Alright, the net's back up, the router's running, wi-fi is free with a mail-in rebate, and I'm here.

I havn't been to active on here for the main reason that I'm losing energy to post down things in detail:

I've done the pre-requisite testing for college [and got wind of a fugitive that crossed the border].
I have gotten my paperwork done for the surgery Friday [and got my EKG done by a cubby nurse].
I finally went to the only B&J shop here in the Valley [and was sorely disappointed].
I am having trouble deciding what lace sampler to get for my Chistmas knittings [and books].

I've been just here, lounging here, losing energy and gumption to do mostly anything really. Apart from playing Hatchlings on Facebook...*cough*

• After waiting for the check to come in, I finally have a year's membership for Pandora.  Honestly, after six [seven?] years of listening for free, I don't mind dishing $30 for it.  Especially when it is ad-free.  Brings back the early days. :D
• For some reason, AT&T is charging $40 for a $20 dsl account.  Unless, of course, that was a limited deal, then suddenly went back to its original price. :| I'll be checking tomorrow.
• I'm trying to save for AC.  The only way to save as much as possible is not to go.  But I want to go.  Darn it.  I can only hope it'll be worth the spending.
• Yesterday Diana and I went to Pan-Am Brownsville, she for paperwork for music scholarship, me for tagging along.  Found there was a Barnes & Nobles bookstore there and got two Pratchett books on sale [Mort and Pyramids].  Also found the library which I visited during sixth grade.  Brought back memories.
• As said before, this is the last week of school, and I can't help but feel that everything is going to snap like a frayed rope.  Everything will just...fall apart.  Of course, teachers are exempt from whipped cream bombs and kitten stampedes. :D
• I'm almost done with the hat.  Changed the design and liking it.  Dunno what he'll think of it though. :\
• We're getting thunderstorms!  And hail!  I'm excited...or would be if it didn't happened when I was asleep! :|
• No 'last day of school' parties, due to the fact that everyone is going to be testing.  Geeze, what happened while I wasn't there?!

And that's it.

So I have this broomstick. Been in my possession for years, even before we moved. It's been used for mostly everything: cane, pinata stick, wooden fencing sword, staff.

But it hasn't been used for a grounding rod. Until last night, when I just grabbed it with both hands and felt the prementioned energy just...drain away from me. My feet felt better.

Diana says that I'm a healer, which does make sense in a way. I would like someone to help me to help me develop my talents.

That hat I mentioned is doing well:



Yarn is BabyBee's "Sweet Delight Baby" in the 'Crayons' colorway. I saw it, had this flash of inspiration, and grabbed it, admiring the soft silkyness of it. And it is a nice thing on my fingers. This might actually be the antidote against the sock-induced laziness.

Speaking of which, I gave in and bought a sock book. Shhhhh.

We [me, Mom, Diana] discussed it and I am going to spread out the computer purchases across the months. I found out what was going on [the nic card was fucking up, and Stan gave me a new one, along with a new router and cord], and the beeping isn't happening anymore. So, at the moment, I'll just be going onward with stuff.

And I really really want an IpodTouch... >.>

I finally found Sinatra's 'Come Fly With Me' [in mp4 no less] and it's making me wonder just what I was missing. I seriously blame SiriusXM's Sinatra station. :D

Have I told you I need to post pics of Mister Sam? :\

So Danny and Terra have NerfDarts on their foreheads and pretend they're robots.

Danny: "Destory! Destroy!"
Me: "No no no, we don't say that."
Terra: "Ex-ter-mi-nate!!"

Diana and I cracked up.

So, how are y'all? I'm okay, didn't have much to get mad at today, apart from the lack of clean laundry, but that's fixed. All clean! whoohoo!

I've been getting rather depressed lately. I look at the sky and think of dad, and that just drives me to tears. I think of how much I want someone to hang out with, and I break out to tears. I see various online friends' lives go downhill, and I can't help but to cry a bit. My heart is becoming very sensitive lately...

I have been reminded that I still havn't finished my teacher's certification and that if I don't finish by next Monday, I won't get paid. I inquired what exactly was missing: Fingerprinting. So I put in an appointment and going to do it Saturday.

The Bear Scarf is already two feet long.

I havn't gotten enough sleep lately. I've been taken into habit of sleeping during work, and I need to stop. I'll probably try and sleep early tonight to clear up some of my sleep debt.

I have been taken into jamming out to my Pandora stations, which the connection holds on to rather tenatively. Nothing to worry about, but I've been taken to buy the occasional song via iTunes...

Today I checked out the last Potter book from the school library [they let you do that, no due date given], and I told them that was the only book I didn't have of the entire collection. One of the librarians went to the back office and gave me her copy. I was completely touched and tried not to break down. They say the book is worth a few scarves, and I retorted, "This is worth a sweater!" So I have all of the books. Wow.

Speaking of knitting, no one cares that I knit in school. I've been doing it after work, when most of the kids are out, and I've gotten no stares, no comments, nothing. I'm surprised.

Also found out that we raise sheep down here. Dunno, but I entertained the thought of selling RGV wool for the knitters and weavers in the US. Something for the economy.

It's been extremely windy lately, and we've opened all of our windows to let the cool air in.

And now I'm hungry.

So, I thought about it for a good minute and finally did it.

graveyardgreg was doing story commissions over on FA, and I asked him to. It's being written as we speak.

At least I think so. A few more tests.

~~~

Spring Break will probably have me going somewhere. I just don't know where. I will not spend an entire week with the kids. Nuh-uh.

So...anyone willing to board a guy for a week? :P

~~~

I am making it a plan of splurging $24 of my monies for BlueMoon sock yarn, and I already bought one, done in the shade Space Dust. It came in Saturday with a cool button and two cards. I love them.

However, I'm making Mom a Party stolette, which she wants done by Saturday, which is her birthday. And I'm also making the Bear scarf, but it's getting a touch complicated. I don't think I have enough yarn. :?

I also bought a three-container cart for all of my yarn, and it's doing quite well. Had to get rid of some, but they won't be missed, I know it.

~~~

Work is alright to be honest. It's flying by on greased skids. And it's cool!

Year of the Ox, eh?

Why couldn't be Year of the Moose? *looks at random folks and steals their shorts!*

Actually...*gives them back*

I'm still kinda peeved at the fact that I got paid for two weeks wages. At least I think they are that much. I mean, $722 is two weeks wages for me, you know? But then, I'm paying *checks* about $132 for insurance alone, so it's something.

Not to mention that it's covering the gym, and that alone is a good $50 a month or so. More or less.

Dunno, but the more I think about it, the lava lamp is very hypnotic. All those blobs...

I have decided not to put the claw motif on the scarf. It's going to be solid stripe.

Considering the Ox Year, expect more stories of the Bulls. More characterizations and history and details about the race. Still would like someone to draw some characters, including the Absolutes. Not to mention E'Seathle and Thomas.

Diana finally knows the Master. She does't like him to be honest. Ah well.

Oh, and some new deviations: Blobby Redux and Reverb.

Did I ever mention that I got another Daily Deviation for Millefiori?

Point one: Got the job, started today.

Point two: These shoes that I thought were comfy are, in fact, horribly un-comfy.

Point three: At least I got a wonderful new waredrobe from K-Mart [its the only place that I can find clothes that fit me]

Point four: I'm tired. But not tired enough to walk home.

Point five: Ixnay on Four, since Cris got AT&T DSL. It'll start December.

Point six: I need a drink.

Point seven: Happy belated birthday to rosesarered23, since it was yesterday. You share the birthday with the babby neice, Sophia, who we took to PeterPiperPizza yesterday. She turned one.

Point eight: Hahahahaha...

Point nine: Dunno if I'll be talking to y'all tomorrow, but I'll try...

Point ten: *kitten flood!*

I have two recommendations, either one I can feel most strongly about based purely on the size of my fee.
--Dogbert

It's October Country folks. Time for balminess and sweet breezes.

Of course, this year October Country came two weeks early. It's cool still.

So, what's up? I'm alright, here this early for two reasons: One is that I really have no choice. Two is the fact that Grandma's rosary is around six-thirty or so, so I have to get there.

Did I mention that I'm one of the pallbearers? And that no one asked me? At least they could have given me the token question. *sigh*

Had a bunch of weird dreams lately. Last night, I dreamed the Idiot was visiting us and he was on the run. I distracted him, somewhat, while the cops arrived. Didn't see much after that. The night before, I had two dreams: one [this I dreamed before] that I was pulling a '2001: Space Odyssey', in which I was tranversing the galaxy and getting into this contruct of midnightblue and silver ladders, then finding an alternative Earth, same people, but different names. Hell, even Gary and Laura were there! The other one I was with the family and we're at New York City at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and I saw one of my friends back from the gym and we hardcore make out [kisses, gropes, etc.] and Mom didn't react too much while Cris was freaking out. Then the kids got lost and we had to look for them.

Please keep in mind that this is normal for me. Weird dreams are one of my things. I once dreamed that God and the Devil made a bet on me. I dreamed about a wolf fighting a shark in a worm-riddled bar. Hell, I had one in which I kept seeing a white pool ball bouncing around a box. It's strange, but I like them.

This past week had a few noteworthy things to talk about. Now that I'm chatting with xlana, it loosened up a few things.

First off, Mom rebuilt Dad's shrine. Before the renovation, there was a small china cabinet in the corner of the dining room next to the doorway. Well, we took it down and painted the walls and set the tile and whatnot.

It was after the visit to Sam's apartment that Mom decided to put it back up. Y'see, Sam put up his own shrine for Dad and Angie's grandparents [correction?]. I'll see about photos if you folks are interested.

Well, the night after, I was knitting, and I grew tired of knitting in the Comfy Chair [since Cris was on the computer], so I took everything [needles, yarns, book, 'Pod] and went to the kitchen. Hooked up the 'Pod to the speakers and jammed out to Yo La Tengo while I praticed on my mosaic [speaking of which, Bearnard's scarf project is frogged - Adrian went into the room and tangled everything up *grr*]. Mom commented and looked at one of the other skeins I had laying about [the green bouclé yarn] and said that it would be perfect for her green ensemble and asked me to knit a basic scarf - nothing too fancy. So I decided with stockenette with a garter edging. It's not bad, and it's going rather quickly. Might have to go back and get some more, but I have to see how much one skein will knit up to.

Have I mentioned that I have that "Sweet Transvestite" song playing quite heavily on the computer? It's catchy as hell and runs 'round the head so badly. :(

Oh and I got my Harry Potter books from Sam when we went over. :D

Although I don't know how to play one...

Anywho!

Today was...okay. Mom and Cris took me to breakfast and I did the daily Sudoku.

Afterwards we went to Hobby Lobby. While I was looking at the many many yarns they had [and the ones they didn't have {c'mon! I want sock yarn! I want superwash yarn!!}] and the oodles of needles they had [oooh, bamboo...wtf?! Eleven dollars for a set of 10 circs?!?], Mom and Cris went through the patterns and found plenty for the kids...and for the dog.

Yes. For the dog. Mom wants to put Odie in a costume/photo contest/shoot for Holloween. :|

Then we went grocery shopping for the party we had an hour ago: Mom let me choose what I wanted to have, and we found a devil of a deal for lasagna with salad and french bread, alongside with icecream, so it was all good.

Crashed in front of the comp, going through the emails and thanking the folks for the birthday wishes [*hugs for unclebebby and xlana*] and spent some hours there when Cris whisked me off to run on some bill-paying errands [spent half hour waiting in line!], then came back home and lounged while Mom, Cris, and Diana prepared dinner and made my birthday cake.

Then we had dinner and the cake. Also took photos. :D

( Yes, photos... )

And now, I shall start on the Dobby Hat. Yay!

You must think of my as a crazy person. I had a rather nice day yesterday and nothing to report. I do have one excuse however: Cris spent most of the time on the computer, leaving me with nothing to do but knit.

Anyways, yesterday started off fine: woke up and was planning washing. However, Mom asked if I was going with them to San Juan, to visit the Shrine. I politely refused. Then she said that they could drop me off at the Harlingen Library.

oh...hmm...I agreed and got ready.

They dropped me off there around eleven or so. Instantly checked the card for any fines, to which they said no, I didn't have any. Which marked me as strange because I was quite sure the books I had the last time were overdue a few days. Hm.

Found a few books then: couple of Pratchetts and one knitting book by Barbara Walker [she did all of these knitting books back in the 60's and 70's, well-recieved to their clarity and well-done instructions]. Grabbed a few other books and went to read for an hour or so.

Afterwards I went to the cafe I usually go to for lunch and spent a while eating next to a table of good looking bears. :D

Then I walked around Jackson and just enjoyed myself. Went back to the library and looked for more books. Around six, I got picked up and spent the time trying out new knitting patterns, since Cris was on the computer.

She finally got off 'round eleven-thirty or so, but not before I had pizza, had to be part of a bit of family drama, and had a tea cuppa. An hour later and I was ready for bed.

Crazy Insanity.

Nonono, not that sort.

I mean, crazy shit.

Like new music and David Chapelle/Naruto mashups. Crazy stuff.

Found out that the other MamaCat, aka MamaCat2 [The Return!!], got her kittens under the old broken recliner in the garage. All of them are wandering about, looking at the surroundings. One of them is this smoky blue-grey kitten that, with love and care, would grow into something exceptionally beautiful. I'll see if we can turn her/him into an Indoor Kitteh. I hope so.

*yawn*

Found a few torrents of rare musics and strange tunes. Like Steve Greenburg: Big Bruce, a song that wouldn't fit out of place in a Dr. Demento album. Or in the Jukebox From Heck [one of the extinct oldies stations had that every night, played strange and wacky music].

Hope your night went well.

Heya!

'right first off, Diana, Danny and the kids are now living in his sister's house. Found out today. Reason is still unclear. Either they want to live rent free [which happened with us] or Danny doesn't want the kids to be under our influence.

Ah well, more stuff for us to sell. >.> No, the sale didn't happen today, so I'm pushing for the weekend.

uhm...yes...We [Mom, Cris, and I] visited Dad today. Nothing much occured, apart from us placing flowers on his grave and Mom saying a prayer.

After that we went to Alamo for a stuffed baked 'tato. Y'see, there's this place known as Willie B's Barbeque which serves huge stuffed potatoes. I mean, the 'tato's huge enough as is, but then it's filled with butter, sour cream, chives, bacon chips, then a huge helping of chopped beef brisket, then slathered with their specialty bbq sauce. Havn't had one in a long while, so I enjoyed myself immensely. Also had a small side serving of mac&cheese, so it was pretty good.

Went to the San Juan Shrine after that [yes Sam, I went willingly]. Went into thick blanketed quiet and peace. I spent a good half-hour just sitting in the pews, lost in conteplation[sp?] and peace. This is what church is supposed to be - no noise, no sermons, just the chance for one to just lose himself in the wonder of God. When we were leaving, I mentioned that to Mom, and she said that we have to share. I answered, "Then share the quiet, the solitude, the silence, the quietude. Share the peace." I paused for a moment. "I actually enjoyed being here."

Hell, I'm still mellow. Havn't been this mellow since I first went to Starbucks last year and had that cheesecake and grande cafe mocha.

Anyways, we went to a farmer's market in Donna and Mom bought a few cantelopes and some corn. Came home after that.

Now I'm here. Not knitting, but just chilling.

First off, there's a downpour here that hasn't been seen in years. I mean, mean bad rainfall with thunder and lightning and flashflooding and everything.

Today was a mild adventure: after washing the dishes, I hear loud mewling. Find out that two of the kittens were stranded and were sopping wet. Risked getting soaked to put them in and get them dry. Soon after that, Mom and Cris come in. Found out that Danny's car broke down and left them and the kids stranded.

So while Mom&Cris are out rescuing them, who shows up but another kitten. This time I had the shirt off [since the other was sopping wet] and rescued it. Then I spend a good five minutes outside looking for the last kitten and for the mama-cat, but I couldnt' find anything. Came back inside and dried off.

It is still raining. Not as heavily as when I started this, but I'm guessing it's going to stay like this for the rest of the day.

"...and opposite to her was a old Sheep, sitting in an arm-chair knitting, and every now and then leaving off to look at her through a great pair of spectacles."
--Lewis Carrol, Through the Looking Glass

I finally capitulated yesterday.

Using what little funds I had, I went to the local dollar store and bought a knitting kit. Comes with two wooden needles, a crochet hook, plastic needle, and six balls of yarn [all for $3.25!].

Spent last night learning the starting steps of knitting: casting on, which is how you put the yarn on the needles. However, the pictures in the manual were somewhat vague, so I got confused.

xlana, chat friend and an expert knitter, referred me to KnittingHelp.com, which had a video of casting on. Finally got the grasp of it and now practicing it.

Now you might be wondering what exactly got me to doing this. No reason: I just want to know. Have another useful hobby under my belt. Heck, I might even start crocheting [more on that later]. I might even (gasp!) start making hand-knitted stuff and sell them! w00t!

And now, 'bout twelve hours later, I'm beat.

Woke up around ten, made myself a cuppa tea and munched on a honey bun while I watched last night's FullMetalAlchemist.

Around noon, I went out to help meself to another dose of all-you-can-eat-seafood buffet at the corner restaraunt, then went back to the library where I found some new magazines at the booksale, along with new books. Stayed there for a few hours, catching up on the news. Then I came back home.

And I've been here since. Yay.