It's been a long little while here; dad is not really improving, and to make matters worse, instances are popping up frequently where he is being as stubborn and unpleasant to deal with as he wants to be. Not like that's all that unusual, but day-by-day, it's more like old age and infancy meeting again; Cheryl went today and got a set of bed rails that were originally supposed to be for Aunt Rose, I think, but ended up in a closet somewhere. 78 and a crib is necessary; again. Beyond all that, I'm tired, but things continue to be coming around on the positive side; (I hope I don't jinx myself by saying that,) week one of the second class, I missed half a point and still ended up with a 97% average. I'll take it. It suggests to me that I'm doing the right thing. Cheryl went to a shower out of town, and stayed overnight. I must say, I've had it up to HERE with needy. Just leave me the f*ck alone for five minutes and let me recuperate a little. I'm not really gonna say "more when it happens," because that'd be a lie at the moment, but I havent given up on this site yet.

On another subject, though, a lot of people know I run a pre-paid cell phone just because I'd prefer not to deal with the hassle of a monthly bill; it simply requires that you be careful about who you call, and who calls you. But I'm just amazed at how much more my latest one can do compared to my original one. I can download ringtones (I have the theme from "Hawaii Five-O" to let me know that my automated sub line is calling, Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" for my individual districts, and Etta James' "At Last" for Martha. Tell me again how my age is showing.) My ex gets the sound a of a screaming V-10 engine, which seems out of character until you realize it's the only thing that can drone as loudly and monotonously as she can, so in that regard, it's perfect. I can get Mapquest if I get lost, get bank info....this little thing is SO freakin' cool! It'd be way cool if I could run my Korean cell phone, but that ain't ever gonna happen; As it is, though, I still have my little cell phone charm from the Won Buddhist center hanging from my phone.

Still more comes to me; some in the crowd may remember, and they know if they've seen it, "the jacket with all the pins on it." Ive had three now, in similar iterations, with a steadily increasing number of pins. Lots of cars, of course, a few from the Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood, several homage items to my real hometown of Milwaukee, a few now from Korea, B.B. King, Marshall Crenshaw (remember "Whenever You're on My Mind?" eh, maybe not. Moving on.) and one that's been there what seems like forever now that says "Let a Gargoyle Sit on Your Face." The reference is to Gargoyle sunglasses, the bullet-resistant brand worn by Arnold Schwarznegger in the original Terminator. This one stands out for the one instance I was compelled to remove it before meeting the parents of a good friend. I'm happy to say my wonderful spouse located the latest one in storage and brought it home. That first time putting it on was like seeing an old friend again. It's comfortable, and induces people to converse like nothing else I've ever owned, red Thunderbird Super Coupe included.