Blam!

No, that's not me channelling Emeril with an Asian accent. "Blam" is my word for unsolicited comments on blogs. Blog + Spam -- get it?

I've gotten one and that's one too many. So I've adjusted my settings to require those who post comments to verify they are real people with the letter-recognition option.

That shuts out people who don't have Blogspot accounts, but if you don't, and you care enough to be reading my blog, you probably have my e-mail address or can get it from a mutual friend. Or you can send me a Yahoo! IM or a private message in the Land of Confusion.

Anyway, if you're here, scroll down to the previous post, courtesy of the Toxic Jock Syndrome Foundation.

Goes in here, comes out there ...

Maybe it has to do with listening to yesterday's show on the podcast and finding out that MarciaMarciaMarcia was at Benson's on Saturday with Toxic Jock. I am so glad I didn't see them.

Then I got to thinking about how I do NOT want to go to the event on Thursday if there is any chance she's going to be there. I started weighing all my options: I can try to find out if Shields is open tonight or tomorrow night or if they'll still take donations Friday. I know they're not open Saturday, because I went there after Benson's hoping to drop off my tools.

Then there's the other option: I can return the tools I bought or simply keep them. I can use a cat's paw, and while I already have a hammer, I can always use another -- one for the house and one to keep with the tent stakes, perhaps? It would be cool to give them to Habitat, but the response has been so huge they won't be missed.

Bottom line? I have expended a hell of a lot of mental energy these past few days over two people -- ToxicJock and MarciaMarciaMarcia -- who couldn't care less if I dropped off the face of the earth. Yes, both of them once cared about me, but as June C. pointed out, that is ancient history.

When I realized I could spare myself a whole lot of nervousness and awkwardness simply by IGNORING THE WHOLE FUCKING EVENT, I was finally able to hear what June has been trying to tell me: I need to move on. It's been more than a year since I was truly obsessed with trying to get TJ to care again, but there's still been that part of me that wants him to still feel SOMETHING -- even if it's just some remorse for causing me that year and a half of suffering, or pleasure at my willingness to support his pet causes. I've even been wishing I could spare $250 to buy an hour of Thursday's show, just to knock his socks off.

No more. No more will everything that "goes in here" automatically "come out there." Not my "there."

The more I think about my early connection with TJ the less impressed I am with what went down back then. The conversation was good but not the Greatest MindMeld Ever. The attention was intoxicating, but intoxication causes hangovers and other consequences. It was like crack, but -- say it, June! -- crack is bad for you!

Time will tell if I can continue to listen, but I hope I can. When I broke free of the obsession I was able to enjoy the show. It's only since Marcia that I've found it difficult again. But what I'm feeling now is similar to the sensation of freedom I felt once the obsession broke, so that's a good sign.

Anyone wanna buy some baggage?

I'm not much for these silly quizzes, but ...

This one is so me! Thanks, Mrs. Pi (another idealist)!

Your Personality Is

Idealist (NF) You are a passionate, caring, and unique person. You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals. You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily. Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings. You seek out other empathetic people to befriend. Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships. In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily. At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career. With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone. As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style. On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

The Three Question Personality Test

Thanks a lot, Eddie!

Speshul Ed has been catching mice! I have caught him with two in the past week. Don't ask me where he found them. I have seen/heard no evidence of meeces in the house -- no turdlets, no squeaks, no scratches, only that low growl from Eddie that I've learned means "I have a mouse in my jaws."

So Ed is a mouser after all, despite his previous owners' belief that he didn't have what it takes. That's the good news. The bad news is, I think the rodent invaders have graced us with itty-bitty fleas. I mean tiny, way smaller than those I used to find even on Mona during bad flea seasons. After an alert from an itchy WB (I have no symptoms myself), I combed Rozita and found some wee specks that I would never have pegged as fleas had I not seen them move.

So this means sprays and drops and medicated soaps and serial quarantining are in our immediate future (stay OUT of the bedroom, Rozita! Off the couch, Ed!) and maybe a bomb after I've moved the bulk of my stuff (and the cats) to Schuylerville.

More good news: I have officially entered the 21st century! Yes, Virginia, I have a DVD player. Still haven't figured out all the ins and outs of making it do its thing(s), but I can play DVDs at least!

A most excellent Gasp

Maybe not in my top 5 but still pretty damn good. Made a new friend: the lovely and talented GDA, whom I will forgive for making single-malt scotch available to mix with my beer and causing me a nasty hangover on Sunday. He didn't pour it down my throat, after all! Lots of good singing, excellent JB chow, phenomenal WB omelets. The guitar stayed in the case, but that's OK. When it comes to the Pickin' and Singin' Gatherin', two out of three ain't bad.

Solidarity Singers gig on Monday went well also, although I think the hip-hoppers siphoned off a lot of our audience, which was spread out more than normal due to the geography of the place, and we had some weird sound issues. But when have we ever NOT had weird sound issues?

I have three blessed days off and a ton of work to do, but also a ton of fun to be had (tugboat sing Friday -- yaay!).

Rozita escaped yesterday but was home shortly after dark last night none the worse for wear. I was worried for a while since she had never been out and her timid genes are still dominant. It was Ed who coaxed her back inside after Mindy showed her the way.

Notes to self:

Bring more money to Solidarity gigs in order to more freely partake of the bumper stickers, buttons etc. WB needs a "bring the troops home" yellow ribbon but I didn't have enough cash to get two.
Find a sturdier tent with decent zippers.
Never attend a festival without Anacin.
Never mix beer and scotch.
Always remember how lucky I am to have so many awesome friends.