damn its cold in here - hope Harold will turn the heat on soon! I'm typing with gloves on!

I've finally decided that IRC and writing can't coexist - so, at least a chapter a day, then see if Lapinia or thezoo is being chatty. One story almost completed!

As to stories, still nothing from the FurFic Magazine site...and the book sale fell through, at least till spring. GRRR!

My hip has really been giving trouble the past few days - between the cold and wet, I've been almost confined either to bed or the computer chair...sigh, pain hurts...

Poor Jacob got the ax too - damn, I'd hoped he'd be spared but...Another friend to worry about

And now I see that ShadowWolf's dad is down too. Merde...

Went to 'Kings Companie of Archers' yesterday - first time I've really shot this entire year. It was a total disaster. I can't hit a damn thing, and was happy to just hit the butt most of the time. I worked myself into a total state of exhaustion by the time the event was over, and just sat for a long time to get up enough strength to get my car. Fourteen years of hard work and training - gone Another step down,  in the Year of Pain.

I know, I need to do these more often - sorry. So, whats happened recently? Lets see...

I went down to Phil's place in Columbia, Tennessee - nice place, big yard, comfy neighborhood. On the run down, car developed some problems with power loss climbing hills - fortunately there wasn't far to go, so I got in town, called Phil and followed him to his place. He has a nice setup for growing plants indoors! And an ENORMOUS monitor for his computer! Spent the night on the couch, comfy once you find a good position. Lance showed up the next morning, and we got Phil's car loaded, after taking mine to a local mechanic. Then, off to Columbia, Ohio and the BASH! As always, an interesting ride with Phil and Lance.

   Found many Bashers waiting when we arrived, and I finally got to meet ShadowWolf and Pakesh-de in person! Got to the room - stank of smoke, but was nice aside from that. Morgan had Hoofboots, gloves and a set of ears for me! DELIGHT!!! ShadowWolf gave me a huge book on RedHat Linux, which I'm exploring. The Bash opened in the Conference room, and I got to meet a number of other people I've spoken too since I got involved with this. We went to the Arby's next door for a late supper - I do enjoy Arby's roast beef.

   Saturday, we met again in the Conference room in the morning, changed rooms to one that didn't stink, then decided to go to the Wright-Patterson AFB Air Force Museum. I was of two minds about going, with my problems with arthritis, but Morgan and ShadowWolf said they'd push me in a Wheelchair. I swallowed my pride and agreed gratefully - that Museum is a place I'll only have one chance to see, and it was totally worth it. To actually SEE so many of the aircraft in reality that I spent my boyhood building models of - I was over the MOON! Morgan pushed me through the WW1 era stuff, and we both had a great time, then ShadowWolf took over and we went through the WW2 and early jet age exhibits. We both had a world of fun - so many famous aircraft! Only one they didn't have that I wanted to see was a B36, and those were HUGE, so even the Air Force probably thought twice there.

   Back to the Motel, wash up, then off to supper in a great German Restaurant! Saurbraten mit Schnitzel, und a great Dark Ale! Then gaming into the early hours. Deeply enjoyable evening, perfect end to a great day.

   Slept late Sunday - the roll-around bed was not easy to sleep in, and I needed the extra shuteye. Was woke and asked if I wanted to go to Bob Evans for brunch - of course! Good food, good company - paid for Morgan and ShadowWolf as a humble thanks for the help at the Museum. Took a nap when we got back, then Morgan and I got into garb (hoofboots and ears for me) and went down to get into the Bash Picture. Joined in a werewolf hunt game - great fun! Then Listened to Mattias read from SciFi and Fantasy books for us - he does a good job. Slept in the bed that night - got a good nights sleep.

   Next morning was packing and farewells...Hated to leave, but hopefully I can go to the next Bash in Memphis! Rode back to Phil's place with him and Lance, then crashed on the couch again. Recovered the car in the morning - mechanic said he'd found a hose off and reset it. SEEMED to run better, so loaded up and headed for home.

   It seemed that the further I went, the worse the car got. I stopped in Kentucky for a road map, and noticed that the water was very low. Refilled it, and heard a hissing/sizzling sound but couldn't find it. Oil was good, and no other obvious problems, so back on the road, down around Paducah, and into Illinois. The car was steadily getting worse, anything above 3k RPM and she bucked choked and stuttered, but I could go 65 in 5thgear, so I pressed on - until the low water light came on! That was the end - I pulled off and 911'd for help. A HYPO came for me, crammed me in the back of his squad with a spare tire for company, and took me to the Benton Days Inn motel in Benton Ill. Thank the Gods, I had enough money for a room. I called Phil and let him know what was going on, but my cell was almost out of power and I tried to use the motel phone. I was very tired and probably heat exhausted, so I passed out for an hour or so - deeply sorry to those I worried.Called Phil with the location, address, and room phone number when I woke, then went to the front desk and they turned the room phone on so I could receive calls. Late in the day by now, so I couldn't do anything about the car as to towing or finding a place to service it.

   Phil, Gods Bless, drove up and helped - we emptied the car of anything of value, then went back and slept thru the rest of the night. Phil does snore, but having lived in crowded berthing compartments in the Navy, I'm used to it, so we both got a good sleep. Called various repair shops in the morning - nobody does VW's around there, but they recommended a shop, and I had the car towed there. Went to Wal-mart in the morning and got a large tote, then back to the motel and packed everything, then left in time for checkout. Got some breakfast, then, drove to the repair shop in Carbondale and authorized repairs. Phil drove me to Mt.  Vernon and paid for a 'Hound home.

   Got a call the car was ready, and my friend Fred drove me down to get it - almost 5 hours one way. Picked up the car and went to Dennys to have lunch, and found that the car still had major problems. Called the shop and went back when we finished, then showed the mechanic the problem - still not running above 3k rpm! He replaced the fuel filter, then after some serious nagging, drilled a hole in the Catalytic converter. Bingo! The Cat had failed and blown chunks, blocking the exhaust. the mechanic cut it loose and knocked out the chunks, and the car ran right! - $930 later, on the long way home.

   So, thats the tale so far. Hopefully I can get the Cat replaced soon, but the car is home and running. Thanks to all involved, deeply and from the heart. And theres a train to Memphis!

Getting close - getting scared. Getting stuff together - got my garb on Sunday, sold enough crap yesterday to buy supplies thru the end of the month, drew money for the trip - doing wash this afternoon, so clean stuff available. Working on packing - trying to cover the little shit, and the big...Oh, Goddess, if I was only ten years younger...

getting a serious case of heebegeebies...

Felix

Car went tires up last night - went out to get bread, and she started acting up, then died and wouldn't restart. $70 for the tow, $70 just to find out whats wrong - then the cost for repairs. Merde. Looking like MFF is becoming difficult, if not impossible. I was really looking forward to it, with all the troubles, but...
Heh, I'm still in a warm house, with food and water and a safe place to sleep. I shouldn't sweat the small stuff! There's always next year, and if I can't do MFF, I CAN do Phil's!

James   : |

Current Mood: frustrated

Got an earfull from a friend who the Landlord Harold Will talk to (won't speak with me, tho) about all the points he's upset with me about. Fine, thats life, and if he throws me out, well, it'll be rough. What else is new? I have a LOT of gripes about him too, but since its his house, I let them slide. Grrr...

Worked on the car - its picked up a nasty habit of dying in bad places. Almost certain its the distributer cap, so I bought a new one and spent an hour just trying to get it in place, with no luck - the rear latch wont go on, since the thing is an eigth of an inch different in hight. Finally, cleaned out the old one and put it back on - which took some doing. At least the car runs - now.; No money for a proper overhaul, of course.

Grrr - I hate my life, and theres no way out.

James

Current Mood: crappy

Got my testosterone patches and started using them. Having some emotional difficulties - don't know if its them, the season, whats going on with friends or just what. Heh, try to ride it out and see, I'm tired of being nothing.
No real luck with stories - got one half written and lost focus, another I'm not sure if I've got a proper direction set, and a third that is just not moving...Muse gone again?
Only good thing is that I found the disk for the DVD player I'm sending to Mike - hope it works for him. Still haven't found the Flash Gorden books - Gods, theres a LOT of boxes left to go through!
37 days to MFF ...

Current Mood: distressed

Today is a downer for some reason I can't figure out...so much bad news, but thats not unusual anymore. Bright and sunny outside, a crisp, cool day, yet I sit inside and mope. Several storys to work on, but I'm stalled there too Grrr...

Sorry if this seems to be an emo dump, just trying to work my way thru things...

Felix

Damn, ti feels good to have my muse back! Two stories completed, three actuall, with a rewrite of the lead-in on one. I am so happy to be writing again!
 Also, went to Kings Companie of Archers last Saturday - and walked enough to do most of my own retrieving! I was so worried, after the weakness and illness at Lilies War back in June, but I'm back again! The worst part was getting soaked to the skin in the afternoon rain, but I completed all the shoots before going home early, before King's Court. Oh, well- I pray I can keep it up! Now if only the rain would stop so I can practice for Autumn Arrows in October!

Felix
9/13/08

Current Mood: cheerful

Well, another birthday past...I have trouble believing I'm 58. Except for the arthritis, I don't feel it. How am I supposed to feel, I wonder?

Sister took me out to breakfast, and gave me a new copy of Blackmore's Night's Paris Moon - a live concert DVD and CD! Wow, I was blown away! I love that group. But now I find that Nero wants big bucks to make the thing play DVDs. Bummed.

Well, Wednesday I can try to get the car fixed. It seems like the money I get just isn't enough, no matter what I do.

Enough bitching...I got Arrows story written edited and on TSA and to him by Xmas! YAY! And it's a fairly good story! Finished the last part of 'Ranch' and got it posted, and now I'm ready to put the new story out. Dark story, I'm afraid...but, what can I do? that's the way it felt, that's the way I have to write it.

Landlord got a big shelf set for the room - that'll help getting a lot of stuff cleaned off the desk and environs, and make working here a lot easier. I need to clean up more stuff, find a cassette player that works so I can get some of my tapes done.

Well, more later. Things to do, places to go.

Felix