This is where I bitch.

madidude04 has come up with a hell of a cold. I think I might have given it to him. I was a bit sniffley last week, but nothing more than that. I think it hit him harder. He was up all night unable to breath and didn't get any rest. So now he is at work miserable.

Yesterday I helped out the softball league by working at the Southern Comfort Music festival at the Alliant Energy Center. About six of us mixed drinks with SoCo for about 7 hours. It was fine, weather was nice, people were friendly. Lots of bees around the Hurricane machine. I also picked up an ankle brace so I can try and play next week.

Today I did some house cleaning and then subbed on Bob's bowling team. It was nice to see the bowling crew but my ankle kinda hurt, so I didn't do too well. Now I'm doing laundry and finished up measuring the valence boxes for a hanging brackets. I need to get some 2x4s to finish up the process. I hope to do that by next week.

Weekend was good. Friday I got my hair cut but didn't get the color put in since I had to work late. We left it a bit long so we have more hair to work with next time for the color.

Saturday we got a few things done in the morning and then went bowling in the evening. The bowling was a benefit for a lesbian who is having heart issues. It was really fun. Got to hang out with Bob, Ryan, Brett and the awesome boy friend. And I bowled really well the first game. Then Paul and I went home and got ready for Leather & Lace. exarinan and her bf showed up and we hung out a bit before heading to the bar. It was pretty much the same crowd as ever. We didn't stay late at the bar but ended up not going to sleep until late.

Here's a picture of Paul and I. Isn't he hot?

( On the edge of comfort )

Sunday I got up early to meet the boys for the volleyball tournament. Paul was supposed to get up and drive me there so he could have the car for the day. But a hang over kept him in bed. We got to the park in Arlington early and began to play at 9:30ish. Our pool play ended at 4pm. It was a long, fun day hanging out with the guys and playing volleyball. We were outclassed with a few of the teams, but just dropped the ball (no pun) on the other games, only winning one game out of 10 all day. This got us kicked out of the tournament before the actual tournament play started. But that was OK, it ment we could make it back to Madison in time for the gay league. It was a good experience for the team to see what level we will be playing against. So after 10 hours of volleyball, I was quiet done and went home for a quick shower and dinner before heading over to Kiki's for a house concert.

Eleven o'clock had me driving down town to pick up Paul and then bed.

One really, really annoying item of the weekend was I got a notice the the software for my phone needed updating. So I went ahead and downloaded and set it to update. 45 minutes later I had a newly updated phone but all of my data was gone. 300 some contacts and all of my date book scheduleing. I was so pissed, and still am. They didn't mention that item on download page. I got thhe contacts back from a backup, but the date book info is gone. So I have no idea what I should be doing and when. I think I might email them today about that.

Bowling went well, I was above my average each time. Bob did really well, he got the over 200 game he's been gunning for all season. I might try and bowl in Milwuakee for an AIDs benefit, if someone asks me to join their team. I do want to play in the softball tounrmanet in the Twin Cities Memorial Day weekend, I hope we can get a team together. I've been semi-productive today, so the rest of the night can be watching Supernatural and/or Skins.

Looks like it might be another week of nights at the bar, but this time I'm peddling volleyball.

I saw a little bit of The Day After Tomorrow at the gym tonight. It seemed OK, typical disaster movie. I do see what people were talking about with the facts of the movie being way off base though. I mean come on, like the lead girl would pick that rich kid over Jake Gyllenhaal. Please...

Went off to Village Lanes after tanning and working out to sub for a team in Sam's league but no one from the team showed up, so I couldn't even sub. So now I'm home watching Supernatural. 14 days and I fly to Jamaica.

I think I need a job where I work out InDesign workflows again. I chatted for about an hour last night with a designer in Boston last night and really enjoyed the conversation. I'm not sure where I can find this, but discovering the most efficient way to make a 12 page newsletter is not doing it for me.

I was really hopeing that volleyball last night would cheer me up from a crappy day at work. Instead the fact that my team were a bunch of lumps that watched the ball hit the ground (think Daria) just annoyed me. And I know that there are varying levels of skill and interest, but if I'm not having fun then I feel its a waste of my time. Not sure what to do about it. Have to think on it.

Bowling on the other hand (we had to pre-bowl for this weekend since most of the team will be gone) did cheer me up. Mr. Consistant here got a new life time high game. 185. That's 81 pins over my average. Bob tells me this will get recognized at the end of the year. I'm fairly proud. Again I have no idea why I bowled well, but I did. And the following game was pretty good too. Perhaps I should read more articles on bowling to try and figure out what the ball dose after it leaves my hand.

I have a lot to do tonight and no interest in doing it. I'd like to watch LOST and chill. We will see if responsibility wins out.

Once again, my good intentions were derailed last night. Now this week if I don't get the gym any more, I can't complain about it. Cause I could have said no. But after I got home from the stint at Apex, Sam called me and asked to sub on his bowling team. The lanes really do make a difference, Dave wasn't lying. I bowled really well, and got my life time high game.

Talked with Em a bit after working at Apex. Poor girl. She has no one to complain to and her job just gets worse and worse. Being yelled at by her boss and her staff. She's gonna go insane. Good reminder to me why I left. Even if I don't like everything at this job, it's better than there.

Friday night was kind of a bust. Drove all the way to Oregon just to find out one of the other players was feeling sick and decided not to go. Fine, but it'd be nice if we didn't have to call him to find out. Chatted, ate dinner, kinda meh.

Saturday was busy, but it was a nice busy. Had the theater meeting. They basically didn't like the poster I'm doing for them. So we played with it until it was very close to my original idea and not the one that the board decided on last time. People seemed unhappy that I am leaving, but I've been working in that committee for five years and am done. I stuck with my guns and have left. I think I'm getting better at saying no.

After the meeting I headed out of town to Mauston for a double birthday for my uncle and cousin. I was a bit late, but a lot of the family was there. Got to see dad. Lots of sledding with the cousins' kids. Left before birthday cake and singing, but I had a schedule to keep.

Got to Club 5 an hour late, but I'm not too worried. It's not my committee, I just do all the work. Registered people until 8:00. Got a little less than 10, saw some team mates, caught up. Bob arrived late also. Him and Brian drove back from Milwaukee. He was quite drunk when he got there and apparently Ben tried to fire him a few times. Hard to fire a volunteer.

8:30 was kareokee at Pedros. Jumped groups saying hi to everyone. MJ made it, B didn't. More info on their respective LJs. Stayed long enoguh to see them both sing one song each. Em and Chee came out, which was nice. Never get to see that girl anymore. Sam showed up too.

Then was off to the Inferno for Victoria's going away party. I didn't know about that one until that morning. Shannon turned into a pumpkin soon after I arrived, so they took off. I hung out and danced with Victoria for a bit until the smoke started giving me a headache.

Sunday was much calmer with finishing the design for grandma and grandpa's headstone, cleaning, bowling and the gym. Bowling went well, two games 20+ pins over my average. We are in second place. Might go up depending on how the frist place team did. Charter went out while I was at the Princton Club. Fortunently I was on the weights rotation and not doing cardio. Cable was out for the rest of the night. I was hoping to hear about why on the news this morning.

This week doesn't look too busy, but that might change. More softball registration tonight. I think if I keep this up someone else can take the fundraising committee. I really didn't expect so much work for this. I'm quite annoyed with other members of this group, you'd think with over 90 members we'd have more help.

This weekend I think I might actually paint the house. I have nothing to do except a softball meeting and bowling (both of which I might skip), so if I do get paint this week, that is the plan.

The superbowl party was nice. First, work at the Hilton was done by 8:30, not really worth waking up so early. Then I did art for the morning, very proud of myself. Have a head and an entire body to go, and then I can actually update the art journal.

Bowling was fine. Brian and Tim fought a lot. I see what Dave ment about Brian. Seems Bob might have started dating someone new. I'm OK with this.

Then went to Marcus' new pad for his superbowl party. Nice surburban place. I was impressed with the decorating, it was pretty good. I think his siter helped. Talked to a lot of people but spent most of the time cuddled on this couch doseing.

I liked the lion comercial the best. And the entire party (of like 15) was cracking up at the half time show with the image of Prince holding that guitar that was shaped like his symbol in front of him projected on the blowing sheet. Was the most phallic thing I've seen in a long time.

Tonight I finish taxes and get Em a welcome home present. Then I might clean the house, it's been a while. Have no idea what to get Em though.

Put in eight hours for Apex this weekend. That will be a nice check. Bowling went well, we won all seven games (or points? I'm iffy on what all that means), which means we might be close to first place. No idea how.

I feel kinda sick. I think it might be from getting too many static shocks at home. My living room is just full of static, and I get shocked everytime I touch a lamp. Not sure how to fix that, exactly. Might look things up online.

I'm kinda anxious to get my taxes done, but Apex hasn't sent me my W-2 yet. Plus I need to talk to a tax agent to see what I need for the house.

Sore throat, still kinda sick. I can't wait for insurance.

Bowling was interesting. My first game was great, like more than 30 pins over my average, then the second game was not as good (one frame where I got 1 pin, then 1 pin; folowed by a 0/- frame). The last game I didn't mark at all (i.e., no strike, no spare). Just horrible. No idea why either. Just don't understand that game.

niburu33's get together was canceled, which ment I didn't have to choose between that and hanging out with Bob. So, we played two games of scrabble, each won one. Watch The Covenant and the rest of the D&D cartoon. It was ok. A bit uncomforatble, but ok. I think there is hope we will stay friends.

Today should be busy. I have to call a lot of vendors and start organizing where they all will be at the convention. It'll be a lot like Plattecon, just more vendors. I also have to decide who to go with on the envelope printing progect from last week and I should start getting the proposals from web companies too.

Then tonight I go and freelance from Apex. I should have asked for more money. Oh well.