Afterthoughts : This Past Month

September is my birthday month, which means it's going to be a little extra good.  Anyway, as per usual this month was packed.  Here's the update.

Thursday, September, 1, Last week I had a conversation with Krishna about my coverage of lunches at Adams.  She assured me that she was "good," and would probably only need me to cover lunch breaks on Wednesday.  Well, today isn't Wednesday, but I still ended up covering lunches at Adams today.  I was told that Jade called out, and so did the children's librarian.  So yeah, I guess that's OK that I cover lunches today.  Besides, it affords me a chill period at work... literally and figuratively.  Literally, because Adams is like an ice box (lovely).  And figuratively, because Adams doesn't get super busy.  Even when it's "super busy" it's nothing I haven't dealt with before.  I was happy to do it for Krishna.  I still wonder about her.  She's looking cute these days.  Of course every girl looks cute to me since I'm all horny.

I was upstairs in admin talking to the office guy there.  We were chatting about a few things and the subject of photography came up.  I told him I went to Chinatown a few weeks ago and took some pictures.  And then I showed them the photos on my phone.  We chatted a little more and I mentioned that I'm taking Polaroids as well.  He then turned and said, "Don't say anything," and then took a bag out of a box full of old cameras.  Inside that bag was an old Polaroid 600 camera, like the one pictured above.  Then I understood why he said not to say anything.  What he handed me was the library's camera, but there's no way they're going to use it again.  I thanked him and went on my merry way.  Nice.

My aunt went to Costco today, and while there she called me to say that she wanted to buy me some almonds.  I was OK with that, but she kept on insisting that she wanted me to try these almonds with garlic and herb, and olive oil.  No matter how many times I said no thank you she kept on saying I should try them.  So I just said fine.  When I got home I tried them, and no surprise, they were awful.  My aunt thought they were fine.  Well, she can eat them all up then.

The social media feed for the library featured the picture on the left above.  It was a picture of the so-called "memory kits" that are available for checkout.  Last year I was asked to take some pictures for these kits (there are more than one).  During the process I went ahead and took some "beauty shots" for the project.  I sent them to the former librarian that left for Michigan a few months ago.  I guess she didn't keep them, or the new person didn't know about them, because they didn't use my beauty shots (right above).  Oh well.  That's OK, I got paid for my work.

Friday, September, 2, I picked up the delivery van from the city garage this morning.  It was nice to drive the regular delivery van again.  The switch is now working like a charm in the van.  Nice.

Saturday, September, 3, I was watching a movie last night when I got a phone call from Greg, from the library.  He's a patron, not a coworker.  He wanted to catch up since he's been in Vegas the last few weeks.  More on that in a moment.  Anyway, I mentioned to him that there were clouds in the sky, and when I checked on my weather app it said that there was a 40% chance of rain in my neighborhood.  Wha?  Really?  Well, it happened.  It rained for like seven to ten minutes, but not very hard.  And it rained just enough to dirty my car... more.  The last time it rained my car got really dirty, but that was just after I stopped going to San Marino.  Which meant I didn't have access to the car wash I would drive thru on my way to work at San Marino.  Now I REALLY have to get a car wash, because the car is that much dirtier. And speaking of San Marino, Greg tells me that the library seems really quiet without me there.  I don't know about that, but I will say that I am kinda a big personality.  With that comes everything I am, which includes a bit of noise.  I talk a lot, so there's that.  I certainly try to have fun at work, what little fun you can have at work.  Sad to hear that my absence diminishes that place.  More on San Marino in a minute.

My coworker Shawnie wants to buy her cousin in Mexico a telescope and have it delivered to his place in Mexico.  Today we were going to try and arrange that, but she sent something else as a test of the DHL courier service.  Well, it's a no go for the telescope for now.  This is because the item she sent hasn't arrived, and it's been nothing but hassles to try to get the company on the phone to try to get some sort of status on the item shipped.  Because of that she postponed the buying of the telescope.  That's what we were going to do.  Still, she treated me to breakfast in Highland Park.  I ordered chilaquiles with steak.  The steak was OK, nothing special.  Not that the chilaquiles were super good either.  They were average.  The place were we went is known for its huaraches, so I should have gotten that.  Oh well.  Next time.

Here is the first picture I took with the new Polaroid 600 camera that I got from the library.  Not too bad.  I realize that I need to be a little farther from my subject.  I know that I have to be at least 3 feet away for it to be in focus.  Next time.

Sunday, September, 4, I went to the market to buy some stuff.  Lately I've been getting the Simply Lemonade.  But, last week they didn't have any, and this week they didn't have any of the lemonade.  I ended up having to get the fruit punch, which is really good.  But there was only one bottle.  What gives?  They have plenty of the other flavors, which are not my favorite.  Guess they ran out of lemons.

Monday, September, 5, Here is a cute video by a person that works in a veterinarian's office.  They perfectly illustrate what happens when you send a clueless spouse to anywhere... the vet's, the library, the bank, the grocery store.  Stop doing that.

My aunt can't seem to ever just leave me alone on weekends.  I've said it before, she has to always say something.  This morning she turns to me at the breakfast table and says, "You don't sleep a lot of hours, do you?"  Like what the actual fuck are you talking about?  She probably referring to the fact that I was in my room "watching TV" last night.  Yeah, watching porn and jerking off.  It's my one pleasure, and my aunt finds ways to ruin it by stirring around the house.  It's such bullshit.  When she tells me something I just stay quiet.  The video above explains why men shut down and don't talk when women start to criticize them.

Tuesday, September, 6, I don't know how many days in a row it's been over 100 degrees, but I'm pretty sick and tired of this shit.  Each year the weather gets hotter and more humid.  Well, really more humid, and so it feels really hot even when it's only 100.

I told a friend that it's only going to get worse and worse each year.  Somehow it does get worse, even while the temps don't get that much hotter.  When I was a kid there was a summer where there was temps up to 120 degrees, but because it's so humid now it feels that much hotter even when the temps don't reach that high.  I fucking hate it.  I have to have my A/C on constantly.  Even at night.  It's the worse.  Fucking hate this heat.

Wednesday, September, 7, I once again woke up early thank to the heat.  It was so warm that I woke up at around 3am, not having to pee but rather to drink some water.  Then I woke up at around 5am, which is still too early for me.  But, at 3am, before going to bed, I turned on the A/C and slept pretty well after that.  Still, what is with me waking up so early in the morning?  Hate that shit.

When my TV came on I was watching the morning news.  I usually watch channel 4, but I turned the channel to the other channel I watch, 11, before going to take my shower.  That's when I saw the anchor say that she was leaving at the end of the week.  I didn't really like her as an addition to the morning show.  She used to be on channel 5 years ago, and then went to CNN.  She came to the morning show on channel 11 a couple of years ago, and right away she disrupted a good thing.  So yeah, bye.

After working at Brand and then Adams I went about doing some errands.  I went to Pasadena to get my car washed.  Then I went to Total Wine to get TheGirl some wine for her birthday.  Then, I went to travel town to kill some time before heading to TheGirl's for dinner.  We went to the Counter, but without Cheyenne, because it was too hot.  Even though it was the evening, the temperatures were still over 90 degrees.

Like I said, TheGirl and I went to the Counter for dinner.  It was nearly empty.  Only one other person when we arrived.  About six came and went by the time we left.  I don't know if it's the heat or the prices keeping everyone home.  Maybe it's a combination of many things.

After dinner I went home and I did not feel well.  My stomach was SO bloated.  My stomach felt like it was going to explode.  I fucking hate when that happens.  Thankfully it hasn't happened in a LONG time.  But, it did happen, and it wasn't until over an hour after getting home that I felt almost normal.

Friday, September, 9, Yesterday I opened the South door and when I did the girl that is always front and center asked me how I was.  I honestly answered that I was tired.  She then said to me, "Oh honey," and proceeded to put her hand on my shoulder.  Today I figured that I would ask her her name.  But, of course with this shit week it would be that the girl would not show up today.  Just perfect, and typical.  That's just how this week has been going.

I got a text message from the assistant director about checking Montrose for leaks.  I was to put buckets (trash cans) out to catch possible leaks.  I don't know how much it was supposed to rain, but any little bit of rain means it's going to leak inside.  I cleaned up the outside drain as best I could, and put some sandbags around the drain to keep the debris from getting the drain plugged.  It probably won't even rain all that much.  As I was leaving I noticed a couple of guys from the city putting up a new tarp on the roof.  That should help more than anything I did.

I didn't get to talk to that patron that comes in the south door this morning, but I did get to help out a really pretty girl just as I was leaving work.  You can't say I'm not dedicated to helping patrons.  Wink!  She had such beautiful thighs.  Alas, I helped her and that was that.

The library has lost another former coworker.  Last year we lost Les, this time we got the news that Thea died.  Thea was a page at Casa.  She was a character.  Basically a little weird, but in a good way.  She seemed befuddled, but sweet.  Well, the assistant director write the following letting us know the news.

I am sad to share that Thea Van Houten passed away recently. Thea was a part of the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture team for 41 years, and she was an important part of the Casa Verdugo team for most of that time.

A couple of days ago I saw the children's librarian at Casa emailing about Thea.  I rightly figured out that she had passed.  I didn't know for sure until it was told to us officially.  Rest in peace.

Saturday, September, 10, I went back to San Marino today to work on some Foundation projects.  It was like falling off a log, or riding a bike.  It was familiar, but really I haven't been away very long.  I helped out Pseudo supervisor put up a big banner trying to get people to attend the fundraiser.  I don't know if we're going to have much success with this fundraiser.  Pseudo says that she hasn't had much motivation to do this any more.  I know the feeling.

Ilsa sent me a text around noon saying that she had to cancel us going to the Formosa tonight, due to a friend's emergency.  A friend of hers has as step father that is dying.  It's only a matter of days or hours.  Poor guy.  At this point we have now postponed this dinner at the Formosa thing three times.  Maybe it's just not meant to be.  I should just alone.

Sunday, September, 11, A picture came up from way back in 2016, when I went to dinner with TheDesire.  I remember we used to hang out back then.  Of course it never went behind dinner, like I wanted it to go.  It's fine.  I at least have those memories of those dinners.  Platonic or not, I had fun.  Now TheDesire is married and has a child.  No way she's going to go to dinner with me now.  Oh well, it was good while it lasted.  I guess that's with anything really.

Monday, September, 12, I went back to San Marino tonight, because I'm still working on the Foundation stuff.  Tonight I got some more information on what I have to do for the upcoming event.  There's a lot, and not a lot of time.  Still, it was funny to return and have everyone greet me so nicely.  I guess I'm missed.  I sometimes miss this place, but sometimes I don't.  I really don't.

Tuesday, September, 13, This morning I virtually attended the quarterly all staff meeting at Glendale.  These meetings are always pretty damn useless.  But today's meeting took the cake.  TheNewCute mentioned that it felt extra stupid, and I concur.  Most of these meetings are filled with fluff, and maybe one or two things that actually pertain to any of us.  Today there were no subjects that pertain to anything we grunts do.  It was totally useless, and uniquely stupid.

There was one point in which they talked about changing your profile picture on Teams (the internal chat client).  Well, I did changed it, the picture above.  What is the significance of that?  It's from a TV show called "The Prisoner."  Basically the person at the center is a character simply known as number six.  He is basically trying to escape the island.  I don't think anyone is going to know the reference.

Wednesday, September, 14, Chan got to work at Brand today.  One of the librarians mentioned how he could help me out.  So, I put Chan to work on the front desk.  I sent the photo to my cousin in Mexico and she thought it was hilarious.  Chan is pretty cute, and loves having new adventures.  The first day that I brought him with me to Brand everyone wondered what I was doing with hims.  Now they're having a good time with hims.  It's because he's just too cute.

After Brand I went to Adams to cover lunches.  But, after that Krishna asked me if I would help her with picking up a van from the city lot.  I told her that there was a lot on Chevy Chase, but she insisted that it was the yard behind city hall.  After going there and finding out it was the Chevy lot we drove there.  While there we picked up a beat up old van that Krishna said is going to be used for outreach.  Krishna also wanted me to help with the drive back to Adams.

TheGirl and I went to Much Mas again tonight.  We had a plan to go to Dog Haus, but I think that TheGirl was in the mood for Mexican.  Since she's driving and paying tonight I went along for the ride.  I got the enchiladas, which were really yummy.

Thursday, September, 15, I went to Grandview and started talking to Gitmo about old times when something about videos came up.  What followed was us searching for that video, and what came up was this video where TheDesire and I were on.  I went ahead and texted TheDesire about the video, and she laughed.

We finally found my video, in which I talk about checking out iPads.  Good times.  TheNewCute commented on how I look the same.  I think that Gitmo must have been talking about TheDesire, because TheNewCute said, "I can now put a face to the name," when TheDesire showed up on screen.

When I came back from the route I came in to circulation where Kvon had set up a small celebration of my birthday.  Too bad these administrators always order pizza from Big Mamas and Papas pizza.  That pizza is horrid.

My aunt asked me to show her how to start the washing machine when I got home.  While I was walking out to my backyard I saw that the machine was ejecting the water to the sink.  I decided to take a picture to illustrate just how much less water this machine is using.  In the past the old machine would fill this sink.  The new machine uses about a quarter of the water the old one did.  This is great.  It's going to save us money, and the environment.

Friday, September, 16, WOW, Chan is ten years old today.  Where did the last decade go?  I do love that little stuffed monkey.  His smile keeps me grounded.  I find nothing but joy with hims.

As is the new route post pandemic today's route was chill.  Fridays are pretty chill these days.  Every other Friday almost all the managers are off.  Today Kvon was off, and so was DrDeath, and most of the administrators.  Put that with the small number of bins going out, and that half of the branches are closed, and you have a chill route.

Ru and I were talking about photos and stuff and she mentioned that she wanted me to take her photo.  OMG, are you serious?  I joked with Vagabundo that I hope she means in the all together.  I wish I could get her to pose like TheDesire posed for me.

Saturday, September, 17, I treated myself to Tommy's chili-cheese fries, with onions on top (see above).  I went to pick up something for my aunt this morning, but I figured that I could also go get myself some Tommy's.  Not only did I get the fries, but I got a burger.  I was stuffed... super stuffed.

which was the last time I had sex with her.  Or anyone, for that matter.  Sigh.  I wanted to sleep with her again earlier this year, but it didn't work out that way.  I miss sex.

The music librarian at Brand sent me a text today with the picture above with the caption, "Eric- I think they took your monkey!"  He added, "Chan is a star now!"  My reply was, "Oh that's hilarious - see how monkeys are popular."  The group is called the Beatbuds, and the song they were singing when the busted out the monkey is called "The Silly Monkey."

TheGirl took me out to dinner before heading to the Bowl.  I picked a place we have gotten take-out from, but not eaten there.  Well, at least not me.  I think TheGirl said she went with her friend Mary Kay.

Anyway, I ordered up a meatloaf sandwich and TheGirl got a chicken sandwich.  The wine hit the spot, and so did the food.  The chips that came with my sandwich were just right.

The restaurant had this gimmick where they bring out the check in an old book.  I opened the book to see what the title was, but the title page was no longer in the book.  The cover said it, but I can't remember what it was.  What I do love is that in the back of the book there's a sticker that is from the lending library.  It says, in part, "A book may be kept two weeks, with privilege of renewal.  A fine of two cents a day will be charged for each book kept over time."  So cool.

After taking our sweet time at dinner we had to rush to get to the Bowl.  We took the bus at 7pm, and arrived just before 7:30pm, right when the movie started.  We sat down just as the credits were on the screen.  Perfect!

The night was super fun.  I'm glad we tried something other than the Maestro of the movies.

As we were leaving and walking to the shuttle there was a fire across the street in a group of palm trees.  It was probably set by some homeless people.  There are a lot in that area.  It did make for quite a sight.  The fire department was there pretty fast.

Sunday, September, 18, I left my window open last night, and it got a little chilly.  Not too bad, but it was cold enough that I was a little cold early this morning.  I have been sleeping without covers for weeks, because of the heat.  But last night I woke up some time in the night feeling a little cold.  I finally got to use my blanket.  I didn't close my window though, it was nice to feel that cool air.

Today my aunt and I went to the Super King market.  They sell stuff at a much lower price than the Pavilions I go to normally.  It's a bit of a hassle with all the dummies there, but there are bargains.  When we got home she asked what I wanted for lunch this week, and I told her that tuna salad was fine.  She mentioned that yesterday, and I thought that was an easy solution.  I also told her to please, please not mix it all together until I got a chance to dry off the celery.  She never does it properly and so it results in wet tuna salad.  When I made it a few months ago it came out nice and dry.  She even commented that it came out dry.  But tonight she went ahead and made the whole thing and of course the results were wet tuna salad.  I was furious.  She asked me, "Should I add another can," and I just answered, "Do what you want.  That's what you do anyway."  She was standing in my way and I just waved her out of the way and went back outside.  Like I said, I was furious.  She always has to do things her way.  Her stupid, wrong, way.  Even when I show her it's incorrect she does it the wrong away anyway.  So you know what, let her figure it out.

The other day I picked up some meds for her from the pharmacy.  They called earlier in the week.  When I picked them up it was a 10mg pill that she takes.  It was given to her by her attending at the hospital.  The pharmacy doesn't know what's what about that, so when the refill came up they just filled it.  I didn't tell my aunt what it was that I picked up.  For all she knows I didn't pick it up yet.  But I did.  And I'm going to keep it and put it in her pills.  Tonight I put it in her evening dose for tonight and the next few days.  She has a cough.  When she has a cough or anything like that she's supposed to take a higher dosage.  Which she doesn't.  Unless I give it to her.

I found this video a couple of weeks back of a hummingbird snoring.  It's so damn cute, I had to share it here.

Monday, September, 19, Today my car had dew on it, and I was thrilled.  It's finally cooling down, though the weather liars are saying that it's going to get warm by this weekend.  Boo!  However, by mid-October all this heat should be in the rearview for at least a while.  I can't wait to be cold enough where I should be wearing a jacket.

For some reason Gitmo has been Photoshopping people into photos for the last couple of weeks.  The picture above was one of the pictures from the weekly update email.  If you notice the ladies that are showing of the items are just a little off, despite the pixilation that's going one because I enlarged it.  That's because Gitmo pasted the ladies into a picture where they were already in the picture.  If you notice the ladies behind TheNewCute and the children's librarian are the same people.  The color doesn't even match.  It's just too funny.  No one I've asked about this, except Gitmo himself, understands why Gitmo keeps doing this.

Over the weekend Bundy went to one of these porn conventions at this place in the Valley, down by North Hollywood.  It's part of some studio.  I didn't recognize any of the porn stars that were going, except Christy Canyon.  Well, last time he went to this convention he said that he didn't have time to meet Christy, but this time he did.  Not only that, but he bought me a small poster and an 8x10.  Woo hoo!  Oh I don't know what I would have done if I actually got to meet her.

I mean, I've been a "fan" of hers for years.  Decades.  And that's to say that I've been jerking off to her for years, decades.  She is one of my favorite porn stars, that's for sure.

Tuesday, September, 20, When I got home I was feeling tired, but a different kind of tired.  I told Ilsa that fact.  I also had a sore throat, and when I got home I ate dinner and went to the backyard.  I wasn't feeling so bad, but I was feeling warm.

I ended up taking two at home tests.  The first one was positive, but the line was barely visible.  The paperwork said any line was a positive.  So I went ahead and took the test again.  Same thing.  I took it a third time because Mala said she needed to see a picture of the positive test.  Third test did not have a faint line (see above).

I went ahead and made an appointment to have a PCR test done.  I'm going to the CVS on Van Nuys and Burbank to get it done at 10:40am.

It would seem that I am going to have to miss the Sarah McLachlan concert on Saturday.  How poignant that it was canceled due to covid a few months back, and now that I was going to see her in concert I get covid and can't go.  Fuck me!

Wednesday, September, 21, Last night I made an appointment for a Covid test this morning.  Stupid me thought I saw that it was at 10:40am, but as I left my house I opened the email that I had to show and saw that it was actually at 10:20am.  It was already 10:22 when I left.  I hoped the would still take me, and thankfully they did.  I was starting to get a back-up appointment, but it wasn't necessary.  I'm a dope.

I went to sleep and some time around noon I think my coworker called to see if they had me drive.  He didn't know I had called out.  Just as we started talking my throat felt filled with phlegm.  I turned my head, since I was laying down, and I spit out a huge loogey that was bigger than a quarter when it hit the ground.  Yuck.  But, I felt much better with that thing out of my throat.

As I write this I'm doing well.  Sore throat is almost gone.  I don't seem to be running a fever.  I'm not achy, and I don't have that much phlegm.

meh.  My body still feels achy, so I just took an Advil to help me sleep better tonight.  For sure I'm going to be off until Monday at the earliest.  For now I may go to bed early and just listen to my radio show until I fall asleep.

9:26pm, I coughed up another loogey just now.  My chest and throat feels clearer.

Thursday, September, 22, I definitely felt better this morning than yesterday, but I'm still sick.  My phlegm is still a brownish color. 

Friday, September, 23, Here's a picture of me I took this morning.  I'm feeling much better, and almost 100% now.  As of the taking of that picture above I had a sore throat, but I wasn't warm anymore.  I think my fever broke.

I've been taking my temperature all morning and for sure I don't have a fever now.  I don't feel warm, and my last temperate reading was 98.7 degrees.  I still have a little bit of a runny nose, and I have a slight headache.  But, thankfully my phlegm is now much lighter in color.  It's almost completely clear.

I had a thought today after seeing the bold face disregard for what I say in my aunt's actions.  She hates me.  She hates that fact that I don't rely on her for anything.  I don't rely on her for emotional support.  After work I tell her everything at work is fine.  I'm sure she eavesdrops my conversations when in the backyard where I do vent from time to time.  I don't rely on her God/religion, that's for sure.  I've never said anything to make her think that I've reconsidered any of my current beliefs.  I don't rely on her to even feed myself.  She does cook and make me things that I eat for lunch when I'm at work, but that's because I allow her to do that.  There have been weekends where I make my own food for the week and has nothing to do.

Yesterday she asked me if I wanted her to make any food.  I told her we had food from the week.  I planned on eating what she had made me for lunch this week, tuna salad.  She also went ahead and made potato quesadillas earlier in the week, along with rice and beans.  So there was PLENTY of food for me.  But did she listen to me?  Granted, today is another day, but I didn't ask her to make food.  I've said it before, we don't eat in on the weekends, so sick or not she can assume that I would order or get some food this weekend.  So it baffles, but it shouldn't surprise me anymore, that my aunt went ahead and made more tuna salad today.

This shows me that she's just not listening to me.  Oh, and I caught her looking into my car this morning.  She likes to look inside my car to see if she can spot the drugs or the booze, or whatever she imagines I'm taking.  I joked with Ilsa that she must be looking for the lady I snuck in last night.  I told Ilsa, "The joke's on her, I called the lady a Lyft."

Saturday, September, 24, Above is a poster of Sarah Mclachlan that hung on my room way back in 2004.  Yes, I've been a fan of hers for THAT long.  Longer even.  Oh well.  When I woke up I noticed that my ticket sold.  I wish it was me going.  But, I got $149 of my $160 that I paid.  Better than losing it all.  I had been looking forward to going, but if I'm still contagious there's no use in going and possibly getting people sick.

I'm putting this here because I was texting one of my San Marino coworkers the other day and I forgot to write it on that day.  In short, I had heard that the new librarian, or as I just named her Linda the Clown, was demoted.  The old librarian was officially the "City Librarian."  Linda the Clown lost the city part and is now just the "Library manager."  I heard that demotion meant getting paid less as well.  Good, she doesn't even deserve what she makes now.  Such a clown.

Today was a chill day, but my aunt has been coughing since earlier in the week.  She said she had a tough night.  I could hear her coughing throughout the night.  It's not OK.  I gave her the higher dose of her meds today, and I added higher the 10mg pills for the rest of the week to help her fight this off.  I don't want her getting sicker.

Sunday, September, 25, Well, I'm almost 100%, but not quite.  I woke up without a fever today, and with just a slight cough.  It's the second day without a fever, thank the maker.  I kinda wanted to go to the market today, but the reality is I'm pretty sure I won't be allowed to go to work until Tuesday at the earliest.  Fine by me.  I like having these days off.  I can always go to the market tomorrow if need be.  I do need some things, but I'm good.

I went to pee and instead of sitting down I decided that I was just going to stand.  I had to go, so I didn't want to wait for that sit down move.  Well, of course I should have because when I was done I noticed that I had dribbled onto my shorts.  Fuck me!  Lesson learned.

Monday, September, 26, Today I felt fit as a fiddle.  I made the moves that would allow me to return to work tomorrow.  I had to call the clinic/hospital this morning to start the process.

Once I called they told me that they would send me some paperwork that I needed to fill out so a doctor could call me to evaluate me.

When the doctor did call me they asked me, "How are you doing?"  I said I was feeling good.  They said, "Good."  And that was it, the doctor told me he was going to send me the paperwork so I could start work tomorrow.  Hilarious.

Tuesday, September, 27, After being out a week I returned to work today.  It as good not to be home and deal with my aunt.  But, I did miss being able to just chill all day.  I love that.  It was like a stay-cation, without the sightseeing.

Speaking of that, I want to go on a vacation some time later this year.  I'm not sure how I can swing that with the bill situation.  What bill situation?  The fire insurance for the house came in the other day, and it's due in November.  It's just over $800.  I don't have that kind of money.  Fuck me.

Two more people at the library announced that they are leaving the library.  Jee, who is a page at Central, and Hendrick, who is a library assistant at Brand, are both leaving soon.  Jee said her last day will be Wednesday, and Hendrick is leaving in October.  Both are assets to the library, and it will be sad to see them go.  Both left because they weren't promoted in the last round of promotions.  Again, can't blame them for thinking that they have zero growth potential, because there really isn't any growth potential.  Sad.

When I got home tonight I started eating dinner and I noticed that I couldn't taste anything.  Just great.  I thought I was over this thing.  Now I wonder what the fuck is going on.

Wednesday, September, 28, I woke up and I still can't taste or smell anything.  Well, technically I can sorta smell something if it's close to my nose.  But I certainly don't smell it well.

Krishna got some Portos bakery goods.  I LOVE tarts, and this one sure did taste good, sorta.  I could taste something, but it was super faint.  I couldn't really taste the custard, but the apple and strawberry flavor kinda came out.  Nothing major though.  I hate this.

Last month I saw that there was going to be a Bob Baker marionette exhibit at Forest Lawn Glendale.  I had some time today after working at Adams to drive over there and check it out before heading to TheGirl's for dinner.  Well, apparently I was wrong about the dates, because the exhibit hasn't even opened yet.  Oops.  I thought it had opened this month, but nope.  That's OK, that means I can come back next month and check it out.  I could maybe even come for the opening reception.

Had dinner with TheGirl tonight.  I didn't tell her about the not being able to taste/smell anything.  We went to Dog Haus, and it was good.  Again, I could taste something faint.  The chipotle aioli warmed me up, but while I could taste it it was very, very faint.  I didn't tell TheGirl about the lack of taste/smell.

Thursday, September, 29, Today's route was pretty chill.  I decided last week that I need to spend less time at each location, and more time on my own.  To me that means having more time at lunch, and having lunch in the park.  Now that the weather is getting more reasonable I'm able to go to the park and not burn up.

Today I went to Pelanconi park, which I have lunch at before, but not for months.  It was nice.  There was a nice breeze coming out of the South West.  It made for a nice lunch.

I still couldn't taste my lunch though.  Well, I could sorta taste the curly fries I got from Jack in the box.  Kinda in the sense that I could taste the oil.

When I got home I noticed the smell of my neighbor's smoker.  As I sit here writing this I can say that I can taste the lemonade that I poured myself earlier.  The flavor isn't 100%, but I can taste it.  Maybe I'll get my full taste/smell back in a couple of days.  I hope.

Friday, September, 30, I'm happy to report that as I write this I can say that I'm getting my sense of smell back.  Sure, it's not 100% just yet, but I can now taste some things, such as my chicken nuggets that I had for dinner, and the fruit punch I drank.

Also my throat is feeling better tonight.  The frog that I've had in the back of my throat is slowly going away as my taste comes back.  There must be a correlation.  Or not.  All I know is that I'll be glad to be back to 100%.

As I said before I need to make some changes in my life.  The Universe is telling me it's a time for a chance.  I'm listening.