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I’ve in the home stretch on the big origami project, but I’ve hit a slight snag. As I expected, I miscounted – by 192. So, I’ve got some more paper to prep and fold. Not too bad, but a little disappointing, I’m not sure I’ll be able to finish it up this weekend.

I had a dream last night that my parents had moved. To a much bigger house. Not sure why.

Work yesterday was…odd. I spent 2 hours and talked to 8-9 people to get one link on one web page set up. Still didn’t get it launched – we’re waiting on another piece. Eh, job security.

Guess that’s it for now…later…

This will be a long post, got lots to cover.

First up, some cool news… my little sister is getting married! Her boyfriend proposed to her in a hot air balloon and since then it’s been non-stop wedding maddness. It won’t be until november, but she’s got a lot of stuff to do. Fortunatly, our mom and her fiance are “planners” and should be able to help with much of the arrangements. I’ve been asked to be an usher and do some kind of origami for the reception tables. So, a big blog shout-out to my sister and her future husband.

Next up, a couple of days vacation. I took a couple of days off to go to Pittsburgh with some friends and see Jimmy Buffett in concert. Strangely enough, the concert itself wasn’t as good as the last one I went to, but the events surrouding it were interesting.

1. Parking. We had to park literally as far away from the entrance as you could get. The only thing further away was the sewage treatment plant and a field. Being not a big fan of other humans, I was just as happy to avoid the crowds.

2. This also meant that there were no porta-toilets out there either. So we, and pretty much everyone else, had to use the field. Everyone was fairly cool about it. The women usually went in groups, or had a guy go with them to stand guard. The guys, myself included, tried to maintain some decorum based on how much alchol in their system. Since I don’t drink, I was a perfect gentleman as much as can be possible when peeing in a field.

2b. There was also a couple that stood in the field for about 15-20 minutes, smoking weed. I was a little puzzled by this, then realized they’d “snuck off to the bathroom” to get high. We laughed at them.

2c. A helicopter kept circling the area. So, I might have made the local news while taking care of business in the field. Eh, it’s buffett…

3. The trek to the entrance wasn’t bad, but we were stopped at the front gate and checked for digital cameras. I had to unroll the blanket I was carrying and lift my shirt. Of course, I could have had a camera in any of the dozen pockets in my pants. Or I could have, potentially, had a camera phone like everyone else. I’d really like to see them stop people from bringing in their cell phones – the rioting would be hilarious to watch from a safe distance.

4. We found a good spot, but didn’t realize it was the nexus of all beachballs. At a buffett concert, it’s customary to throw around beachballs. And we got more than our fairshare. I’m fairly alert and didn’t get hit unless I was ready for it, but others in my group tired of it quickly.

5. So the concert starts and then the thing that everyone said wasn’t going to happen, happened. It began to rain. Now, I’m a big one for being prepared and despite words to the otherwise, I had a rain poncho. So, when it started to rain, what did I do?

I left my poncho in my pocket and took off my shirt. Hey, it’s buffett – why would I care about a little rain? I tucked my shirt into the back of my pants and enjoyed it. Seems silly, but I had a plan. A wet poncho would be difficult to deal with the rest of the night and my skin would dry much faster than my shirt. So, if I got cold later, I could put on a dry shirt and be fine.

After a bit, the rain stopped and I kept my shirt off and enjoyed the weather and the show.

6. Later in the evening, but before it got really dark, I decided to head to the restroom. I’m not a fan of public restrooms in general and due to some amazing bladder control and careful fluid intake, I’ve never had to pee in a trough.

For those that have not seen the inside of a men’s restroom in a large public venue – it’s not pretty. There was a long line to get into the restroom, then a line to get to the long trough’s on either side of the room. I found a spot that was only 2 deep and waited patiently. One guy couldn’t wait and was peeing in a sink. The guy in front of me was having trouble walking and nearly fell over after he lost his balance as he zipped up. I caught him and helped push him in the general direction of the door.

I took care of my business and made my way to the exit. Later I heard a fight had broken out just after I left. Crazy.

7. I got back to the group without much trouble and was in plenty of time for the “Fins” song, which is amazing to see, and the “Volcano” which is fun to sing along with.

We left before the end of the show and made it out of the parking lot without much trouble – though our driver insisted on checking his cell-phone messages while trying to dodge pedestrians. Could have been ugly, but we were okay.

The next day was the drive back and a quiet evening at home.

New topic: Origami. Second tier of the project is done, I made good progress on tier three, but I think I’m going to need to do some more folding.

Finally, I had a dream last night that a system of travel had been created that involved reducing a person to dust, then putting them in a canister that bank tellers use – then sending then at high speeds through tubes or slower by UPS. At the other end they were re-hydrated and went about their lives without trouble. I used the system to move back into a college dorm-room since I was apparently going back to school.

We’ll that’s it for now, lots to catch up on. Back to work…

So, on Friday, I did what should have been an easy task- paying my rent. I went during the day instead of after work, since I didn’t want to fight the traffic. I got called into my boss’s off just before I headed out to lunch and that delayed me a bit. The weather was a bit rainy, but I made it to the landlord’s office without too much trouble.

But then the trouble began. Half the parking lot was blocked off – a photographer was taking photos of young women. The building where the landlord’s office is located also has a modeling agency. Yes, in Akron. Who knew? Anyway, I think they were connected and I was annoyed. But then, you already knew that.

So, I get past Miss Teen Trollup USA and…

Okay, so maybe I’m being to harsh on these girls. Just because they were wearing Daisy Dukes made out of sweatshirt material and midriff baring matching tank tops is no reason to think they are anything less than Mensa inductees.

I find a parking space and head for the entrance. Which is also blocked off by yet another photographer and half a dozen similarly clad young women. They weren’t taking a photo that particular instant, so I got past them, down the hall, and into the landlords office.

And there’s no one at the front desk. So, I wait a few moments. And then a few more moments. And then, just for fun, a few more moments.

On the desk is a bell – which I hate ringing. I don’t like the noise, for one, and I also don’t like what it implies. If there’s a bell, there should be someone there who’s job it is to see that I don’t have to ring the bell.

Yes, I’m aware that’s circular logic. Let’s just roll with it.

So, I ring the bell and no one shows up. I wait a bit longer, then a guy walks past the desk and past me on the way to send a fax. It takes him a while and on the way back he finally notices me. I explain that I’m paying my rent and that I don’t like just leaving a check lying around. He takes the check and I head out. Only to be stopped at the main door by another Trollup Girl ™ who’s standing guard while a picture is being taken. Since I’ve have to knock her aside to get past her and I’m ever so slightly not quite annoyed enough to do that, I wait. And growl. Quietly.

Picture taken, I can finally make my exit and head back though the lunch hour traffic to work.

In the movie Scanners, the people with special powers can make people’s heads explode just by concenrating about it. They usually get a headache – and hey, I’m totally used to those. If someone knows where the super powers prize wheel is at today, please let me know. I’ve got a list of people that I’d like to try them out on.

In better news… more progress on the Origami. I’m well on my way to finishing the second tier and despite a couple of tense moments involving glue, paper, and some curse words that may or may not have been responsible for the explosive mushroom growth in the yard – I’m doing okay with it.

Even with the day off, it was still a long week. I’m glad I’m in the middle of the weekend – and that I’ve still got another day off. Later…

After my last post – I took another walk. This one was about 4 miles total, so I think I got in around 9+ miles that day – not bad. And I slept really well that night.

I spent a good chunk of my memorial day hanging out, watching “dead like me”, and working on my origami project. Made some serious progress, one layer is nearly complete. Just gotta put the outside panels in place and I’ll be ready to move vertical. It’s also way more structurally sound – which is a good thing.

And finally, I got a notice from the AARP. Asking me to join. I want to call them up and scream into the phone, “I’m only 33! Leave me the hell alone!”

But that would be rude.

So, intead, I’m just going to get back to work…

Yesterday, I went with some friends to Stan Hywet hall and gardens. It’s a big old house that it was far to nice of day to go inside – so, we walked around the gardens and ponds, and checked out the conservatory. Where I half expected to see Mrs. Peacock standing over a dead body with a Candlestick in her hands.

The Conservatory had a pretty cool train set up – two tracks that looped around a large area with lots of waterfalls and quaint little log houses. Pictures were taken.

It also boasted a butterfly area – protected by a “butterfly” lock in the form of 2 sets of doors. There were strict rules about entering and exiting the area to protect the butterflies – but once inside, it was amazing. The area was thick with them, including some huge – and friendly – examples of the species. Pretty cool. It was neat to get up really close to them and watch them feed on nectar and pollen – or when they were just hanging out.

One species – according to the guide – doesn’t eat. They only live a few days as a moth – the rest of their life is as a caterpillar. Sure enough, the one we saw fell off a branch and died right in front of us.

There was nothing to be done except make a quiet joke about “mouth to moth resuscitation” and then move one. One of my friends had one land on his back as we neared the exit and we had to have a little help knocking it loose – after pictures were taken, of course.

The rest of the time there was spent in the gardens trying to avoid the countless wedding parties that were having pictures taken there. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to avoid being including in any “special memories”

Late that afternoon, I developed a massive headache that followed me home. I took some aleve and managed to quell it enough to get to sleep that night. It was still there when I got up to pee twice last night and the last vestiges were still there in the morning.

But, it faded enough for me to venture out and take what ended up being a 3 hour walk in the hot sun. I tried to keep myself hydrated and mostly succeeded. I’m still a bit tired, but a cool shower helped and I think it was good trip. I also tried out Fazolli’s – a sort of fast-ish food italian restaurant. I had pizza – which was good but seriously greasy.

And I guess that’s it for now. Later…

1. Recently, I was driving along and the car in front of me suddenly slammed on their brakes as a hand extended out the driver’s side window. After a slight hesitation, the hand extended a finger and pointed to the right, over the top of the car. They then proceeded to make a right turn.

There is a slight possiblity that their turn signals didn’t work – however, the brake lights were fine and the car seemed to be in good condition. It’s a little more likely that the person was simply a dork.

2. Yesterday, also while in a car, I saw a man mowing a lawn in a t-shirt and pajama bottoms. How do I know that they weren’t just light-weight sweats? Because I have a pair just like them. Very strange.

In other news… don’t be fooled by subways new “garlic bread”. Being a fan of bread in general and especially of garlic bread – I thought I’d give it a go with maybe a meatball sub. Ah, but no. “It’s not garlic bread, ” my sandwich artist tells me, but meerly a spread that can be added to the exisiting breads. Taken aback, I quickly changed my order to the very bland standard. If it had just been garlic butter, I might have gone for it, but the consistancy was all wrong and I avoided it. As the sandwich moved through the process, I had a difficult time convincing the artists to not put extra stuff on. I finally had to tell them “extra plain” – which got a slight laugh and let me move on with my life.

It’s been fairly quiet here at work today. One of my colleages’ last day here is next wednesday, so we’ve been trying to get stuff organized.

I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend – maybe even doing a little hiking if the crowds aren’t bad. Almost makes me hope for rain since I’ll walk in the rain and not many other people will.

Well, I guess that’s it for now. Back to work…

A quick post today – been pretty busy. But, enough time for a visit from everyone’s favorite wookie – in his new shirt/beer bottle cozy.

Chewie! Not so close! Back up a bit…

Okay, that’s a little better…

Great! Now, put your arms down.

Hmmm…well, you can put your arms down when you get to school.

Back to work…

I had a call last week from my ex-roommate’s mother – she told me he was getting married on Friday. For his tearful apoligy and an attempt at a renewed friendship – I would have thought that an event as important as this would have warrented at least a solicitation of gifts.

My thoughts on this:

1. I also found out that it’s with the woman who moved in with us and ultimately led to him moving out. And I guess, in a way, it’s a good thing. At least something good came out of that. I think I would have been more annoyed if he’s broken up with her and then moved on and was suddenly getting married.

2. I’m kinda wishing that his mom stopped keeping me in the loop. If things are done – and I think/hope they are – then I don’t need to be in this loop anymore.

In other news, I got a message from my sister on my answering machine on Saturday. She was calling to tell me how annoying the “free car wash” was just down the street from her apartment. Strangely enough, I missed her call beacause I was going for a walk – to a walmart in my area where the girls soccer team was having a free car wash. There were two girls holding signs and shrieking at passing cars. They were also shrieking in my general direction – though if they thought a pedestrian would be interested in a car wash, they were indeed as stupid as they looked – and sounded.

I’m going to have to blame car dealers for this situation. Car commercials are still frequently populated with screaming salesmen – as though the only way we’ll listen is if we are yelled at.

In those cases, I stop listening and ignore them. As I ignored the shrieking car wash girls – and as I hope my sister was able to eventually do with her own neighborhood free car wash.

I guess that’s about it for now. Back to work…

I went out to lunch with some co-workers/colleagues. We had a pretty good time and one of them bought lunch for the rest of us – which was very cool. Coming back into work I saw a $5 bill on the grass – so, I went to lunch and made $5. Didn’t even have to dance on a table for it or anything.

The past couple of rainy days I’ve been wearing my gray trenchcoat to work – and since my attention to proper attire has waned recently, I’ve also been wearing my jeans and sneakers. Which, I’ve realized, is the same outfit that Duncan McCloud wore in Highlander. Unfortunatly, I don’t have a job that lets me carry around a sword, but if that changes – I’m ready.

I guess that’s about it for now – I had some weird dreams last night, but I can’t remember them. Time to get back to work…

Last Friday morning I woke up early to the sounds of my next door neighbors getting, umm…busy. Apparently I heard only the tail end of the festivities since within about 5 minutes of the last hurrah, I then heard their car start up and one of them drive away. So much for the afterglow.

I got up and got ready for work – and packed for my weekend trip to visit my folks. 8 hours later (after work) I’m on the road. The trip was mostly uneventful – though I did encounter a problem in columbus with a lane that I needed closed due to a semi stopped on the road. There were a bunch of people milling around the truck – as though they expected it to transform into a giant robot and run away. Or maybe they were just practicing putting up orange cones.

Finally got to my folks and had pizza while we watched the latest Harry Potter movie. Pretty good, but a little uneven.

Last Thursday I’d gone to a silent auction and won a gift basket – which mom really liked along with the hot tub pillow I’d gotten for her before. So, I scored a bunch of points this Mother’s Day weekend.

On Saturday morning, Dad and I went and got some mulch and toured his garden. Both my parents have put a lot of work into the landscaping and it shows.

Saw my sister for a bit before she had to get ready for a wedding – then mom, dad and I headed north to the zoo. The gibbons were amazing, and the river otters are always fun. We didn’t get to see too much before the sky opened up and rain started coming down. We made a quick exit and while waiting for the car, someone went past and said “Go Zips” to me since I was wearing my akron jacket. It was a little weird to see a zips fan outside their native enviroment.

From there – half priced bookstore. I was a little disappointed in their sci-fi selection, but the comics were excellent. I ended up spending slightly over $30 – which entitled me to a free tote bag. It was a neon yellow/green. I think it may have also glowed in the dark, but I haven’t checked it out yet.

My sister and her boyfriend came over on Sunday for lunch – we did a little origmai and comeserated with mom’s dog – who it turns out doesn’t like the boyfriend and tends to bite – so the dog had to wear a muzzle. I thought she looked like a ninja, but it was clear she didn’t like it – though eventually she got used to it.

The drive back home was uneventful – other than some rain. And the week I expect will be mostly ordinary. But, I’d better get back to work…