Locksmith to the Stars?

Ok, not exactly the stars but I swapped the locks out for grandma neighbor. Now she has a key and working lock for her bedroom. Maybe the grandkids will stay off the roof? Ha!

The house didn't look any better in daylight. I came back here and fetched another screw because that old door knob set only had three screws, another had become stripped out. In fact the door jamb looked as if someone had tried to break in. Since I know this had been a drug house at one point I guess I can't be surprised. The jamb and door both need replacing, really. There's a foot hole in the back of the door.

I think at some point she may have had money to spend on herself, perhaps before she ended up caretaker for a brood of grandkids. Her bedroom set is nice, not truly high end, but very complete with two side tables, bed, dresser and matching mirror. I'm almost certain where it came from. Between that and the dining table downstairs... She did say there were other matching pieces in the kids rooms. Anyway, it's a bit sad as a circumstance. The grandkids clearly know they can get away with some stuff because there's so many of them.

I got my power cord spool from when the lawn mower was borrowed and the extension cord severed. It was a half day at school and she asked the one who'd already come home if she'd seen anything like that around. The kid knew exactly where it was and brought it to us. I was glad they still had it, I wasn't going to press the issue but figured what the hell, right, maybe it's around? I still swear it was green, not orange but my memory is fuzzy. I've got two or three, maybe four and I thought one was green and it was the green one that had. My memory isn't a 1/100th what it once was. I used to have a near photographic memory. Now if I can remember what I did in the past hour I'm doing well. :P

I napped this afternoon a bit when I got done with the lock change, made tuna this evening (the cat got some too). Now it's just after midnight, I chatted a bit with the neighbor as the fog rolled in. Not much new going on with him but he seemed a little more cheerful to chat than other days.

I'm concerned about one of my jasmine plants. The leaves are turning on me. Since this is just about right where the lemon tree had been I wonder if there's a problem with the soil. I also pulled a would-be lemon tree shoot tonight. That's the second one in two weeks.

I think I'd like tuna on buttered saltines to be my "last meal." My left ear hurts. *sigh* :/

Theatre of the Bizarre?

Ok, maybe not quite but I had a bad neck pain when I woke so I didn't do much today. I did take a few Tylenol and eventually the neck eased off. Some stretches and a walk didn't really help. There was a time today my eyes were aching too. Great, eh? This afternoon I sat outside with the neighbor awhile while he had his sprinkler running. A little before that I'd been stopped by one of the grandkids asking if they could earn money for their school.

Late in the afternoon one of them came to the door and rang the bell. I didn't see what they wanted. Later, the same one came back! That time I did answer the door. Well it seems another of the grandkids had locked grandma's door and while she'd been out of town for her aunt's funeral the key was broken. Thus, no way to get into her bedroom. Fun, fun. So I got my shoes and a screw driver or three.

Well, I couldn't get the door open from inside the house. I thought maybe I could and although she was all for me breaking the knob I just wasn't ready to go that far. It wasn't as if there was a fire or an infant trapped in the bedroom. Plan B. As in burgle. I fetched my ladder, up on the roof, over the balcony. Ridiculous, let me tell you. Anyway, a little strength and luck and the sliding door opened up. Her grandson was up there with me and was surprised how fast it opened. Well, honestly, so was I but quite grateful because I was about out of ideas after that other than 'call a locksmith'. Well, almost out of ideas. I'll keep my other ideas in my bag of tricks just in case.

Anyway, I was glad and told her I might have another keyed lock but would have to look. On my way out she asked if the front porch light might work if a fresh bulb was put in. I didn't see why not. Now let me say that they have basically nothing. They didn't have a flashlight that I could use. It's depressing, even a bit scary. That house is in poor shape. It was a bit heartbreaking. I'd been there a few times as a kid and seeing how it'd fallen on hard times passing through different owners, a myriad of renters and even some time as a drug house was disturbing. I fetched a light bulb that I had laying about and put it in. I did find the locking door knob that Father had on his office but we're removed after his stroke. I found the key as well so I'll take that over tomorrow and install it.

It's about 11pm now. I'm fooding. The kitty was just in for a petting. I guess it's just as well I didn't go to the grocery this evening or I wouldn't have been around for my little adventure. I wish my stomach would stop battling me. It's been annoying me since I had a can of chili the other day. I'm also down to just spring water to drink.

I see Elton John commented on Clay (and some other things). He said he doesn't care if Clay's gay or not because it isn't any of his business. It seems maybe Clay didn't quite best Timberlake after all. But Soundscan says the data might not reliable because an unidentified retailer was unable to provide sales figures and so they estimated. Read more here. They estimate Clay sold 205,000 copies, a third of his debut album's first week and slightly less than his holiday album's debut week.

Aiken smacks down Timberlake?

Ok, maybe not quite but I've seen hints online that sales figures put Clay Aiken at a #1 debut, pushing Timberlake out after just one week. Since I haven't liked Missuh JT for ages and was a devoted Aiken fan during Idol, I giggle at the prospect. Unfortunately I don't think much of Clay's new cd so it's a bit of a hollow victory.

Funny!

Aaron Carter has called off his engagement. Yes, another round of publicity for E! network's "House of Carters" reality show.

Ugh. Nephew at ER!

There was no guest today. Infant nephew is at ER? Brother suspects bronchitis? Other nephieces are sick too. No b-day thing being held.

*sigh*

What else? Hmm... I napped today, trying to get self back into a good rythmn. Not sure it's working. Kitty lounged on bed with me for awhile. She is good kitty!

I sort of watered the lawn, not in the mood. I am out of ice cube bags and don't quite remember where Mother and I got them. There is skinny buzzed cut guy across street sitting on the power box. He is leaving now. Is on a skateboard. He sat hunched over a bit and pulled his two shirts up. People don't usually do that here? It sounds like bad erotica!

Kitty is hacking now. :/ I have food. Meatballs and pasta again. It is 4:30pm and I am just now having first meal of the day.

What else... I battled computer virus the other night. Very annoying. Got fun error message, "File was not repaired because a strange yet unknown error has occurred (32767)." Great stuff! Anyway, it seems vanquished with only time and sanity lost.

On Friday got a statement from stupid estate debt-holder. They are saying payment due in mid-October? Other statements had not come for months. No idea why. These are same idiots who told lies about amount on payments due causing estate to actually get behind in payments! Now it is caught up. Not sure why payment not due until mid-October because auto-pay is pre-scheduled for end of September? Very stupid.

I tried calling for clarification but waited on hold too long. There was no music, just a perky female voice that kept telling lies: "We apologize for the delay. We try to give each customer as much individualized attention as possible. Please stay on the line and the next available specialist will be with you shortly."

Kitty is meowing for attention. Ok, I let her outside. She is getting grasses. I feel OK I guess but am feeling dried out?

It is after 9pm. Let's see... nephew is "ok", has bronchitis and got breathing treatment and meds. Neighbor came over for a few minutes in the late afternoon. I guess he came over while I was napping but saw the door was closed. His grandson is over again this weekend. I guess he is coming over Saturdays and staying, then leaving Sundays? It's an odd thing and must burn a lot of petrol! But... whatever. It's good for neighbor to see someone else even if there's more work involved! Kitty has been outside again. She finally barfed so I guess that is good?

I thought about getting milk but decided not too. Maybe tomorrow. Evening has turned chilly! I am feeling bored but my neck aches a bit. Very annoying.

I see Aaron Carter proposed to his "girlfriend." She is a former Playboy Playmate as well as an ex-gf of his older brother Nick (so I read). Will it happen or is this to generate publicity for the upcoming "House of Carters" reality show? How pathetic is it that I know that show is coming? Well, maybe less pathetic than it seems since Yahoo had a headline with photo. She's not bad looking; some photos make her look facially a bit like Paula Abdul I think. She seemed to shave everywhere for her photos. Don't know what Aaron does, sorry Duckie. :D

Warm Today

It is warm today. I stayed up well into the early morning, past 7am, talking online. I was a bit of a prick last night, off meds schedule and then suffering much obsessive yearning talk about unrequited interest. Ugh. I've been that chatty about someone like one time, a thousand yahren ago. But at least I wasn't looking for something that can't be found. Cripes. Get a hobby, please! :P

What else? I mowed grass. Watered too. Kitty demanded we go outside early this morning. She was being weird? But so was I? :D

I have had four or five bowls of cereal in the past 24 hrs? That is too much. :/ I get hungry and say, "OMG, don't eat piggy food!" So I have cereal instead. And then I get hungry again because it wasn't filling? I feel a little bloated right now. I have piggy food right now though: meatballs and pasta! Mail was lame. Advertisements. It is almost 4pm. Blog outage is coming in 5 minutes. *sigh*

I was a Chevy Corvette, what sportscar are you?

RIP Denis Fedorov

Anthony Fedorov's brother passed away this week.

Contestant Anthony performing on American Idol 4:

There is Blog!

Amazing, ain't it? Let's see what was today about? I missed meds this morning because I went to bed early. I took meds late and that screwed me up today. I had nap this afternoon and evil neighbor child rang doorbell. I thought maybe it was neighbor but it wasn't. Neighbor child claimed its school needed money and wanted to do something. How stupid do I look? Then child asked to borrow lawn mower. Of course, because that worked out so well when the cord was sliced in half, I haven't been reimbursed and the cord keeper is being held hostage still. So... um... no. I guess child asked neighbor about cutting his grass to make money for school. It's a gov't fucking school! Anyway... it's just pathetic. And annoying. They've been playing football in the street and taunting cars because, you know, the road is there for them to use as a practice field not autos! Gah!

Was at bank today. I deposited money into estate account. It went quickly. Took 45 minutes to pay the mortgage last week because the teller was inept and couldn't remember what to do. Amazing. Well, I just know to avoid her in the future is possible. I was hoping to close Mother's old account but I have to see the manager to do that. Meh. There is no rush.

I've been listening to Clay Aiken's new album. It's awful. It's like one of those cheap "hack singer sings the songs of BIG STAR" CDs. The production is uninspired, the vocals bland, the arrangements are dreary. The first time I tried listening I feel asleep. The second time I almost did! I tried a few more times before I actually make it through. It helped when I changed the song order and went from 14 to 1. He doesn't even make full use of his vocal range. The album is a horrendous effort considering the three year gap from his debut CD. I think RCA hate Clay or simply have no clue what to do with him. 3/10.

Elton John's CD, "The Captain and the Kid" is excellent. It's not the Disney-musical style but really truly calls back to albums of decade's past. The lyrics are creative which is something that's been a lacking with recent Taupin penned efforts with Elton. The production is pretty good but I think on the vocal it's a bit overdone on "Just Like Noah's Ark." I do wish Elton's voice wasn't quite so rough but he's 60 and had at least one vocal cord surgery back in the 80's... you can't expect too much. However, some of that roughness could have been dealt with with production tricks. 9/10.

The spider is still here doing its thing.

The Captain and the Kid

Billboard.com has a review posted: For all the hype that John's "Peachtree Road" was a return to his organic roots (it wasn't), if only the label had waited until now. "The Captain and the Kid" could have been recorded 25 years ago, during El and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin's golden days. Thanks to organic, piano-driven production, stellar storytelling and Sir's rededication to his vocal craft, this is a triumph. The concept album that serves as a bookend to 1975's "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" is packed with new classics. First single "The Bridge" (his 66th AC chart entry, the highest total of any artist) is a class act, as is the lovely ode to New York, "Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way." Also great: "And the House Fell Down" (reminiscent of "Honky Cat") and the countrified, autobiographical title track. A master at his finest. —Chuck Taylor

A New Boarder!

Bigger than the new ipod shuffles!

Bloody hell...

So it's 3:15am and the phone rings. Who the hell calls at that hour? I answered but there wasn't anyone there. Caller ID said 'blocked call' which is less than zero help. Cripes.

Don't need this crap!

9-11. Five years on.

Remembering the NYC firefighters lost. One of them also frequented a web board I'd been posting to for a few years when 9-11 happened. I also had a friend that worked at Merrill Lynch but who had stayed home that day due to a sick fiancee. I was quite anxious for his safety until I was able to get in touch that morning.

That was a lousy time. Ten days earlier Mother and I had put one of the cats to sleep. He'd gotten into some tainted water outside which caused a stroke. He would've been 11 that October and had been the last survivor of an abandoned litter born outside my bedroom window. 9-11's events I first heard about from Murray in Sydney. I was chatting online with him when he mentioned it had just been on the news that a plane had hit the WTC. He was getting the feed from ABC here in the States and I tuned in as well. Saw the second plane hit like many that morning. There was much sleeplessness, and the anthrax attacks. I did my part for getting back to normal by being one of the few who actually saw Lance Bass star in "On the Line" during its first run in the movie theaters. In October, a friend and one time flatmate from uni was killed in a car accident coming home from work. What a mess of shocks those few months brought to my system.

Now five years later, we don't have Osama and we don't know who sent the anthrax but as yet there hasn't been a terrorist strike successful inside the U.S. Those five years also brought me becoming an uncle (times three) and the passing of both parents. Makes me want to vomit on some abstract level.

I watched the first part of "The Path to 9/11" on ABC tonight, the first TV I've watched here live since Mother passed in Feb. I don't know why there was a controversy. There was nothing new or controversial to anyone who has stayed up on the events that proceeded and through 9/11. I have to complain because my local station is running a football game tomorrow instead of part 2! That's bull.

The first hour or so I'd rate a 9 (scale of 10). It slipped after that but was overall pretty good. I think it could've stood some editing but for all I know stuff was cut and filler put in to meet the running length allotted for tonight. No idea why it left out the bombing of the USS Cole. They jumped from the so-called "Millennium Plot" (Dec 31, 1999, although 2000 was the real end of the 20th century) to September 11, 2001. We didn't even see the hijackers get on the American Airliner. Seems an odd choice but maybe it'll be more clear when I see part 2.

RIP The Croc. Hunter

Steve Irwin, famously the Crocodile Hunter, was killed by a stingray barb to the heart while filming a documentary. Thoughts go out to his widow and their two small children. Details here.

Dumb As Rocks :/

Well, Mother's probably laughing at me and saying, "You never learn!" It is 11am. I am still up from Friday and there is email from Brother that says he is doing errands. It doesn't say he is not coming but that's not really of any meaning. Now mind you this contradicts his email from last night that he would see me today!

So I stayed up, I mowed the lawn, watered, talked to neighbor, got the parts for the master closet doors out of their casing and put into place. I just had a snack. That is my millionth sandwich? I did two hot dogs with lettuce! And then I did... peanut butter sandwich... later when stomach was pained at like 5am I did cheese sandwich and now I just had blackberry perserves on bread. I have had much bread today! Bread and diet coke.

There is much hate in the air. And the duckie is leaving on holiday for 240 hours or something? Oh well.

Anyway, this used to happen when Mother was alive and I had plans with Brother. I would change my schedule and stay up extra and then he would not show up. Mother would say, "Sleep!," at 1 or 2pm. Maybe before? I think I will sleep. Kitty doesn't seem to care when I said I didn't think we would get guest last hour. But she was angry at me for not going to bed earlier! An angry kitty is not good. :(

Why the hairy horse hooves do I bother!? ARGH!!! I will finish my Coke and pass out. *sigh* Such a waste of effort!

Neighbor was right tho. I said what odds do you give me on Brother showing up? He gave long odds! Said SIL would make him do other things!

Here is pic of hot dogs with lettuce! I put sweet pickle relish, mayo, romaine lettuce on bun. Dogs are kosher, all beef. Very tasty!



And here is look at replacement board at neighbors. We put this up yesterday afternoon. It was very quick because of so much prep work done. You can tell from the photo that the color stands out so he has to repaint the other trim along the back of his house.