I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

IN THE NEWS: Doctor Who producer Russell T. Davies has announced that in the latest appearence of the Daleks for Series Three, he will be going for the retro look--the episode is said to take place in Manhattan in the early sixties, and is to feature Dean Martin and Doris Day look-a-likes as the Doctor's new companions.

Now you have to admit--that one really is rubbish! But I had fun with it, anyway.

So, forgot my lunch again. Only had three dollars on me--and I was out of bread at home. So, between my breakfast at 6am and my dinner at quarter to ten tonight--my lunch consisted of 2 slices of rye bread from the loaf I'd just purchased, a Snickers bar and several cups of coffee. I will say something about my new office--it has fantastic coffee! And I don't even like coffee all that well, except after a good meal maybe, or with a donut or something. But it keeps me awake, I'll give you that.

Lousy day at work today...only made 4 scores all day, and not one over 50 dollars. Lately, I average 100 dollars an hour during pledge drives--made less than 200 dollars today--terrible! And then I had to sell in the morning...but couldn't sell any golf or cooking club memberships all morning, and when switched to doing the college fund drive--had very little results there, as well...new boss not happy!

Have to try harder, tommorrow. Hard tho', what with all the disasters (Buffalo, NY just got hit with a devastating blizzard last week, that caused tons of damage) and the lousy economy (despite what Bush and his nazi's--whoops, I mean republicans say, the American economy is in the toilet---just spend the day trying to get money out of people and you know this very quickly.

I had some amusing moments though--one elderly lady couldn't remember what she told me she would donate--wavered back and forth between 30 and 52 and 60...she just couldn't decide! I suggested the middle figure, but in the end she went with the highest one--works for me. Another woman, said she cancelled her subscription to the cooking club, because she nearly burnt down her kitchen twice...forgetting to turn off the gas burner.

I got asked today if I had a guyfriend...said no. Hoped to leave it at that. But, no...no such luck. Was pressed on the issue--admitted I simply didn't care about dating anymore--and, would you belive, the girl came right out and asked if I had a girlfriend? I mean, if people want to think I'm gay or straight--fine, no probs, makes no difference to me. But I have to ask myself: Why, pray tell, do these people all assume I'm gay, just because I don't have someone to snog from the opposite sex? Geez louise! Give me a break, why don't you?

So I've not been snogged--so what? There's truly worse things out there, believe me when I say that. I really don't care...but this girl--just seemed unable to grasp the "old maid" concept.

Ah well..maybe I can pull that bit like that straight French condom salesmen did in one of my favourite foreign movies "The Closet," and use that "gay discrimination" card if the company ever decides to lay me off, ha-ha!

So here I am, surfing the net...went to take a short nap this afternoon (been only averging about 4 hours sleep at night, during the work week), and I wound up sleeping nearly five hours! Didn't realize I was that tired...guess next time, I'll have to set my alarm when I just want to take a cat nap--and, speaking of "cat naps," mine are real--woke up with one cat on top of me, one sharing my pillow, one curled up under my arm, and two at the foot of my bed! Thank God they don't have fleas! At least, I hope not...

Loads of good Doctor Who stuff on the net, today. Really enjoying it. Won four games against the computer, in cribbage--then the computer turned around and beat me five times. So, I shifted to another card game programme, and beat the computer at whist and euchre, but got trounced in 7 card stud poker...win some, lose some.

It's been great, reading PM's and e-mails from my friends, but I surely do sometimes miss hearing another human voice at home. Mostly the only people that ring me up, are bill collectors and wrong numbers. Oh, there's voices alright (no, not in my head--yet ) but the workmen downstairs--drove me nuts this afternoon, banging on the wall literally beneath my feet--on a Sunday night, no less! Really wearing thin, my patience, after 6..no, 7 months. Tired of headaches--never had headaches until I moved here..now they've become a regular thing. I swear, sometimes I hear hammers banging in my sleep--oh wait, I do for real! Yeah, last week they started in at 8 am--and for the second time since I've lived here, I hate a "word" with them--not the word I wanted to use mind, as I'm too much of a lady.

Well...it's been a long night, doing the same old things...but, not long enough--once again, have to get up at 5 am for work, tommorrow. It's going to be a long winter, it surely is. I wish I made more money, so I could afford to get another car--but even if I could find a car--with a reasonable down payment--I can't afford the payments...don't even know if I'm going to be able to cover the rent, this month--or next month either, if I don't find that second job soon. Well...no one said life had to be fair or easy, but sometimes...even though things are looking up, I still feel very...weary of the world. I try hard not to, mind. But, can't help it. I feel old, some days lately.

Speaking of growning old--thanks to everyone who made my birthday so much more than I'd ever expected. It's strange, people I've never met in person, who live, for the most part, thousands of miles away in other countries, wishing me well---and not one person in my family even remembered! Okay, so it's just two or three people, but stil...any wonder why I don't care to celebrate my birthday, anymore? I try not to let it bother me, but, yeah, truth to tell..it hurts just a tiny little bit, way deep down. But..my family's mostly always been that way, so no huge surprise, really.

So all the fuss over the impending northeastern NY snowstorm seems to be for nought...it's staying, as usual, in northwestern NY, around the Great Lake and St. Lawerence Seaway area. Just more rain, here--although, at this elevation, that could always change, I suppose, tho' we're not as high here, as a bit further north in this county (Warren) and Hamilton County, up the road.

Not much going on in this part of the world today--a few Halloween parties. Wild West Ranch and Western Town is hosting a kid's party today...for 6 dollars, kids get to enter a costume contest, and have free pony and hay rides and a hay maze in the indoor arena, where they usually hold the Wild West Show, and a petting zoo as well, in another building. That should be nice. And Up Yonda Farm, a local nature centre, is holding a haunted Halloween trail and haunted barn today for the kids--brrr. Sounds...cold. And of course, Six Flags is having their annual Fright Fest at the amusement park--used to run rides there...it always amazed me how many people actually would go out to an amusement park and ride the rides in the rain..and even snow...and pay some 30 dollars (around 15 pounds) for the privlidge! Now that, I find very scary, ha-ha.

I was stolling through the main street of downtown Glens Falls yesterday morning, and noticed a little display in one window, of the Upstate Model Railroaders Association. Gee..I'd forgotten how much I loved model railroading--used to have one, on a small scale (never had the room or the cash for what I really wanted to do), but my late grandfather was famous locally, for his railroad. Most people outside the family don't know this, but I adore model railroads. I just don't do anything with them 'cause the money involved is way over my head--it was cheaper to ride horses at 25 dollars a go, or buy an antique saddle, than it ever was--and is--to build a decent model railroad--and you need room, as well.

DOCTOR: "We do have reservations, see? You can let us go in!"

DOORMAN: "No one gets into Studio 54 that ain't wearin' polyester!"

ROSE: "I know, I know...but it's just 'till ya' get over that awful cold..."

"If Rose makes me eat one more chip, I'm gonna' barf all over her hoodie!"

The New York Mets professional baseball team was so desperate to win just one game, that they hired the Wookie Chewbacca as a pitcher. They haven't lost a game since. This may be due to the fact that the Wookie tore the arm off of the first batter to score a hit off of him. In the background, Han Solo is acting as umpire--ready to shoot down the first opposing player to dispute a call. Needless to say, the team is going to the playoffs this year.

Wal-Mart executive Nodda Clew, whose office was recently redecorated using old lawn furniture and paintings of clowns and Elvis's on black velvet, has decided to save the company even more money, by replacing it's salesmens cars with old plowhorses.

So, bus was late this morning--thank God I bought that umbrella, as it was raining bucketfuls out there on the road. Just my bad luck to be on the downhill side of the mountain--all the wind comes rushing down the hill, and there's no place to shelter--and still be visiable to the bus so I can flag it down. Man! I was just a bit wet and cold by the time I got into the office, this morning. Good thing I used to be a tree hugging nature girl, and not that bothered by it--except when I'm sick with a cold, naturally--which I still am, just a smidgen.

Going to snow--tho' depending on whom you listen to...we're either going to get just a few snow showers with little or no accumulation--or a major storm with up to a foot. Guess I will find out tommorrow, ey?

Work was....a trip. Let's see---about fifty phones being slammed down in my ear, a dozen literally screaming people, one ear piece being plunked down to a radio going full blast on some talk show about preparing your roof for the winter storms, and, one jackass blasting some kind of high-pitched electronic device in my ear--and that physically hurt, as I still have a bit of the PCS (post-concussion syndrome) going on. My head hurt and left ear rang for over 30 minutes afterwards. Oh, don't I just love calling Buffalo, NY. What a joy it is...like getting trapped for a whole afternoon in a portaloo.

Speaking of a portaloo--I saw one sitting on the lawn behind the big grey stone Episcopal chapel next to our building...looks sort of like the Tardis, and I, it being 8 am, and I having been up at quarter to five and not really wide awake, gave a momentary start. One is not used to seeing Tardis-looking portaloo's next to some grand Victorian chuch...and I thought..."Huh....wonder if the Doctor's in there..."

Well, bother. Found out Crandall (the city of Glens Falls) Library closes at 6PM on Friday! That leaves me with 3 hours to kill, and virually no where (until I can find a job to fill the gap) to go. I don't drink--and even if I did, I simply can't afford it...ditto on the combination resturant/cinema and the live theater, the two museums, the jazz club and even the billard palor. The bus station closes at 6 now, as well. In fact--most of the city of Glens Falls closes its doors at six--even the public transit buses stop running--and this is a city with a population of just under 15,000, so it's small--but not that small. Geez---! Can't even take a bus to the mall!
Anyway--the solution I came up with: The hospital. It's only for one day, and there's lots of little out of the way waiting areas--with TV's--where I can sit quietly and hang up, hopefully without security bothering me.

Yes, I'm not sure I should admit this , but yes, tonight I finally had my head examined.

For my friends, you'll be happy to know--everything normal--okay, well...normal physically .

As an added bonus, I came out of the Primary Care section of the local emergency room into the deserted waiting area, I looked up at the tele in the corner--and Doctor Who was on! A nice surprise. I've some nice surprises today. Birthday gifts (thanks), some greetings from other friends, a party at work (Halloween, not for me) with loads of free food--so I didn't have to buy lunch (as I forgot mine, yet again today . And, an altogether not bad day.

Something weird happened, the other night, that I forgot to mention. I've speant loads of time outdoors in the woods and fields...but until the other night, around 9pm, I'd never, in 45 years, ever, ever heard crows cawwing at night before...especially not downtown around a busy city street--it seemed almost...unatural.

It spooked me a bit--it being so totally out of place and all, to hear crows yelling on a cold dark night along the semi-deserted downtown streets. Then I remembered--I'd heard the med-evac helicopter fly overhead just a short while before (I know, because you could hear it fly low over the library--and it landed very close by, the only place for that would be the helipad at the emergency room. The 'copter must've seriously unsettled the birds, to make them yell like that for minutes on end. Never encountered anything like it.

Not a bad day, all in all, I'd say. The company put me on a totally different campaign today--soliciting pledges for a college alumni fund. I guess I did pretty well for a newbie: nearly $700 dollars was raised by me, in 7 1/2 hours...but it was a greuling day--everything people say about dealing with New Yorkers--it's 100% true...rudest people on earth--but, that said, when they are generous and compassionite, they are equally capable of excelling in that area as well. But 7 plus hours of being yelled at and abused, can be a bit draining--mind you, I NEVER take it personally--I'm getting paid whether people are nice to me, indifferent, or outright nasty---but, it is a bit wearing, nonetheless. And 7 hours of constant chatter on the phone, does very unpleasant things to one's throat..and mind, by the end of the day--but I do enjoy this type of work, and I'd like to think it shows.

The office, for workers who meet certain quotas, has a Wheel of Fortune type game--with several small prizes, ranging from free raffle tickets, to candy, to 5 minute "free breaktime" passes--which can be accrued up to fifteen minutes--and used to leave work fifteen minutes early, if desired, and a few other little things.

Seems I met the quota for my campaign...I spun the wheel, solved the puzzle, and won a raffle ticket for the Friday free lunch drawing--free lunch at the caf downstairs. I had to solve both the quote, and who said it--as it happened, I was familar with the quote, through a friend of mine--who loved saying it to me, for some reason--he's a very butch gay, ex-bouncer and ex-merchant marine from Brooklyn--teaching himself to read at age 59, and generally, though he never finsihed school, a real thinker, and excellent listener, and just a super interesting conversationalist. Anyhow, this was one of his favourite quotes, by one of his favourite generals...so there were just enough letters showing in the puzzle for me to get it right off. So...maybe tommorow I'll win a free lunch.

"Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship." General Omar Bradley.

Anyhow, though I'd only started it as a "summer" hobby, I am coming up with some good ideas for more Dr. Who stories (well..I hope they are at least sort of good), and am looking forward to Sunday, when I can spend some time making notes--and working on finishing The Run for Rose and Time Warp, soon, as well as totally re-writing Sagebrush Terror, as well...gah! That first one (ST) was awful, awful, awful! Pure rubbish--but, it has enough..interesting...bits, that I think I can do a bit of a rewrite...total rewrite, actually.

In the DW Online forum, I'd posed a query to a DW writer..and had it answered, and answered very well, at that. It's giving me new insights in how to approach a charatcer--I sometimes have trouble getting inside a Who character's head enough, to really, I feel, capture the total essence of the character--the "voice" of the character(s), as they say.

ROSE: "Is that snow, Doctor?"

Sorry, that one's truly rubbish.

Rather than killing his two greatest enemies, the Doctor instead enrolled them in a meglomanic support group.

Okay, it's cold in here. Just checked my indoor themometer--it's 58 degrees farenheight inside. The outside temp is currently in the 30's, farenheight. Not good. I'm not shivering--but I ain't exactly all toasty warm either--not fun taking a shower in these temps--thank goodness I've an electric fire.

Well, despite the frosty temps (Got down to 26, last night)...bit of frost on the old pumpkin this morning. If it had been raining, we would have snow now, so I'm not really complaining--okay, not thrilled with the cheapskate landlord's--have been in their house--and it's ain't no 58 degrees in there---so, yeah, guess I am a bit grumpy about the temps--especially when I have to stand outside for a half hour in the open--very windy spot, mind---waiting for the...blessed...bus.

So, about to make a decent breakfast--eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast--for myself, as I can't afford dinner, and there's no place indoors where I can eat a sandwich..so a big breakfast, and a sandwich for lunch will have to do me. It's hard to eat when I get home at quarter to ten at night, so sometimes I do, and sometimes I just skip dinner altogether. Last night I was starving, so I had a bit of beans on toast before bed...didn't set well with my stomach, so won't do that again.

If I had a car, I would have been able to stay under my nice warm covers a bit longer this morning. They wanted me to call in at 8:30 to see what time to come in, as there's a bit of a slowdown at work, but...bus gets here around 7:30--so it's on the road for me, regardless. That sort of stinks. I really don't mind long hours, or working 7 days a week and all that--it's the sitting around waiting for transport that drags on you a bit. Oh well, suppose I'd only be just as bored at home.

I think I'm going to wear the Carhartt denim jacket today...and a nice scarf. Don't usually break out the winter coat this early, unless it snows. But, it Seems a bit more chilly today, and though I've actually got a good tolerance of the cold, I've also still got a bit of this chest cold inside me, and don't want to risk hurting my voice or getting sick again...so, I will dress a bit warmer today, as a precaution. Last thing I need with this job, is to hurt my voice...I already go home with a scratcy throat at the end of every day. When I do get my cheque, an investment in a bottle of throat spray might not be a bad idea.

BILLIE: What're ya' doin' David?

DAVID: Russell! Arrgh! He got me again!

Yeah, the wheel fell off the old mental bus a bit early today...but I keep on truckin', along, anyhow.

Hope I didn't upset too many people by verbally banging my head against the wall this morning. What can I say? Sometimes life just ain't fair, ey?

Cold here today--in the 40's farenheight, but felt more like freezing, what with the brisk north wind all day. I wore my Carhartt denim coat for the first time since late March...but only because my office clothes aren't always all that warm--gotta' break out the longjohns (American for trouser length thermal knickers) I suppose, pretty soon. I only have the one pair, so this could get interesting...but I suppose I could stick a pair of knee length summer shorts under my baggier trousers and my skirts, for added warmth.

Interesting day at work today--was put on collections calls--they ran out of numbers to call...got switched to surveys...loads of downtime inbetween, while the company tried to dig up stuff for us to do...told I may or may not have work tommorrow--not good news. I was initially supposed to work Mon-Fri. , then, changed to Mon-Thurs, and every other Saturday...now, back to Mon-Fri...and some Saturdays, if I want them...but not the whole day--so not sure if it will be worth the 8 bucks and the hassle of hanging around half the day waiting for the bus, just to go in for 2 to 4 hours. This is not the impression I was given when I was hired on...in fact, I was told, when I submitted my app, that it would be full time--and not until the interview, did they spring this part-time stuff on me. Are all modern day employers this whacked out and cheap (and tacky with benefits)?

Well, at least the calling was easier today--none of that stupid extra long and awkward script that I had yesterday. They like me too--Purely accidentally--really, wasn't eavesdropping--they came into teh ladies while I was...you know...and I overheard one of the big bosses tell my supervisor, "That new lady, the one with the glasses that started Monday, she told you she hasn't done this in 15 years? Wow, she's good, great speaking voice--nice attitude, good diction, whatever you do, try and keep her." (Good thing I used to be a features reporter--I learned to memorize people's "good quotes" in my head, in case I forgot to write them down, or didn't make complete notes.)

Of course I waited a bit before leaving, and I said nothing to anyone about it--but wow! I've been trying for 9 months to show someone what I can do--I guess I must be doing it, ey? I've been working since I was 14, and I've never had a nicer complement than that, as far as I'm concerned--so, a crappy start to the day, but...a nice finish. I admit, I was quite chuffed...I love working with my voice...it's a creative thing--I can use my voice like a tool in McGyver's toolbox..it's fun for me, in a small way.

I am soooo--upset right now! Okay, I'm out there waiting for the bus--and he blows right past me--waving my arms at his breeze as he drives right by...slowed down, then decided not to wait, and took off again. Arrrrgh!!!!

So, I say, "Well, I'm stuck here, I might as well see what's in the post from yesterday." Bad idea. Another fine from the state--due Monday---for 45 dollars--which isn't bad, as fines go, but I only have 22 dollars...and now I have to spend 15 of that on cab fare to work! Arrrgggh!! Arghhh! Arrrgh!!!

And I don't get my first cheque from work until Novemeber 3rd. Gah! I hate my life! I can live with a little hunger--but how the hell am I going to buy cat litter and cat food? Damnit--when am I going to have a normal existance? Why can't I just have one lousy week without problems? Don't bother answering that, God, I know why.

Someone just shoot me, please. They do it to horses. Sometimes, I'd rather face the wrath of a dozen daleks, than deal with the crap that's my life.

My God, I so did not want to wake up this morning!

My alarm never went off--it was set, the button pulled out and the clock fully wound--no idea what's up with that. But, no worries. A leg cramp woke me at twenty to six, anyhow.

So, I'm off to wade through that crappy script again today. I'm trying to sound enthusiastic and thrilled, and manage to dodge around some of the more tedious stuff---it's when I don't stick entirely to script, that I seem to make sales. We're trying to re-sell hunting club memberships to people who've cancelled them...interesting. They say they're going to re-write the script--maybe. I hope so. I don't want to get in trouble for ab-libbing too much. I never was all that brillant with improv, ha-ha.

There's this one guy...ignores the script altogether..and lies through his teeth...he never hunted in his life, he says...then launches into long stories with guys on the phone about the big turkey he's been stalking, or the 5 point buck he shot last year, or this great new all terrain vechicle he's using to get into the back country. I don't know about this guy...he's...interesting...to listen to, I'll give you that. Too used car salesman for my taste, but the other gal's in the office seem to like him...to each her own, I say...but he seems nice enough..a bit weird--admitted he liked watching the kids in the neighbourhood fight each other (seems there's a bit of a bully living next door to him that beats up all the little kids)...I listen to this guy in the lunch room---he's...expansive..but a bit...odd. Still, better than listen to the girl's talk about the soaps on tv, at any rate, ey?

I'm not a huge, huge fan of hunting--even tho' some of my aquaintences hunt, and I know there's some Adirondacker's that actually do depend on the venison they get, to help supplement their food budget--some families live on practically nothing but venison, all winter long. There's local slaughterer's that will make it into cold cuts (venison salami--don't knock it 'till you've tried it, yummy!), venison sausage, roasts and stew cuts and ground venison for chilli and meatloaf...could take or leave the meatloaf, but the chilli was fab. (They sometimes have stuff like that at church pot luck suppers round here).

Ohhh--man! I think I'd better check my cats---I just went to eat a spoonful of cereal...and found a flea swimming in my bowl! I'm just having a smashing morning, aren't I? I just de-flea'd the cat's three weeks ago, arrrgh! The people who lived in the flat prior to me had a dog--and it seems said dog was a flea hound. My cat's haven't had fleas in many, many years--at least not as many as I'm seeing now, and not as persistantly (they're indoor cats and we live on the second floor--has to have been the dog). This flat is the buggiest place I've ever lived in: spiders, fleas, flies, two kinds of ants, bees, crickets...driving me nuts--had serious black ant problems for months--climbing up the walls, in the loo, the bathtub, the cupbords, my bed, my desk--everywhere. Then, one day--they were just gone. Weird. I've had crickets in the bath--and there's no windows in there. But at least there's no roaches, thank goodness. I'd be sooo-out of here, if there was.

Well, have to get in the shower and answer some e-mails real quick, and make a big lunch (can't afford to eat dinner out) so I won't be too starving when I get home late tonight. I eat at one--by the time you get to the lunch room, you've all but around 15 or 20 minutes to eat and go back to work, but not complaining...my last job I didn't even have breaks or lunch, so an improvement, there.

DOCTOR: "Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-nine bottles of beer, I took one down, passed around, ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall...ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-eight bottles..."

ROSE: "Oi Doctor, a bit of hush, yeah? It was bad enough at five hundred!"

Well, tonight I passed the time after work (4 hour wait for the bus) watching a free movie at the library, by Sidney Pollack(?), about some archetect named Ghery or Goldberg or something like that..it was okay. Read a Dr. Who book in the library, Genisis of the Daleks, as well.okay, started it...marked my place, will continue it tommorrow, after I've put in some applications.

So, first day on the job--I'm utterly exhausted! Left the house on the 7:30 bus, and didn't get dropped off again till about quarter to ten tonight. Monday through Thursday is mostly going to be a pattern of: Wake up and dress, eat, feed the cats, leave for work....come home from work, eat, undress, feed the cats, go to bed. Maybe a bit of computer time for about and hour or so, roughly--but right now I feel like if you touched me with a bit of paper, I'd fall over!

The people at the new job are supernice...at least so far. The job's a bit complicated--the phone script is really a mess to make heads or tails of...switches back and forth between pages, gives reps incomplete information (making you seem like an idiot with the customers) We had a focus group meeting--and the big boss came storming in raising her voice, as everyone (but moi) was grumbling and complaining...even seasoned reps...so I didn't feel so bad about stumbling over my script so much at first. It's really bad, that script---sounds exactly like a script--which, and I know this may sound odd--but any script, phone scipt, stage or tv/film, doesn't matter--should not "sound" like a script! It should sound completely natural and flow smooth as butter...this just wanders all over and it way, way too long...despite my---and seasoned reps--best efforts, we're losing people. Some reps have even resorted to abandoning script mostly altoghter--which isn't really allowed from what I'm told--but they can't make sales with this thing--and this is my very first time selling over the phone---not a great beginning, I will say.

Funniest moment: I got some guy who's name was actually "Edsel Etrich"...try saying that five times fast. And down in Alambama, I got a genuine redneck (we were calling hunting club members) named "Elmer Poteet"...straight outta' a Hollywood comedy about southern rednecks, that name, ha-ha. The guy even sounded like an
"El-mer pooo-teeet." Nice man though, really. Bought a membership from me...my first sale, as a matter of fact.

One guy said he didn't hunt anymore--wouldn't touch a gun or kill anything, because his daughter was murdered with a gun. That kind of was sobering to have to deal with on my first day on phones, let me tell you--but my supervisor was listening and said that I handled it "perfectly" so I feel a bit better about it.

But, I did make 5 sales today--which I'm told is very good for a first-timer....but gosh, it was slow going..and some of the stories..oh my. Cancer, dismemberment, long-term illnesses galore...so sad.

And now, I'm on my one of my rare "soapbox" moments--getting up and spewing liberal thoughts...so if you're a conservative...especially a republican (blah--phoeey, yuck) you might want to skip the next several paragraphs...or, if you hate political rhetoric in general.

ON MY SOAPBOX: A LIBERAL VIEWPOINT

We don't have NHS here in the States. Everyone, unless they work for state, county, town or federal government, or are so poor they virtually have no money---is pretty much on their own--especially in the private sector. Some 50 million Americans--have NO health care. Period. None. Every day in the U.S., thousands and thousands of Americans get turned away from hospitals and doctors--for no other reason than money and/or insurance--and the lack thereof. People lose their homes--people dying of teminal illnesses. Hospitals garnish the wages of people to collect tens of thousands--even hundreds of thousands in hospital debt---it's extreme capitalism gone beserk. We spend billions worrying about a few thousand terrorists--but care not one whit about the millions of Americans who've died, lost families, homes, jobs--from lack of proper health care. In the U.S.---half the population is super health consconsious and have excellent care--and just as many more don't have enough to eat or are in danger of homelessness--for lack of health care.

Anyway, the number one reason why people can't continue membership in this club--broke from health care bills. Yet Washington protects and nurtures the pharmaceutical, insurance and health care industries--because of "economics." God help Washington if Americans ever stopped being so mentally lazy and started actually thinking...we'd have a second Civil War on our hands!

How the heck does millions of Americans losing their jobs, homes, families and very lives--"help" the economy? Helps big corporations--yeah. Okay, I'll stop---but sometimes--I really do hate my fellow Americans--some of them, I mean--the mindless drooling lazy people who are so terrified of thinking, and who mindlessly chant "USA! USA! (RE: "Seig Heil!") and say "United We Stand"--and then spit on the suffering of their fellow Americans. Grrrr! I hate these people...they are so....empty.

I swear--I get more intelligent conversation from my cat Flame, when she meows and chirps! I was in a class once--State and Local Government--and one American student thought there was 51 states! Yikes! This is college, folks, too! I told that to a local woman--she had no problem with the fact that a young American student thought that Puerto Rico was a state (it's a territory, not a state)..yeah. Okay then.

I guess many Americans find being stupid so much easier than actually making the effort to know something. It shames me that we really are the laziest (mentally) nation on earth--and that it doesn't bother most Americans that we're basically stupid. They seem to like being stupid--no work to it, you see. Doing the wrong thing is easy and not thinking takes no effort..zero. It really makes me sad...I wonder if other countries are having similar problems? I mean, you don't have to have an education to think--but, that said, you do have to expend some effort to preserve an reasonably open mind--asking questions can be difficult--even embarrasssing, sometimes--but not asking questions and taking things at face value---is ten times worse--at least, I think so..I think, not thinking....weakens us, as a nation.

It's like some Americans, when they hear opinions they don't like, given to them by other Americans--tell that person to shut up, or leave America! That's NOT democracy--that's communisim. Democracy isn't about waving a flag or sticking patriotic bumper stickers on your car--or agreeing with every single thing your country does...democracy is about the freedom to stand up and say--"NO!" "I disagree!" Or, "Yes, I agree," for that matter, without getting shouted down or censured or told to get out of the country.

Well, I do try to avoid politics--but I made the mistake of reading the political pages of the newspapers tonight while at the public library, and now I've just got to get some things off of my chest so I can sleep good.

Rose was less than thrilled to find that the Doctor had "accidentally" glued his hand to her bum.

I deleted my poetry post. No one deserves to be tortured like that! But honestly, I just did it last night, out of sheer lack of anything better else to do....and regretted it the next day--I've no clue why I did it in the first place, as I really am not that crazy about writing poetry, anyhow. It was always just something I did merely to pass the time, or as a class assignment--not really that into it.

So, first day on the job. They were supposed to start me out, as a newbie, on surveys. Nope. They're starting me tommorrow on the #1 hardest thing there is: re-selling club memberships--at a minimum rate of 2 per hour-- to people who've already cancelled--usually because they're totally pissed off and unhappy with the club, and oh what a joy that's going to be...and it comes complete with a big multi-page script to read from as well. Oh boy! Ah, I like a challenge anyhow. Gives me a chance to show what I really can do, right off the bat, no messing about.

I got out of training at 3 on the dot--and all but ran over to the bus station a couple of blocks away...thank goodness the northbound was running 20 minutes late! Hoo-ray! I didn't have to wait till 9!

I got home a little after 4, and made a nice supper--Italian balsamic pork stew with string beans, served over pasta tossed with garlic and olive oil. Not half bad, actually. And I've enough left over to take for lunch, tommorrow.

That's going to be my main headache--eating. I'm definately going to have to re-train my stomach. I'm going to have very long gaps between meals--not real good for a borderline diabetic like myself--but, no choice. Have to live with it. I will be having breakfast betweein 5 and 6am, lunch anywhere between noon and one, and dinner: anybody's guess. Likely, if I get to eat dinner at all, it will be between 10 and 11 at night--unless I can afford to take two sandwiches and drinks a day--and at this point, that's a bit of a no go. And, since I won't be having any income whatsoever for the next two weeks, I cannot afford to eat out--not even a dollar and a half for a hot dog or chips in the building's caf. Sometimes I get faint or have the shakes when I am not able to eat for long periods...but nothing to do, so...whatever. That's life, ey?

Yeah. No income at all until November third--and, I just got a notice about a fine from New York state--325 dollars! I had to send it out tonight, or the consequences of not sending it--well, wouldn't be at all pleasant. Still have one more outstanding fine, but not as bad, as far as I know. (I had to drive without insurance on my car for about a month...not a good thing in NY, as it's definately illegal--but, as I'd lost time at work due to an injury, I simply didn't have the funds to pay the premium.)

And, I just paid for my commuter bus tickets--five days for 26 dollars. Which leaves me, after these two expenses, with a grand total of (drum roll): 23 dollars (roughly 11 pounds) to take me through the next two weeks--and, as I will need kitty litter, cat food, milk and other little neccessities, this could get interesting. I think I can borrow 25 dollars from a friend in Warrensburg, that'll pay for next week's commuter pass. I'll have to do laundry in the bathtub for a while--which should be interesting, as there's really no place to hang wet stuff here--the bath's so tiny, you can't hardly even stand up in it! It's basically nothing but a glorifed closet. Gives a new meaning to W.C., let me tell you!

I did find out, that my hours will be cut after the New Year...down to five hours--and then only from 5 to 10 at night--so I will have to find yet another job after the first of the year, as the last bus is at nine, and I don't fancy hanging out downtown on a park bench all night in sub-zero temps! Even I have my limits. As it stands, if my figuring is right--this job alone, by itself, will bring me roughly 1100 dollars a month--maybe...eventually. My bare bones expenses: rent, electric, phone/internet, 40 dollars a week for food/pet food/personal care & household neccessities...plus, 26 dollars a week for bus fare--will be a little over 1050 dollars--just a smidgen over 500 pounds per month. It's going to be hard, finding a part-time job for only 2 or 3 hours a night--but, we'll see. There's always the library, most nights, that I can hang out in, if I dont want to be stuck on a hard bus station bench for hours on end...with dubious company, at times.

I'm trying to stay positive and upbeat--if nothing else for my friend's sake, as they've put so much faith in me--I owe it to them to try to put some back into myself--but still, I do get rather weary of living, some days, if I think too much about it--so, I try real, real, hard to..well, not ignore things, certainly, but to...just bow my head and keep plowing through the horse pucky of life.

Some verses from the song: Working Class Hero

As soon as you’re born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you’re clever and they despise a fool
Till you’re so fucking crazy you can’t follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be

When they’ve tortured and scared you for twenty-odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can’t really function you’re so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be

Who's the idiot now? Me. Big ol' stupid, stupid me. I say that, because here it is, first day on a new job--and I drank tons of coffee last night and couldn't get to sleep 'till after two in the morning--which wouldn't be so bad if I had a car, I could sleep till 7 and no probs. But, I have to catch the early bus--so up by five...gadzooks! Not even the rooster in the henhouse across the street was up yet (and believe me, I would have heard 'em)!

So here I am, sitting here, at stupid O'clock in the morning...sleepy as hell, with a (hopefully) caffine headache, trying to convince my stomach to hold my breakfast down (I can never eat early in the morning without upsetting my stomach for some reason).

I still have to shower and do the makeup and nails thing...which I'm not used to...lets's face it: dirty towels and garbage don't care what you look like...dressing for an office is the only real downside to this job--takes three times longer for me to get ready! The old job's: if it was clean and reasonably neat--anything would do. Wore a baseball cap to keep the sweat, rain and hair from my eyes on the other jobs--now I have to mess about with my hair for half and hour every morning...(huge sigh) How I envy actors and actressess---they get to have someone do all that nonsense for them. They can just sit back and relax and chill before work.

So, got about five more minutes to write in, then I'm off to make my lunch and all that (turkey on white and a bottle of soda--whoo-hoo).

Had all I could do, just to do the washing up, this morning--draggin' my wagon...not good. But, I'll survive. No idea how long a day it will be. All I know is that before I start, I have to do 12 hours training--no clue if it's all at once, or in bits and pieces. But gosh, I am not complaining-heck no! Am worried about next month's rent, tho'. Okay, scared is more the operative word, but trying real hard not to dwell on it, too, too much. Things will still be tight--with or without a second job--but, this job is the first step in hopefull the right direction for a change.

Okay, since I may not be writing much in the next week or so (maybe), I'm just putting in one more blog just for the heck of it.

So, here's what's going on in my part of the 40 million plus acre Adirondack park:

Let's see...I'll start with the little hamlets of Athol and Thurman:

They're having a quilting class--just in time for the long cold winter. The fire department is having it's monthly meeting, preperations are underway for Thurman's annual charity Christmas basket campaign. An Athol couple just celebrated their 40th anniversary, and a mess of people are having birthdays...didn't know that many people lived there! (These two towns are essentially up int eh middle of nowhere--okay, well, most of the smaller Adirondack towns are in the middle of nowhere. Two U.S. soldiers from Iraq will be speaking to Thurman and Stony Creek veterns, about what military service has done for them.

In Stony Creek:

The Fifty-Plus club is going on a lake cruise, with live entertainment by someone named Danny Lombardo. The recycling centre and town dump now have new hours for fall/winter, as does the town library. The voluteer fire department will be hosting it's annual chicken and biscuit dinner, complete with all the trimmings and homemade pies--cost is 7 dollars per person, and take out is available. (In the U.S., a biscuit is not a dessert snack, but a type of floury muffin sort of--which can be light and fluffy, if made right, or hard as a rock...luck of the draw.)

Here in Lake George:

Girls and boys soccer (football) is going great guns, as is the boys football team (not soccer). The third annual antique show at the Lake George Forum has been cancelled. The annual all-breed dog show was at the Forum this weekend. Also this weekend, was the annual Blues Blast music festival in Shepherd Park on the lake---perfect setting today for the blues, what with the lousy weather, ey?---The Ethan Allen disaster memorial service was held at the Presbyterian church today. The Ethan Allen cruise boat, rolled over and sank on the lake last year, killing 20 elderly and disabled tourists. A memorial was placed on the lake in their honor, back in September, along with a big ceremony, and a memorial walk to the lake, led by a piper and several prominent politicians and policemen. People are still talking about the NY Rangers pro hockey team coming up here a few weekends ago--they want to have them back soon, and are trying to figure out how to do it...word is team members had a great time here. The American Bus Tours Association has named the Fort William Henry's, Queen Anne's War re-enactments, one of the top American Attractions for 2007. The Adirondack Moutain club will be hosting a series of assorted lectures.

The Great Escape hotel and indoor water park will be hosting a halloween party. Wild West Ranch will be hosting haunted hay rides, trail rides and BBQ and steak dinners to the end of October. The Great Escape/Six Flags amusement park will have "Fright Fest" until the end of October--most rides will be open, with the exception of some of the water based rides, and of course, the outdoor water park is now closed. The Lac Du Saint Sacrement will be hosting it's annual Halloween cruise on the lake, reservations suggested, includes live entertainment and food.

The Georgian Resort will be holding an audience participation dinner theater mystery, the last two weekends of October. The Lake George Dinner Theater is presently taking reservations for its current play, billed as a corporate comedy.

The Lake George Opera Festival is holding it's monthly meeting, and there will be a meeting for voluteers and orgianizers of the annual Elvis Festival, to be held once again in June of 2007.

Helping Hands food co-op volunteers will be having their monthly meeting as well. And the Presbyterian church is holding auditions for its music for the Christmas celebration. All are welcome to try out. Up for grabs this year: handbell choir (must be able to read sheet music), cantata and children's musical parts. The brevement support group will be meeting at the Catholic chruch this month, instead of the Episcopal church, due to conflicting dates. The Episcopal chruch will be hosting a Roast Pork dinner next Saturday. The Catholic church will be hosting a roast beef dinner first Saturday in November.

(The Presbyterians, being all tired out from the rummage sale, will presumably be practicing play with their balls--I mean bells).

(Hey, don't yell--It's okay, I'm a presby myself...well, sort of, anyway..I'm really more like a Catho-Presby, ha-ha.)

In Warrensburg:

A puppet team will be visiting local elementary and middle school kids. The town is having its monthly bored (whoops, I mean bored..whoops..board) meeting. The volunteer fire department is having a meeting regarding the purchase of new equipment. Someone stole a canoe from a local church youth group. Refurishing of the local library is coming along well, and donations are up.

And that's pretty much it.

All the news that no one who's not from around here wants to know.

Have spent a chunk of the evening, once again diddling around with Dr. Who: forum, chat room, DW Confidential, and the story--which is going slower than my dodgy old computer--who's normal speed is "Maybe next year...when I'm good and ready."

Won't be online much, very likely, once the job gets into full swing--we'll see. I simply won't be home, you see.

I have to catch the 7:30 am bus--and the next bus--unless, I'm very very lucky and the 3:05 is running late--isn't to after 9--so basically I will be gone from the flat from about 7:10 in the morning to about 9:30 or 10 pm at night. Long, long day--which wouldn't be so bad if I was getting paid for all those hours--but only getting paid for when I work, not how long I have to hang about waiting for a ride home. But...I've finally got an office job...my partial goal for the last 9 months...the other being to have a good-paying office job...well, one out of two isn't bad. And, this job does pay more than the other two I've had...and I don't have to hike around with heavy smelly garbage bags, or grab armfuls of smelly dirty towels all day long--and I get regular breaks--and don't have to work long hours at a stretch non-stop--and, I don't have to work 7 days a week--unless I really want to (as opposed to not having any choice in the matter, like I did this summer).

I can't look for a 2nd job, until I know what my hours on this job, are.

The bad thing is, after Christmas, I'll be switched to nights...and there's no bus at all after 9pm--so I'll have to take a cab at least partway home--and gosh, won't that be expensive--at best, 12 dollars per day, 5 to 7 days a week,and by then, I'll only be making 9 dollars an hour 35 to 39 hours a week...and, I'll have to quit any part-time night job, and switch to finding a part-time day job...the headaches never stop, do they?

But...can only do things one day at a time...rent's paid until just before the big Thanksgiving holiday (America's 2nd biggest "family" holiday, next to Christmas), so that's good. I am worried about paying the electric bill on time, and still having enough for the rent/food. Hope it won't take too long to find that 2nd job. I can manage on not much food--but need electicity and a roof over my head.

I don't think it would be wise, under my tenative circumstances, to plan on not doing Thanksgiving this year...or Christmas. Things will be iffy for some time to come in my life..though I'm working real hard on not dwelling too much on that fact--like what happened over the summer with me. Well, that and there's no one to celebrate with, anyway...and I've no TG or Xmas decorations or anything, anyway. And chruch last year, was so terribly terribly depressing. I hope the hols just pass me by quietly. That'll be good.

'Tho it's going to be murder ignoring Christmas--one person was putting up their Christmas lights the other day, down the road. Which isn't too dumb--might as well do it now, than later when it's icy or snowy, I suppose--although, it's not unusual for us to have a mild Christmas--very iffy, the Christmas weather, we've had it all--25 below zero farenheight, blizzards, rain storms, 50 degree sunny weather...Christmas weather is anybody's guess...although it almost always seems to snow here, on Thanksgiving, the busiest travel holiday in the USA.

But, believe it or not, the store's have started putting out the Christmas stuff already! I'm serious.

I used to have a neighbour, who used to put up her Christmas tree--November 1st. She used to virtually vomit Christmas all over her little front porch...I mean, she used every possible Christmas decoration that she could lay her hands on, on this little tiny porch of hers--no rhyme or reason to the decor mind, just threw the stuff out there: Plastic snowmen flanking a manger scene, white xmas tree next to nutcrackers and Father Christmas's, and reindeer and candles and wreaths...you name it! And it wouldn't be so bad--except that I had to walk through her porch to get to the cellar with my washing to put in the washing maching down there--whoa! Try to picture yourself with an armful of washing, trying to negotiate a course around plastic snowmen and santa's, and reindeer, and baby Jesus's, and giant light up snowflakes and toy soldiers and nutcrackers...whoa...almost made me hate Christmas!

People go overboard with Christmas here--especially outside light decorations--wow! I once saw a farm house in Vermont...every staight house line (horizontal, vertical, etc, every window...every door...covered with lights--all the edges of the house, the roof, bottom, top and sides--and there was also a huge light up star on top of their barn's silo, as well! Acutally, the way they did it, it was pretty tasteful.

But there's some...well, they wind up looking more like an advert for a house of ....ill repute...than a holiday display.

Oh gosh, Bootsie just leaped to the top of the office door--like most of the doors in the house, it's of the 'rustic' variety...pine boards...with a Z pattern across the back--like a barn door, sort of, and big iron hinges. Well he's more than twice the size of Flame--that's her thing, getting on the top edge of the doors. And here's this big old ginger tom...literally hanging over the top edge of the door--back feet gripping the semi-horizontal Z board ont he back..front paws trying to grip the smooth side of the door...not quite working out...he leaps down...and...giggles at me--he does, he gets this look on his face like he's tickled pink...so I go into the living room and play with him a bit...he's a happy little camper, my Bootise--other cats poof out their tails when they are upset or angry--Bootsie poofs out his tail when he's utterly happy. It's fun to watch..."I'm happy" *poof!* and his tail's really huge and fluffy.

Speaking of poofs:

I got a private e-mail from someone, querying me (albeit politely) if I was gay.

Seems he or she read my post about "butch" coffee, and made more of an inference than I'd intended.

The answer is...

No, I'm not gay...I'm just naturally butch.

But, I can pretend to be gay, if you want me to, te-hee.

Some of my best friends have been gay, but sorry, no. I'm a virgin though, so how would I know if I was?

My coffee is indeed very butch though...the way I make it. I don't really like strong coffee, mind--I just can't make good coffee worth a damn...well, tonight for a change, being the exception..but it's hard to ruin Green Mountain coffee..but that doesn't stop me from trying.

I'm thinking of doing an advert: "Butch coffee: It'll put hair on your____'s. *(Insert proper naughty word here).

So there I was, with my Vermont Green Mountain brand coffee, freshly brewed in my "butch" Adirondack blue enamel coffee pot (God, is it me, or do I sound like a reverse Mrs. Bucket from Keeping Up Appearences?) sipping coffee out of my Star Trek beaker that I just got from the Presbyterian church's rummage sale...wishing ferverently for a bit of cake or a cookie (biscuit).

Then, I hear the door slam downstairs, and my landlady yelling up at me--seems they had a birthday party across the road at their place, and she brought me over a piece of cake. Isn't that lovely? I think that's lovely.

And...oh gosh...am I ever so happy now...who needs winning the lottery, when we've got smooth jazz, good coffee, a rainy night, contented (read: quiet) cats...and cake!!! Yeah!!! Par-ty!!!

"OW! These aren't little etable ball bearings on this cake--they're real!"

Okay, so here it is, early evening, rainy sunday...lights flickering again (and again, thank you National Grid). I'm sitting here with a really good freshly perked cup of real coffee. None of that dribble of hot water through a flimsy paper filter nonsense for me--I've got a real honest-to-pete blue enamel perk coffee pot (albeit mildly used) from the camping department..and coffee from Green Mountain coffee roasters--ummm-ummm. I'm not really that much of a coffee drinker--but I do appreciate a really good cup a' joe, when I do have one.

But I'm sitting longing for some cake or biscuits or donuts or something sweet to go with it. Now I really do miss my car, ha-ha. It is an incentive to stay away from sweets--when you have to walk that half-mile or so into town--and back, in the rain and/or cold to get something from the store.

It's really odd, though, this sudden craving out of the clear blue, for sweets. Believe it or not, I'm really not much on sweets. Oh, I love them, but don't really buy them, that often...maybe some cookies once in a blue moon--or a bit of candy or ice cream of something, but not real regular. And it's very, very rare for me to have any sort of fixation on wanting something sweet...don't know what to make of this...hmmm. Another weird side effect of the head injury? My mind's reaction to sheer boredom? Or just..a "normal" craving? Dunno'. But, not about to plow through the rain to satisfy it, so my body is just going to have to suck it up and deal with it, ey, ha-ha.