I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

One of the supervisors at my office made this--giggle time.

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I was physically threatened over the phone today. An older man was incensed that I had (or rather my computer dialer had) dialed his number incorrectly--this happens when someone is issued a phone number that had belonged to a previous person...it's happened to me, it happens to millions of people in America.

I did my best to apologize to the man--my best Doris Day approcach, and reassure him that I was putting him down as a wrong number--but the more I tried to be nice and apologetic and just get off the phone with the old freak, the more insensed he became and then--without warning, he because screeching profanity at me, and then said, "if you call me again, I'm gonna get a knife or a gun, and find you..." Thereby committing a federal offense (threatening or harrassing someone over the phones, across state lines, is actually a federal crime in the USA)...and which point I had been trying to tell him to calm down, that I was doing just as he was telling me to--but I hang up. You just can't reason with a rabid dog.

I suppose I could have written down his phone number and the exact time of the call (which is automatically recorded) and call the New York State Police. But, who cares? This is more or less "normal" American behavior these days...no joke.

Yes, Americans do often foam at the mouth like mad dogs, or something as innocent and completely HARMLES, as a wrong number. I mean, at best, it's merely an inconvenience! If it bothers these people so much, they can get the number changed, or get an unlisted number--or just yank out the damn phone, if it's making them that mentally unstable.

The 2nd Amednment of our constitution, was written when this country--a brand new country, less than 170 years after the first white settlers landed at Jamestown, was barely out of its proverbial diapers... and, we were on the brink of war with one of the world's major superpowers---with bloodthirsty native American warriors thrown in--in modern comparison, it might be a bit like New Zealand going to war with Russia. So, militias were sorely needed. This is no longer the case, for, despite the depletion of our military resources by the "war" in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan, outside of the National Guard--which is funded by both the state and federal government--there are no other RECOGNIZED militias in the US.

However, there ARE "club" militias...often white Arian (Nazi-style or KKK) "militias" that are totally independent of government control, and whom often have no real interest in preserving the peace or democracy--their true purpose is much more sinister and evil...they exist to wipe anyone who isn't white Anglo-Saxon protestant American, off the map. I kid yo not. Most especially, they hate blacks, Muslims and hispanics...and Jews, and the British, and the French, and the Russians...pretty much everyone but their own redneck little band of neanderthals.

I really wish I were kidding, but sadly, I'm not--these "militia-men" exist by the tens of thousands--every state in the USA has them. It's one of our better kept dirty little secrets. Something the National Rifle Association--which many white politicians belong to-- rather you didn't know about. It was two "militia-men" domestic terrorists, who blew up the federal building in Oklahoma city in 1995, killing over 150 people, and injuring some 450--including children in a day care centre inside the building.

These pseudo-patriotc "Americans" often wish to undermine the US constitution, because they don't understand its intent, and harbour some quaking fear of authority figures--anxeity disorder, mummy syndrome...who knows? These club memebers are so uneducated or mentally unstable, that they suffer from "end time" paranoia, and want to be "ready" for the "invasion"--whether that be Russia, North Korea, China, terrorists, nuclear or chemical weapons from the (laughably they really believe this) Middle East, The Second Coming of Christ, or UFO aliens---the reason for stockpiling weapons and food and learning survival techniques varies from one redneck "tribe" to another.

Also, in the USA, almost anyone can get a gun....whether they plan on using it for hunting (and tens of thousands of so-called American "hunters" quite and very literally, DO NOT KNOW what a deer looks like)--or for so-called "self-defense." The truth is, most guns in America, are used in crimes---are used on people the shooter KNOWS...their wife, child, husband, mum, dad, cousins, friends, co-workers and criminal associates. True, sometimes innocent people get caught in cross-fire, and sometimes an untreated mentally ill person, or someone suffering a sudden "breakdown," will take a gun and start shooting random people--either for some kind of power trip, or just for some attention.

Yes, there are responsible gun owners out there--but they are becoming fewer and further between. yet...even convicted criminals in many states, can very easily get hold of a gun.legally...even a hunting license!

In the wake of the recession, in California alone, FIVE families have fallen victim in the past several months, to murder-suicides with guns.

Many hunters and other gun owners actually BRAG about letting their 3 to 8 year olds handle and fire loaded guns! These would be the 3 to 8 year olds that TOALLY LACK any proper ADULT judgement when it comes to using a firearm, mind you. They can't drive a car, they can't drink a beer...but they can go out and shoot live ammo at anything that moves. What's wrong with this picture???

Here's what the Second Amendment has to say:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Today, the National Rifle Association and gun lovers across America, take this to mean that every American has a right to own a handgun and/or rifle, or even an automatic weapon, like an Uzi. And, they are trying their hardest to see that ANY laws restricting that right--whether those laws are intended to save Americans from their fellow Americans--and do away with regulations...basically, the gun lobby wants America to back in time the wild west of the mid-1800's...they fail to see that laws and rules are what keep us civilized..they don't want the responsibility of keeping America save from Americans...they only care about defenseless animals, criminals only invading the gun owner's own personal space, and terrorists/Communists/aliens and the 2nd coming of Jesus.

I'm for calling a duck and duck, and making the Second Amendment Constitution of the United States, FINALLY taken literally--used to mean PROPER state militias (such as the National Guard), and NOT anyone who wants to own a gun.

Click here to vote--should every American be allowed to own a gun???

http://www.usatoday.com/news/quickquestion/2007/november/popup5895.htm

A bright sunny day out there...not much going on, here. My drunken hillbilly neighbours were going at it, hammer and tongs, last night and when I woke this morning. Lovely. Apparently they had complained (as had I, actually) to the landlords about the loud music coming from the boys upstairs--the yuppie-_itch building manager, made sniveling excuses for them, saying they'd just gotten a new video game and didn't realize it was so loud--yeah, and that's why they didn't turn it down when the neigbours started banging on the ceilings with broom handles??? Blimey! It was so loud, you could actually hear it the minute you walked in the outside door, down stairs--that's three storey's down, by the way.

But, the drunken hillbilly's loud-mouth sister was whinging at me about the kids upstairs and THEIR noise, and then she and her stoned brother kept me up till midnight with their little argument...and entertained me at breakfast with a continuation therof.

Ah well, life in the city, gotta' love it...not. God, I miss my caravan! I've been looking at apartments, but it's just not finacially possible--even with the 1st month's rent and security deposit, the cost (and headaches) of getting my electric/internet re-connected and all that palaver--the stress of packing...I can't afford to hire a proper removal firm. And, I would have to, because I'll be damned if I'm EVER going to depend on a co-worker, someone hired off the street or someone referred to me by a "friend." No-the-hell-way. I'm NOT going to go through any more moving nightmares! I just can't go through that kind of hell again. Blimey! It would put me back in hospital!

And, quite honestly, I'm just getting too damn old to play the part of a pack-mule, any longer. My body is just worn out to bits, and I'm not even 50 years old, yet!

The cats are in fine fettle this morning--well, Boots is passed out on a throw pillow on the floor in front of the radiator. Flame and Charlie are happy lovely today, though. They are alternating between playing with their toys, and being super-affectionate...and just stretching and rolling about in the sunshine on the floor, looking sweet. Awww.

Me, it's off to work again today, only noon to four. I dislike those hours, 'cos it throws my meal schedule all off--not good for my already wonky appetite, and worse for my diabetes. But, ya' do what ya' gotta' do, right? I'm not one for shirking--well, unless my body or mental state dictates otherwise, sadly. Don't exactly have total control over that, I'm afraid.

I only made one sale yesterday--I so SUCK at selling. I mean it! I totally suck. I'm not comfortable with being pushy or agressive--I'm such a Mary Poppins, sometimes, I enjoy being nice and helpful, and I'm not very good at brown-nosing people...which is essential in a good salesperson...sucking up and schmoozing, I mean...I really do stink at that.

Anyway, onwards and upwards--was hoping to change jobs in the new year, but that's just not gonna' happen. There are NO jobs. None. There were what? Maybe five jobs listed in the local paper--all of which I either am unqualified for, or would put me back into the world of low-wage mangy labour.

I am $30,000+ in student loan debt, because I wanted to get away from the trap of low-wage mangy labour...yeah, well, the fantasy was nice while it lasted...go back to college, get a career, follow your dreams, make a better life for yourself? HORSE PUCKY.
Go back to college, get so buried in debt you'll never get out, have George W. Bush yank your student funding out from under you so you can't finish your 4 year degree, then also have said bastr--erm, presideent make it HARDER for you to re-pay said loans and impossible for you to include said loans in bankruptcy proceedings...then TRY to find a job based on the skills you did learn in college, and find out that even if you would be hired, the only jobs you qualify for, are low-wage jobs!!??!!! Screw that. I should have blinking stayed on benefits...no really, I was financially more secure unemployed on benefits, than I was working...or even, working on benefits, like I am now!!!

So, that's my little vent, over and done with for the day. Have to change into my office duds. Have a great day, all. Cheers.

(Taken from my balcony window at 11.00am) THE MORNING AFTER THE STORM:

Oooh, I'm being cheeky again, aren't I? Poor Russell, have a ciggie on me, ol' son.

Well, after continuining for 18 hours straight, more or less, the snow has finally stopped. The public work's crew has been hard at it, and our main street (Glen St.) is now mostly clear and wet. Because the storm got such a late start, we only got about 10 inches here in the city, I reckon, just by an eyeball measurement..might be more like 8..it's hard to tell in the city...in the country I used to use trees as my measuring stick, in the city I pretty much have to use roofs, and snow slides off them, so it's slightly harder to gauge.

But, I can pretty much tell we didn't get the 14 to 18 inches forecast for us, which is nice. We already had around 24 inches on the ground, roughly--it's been snowing almost every week, or every other week, since early December--any deeper and I'll be needing to buy some snowshoes to get to work, ha-ha (kicking myself for selling mine in 2006).

Right now, the wind is howling 'round the eaves...maybe it isn't the winter wind at all, but the lost souls of all those who died with dreams forsaken.

Erm--that was a bit rubbish, wasn't it? Never mind.

Back! Okay, where was I? Oh yeah. Cold winters never used to matter to me. It's like everything else in life, you get used to it...well, until you hit halfway through your 40's, in my case. Whether it's the injuries catching up to me, or my diabetes, or whatever, I just don't have the tolerance for the cold like I used to. I still don't mind it too bad...as long as I'm dressed for it, but it does seem to physically affect me a whole lot more than it has done, for the past 40 some-odd years.

I used to think nothing of going for a walk in sub-zero temps after a winter storm--used to love it, actually. But now...I really hate to admit this, it's so...un-butch of me, but right now, you couldn't pry me out of my mangy old aprtment with a crowbar. I mean, the only way you'd get me to go outside on a night like this, is on a stretcher, or over a fireman's shoulder---well, if it's a handsome bloke, I don't reckon I'd object too awfully much, anyway.

A double-decker bus being shipped over to Dubai for filming of the Easter Special of Doctor Who was wrecked while being unloaded in Yemen.

According to the "Wired" website...Unfortunately, whoever brought the vehicle to Dubai delivered only a "bu-" -- having beaten the "s" out of it. Now Davies has a beat-up bus dumped off in the United Arab Emirates that he can't use for shooting.

The 1980 vintage double decker was wrecked by a crane operator during the unloading process...basically he dropped a 30 foot shipping container on it. Ouch. The two buses used in the episode were hired, at a cost of 20,000 pounds (doesn't say if that's each or for the pair). Also, it's been printed in a couple of online papers, that it would have cost the BBC around 7,000 pounds to ship the bus to Dubai.

Whoops. There's yer license fee down a very expensive loo, ey? Apparently it's too big a dent to fix with a sonic screwdriver.

Allegedly in the script, the Doctor was supposed to encounter the bus in the UK...and again in a very exotic locale--of course we now all know that locale is Dubai.

Both Russell--who reportedly (and rightly so) blew a gasket when he found out, and his co-writer for the special, Gareth, are completely and massively re-writing scenes (to the joy of the actor's, director and other key people, I'll bet) to get around the Doctor missing the bus.

(Well, now the bloke knows how I feel!!! Missing the bus sucks.)

Last year, the programme had another near-miss with a shooting disaster, when a major fire broke out at the Italian film studios in Rome where part of Fires of Pompeii was shot. The filming had only just finished, and some very expensive filming equipment was lost in the blaze--thankfully no one was hurt, though. It is believed insurance paid for the loss of the equipment, though...and hopefully the damaged bus was insured.

There were problems with the other bus as well, when disrespectful and overly enthusiastic "fans" (Okay--I'm an American... let's not sugarcoat it--obnoxious, ill-mannered idiots) kept interrupting the shooting in Cardiff, by pressing the pedestrian crosswalk buttons, forcing the bus to stop so they could shoot pictures with their camera phones and gawk at the actors inside.

Basically though, with the damage to the "desert" bus, the original Dubai shooting script is now toast, from what I understand, and I imagine Producer/writer Davies' must be having some very agitated and sleepless nights, right about now, the Poor guy. He has my complete sympathy...but he's one of the best.

(I say that, even when I don't always agree with Davies' choices in his writing--I may bemoan his theatrics and soap-ish dramas at times, but I still enjoy his work, think he's an awesome writer--and really, it would actually worry me, if I agreed with everything somebody wrote, said or did...bleurgh, no.)

Anyway--sorry, got off the beaten path again..that's the tomboy in me...

Recently released photos show the Doctor walking around with a chunk of gold--which some people refer to as a gold-wrapped chocolate. Hey, even Time Lords must have a sweet tooth.

There was a mention of what Michelle Ryan's character is, but I won't print that here--too much of a spoiler and I'm sorry I saw it...I try so hard to ignore spoliers, but sometimes they (the fans/media) sneak them in without the courtesey of warning of spoilers.

Someone actually sent me what was allegedly the outline for the Easter special plot but I deleted it. Don't wanna' know!!!

Well, got some e-mails tonight. Gah--would you believe another love letter to/about David Tennant? Why me? This girl (assuming it's a girl, it was just a generic username) didn't even tell me why she was writing me---actually, it was almost like an e-mail to the actor himself! And long? Jees....this one came with a deliverable address, so I sent a courteous but semi-terse reply asking her not to do this any longer, and why.

All I can think is that my e-mail address has been posted on some fan-blog somewhere out it cyberspace, and someone is telling these sweet little air-heads that either I know the man, or that this is the man's e-mail address???? Or, someone's taking the mickey out of me. One or the twain, I've no idea.

Anyway, the other e-mail was yet another meme, from my old pal Tardisgurl. Well, it's a long snowy evening, so I might as well...

This is a "photo fantasy" meme.

_________________________________________________________________

Find a picture to discribe...

1. What the best Christmas present ever, would be:

Tie:

Or:

2. Where you would like to live:

3. Your idea of the perfect place to live:

4.. Your dream home:

5. How you would furnish your dream home:

6. your dream job

Or

7. Your dream mate:

8. Your ideal city to live in: (note that I don't really have one..not picky about that)

9. your dream holiday:

Or:

10. The perfect sort of place to meet friends for a meal: