tears for that lost

alcohol has it's moments.
It can bring clarity, just before you bend over the bowl
my life went sideways
when I lost my wife (first marriage) and not improved since with the second...
it's a raw nerve that exposes
when I least expect it

mortality and thoughts... again

sometimes, it's just weird. I just found out - -
One of my "condo association" friends and allies... passed on back in November. Apparently her son told the temp at the property Management office, and they told our account manager when she got back from vacation. I found out from someone who talked to the rep...
I've been leaving messages, and now I know why...

mortality and thoughts

Today my aunt died.  She had multiple problems, wasn't really coherent and didn't want to hang around like that.  She told my mom and her kids so emphatically.  My mom's younger sister.  The funny thing, she's about 4 years younter than my mom, and my mom's pretty spry.  In spite of various things...

I still miss her, but if she's in a better place (the euphemism), so I will hope.  (I don't really believe in life hereafter, it doesn't make sense in a rational universe.  But, I wish I could).

July 20, 1925 - November 13, 2011 at about 8 pm. Sleep well Aunt Ev. 

So you think you park close?

I got out of the car, and am just grateful I didn't scrape.  (somehow didn't even "see it" coming).
Shows how off perspective is sometimes. (it's actually that close!)

CBTL and why I love consulting

I'm too busy to post.
No, correct that.

I *was* too busy to post.  Now I'm coming back to my normality.  
Sometimes I wish otherwise.

I got a consulting gig.  And as usual with such things, there is no such thing as half-way.

So, I've been working my tail doing their stuff, and trying to keep the plates in the air for MY stuff, and...
You get the idea.

I've got New RENTERS (yay) whom I like; and are quiet/busy/self-contained and they have manners.
Not perfect! mind you, but real adults for a change.  UN-Believable.

Now I just have to play catch up on bills and chores.

(And somehow, fatten up the cats again.  They've gotten entirely too skinny)

Next gig?

Desperation and renters (September)

IT's amazing how fast things can go wrong.

I'm now going to be TWO months behind on my house payment (gee thanks) as of September 20th.  And, I do NOT see any way of magically coming up with $2200 (1100*2) that fast.

Since the last set of roommates moved out (after NOT paying for a month); I have a few people come see the place (two rooms) and they (a) run away if they have a sense of smell or any sense of style; or (b) want to immediately move in ... but have no funds.  Even a Mother-Daughter pair from CSUN (shows that a college education is good for something!)

I get the cat surprise cleaned up... again.

Then, I get a gal who comes by (seperated or something like that), and she's all interested until her "creep" alarm goes off... (which is I'm guessing because I want someone in the room ASAP).  Nothing at all to do with the fact that she's wearing the lowest cut top and pushup I've seen yet outside of a club.  I thought I was being a polite gentleman, but evidence seems to point to the contrary...


Late July:  Get a new roommate.  He (three weeks in) gets a bigger, better deal closer to work and immediately moves out.  Wants his deposit back.  Great.  (working on it, but wasn't expecting mid-month and no notice and no other roommate or consulting income).

August:  Get a new roommate.  Immediately (after move-in) discover that she has no funds whatsoever; and her receivables are mostly pot-induces imagination.  Specifically, a BS artist, or at least a wishful thinker.
My (ex) GF / [FWB / FWoB]... (depending on the day) asked me why I let her move in without cash in hand.  Good question.  I'm still asking myself that now.  It took three plus weeks to evict her.

And... just before she left; we have another plumbing malfunction (my favorite so far:  flushing the kotex is the most common, but not sure what happend this time...); and the check valve just happens to NOT shut off; so guess where all the black water goes.  I'm still cleaning the carpets with bleach.  Thanks ...  Both possible individuals said "It wasn't me" which is typical.  I have yet to see someone own it.  (Doesn't matter, neither one could afford to replace the carpet and padding anyway).

THEREFORE::
RULE #1:  If there is no cash, there's no move-in.  This especially applies to anyone who is even a little-bit sketchy.  One Month plus Security Deposit, unless (a) the background check is exceptionally clean and detailed, and (b) I'm so damm desperate that I'll latch on to anyone still breathing with the price of admission.
RULE #2: Background checks are now MANDITORY.  No exceptions; bra-size is an automatic lock on rule #2 -- if they are attractive; then the background check must be paid for in advance, AND they must pass with flying colors.  No lizard brain judgement calls.
RULE #3: If I feel "hinky", then they don't get in the door.
RULE #4: NO holistic types, even if they can take the chrome off a trailer hitch.  NONE.  NADA.  Tinfoil hats not required.

And NOW...
maybe two kids from CSUN will move in.  If the background check passes ( I think it will) and ... they can pay.  Here's to hope.


Did I mention that I NEED A JOB?

Android Blues

You know your'e getting olde when...

I'm trying to relearn something new that I dropped a year ago (after my class was over).
It's amazingly hard to find your way in the technology without a rosetta stone and a native guide.

And I do this stuff for a living?

Crap.

I had to uninstall and refresh all the tools, sources, and relink all of the add-ons so that the environment would just compile Android applications. Oh wait... it still doesn't work completely.

And I'm trying to score a QA gig in San Diego based on this?
WHO are you kidding?

Maybe tomorrow.  Back to it...

(Links may follow, if...)