BITS-N-PIECES

So this morning, I got out of bed about 930, and threw on some clothes, my earbuds, and gloves and out the door I went.  I still had about a third of the front garden left to de-weed.  And de-weed it I did.  And my thighs were on FIRE!  They still ache now.  The de-weeding I did that last two days filled a large garbage bag.  The de-weeding I did today filled one all by itself.  And man, was I cursing myself while doing so.  I'm pretty sure I'll not let it get that bad next year.

Also, I cleaned a bit and moved the living room around a bit, in preparation for putting the Christmas Tree up in a few weeks.  And then, since I hadn't showered yet, I used the big trimming shears to trim down the bush out front in the garden, and the hedge and some limbs in back at the alley.  And then I did a load of laundry and took a walk.

When I got home, I finally got my shower for the day (at like 430pm).  And then made supper and ate it. And now I sit here...fucking exhausted!  Beat like a bad dog....painful thighs and all.
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The doctor's office called yesterday morning to get my blood sugar readings over the last two weeks.  And then called back to tell me the doctor wanted me to up the insulin from 15 to 18 units a night.  Well, eventually, and hopefully before too much longer, we'll find the right amount.

Oh, and on Saturday, I got a letter in the mail informing me that my doctor, Amanda, will be leaving the practice to go to a long term care facility.  So all her patients are being forwarded to another new guy there.  *SIGH*  And I really like Amanda.

I first went to this practice back in 2000 to a doctor that people at work recommended.  I was with her less than a year before she got pregnant, left and never returned.  Then I had this other doctor (he took over for the first doctor) who I didn't particularly like.  He was a bit condescending and I always felt rushed with him.  But I was with him for like 11 years or so.  And then there's been Amanda (she took over for the previous doctor when he left to start his own private practice) since the spring of 2012.  And I really liked her.  But now, I get this other guy.  Ah well, it is what it is.
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Here's my walk:  2.11 miles in 35 minutes!

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I had a Barnes & Noble coupon to get 20% off any one item.  So I ordered an Anne Rice book, part of the Vampire Chronicles that I haven't read.  But, and I only did this AFTER the order was placed, I checked my books and found out I actually HAD it already, and had read it back in 1998!  So I got online quickly, and, luckily, was able to cancel the order.  I attempted to order the actual next book in the series I hadn't read yet, but the coupon was no longer valid.  So screw it all.  I'll just wait on the next one.  B&N do seem to send a whole bunch of those out over the year.

However, I did recieve an email that that order from Calendars.com is on its way to me!  So that's good news.
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And of course, The Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

BIT-N-PIECES

Thursday after work, Mom called. She said she had a gift card for $50 and it could be used at 5 different restaurants: Two that weren't around here, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Longhorn Steakhouse.  She asked if I wanted to go use it, I said, "Sure, why not?"

She picked me up and we drove towards Hagerstown. I have had, over the last two weeks, an extremely stressful time.  All kinds of crazy, demanding things were happened all at the same time. A And while this isn't unusual for work sometimes, it IS unusual for it to occur almost every day for a two week period of time.  And while we drove, I was telling her all about it.

So as we closed in on the town, she asked where we were going, cause she needed to know which way to drive.  And I said, "Ya know, after the two weeks I've had, I deserve some comfort food!  Let's go to Olive Garden!"

And so we did.  And I DID eat the breadsticks.  And I DID eat a huge mound of pasta.  And I DID have a regular Coke!  And I DID have a large beer!  And it was ALL delicious!  So take THAT, Diabeeeetus!  Fuck you!

Course, my blood sugar that night before I went to bed was 389, which is not at ALL good.  But I knew WHY it was that high. If it ever gets that high and I've only had salads to eat all day, well yeah, THEN I'm gonna get really concerned.  And the next morning, it was down to 160, which, while high for fasting, is more normal for me.
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This year, I have let my front garden,,,,well, go to shit.  I've done nothing to it since I planted the flowers back in June.  And so it's totally completely overrun and overflowing with thistles and weeds.  I've been wanting to get in there and dig them out, especially now that it's gotten cold and is gonna get colder, eventually TOO cold to bother with them.  But I've been intimidated with the task, just because it seems like it's going to be just too much to handle...I don't even know where to start.

But last night, I had a plan: I'm off the next three days, so if I get up each morning and do some each morning, I'll have it done by Tuesday.

And then this morning, I slept it.  *SIGH*

I went to mom's for lunch (meatloaf!  YUM!)  And I when I got back home here, it was about 11:45 or so.  I was expecting ALCMDPP over to watch football, but that wouldn't be until 1:00 or so.  So, right then, I decided I was gonna go out and start on it.

And I did.

And after only getting about a third of the way through it in, I guess a half hour or so, I was exhausted.  My thighs were achy.  My lower back hurt.  My right arm and shoulder ached.  God, I am SO old.  And I'm sure I'll feel it all even worse tomorrow.

but I have resolved to do this tomorrow and Tuesday, mainly because this HAS to be done!  And it's embarrassing and shameful that I let it go for so long and let it get so bad.
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So, A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking did in fact make it over to watch the Cowboys beat Jacksonville in London England.  But he wasn't here even ten minutes before I got a text.  One of my newer straight/confused fuckbuddies was texting wanting to come over.  Apparently, he was really horny, and his girlfriend wasn't there and he wanted to get off.

I told him I had a friend over for football and couldn't help him today.  He was rather insistant ("Cant you tell him something came up?"), but I kept telling him no.  ALCMDPP said he was sorry for cock-blocking me.  But I told him not to worry about it.  I dont' want him to think I'm at his beck and call.   And plus, one thing I've discovered in my years of playing with straight/curious guys is, the longer you string them alone sometimes, the more they want it.  And the more accommodating they become.
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Last night, as I'm driving home, I got to thinking that I needed some stuff from Wal-Mart, but also that I should probably take another walk.  So when i got home, as I was changing into my sneakers, I called mom, and said, "I'm going to take a walk, and then go to Wal-Mart for some stuff.  You want to go along?"  And then quickly added, "To Wal-Mart, not the walk!"

She laughed and said, "Good I couldn't keep up anyway.  I do need some stuff from Wal-Mart, but....I don't even have a shower yet."

And while we both laughed, I said, "What?  Spending a whole day not even showering?  You're turning into ME!"  Still laughing, she said she got up and did some cleaning, and then went out and did some yard work, and then did some more cleaning.  And then after eating lunch, she thought, why get a shower now?  She wasn't even gonna take her car out of the garage.

So I told her after I get done with the walk I'll come get her.  And I did.  And when she got in the car, I asked her if she had showered, and she said, "Nah.  But I did change my clothes and put on some perfume, so I'm good."  And yet again we laughed.

After Wal-Mart, we ate at the Chinese buffet, which while Wal-Mart on a Saturday night at 6:00pm was crazy insane, the Buffet was rather empty.  But the food was good.  And I got a great forture:
"You are talented in many ways" ....IN BED!  Indeed!
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I took a walk today as well.  I have no idea how far I went, cause once more my walking app when bonkers.  I know I walked for 27 minutes, and even though the app said I walked 1.98 miles.  I don't believe it.  I think it was closer to 1.5 miles.  But still, here's the map:

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And of course, as we wrap this up, we have The Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

BITS-N-PIECES

So I haven't posted in a day or two, cause I've been a smidge busy.

I've been binge watching binge watching the first season of Marvel's Agents Of SHIELD.

And I gotta tell ya, it was surprisingly good.  The first couple episodes weren't really that great, but the longer it went, the more I enjoyed it.  There was so MUCH for a comic book geek, lots of lil Easter eggs, and subtle references.  There was enough 'super heroics' to keep it interesting (SIF!) but not so much that it overpowered the agents themselves.  Lots of action.  Yeah, there were a few instances of my going, "Pffft, that makes no sense," but honestly, it was all so good, I didn't care.

I'm glad I got the DVD set.  I loved the series.  And have liked the first two episodes so far in season 2 as well.  It's a good show.
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Also this week, my cousin had her baby.  Eight pound, eight ounce Morgan Andrew, a happy and healthy bouncing boy!  His mom is doing well too, despite the Caesarian Section she had.  Here's the lil guy's first pic:

Mom's going down next week to spend some time with them and help her out.  I'm not sure when I'll get to see him in person, but I'm anxiously awaiting the opportunity!
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So, the ParisPeking's had to leave town overnight one night.  And they asked me to let Missy, their dog, out after work one day and before the next day.  This was surprising because of all the chaos the ensued the last time I did this...refresh your memories about that here.  But I figured if they were willing to take the chance on me again, I'd take the chance and do it.

And much to my surprise, the alarm was the least of my problems this time.  By means of explanation, allow me to post some texts between ALCMDPP and I after I got home the first time.

POLT: Okay, first of all you have a spider the size of Connecticut in a web at my eye level on your front porch.  And it's a good thing he's so huge and my level cause otherwise I'd have walked my face right into that.  And that'll be no good for anyone or anything involved.  Secondly, I don't think you have to worry about anyone breaking in cause I had a key and I could just barely get in!  Jesus Christ, 15 locks on all your doors...sheesh!  When I was trying to let poor Missy out the back door I thought she'd piss on the floor because who KNEW there was dead bolt behind the curtain above the handle?  A deadbolt that it took every ounce of my strength and a few swear words to actually get turned and open!  And Missy only peed once.  I tried to get her out in the yard further to pee again or poop but she was having none of it.  So, in conclusion, it's with some surprise that I say that the alarm was the least of my problems this time.  Assuming of course you haven't already received a call from the alarm company.  I'm hoping tomorrow morning runs a lil better but I don't have much hope cause then I'll be doing it all before coffee.
ALCMDPP: Did you get the love note I left you in the drawer?
POLT: NO.  Why in God's name would I open a drawer??? Thank GOD I wrote the codes down from the Facebook message before I went there, cause I did not see "all the information on a piece of paper on the desk below the alarm" that someone promised me.  Im not gonna root though your drawers when I'm alone in your house.  Which is something I'm sure we are both glad about.
ALCMDPP: It's there!  In the drawer like I told you.
POLT:  You did NOT say IN the drawer, you said ON the deck below the alarm.  But don't worry I made it through today....somehow.
ALCMDPP: Drawer under the alarm.
POLT: I get what you're saying NOW, but you said before was on the desk below the alarm.  Oh yeah, I got the mail too.  I even picked it all up off the floor where it fell in my dash to the alarm to turn it off.
ALCMDPP: Thank you.  Why would I leave the code to shut the alarm under the panel for the bad guy to see?
POLT: Because 1) I'm not a bad guy, 2) I'm not a paranoid schizo who thinks people are gonna rob my house the moment I leave and 3) YOU'RE the one who said you'd put it ON the table, not me!!!
ALCMDPP: You are good people, I don't care what Susan (Mrs. ALCMDPP) says.  And take a pill, Nancy, it all worked out.
POLT: Look bottom line is Missy's still alive and your house isn't a burning pile of ashes and that's all I promised.

And so yeah, I got that done again for this year.
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And of course, we end with the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

yes, Blanche, that's my reaction to seeing him too!

POLT

Bits-N-Pieces

So, today I FINALLY ordered the Amtrak train ticket for my trip to New York City the end of the month.  About ten days before I leave and I'm just now getting around to ordering it. *SIGH*
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My buddy Corey has been 'playing with fire' for several years now.  He twirls it and breathes it and all kinds of stuff like that at local festivals and get togethers.  I forget what the official name is of the practice, but he does it.

Well he informed me recently that he's going put finishing college on hold temporarily and apparently leave the job he has an run off with the circus.  Actually, he's joining a 'freak show' troupe that follows some festival around the country.  And he'll be doing this for...well for a lil bit of time, I guess.  Dont know really how long actually.

At first, my thinking was, "What the HELL?  Giving up on college AND a job to be a fire breather? What the HELL?"  But then i thought, "Hey, why not?  Might as well do it now instead of just wishing he had when he's in his 40s". You only live once, and all that.  And then I thought, good for him!

This is the "freak show": the snake guy, not sure what that girl is, the girl with the foot long fingernails, the sword swallower and Corey, the fire breather (in a kilt, if you can see it).

I just hope he enjoys himself and doesn't get burnt.
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Today everyone on Facebook was taking a Game Of Thrones Name quiz.  I've still never seen a single episode of the show (although I plan on starting to watch it soon, hopefully), but I took the quiz anyway.  And this was the response:

Well SHIT...even though I know nothing about Game Of Thrones, apparently it knows a LOT about me! How on point is that name?
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So, this past weekend was pretty decent weather wise.  Blue skies, temps in the 70s, no rain or humidity.  Just a string of lovely summer days.  This week, though, we're supposed to have highs in the high 80s/low 90s, high humidity and rain.  Damn, I HATE that kind of weather.  This is why summer is my least favorite season.

Today, it's been getting progressively warmer and warmer and more humid.  I'm thinking it's possible I just may have to turn the a/c on downstairs.  That would be the second time this season.  (I've used the one in my bedroom to sleep with rather extensively).  I dont really like using the a/c if I dont have to, I prefer having the windows open and a breeze blowing through.  But when that humidity gets too uncomfortable, I just HAVE to use it.
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All weekend I've been fighting a sinus headache. Today it's a bit better, but I haven't done much of anything this past weekend.  Which I guess is what weekend are for, after all.  But today, mom and I finally got around to doing stuff in the front garden.  Even though I didn't really feel like it, it was way overdue for it to be done.  Normally we do this in May, but now it's the middle of June and time to do it.

So we ripped all the weeds out of the front garden (and believe me, there were many many of them), trimmed the tree there, and trimmed the hedge in the back yard as well.  Then we went and bought the flowers, came back and put the mulch down and then planted the flowers.  Didn't take a long time, but longer than I felt like doing.  Still, I'm glad it done.  My thighs, however, are not.  They're sore.  But they'll get over it.
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And of course, the Bits-N-Pieces Obligatory Eye Candy!

He's not showing much skin, but still...HELLA sexy!

POLT

Bits N Pieces

Well, grandma, is back in the hospital.  A few week's ago, she left the hospital and we got into a home.  It's a local (only two block from my house), only has 28 residents and is a pretty nice place as those places go.  Yesterday when mom and I went to see her, she had a cough and had asked for cough drops.  Today, mom had to take her back to the hospital, where they admitted her.

Mom said she didn't look good at all.  The people at the hospital told her grandma's pacemaker is doing all the work keeping her heart working, she's 100% reliant on it.  Her heart won't beat without it.  This, well obviously, this doesn't sound good.  And mom said she's not too sure how long grandma's gonna last, or if she's gonna make it through this one.  And grandma's got a Do Not Resuscitate order.  So we'll see how this goes, I guess.
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Continuing on with the good news, I dont think I mentioned this here, but mom's neighbor and good friend, Mary Lou, who was suffered from cancer, died last Monday.  It was something of a relief, not only for mom but for Mary Lou's kids as well.  She was not eating, and had been, well, suffering.  And she wasn't going to get any better.  They're not having a service for her, just cremation and a private service.

I have thought for a while that once Mary Lou is gone, Mom's going to seriously start looking at moving.  I think Mary Lou was the only thing keeping her there.  The house and yard are really too big for her.  And she wants a house without steps, cause her knees aren't the best.
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Continuing with the above theme, Sunday, mom and I went to an Open House she wanted to look at.  Well we went and waited, but the realtor never showed.  And there wasn't anything on the sign saying it was an open house.  So mom called the number and found out the newspaper was wrong and the realtor was at a different house.  Didn't make mom happy.

But I laughed, cause we got to the house early, like twenty minutes early.  And we sat there in the car, with the air conditioning running until mom decided to go to the door and look in the windows.  Wasted all that time.

But I'm a smidge glad it happened the way it did.  I dont like the house she wanted to move into.  Not the look of it, nor the location.  It's out of town.  Not in the countryside or anything, but in a 'suburb'.  I mean, it's still gonna be less than a ten minute drive. Still for some reason, I don't like her going out of the town.  This is something I'll have to deal with and work through...
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Got on the treadmill today again (7 times this month in 14 days this month...doing well so far).  I saw there was a button that said "Around The World", so I pushed it and the first thing that came up was Death Valley.  I thought yeah, that'd be good, it's flat there, should be an easy walk.

But oh NO!

The incline went through a range of somewhere between 5.5 and 10.  it would fluctuate back and forth.  And man it SUCKED.  I have never used the treadmill on anything faster than 3.5.  This was crazy.  I only walked 15 minutes and only .71 miles, but a height of 302 vertical feet.

Man, my legs are gonna be SO sore tomorrow.
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The house behind my house has been sold.  I've seen two guys and a girl hanging out around the house.  And they have two dogs I saw out in the yard.  I definitely want to meet the dogs.  I wasn't sure about the humans...you know how that goes, right.

Anyway, today, mom and I were talking and mom knows one of the closer neighbors to the new people.  Mom's friend is kind of a...busybody.  So she want right up to their door and rang the bell and introduced herself.

It turns out, living there is a guy, his 'partner' and the guys mother.  So my neighbors are a guy and his 'partner'.  Nice.   I bet that busy body's head exploded when she heard about it all.
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Yesterday was like 80 degrees, today was mid 70s.  Way too warm for mid April.  It sucked.  Tomorrow, there's a front coming through.  There'll be rain and thunderstorms and into Wednesday morning, there's a possibility of snow and freezing temperatures.  Seriously.  I hate weather.
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And of course, we have the Obligatory Bits N Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

(mini) Bits-N-Pieces

So I haven;t shaved since Saturday morning, I haven't showered since Sunday morning.  Yeah, I'm turning into a hermit.
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Mom's Neighbor, Mary Lou, is not doing very well at all.  Mom was up to see her today.  She told her anytime she's laying on the couch she's fine.  But since the cancer's moved to her lungs, anytime she stands up to do anything, she just gets out of breath.  She's not eating, cause she has no appetite and even when she does eat it takes all her energy to do so.  She's got a call in to the doctor to tell him she's going to stop the chemo, and then she'll call Hospice for them to come in.  It sounds like she doesn't have too much longer.

I don't want to see her die, but I dont want her to continue to suffer either.  Its sad.
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Had to do a lil shoveling today, my back is a bit sore.  I did more pushing of snow around rather than actually shoveling, but everything is cleared off.  I've taken Advil and that's helped.  I dont think my back will be as bad as it was last week.  At least I hope it wont.
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Im eating way too much chocolate and bad stuff and not getting as much (or any) exercise as I should.  The doc's not gonna be happy with my results next month, I'm sure of it.
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This book I'm reading it taking forEVER to get through.  I'm almost done, but geez, it's been a struggle.

Well, better get back to reading it, get it finished and then start on a better book.

POLT

BITS-N-PIECES

I have discovered that I dont shower as much as I used to.

Oh, when I'm going to work or something important, of COURSE I shower.  But when I was younger, I would not leave the house without a shower.  Now, though, if I'm only going to the grocery store or to grab some food or whatever, it's just throw on some clothes, a hat and out the door I go.

I don't know if I should blame the meds I'm on (cause I am tired and fatigued like all the time), or the fact I'm older and just dont care about small shit as much, or maybe I'm just lazier than I used to he.  Who knows?
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A friend of mine texted me over the weekend wanting to know if he could use me as a reference cause he's applying for a Coast Guard job in West Virginia.  When I was done laughing, I texted back asked how he could get a Coast Guard job in a land locked state?  And he texted back is was an IT job, and he doesn't have to be on or neat the water for that apparently.  So of course I told him I'd be a reference.  But really....only in government does that kinda stuff happen!
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Back during the deep freeze, the pipes from mom's shower froze, so she was in the basement, up a ladder, sitting on top of the freezer, using a hair dryer on the pipes.  Then, last week, before we got the snow, she checked out her snow blower first, and there was ice frozen in the blades.  So what did she do?  She plugged the hair dryer in outside and stood there until she melted the ice on the blades so it would work.  Bless her soul, she's not only imaginative but very persistent as well.
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And of course, here's the Bits N Pieces Obligatory Eye Candy!

POLT

BITS-N-PIECES

If anyone went and voted for my friend Travis' group to get that grant (see THIS POST ) well I want to thank you for doing so.  And further, I wanted to let you know that his group did in fact get enough votes so they succeeded in getting the grant!

So I'm sure Travis, and everyone involved with his group, thanks you as well!
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Finished up the West Wing last week.  Watched the entire 7 seasons in a little over a month.  This was the third time I had seen the entire thine (having watched each episode as it aired and then watching the entire seven seasons back in August of 2008).  And it still stands up even 15 years after it's first episode premiered.  It's simply one of the best drama I've ever watched.

Oh it has it's problems, sure, especially after Aaron Sorkin left at the end of Season 4.  Season 5 was actually a big stinker.  But by and large, it's an amazing show.  I teared up again, at the last couple episodes of the last season.

And I'm still amazed at how prophetic is was especially in the election in the last season which aired in 2006: it pitted a younger, somewhat inexperienced man of minority (Matt Santos) status running against an older, moderate Senator from the south west who had been in Washington DC forever (Arnie Vinnick).  Santos chose as his VP an older experienced man of the party who had been in DC forever and Vinnick chose a governor of a small state who appealed to the Republican base.  Sounds amazingly like the 2008 presidential election.

But still I can't say enough what a great show it is.  I'm looking forward to watching it again, but I want to wait another 5 years or so.  This time around, I remembered big events, but had forgotten a lot of the smaller stuff, and that's some of the best stuff of the series.
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Last night, A Local Celebrity, Mr. David ParisPeking and I went to see a movie.  And in contract to the sheer awesomeness of The West Wing, Thor: The Dark World was...well simply put, horrid.

There was no character development.  Little plot.  Just a lot of scenes of 'action' and 'explosions' and destruction.  And even people who appeared in it like Hannibal Lector, Darth Vader's wife, the 9th Doctor, the Borg Queen and Captain America could save it. And a nice slow shot of Thor's smooth muscley torso, while quite pleasing to the eye, couldn't save the movie either.  But why in Odin's name, were the mythological Norse gods using laser guns, and grenades and shit?  Come on, why not just have some god there throwing magic laser beams or something?  Stupid.

The best part?  The first extra scene shown during the credits with the Collector getting an Infinity Gem.  I'm pretty sure I literally squeed.  I know I smacked ALCMDPP on the shoulder, even though he had no idea what I was talking about.  Marvel's doing this foreshadowing stuff so well, I'm honestly impressed.
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Oh and the trailers shown before the Thor debacle werent too bad either.  I got my first look at the next X-men flick coming out next year.

(this is comic book cover from the storyline that the movie based on.  One the best storylines from entire X-Men comic book run)

Looks actually pretty darn good.  Except that they're sending Wolverine back into the past instead of Kitty Pryde like they did in the comics.  That kinda  pisses me off, but I'm not surprised.  I mean with Marvel EVERYTHING'S got to be about Wolverine.  I'm just glad they've not titled it "Wolverine: Days Of Future Past!  guest starring the rest of the X-Men"  But just wait, give them time...
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So, last Saturday, I got the treadmill delivered.  I used it Sunday.  Then Monday and Tuesday, I took to actual walks, outside.  Wednesday I did nothing.  Thursday, after work, I got my cut and color.  I was telling my stylist Linda, about all this, and I told her my plan was once I got done with her, when I got home, before I got a shower (to wash all the little hairs away), I'd take a half hour walk on the treadmill.  Yep, that's what was gonna happen, that was "The Plan".

Unfortunately, mom didn't know about "The Plan".  While I was still at the stylists, she called and asked if I was doing anything for supper, cause she needed to take her sewing machine up to Chambersburg, and wanted to know if I wanted to go along.  And if I did, then we could eat at Rosalie's.  And really, who am I to say no to Mama Polt.  So instead of walking on the treadmill for a half hour, I came home, showered, and then rode to Chambersburg where i stuffed myself on hot homemade bread and a huge amount of pasta.  *SIGH*  Like that's not the polar opposite of my original intent.
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However, Friday, upon getting home, I jumped on the treadmill right away.  For a half hour.  I had the speed up to 3.6 MPH.  I used the incline, increasing it and decreasing it periodically between 0 and 2.5.  I ended up walking 100 vertical feet too!  I had my iPod playing and I was singing my lungs out, arms pumping to keep up with the speed.  Yeah it was a blast!

But afterwards..the left side of the back of my neck was all sore.  Tight and painful.  That shows how out of shape I am: I injure my neck while walking on a treadmill. :(  I guess I'll have to be more careful next time in how I'm holding my head or in how I'm throwing my arms around while singing "I Will Survive" (shut up, dont judge).
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And of course I have to finish this with The Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

BITS-N_PIECES

So this week....yeah, this week kinda sucked.  All week, I've had sinus issues.  And not just the pressure and headache, oh no, but the draining of the gunk, which gave me a sore throat, and, since it's draining into
my stomach, an upset stomach as well.  And it's NOT like that all the time, oh no.  Some days it's just the headache, with no draining, other days it's all three at once.  This week, out of 40 hours to be spent at work, I was off 18 of them.  I thought it might be a sinus infection, but it doesn't FEEL like a sinus infection (and I've had plenty of them to know), and also, it's not the same thing constant.  Like today, just a slight headache...but then my nose has been running most of the day.  Hopefully this is the end of it, though.
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Since I bought the house, the toilet as...leaked?  No, that's not it, but the water is always dribbling from the tank into the bowl.  And over time, it's gotten worse.  And since I've been here 4 years now, there's permanent, brown water stains on the back of the bowl.  So while I could just have the toilet fixed, I decided I want to go get a new one.  One with an unstained bowl, and a better bowl, one I like better than I one I have now.

So mom and I went to Lowes, and I found a toilet I wanted.  I took all the info down about it.  Then, since mom already had the plumber coming over to her place for some stuff, she brought him down to check out my toilet.  He measured and said he knew the toilet I was going to get and it was a good one and would fit.  So once I got the toilet, I just needed to let him know, and he'd come by and put it in.

Last Monday, Mom and I went to Lowes and I pulled the toilet off the shelf and put it on the cart.  Then I saw her put her purse on top of the box and start to root around in it.  I asked her what she was doing.  She said getting her credit card out.  And when I asked why, she stopped, looked up at me and said, "Didn't I tell you I was buying this for you for Christmas?"  I shook my head and she added, "Well I've told everyone  else!"  I asked who and she listed off her neighbors, some family members, the ladies she plays cards with, the lady she delivers Meals On Wheels with.  I told her she didn't have to do that, that I intended on getting it.  But she TOLD me she was getting it for me.  And as we pushed the cart to the register, I laughing asked, "Well are you gonna pay to get it put in too?"  And she said she was.  I tried to tell her no, I was at least going to pay for that....but seriously, when she gets something in her head....well, that's all there is to it.

So right how, I have a toilet, in the box, sitting in my dining room, just waiting for the plumber to get here.  All compliments of mom, for Christmas.

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I watched the Spartacus prequel and am halfway through the second season.  I'm still pretty meh about it all.  Perhaps it's because I'm watching them all back to back, like watching four hours or more of it at a time.  But really, there's entirely too much blood and boobs.  Way too many are simply gratuitous.  If I were watching them a week apart maybe I wouldn't think so, but that's not what's happening.  Still, I *AM*going to watch all of what remains of the second season and all of the third also.  Even though there's not anywhere NEAR enough male full frontals, there IS still a LOT of eye candy.
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This week, while not feeling well sitting on the couch, I watched the entire first season of Downton Abbey.  LOVED it.  Wished I had the rest of the seasons here to watch right now.  Had to order season two, that should be here soon.  I love nearly everything about it.  I love, just as is usual, simply everything that comes out of Maggie Smith's mouth.

"No Englishmen would dream of dying in someone else's house."

"Things are different in America."
"I know.  They live in wigwams."

"What is a weekend?"

"I take that as a compliment."
"I must have said it wrong."

Oh my God, LOVE her!
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DC Angel (remember him?) and I have been texting, attempting to get together again for another hookup, but with this week's sinus troubles...well it hasn't happened.  Hopefully soon.  Despite our problems a few years ago, he's really just pretty amazing in bed.
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The weather has been crazy.  Tuesday through Thursday, it was like late July: temps in the 90s and humid like a sauna.  Come Friday, its cooler, less humid, breezy, just awesome.  Temps were only a high of 75.  In the span of two days, it went from having to have the a/c on all the time here at home to needing to wear some Totes Toasties on my feet to keep them warm.  But I LOVE this weather the most of any.  Autumn, my favorite time of year.
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Grandma was in the hospital again last week, probably because of the weather.  She was having trouble breathing, her asthma was acting up again.  Badly.  But after two days in there, and few changes in meds, she's back home and doing...well, as well as an 89 year old lady with congestive heart failure who's had open heart surgery and a cancerous tumor removed from her colon can be.
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And of course, the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

BITS-N-PIECES

Just found out my neighbor and her daughter are moving. This makes me sad.  I mean, we weren't really close or anything, but this is the neighbor I talked to the most.  I know they're moving on to a better place (mainly a place that's not on the second floor with the main entrance up a set of outside stairs...which is bad, especially when it's icy or snowy), but it's still sad that I wont see them anymore.

Ah well, such is life.

UPDATE: Tonight, I spoke to her in the alley between our houses.  She told me where they were moving, its a nice area.  I shook her hand and told her it was nice being her neighbor.  And I told her I hope the new neighbors are as great neighbors as she was.
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My cable remote just went on the fritz.  All the buttons on the right hand side no longer work.  Which means, I have no 3, 6, 9 buttons, nor the button that moves the guide forward in time (to check what's coming up).  So I called the cable company.  Recording said I'd have a 25-30 minute wait.  I hung up and called back, pushing the buttons to indicate I wanted to cancel my service...thinking that that would get me speedier service.  Recording said I had a 20-25 minute wait.  I hung up.  I got on their website, thinking I'd just post something to them telling them I needed a new remote.  Website was VERY un-user-friendly.  Gave up and called back. Recording said I had a 20-25 minute wait.  So I left it on speaker phone and went about doing other business.

I just KNEW they'd charge me something for a replacement.  And probably either make me drive 40 minutes to their office or have a cableguy bring it here, which means I'd have to sit here and wait for him to show up.  But the guy on the phone told me there would be no charge either way.  That floored me.   And then he said it might just be easier to mail it to me.  Which is what it turned out he's going to do.  Again, free of charge to me.

Course, when I get it, I'll have to program the damn thing....that oughtta be a blast.
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Got a call today at work from my insurance company about the accident I was involved in back in November.  I had to pay the $500 deductable and had heard nothing about getting it back.  Was kinda torked about not hearing anything.  Well, it turns out my insurance company contacted hers, and have heard nothing back.  So they needed a sworn statement from me, which we took over the phone, so they can send it to arbitration.  *SIGH*  My car's already fixed, I just want my $500 back.
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Work had been SO stressful the last two weeks, its crazy.  I've not been eating well, or much at all, and have lost some weight, which is a good thing, but it's a terrible way to lose weight.  And it was nowhere near enough weight that I lost either.  It's gotten better this week actually, and hopefully will continue to do so.

But seriously, I have no idea how people who stress all the time can even survive.  Just being this way for like ten days is enough.  If I had to live my whole life like this....well, I dont think I'd WANT to live life like this.
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Got a potentially busy holiday weekend: Trip to Friscos with ALCMDPP on Saturday after work, a possible party on Sunday, a possible hookup with a previous beau on Monday, and another possible hookup Tuesday morning.  But who knows....I could end up spending my entire weekend on the couch watching Law & Order reruns.
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And of course, here we have the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

Bits-N-Pieces

This week, the temp's have soared up to over 90 degrees around  here.  I despise hot days.  Especially when it's not even officially June yet.  Its supposed to continue through the weekend.  Blech.

At work, at least, the a/c is working superbly.  In fact, today, while in my office, one of the clients was shivering.  Yes, shivering!  And while it's great to work in cool comfort, the ride home in the heat sucks, so I blast the a/c.  But when I get home, all the windows are up to catch the breeze and I am wearing the least amount of clothing allowed.  Course, sleeping still has to be done in a/c, cause I refuse to sleep in heat sweating.

Ah well, whatever....I'll be bitching about this until probably the end of September, possibly even into October, so get used to it.
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My new pedometer app is a talking pedometer app, which I didn't know when I got it and which was rather jarring.  I'm taking a walk, listening to my music, not thinking about anything, really. And then, suddenly, I  hear over the music, this woman's voice "16 point something minutes time, distance, 1 mile."  then some other peppy music plays for like three seconds and then a guys's voice comes on and says, "Great workout! Keep it up!"  It does this every mile that I walk.  And when I'm finished and push stop, the guy's voice says something like, "Now THAT was a workout!  Now hit the shower, you've earned it!"

I chuckle everytime I hear it, cause it's still a bit jarring, but just hearing it makes me laugh.
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This week, I got my yearly review at work.  It was satisfactory, which I what I expected, it's all good.  But on the fourth page of the review, where I have to sign it, my superior left my goals for the next year.  He listed two: attempting to keep my work area more organized and to be more meticulous in my paperwork, not making typos and that sorta stuff.  And both of them are valid criticisms, cause I do make stupid typos all the time that I shouldn't.  And if you've ever seen my office, you can attest to it's messiness.  I mean, it IS organized, I know where everything is in that mess.  But it IS a mess nonetheless.

I had no problems with the review, I signed it, made my copy and returned it to my superior with my thanks.

I was chuckling to myself a bit about it, and I called mom and told her.  And then I reminded her that when I was in elementary school, the grading system there was O-outstanding, S-satisfactory, and N-non-satisfactory.  Well every report, I ALWAYS got an N in neatness, penmenship and organization, but everything else I got O's in and some S's.  So mom and I were laughing about how I haven't changed.

After we hung up, my superior showed up at my office with the review.  He flipped to the fourth page and pointing out his goals for me, including the being more attentive to paperwork.  And I laughed, and explained what I had just discussed with mom.

He nodded and said, "Well yes, and then there's this." He flipped over to the fifth page and pointed to the line where I was supposed to sign it there as well!  I had totally missed it!  And I even looked at the fifth page and didn't sign it.  And this is the same form used for years, I KNEW I had to sign it there too.

*SIGH*  We both laughed.  And I signed it.
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I got a CD in the exchange, from the awesome Michelle M., filled with great songs.  But as I was going down the list, I saw one there and I'm sure I squeed out loud: "Madness" by Muse.  Muse is my favorite band, and I haven't gotten their latest CD yet, but I'm hearing "Madness" all over the radio and just love it.  And now I have it!  And have I been listening to it?  Um...DUH!  I listened to the entire 25 minute drive to work one day earlier this week!  Here....give it a listen!


LOVE that song!

And the guys in the yellow trench coat is freakin' gorgeous!  And can anyone tell me what kinda guitar that guy is playing?????
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And of course, the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

BITS-N-PIECES

Two Friday ago, I went to see Star Trek: Into Darkness with some friends.

I enjoyed the movie, it was entertaining.  A few plotholes popped up while watching it, but honestly, I was having such a good time I pushed them to the side and went with it.  As I think back over the movie now, there are more and more plotholes popping up.  But whatever, I still enjoyed it and that's all that matters.
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Not only did I put down mulch in the garden out front and plant flowers there, but I planted flowers in four pots as well, two smalls and two large ones.  The small ones I placed on the porch railing at the front of the house, the large ones on the railing at the side of the house where and alley runs next to it.

Well the same Friday I went to see Star Trek, after having the plants out there only since the Monday before, I noticed someone had stolen one of the large pots!  The one filled with purple plants no less!  I mean, who does that?  I wasn't so much angry at the theft (although I was) as I was upset at losing the flowers.  But I hope whoever took them is enjoying all the purpleness as much as I would have.
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Mom's been sick all week since Tuesday, vomiting, diarrhea, feverish, just  NOT a good time.  But as soon as she started feeling a little better on Thursday...she went out and mowed the grass.  Which involved her later feeling worse again.  And on Friday, when she was feeling a little better, she dragged the park bench and other furniture on her patio around the fence and out in the grass because she's having people over for Memorial Day and she needs to get the place cleaned up.  Which involved her feeling bad again Friday night, so much so that she almost called me to take her to the Emergency Room at 1AM, but didn't.

Saturday, she went to the doctor, who told her she was at the end of whatever she had, to take it easy the next two days or so, drink plenty of fluids, stay away from dairy stuff, and rest.  Which is what *I* was telling her from Tuesday on (minus the no-dairy part).  I had to remind her she's 70 years old now, and not 30 or 40 when she could fight off a virus in a day or two.  But oh NO, she's gotta be going full bore all the time!

On the up side, she's feeling much better today.  We made a trip to Hagerstown after lunch to get a few things, and when we were in Sam's she was feeling good enough to hit up every single booth giving away free foods (and there were a TON of them today!), although she knew enough to avoid the ones handing out dairy stuff.
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While at Sams, I saw they had the first season of Game Of Thrones there for $34.  I haven't seen any of it, but I hear people talking about it all the time. And people from all walks of life, people who I wouldn't think would normally care about a show like that one seems to be.  So I threw caution to the wind and bought it.  Now I just have to start watching it sometime soon.

I feel I'll like it once I start watching it.  I'm once again behind the curve on shows like this that others just rave about (Downton Abbey, True Blood, Spartacus), and when I DO eventually watch those shows (like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead) I usually DO enjoy them immensely and I kick myself for not getting into them sooner.  But, ah well, such is life.
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So tomorrow is Memorial Day.  Everyone enjoy your holiday!  Since it's also Monday, and that's my regular day off work, I get to take my Memorial Day holiday at some other time.  This year, I plan on taking it on June 8th.  That's the Pride Parade in DC!  YAY!
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And of course, here was have, the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

And ya know, it's baseball season, so this pics appropo of that...right?

POLT

This'll be like a mini-Bits-N-Pieces, I guess.  One other thing I did today that I forgot to mention below is that I addresses all my May cards and got them ready to mail.  And May is THE worst month for sending cards.  (I'm not counting the Christmas cards I send, cause they're a special case).  With birthdays, anniversaries and Mother's Day, for May this year, I bought 41 cards.  Yes, you read that right, Forty One!  My cousin is pregnant and due in June, and I told her she is NOT allowed to give birth prematurely in May because I am NOT buying another card for that month!  Nope, not doing it.

The kind of ironic thing about this is, come my birthday, I wont get 41 cards myself.  I'm not complaining or whining, I mean, it just me.  But with the ParisPekings, for example, I have 5 birthday cards and one anniversary card to get every year.  And they only have one to send to me (and they DO send one, every year).  Again, I'm not complaining, just pointing out the way things are.  And with my aunt & uncle, I have two birthdays and an anniversary, for a cousin I have four birthdays and an anniversary, and so on and so on.  And several people who I sent cards to for birthday's, I've never gotten a birthday card from.  But again, I am NOT complaining.  I dont send the cards in anticipation of getting one in return, I send the cards because I am a card sending fool and enjoying doing so.  Just saying, I'll send out more cards in one month than I'll receive all year (again, excluding Christmas cards).  But I enjoy it and am happy to do it.

I just dont need ANY other May celebrations.

-AND-

I have a Mama Polt story for you.  Friday, when I was at her house, she showed me this pot of spring flowers (tulips maybes, what do I know?) and said she got them for my garden out front.  She said we'd plant them along the wall at the back and they wouldnt get in the way of the other plants, and they'd come up each spring.  So I thought, cool good idea.  And there were some flower there with yellow and orange and red and PURPLE leaves, so it was all good.

So Saturday at work, she calls me, and she's laughing, so I knew it would be a story.  She said she went down to my house, got the pot of flowers and some tools out of the trunk of her car and planted them (and they look really good, by the way).  Then she reached into her right coat pocket and...her keys were not there.  She figured she locked them in the trunk.

So she put her tools on my backporch and walked home.  Luckily, this is only a three minute walk for me, so it wasn't that much longer for her.  She used the hidden key outside, got inside, got her spare set of keys, locked the  house up and started back towards my place.

About halfway there, she put her hands in her jacket pockets....and discovered the original car keys in the left pocket.  "I NEVER put my keys in my left pocket, I dont know how they go there!"  she said around laughs.  So then she went on to my house, unlocked the car (maybe twice, since she had two set of keys), loaded it up and drove home.  Laughing all the way.

Mama Polt....may she never run out of stories!

And since it's a mini-Bits-N-Pieces, how about a lil Obligatory Eye Candy?

POLT

Bits-N-Pieces

Mom and I this morning did some work on the front garden.   We shoveled out all the little white stones that had been there since I was bought the place into buckets (well she did the shoveling) and I carried the buckets around back to my parking space and put them all there.  I had a guy put a bunch of stones down in the yard when I bought the place, but since that was over three years ago, the space needed a few more stones.  And now it has them.

Only problems is, now my shoulders are in pain..  And I just don't want to imagine how they'll be tomorrow when I wake up.  And mom said she was going to take a nap this afternoon cause it tired her out too.  Totally understandable.  But at least it's done now.  Next step, at some point the near future, is get some mulch and put the flowers down.
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A few weeks ago, I got a notice from the Boro that I had to cut the tree that overhangs the alley so that all the limbs were 16 feet off the ground.  So mom has this pole that's like ten feet tall with a limb clipper on the end.  She brought that down in her car.  Then, later, she went back to her house to get a ten foot ladder to reach some other limbs.

So when we got everything done, we loaded the car back up...with the cutter thing going from the trunk, through the backseat and sticking out the front passenger's window, and the ladder sticking out the back of the trunk. She didn't want to make more than one trip.  I had to get a pic:

And that's the way she drove home.  Luckily, she lives less than a five minute drive away.
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Nearly everytime I go out to the back for any reason (like to get into my car, take a walk, etc), I see quick movement.  It's a bunny who's living back there.  Today, I managed to get a photo of him:

This may be the same one that was there last year, cause he's bigger than the one last year.  But who knows?  As neighbors go, though, he's pretty quiet.
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Here in Pennsylvania, we have elections every year.  This year, there are minor offices up for election, one of which is Tax Collector.  The man currently holding that job is retiring and not running again.  Among the people running in the primaries is Michael F.  I went to elementary and then againg high school with him.  Another person running is Kara G.  I went to middle school and high school with her.  So, if they both win the primaries in the fall, there may be two people I graduated with running for the same office.  Both of them have never run for office before, and honestly I would never have expected either of them to run ever for office.  Neither really seemed to be the politics type.  Nor did either one then seemed to be the type to be interested in politics.  I guess you never know.
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And finally, the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

BITS-N-PIECES

Tonight, I had to go to the Post Office.  Why you ask?  Look here:

I had a Netflix DVD to return, two birthday cards to mail, my 1st Quarter 2013 local taxes to pay, my $16 payment due for local 2012 taxes and five bills.  Sheesh!
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Probably ten years ago or more, my grandmother gave me a few candles she had no intention of using.  One of them was a foot tall.  I've been burning it on and off since last summer.  The melted wax has been making some pretty unique shapes as it melts, see:

Almost like I'm making art right here in my dining room.
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A few weeks ago, I saw the best movie I have seen so far this year: C.R.A.Z.Y. (IMDB review here)

It's a movie made in Quebec, it's in French with English subtitles.  It takes place in a Quebec city from the 60's through the early 80s.  It's main character is the fourth of five brothers and his growing up and coming to terms with being gay.  But it's also about the father of these five disparate boys and how he deals with each of them.

The movie was amazing.  It seemed totally true to life, and nothing was forced or cheesy.  The look of the movie, the fashions, cars, and music of the times play a very important part.  It's very well written and acted. And it's not at all what you would expect, I think.  Give it a shot, if you want, it's on Netflix, that's where I got it.  Although I'm looking to buy it to have all for my own, that's how much I loved it.
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When Louis and I were up at High Rock last Sunday, not only did we enjoy the breath-taking views, but we saw this scene:

Yes, that's a hang-glider.  People DO hang glide off of High Rock, even though they're not supposed to.  And apparently, whoever was in this one jumped off and the wind blew him right back into the trees where it got stuck.  The thing you may NOT be able to see is that the glider is in the treetops...about sixty feet off the ground.  And at least a good thirty feet away from the top of the cliff where we're standing.  Other than unstrapped himself and climbing down the tree, I dont see how the guy got down.  Gives me and my fear of heights the willies just thinking about it.  Well, hang-gliding does that too, but still...
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Seriously, I DETEST people who do this.

Like YOUR vehicle is SO much more important then everyone's else that you have to not only park a mile away from everyone else, but take up four parking space just so no one else can get close.

Seriously, when I see stuff like this I just want to walk in a circle around, dragging my keys along the sides in a wavy pattern.  Asshole.
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Mom got a total of 64 cards.  I did threaten to go buy her an additional 6 cards just so she could have 70, but she told me she wouldn't accept them if I wasted my money on that.  Also, she called me this week to tell me that the Sunday after Easter, she and Polly were going to see an organ recital in the afternoon, and that I was NOT to plan a 70th birthday party for her again.  (If you don't know what I'm talking about or why this is funny click HERE )
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SO the 2013 Capitol Pride Parade is coming up in early June.  And already we've got the same great lineup as last year: Paul, his insanely cute boyfriend Travis, StratCat, CC, and CC's cute gay son Josh!  Oh and of course, me.  Whooo-Hooo!

If you live nearby and want to go along, let me know!  The more the merrier!
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This simply HAS to be photoshopped!

Even for Wal-Mart, that's just....just insane.
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And of course, this being a Bits-N-Pieces post, here is The Obligatory Bit-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

Yippie-ki-ya, cowpoke.

POLT

BITS-N-PIECES

I hope someone can explain this to me.  I have four sets of bedsheets, white, black, blue and grey. I have 8 pillows on my bed. I have always had enough pillowcases for each set.  But now, I've discovered, I somehow have 9 black pillowcases and only 7 white pillowcases.  After ALWAYS having 8 of each before!  how in the hell does this happen?
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Last week, a co-worker and I went to a local used bookstore with $200 in hand and bought books to replenish the library at work.  We didn't buy a book over $3, and thusly were able to get 66 books.  In addition, we discovered as we made our way to the counter, that the store had a promotion going on.  For each order over $30 you get a free t-shirt.  So we divided the books into two sales and each got a t-shirt.  here's mine:

It reads, "Read as if your mind depended on it!" and it's got the store's info on the back. Nice.  And it was free, so Nice-R!
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Speaking of tshirts, here's ALCMDPP and my Christmas gift to him:

You see, he bragged about voting for the Mittster, just to cancel out his wife's Obama vote.  And plus he knew his state was going for Obama anyway, so it didn't matter.  But I thought he should have something to proudly commemorate his willfull and wasteful throwing away of his vote.
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I took this pic a few weeks ago.  Got to love that license plate on a little blue car! 

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And speaking of Doctor Who, here's a photo for you.

Not sure who did the artwork, but it looks familiar.
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I love that the local Sam's Club has installed do-it-yourself checkouts.  There's never a line and it always go so much quicker than with a cashier.  Just like the Wal-Mart in town and the Grocery Store I normally go to.  So convenient, so fast.  Love it.
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Why do guys set up a profile on a gay hookup site and then put in the note about themselves, "Not interested in hookups" or "I don't do hookups, dont ask"?  Seriously?  What, when you think Grindr is a place for intelligent conversation?  You gonna find your true love on Growlr?  You gonna find your soulmate on Scruff?  You gonna find your future husband on Adam4Adam?  Really?

Fellas, when you go to McDonalds you dont expect a seven course meal with lobster and champagne, when you go to Auto Zone you dont look for lipstick, and when you listen to Fox Noise you don't expect to hear facts or actual news.  Just so we're clear, when you put a profile up on a gay hookup site, don't expect anything more than a GAY HOOKUP!  Sheesh.
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I think this is hilarious.

Although that tall one is pretty damn frightening.
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And of course, the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy.

POLT

BITS-N-PIECES

A Local Celebrity, David Paris Peking and I generally try to watching some football together each week.  We've noticed two commercials, both starring Carolina Panthers quarterback (and sexy hottie) Cam Newton.  The first one is, I think, THE funniest commercial on TV right now.  I crack up each and every time I see it.


"........I'm just loosening my arm."  BWAHAHAHAHAH!!!
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Then there's this one, which isn't really as funny, but it's got cute guys in it so....


And, last night, ALCMDPP taught this to his daughters.  So I got to do a "Poundcake...French fries" with the oldest and youngest girl.  What fun. :)
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Last night's New Year's Eve I spent at the ParisPekings...just like I had for the last 8 or 9 years.  But things were not the same as they usually were.  For one thing, there was a new person at the party, one of the wife's friends, although she didn't stay to midnight.  And surprisingly, Ghostie DID stay to midnight (normally he bails about 1030 ish).  The oldest daughter woke herself up and spent the countdown with us instead of sleeping through it.  I took shrimp which is the first time we had that to eat.  ALCMDPP was not passed out drunk on the floor or asleep in bed at midnight, which he usually is.  But what wasn't different was the fun I had there.
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So I came home, got here before 12.30, and was preparing to go right to bed.  I lifted to toilet seat to pee, and thought I might as well gargle at the same time, kill two birds with one stone.  So I got the mouthwash, and as I lifted it, I knocked the hair dryer off the stand and yes, plopped it right into the toilet.  Not the cord, oh no, just the hair dryer itself.  Luckily I hadn't peed in it yet.

I yanked it out quickly and tried to make sure I got all the water out of it before setting it back off the stand.  And then this morning, late morning, after I showered I plugged it in, kept my hand on the plug ready to unplug it, and held the dryer out away from me, and turned it on  No sparks, no shocks, nothing.  It just worked as it was supposed to.  So that's good news.
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After eating lunch at mom's (hog maw....yum!) I came back home here.  And then I got a phone call.  My phone told me it was from Toronto Canada.  My first thought was, "Oh, Tam's calling!  I wonder what's up." Not remembering until later, she lives in Ottawa.  But I answered and was surprised and amazed to hear who it was.  Fizul!

Back in 2002, or 2003, while on a trip to Toronto, I met this cute Indian guy named Fizul.  And we had quite a bit of fun.  We exchanged numbers and addresses.  I sent him a Christmas card one year.  We spoke on the phone once or twice.  I lost his number, but still had his address so the next time I was heading up there, I sent him a letter knowing when I was coming.  But I didn't hear from him.

Eight years pass.  And out of the blue I get a call from him.  He told me he had my house number and tried calling that right before Christmas.  And the guy who answered said his first name WAS the same as mine, but he wasn't me.  So Fizul just thought, okay, well that's that.    But then today, he was cleaning out a drawer and found a letter I had sent him in 2004 I mentioned above.  And it included by cellphone.  And so he thought, eh why not?  And so we talked for like ten minutes.

Crazy how things work, isn't it?  Reconnecting with an old friend on the first day of a new year.
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And of course, the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy.

All the tats are a bit distracting, but the nipple, pecs, lips and smoldering eyes more than make up for them.

POLT