Crash Day

Date: November 6, 2002

      I have been typing intensively on the docs at work. I end up with a bent back and a stiff neck. Not to mention I need a foam seat.
      I've been driving 2 hours a day, at least half in traffic.
      I tend to come home and crash.
      I need some laying down time, maybe reading. Maybe zoned in front of the TV (I have one next to the bed).
      So I did this Tuesday.
      And then Wednesday - today.
      Mondays I manage well enough since my kid and I stay up watching CSI Miami - and the CSI - the first year (already in syndication). This goes off at 12PM.
      I am up at 6AM.
      Tuesdays I am watching/taping the Forsyth Saga - the new version.
      I will get that on DVD - and also the B&W older version.
      I read that in high school.
      Masterpiece Theater then and now.
      Two pieces run Tuesdays (I get three PBS channels here) so I am up late if I missed the one on Sundays.
      Wednesday is "hit the wall" day. I come home cross-eyed.
      Especially if I made the gym (I did Gold's Gym Monday).
      So I crashed.
      My son, ever patient, finally was forced to come into my room (my sanctum) at about 8:05PM, and as he stood there I said, "Oh. I guess I should fix dinner."
      "That would be nice," he drawled.
      He hauled me up off the bed and sent me to the kitchen.
      After checking to see if I had been drinking.
      Can't have me cooking by myself if I've had any wine.
      Which I was thinking about having.
      I am also planning on chair cushions at work.
      I had, after one more tangled crash out of Microsoft Word, asked for and got 256K more RAM in the PC at work. I am handling big files.
      And the mail server immediately crashed.
      Seems they keep adding servers ---- and forgot to add air-conditioning.
      Server room hit 100 degrees.
      Oooops.
      Start-ups are fun!
      But I sit so intensely --- a lot of editing.
      I need foam!
      Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, I boiled medium Barilla shells, In my electric skillet I cut up a turkey polish sausage (less fat) - those are fun - the men need to be out of the room when you slice it. Gives them the shivers!
      I fried the slices in olive oil.
      And added a small can of Portobello mushrooms stems and pieces.
      And after simmering, I added 1/2 bottle of Fire Roasted Garlic &Tomato sauce - Classico. I love it. (Their Portobello mushroom spaghetti sauce is a knock-out!)
      Some shells, cooked and drained, some sauce (I like a lot of sauce) and some grated Parmesan cheese on top.
      Voila - a hot dinner.
      While cooking, I brought in the dog and hollered for Little Bit (nightly ritual) and put out cat food for her.
      She is not to be caught.
      And Ranger prefers to be king cat of the house - which he was anyway.
      Little Bit waltzed right by the food and went elsewhere. (She ate it later - when I was not in view.)
      I am not supposed to see her (I was inside).
      I had her almost inside once (it is freezing cold at night) but she made the door before I got it fully closed.
      She is fast!
      So be it.
      The rains are coming.
      Now we will see----.
      Of course, I have picked up one dead small rat so far. So maybe she's earning her keep. I haven't baited for the beasties yet.
      The dog meanwhile, is also playing house dog.
      She is a "senior citizen" according to the groomer. Rain, wind, snow, dark, whatever - she wants in! I am often out in the wet and cold in my nightgown and barefoot opening the side gate so a wet or muddy dog can go in the garage first before comping in the house - not that my white carpet is white anymore anyway. Stanley Steamer can come after my son moves out next year.
      I am contemplating a puppy.
      Border Collie.
      Just not yet.
      Soon.
      I am incorrigible.