Plan B

I had every intention of going to work today, but when I woke up to chills and body aches I knew it wasn't happening. It didn't matter that I wouldn't get paid for the day - nothing mattered at the moment except more sleep. I called out and proceeded to medicate myself so I could get some more rest.

I woke up three hours later feeling a bit hungry but not sure if I should eat or not. What's that saying: "Starve a cold, feed a fever?" So I tentatively had some crackers and since that went down ok, I added some cheddar cheese. I checked the clock and wondered what I'd be doing at work right now, but then quickly put that thought out of my mind.

I have come to the conclusion - daytime television sucks.

Art Among Us

I first noticed it years ago on a Sunday afternoon drive. Little did I realize that I'd be driving by it daily on my commute. It intrigues me to no end. I am fascinated not only by the rock, but also by the creativity of the person who painted it. Whose eye managed to envision an eagle from an out cropping of rocks along Route 66? And - speaking of eyes - the eagle's eye facing west portrays the character of the eagle so poignantly that it just impresses upon me. So much so, that I stopped my vehicle on a little turn around with my flashers on to get this shot.

You know what they say - a picture is worth a thousand words.

iPod Planet

I have a love/hate relationship with my iPod.

On the one hand, I absolutely love my iPod.
I use it daily for my commute to work. I like to put it on shuffle mode in the mornings. It wouldn't surprise me if my iPod and I have some sort of electromagnetic telepathic link. Sure, I make playlists for my walks or for certain musicians that I want to hear. But... It never ceases to amaze me at the rate in which a song will come up that I was just thinking of. It also has the uncanny ability to dupe my emotions. I can't quite explain why I take amusement in this, but I do. It is just as comforting to know that I can easily spin that wheel and go onto the next tune - although I hardly do.

On the other hand, I curse at my iPod - "What the F&*K happened to my album artwork?
Having an iPod means negotiating iTunes which can be quite an experience. Case in point - you have built a music library over years that is organized exactly how you like it. Then your computer crashes and let me tell you that backing up iTunes and re-installing can be a nightmare. I've had the pleasure of doing this not once but twice within the last month. Nothing is easy when you have over 3,500 songs. How do other people deal?

That being said, there is nothing like having a digital music library at your fingertips. What to hear songs from the 80's - one second please.

Thanks Sis - for the best birthday present ever!

This Too Shall Pass

You know how it goes - you go to an auto repair shop hoping that the news you receive will fit in your budget, and of course it never does. Four digit car repairs are never good and I've already had my share for this vehicle.

CARS - why are they so expensive?

I absolutely love my car, I spend over two hours a day in it. I service it faithfully and keep it pretty clean inside and out. I must admit I do have discriminating taste when it comes to vehicles that I drive. To me, there really is a difference and my loyalty to a particular brand comes purely from experience of accidents I've been in. Being able to walk away from a totaled vehicle is a good thing, to have done it twice is exceptional.

I keep telling myself this to put it all in perspective so when the Service Writer comes over with his clipboard and the estimate of the repair I can smile and say, "No problem, go right ahead." Except today my debit card made me say, "I'll think about it."

Funny thing is, what is there to think about? My vehicle is broken, needs repair and the longer I wait the more painful the final tally can be. A friend of mine swears that the prices change according to gender. I think an estimate is done by the book. I know an auto repair shop changes exorbitant hourly rates and the job is quoted by flat rate. With my luck, the auto tech is usually done way before the book time.

Has my income tax check been deposited yet?