.....there's now medical proof!

Yes, it appears as though I've been diagnosed with Vertigo..... Oh...and to complicate matters, it seems that an old arch enemy of mine is trying to make a comeback.....high blood pressure! These lovely facts were brought to my attention by the physician that I had to go and see today when I decided that I'd had enough of feeling as though I was just coming off a good drunk.

---

No lectures, please. I'm just not one of those folks who can easily admit that there's something wrong until I get to a point that I *HAVE* to go to a doctor. I'm that way because past history has shown me that when there *IS* something wrong with me, I have only myself to rely on as a nursemaid. Therefore, I know that if something really does take me out of commission I'm just screwed, so I'd rather not deal with the whole illness thing.   What really kind of pisses me off is the blood pressure thing. I thought that I was done with that crap when I dropped all of that weight, but here I am facing the possibility that I'm going to be popping the BP pills again. Though it's not nearly as bad as it once was, it was a noticeable increase from the last time I was at the dr's office.....I'm thinking he said it was 138/94......and of course the bottom number is supposed to be 85 or below. So I have to for the next two weeks monitor it every day and bring him the results...and if it's not where it needs to be on a regular basis, then back on the pills I go.

---

So that my entire entry isn't a downer this evening, I'll try and spread at least a LITTLE bit of sunshine:



There.....how's that?

Once again, kktaylorcc has inspired me. I was reading her "Seen and Heard" post from last night and it really struck a chord with me.....she mentioned 'bringing it'.....your thoughts....life experiences....sense of humor....

And then it occurred to me that instead of writing about ME this evening, I'd do something a little different---I'm giong to write about YOU.....my readers.

My favorites list over on the right side of my entries section is decently long....and each of you are there for a reason:

• BELLA is an amazing writer. Whether the topic is serious or silly, she never fails to tell the story in a way that makes you feel like you're a part of the action. Bella's blog gives me the feeling of the really cool next door neighbor who not only welcomes you into her home, but makes your visit a lot of fun!
  
• HEATHERSCOT will make you laugh, cry, scream, and dance for joy...all in a single entry! Whether she's talking about her husband, her son, or her daughter you feel a kinship to Heather...because she's like all of the rest of us....human!!
  
• SECRET:VICTORIA'S FIRST is another one that makes you feel like "you're there".....she's the only person that can describe a sports event play by play and still keep your interest!!
  
• AZRON is very clearly as good of a person in 'real life' as he is in his blog posts. He genuinely cares about PEOPLE and it comes through in everything he writes. He's also nuts about his wife June and isn't afraid to show it to the world with his video & music dedications to her!
  
• CHRISTINE is somewhat of a newcomer to my favorites list. She's witty, intelligent, and she gives me renewed faith that not all entities dubbed "CHRISTINE" are evil! [i.e. my truck!]
  
• BUFFY has a special spot on my list because we share something in common---a love for cats! I love reading her entries that mention her 'babies'....felines are very entertaining at times! Another thing Buffy and I have in common is our frustration when a family member makes poor choices in life and we can't do anything but pray it'll all work out in the end.
  
• BELLE is awesome. Like me, she's a Southerner, which means the ability to tell a story is just part of her DNA! Belle's stories about her granddaughter often result in my laughing so hard that I start to cry---read what happened in the restaurant a few months back and you'll know what I'm talking about!
• GLORIA (gjwlegs) is probably one of the sweetest gals around---as well as determined! Regardless of a health issue she's had to deal with, she still gets out there and tries like hell to do something productive with her day instead of sitting on the couch wallowing in self pity. She's had a lot to contend with, but she hasn't let it get her down and I admire that.
  
• BOHEMIAN has an interesting blog because she does something that I *LOVE* to do but have not done in quite a few years: read a book!!
  
• NIGHTBUG ......well I'm lucky enough to know her in 'real life' and I can assure you that she's exactly the same in person as she is on her blog!! Just don't ever park next to her car unless you want the black cloud of doom to render yours inoperable!! hehehehe
• KKTAYLORCC reminds me of our very own public relations person at Blogstream ['cruise director' is what I call her!].....I can't even imagine the time and energy it takes for her to assemble her weekly "seen and heard" feature! I always feel a little 'celebrity' when I'm included in her weekly feature!!
  
• N.LYNN is such a trooper----when I write my Blogstream "stories", she's the one who always seems to have some sort of accident befall her...such as being thrown into a swimming pool or landed on by people falling from tall buildings!
  
• MISS LOU would break my heart if she ever got bored with her graphics-----it never ceases to amaze me how she can ALWAYS seem to find one to match whatever post she's commenting on!!
• and last, but not least is RANDY....a fellow Southern boy with a good sense of humor, a real knack for writing, and a great eye for photography!
  

Over the last couple of years, I've been blessed to be a part of an online community that is truly awesome and I hope that all of you out there know how much I appreciate your taking time to keep up with my antics here on Blogstream!

So that's about it for now---I'm off to bed so that I can be well rested for yet another week at the office!

I seriously had my doubts as to whether or not this week was EVER going to end!! Of course EVERY Monday thru Friday seems to be like that lately for some reason.......

------------------------------------

I'm still sending out the resume, but so far no bites. I'm not really surprised by that because it's the way things go for me. When I already HAVE a job but I'm putting feelers out for something else, I'll get a ton of responses. When I have a job and I am REALLY wanting something else, I get nothing. When I have NO job and DESPERATELY [NEED] one, I get inundated with shit offers, psycho & bullshit interviews, or nothing at all. So I'll just wait and see what happens......GRRRRRR

-------------------------------------

Today wasn't awful....just very busy. I found out that when he's away from the office my supervisor is somewhat of a dimwit: it seems that he watched a video of pre-teen kids doing tricks on these things called "razors" which are apparently some sort of scooter. His kids had gotten some last Christmas, so he decided after watching the video that it would be a good idea to try some of these tricks. So he goes outside, tries one of the tricks, and ends up on his ass....and his elbows....and almost broke a finger. If that's not bad enough, he did this while still wearing what he'd worn to work yesterday----a dress shirt & slacks. DOH!! And did I mention that he's 37 years old?

Those of us that he related this story to found ourselves reminding him (while gasping for air from laughing so hard) that there are disclaimers on those videos: "DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME" for a REASON!!  

---------------------------------------

An email I sent today to one of the field managers (who has a Master's Degree by the way):

"This customer has been restricted from service because of not paying on their contract, but they have a safety related work order pending. Can I schedule the service or should I cancel the order?"

His response:

"Go ahead"



Go ahead and what?

My reply to his reply:

"Go ahead and schedule the appointment or go ahead and cancel the work order?"

His reply to my reply to his reply:

"Yes"

This guy makes double the salary that I do. Go figure.

----------------------------------------------

A short conversation I had today with a clinic:

ME: Hi, I need to speak with someone about scheduling a software update on a piece of equipment.

DIPSHIT: What kind of equipment?

ME: It's the E-Cam equipment....

DIPSHIT [cutting me off]: We don't have any E-Cam equipment here.

ME: Hmm...well my records show it's the one that is in room 3....with serial number 123456

DIPSHIT: OH! You mean the camera??

ME: [rolling my eyes]: Yes, the camera.

DIPSHIT: I guess if I'm going to run the thing I should know what it's called, huh? [laughs]

ME: Either that or learn how to run very quickly when you blow it and your patient up!

--------------------------------------------------

That's all for now! I'm pooped. I'm going to bed. Gnite!

Ok....I freely admit that there are times when I'm not the brightest bulb in the fixture. I am, after all, a natural blonde.

I found out today just how CLUELESS that I really am though. I was listening to this talk show on the radio this morning and apparently there has been a report released that says everything in the United States these days is just peachy.   Yep....according to this report we Americans aren't suffering the least bit when it comes to our finances. Of course the folks who wrote this report did acknowledge that there are a vast majority of we Americans who say OTHERWISE, but we just don't know what we're talking about so it doesn't count.

Damn.
For the last five years I've been bitching about higher taxes, gas prices, and the cost of just about everything else and all the while I was just making myself look like an idiot because everything is just fine here in the good ol' USA! What I'd REALLY like to know is WHY all of you out there didn't tell me that I was being an idiot??! C'mon---here I am spouting off about the struggles that I've had these last couple of years and you all out there have just been going right along with it!

Here's something that I'd like to mention. I read an article WAYYYYY back in the mid-1980s that has always stuck with me. It was an article about the economy of the USSR----the article stated that it was commonplace for the government of the USSR to proclaim that the country was in fine shape regardless of what its citizens said. Since the government had said that things were great, that's just the way that it was. And the folks in the counrty went on about their business. We all know what eventually happened to the now defunct USSR. It kind of makes me wonder if the US isn't headed down the same path as the USSR.

---

On another slightly LESS political subject------

Remember my story about what happened to my dog Sammy yesterday morning? Check THIS out---I have YET to hear ANYTHING from these people. No, "gee, what happened?".....no "I'm so sorry!".....and definitely no "is your dog ok?" Not a damn word from them. I it were me that had Cujo and Cujo Jr as pets, I'd make damn sure of two things:

1. I'd break my neck to make sure they had no means of escape from the yard by keeping the gates CLOSED and locked when they were in the yard;
2. If by some chance my dogs DID get loose and wander the neighborhood & try to attack my neighbor's dog that's 1/4 the size of my dogs, I'd be all over myself trying to make ammends for it....or at the VERY least apologize and promise to be more careful in the future.            

I suppose that not everyone sees things the same way that I do. One GOOD thing that came out of yesterday's incident is that I havne't seen or heard either one of these dogs since yesterday morning. Personally I hope that they're both either in obedience class or at the animal shelter. Ok, maybe that was a bit harsh----but it's better than getting their asses blown to bits if they cross my property line again!

---

So yesterday marked 6 months since Kevin died. In some ways it seems like it just happened this morning, while in other ways it feels like six years ago! Cindy did pretty well---she's made enormous progress in getting on with her life. She even did something today that just blew me away.....she cut her hair!! Until today, her hair was almost to her waist....she'd worn it like that for MANY MANY years but just decided that it was time for a change! It looks really good----although I do have to admit I almost had a stroke when I saw it!

That's all for now. I'm pooped!

Well, it appears that I've been TAGGED!! HeatherScot, I'll get you for this! hehehe

So I'll start with the copy & pasted questions (as per the rules):

QUESTIONS:
1. Why do you blog?
Partly because I love to have a place to vent, entertain, educate, or BE educated. It's also an excellent way to interact with people from all walks of life from all over the globe. Believe it or not, I've actually made some 'real life' friends by being here on Blogstream....something I **NEVER** expected to happen!

2. Scariest moment in your life?
Watching my mother die. In that instant, I realized that I was a full fledged adult...whether I wanted to be or not. 

3. Top 5 songs on your iPod? (if you don't have an iPod, just give your 5 favorite songs)
Well it's an off-brand iPod....but I'm a big Paul Davis & Dan Fogleberg fan...."65 Love Affair"; "Missing You"; "Cool Night"; "Do Right"; & "I Go Crazy"

4. What are your interests/hobbies?
BLOGGING obviously!.....and writing. Other than that, I'm really kind of a boring guy!

5. What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years?
Are you kidding me? I have a hard time hoping to accomplish anything in the next five MINUTES!!

Hmmmm......
So....whom shall I tag??!!


[drum roll please]

CHRISTINE!!!!!

---

Ok, so this morning started out QUITE frightening!
I let my dog Sammy out to do his business----well, he had barely lifted his leg when he starts bouncing towards the fence next door---long story short, the folks next door have two dogs (1 lab mix & one CHOW mix who are VERY aggressive!) ...but it's never been an issue the last couple of years because of the fence. Well, the next thing I know, the lab mix is on top of Sammy about to devour him! Had it not been for the fact that I was there and yelled at the top of my lungs (which made the bigger dog freeze long enough for Sammy to get away) I would be telling a very SAD, DEVASTATING story tonight! This dog was literally a nanosecond from chomping down on my baby!! Y'all keep in mind I've had Sammy since he was 8 weeks old (he's 7 now) and I wouldn't be able to function if anything happened to him. Anyone who loves their animals as much as I do can relate to what I'm saying. Well anyway, Sammy escaped unharmed but I was FUMING! As loud as I yelled at that damn Cujo shithead dog, his owners didn't hear it.....their house is exactly 20 feet from mine AND their windows were open!! So their mutt was roaming around my back yard for a good half hour.....so here I am trying to get this dog out of my yard and then it got REALLY interesting.....he starts growling & barking and then charges ME!!! Chris had to almost tackle me from getting the shotgun and blowing this dog's ass to bits!

Now for the last 2 years, these dogs have seen Chris and I enough times to know us, but they STILL charge the fence whenever we're in the yard. It's annoying, but I haven't said anything. Today changed all that though.....I was leaving a note in their mailbox [I dared not go into their yard for fear of being mauled] when I discovered HOW this dog got out....those boneheads next door left their driveway gate WIDE OPEN!!
YEAH-----I was LIVID at this point. Well after I get to work, I call Chris the roomie---he tells me this dog has now headed toward my other neighbor's yard. Let's keep in mind that Todd [the other neighbor] has a six year old son who would be catching the bus by this time AND he has a 2 year old daughter. The 2 year old likes to stand on the porch with her brother while he waits for the school bus. WHAT would have happened if this aggressive ass dog would have gotten to THEM??!!

Later in the afternoon, I call Chris and ask him the status of the dilemma. The dogs were finally rounded up.......but was there an attempt at an apology or a 'what happened?!' from the neighbors?? HELL NO!!!!  You all will definitely have to stay tuned for THIS one!!

---

In other news:

I learned something at work today. When my boss has a meeting with all of us and he says, "I want your honest opinions on this subject", what he REALLY means is, "I want you all to say how wonderful this situation is and that there are NO problems whatsoever."

Need I say more about my day?