pandoraceltica

2002 - 5 speed manual - 65K miles - Power Windows - CD Player - $4,250 or best offer.

On Monday I will have my MOR101 exam, and then I will be done with this semester.

It was one hell of a battle, but I managed to pass my BIO201 with a B, which not only allows me to move on, but also gives me the opportunity to attend an advanced anatomy course for the spring semester. I had already written my spring schedule, and should not take on any more of a class load, but BIO276 is a class that is unlikely to be offered again during my school career. I will have the opportunity to study under J. Johnson who is reputed to be amazing, and over the course of the class will have a hand in preparing a new lab cadaver for study by all of the other anatomy classes at ACC. I just can't, in good conscious, pass this up.

I still may decide to trade my 5 credit hour course for a 3 credit hour course which would bring me back down to a full-time load, but at this point I have not yet had an "easy" semester, and have managed not to have a breakdown. I guess that means I can handle it?

I am looking forward to the winter break. I have powers of attorney in hand which will hopefully allow me to finally get Stephen's vehicles sold and gone from the property. Next week I will start working on that.

I would also like to get in some quality social time and visit friends who have been neglected. I have been saying, "Yes, let's get together" to a rather long list of people for months. I really do want to see them, and not just in passing. Funds are tight, so I'm not talking about going to dinners out; more like coffee, my place or theirs. I have already scheduled a date with Sylvr on the 20th, and I am double-booked on the 13th and need to decide which way I am going. North for a Holiday gathering with some of the most wonderful people I know, or west to celebrate the hard-won Master's Degree of an amazing woman. The graduation party will probably win out, on the simple logic that the holidays happen every year.

Sunday I'd like to schedule a date with my boy. He's home sick today, but that doesn't really qualify as quality time.

There's nothing much new going on with the house. I need to collect the mailbox keys from the renter, and get over there to do some yard maintenance. It will go into foreclosure on the 17th unless by some miracle the money owed to me is paid. I try not to think about it too much. If not for Nate's help, my heat would be getting shut off here this month. Just keep going, right?

I am still deciding whether to stay here or head out someplace else to study today. I think I'll decide that after I've showered. It's looking like a beautiful day outside, and I should go take advantage of it. On the other hand it's really cold out there. Maybe I can find a cafe table with a view for today...

I walked into Accounting this evening and got started on my practice test for the final. The instructor showed up, and I handed him my final project. He looked at me kind of sideways and asked me how well I thought I did. I answered honestly that I am expecting full credit; all of the numbers worked out exactly like they were supposed to, with everything in balance. At that point he told me that he throws out the lowest test score for the semester, and being as I have an A, there is no way I can improve my score.

He sent me home. I am done with accounting and now have only two finals to study for.

That's about the coolest thing ever.

I am currently on my Thanksgiving Holiday break from school, which is turning out to be much more relaxing than my Spring Break was. I still have a lot of work to do, but somehow I am not spending fifteen hours a day at it.
Yesterday I decided to tackle my Accounting Final as Don was amazingly kind and replaced the hard drive in the other laptop and loaded an operating system that will talk to the necessary software. It's going well!
I beat on it until about 5pm and then headed out to meet with Larry's Boy Scout troupe.
Actually they are Weblos. I probably spelled that wrong. Anyway this pack of nine-year-old boys are working toward a Showmanship badge, and so have put together a show. I was called in as a professional musician to teach them a song, and help with coordinating the act. It's awesome. They made little stages and sock puppets that they actually wear on their feet. It's all Pirate themed, and is going to be just terribly cute. Last night's dress rehearsal was going well... They actually sounded like they were all singing the same song, and then I asked them to move their feet as they were singing. It's harder than it sounds, and the song went straight to hades on the first attempt. They need some more practice, but I have confidence that they will pull it together. The show is the day before my finals for two different classes, but if I can, I will attend.

While I was working with the boys, I got a text from Nate telling me he was wet and naked. There was even photographic evidence. It was absolutely inappropriate, and terribly funny. Lesson learned. Ignore the damned phone, or think very fast in order to tap-dance around potentially embarrassing questions. ("No, really. My abject delight has everything to do with this pack meeting!")

Afterwards I headed out to meet my boy at Cafe Netherworld where he plays poker on Tuesday nights. Usually I don't attend because Tuesdays include lecture, lab and accounting which means I am mentally exhausted at the end of the day. While I was driving I had one of the "Aha!" moments with my project, so when I got there I just sort of smiled and waved on my way to tucking into my homework. I felt terribly rude, but I needed to get past that stumbling block. After a couple of hours, I got the project to a point where I needed to print stuff off before I could go any further, so I put it away and spent some time being social. Nate and I had some loving-yet-serious conversation regarding wants, needs and the future. Jettie and I got one of those Evil in the Nicest Way Possible plans germinated for this coming faire season, and Mike, Jess and I just talked for the joy of conversation. It was awesome. Mel and Tony are moving in a couple of weeks, so I have offered to help the day after the big move. I can't do lifting, but I can clean, so I'm not entirely useless.


I have had so much fun checking the mail, recently. A couple of days ago I had a package from Dr. S. It contained eye color, skully socks and kitty fur. That last was probably unintentional, but it so made me smile. I miss my Abyssinian cat so much, even years after his death. He was always into everything, and right on top of whatever I was doing, and I'm sure that the Good Doctor's cats are the same with her. Also, the timing is brilliant. I have an anatomical heart pendant from her that I wear for luck for lab practicals. Next week I'll have lucky socks, too.

Yesterday I had another package. It contained a little plastic saint. I was really confused at first until I remembered a conversation with Victoria. Saint Joseph will be helping to sell my house. That's awesome.

I have been terrible with ignoring that Thanksgiving is TOMORROW in regards to going to the store. I need to bake a couple of pies, and I am missing just a couple of key ingredients. Unfortunately I don't like going to the grocery store at the best of times, and the days before a holiday are never the best of times. I may have to make a 2am run. It's generally easier that way.

Today I will split my time between A&P and Accounting while tackling my kitchen which has a sink full of dishes (mostly coffee cups), and icky counter tops due to the birds. I can't cook effectivly unless I start with a clean kitchen.

So, anyway... Back to it.

So, I was told by Stephen a week ago that the Power of Attorney documents that I'd had drafted and sent him along with a stamped and addressed return envelope would be in the mail. I wasn't really holding my breath, but as they have not yet arrived, I thought I would text him a nudge.
His message:
"Only notary in the Quarter was out of town til today (I hope). Will send ASAP."

Really. One Notary Public. New Orleans' French Quarter contains a court house, police station, post office, banks and casino all within easy walking distance of Royal, but only ONE notary.

Whether he really thinks I am that stupid or lying to me is such an ingrained knee-jerk reaction, I suppose I ought to be used to it by now. Just once I think it would be refreshing to get a message saying "Have not yet run out of booze/drugs/food/masturbation material and so have had no motivation to leave the house." See, THAT I would believe.

Speak of the devil, and the phone rings.
He amended his statement to say that the one notary that he knows was out of town, and the documents have now been signed. So, back to waiting.
As a funny sort of side note, he also mentioned that he joined a reenactment group, and learned that a friend of mine is also a member, and wanted to know if there were going to be any problems. Of course there won't be. B is a very intelligent individual with no need to involve himself in someone else's disputes. I just want to tell Stephen to stop projecting such personality traits on good people. I would be wasting my breath. On a good side-note, he sounds healthier. I didn't detect any of the downtrodden petulance I have come to expect of him in his voice. I don't know what has him feeling better, and I am not going to poke at it. I am just grateful.

I headed to school early this morning to work on my Anatomy and Physiology class. Nobody else in my lab group showed up, but I still spent five hours working on my lab notebook and making a study guide for the upcoming Lab Practical. For this afternoon I am going to switch gears and delve into Accounting. I am pretty much ignoring my Mortuary course for this week. It's the class that I am least worried about, as it is not a current prerequisite, and frankly I already know I am going to pass.

Friday morning I met up with Mom Sabrina so that we could have lunch and go to see the Bodies in Motion exhibit at the Mills Mall. We managed to talk Travis into joining us, and had a lovely time wandering and talking. Saturday Nate and I had to be up early for rehearsal. It was my first in a long time, and I was mildly excited to see my band again. As it happens, Jen is down sick, so we had most of the band. It was cool anyway, and we got to revisit some songs that we've only toyed with in the past. After rehearsal, Nate and I had breakfast and toured some motorcycle shops and jewelry stores, just drooling and dreaming. It was nice. Once home, we each got into our own projects for a while, and then curled up to watch a couple of cute movies and have dinner and talk. Sunday I left early to go study and visit Mom, and when I got home that evening we were back the the cuddling/movie/dinner/talking thing. Overall, it was an awesome weekend when compared to the prior weeks.

The Victorian is on the market!
It took all of a weekend and a crew of well over twenty people all told, but we finally got the house mucked out and a sign in the front yard. Donna showed up with a truckload of yard equipment and mulch, and she and Yeyo managed to transform the lot. Nate cleaned out the basement then wrangled a pack of young boys around the parking lot getting it swept and raked while the rest of us toiled away inside. Dorothy cleaned windows and pulled nails, Don repaired carpet and fixed the chandelier, Season and Calypso washed shelves, wainscoting and light fixtures, Laura and Tristan provided munchies and did some plaster repair, Di spent hours vacuuming and running the carpet steamer until she was relieved by Magdalene. Von, Requiem, Stalkie, DD, Merlot, the Commodore, Falcon, James, and a few others made appearances. My Mom was invaluable in the cleaning department, and my sister and her husband even showed up for a bit. Writing this out is killing me because I know that I am forgetting people. Overall, it was an amazing show of support.
I went back to the property on Wednesday to clean the kitchen and the tile floors. I also put down a gallon or so of Febreeze as the pet damage was too much for the steamer, and I can't replace the carpet. I cleaned up the mess left where the roll-off was in the parking lot - About five loads of garbage and a rug I had asked Stephen to move two years ago - and when that was done, my agent showed up and we discussed the mechanics of selling a house. Somewhere during that time, a diesel mechanic showed up and got the truck to start and run, so whenever it's time to sell it, it will move on it's own power.
I need to get over there periodically to keep up the yard, and if I have the time, I'll continue painting and repairs. It's all cosmetic, but anything that adds to the appeal will help with getting it sold.

I am on a break from school this week which means I have a metric ton of homework to accomplish. It also means I can do the work anywhere I wish, so I imagine I'll be seeing a lot of my favorite coffee shops. Thanksgiving dinner will be enjoyed with friends and family instead of a bar this year. I am feeling a bit guilty about not running the Orphan's Thanksgiving, but I need to just get over that. It's someone else's turn to pick up the torch, and they've had plenty of notice.

So, here's to you.

I hope you all have a fantastic holiday!

Another 11 hours, another room almost done.

Today's adventure consisted of spackling and painting. Tomorrow will be more of the same.

I have gotten a few messages offering help, and if you are one of those, I will be there from about 11am until about 4pm, and probably again on Sunday for longer.

The address is 2247 Federal Blvd.

If nothing else, it's a beautiful old house and worth seeing before I loose it.

Good night.

Um... Ow.

I worked for about six hours and almost got a room cleaned. Of the two vacuums that were there this weekend, only one is left, and it doesn't work.

The riser in the master bedroom took an hour all by itself as I am doubting it has been cleaned or treated since I moved out. I spent a good amount of time working up dried, (thankfully) unidentifiable puddles of goo before oiling it thoroughly.

There was a spot of carpet I actually had to remove, and I'm going to spare you the details.

But, the windows were washed along with the walls, and I treated the wood and washed the light fixture, so...
Yep, got to vacuum and repair the carpet. And then I'll have a room done. Gee, that only leaves about 1,400 square feet to go.

I suppose there is a bright side in that I'll not have to wash any more walls on the upper floor.

Nope - They all need paint.

*sigh*

I'll be going back on Friday morning, and we'll see how long I last that day. There is a crew of Rogues scheduled to show up on Saturday, so hopefully with enough man-power I can finally call my Agent with good news, instead of "No, don't list it yet. Yes, I know. I am trying. Sorry."

Also, there should be someone strong enough to remove the television and the recliner and the piles of stuff that qualify as too heavy. I made a few loads this morning before my back screamed at me, and there were a few things I was able to just toss off the balcony. The yard needs cleaning, anyway.


One last note -

There are those who have messaged me about being too hard on the renter. I have spoken with him. He knows my mind on this matter, and understands that I am likely to be angry for some time. This is not just about a dirty house, it's about keeping one's word, and it's about my ability to regain my financial stability. Yes, I am angry at Stephen, too. I am also angry at myself. That does not excuse the renter. He and I are in agreement that I have every right to be livid. I am going to be so, and be loud about it for some time.

I am angry because, when I am told something such as "The upper floor will be completely cleared out by Sunday", when I return on Wednesday, I don't expect to find this...





More here:
http://s283.photobucket.com/albums/kk310/TravelerHawk/Victorian1108/?albumview=grid

Sometimes life's little silver linings just reach out and smack you.

I was bitching earlier about the computer issues. I did have a laptop with Windows that would have run my Accounting project, but it gave up the ghost about a month ago. I sent it over to my friend to be looked over, and the diagnosis was a bad hard drive. I just got a text from him stating that the hard drive has been replaced, and loaded with Windows 2000. I get it back tomorrow. That rocks.

My sexy Attorney sent me the PoA's to deal with the Crackhead's crap, and they are winging their way to NOLA. The papers to be served should have reached the the NOLA PD today.

In spite of my stupidly busy schedule, I have agreed to go teach a pack of nine-year-old Boy Scouts to sing a pirate song tomorrow after school. This means I finally get to direct the performance of a song that my band has been reluctant to tackle. It's "Shiver My Timbers" from the Muppet Treasure Island. It's a difficult song, especially A Cappella, but kids are fearless and enthusiastic and I have every confidence that they will not only be up to the challenge, but will blow it out of the water.

The last bit of lovely for today is the boy being home and naked.


Yay.

There are just a few weeks of school left, and I am both excited and a bit panicked about getting everything done for the various looming deadlines.
I have finished up all outside projects for MOR100, and have only the final exam to focus on.
ACC121 needs a couple more homework assignments, and a final project for which none of the computers at my disposal will work. It's operating system issues, and yes, I have spoken with my instructor. We have agreed that if I cannot beat the program into submission or find the time to use the computer lab I will turn the project in handwritten and accept just a bit less than full credit. I am ok with that as I am currently scheduled to finish with an A. I also have the final exam for this class, and I am not at all worried about it.
BIO201... Man, I have a lot of work to do there. Final exam, lab practical, lab notebook, cadaver lab report... Actually, having written it all out, it doesn't look too bad. The difference between this semester and the Spring 08 semester is that I don't have any papers due. That's awesome.

Today starts Spring 09 registration. I tried to get it done when I woke up, but the system is not yet online. I'll try again before I head out to class this afternoon. I am excited about the spring semester. The only course left out of the required Mortuary Science prerequisites is the second half of BIO201. It's 4 credit hours worth of Anatomy and Physiology, just like this semester. That means I can go ahead and apply for the Mortuary Science program, and light a bazillion candles in hopes that I get accepted in time for the Fall 09 semester.
Due to the Government Grant that pays my tuition, I have to take a minimum of 12 credit hours, so the remaining 8 are my choice. After pouring over the possibilities I have decided to enroll in American Sign Language. It's an ass-kicking 5 credit hour course, but I really think it could be useful, and there have been many times I have encountered non-speaking or non-hearing people and could not communicate.* The other class I have chosen to fill out the last 3 credits is a basic jewelry/metal work art class. This one has absolutely nothing to do with my future career or life goals. This one is just for me. That's exciting.

Otherwise - Things have been rough.
Mom and I went to the courthouse Friday morning and got the divorce paperwork filed. After that we went to fight with the zoning people for the third time, and managed to walk out with a building permit in hand so that we can install a shed at the little house. We headed over to the Denver Diner for lunch, and then to the Victorian to put a final polish on the place before it hits the market.
That's where things went sour.

The house is trashed. The yard and parking lot are trashed. There was not a single room ready for cleaning. The house was not packed and there was no roll-off dumpster as I had been told there would be. Basically there was no place for Mom and I to start, so we left a note and went back home, and I spent the rest of the day doing homework.
Saturday I met up with the Treasurer of the Rogues to become a signor on the fleet account. That was an hour (plus drive time) wasted as the bank's computer system was down. I parked myself at Paris for a few hours of homework, and decided to go find Nate. That didn't help my mood at all, which is so unusual that writing it down feels strange. He has had a very stressful and frustrating few weeks at work, and his plans for taking the time out to relax and unwind had been thwarted by a computer glitch. We eventually got the situation sorted out, but my drive and ability to concentrate had been blown straight to hell. I don't even remember what I did for the rest of the evening.
Sunday morning, Nate offered to accompany me to the Victorian to give cleaning another try. Though the situation was much improved, the house is still too full for me to start with windows, floorboards, light fixtures and such. I decided to start on the yard instead, but all of the yard tools are gone. No shovels, no rakes, no trimmers. And oh, by the way, the roll-off is scheduled for next week.
That just broke me.
The renter had been unable to pay for all of October. He has paid nothing for November. I am now in a race to have the house sold before it forecloses and I can't put it on the market. It's filthy and sitting in a yard full of dog shit and garbage. It needs extensive cleaning, paint, and holes in the walls repaired. I have to keep up with my studies, and somehow fix all of this. I ended up leaving without raising a hand to help those who had come out to empty the house. I am going to try to go back on Wednesday, but yesterday I just broke down and cried.

Nate took me for breakfast and a run to the grocery store. After we got home, I burrowed myself into my school books, and at one point fell asleep for a quick nap. We had catfish for dinner, and an impromptu cuddle session which did me a world of good.

I feel better today. I am hoping to get some accounting homework done before class, and some A&P homework done afterward. I am trying to ignore non-school stuff until Wednesday.





* - Music really is a universal language, even to the deaf. At the Renaissance Festival the last year that I performed there, I had the experience of a woman placing her hand high on my chest so that she could feel me sing. Her face lit up, and in that moment she was just so beautiful. That's the sort of performance that stays with you.

Halloween is my favorite holiday, as it is for a lot of people I know.

I have not yet decided what I am doing this evening. I have too many invitations to answer them all, and I actually have some emotionally trying challenges to get through during business hours today, so who's to say I'll even be awake by this evening.

There was a chance to sleep in. Nate and I were curled together, wonderful and warm, his arms around me, breathing deep against my neck. It was one of those rare mornings where neither of us had a particular time to be anywhere, so we could linger in bed.

And then it happened. Some asshole sent a text message.

I am not sure who, and I am half-tempted to publish the number in retaliation.
The thing is, this is not an isolated incident. For some unknown reason, people that I never hear from will start racing each other to send mass texts to random people with banal content... Not every holiday, but enough.
And yes, I could shut off my phone at night, but I won't. Too many times I have been the one to answer the "We're drunk, will you come and get us?" or "I've been in an accident, and I didn't know who to call" that happens in the middle of the night. Isn't it important for somebody to be out there?

I'm babbling now. Probably because we were up late talking. Why not? Neither of us had to be up!


Next time I receive a text before 7:am without some sort of emergency attached, I WILL publish the number.


Let's have a bit of tact in this Communication Age, please?