This is where I bitch.

I decided to join the "Jane in June" read along of Pride and Prejudice over at Book Rat, a book blog I follow and have won a few books from. One of my favorites.

I haven't read P&P yet, but did enjoy Little Women last year. The boyfriend is a big Jane Austen fan, so I've become interested in it.

I've tried one of these read alongs before, I think it was with Dorian Gray, but got too busy and then got behind on the reading and fell out of the group. That copy was online though, and I find it hard to read long prose on the laptop. I picked up a paper back of P&P today used, so I can read from that. Should be fun.

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It's been a good day. I went book shopping--see above--but also picked up some cheap, discount supernatural fiction. I got to have lunch with Wendy, she is in town for a day dropping the kiddies off at the grandparents while she is at navy reserve for two weeks. I went running. And took a nap.

Tomorrow is a shift at the mall, yard work and the dog park.

I watched the first episode of Covert Affairs tonight. Chris Gorham (Henry from Ugly Betty) is adorable and awesome in it. He plays a blind techy, and is still totally ripped and his new hair cut is really cute. I think I've found a new show. It's fun and cute.

Tomorrow I'm stopping over at the Wyman's farm in Oregon so I can met Wendy's new little girl. Then a short stint at the mall in the afternoon. Then Paul and I drive back to the Twin Cities so we can go to my sister's (and Jack and Rob's) going away party. Paul ended up having off, so we can make it too. It will be hard saying goodbye, again. But it will be worth it.

I've started a new project. We will see where it goes.

It was a good week, mostly. I haven't been to work since last Friday, so my days are kinda messed up. Monday we did well in softball and then enjoyed the taco bar at Woof's. Had Zoey (Jess and Lari's) dog with us (the girls too), it's nice to have bars with outdoor seating. Then we went and stood in line at Best Buy to get Paul Star Craft II.

He played too late, so was too tired to drive to the Twin Cities on Tuesday, so he napped while I drove. Traffic slowed down a few times from construction, but not too bad. Then we saw Laura and Jack for a bit, followed by Paul's mom and sister. We ended up staying the week with my sister's in-laws. Great people, JP had fun playing with their two dogs.

Wednesday was Waller day, as in we spent it with Paul's family. Nice time, great food. Saw the space for his mom and cousin's new coffee shop. Had Korean style lettuce wraps with his mom, sister and cousin's family. JP was very well behaved with his cousin's 2-3 year old.

Thursday was spent with Laura and Jack. We had breakfast at a cuban place with Laura, her family and her in-laws. Food was interesting, I had lime marinated steak and eggs. Then we went down to a near by lake, had ice cream and went wading with Jack for a bit. Then after his afternoon nap was dinner. It was great to see Jack again, he's talking and walking all the time. He can even almost say my name. "J"s are always hard. We rounded off the night with some games with Laura and Rob.

This morning we said goodbyes to both families and drove home. We both have to work tonight. I was (am) pretty sad/bummed about them leaving. I will try to get up there again next weekend, but not sure we can work it out. They won't be back for Christmas, so I might not see them for over a year. Sucks.

After work I'm going to stop by the Essen house to say hi to Wendy and Drew. Not really in the mood, but I'm not sure how long they are in town and this might be my only chance.

Our anniversary weekend went well. The farmer's market was busy, but not too much so. We picked up some fresh veggies and fruit and generally had a nice morning. Then we went home to sleep, since I was still working on adjusting my schedule for this week at work. We both went into work for a bit later that day, to cover for shifts that we were asked nicely to do. Then we just hung out that night. It was our 3rd anniversary, and I'm still expecting many more years.

We slept for most of Sunday again, then Paul made us dinner, buffalo steaks, a delicious strawberry & sesame seed salad and fingerling potatoes. Then we had grilled strawberry short cake (it was really good too). We went to see Prince of Persia afterwards. We liked it. One or two small plot holes, and I was totally expecting more shiftless Jake, but good.

Monday I was woken by MG&E calling to say they were doing some work on our meter, but it wouldn't affect us, the puppy needing to go out and then a cop asking what happened to the traffic sign that is normally in our yard and was laying on the road (it had blown down the previous week due to the wind). So I didn't get much sleep. Then I had to go have a mini-physical for insurance. Softball was canceled due to the rain, so Jess and Lari, and Jess's brother came over and we played D&D.

Work has been boring/tired/slow. We haven't gotten any work in from the project that we are doing this overnight shift for. But we are keeping with it to keep everyone on the same schedule, in case we do get busy. It will not be fun switching back to days for this weekend when I go up to mom and dad's for Father's day and to see Jack/Laura. But I will deal.

All in all, a good 4 days off. I can't wait until I'm back to a normal schedule, though this way I do see Paul a lot more.

Also, congrats to Wendy and Drew on the birth of their girl. I can't wait to meet her.

My knee really, really hurts. I have no idea what happened. I didn't play softball last night, as we had a bye. Maybe from volleyball on Sunday? Anyway, very annoying.

I wish this company would at least attempt communication, at least in my department. I really have no idea what I'm doing in the big picture, or even when it is due. I dislike being and unknowing cog.

The volleyball executive board is so pissing me off. How much politics can one have in a 5 member board for a gay volleyball league for crying out loud.

I'm afraid that Wendy and Drew's bonfire tomorrow night will be rain out. Which sucks a lot.

I wish I could spend the day outside accomplishing something. I'd be in such a better mood.

Tired/hungover, and working at the mall.

Yesterday was productive, I got a lot of the house cleaned and a lot of softball practice in. Kinda sore from using those muscles again. Paul did really well hitting for his first time too.

The first game is Monday, so we should both be ready.

Then we went to met up with the college crew for a Wendy and Drew outing at the Essen house for a while. It was nice to see everyone. Ended the night at Club 5 with Jess and Lari. I think it was the mixing of beer and liquor. Gotta stop that.

A bit more softball this afternoon, then I think I'd like to grill out tonight.

Em had to ask me if her surprise birthday gift to me will work, schedule wise. I'm going to see Rent with the original cast in November. I'm super excited.

I didn't get to see Wolverine yesterday, so Em and I will try and see it and get dinner this week.

Huh, www.greatestjournal.com is now gone. I didn't know that.

I had stuff there... nothing important, though that one In Nomine game I ran for a bit was there. Might have been nice to have that stuff. Pity. I feel someone should have emailed everyone with accounts and let them know.

Not a big deal, it doesn't really bother me, just seems odd. Like stopping into a gas station that you often go to and finding it is closed. Not an issue, but annoying.

See what happens when I don't check the internet every day? I miss out on Amazon.com screwing over the gays. :shakes head in disgust:

On really, really good news, Wendy is flying back to the states, we should see her in a week or so!

If it wasn't for the internet, I'd know nothing.

Overhearing (overlooking? overreading? maybe? -- I need new words) a conversation on Facebook between my sister and one of my cousins, I found out another cousin is having some problems with her pregnancy. So my thoughts are with her and little Lily.

Paul has today off and I have to work both jobs. So we really won't see each other much. I'm not even sure I'll get to go home for lunch, since I dropped the car off at the garage this morning so they can see if the Saturn dealership was correct about what's wrong with my car. I hate not trusting people.

I'm planning on stopping out to join B for karaoke tonight after working at the mall. Not sure if Paul will come, we'll play that by ear. I have no plans to sing, but will go cheer her on.

For those who don't read Wendy's website, she plans to be in Wisconsin by mid to late April! Very excited, I can't wait to see her again. And I'm sure she can't wait to see James again.

Not sure what I'll be doing today at work. Might play around with autopouring pages in InDesign using XML.

I actually forgot to mention last week the I took the bus to work at the mall from downtown. Paul has a class at the capitol MATC branch, so we drive down there, I take the bus then he comes to get me after I'm done. That was my first time taking a bus in Madison. Went well, got on and off at the right times. Did it again today.

Had work to do today, it's nice having two projects. I have to actually schedule my time.

Gonna be an interesting week with juggling who gets the car and when, as Paul has training in Milwaukee one day and meetings at other bank branches other days.

I got Wendy's birthday/care package all done up. Will mail it as soon as I can get to the post office.

Got all my mall stuff done now, so gonna watch some Supernatural.

Out of work again, probably end up painting some more today. I'm actually feeling OK about this, but I tend to be a bit cheerier int he mornings. Haven't had an entire day to drag my mood down.

I have a cute new haircut too, Mitch really did a good job this time, Paul even mentioned it. I think we will stick with this style for a bit.

Late volleyball on the far west side tonight, most likely won't get home until 10:30ish.

I have Saturday off again this weekend, will do some house cleaning (but in general it looks fine right now), take the puppy in to get his picture taken, get together a care package for Wendy so she can have it near her birthday and watch Supernatural.