home!

Entry... 1/6/99 10:44am

Last night I watched the movie "The Jackal" with Richard Gere and Bruce Willis. It was frustrating to watch cause you knew that these guys could do better. I also watched some taped TV shows - '3rd Rock From the Sun', 'News Radio,' and 'Just Shoot Me.' They all had some really funny moments.

Had to log on to fix a small problem on the links page, and while I was there I added 4 more links that I had bookmarked here at work.

Added to the desk pop can count, too: 50

Entry... 1/7/99 1:41pm

Wowie...... what a morning it has been here. Busy, busy. We had a little of everything today, and it's only half over. On top of everything else, I get an email from a friend telling me that I lost some links on my links page. Well, I sure did a number on that page! When I was working on it at the wee hours of the morning this week, I failed to notice that I was working on a copy of the page that was weeks old, and I tossed that over my new links page. I had wiped out the link to the Inspirational Posters and a few other things, and "put back" a few broken links that I had fixed last time. Ack. So I just took a few minutes here at work and fixed what I could, divided a few sections, and tested a few links.

Desk Pop Can Count: 52

Entry... 1/7/99 6:17pm

Home again... I've had this song in my head all afternoon, so I thought I would share with you a verse of it here. If you want to see all the words to the song, click here.

I keep stock with a tick-tock rhythm and a bump for the drop
And then I bumped up
I took the hit that I was given
Then I bumped again
And then I bumped again

How do I get back there to
The place where I fell asleep inside you?
How do I get myself back to
The place where you said

I want something else
To get me through this
Semi-charmed kind of life
I want something else
I'm not listening when you say Goodbye

Entry... 1/8/99 2:54pm

Ahhhh... the weekend stretches before us like a highway full of possibilities. Got an email today full of great one liners, designed to go on buttons, so I made a whole page of them, and grabbed some political humor buttons off the web. I put them here, on this page called Buttons.

"It's been one week since you looked at me, cocked your head to the side and said 'I'm angry'
Five days since you laughed at me saying 'Get that together, come back and see me'
Three days since the living room I realized it's all my fault, but couldn't tell you
Yesterday you'd forgiven me But it'll still be two days till I say I'm sorry"
- Barenaked Ladies 'One Week'

Entry... 1/11/99 5:24pm

I'm feeling angry today. Perhaps it stems from just a general feeling of powerlessness over my life and the way things have been going. Sigh. I dunno. Maybe it's Monday. It's dark outside, as usual. There is more snow on the way. That always affects me. A coworker told me about a dream she had with me in it. We were in the lunchroom while I was trying desperately to get the coffee machine to yield up one small insignificant cup of French Vanilla coffee (that would make me oh so happy - but the machine failed - it didn't). Turns out my part in the dream was secondary to the real issues (I was but a poor player, strutting and fretting) in the dream. So I did a little on the spot dream analysis for her, and it turns out my idea fits, due to circumstances in her life changing recently, and feelings she is having but suppressed unintentionally. So, maybe that's been in my mind all day. Powerlessness. Co-dependance. Snow. Dark. Yay.

I ended up at the mall for lunch. I grabbed a sub and sat in the middle of the food court, watching people. You're right - this didn't help me feel any better. Saw some people I used to know, but don't talk to anymore. Walking out of the mall, I was halfway to my car when a red grand am went by me, and suddenly a little black kitten came darting out from between some parked cars. It ran right in front of the grand am, and the driver plowed the brakes. Of course, it's still slippery outside, but amazingly, the car stopped, and the cat made it to the pine trees. Close call. But, man, there I was, in this rotten mood, and you know - this little episode did not cheer me. It simply convinced that death was waiting, and there just isn't enough time and happiness in this world. Too many missed opportunities. How many times do we get to taste what we want, only to have it taken from us?

I think I will play volleyball tonight. I'd better behave, though. In my mood I could hit the ball way to hard and hurt someone. I don't want that, but I need the exercise.

"Does it feel that your life's become a catastrophe? Oh... it has to be... for you to grow, boy. When you look through the years and see what you could have been, oh... what might have been, if you'd had more time. So, when the day comes to settle down, Who's to blame if you're not around? You took the long way home... You took the long way home..." - SuperTramp, Breakfast in America

Entry... 1/12/99 2:48am

I feel a little better tonight. Volleyball was very, very good. Just what I needed, I guess. We played long and we played hard - it was a good competitive group. I am looking forward to this round.

Something new...I can't use notepad (the tool I design all my web sites in) to edit my Captain's Log anymore. It's too big for the little-editor-that-couldn't to pull up. Thanks Microsoft. So, I will use different tools, but I am thinking of a different way to present this page to you. I want it to be easy to administer, but as easy as one big old page is to read and follow. Well, enough of that for now. Oh yeah.... I also wrote a poem tonight. That's always cathartic. You can read Joke here.

So, I got home and there was a house full of people, and a dog, and dinner was ready and it just felt nice. I ate, and did a couple of little projects, hung out with my brother and his girlfriend, watched some comedy, wrote some email, and did my taxes. Sounds mundance and boring, eh? It was just what I needed. And as I prepare to go to bed, I feel ready to sleep, and perhaps dream.

Entry... 1/13/99 3:33pm

Desk pop can count: 54

Hello everybody, and welcome back to our show. Another cold day here in New York. Band practice has been cancelled, due to the weather, and other committments, so I am spared from driving up, but I am left with not much to do tonight. Couch, here I come! I have my shows from last night to watch. Anyone else enjoying NYPD Blue this season?

I think I am starting a new trend here. I get songs in my head and I want to share them with you. So, here are the words to Duncan Sheik's Barely Breathing, simply because I have been singing them in my head all day.

Entry... 1/14/99 3:42am

When memory is erased life goes on With every moon rise and every sun set It's been awhile since the smile in her eyes touched my soul CANCER (June 21-July 22) Week of January 14, 1999 I'll confess a deep, dark secret from my own past if you confess one from yours. Me first? OK, In the 1980's I wrote a sexed-up astrology column for Gentleman's Companion, a porn magazine edited by Larry Flynt's wife Althea Flynt. What's worse, I secretly enjoyed it. Now it's your turn, my fellow Cancerian. Find a good, kind listener you can trust with your shame, and share your terrible burden. You'll be amazed at the psychic energy it'll liberate.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Week of January 14, 1999 Remember that fateful day a few years ago when your life came to a fork while your personal power was at a nadir? And remember how you didn't have the strength to make a brave choice, but instead stole down the path that looked easier? Well, I have interesting news for you, Taurus. Your travels have brought you, via a circuitous route, back to a spot very close to that original fork. Conceivably you could return to it and make a new decision with more authority this time. However, there is no beaten path between that place and where you are now. To get there, you'd have to bushwhack through dense underbrush. (I'm praying that tonight you dream of finding a machete.)

Horoscopes provided by Rob Brezsney at Real Astrology.

Entry... 1/16/99 2:45pm

Been stuck here for 3 days now. My car refuses to start, despite a new battery, dry gas, starter fluid and praying. It's blocking the driveway, which is nothing but a solid mix of ice and snow, and I am starting to go crazy. I can't fix the problem, as it is beyond me, and I am at a loss. I hate this feeling.

i'm snowbound
housebound
trapped inside
there's no sun
trapped trapped trapped trapped
suffocation

kill me

Entry... 1/18/99 4:04pm

Hee wacky doo, campers. Well, I was hoping to write today with good news, but alas, I am still without a car (new indian name "Car-Who-Thinks-It-Is-Snowbank"), the weather is still awful, I have a sudden inability to get anything mechanical to work, and I still live here in frosty New York. Ok, that's it. I am going to rename this page The Daily Whine. Geez. Ok, time for something new.

If you get the chance, go check out the Willie Pierce band. I saw them down at Savannah's on Saturday night. Nice place, Savannah's. Albany streets are an awful mess, though. Aren't you glad you pay taxes?

Overheard in the bar: "Hey baby, what's your sign?" "Asshole. Wanna see?"

Desk pop can count is up another 2 today: 54

Entry... 1/23/99 4:35pm

Hi there. I guess it's time to get you updated on my life, I suppose. It's been awhile since I had the time to sit back and be introspective enough to write anything here, but I am feeling sufficiently blue today to be energetic enough to write here. Does that make any sense to you?

Desk pop can count made a jump of 3 this week to: 57 I forgot who said it, but a coworker stopped by my desk (who normally doesn't stop by my desk) said, "nice collection" and indicated the cans. So I know I am on the right track.

As I type, there is a noisey ferret named Friday (photo available on this page) stomping and scratching (as only a ferret can do) the sides of his cage, demanding out - again. I had him out, but he got all spunky and kept hopping on the floor and nipping at toes. So I put him away for a spell. I'll get him out in another little bit to have his medicine, and play a while. Isn't it cute how they push up on the top of the cage? Stop staring at me, ferret.

Sad news... Upon getting up this morning, I was informed that our fish was doing an impression of the Titanic. Normally, so playful and happy, he was now a fixture on the bottom of his tank. Fondly known as the "Aquatic Pain in the Ass", Oscar, Joey, and Fido, I am fairly certain that he enjoyed his time here on Earth with us. RIP, Fish.

Flash bulletin! Ultra urgent new news! Read all about it! Get it while its hot off the presses! We add a new section to the log this morning, called "Car Trials 99." I figure since I am only going to rant about this thing, I may as well have a whole section dedicated to it. Ok, I'm kidding. But if you want to see a picture of the car I am complaining about, click here. So anyway, it's still not working. No one has looked at it since Tuesday. My brother gave me a play by play of the action, when there was actually a mechanic with his hands touching the snowbank/car thing that lives in my driveway. I will attempt to retell the play by play here:

Greg (on phone): Ok, he is doing something under the hood. I think he is spraying something into the carburetor.
Don (on other end of phone): Cool, that would be the gum-out. Maybe he thinks he has it close.
Greg: He is getting in the car, and I can hear it revving. Can you hear it?
Don (straining): No, I can't. How does it sound?
Greg: Not good. He is getting out now. He's shaking his head
Don: That's bad
Greg: He is doing something again to the carberator. (pause) Ok, he is getting back in the car. (pause) He's shaking his head again.
Don: Oh man.
Greg: He is walking down the driveway to his car now.
Don: maybe he's getting a tool or something from his...
Greg: He got in his car. Now he's driving away!

Since this episode, he was supposed to have come back on 3 occasions, but never made it. But, harken! There is still more to tell.

I am sure many of you are sitting there scratching your head, wondering why I suddenly have a ferret here, and no, he had nothing to do with the early demise of Fish, although there would have been lip smacking sounds had Fish seen the ferret. Fish would eat anything. Anyway, this morning my parents dropped off their little furry darling, so that I could ferretsit while they jetted away to sunny Maui, Hawaii (local temperature a balmy high of 76F) fer a spell. So I whisk them to the airport at 7:30 this morning (ok, no one really whisks *anything* at 7:30 in the morning after 4 hours of sleep), and after dropping them off, I am due at work for a regular maintenance weekend. We had some serious subnetting of our internal LAN to do, to prepare ourselves for new business, and allow for some nice internet capabilities. More on that at another time. Anyway, the short of it is I have a car temporarily! Whee! But, get this. I get to Crossgates Mall road, and *wham* flat tire. I pull out the spare and it's so old and unused, I don't know if it will live long, either. There is a big crack in the side of the spare tire, and it was in need of air. So, I change it anyway and make it to work. It's a long hard late day at work, and by the time I get out, all the shops are closed, so I have to wait till tomorrow to go out and get the tire repaired, and have the spare looked at. Gift horse? It bit.

So as I was reinstalling NT for the 15th time on a coworkers box today, I wrote this poem in long hand (gasp, a pen and paper?) with no edits - odd for me. Click here for Colors

The ferret is still staring at me...

Entry... 1/24/99 2:10am

Just finished watching "The 12 Chairs." It's a 1982 Mel Brooks movie that starred Ron Moody, Frank Langella, and Dom DeLuise. It was set in the Soviet Union, just after the revolution. It's a comedic treatment of a fairly heavy depressing theme, following a man trying to recoup his families fortune - lost when Grandma sewed the family jewels into a seat cushion. He travels the country, searching for the lost property. It's really amazing to think how people's private property all became owned by the state, and redistributed such. It must have been terrible. These days, all of our furniture is mass produced, and nothing is of such stature and quality anymore. There was a line in the movie that I thought was very good. A self absorbed theater producer said during a quiet moment, while staring into a mirror, "I hate the people I do not like."

Well, the news of Fish's demise is reaching around the globe, such as wildfire spreads in a hay barn. I have received several well wishes, and I appreciate this outrush of support in my time of grief. Perhaps, after a suitable period of mourning, I will feel strong enough to reflect upon all the good times that Fish and I had, and perhaps write a song about him, and so thus create a legacy of Fish that will live onwards. For those of you out there without fish in your lives, you can visit The Continuously Refreshing Fishcam to see what the attraction is really all about. And, if you find that you don't get it, then you just aren't going to get it.

Thought for the day: Harried rhymes with Married. I don't think that is a coincience.

More memories of my youth, Part II: ViewMaster, Play Doh, Twister, Legos, Hot Wheels, GI Joe, Erector sets, Lincoln Logs, Color Forms, Battle Ship, and can you believe Mork and Mindy had a board game? Anyone else remember this one?

Well, the day is done. The ferret is medicated, doors have finally stopped opening and closing, and it's time I slid in between my sheets. Say a prayer for my car, and let's hope that I don't have another nightmare like the one that snapped me awake in a sweat at 3:30 yesterday morning.

Entry... 1/24/99 9:48pm

Hey there. Lots of new links up on the links page, check em out, you won't be dissapointed. I gar-oooon-teee it! I actually had put half of them up this morning, when I sat down at the computer I had intentions of making some big changes to the page (I was in the mood) but my mechanic showed up. Woo hoo. Read on!

So, not to tease ya'll, the car is running. But it took some doing. We swapped out spark plugs, scratched our heads (in educated mechanically ways), wiggled and rubbed, prayed and swore. After a can of engine starter had been sprayed down the carberator, and the battery was giving us the finger, I said "It's gotta be something, and I don't like how the engines is dragging so slowly. Let's replace the starter." So, at my insistence, the car was elevated, a human went under it, and reappeared with a soot covered part. We took it to get it bench tested where I had purchased it just one year ago - almost to the day. (Thank God for computer records. They found the record of sale, as I misplaced the receipt in the move. I was also unable to recall my old telephone number off the top of my head. Who *would* remember these things?) But the bench test showed it was spinning fine, but it was burning a bit of insulation. Back to the hulk, reinsert part, and bam, the engine spun just fine, but still no catch. Luckily, we had had the presence of mind to buy a new cap and rotor when we swapped the starter. In those parts went, and baboom - started, first try. Only 9 days and $200.00 later. But the engine is running without a knock or ping, nice and solid. Now I just need tires. Oh, and a million dollars.

Entry... 1/26/99 2:30pm

For the last few days, I have been having this sort of odd feeling that I have slipped out of time. But not by too much. Just maybe a day out of sync or something. Maybe not even a full day. Maybe I am off by a matter of minutes. I am wary of clocks that cheerfully report the time to me without even questioning how they, in fact, knew themselves. It's not a bad feeling. Sort of a floaty, unattached emptiness. Not at all unpleasant. But I have this feeling that I have missed something obvious, that everyone around me sees clearly. I can't put my finger on it.

I have had Meatloaf's "Bat out of Hell" going through my head all day now. "I'll be gone before the morning comes..."

Ever get bothered at home by a telemarketer? Did you know there are laws set up by the Federal Trade Commission that specifically allow you to fine these dirty bastards if they keep calling you? Did you know that Telemarketers are required by law to keep a "Do not call" list? Read more about it at their web site. Also, for even more info about Anti-Spam and Anti-Telemarketing, look up Karen's Koncepts

Went home for lunch today. Had the empty house to myself. I had some pizza, let the ferret run, and watched a little bit of the Impeachment proceedings, and then let the daily TV horoscopes go by. That was way too depressing, so I cut it short and came back to work.

Tonight is Volleyball. I need it.

Entry... 1/26/99 5:25pm

I was stumbling through my hard drive today, and I found a story that I had written maybe a year ago. It was an experiment, and pretty much written off the cuff a chapter at a time throughout a workday. I had no idea where the story was going and I would sit down between doing different projects and fire off a chapter via email to coworkers. Encouraged by them to keep going, I did. It got pretty wierd (and no, I don't need therapy - well, not for this anyway), but it is something I started and finished nonetheless. And for no other reason but to share it with you, here it is: Fiction.

Entry... 1/27/99 11:20am

Well, I know a lot of you out there just live to get up in the morning and help yourself to a nice big steaming bowl of meat, but for those of you who may prefer a healthier alternative to snacking, check out The Vegetarian Epicure.

You may have noticed that I made some changes to the page yesterday (well, mostly at 3 this morning, but I didn't feel like writing anything then). The Captain's Log is now available from any page, as well as right from the main page. Thanks for your ideas and comments!

Well, band practice got cancelled again, and it looks like we aren't going to get together until next week sometime. And now I have to travel next week to Maine for an overnight, so I may have to be the bad guy again and not make practice. It all depends on what night they pick for me to travel. I am fairly excited, though. I get to do a frame relay line hookup, and install the router I configured here, and turn it up. I also hear that they have some nice places to drink beer in.

Entry... 1/27/99 2:24pm

When you brush your teeth do you leave the water running the whole time? Do you use a cup to rinse with? Or maybe just your hand? Or do you gulp right from the faucet? Do you replace your toothbrush every month? Once a year? When it's just plastic and no bristles? Would you brush in front of others? Have you ever carried a toothbrush in your purse or backpack or pocketbook and used it on a road trip? Do you brush more than twice a day? Do you use toothpicks? Floss? After every meal? Have you ever let someone else brush your teeth? Would you?
Could people's psyche be predicted by monitoring such behavior? Do I think too much?

Went out at lunch and got my Dad's tire fixed. It had a nice hole in it, and needed just a plug. I'll have to swap it with the spare tire later on tonight, and get that rotten spare off the car.

Entry... 1/28/99 5:23pm

I heard from my parents today. Dad has his email flowing in, and the weather is clearing up. They are beginning to relax and enjoy themselves. I heard that my Mother and Grandmother were on their way to the putting green, and my Father was planning to kick back and look for Humpback Whales with the binoculars. Surf's up. Aloha.

Last night I went down to Proctor's Theater in Schenectady (I couldn't find a link for Schenectady. I even tried hellhole.com) and saw the movie 'Apt Pupil.' This movie was based on a Stephen King novella of the same name, that appeared in his book 'Different Seasons'. This collection of stories is no stranger to the big screen. Each book was made into some of the best King movie adaptations I have ever seen. These include The Shawshank Redemtion (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemtion) and Stand By Me (The Body). The movie makers wimped out, though. The movie was very powerful, and very good, but they left off the brutally powerful ending in favor of something more palatable to the masses. I was telling a friend of mine about the movie and when I relayed that I would have rather seen the ending as it was originally presented, she agreed and pointed out why she enjoys writers like Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Their stories, she said, are not always the fairy tales people would expect and everything never turns out the way you would expect.

I paraphrase, but Vonnegut also said once that if you have to opportunity to make love when you are young, to do it as often as you could, because it's nice. Can you tell he is one of my favorite authors too?

Had this song in my head after lunch today. It's another one by Third Eye Blind. If you haven't heard this CD, you should. Click here to read the words to Jumper

Entry... 1/28/99 10:37pm

Well, you may or may not have noticed, but I changed the format of the log today. For those of you who were tired of waiting for this page to load (and for me who was tired of ftping that huge file up and down) - I have broken it up into managable sections by Month. I hope you like the changes. Send your gripes and praise to me!

I goofed up and left a whole mess of links at work, but I researched other online diaries on the web. For your enjoyment (and I really recommend taking a wander through these sites, and their links), I offer to you these: Tracy Lee, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Tracings, and if that wasn't enough, here's a list of more!

Entry... 1/29/99 10:12am

Wow. Can you believe that it's the end of January already? And, thank God it's Friday. Tonight I have scarey things planned for myself. I bought a 233MHz motherboard from my Brother, and it has been decreed that I must install this thing in my home PC. I currently have a 133MHz board, and I like it just fine. What am I going to do with all those extra megahertz? I wouldn't have the slightest idea. I am filled with fear and trepidation about it (and, hush, I know I do this stuff for a living, but this time it's personal.) So, I spent a lot of time on the page last night, and surfing links for your pleasure because I don't know when I'll be back to share more. So, hang in there, keep those emails of support coming and don't forget that we're never above taking a cash donation. Or beer.

Mmmmmm..... did somebody say beer?

Superbowl Sunday fast approaches us. Who's your favorite? Check out NFL.com for all the latest info on the game.

Almost lost a poem forever. I'll have to be more careful about how I update this page (and back it up). Luckily, the poem was one of those rare times that I actually wrote the poem long hand (as I was fixing a coworkers PC. Hmmm.) I will retype and post Colors later tonight (before the computer upgrade.)

Here's a quick list of even more online journals. I promise, I'll stop sharing all these. Oh, but they're so gooooood.

Entry... 1/30/99 2:24am

Good morning! The deed is done - my PC now has 64MB of RAM and a 233MHz processor, and an all new motherboard. It wasn't easy. I went into heavy whine mode at one point, and I have my brother to thank for keeping me calm enough to figure out what was happening. My NIC wasn't coming back to life (and all around it was working) and I was resigned to being cut off from the outside world, at least until I could take a hatchet to the innards of the computer. I don't have to go into the gory details. Let's pretend nothing ugly happened here. Move along.

Actually, I believed the whole process may have been partially hindered by the fact that I had stopped off at Mahar's for a couple of Beamish Stouts. But, in retrospect, I needed the pints to sooth me. It might have been a lot messier than it was.