Okay, so another Fourth has come and gone and once again I made it through okay. Like last year I find each progressing year easier and easier to get through. Thursday I scooted through Worcester and stopped over in Paxton. This time I just sat and really didn’t say much, there really wasn’t anything to say. So, after a few minutes I headed home. I worked at the store on the Fourth, as when it came down to Nelci or I working I filled the shift as Nelci does not know any of the alarm codes. I went in for 5 am and kept myself pretty well occupied. For the most part the day actually went quite well. But then I had a hotdog, sat down at the Dock to read a little and all of a sudden the weight of the day hit me and I had to leave and wander the mall a little. I was able to shake it off and after work I drove up to Matt’s house. The weather was better in Haverhill and after eating a little, played a bit of wiffle ball. Overall it was a good day, and for the most part I enjoyed myself. And at this point I have to ask, is sixteen years long enough to beat yourself up over something you really had no control over in the first place? Or will I basically continue to do so until I subconsciously think its enough?

Anyway, as an update, I received an e-mail Thursday afternoon letting me know that what I came across was a large, dead moose not a human. Phew. For one thing I’m glad that really was something dead up there and it was not just my imagination. And phew again for it not being a dead human body. But that still doesn’t explain the presence of the plaid coat. Why was it there? Was it to mark something? Was the moose wearing the coat? Why was it there? Hmmmmmmm

Well, I survived my second twenty mile hike for MS yesterday. I did not disappear, I did not fall off the mountain, and I made it home safe and sound. I will admit it was somewhat of an eventful hike and I’ll get into that. I started off at 5am and arrived at Glastenbury Mountain a little after 7 am. On the way I caught sight of a fantastic doe which crossed 91 right in front of me. Woohoo! Glastenbury is in Southern Vermont, right off of route 9. Now, I did a little research on the mountain and found out it has a bit of a history. Seems back in the forties and fifties there were several hikers that disappeared. Recently there have been sightings of strange, glowing discs, Bigfoot, and flying saucers. And to be honest after hiking here I can understand the weirdness. The first part of the hike went fairly well with very little going on. I met two hikers coming down the mountain, and two hikers (1 from Kansas, 1 from Alabama) that were hiking from up North back into New York. There were some decent sights, but unfortunately the weather was not very cooperative. It was a hazy day and it looked like it had recently rained. The trails were partially covered in mud or puddles and there were plenty of slick rocks and roots to slip on. But I made the peak and Goddard Shelter quickly in just about five hours. Not too shab as the hike was a smidge over 10 miles. I climbed up the fire tower, took a few pictures, and went back to the shelter to have lunch. Or as it turned out, try and eat lunch. The bugs were just amazing and brutal. During the entire hike I was swarmed by horseflies, mosquitoes, and gnats. The gnats were the worst as I did not feel them, but looked down to find blood on my arm. After trying to eat my sandwich, I ate half, and then gave up. Going back I took a different trail and that’s where things started going weirdly. Starting down the West Ridge Trail (try saying that three times fast) I came upon large clumps of poop. Not sure if it was a bear or a moose or perhaps a boose (bear/moose) but I really had no urge to come upon something. The trail was covered by trees, and I heard nothing as I hiked. No birds, no chipmunks, nothing. I strated to get a creepy feeling and I could understand how hikers disappeared. And it made me wonder, did the hikers know they disappeared? Did they feel something? Or are they eternally hiking never coming to the end? (Brrrrrrr) But the only thing really missing was a slow-drifting fog and then *Poof!* I would have been gone. Coming up an incline I came upon a plaid jacket hanging from a tree. It didn’t look very old, yet searching the pockets I found nothing. The jacket was a little damp but didn’t really look like it had been there for long. I snapped a picture, just in case, and as I walked forward a few feet I encountered a nasty stench. It went on for about twenty/thirty feet but I found nothing on the trail. I don’t know what it was, nor am I sure I really do. I don’t know if it was something or someone rotting or what. But I’ll get in contact with somebody and let them know. I next climbed up Bald Mountain, tried to take a short break, but once again was surrounded by gnats. The things were incredible. An actual decent breeze sprung up and they just stayed there like it was nothing. Anyway, here’s where it became a bit annoying. My trail guide told me to take the left trail “Bald Mountain Trail”, the left trail down to route 9 and to the parking lot. This was 4:10 pm. I searched the mountain and the only trail I could find was a forked one with a sign, pointing to the right, and written on it Bennington 4.1. Now I did not want to hike to Bennington which was the town to the right, not Woodford where I was parked. So, I naturally took the left trail. Oops, as I found out at the bottom, it was the wrong trail. The trail I took was Bear Wallow Trail. So, where was the one I wanted. From what I could tell it was the one going to Bennington and must break off somewhere. Anyway, what was I to do? I decided as the one I was taking was actually descending and near the bottom I came upon a map letting me know it met up somewhere with route 9. Now coming down the mountain it had started to rain, something I had somewhat expected. But as I tried following the trail it started raining harder, making it difficult to see the blazes of the trail. Which became not a trail at all. Whoa! I backtracked yet again to the first map, found that I was following the trail, and went back. Going deeper in I once again lost sight of the trail, actually there was no trail going forward. I thought about going back up Bald Mountain, taking an hour, and as I hiked back I found another map. It showed that yes, I was right in my assumption that I was in fact going somewhat the right way. Now, let me say that near a break in the trail stood a cabin. The people using the cabin had to get to it somehow which was why I had followed the large trail/road to the right which got me more lost. So, I decided to take the smaller trail, and about a quarter of the way down I noticed a blue blaze, telling me I was actually on the same trail I was coming down in the first place. Why they didn’t have this blaze at the beginning of the offshoot I don’t know. Anyway, I followed the short trail and lo and behold I came upon a dirt road and off the mountain. Yeeha! At this point it was 5:30 and not exactly knowing how far I would have to walk back to the car I set off. But I knew if the sun went down I was at least on a road with houses. I came upon a mother grilling in her backyard and from the road I asked her if I was going the right way to route 9, and yes I was. I came to the end of the dirt road and here is where it becomes more confusing. The trail I came down was to the left of the trail I wanted. My directions said at the end of Bald Mountain Trail to take a right so it was only logical that I wanted to travel right onto route 9. Correct? Schnope. I walked down the road, which had no road signs, making me stop and ask one guy where I was. Now, he was older than I, probably had lived there quite some time, yet had no clue about Green Mountain National Forest, Glastenbury Mountain, or what I was talking about. But at least he knew I was on route 9. So, after walking back and forth in the rain some more, I hit the Woodford-Bennington town line. This told me I had gone too far in the wrong way. So, back I went coming across a family working on some four-wheelers. Thankfully a teen knew of what I wanted and in forty-five minutes I was back at the car and was soon on my way home. So, was this worth it? For charity, yes it was. I’m not sure how much I raised as I will start going around tomorrow to collect. I did feel much better waking up in the morning than last year with only my thighs being a bit sore and tired. True it was seriously creepy, wet, I got lost, but it was an easier hike and with a lighter backpack I didn’t kill myself. I just have to scan that one photo and get in contact with either the State Police or some forestry people and see if I actually did come across a dead body. I’ll let you know.
I talked to my boss and the HR rep. at work about seeing my doctor and more than likely having to have surgery on my left arm. After working with it all week, by Friday it was just dead. I have thought about pushing it as far as I can, but I don’t want it to become completely useless in October and the start of the Christmas Season which would fuck the store big time. And yes, I would actually feel bad about doing that. So, I will see my doctor probably in the next few weeks and see what’s going on. I also talked to Dawn about almost always feeling uncomfortable and wary around Nicole. I don’t really look forward to work, especially if she’s there and I don’t feel like I can act normally, or what passes for my normal, around her. So, Dawn is supposed to talk with her if she hasn’t already. And depending on what she says to Dawn we’ll go from there. But its just getting tiring to always watch my step or feel like I have to avoid her if necessary. Other than that, I have been weeding my garden, though it still needs a bit or work. But every time I think about it, it freakin’ rains. Its not supposed to be too bad this week so hopefully I can get out and finish things up. And I have actually been writing. WooHOO!!!!

Well, last weekend I was out both Saturday and Sunday ( a few hours per day) planting both herbs and greens in my garden. I have a good dozen rows and as of last checking it yesterday I already have a few things growing. Woohoo! Today will help as we had showers all morning. The sun is not out which will keep the ground from drying out too quickly. Hopefully with some sun tomorrow I’ll do a little weeding and see where things stand. I ended up buying a rosemary plant and will likely have to find another tarragon and chocolate mint as neither seems to have taken. Ah well. We hit 100 last Tuesday and of course I was silly enough to go hiking. Actually there were a few others out there jogging and riding bikes. I was able to do 2 ¼ miles in about an hour which is the pace I want, enabling me to hopefully do the twenty miles in about ten hours. I had to push back my hike until June 28th as I was unable to find someone to take my shift. Which is no biggie as it gives me an extra week to try and raise money. I have actually been doing a little writing, rewriting the introduction to my first chapter/story in my detective fiction. Which I will place here hopefully getting a few opinions. There are a few other places I need to rewrite, add onto and once finished and happy with it can start sending off to agents. Work has been work. Though this past week was a bit better than the previous one. Nothing bad happening but it was just a lot of little things adding up into one big one which aggravated the shit out of me. It just became very tiring that I’ve worked hard to integrate the Dock into the actual store with very little if at all success. It has also become very tiring in trying to work with others when it doesn’t seem to be the mind-set of the place. Perhaps I am too Socialist in my thinking or what and perhaps I concern myself with the overall “workplace” than I should but it still becomes aggravating. And while I have never been much for recognition, hell most of the time I don’t look for an actual “thank you” it still would be nice that for the work I do (that which is beyond my actual job work) garners just that every so often. There are a few other things but I would rather not get into it. The only other thing that has become just a pain in the ass, is the state of my left arm. It is just progressively becoming worse and worse and it is tiring when trying to lift a box and it just falls to the floor because the hand just doesn’t feel like working. Or waking up with the hand numb, or the occasional shots of pain in the left shoulder. I still have no friggin’ idea what I want to do with it, but a decision may have to come sooner than I actually want. Anyway, just finished up Madame Bovary, a very good novel from 1850. A good read and a quick one also. Not too shab and highly suggested.

And so today is Memorial Day. I’m sure that I’ve spoken on this before but as I was coming home from grocery shopping a father called the sports show that I usually listen to. A Vietnam vet himself he was just coming back from spending five hours at the grave of his son who was killed March 25th, 2007 while serving on the Coast Guard and Homeland Security. And he said, as I’m sure others have before him, that “freedom isn’t free”. Our freedom has been paid in the blood of this man’s son and others like him. I have been lucky in that I don’t know too many people in the military and have not know anyone to have been killed in the line of duty. But again, as in previous years, it does make me wonder how many people actually know or acknowledge this day for what it was intended? Or is it just a long weekend, a time to grill a freakin’ hot dog, and get drunk off their ass? So, while you may not like the present President or our status over in Iraq take a moment to think about those who have fought and died to give you the freedom to get drunk off your ass, to spout off nonsense about the government, or that the DH is actually good for baseball. Who cares, just know that they are dead and deserve at least a little bit of thought. Hell, you may just have a street, park, bridge, or monument in a park named after some fallen soldier.

And for a more personal memorial. Late last week my fifth grade Social Studies teacher who I later came to know better and more personally died. She had been sick for a few years and was almost completely blind because of ill-health. But it was still somewhat sad to hear of her passing. So, Madeleine Parquette here’s to you. You will be missed.

Okay, I am finally sitting down to update things around here. I know its been a few weeks as I have been busy. So, what has been going on? Well, both not much and a lot. I know that really makes no sense but bear with me. Things will not be in order as I will just be rambling for the most part and this may be heavily edited as I’m still not sure who exactly reads this. Well, it has finally become warm again and both yesterday and today I plowed my little plot of land. I spread some fertilizer and ash yesterday and mixed it in while tilling today. If everything stays weather-wise I’ll plow a few more times and by perhaps Friday or Saturday I’ll start planting. Most of the seeds have arrived and I’m just waiting on a few more. I’ve actually been going out usually but not always once a week with Allison. We’ve been joking that we’ve had “six dates” without actually dating. We’ve found a restaurant called The Chateau that is quite good and has these HUGE bathrooms (sorry inside joke). I’ve been to see Iron Man which was actually very good and mostly stayed true to the comic book and character, and just recently saw Indiana Jones which I’m sorry was not as good as I expected. It was a little too hokey, cheesy, or something, that I just didn’t like. But I’ve also been a little too short in temperament the past week and half so that may have been it also. Not sure why other than I’ve been really busy and somewhat stressed at work. We were supposed to go to the MFA on Monday but she ended up getting scheduled to work so I am working instead of taking the day off. Speaking of work, there’s been a few changes. First off I got a decent review with a small raise per hour. Nothing spectacular but a raise is a raise, correct? I received a few Highly exceeds and a few Exceeds expectations along with Meets, so overall it was a good review. It was just a few days after that my boss changed. Literally. Kathy switched positions with an Eric Johnson who worked in the Auburn. I will not speculate as to why it just happened. Eric used to work at my store and is bringing along a few changes. However these changes can not be instituted until we actually catch up on things. I’ve been asked a few times what I think of him, but so far I’ve been too busy to look beyond that. When things are finally caught up and we start working the way he wants things done I’ll decide at that point. And it has been extremely busy the past few weeks at work. The first week was Mother’s Day which had me running around the last half of the week trying to get everything set up for that weekend. The second week brought four trucks in five days, but while that usually isn’t a problem the four trucks brought with them a lot of hanging merchandise but the MTM teams were handling thousands of markdowns which did not allow them much time to help processing and I was short one man who was on vacation. And finally this past week brought yet more hanging merchandise, no extra rolling racks, and no time to catch up. I have too many flat beds filled with boxes of extra merchandise and no place to hang them. It does look like this week will be slow with trucks which will hopefully allow me to catch up on things. And if that happens than I can finally do other things at work. One thing that has happened at work has been somewhat surprising and in a nice way at that. I have had to talk to Nicole a few times recently, the second week I talked to her three times within a span of a week. And yes, I actually did have to, and all of it was work-related. And while the first time was a little iffy the past two times have been actually pleasant, with no feeling of the hate that I used to feel. So, who knows maybe this is a start. I’m not getting any sort of hopes up, but who knows. I would like to be able at some point be able to talk to her without having to preclude things with “its work-related” and maybe actually be able to stop and just say hello. I think there’s a small sliver that would still like to see if there’s anything there as I do think there was before things went all haywire. But mostly I’d just like to one thing be polite, but I’m also curious to see if she’d like to be included in doing something with Allison and I, and also I’d like to try and repair things as I still do take part of the blame for everything. I guess only time will tell.
I have started raising money for my next twenty mile hike for MS and so far have been only able to hit Macys and only partly there. But so far I’ve snagged thirty-five people with only one person saying no and one ignoring the question. So I still need to start e-mailing people and at the Steakloft. I’m still looking to break a thousand this year. Dad has been doing better. His potassium has been low along with his sodium so that may been what was affecting his blood sugar and health. But the past few weeks he has not had any episodes or anything else. Lately I have been reading Juliette by the Marquis de Sade. All I can say is its interesting. I picked up mainly out of curiosity, to see how bad it actually was. And well, it is. It is quite graphic in its depictions of sex and the way it was preformed. Yikes! Especially for 1790 France. But it has gotten a bit depraving it what occurs during the sex and well, I have described it to a few as a high-thinking porn. But lately the monologues have become pure, inane babble and I will admit that it is quite boring. There seems to be no plot beyond Juliette learning to be selfish, self-serving, and encountering every sort of fetish there can be. The book does not make me care about any of the characters, it is slow to read, and well boring. So, I will read up to part two, put it aside, start something else and then get back to it. And I really think that that’s it. Obama and Clinton are still going at it, with perhaps Hillary winning the popular vote and Obama winning the necessary delegates. Which may mean that only the super delegates will decide who will go against McCain. Well, I will try to update this quicker next time.

Alright, I finally decided to sit down and update things for whoever is reading/will be reading this. I had planned a couple times within the past few days but never got around to it. Within are contained a few events and a few thoughts. So, if you want to know everything make sure you read everything here.
So, anyway, I will start with a short hike I took a little over a week ago. It has been really warm weather the past week or so and on a Thursday afternoon after work, I scooted out toward Barre to hike their part of the Rail Trail. First off I came across a large pond and watched a bunch of newts happily swimming around. As I walked on further a large turkey came flying out of the woods. I hadn’t heard anything, and this somewhat startled me. I also hadn’t heard anything to actually startle the turkey and thoughts of a coyote entered my mind. I’ve heard of coyotes being nearby as we always seem to keep building and encroaching on their land so while I don’t blame them for anything I’d still rather not run across one. I grabbed a small stick just in case. Well, another turkey took off and soon I came across a couple of dogs and their female owner. Phew. But I passed them and came across a large, blue heron. Oooooo. Overall it was a good two-hour hike, and I saw more wildlife here than just chipmunks which was nice. Friday morning was a day off but I was up at 6 a.m. to take my Dad to a doctor’s appointment. I’ll see if I can explain things pertaining to him. A week before his appointment he had caught a cold or something and it effected his sleeping, his blood sugar, his eating, and he was retaining fluid. Basically he was not doing well. Though like I explained to people at work, he was not doing poorly he was just not doing well, but his blood sugar had dropped down into the 50’s a few times and that’s just not good. So, I took him to see a Dr. Fay, his diabetic doctor who did not seem overly concerned with everything. I don’t know if its just her way of keeping things on an even keel with her patients or I just saw things as worse than she, but anyway. She had him get his electrolytes tested, and I was home before 10. He had seemed to be getting better then Sunday morning his sugar level dropped back to 50 and Mom had to work incredibly hard to get him to a somewhat normal level. Not good, mi amigos. So, Tuesday she took him to another doctor who took a look at his lungs (which had some fluid in them) increased his Lascix (sp?) and put him on a diuretic to take care of the fluids and hopefully level off his swinging blood sugar levels. But it was a somewhat stressful week with him. But he seems to be doing better now and he hasn’t had an episode in a few days.
Work has been decent the past week. It was a long week though. Not sure exactly why but it felt extremely long. Last Saturday I worked and with a sale going on, it was quite busy. And I got the chance to ring registers again. Not that I had asked or planned on it, but near the end of my shiftI was scooting around to grab clothes hangers and when arriving at the last three departments there were lines with only one associate. So, I asked if they wanted help and did so, ringing three in Dresses, three in Woman’s World, and ended up staying with Moderate for about an hour or more. With Moderate and the always appearing customer I noticed that my Honey Farms training took over which was get them in and out with as little time as possible. There was no time for chatting, beyond ringing up their purchases. We had a couple of visitors down the Dock mid-week, two leetle, leetle mice. I saw one which was actually quite cute. But usually when there are two babies there are usually more and also larger mice hanging around. So, I talked to a couple managers, left one a message, and put down a few traps. In a couple weeks I’ll check them and see what’s up. I also took a beating this week. We had an extra truck this week, a lot of hanging receipts which meant a lot of processing, and was just a busy week. The extra processing meant using my hands more which made the left arm feeling like shit. No, I have not seen anyone yet about it. True it gets numb at times, Sometimes I’ll go to pick something up and will drop it because the arm and hand is weak and dead, but I have yet to wake up with spasms and until I do I will forestall any sort of surgery. Also I seem to have a massive knot in my right shoulder which runs from the shoulder blade up to behind my right ear. Now this has been affecting my sleep as it does cause some pain and stiffness. I’ve been trying finally to get rid of it. I know what’s been causing it, but with the trucks it kind of disallows resting it. I did realize something the other day while I was talking to my lunch companion. I have been “going out” with a friend from work who is female and yes also single. So, while not as bad, there does seem to be talk going about that we are dating. We are not, but it seems that people have nothing else to talk about. So, I came to the conclusion that even without me screwing things up back in February talk and gossip still would have happened. And so, I wonder…….
Finally, yesterday I got home and with it still being quite warm with little breeze, I sat outside with some coffee and finished reading The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. Quite an enjoyable book, with a very satisfying ending. The ending speaks of a possible unrequited love and perhaps having a second chance at something or someone you gave up previously. And this well moved me. I have lived with this large What If? for quite a number of years. But unlike Newland Archer I can never have the possibility of ever finding out what things would have happened. I can’t go back in time and change things nor does the possibility exist of meeting this person again. And I have kicked myself usually once a year for not doing anything. Perhaps this is why I somewhat stunted with anything personal (at least in that area). But it also begs the question if given the chance would you take it? I would I think. I would like to try and fix things with what happened back in February though will admit I’m not sure that I will get the opportunity. Not for anything beyond making things right. But that remains to be seen.
Anyway, I think that ends things this time around. Though I will ask, does anybody else get headaches from listening to inane conversation? For me, it makes my head hurt.

Alright, I have been meaning to write here for a few days now. So, I am finally stopping a few things in order to throw out a few things. First off a fond and respectful farewell to a fantastic actor and a true American, Charles Heston who passed away last Saturday at 84. Yes, in my opinion he was a great actor, and you just have to watch a few of his movies like Ben-Hur, the Ten Commandments, and Planet of the Apes to see this. Did he sometimes “ chew the scenery “? Yep, I will admit to that, but he was a better actor than what is showed in small clips. If you get a chance, watch some of his stuff this Friday, April 11th on TCM. And an American? Yep, you betcha. When a massive left-winger like Michael Moore pays tribute to you, then yeah I think you are. But to me, Chuck epitomized American pride and spirit. He will be missed.
Secondly there was a news item, while not original, it is becoming more and more frequent. It seems five or six girls invited another teen girl into a house, and while two guys watched for cops and such, proceeded to beat the shit out of the lone girl. Why? Because supposedly she talked trash about them on Myspace. Holy Shit! That’s a good reason. But the worst part of it, was the girls filmed this beating ( which she has yet to fully recover from) and intended to or actually did post this on You Tube and Myspace. That’s what really kills me. And this sort of bullshit is just becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. And so I have to ask, is this what we’ve become? Have we become (or at least our younger generation) a bunch of insensitive asswads who are willing to do anything especially this sort of nonsense for notoriety? Are we just a mindless, lemming sort of society where anything like this will get publicity but anything done for the benefit of someone is pushed to the back page? And is this the only reason why You Tube and Myspace are for? Oh, yes I know its also to fuck up my social life, but that was my own doing. But seriously is it? Anybody have any sort of answer?
Finally today I was able to scoot out for my first hike today. Woohoo! The weather cooperated and with the temps reaching over 60, I stopped off of 140 and hiked for a good two hours, covering maybe two miles or more. Not sure how many nor does it really matter. I did almost slip a few times, not badly but there was a deep layer of dead leaves covering most of the trails and anything steep was a bit harder to go down that they normally would be. I was able to spot a tiny tick crawling up my sock, and flicked it off. This is why I wear white socks while hiking. I may look somewhat like a dork but the ticks stand out more. I enjoyed my pipe and enjoyed my hike…. for the most part. I say that because as I reached the water’s edge I noticed a bunch of litter just strewn about by well by a bunch of jackasses. It was probably by people who consider themselves fishermen and yet can not pick up after themselves. Fuckin’ morons. It kills me that these so-called outdoor people have no consideration for the actual place that they use, instead just leaving their shit wherever they feel like it. And I find it funny that some of these so-called “Nature lovers” probably think that enjoying the outdoors is basically just sitting around a fire getting drunk or wasted. Yeehaw! This is why I hope that beavers flood every development that they can, that the logging industry goes out of business, why I root for animals before I give my support to my fellow man. We rarely show each other even the slightest courtesy and kindness, treat each other like shit, and yet I’m expected to like them? And yet, as badly as it all is, and as much as I do dislike the human populace as a general whole, at the slightest inclination I do show common kindness and courtesy even to those who seemingly hate my guts. Why is that? Anyway, I’m done. The Bruins are starting soon. I have no ticks, and as luck would have it, I did NOT get fired today as I somewhat expected. Hmmmmmmm Oh, and yesterday in the mail I got a nice thank you from the MS Society for raising the money on last year’s hike. Schnifty. Perhaps I should copy it and place it on my cabinet at work. But nah, other than showing a few people at work who supported me, I see no reason to publicize what I do. Yes, I know its put here, but I really don’t write here expecting others to read it.

After working two doubles in a row (Fri & Sat) which made my left arm feel like a fuckin’ slab of dead meat, I had the day off Sunday. Which was the purpose of working the two doubles. It is somewhat funny in that overusing the left arm causes it pain and numbness, but it seems that sleeping and rest will make it feel better. So, once again I’ll give it a week and see how things go. But it is becoming too much of a hassle to continue without seeing my doctor. So, why did I take Sunday off? I was scooting down into Cambridge to see a local singer Monique Ortiz, lead singer of Bourbon Princess. I had tried getting a few people to go down with me but it ended up being just me and Alison from work. Either people were already working or had something else to do. Anyway, we met down at Alewife at 3:30p and scooted down to Harvard Square where she had her first look at Harvard University. I know it may not sound like a big deal but after hearing about it for years it is neat to finally get to see it which I did a couple years ago. But we did a little shopping, I stopped into a tobacconist and bought some tobacco and a new pipe as I can not locate any of the ones I have previously used. After a little more shopping we scooted up the street, walking as the weather was warmer than expected, up to Porter Square where we had dinner at Christopher’s. Dinner was quite yummy and I even had a Guinness with my meal. Conversation was good also and then we went next door to Toad to see Monique play. The show was quite good, though only for an hour. The only thing that really annoyed me was these two tables of chicks who were in there, talking over Miss Ortiz playing. Rude? You betcha. I mean, have some courtesy. But anyway, the day/night was quite enjoyable and I had fun, which is not something I have very often.
Monday through Friday was basically just work. Nothing spectacular, nor anything unusual. The only thing that really had happened was a fire alarm problem which shut off the freight elevator. Which was quite annoying especially Friday as we were trying to unload a truck. But it seems it’s a ground fault and should be fixed by the time I get in Monday. Other than that I did almost talk with Nicole, which would be the first time since everything went down. We are having a charity event on the 26th which will be raising money for the National Parks system. And seeing as how I am more of a wildlife/nature person than people I would like to help with it, that is beyond selling coupons. The thing is, is that Nicole is running it, so in order to extend my help I have to ask her if A. she can use my help and B. she would be comfortable with working with me. So, as I passed her in the aisle on Friday I asked her if she had a moment, the moment I did her work-phone rang which she had to answer. So, I left her a quick note asking her if I could talk to her on Monday about assisting. So, we shall see. Friday after work, Miss Klatt and I scooted over to Marlboro Sports Center to catch two Paralympics game in sledge hockey. I had seen a little during a Bruins broadcast and thought it looked quite cool. Sledge hockey consists of either amputees or paralyzed men who sit on what is called a sledge ( below the seat are two small blades and extending underneath the feet or stumps is a runner. They use two small hockey sticks, which have teeth on the butt ends which they dig into the ice in order to propel themselves ). It was really cool to see. The games were free and we sat through the US vs. Germany game, the US winning 4-1. The next game was Canada vs. Norway and was in my opinion a much better game. The passing was much better, the hitting much more, and it became very nasty. Seems a Norwegian named Pederson had run the Canadian goalie and after that every time he was on the ice a Canadian was taking a run at him. If they did not wear full cages I think there would have been a fight. But it was just neat to see these guys going up and down the ice, and it does put things into perspective. So, once again I’ll say if you’re ever having a bad day take a look at people like this and quit you’re whining.
As a couple of asides I took the leaf cover off of my garlic and have two full rows of plants growing. Woohoo! Oh and I am done with the NCAA Tourney with North Carolina losing to Kansas last night. Freakin’ Crap! So it comes down to Memphis and Kansas Monday night. Oh and the Bruins are in the playoffs and once I know their schedule I am hoping to get a few people together and catch a game. Yeehooo!

Okay, I just spent a good hour or more writing this short story. Perhaps, that's why my arm is annoying me as talked about in the previous post. Anyway, inspired by recent events its based on Grimm fairy tales. If you have ever read the original tales you will know what I mean. But I would really appreciate any and all comments as I do work hard on writing and would like to know what is thought. Is the story well-written? Does it just completely suck? Let me know, as unlike Marty's dad I can take rejection.

Between the Haybreick River and the Blackwood Forrest lay the small town of Nestlethorn. On the outskirts of town, where the bushes and brambles grew dense lived an old woman by the name of Eliza Davern. She lived alone, having no children and her husband having died twenty years ago. Behind her house stood a small grist mill, for she made her living as a bread and pie maker. Sweetly smelling smoke always filled the air around her house, and the children always stopped on their way to school to sniff the morning air.
Using a small, covered wagon and a donkey named Charon, she plied her wares to the neighboring villages. One fine, Spring day she hitched her gray donkey to her wagon, filled it with her pies and bread and clicked her tongue, setting off for the town of Hosstlebee. Clinking and clanking, she made her way into the next town, thirty miles away. As she rode into town, her gray bonnet, fluttering gently in the breeze, she stopped in front of the local tavern. Outside stood the owner’s wife along with a few other ladies. Slowly, Mrs. Davern came to a stop and without giving her much notice, the ladies continued their conversation.
“ Why ladies, did you hear of Miss Louden and the William’s head shearer?” Mrs. Owens, the tavern owner’s wife, was heard asking.
“ Why, no I did not. Pray tell, Mrs. Owens, was happened?”
“Why, Mrs. Partridge, I overheard Mrs. Tuttle caught them behind the far barn doing very unsavory acts.”
A gasp arose in unison from the group of five ladies, and Mrs. Huggins, grasped the lace of her dress as she feigned fainting. Mrs. Owens gripped her elbow and steadied the older woman and continued her tale.
“ Well with her being the second school teacher and him being just a simple farmer, something had to be done. I mean, what would the children think. So, I marched right up to Mr. Tuttle and told him that the town would not stand for such nonsense. And with that he fired Miss Louden and Mr. Granger was whipped behind the barn. “
“ Why that reminds me of a story I heard last year over in Vickston. Seems the constable’s wife was having an affair with the banker, a Mr. Williams,” Mrs. Tuttle said, and Mrs. Huggins surely would have fainted if not for the strong grip of Mrs. Owens.
Before Mrs. Tuttle could finish her tale, Charon sneezed and all ten eyes turned to Mrs. Davern’s cart. Mrs. Davern smiled sweetly and looked down at the ladies. “ My apologies, ladies, “ she said and nodded. “ I am sorry for intruding upon your conversation, but it seems my helper has himself a bit of a sniffle.” She chuckled softly and patted Charon’s side.
“ No apologies are needed, Mrs. Davern. You and your pies are always welcome at the Golden Goose,” Mrs. Owen’s replied and gave out her hand to help the old lady dismount.
Mrs. Davern gratefully took her hand and gingerly stepped onto the dirt road. She took a small, silver bell, and after hanging it from the front post of her cart, gave it three short rings, announcing her arrival in town. Soon after a small crowd gathered around and in just a few short hours all her pies and bread were gone. Having filled the Goose’s order, she found herself standing alone with Mrs. Owens and Mrs. Huggins. Mrs. Owens lifted her up into her seat, and Mrs. Davern leaned forward to speak.
“ I would so love to hear more of your news, Mrs. Owens. Perhaps you and some of your friends could join me for tea one afternoon? ”
“ Why, we would be delighted. Wouldn’t we, Mrs. Huggins. “ She glanced over at Mrs. Huggins who nodded her agreement. “ What do you say to next Saturday?”
“ That would be just fine. It would give me plenty of time to bake some more pies for our meal.” And with that, Mrs. Davern gently snapped the reigns and was on her way back home.
A few days passed and the rising sun greeted Mrs. Davern as she lay awake in bed. She arose with a smile, and quickly started preparing everything for her guests. For soon they would arrive for afternoon tea. She bustled about her kitchen, brewing tea, making small sandwiches, and for dessert last night she had baked two berry pies. Grinning to herself, she wiped off her hands in approval of her work. When she was finished setting the table, and with some time left before the arrival of her guests, she walked out to her backyard to feed the neighboring crows.
“ Why this tea is magnificent, Mrs. Davern. Of what is it made? “ Mrs. Tuttle asked.
“ Oh, it is a simple mixture of tea leaves, some mint, and some bergamot that I have growing out back in my garden.”
“ Speaking of your garden, Mrs. Davern,” Mrs. Owens began, “ I saw no corn or wheat. Of what do you make the flour for your baking?”
Mrs. Davern sipped her tea before answering and replied, “ It is brought over from the nearby farms in Nestlethorn. I am too old to be trying to reap things with a scythe.”
The guests giggled at her small joke and all said that she would outlive them all. Mrs. Davern waved them off and stood to clear the table of the sandwich plates. Coming back from the kitchen, she bore on a tray, the two berry pies. She lay the desserts on the table and with deft hands, cut and served slices of the pies to the five women.
“ Are you not having any, Mrs. Davern?” Mrs. Jacobs, the head teacher asked.
“ No, I am afraid my doctor has forbade me from partaking of so much sweets. I will take pleasure in knowing you ladies have enjoyed the dessert. I would also like to thank you for joining me today. It gets so lonely out here sometimes that I lose track of what is going on. And so, thank you for the news and gossip, and also your company.”
At this, the five ladies all murmured there was nothing to thank, they were happy in giving her company. They fell to their slices of pies and gasped at the delicious, fruit-filled sweet. Mrs. Davern excused herself for a moment as she thought that her donkey had walked away from his barn. The five allowed her to leave and started to talk amongst themselves. Mrs. Davern walked over to her fading barn and over to where Charon stood securely fastened to his stable’s wall. She unfastened his bridle from the stable’s wall and led him to where the large wheel stood to power the mill’s grinding stones. Smiling to herself she walked slowly and purposely back into her kitchen where the five ladies were splayed and sprawled about the kitchen table. Mrs. Davern looked pleased at her handiwork, but then noticed Mrs. Huggins still struggling to breathe. From near the fireplace she took down the iron poker and walking quickly to Mrs. Huggins, proceeded to strike her twice over the head, crushing her skull. Satisfied that all were dead she first took up Mrs. Owens and dragged her outside of the house to the inside of the mill. Stripping her of her clothes, Mrs. Davern placed the tavern owner’s wife upon the press, turned the wheel to bring the stones together, and then walked outside where she struck Charon sharply with a crop. Charon neighed softly and then slowly and steadily began his well-worn path.

Well, it seems that once again Duke decided to fuck me hard again. Just like last year they lost an easy game and completely fucked up my brackets. Okay, they are not the only ones as it seems that just about everybody I had moving on into the third round lost. Technically I am still alive with only Duke being the only one of four missing from my Final Four. But I can’t say I’m proud of how I am doing. But you would have thought I would have learned from last year and having them screw me. Hmmmm I guess these blogs do come in handy other than allowing me to completely fuck situations up. Today was a day off so after driving Dad in for his blood tests I scooted back, decided from who and what I am ordering for seeds and plants and now I just have to get everything ready to start some seeds indoors. I did get a couple of replies to my notice on seeds and perhaps more await me in my mail box. The left arm seems to becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy as it is slowly but steadily going to shit. Really no other way to describe it. The only strange thing is that it is really not disturbing my sleep. Which is strange, though I wonder if its because of how I sleep. Couldn’t say. But as time went on Saturday night it became harder and harder to carry drink trays and such as the arm just became dead. I’m working double shifts this upcoming Friday and Saturday so I’ll see how everything goes. I have Sunday off as I am going into Cambridge. Oh and I did receive a reply from the e-mail I sent out earlier this month. I guess the saying does work in that “ Time does heal all wounds” as I found writing the initial e-mail and reading the reply there was no animosity or bitterness involved. Scnifty, eh? Anyway, the left arm is becoming annoying so I will have to cease typing.