Omphaloskepsis  -

+ 3 - 2 | § ¶Halloween Party

On Friday night, Josh and I went over to Steve and Salina's place (across the street and down two houses) for a Halloween party. Originally, I was going to go just as I was but with a funny pink fluffy hat, and Josh was going to go as a zombie. But he suggested that I also go as a zombie, and I thought that might be fun, too. He applied the grease makeup (white for that freshly undead look, and grey to highlight the cheekbones and eyes) to both of us, and we went over. I brought a pizza cutter as my weapon of choice (we'd recently watched Land of the Dead and I noticed that many of the zombies held a weapon of some sort--e.g. one dressed as a butcher carried a meat cleaver--so I thought this was appropriate). I even walked with the characteristic zombie limp... I figured if I was going to do it, I should do it right. :-)

Salina, who is about four months pregnant, was a magic 8 ball; she had a felt "8" on her tummy, and when people asked her questions, she reached into a pocket behind the "8" to retrieve a random answer. Steve went as "white trash"... a white T-shirt and white pants, with various pieces of garbage stuck to or wiped on the outfit. Said garbage included wrappers, plastic bags, cans, coffee grounds, and other things. Most of the other people I didn't know, but there were a variety of other costumes, such as a belly dancer, a werewolf, Spider-Man, "Satan Claus" (Santa with horns), and various demons and angels.

There was also a lot of good food, and much of it was festively decorated. There was bread in the shape (and colors) of a severed arm, green punch with glow sticks at the bottom to give it an eerie presence, little ghost cookies, a jack o' lantern with cheese and fruit on toothpicks (in the style of Pinhead from the Hellraiser movies), and more.

Josh and I left around 9:30 to go see The Fog, which was a rather good movie. I believe the original The Fog was the second R-rated movie I saw as a kid (The Blob being the first), but I didn't really remember anything of the old story, so I don't know how closely it follows the original. We stopped back by after midnight to see how things were going... they were generally winding down, but there were still several people there. Unfortunately, we'd missed most of Salina's co-workers, who we know from the video store, since they came and left while we were gone.

You can read Salina's post about the party for her perspective.

I had a really good time!

davidh

+ 2 - 4 | § ¶Takei: Secrets

From CNN: George Takei, 'Trek's' Sulu: I'm gay. Excerpt:

The current social and political climate also motivated Takei's disclosure, he said.

"The world has changed from when I was a young teen feeling ashamed for being gay," he said. "The issue of gay marriage is now a political issue. That would have been unthinkable when I was young."

And an unrelated quote from Late Night with Conan O'Brien's segment "Secrets", where celebrities appear and "reveal" amusing things about themselves: "Originally I was the helmsman of the USS Enterprise. In Star Trek VI, I was promoted to the captain of the USS Excelsior. But each and every night I get to be admiral of my bathtub." :-)

Edit to add: The original interview is currently on-line, but it will probably only be there until the next issue of the magazine is published.

davidh

+ 2 - 4 | § ¶Pet update

Patches I has been losing weight. She's down to 6.5 pounds, from an old weight of 10. She is eating and drinking plenty, but still losing weight. The vet thinks it may be cancer, and recommended exploratory surgery to confirm/deny and to see about treatment. Josh took her to another vet to get a second opinion, and they said the same thing. But our vet estimated the cost of surgery at $300-$500 (half to be paid when we pick her up after surgery, half to be paid later), while the second opinion vet estimated it at $600-$1000 (half to be paid when we take her in, half to be paid when we pick her up), so we're definitely going with our regular vet.

Patches II continues to want more food all the time, even though he's fed the recommended amount.

Ronnie has been neutered and declawed (front only). The neuter wasn't scheduled until the end of November, based on his estimated age, but he started marking his territory around the house, and even peed on one of my Bibles. When I heard that, I said "Alright, they're gone." ("they" referring the subsequently removed anatomical parts). Also, he just wouldn't keep his claw caps on for very long at all, and he scratched Josh in the face one day when he picked him up from Patches II's food bowl.

I had been very much against declawing, since it is roughly equivalent to removing the last knuckle from a human hand. But in Ronnie's case, I came to the unfortunate conclusion that he was simply too destructive. He was rescued from the wild, and apparently there was still a bit of wild left in him. It's been five days since the operation, and Ronnie's up and about in the front bedroom for now, using a special type of litter to prevent infection. He's supposed to stay on that for another week and a half, then he can mingle with Patches II again.

All seven combined paws from Patcheses I and II will remain fully clawed.

davidh

+ 0 - 6 | § ¶Good deals on gas

In Peoria, I've usually found the cheapest gas at the Road Ranger gas station, at the corner of University and War Memorial. They're often six to twelve cents cheaper per gallon than the other stations in the area, and they often have a bit of a traffic jam right around the store as cars try to squeeze their way into line. I think that during the day, they are about on par with their competition, but during the late afternoon and evening, when traffic on both streets is high from people getting off work, they drop their prices to get people in the door.

Another place that has dropped their prices recently is the Speedway station at the corner of Forrest Hill and Gale. Since crews are reconstructing both roads at the same time, and the station's Forrest Hill entrance is currently closed, they've lowered their prices to try to convince people it's worth the hassle to buy gas there. Your best bet on entering the station is to drive along Gale from the southwest (coming from University or I-74), and turn right. You'll also want to exit back onto Gale headed northeast, where you can turn right onto westbound Forrest Hill.

davidh

+ 3 - 3 | § ¶Dream: Shore Leave, Australia, car park

Monday morning, I woke up from a rather long and most unusual dream. . . (more)

+ 1 - 5 | § ¶What a week...

Early last week, I learned that Jerry (my mom's husband)'s doctor had found something which might be cancerous, but might not be. The doctor is going to treat him with antibiotics for a week or two, and if nothing happens, they'll biopsy it. Mood: -

On Wednesday, I announced at the Psi Phi meeting that Josh and I are going to get married on Saturday, December 3, 2005. (This is three months sooner than originally planned.) Received much applause. Mood: +++ (cumulative: ++)

On Friday, I heard that my Aunt Maude had passed away. Mood: -- (cumulative: neutral)

Also on Friday, Josh and I decided that since Maf (the 8-year-old dog, a Maltese/poodle mix, that we adopted two or three weeks ago) kept going to the bathroom in the house, even though we took him out several times a day, we really couldn't keep him. Mood: - (cumulative: -)

However, Friday was also the last day of my first week back at $client, and I was happy to be back. Mood: ++ (cumulative: +)

Saturday afternoon, we took Maf back. Mood: --- (cumulative: --)

Saturday evening, we went over to Bloomington/Normal to see my parents and my brother Dan. Dad and Josh had made up, so it was a good time of togetherness. Mood: +++ (cumulative: +)

Sunday morning, we went down to the St. Louis area (but still in Illinois) to go to Josh's family reunion. I met several people for the first time. It was good. Mood: ++ (cumulative: +++)

Later on, two other sad things happened, but out of deference to Josh, I'll not go into them. Mood: -- (cumulative: +)

And Sunday evening, Josh found out that the place we were going to have the wedding was not available on the date we wanted, so we decided to go back to the original date or March 4, 2006. Also, by pushing it back, it would allow more people from out of state to make affordable travel arrangements. Mood: neutral (cumulative: +)

Today, I'm taking off work early to go to the visitation for Aunt Maude, and I'm staying overnight at Dad's for the funeral tomorrow morning. Mood: -- (cumulative: -)

davidh

+ 3 - 3 | § ¶Aunt Maude

My Aunt Maude has died at the age of 98. The funeral is next Wednesday in Bloomington.

Technically, she is my great-aunt, since she's my father's mother's sister, but I and my brothers always just called her "Aunt Maude". She lived for many years in Normal, at the corner of Main St. and some other street (when I tried searching for the name, I found that neither Google Maps nor MapQuest shows that street as existing). Her house was about a mile from my grandmother's apartment, and we visited her fairly often, sometimes once a week, sometimes less frequently.

I remember her house being very nicely decorated, with everything tidy and in its place. From Main St., there were only three or four steps up to her small porch and front door, but the side street her driveway was on was severely sloped, putting the garage next to the basement. From the driveway, there were many steps up to the side door, which led to her kitchen on the first floor. From her living room, there was a skinny staircase to the second floor, but I never went upstairs, to the best of my recollection.

Her husband, Jim, died in 1983, when I was six years old, so I don't remember much about him. Maude lived alone for many years, before moving to California sometime in the early 1990's, I think. Before she left, she sold her house to ISU, who had been wanting it for quite a while. They bulldozed the structure, and turned the property into a parking lot.

I haven't seen her since she left the state. She wasn't able to make it back for my grandmother's funeral due to bad weather. I'm finding that I miss her now much more than I did when she left.

davidh

+ 0 - 6 | § ¶House update, 10/12/2005

Here's what's happened since the last update on August 5th:

Living Room
* New curtains installed. Ronnie started scratching at them, but seems to have grown tired of that.
* Another new(-to-us) couch found at an estate sale for $40. Xeen helped bring that back to the house. It's a 1950's-style green, and only has one arm (the other end is rounded).
* A new mirror was picked up at Hobby Lobby, and is now hanging over the green couch.
* Pictures hung up on wall.
* Rather old TV in a wooden shelf thingie picked up at a garage sale for $25. The TV sort of works (the tube turns on and displays static), but it doesn't get any signal. It's not cable-ready, either. But as it's really more of a decoration than anything else, this isn't a big deal.
* Stackable rounded rectangle thingie purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (this was from the Beyond section), with bust of Abraham Lincoln sitting on top.
* Nearly all boxes and misc. items have been taken out of the room, making it much more accessible in both directions.
* Cat's scratching post moved back to this room.
* New front door purchased at Menard's.

Dining Room
* All books moved downstairs; table now usable for dining.

Kitchen
* Old refrigerator not plugged in because it needs some repair work; may have to get rid of it. (Though at only $6, it wouldn't be a major loss.)
* New long-lasting water dispensor added to this room; serves Patches II, Ronnie, and Maf. Patches II's food bowl is also still in this room, but the litter box has been moved to the hallway.

Bathroom
* In same condition, construction-wise.
* Ronnie's food dish is still in here, but the water bowl has been removed, and the litterbox has been moved downstairs.

Front bedroom:
* Much of this room has been cleaned out; Joe will be moving up here soon.

Back bedroom:
* In same condition.

Master bedroom:
* Patches I's food, water, and litterbox have been moved in here.
* Maf's food is also in here.
* BiPAP machine set up on one nightstand.

Basement: unfinished half:
* Computer still here.
* New grate set up over sump pump area to keep animals out; designed by Trouble-Free Plumbing.
* New hose added to humidifier unit in furnace by Danco; joins water runoff from the rest of the system.
* Most books moved to finished half.
* Two lights moved from pull chains to light switches.
* Patches I's food, water, and litterbox moved to master bedroom.

Basement: finished half:
* Ceiling lights in book area installed (no dimmer switch this time).
* More shelves assembled; books from throughout house somewhat arranged here (Star Trek books fill two shelves; other books are not yet fully organized).
* Joe currently staying here, with his Xbox and Gamecube hooked into the TV setup. Moving upstairs soon.
* The large table has been stacked with Legos, Puzz3Ds, and assorted other items to be sorted.

Outside:
* New flowers (I forget specifically what type) planted between the front window and the sidewalk to the driveway.
* Back yard turned gains use: doggie bathroom.

I think that pretty much reflects the major changes (and status quo).

davidh

+ 3 - 3 | § ¶Health Update IV: BiPAP

Since last Wednesday night, I've been using the BiPAP machine at home while I sleep. It's had a remarkable effect. I've been feeling more energetic in the morning and less fatigued in the afternoon. The cost is a goofy-looking mask at night (and during naps), which is a really minor thing.

When I returned from vacation back in mid-July and went back to work at $client, $supervisor had pulled me aside and mentioned that my work had been slipping for a while, and that he was getting better results (at least in certain areas) from my temporary replacement. That got me rather concerned, and I started thinking about things. I thought I might have depression, so I looked into the possibility of taking a medical leave from work. I talked to $boss about a possible problem that I might have to deal with, and though I didn't mention "depression" specifically, I think he knew what I was talking about.

We set up a new arrangement where I would work from the $employer office, my vacation temporary replacement would again fill in for me at $client, and I would be able to provide assistance to him while working in a less stressful environment (as well as be available to work on other projects). Of course, since my time was no longer 100% billable, my pay was also reduced. That's been the situation for the past nine or ten weeks.

Fairly early on, I found my way to a psychiatrist, who did diagnose me with depression. I started taking medication for it, and after a couple of weeks, that seemed to help to a certain degree. While I wasn't falling asleep when visiting people, as I did at least a couple of times during the vacation (possibly including one time at Shore Leave, in the cafeteria with Marco, Alex, Jim, Deborah, and Allyn), I was still feeling kinda tired, still having some trouble with concentration and focus, and so on. But after just one day of good rest with the BiPAP machine, I felt very much refreshed. And after several days, things are still going well. It's not 100% successful (I felt a bit tired from around 10am-11am today), but it's a major improvement.

There is a chance (I'd guess a pretty good chance, but I'm not a doctor) that it was the sleep apnea which was causing the depression. Sleep apnea disrupts the brain's sleep cycle and prevents it from resting, repairing, and regenerating at night. And depression is generally understood to be caused by a change in the biochemistry of the brain. So maybe after I'm sleeping restfully for a while, my head chemicals will return to normal, too, and that will make me feel even better.

The way things are looking now, I will soon be getting back to $client full time... perhaps as soon as this Friday. All next week, I have a training class there for administering a new system, and I'll probably stay there after that.

You know, if not for that unfortunate event a few weeks ago which set this whole chain in motion, I might still be just getting by, rather than really getting back on track. It reminds me of a quote I heard recently... I can't recall the exact quote (or even enough words to find it via Google), but it was something along the lines of "Don't get upset about a bad thing that happens to you, because some day you will look back and see the good things that came about because of it." That's certainly true here.

davidh

+ 5 - 1 | § ¶Quick thoughts: Serenity and Corpse Bride

(These don't really have spoilers, except in really minor senses... but replies might include spoilers so beware if you haven't seen the movies yet.)

I saw Serenity Friday night with a dozen or more Psi Phi members, plus a few friends of Psi Phi members. It was an awesome movie, with a lot of surprises, great lines, and intriguing story and character development. The audience I saw it with clapped and cheered when [character] said "I want to live!". I'll definitely be getting this on DVD, and I just might go back to see it in the theater again sometime.

Then tonight, I saw Corpse Bride with just Meaghan and Dan (the Psi Phi member, not my brother). It was a... goodish movie. I liked it, but it seemed too short. There should have been at least one specific scene added at the end, I thought, to really bring the story to a conclusion, and I think the middle of the movie could have used at least a couple additional plot points or twists (I don't care what particular additions in this case... just add something). One more thing, something that I think was a bit of a goof: There was a scene where someone told Victor that if [thing 1] happened to him, then he couldn't do [thing 2] afterward. However, [thing 1] had already happened to the Corpse Bride and she was able to do [thing 2] afterward. Anyway... I did like it, but it wasn't anywhere near as good as The Nightmare Bfefore Christmas.

davidh