I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

I just got off the phone with a bank (in repects to my job), and had to listen to what was the worst jingle I ever had to hear...Picture this: a high-pitched sinckenly sweet and simpery female voice, perkily singing "We're being in touch with you--keeping in touch with you, staying in touch with you, we're always in touch with you..." (excuse me while I go vomit.) BLEH!!!

I mean, get out the old sword and commit hari-kari!

Well, thanks to some new DVD's, the extra funds and the spring weather, my life isn't quite as uneventful as it was. To quote Jean-Paul Sarte,
this is how the last 4 or 5 months have been for me:

"My days have been so like each other, that I sometimes wondered whether I was not condemed to experience the eternal occurance of the same one. They had not changed much; they still slpped away (from me) with a shudder..."

Yup, that's been my own personal hell, in the past year. But, maybe (very teensy maybe?) there's hope for me...I don't like the word "hope" anymore. I think it's a lie we tell ourselves, to convince ourselves to keep going, but still...what the heck. See you Thursday.

I wasn't going to bother with the internet today, what with the busy day I've got, today, but..what the heck.

I'm exhausted! The brats upstairs kept me up ALL blinking night! Then, they had the nerve to say it wasn't them--well, they have some awfully heavy-footed and obnoxious ghosts up there, then! They were literally running across the floor part of the night...when they weren't banging on the floor repeatedly with their feet (no idea what that was about, maybe they were doing that video game dancing?)

Anyway, with only a few hours sleep, I'm loggy, headachy, and cranky as one of our local black bears, woken up from hibernation. NOt a happy camper today, me.

It snowed a bit, last night...just a bare dusting, that was gone by sunrise.

Spent last night watching DVD's and writing a bit, and trying to sort out the kitchen. The front came off one of my drawers again, and doesn't want to be hammered back into place, and my freezer door won't close properly, and I have to keep it shut with duct tape. But, compared to my other problems in the recent and not-so-recent past, I can live with it.

Well, break's over. Have a great day, all, see you tomorrow.

Just a quick note, as I've a few notes to send on to my "Pen-pal's," who've I've been shamefully neglecting, of late.

Well, supposedly, sometime in the next two weeks, many of us Yanks will get Bush's tax rebate cheques...up to $500 for many Americans. The only Americans not getting this, I suppose, are the homeless.

The sad thing is, that while it's a welcome "relief" from the recession, it is costing my government ten times more to send the checks/and letters telling everyone in the US that they are getting the money, than the cost of the actual money being given away.

It's nice, don't get me wrong, and if I get enough money from it, than I can have the internet back at home, certainly. But, it saddens me...this is only an election-year ploy...I mean, it's soooo-obviously an effort to buy votes. The American economy is so far down the loo, that a 100 to 500 dollar cheque per person--even by 500 million persons, isn't going to rescue us from the credit/bank stupidity, the lay-off's, the sudden rise in food and oil, transport and housing prices.

I mean, you really gotta' know America is full of anti-intellectuals, when they buy into this as a recession-relief scheme!

And, it upsets me knowing what I do, about the REAL state of our American social system. I think about how much more wiser these funds could be invested: Healthcare, education, public transport, public & low-cost housing, and food relief programmes for hungry Americans, and feel nothing but disgust and contempt for Bush and the rest of the politicians in Washington....and for some of the religious leaders, who scream and holler about no prayer allowed in schools and the Ten Commandments being forbidden in courthouses (it's been in our constituion since the beginning, the admonishment (protection) against their being a melding of church and state--they remain seperate, to avoid religious persecution), but remain conspiculsly silent in the face of countless Americans genuinely suffering.

But, as I said, no real complaints, as I personally can use the extra funds right now.

Anyway, we had two weeks of glorious hot, summer-like dry weather, now, tonight, I hear there's a chance it may snow. It's going down to 27 F (-3 C) tonight, and down to 25 F (-4 C) tomorrow night, before warming up slightly for the rest of the week. So, I bring the plants indoors for the next few nights, and hope my cats don't eat the petunias or herbs.

So, that's all I've got to say, I'm afraid. Not a very exciting post, is it? I probably won't be online tomorrow, as I have an appointment at the cardiologist's directly after my shift's over.

Have a pleasant evening and a good day tomorrow, my friends. Cheers! Nancy G.

Hi there,

Well, a quiet weekend. Did my laundry Saturday night instead of Sunday, so I took all of Sunday off and just rested, relaxed and did a few odd chores that I've been putting off (like cleaning the shower stall and loo...hate that).

I gave a listen to some of Kylie's music for the first time, yesterday...liked most of what I heard. She's a very talented lady.

Watching Dr Who Parners in Crime, I noticed that they've speeded up the theme music and the closing credits (to the point where you can't read them, even on pause)...is that because they want to devote a few extra seconds to the story? Not sure how I feel about that...Nancy's jury of one is still out on that little change. I have to think about it--I'm rather attached to the theme music, and am so hopelessly Whovian, that I actually do read the credits.

Anyway, rainy day today--and a good thing, as it hasn't really rained in over 2 weeks, so we needed it. The first mosquitos are out, and they're real whoppers, this year! Blimey! I slapped at one, and that little thing had some heft to it!

So, the cats were happy, this weekend. Boots had a little scare tho'. They've got this little collapsable nylon play cube--it has holes in three sides and some nylon streamers hanging down from the inside. The three cats take turns hanging out and playing inside it. Anyhow, Boots was playing with a toy mouse inside the cube, when he leaped out of one of the holes--well, his claw got caught in the opening somehow, which totally freaked him out--he tore like a streak of lightining through the bedroom and into the kitchen, dragging the dang play cube with him. Poor wee thing, when I got to him, he was all wild-eyed, with his tail puffed out, scared out of his wits. But, an hour later, he was back inside it, playing again.

Well, I'm off to home, haven't eaten since early this morning, and it's going on 3pm now, so I'm getting a wee bit hungry. Life is weird--well, mine is.

Just was thinking, two weeks ago, I had over $2000. Today, thanks to paying the back and current rents, the bank, a couple of overdue bills, medical expenses and other stuff, I'm down to $45. I didn't buy much for myself, in case you're wondering. Just some decent shoes, a vacuum cleaner, a new ironing board (all items I"ve not had for a good long while), plus a summer blouse and a pair of jeans. I figured it out and over 90 percent of my income in the last two weeks, went right out the door again, in payments to people. And, ironically, I'm still a long, long way from solvent. Still, I did avoid--by the skin of my teeth-- eviction/homelessness, hoo-ray, and I no longer cry myself to sleep at night, so if the money is gone, it was well-spent, believe me.

So, while I couldn't use the money to get the internet back, go on a much-needed holiday or to buy a car, I did get to a place where I can sleep at night--good trade-off, in my humble opinion, and well worth it.

"When I pose like this, no one can see my bubble bottom!"

Yes, gentle readers, I'm tagged via a PM.

This, apparently, is called a "20 Questions Tag."

Okay, I cut and pasted it. I neither have the time nor the inclination to tag anyone in return, so I you want to have a go, please help yourself and cut/paste these questions into your own blog. Cheers!

1. Hair/eye colour?

Hair: brunette/gray. Eyes: brown.

2. Hair length? Short

3. Body type? Adirondack lumberjack--or, more kindly, pleasantly plump.

4. Name of the last takeaway you ordered from, and what did you order?

East End Eatery. A 6-inch boneless fried chicken sub sandwich with mayo, hold the tomatoes and onions, and a small bottle of diet gingerale.

5. Names of your favourite three resturants (include type of resturant):

Jake's Roundup (Tex-mex cusine/fantastic steaks/cowboy themed pub).
Taste of Poland (Polish cusine).
Talk of the Town Tavern (Italian-American restaurant/pizzaria/pub.)

6. What did you have for dinner, last night?

Fried Salmon patties, and baked corn fritters.

7. Names of your 3 favourite actors?

James Stewart, Derek Jacobi, David Tennant

8. What celebrity would you most like to date? Honestly, this is not something I've ever thought about. Maybe, if he's not married, Justin Lee Collins?

9. Last film watched in a cinema?

Dbl. feature of Passenger 57 and 40 yr. Old Virgin, at Glen Drive-in theater, August 2005.

10. Last video rented?

In 2006, can't remember what.

11. Last film watched at home?

Little Shop Around the Corner.

12. Last DVD you watched?

Doctor Who: Partners in Crime.

13. Title of a book you're currently reading, and brief description of story?

Intimate Appraisals: The Social Writings of Thomas Cottle.

It's a bunch of essays by a famous American sociologist, all about the realities, problems and perceptions of modern American culture--not as dry as it sounds, it's well-written and very engaging.

14. Last CD you listened to:

Best of Kylie. (My first listen to her music, yesterday--not bad.)

15. Last CD you purchased?

Robin Ella's "Solace for the Lonely."

16. What three historical people would you have liked to meet?

Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Shakespeare, Cicero.

17. What three historical events would you liked to have witnessed?

The building of the pyramids.
The opening of the Erie Canal.
The signing of the Magna Carta.

18. What three historical entertainments would you have liked to enjoy?

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
The very first performance of Richard the II
The 1934 World's Fair

19. Last time you wrote something, not related to blogging?

This morning, based on a dream I had last night, I began a new Doctor Who story, and also wrote a half a paragraph in my other Dr Who story.

20. Favourite holiday that you've had?

It's a tie, between a weekend here in the Adirondacks with my mum, back in the mid-1980's (about 10 years before we moved up north and lived there), and the few days I spent in Iceland, in 2001.

This just in: Constantly besieged by hoards of screaming fan-girls (not me though), has finally driven him mad! Yes, actor David Tennant has finally gone 'round the twist, and become his own fan-girl, as seen in the above photo. I hate guys with better hair than I have.

Hey, give me a break, I only had 3 min. to come up with this one. Cheers, all. Nancy G.

Hi all,

Off until Monday morning, now. It's half-past 3 in the afternoon here (is that 1500? I never can remember European time...) Anyway, had something odd happen last night. Got a phone call, apparently, after 11pm last night, by someone who had a blocked number--meaning I'm not allowed to see who's ringing me.

I don't care for that nonsense. In my experience, blocked numbers usually mean bill collectors and telemarketers, just plain bad news. I mean, in my opinion, it's 100 percent unlikely that some celebrity or famous politician is calling, ey?

As far as I know, none of my few friends--nor my sister, has a blocked number. Well, I've no idea who would be ringing me at that hour. Lately I'm either in bed or getting ready for it, by then--doctor's orders.

My friends (since their all long distance) generally give me a heads-up when they might be phoning me....but if it was one of my online pals, just go to my profile page and drop me a PM...even if I'm not blogging, if I'm at work, I generally will check my PM's on here.

So, it's still nice here, but the temperatures are back to normal--cool but not uncomfortable--well, for me, uncomfortably cool would be about 15 below zero F, he-he. I HATE the hot weather. I admit it, I'm a bit of a freak--given a choice between an island holiday in Hawaii, or an island holiday in Iceland--I'd merrily chose Iceland.

Not that I wouldn't want to visit a hot climate. Heck, I'd love to visit Greece, or Italy or Morocco. That's be fab. But, being a northeastern New York gal, I'm much more at home in a cool climate. Oh, it can get downright tropical here, for a few weeks in summer...that suffocatingly type of summer weather (usually in July, but sometimes in late June or August) we call the three "H's"...Hazy, Hot and Humid. The kind of air you'd find in the deep south, the kind that you can cut with a knife, that soaks you like you'd just stepped from the shower, the kind that draws clouds of itchy biting mosquitoes. Yuck. Hate it. Don't see how southerner's can stand it! No wonder all those southern witches erm--women I have to speak with at work, are such a bunch of annoyingly shrill shrews.

Speaking of holidays, though, a co-worker was lamenting not having had a vacation in 2 years--I've got her beat, by double that. Although, of the five holidays I've had, in the last 25 years, four of them have been utterly fantastic, so no complaints from me. Okay, yeah, it is sometimes just a teensy bit depressing, knowing that I'll likely never have another vacation ever again...still, the one's I've had had been, each one, because of their rarity, far more special to me, than to someone more fortunate, who can take a regular holiday every year....or, to someone who's never had a holiday at all.

Life is truly a matter of perspective--and when you've flirted with poverty, you re-adjust that perspective or you sink into a morass of depression so deep, you never get out again.

So, tonight I watch some movies and stuff, work on my latest Dr Who short story, play with the cats--they have a new toy and are thrilled to death over it...and fighting over who gets to play with it, like three little kids, the brats. Bought a jar of my favourite vodka (spaghetti) sauce, and some fresh cheese raviloi pasta that was on sale, and that's my dinner for tonight. A quieter night than last week, but still a good one, I'm thinking. Tomorrow afternoon--probably, is laundry day, over to the shopping centre across the bridge, some house work...but mostly I'll probably relax and try to enjoy my day off. Next week I get fitted with heart monitoring device and go for lab tests, which will be billed to medicare before it's billed to me--so no expensive co-pays, thankfully. Still, a long week ahead, next week.

Since I won't be back online till Monday or Tuesday, hope you all have a lovely weekend. Cheers. Nancy G.

Well, the Doctor's office visits cut into my internet savings fund, so I have to start over again next week.

Well, my dear friend sent me the first episode of Doctor Who Series 4, which I watched---three times--last night. Oh yeah, I'm onna' Dr Who high, the equivilent of a sugar rush...I mean, if I was physically able to, I'd be doing flippin' handstands, ha-ha. It was FABULOUS!!! Tennant looked good, Tate looked lovely, the dialog was superbly witty and well-delivered, the acting perfectly pitched and fast-paced...yeah, people, little ol' Nancy, the hopeless Whovian, is just plain over the moon.

My friend sent me some other stuff as well--old movies, a brit-com, etc. And I'm so chuffed to have not only new things to view, but great things, as well. This is one Saturday night that will be very unboring....wow, two exciting Saturday's in a row...that's got to be some kind of record, ha-ha.

Sadly, I must report that one of our local volunteer firemen, in a town I lived in for about five years, Lake Luzerne, was severely burned in a brush fire. All because the man who started the fire, was too cheap and/or lazy to bag or mulch his dry leaves, and instead, illegally (there's a burning ban in place to to severely dry conditions) burn his leaves instead. Becuse of the place he lives--East River Drive--and area of mostly posh homes, the man probably wasn't too poor to afford the proper leaf bags.

He was just, to put it bluntly, cheap and/or lazy. The result was a tragedy, that shouldn't have happened. The notice about the fire ban, by the way, would be publicly posted on the main highway through town, in at least one--if not two, places. It likely was also posted in the local weekly newspaper.

The fire burned over more than 7 acres in steep, wild terrain covered with a carpet of dry leaves, brush and dead branches...the result of one man's carelessness, was a confliguration that this area seldom sees--in fact, the burn was more like what one would see in California, Wyoming and other western states, rather than the Adirondacks--where most fires actually burn belowground, in the root system, due to semi-wet conditions.

Please--if it's dry where you are, this spring, be careful--I've only one second-degree burn myself, but I can attest to you that it HURTS.

Is it me, or does David Tennant look like he's dangerously close to copping a feel? Apparently, the man was looking forward to getting two prizes, that time around, ey?

:p

Off work until tomorrow morning. Sorry I've not been online much, but was a bit ill again, this week (nothing serious, this time I'm happy to say). Have a fantastic weekend, all. Cheers, Nancy G.

"Bleh! General Electric? Phillp's radios taste so much better."

Now that the nice weather has appeared, I've been spending more and more time out on the balcony--with the cats, who enjoy it, as well.

See some interesting things, from my perch above Glen Street, let me tell you. For instance, the other day, a teenage boy was skateboarding down the sidewalk, with a fresh whole pineapple in his hand...not sure what that was about. The nearest shop that sells fresh pineapples, is the Price Chopper super center, and that's over a mile away.

Then, there was the gal last night, walking down the street juggling three ornages. Another woman walked past, holding a large cup of soda (Coke) on her head.

There was the old man on roller skates, the guy with the full golf bag (nearest course is more than 2 miles away, in the suburbs--which is why the gent was probably a bit red-raced and sweaty), and the pick up truck with two giant copper kettle drums (of the musical sort) stuck in the back, and the two young men--tough looking gangsta' types, walking down the street pushing baby stollers and overhead talking about changing diapers. And the three teenage girls, walking by, singing a pop tune--rather well, actually. And the young man on the souped up motorcycle, that it took two motorcycle policemen to stop to issue a traffic ticket to.

What's with Bcuk? Ever since they pushed that popup advert in German, that you have to click to get to your blog, I can't get into my flippin' blog! At least not in a timely fashion! It freezes my computer at work and totally messes it up!

It took me EIGHT MINUTES to FINALLY get into my blog today. And, I only get a ten-minute flippin' break! Blimey! I was toying with the idea of buying a pre-paid credit card and going pro, but NO WAY will I do that now!

I love the people on BCUK, but BCUK sucks, with their greedy money-grubbing stinking adverts--they are getting sooooo-INTRUSIVE!!! Not to mention totally obnoxious. When it comes to adverts, I have to say, BCUK is the WORST blog on the web. I mean it, it stinks. Greed sucks, ey?

"Yeah, you do have some spinach stuck between your teeth."

Hi all,

Well, longer weekend than I'd intended. After work, I went out and did a bit of shopping, for a few items I needed. Then, I walked downtown to take in a bagpipe/celtic music concert at the hall where the local pipe band practices. Unfortunately, right in the middle of an instrumental rendition of "The Star of County Down," my bad foot flared up unexpectedly, and I had to hot-foot it ('scuse the pun) out of the hall, before I turned into a prize idiot and yelled "Owwww!" (and maybe an unladylike word) out loud during the concert.

Ah well. It was nice, here, Saturday night. More like early June than mid-April. There was live music outdoors at the Davidson Brothers pub, and people sitting out at other little bistros, so I had a slow but pleasant stroll home. The nice thing about warm weather this time of year, is no mosquitoes yet, ha-ha.

Sunday was a relaxing day. I worked on a little craft project I'd been putting off, re-potted some plants, tidyed my bedroom. But, seems I overdid in Saturday, as Sunday night was spent in the ER, as I nearly passed out unexpectedly. Took Monday off, went to the doctor's for the follow-up. Nothing to worry about, really. Just that my hypertension for some reason, suddenly went...well, hyper. It was still at 210 over whatever, by Monday morning. So, some new med with something called a beta blocker, and another appointment...and, I was told no more caffine (dang, I love my Coke-a-cola) and no more salt or salty stuff, keep hydrated and...I have to get an extra hour or two of sleep every day. Yuck. Now I really am turning into my mum.

It explains my fatague though, I suppose.

I am trying to find affordable medical insurance, and that didn't help my BP at all!

Okay, get this:

I went on half-time at work, because of my ill health...but, also, so I could go back on disability benefits, as I sorely needed a stable income of some sort that I could (well, let's not go there) rely on...eventually. (See previous personal entry.)

I wanted a somewhat stable income, so I could finacially manage my healthcare better. HA!

I still have medicare, but...because I also work part-time 14 to 21 hours a week, I no longer qualify for New York's medicaid programme, NOR do I qualify for New York state's "Family Healthcare Plus," because I get disability benefits!

So, with Medicare, I pay a co-pay of 20 to 40 dollars per doctor's visit on average, but...that MAY go up to $80 to $100 dollars. That does not count medicines. Meds will average $10 to $50 per bottle. Overnight hospital stays are $1000 per day OR MORE. Also, it takes between $6 and $12 in cab fare, for most visits, depending on where the office(s) are located. There are few doctor's offices on bus lines, I'm finding.

So much for visits. My visit on Monday cost me, between cab fare, meds and the visit, cost me $40 cash. When one is on a low income, $40 can seem like $400 dollars, trust me.

And...I get to do it all over again, on Thursday. IF I can afford it, that is.

I really don't like my country, sometimes. Billions spent fighting terrorism, and virtually nothing spent to help ordinary citizens have basic health care they need to stay alive and lead a productive existance. How can you love a country, that is so obviously selfish and greedy and disgusting? Why doesn't Bush and is Nazi neo-cons just put the poor, elderly and disabled in concentration camps and be done with it?

Sorry, just angry. They tell you to take care of yourself, but they don't tell you how the hell you're supposed to do it without the funds to do it with. Republicans and their Private healthcare is worse for low-income and working poor Americans, than any terrorist ever could be. At least the terrorists will kill me for a reason (albeit probably the wrong one). Republicans kill thousands of Americans every year, for only greed and mean-spirited selfishness--the creeps are afraid of losing their grip on one single penny--even 'tho those pennies may save the life of a child or adult or grandparent. They hurt their own people for sheer wanton ignorance of the consequences..which is no reason at all, as far as I'm concerned. I wish I lived in Canada or Europe. I mean that.

The neo-cons and other well-off Americans arrogantly make the lives of people already suffering hardships, harder. They do this by raising costs, cutting benefits, adding red tape and worse--despising and verbally attacking Americans that are too badly off to properly defend themselves. Listening to them (Rush Limbaugh, George Bush, etc), for me, is nothing short of an abborhence. I find them totally inhuman and disgusting.

Basically, Bush and his neo-conservatives absolutely lack the courage and strength to geniunely care. They are less than cowards, they are zero's. Nearly every day I see and hear (and sometimes experience for myself) first-hand, the terrible suffering these blatantly ignorant rich politicians in Washington are causing their fellow citizens, and I genuinely hate them for it.

Well, I'm done ranting. I must go home for lunch, I'm famished...and tired.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Cheers.

Okay, this post is about my adventures with Social Security.

Here's the scoreboard of the pile of letters from the above:

1. I am entitled to SSI (supplimental income) payments of $66.50, starting in Feburary (which said payment was supposed to begin in March)...and also telling me that I am entitled to Social Security Disability payments of 761 dollars per month, beginning in March (which I never got due to a computer glitch that said my account was suspended--even tho' it wasn't)

2. I was not entitled to SSI payments for March, and they want their money back--NOW.

(Followig this letter, I went to try and pay back said payment, and they refused to take it, saying that I was indeed entitled to payments in March.)

3. Antoher letter, saying that I was entitled to SSI payments in January, to the tune of $258.

4. Another letter, once again stating that I was NOT entitled to SSI payments in March, and that they would take it from my April (May) SSD payment.

5. A letter stating that my SSD payments (the one's that were supposed to start in March) would FINALLY begin in April (arriving in May), and have been reduced to $731 dollars.

6. A letter stating that I would be entitled, beginning in May OR June, to $13 dollars in SSI payments per month.

7. A letter stating (that, as usual, came 4 days after I got the cheque), that I was entitled to SSD payments from Jan. to April of 2007, to the tune of $2,197.50--which is REALLY confusing, because I did, in fact, get SSD payments last year, for Jan. to March....what's with that?

No explainations, of course. God forbid that Bush's ultra neo-conservative government should actually have to explain themselves!

Are we dizzy yet???

I would love to change my citizenship to another country, but is there any democratic nation left, with ANY semblance of sanity???

Woke up this morning, thinking it was Friday...how weird is that?

Anyway, short work day, today. Not enough work for me, so I'm done at 1pm instead of the usual 3pm.

It was boiling this morning! No, really. At half-past 9 am, it was already 71 F (21 C)! It's supposed to go to 75 or more (25 C) by this afternoon. Believe it or not though, there's still a few patches of snow around. Under the shadowed corner of the big Presbyterian church down the way from me, and on the slopes of West Mountain Ski Area in West Glens Falls, there's still bits of the white stuff lying about.

But, the kids are fishing in the city's Crandall Pond, and going at batting practice in Crandall Park, the motorcycles are spaltting down Glen Street, and cyclists are out in droves.

But, alas, by tomorrow, it will once again be more seasonal, with rain coming in, and temps ten to fifteen degrees cooler.

I'm off tonight, while the weather's agreeable, to downtown Glens Falls for a free celtic concert at the old restored Park Theatre. It'll be nice (I hope) to get out and actually do something NOT related to a chore or errand.

So, yesterday, I went to the local health center. Three months and they still can't assign a proper doctor to me--doctor's shortage. The rich get doctors, America's poor get PA's...aka: "doctor juniors." Although, sometimes, these Physican's Assistants can be more thorough and caring than the doctor's themselves.

I also am working on getting affordable health insurance. Right now, I have to shell out a minimum of $20 per visit--or more (tack on to that,approximately an additional $8 for round-trip cab fare) and often, pay full or half-price for my meds...that's $20 to $100 plus, for prescriptions. On my low income, that's a hefty chunk of change. Actually, $20 was about half my weekly food budget, until recently.

So, time for the good news (at least, I hope it's good news, and stays good news, and doesn't eventually translate into more bad news, later on..and, if any of that makes sense, then you've been hanging around me too much, and you too, probably need some serious therapy, ha-ha).

So, I get more food stamps--at least for the moment.

And, according to my apartment building's manager, with the payment of last month's and this month's rent this past week, I just narrowly avoided an eviction notice--they had it ready to mail out to me....essentially, I very, very literally escaped homelessness (or, as I call it, "my worst nightmare") this week, by the proverbial skin of my teeth.

And, the Social Security is (I think) finally straightened out--the next post will address that little bother.

Also, if things keep up in this light, I should have internet service at home again, sometime by July or August...maybe sooner, maybe later. Depends on how long it takes me to save up the cash, and also depends, of course, the lack of any serious disasters or crises' that will suck the funds away again.

Moving on,

Wow! I'm hearing a ton of good things about the Dr Who Series 4...that's nice. It's a fantastic show, and I harbour good thoughts about everyone conncected with it.(Despite the DW/DT captions/jokes.)

Wrote page 8 this morning, of my latest Dr Who story, played with the cats...well, Flame is becoming quite the character. Yesterday--my day off, when I'd planned to sleep in an extra hour, she had me up at 7 flippin' am in the mornign. She tried licking my face (this is the cat that likes to drink from the loo, btw--yech!!!) All I did was groan and roll over, trying to go back to sleep. That didn't work, so she planted a paw firmly on my forehead, and pulled my earplug (that I wear due to the hyperactive teens upstairs, bouncing off the walls all night) out of my ear, and began licking my earlobe. Arrgghhh! I love my cats, truly I do, but there are times... On top of that, Flame disappeared for two hours last night....and, being a bad cat mum, I didn't notice. Seems she'd slipped into my bedroom closet while I was hanging up the clean shirts, after my return from the laundromat yesterday, and I simply never noticed. So, when I realized I'd not seen her for a couple of hours, and went 'round the apartment calling her. I heard a thump and a tiny, pathetic "meow" from the closet--and there was Flame, stuck on top of the clothing rod...poor wee thing. Was she ever glad to see me! She climbing into my lap and just lay there purring, staring lovingly up into my face. Pets are so wonderful--who else on the planet is so easily forgiving???

"No, seriously officer, this says that as the actor who plays Dr Who, I have special permission from the Queen to speed down the M-4 any time I want."

Another fantastic spring day here--wow, I think we're gonna' get spoiled, two whole nice days in a row, ha-ha.

I'm told that night shift workers here, last night, were summarily sent home at half-past 6, if they did not make a sale in an hour and a half's time--which considering that they're calling during dinner hour, isn't really fair, is it? Very chav and tacky, that. The supervisor didn't even say, "sorry," I'm told--and you all know the cost of gas (petrol) these days! One worker lives 35 miles away, that was a waste of money, coming in, ey?

I know, that here, like so many other places across the US, we're in a work slow-down, but really, I think that's just low-brow tatics, if you ask me--and, even if you don't ask me. It certainly won't inspire good will from your workers, will it? And disgruntled workers are less enthusiastic, than happy one's, so wouldn't you want to be nice to your workers, to make them try harder? Apparently, management doesn't share this view, the old carrot and stick (with emphasis on the stick) approach.

Ah well, I'm still working day shift, so no worries for me--yet.

Anyway, Satuday night there's supposed to be a free celtic concert at the old Park Theather around the corner from the Quizno's sub shop, so I'm thinking of going, if I'm feeling up to the walk, and the weather's not too rubbish. Haven't been to a live concert in about four or five years--think five's more closer, when I took in the Vermont Sypmphony Orchestra concert at my four-year college. (Featuring a lot of recent original works, it was a bit rubbish, sadly.)

I began listening regularly to folk music in my early teens. There was this specail two hour show called 'Mostly Folk,' at a local college radio station, WRPI, hosted by this truly wonderful lady named Jackie Alper. I listened to it religiously for over a decade, on Sunday nights. The show not only introduced me to American folk, but also southern bluegrass and cajun music, Jewish klezmer (spelling?) music, plus blues and celtic music.

Later, there were other radio shows that I hooked into: The Jazz Decades--1920's to 50's jazz, Live from the Riverwalk (a musical variety show from San Antonio, TX), The Praririe Home Companion, The Thistle and Shamrock (celtic music broadcast orig. in Scotland), The Hudson River Sampler (programme featuring local and natl. folk music artists), Dancing on the Air (historical, folk and modern dance music), and several others.

Really, I've seldom been to live concerts...John Denver, the Beach Boys (awesome) a handful of folk concerts and some sympohony concerts, but really, going to concerts--even buying records or CD's, is a fairly rare event for me. The bulk of my music listening is got through the local airwaves--or, when I had it, internet radio stations. In fact, when I was a kid, my late mum used to ask me if I had the radio glued to my ear.

Oh, I listen to pop music and other stuff of course, also, but folk and celtic music will always have a special place in my heart--a bit of my youth, a memory of home, songs I used to sing to pass the time (when no one was around--can't sing to save my life).

It wasn't all folk music for me though, really. I adored pop music, until the early 80's--the early 80's sort of lost me, musically speaking. Strangely, I like 80's music more now, than I did then. When I was growing up, I couldn't get enough of pop music, though. There was this programme, on Sunday afternoons, called "America's Top 40" hosted by a famous DJ called Kasey Kasum. I swear, at one point in my early teens, I could name you every single top ten single from the early to mid-seventies....can't do that now, of course tho'...brain cells have gone too gray, ha-ha.

Anyway, last night I was a bit unwell, but feeling better today. The brats upstairs decided to blast their stereo at half-past one in the morning, so I didn't exactly have a good night's sleep...still, I'm a shade better, today, albeit very tired.

Have tomorrow off, thankfully. Have to look into getting some financial medical help--for the kidney failure this time, and, do laundry and shop...so, not a restful day off.

Last night I watched the Daleks in Manhattan eppy, on DVD, and spent over an hour, trying to figure out what the monster was going to be like, in my latest Dr Who story....gosh, I really don't have a life, do I? Ha-ha.

Anyway, "See" you all Saturday---IF we have work, here. Cheers, everyone. Nancy G.

I've five min left of my break!

Okay, where to start?

Well, it's a lovely, lovely spring day here. At last!!!

I won't be online except for now, as I must dash to the post office after work.

Nights are quite long for me, when I work day shift. Not a lot to do, without people around or tele or internet. But, the cats are happy and playful, Flame's still using my winter jacket as a climbing tree, and still chortiling away, once she reaches the top of the closet door. She's very easily amused, that one.

I'll probably write, make supper, read, watch a DVD, sit out on the balcony and watch traffic go by down on Glen Street. What can I say? I have no life, ha-ha. But, at least nothing bad is happening, and that's a genuine God-send.

Anyway, someone asked what a "chillidog" was---it's merely a hot dog with chilli con carne or, a greasy meatsauce seasoned with chilli powder. Often it also comes with chopped onions and/or mustard, and if it has shredded cheese on it, it's known as a "chilli-cheese dog."

Well, that was enlightening, was it not?

Awwww-break's over.

Cheers, all.

Hello, all.

Well, work's done for the day, It's just past two (1400), here and I'm off home to make myself a lunch of chilli dogs and chips. Not very good for me, true...but taste good, ha-ha.

I'm finally able to wear my good shoes, again. Well, their dual purpose shoes, really. Belive it or not, my black "posh" shoes that I wear for dress, are in reality a pair of western riding shoes...they look a bit like a pair of lace-up oxfords, but have some fancy stitching on them, and sport a low "riding heel." I've worn them to job interviews, my parent's funerals and to the office, but also wore them when I used to take riding lessons, four years ago. You really cannot beat a good pair of shoes, ey?

It's amazing though, the difference in my bad foot (the one I ripped apart a year ago, and is all misshapen, now) since I bought that pair of boots on Friday--the swelling in my foot is lower now (and the pain lessened somewhat), than it has been in the past year, and I can (more or less) comfortably wear my black dress/riding shoes again, after all this time. It's great! I've been having to go to the office in hikers and trainers, because I couldn't get these shoes on my bad foot. Hoo-ray.

Anyway, over the weekend I planted my garden--well, as much as a "garden" as one can have, with a balcony that will only fit two people...barely just, at that. But, I planted some fern dill--love dill in a stew-- and lavendar thyme in two small pots, and in my flower pot, I put in some flamenco pansies--ruffled pansies in yellow, pink and lavender.

So, I've got my chair out there, and my blooms--but, wouldn't you know it? The weather turned chilly again, and it's too cold to sit out there, comfortably (on account of the wind blillowing about the eaves).

Well, I'm off to home. Began chapter one of my as yet untitled new Dr Who short story, so tonight, after my chores are done, I"m off to do chapter two.

Rest of the week will be taken up with trying to arrange better medical benefits, so I can, as my doctor's keep nagging me, "take better care" of myself. With so much of the pressure and stress lifted off of me, now I can finally calm my life down enough to have some semblance of normalcy to it. (I'm still very spooky though, about my status in life, and don't think I'll ever be completely settled and secure ever again--unless I become rich and famous and/or win the lottery, ha-ha.)

Maybe when I'm well again, I can start working more hours or, perhaps find some meaningful volunteer work to do, to make myself feel like a useful human being once more.

I thought it would be hard, making the transition from working full-out, to working half-time or less. But, in retrospect, I realize only now, just how terribly, terribly ill, I was, for the last 6 or 7 months.

I still am, in some ways. Last night, in the middle of the night, I woke to have my heart pounding away like a kettle drum. I'm anxious to be productive again, but I have to constantly remind myself that I'm not 19 any longer. While I've about 2 1/2 years to go, 'till I reach the big 50, I'm still sometimes feeling old, these days. Still, I am better, and that's the big thing, isn't it? Mustn't complain or whine or moan.

A friend is sending me the first episode of Dr Who Series 4, which has me just so chuffed. I'm also getting some old movies I've not seen in ages, and...some music by Kylie, so I can finally hear what she sounds like, and why everyone in Europe is so ga-ga over her. No one here in Glens Falls has ever heard of her...well, no one here in Glens Falls has ever heard of most people popular in the UK..except for the Beatles and a few othter really big name bands, and maybe a few big film stars and Monty Pythong stars...but pretty much, the average joes around here are oblivious as to what's what in Europe. If a UK celeb ever wanted to find a place to holiday, where he or she (mostly) would go unoticed...Glens Falls would be the perfect spot, ha-ha...well, as long as he or she stays away from the big tourist areas.

So, I'm off. Have a good afternoon/evening. Cheers, Nancy G.