Harry Potter and the drug-dealing neighbors...

I was up until about 1:30am reading the last bits of Harry Potter. I am glad I took my time with it, and I can't wait until the next (and final) book comes out. Though sometimes it seemed a bit too Barbara Cartland for me (in a junior sort of way) I did like it. I won't give any plot points away, so I will move on. It was a good read. Now I am back to finishing "The Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis. It's a much shorter book, but was written back in the days when writers spoke more eloquently, so it's slower for my brain to process.

I think my neighbors across the street are drug dealers or setting up a prostitution ring. Why? Well, for the entire summer, when possible they park their nasty, dented, dirty white van curbside right in front of my apartment (they live directly across the street). They have parking behind their building. Almost every night it is parked there, there is action with the door sliding open, close, open, close - about every hour starting after 10pm, until I fall asleep (between 11 - 2am) Last night I heard it start at 10:40. For four more times, about every 40 mins, the door opens and closes. Then silence for about 20 mins. Then it opens and closes again. Sheesh! So, towards the end of my Harry Potter reading, I poked my head out behind the curtains when I heard a car drive up. This was at 1:20pm. A woman with short, dark hair had pulled into druggie's driveway. Got out of her car, and came over to the van. The door slid open and she said,"Hello. Good to see you." and stepped inside. Door closed. 20ish minutes later, door opens and she comes out, runs across the street and into her truck. She lights up something, and drives away.

So what the hell are they doing all night? Is it Drugs? Prostitution? Therapy? Interventions? It irritates me because on the nights when I do get to sleep before they begin their ritual, it wakes me up when I hear the door open and close. This does not make for a restful night.

Tomorrow is the weekend and I am not working! Yippee!! Client D has issues that I can't fix or even really trouble shoot, so there is no point in me working this weekend. I am so glad. Tomorrow I am going to get myself an adventure thing happening. Sunday there is a craft festival in Stowe.

More music references and a flash from the past...

I have been listening to tunes while I work. There are two songs from the musical, Wicked, that are speaking to me. Not speaking to me as I hear voices, but that I can identify with the songs.

Popular and What is This Feeling? For those of you who know me well, will understand why Popular is so appropriate for me. The other one, well let's say I just get it.

Now, on with another subject - "Thelma" (not her real name). I had a friend in junior high school who was one of my best friends along with Kerry and Liz. She and I were just about inseparable. We ended up going to rival high schools. Her parents were really deep Jehovah Witnesses. They always hated us hanging out (especially when I had a car) because they felt I was an evil influence on her. Just for the record, though I was a fairly religious (Non-denominational Christian) teenager, I was far from evil. I didn't drink, smoke, do drugs, cavort with unseemly characters. I was a pretty good kid and pretty responsible. Anyhoo, her parents had their issues with us (or any non JW friend for that matter.) Right after high school, I went to community college with her. "Thelma" briefly dated my high school friend Greg. Religion pretty much broke them up. (Funny enough, she was a big influence on getting Greg OUT of Scientology!) During college we remained friends. (I was still evil, remember this....) After college - still friends. I moved to Blix St in NoHo with Steve S. and Carolyn. During this time, I was working at a tv studio as a page. "Thelma" came down one weekend for a visit. I invited her to a party with other tv people and she met my friend "Paul". They hit it right off. Unbeknownst to me, they even saw each other the next day. This relationship grew very quickly. They had sex - she got pregnant. She was so stressed out by her parents (who didn't know that a) she was dating and b) was pregnant) that she has a miscarriage. Yet, "Thelma" continued to date "Paul. She and Paul got pregant again within a few months. I remember one time when we were leaving the house and she (pregnant) was stopped by her mother, who had met "Paul" a couple of times. "Good thing you aren't serious about him. IMAGINE how UGLY your children would be!" Nice, isn't it? It's things like that that you don't forget from people. She finally told her parents that not only was she dating him, but she was pregnant. I was working at a hotel at that time in the San Fernando Valley. I got a call from her father and later her brother telling me that it was my fault that she was pregant. It was my fault that "Paul" RAPED her. My fault she was going to hell. My fault, my fault, my fault. No matter what I said back to them, they blamed me. Her parents were ready to disown her, kick her out. My mom let "Thelma" stay at our house when the arguments got bad. We even bought her a bunch of baby things, helped her out as much as we could. Finally, she moved out of her parents house. She and "Paul" had the baby, a girl. It was somewhere around this time that she called me and ended our friendship. Though she didn't blame me in so many words, for her situation, she did tell me that she hated me and my help. Didn't want anything to do with me and didn't ever want to hear from me again. It was very hurtful and took quite a long time to get over. She and "Paul" split up and a nasty custody battle ensued, though I never learned what happened. Even "Paul"'s friend blamed me for introducing them. It was a bad scene.

Fast forward - 10+ years.... I just got a message from Classmates.com from "Thelma". She appologized for treating me so horribly and asked for my forgiveness. It was a short note, because she felt there was no reason or way I could forgive her for what she did and said to me. Though I have been really busy with Client D, I am really happy she wrote me. I will write her back very soon. I don't have any anger anymore about what happened. (I do think her parents are evil people, but that's not for me to worry about.) I think about when Elissa and I went to the food festival and the psychic said "She will be back." I had NO idea what she was talking about. Maybe she was talking about "Thelma". Who knows? Kinda neat though.

It's been busy, so no blogging time - but Cats and ROCK STAR

The week of July 17, was pretty busy. I was suppose to go with Doug to see Spamalot, but because of Client D, I decided (and it was impressed upon me) to not go. Though I am glad I didn't because of work, I wish I had seen the show and New York. I hope I get to New York. Maybe when Client D is over and done with....

The only really exciting thing that's been going on (and it's not happening to me, so how exciting can it be?) is that my friend Ty, is doing pretty well on Rock Star - INXS. I am so happy for him. I think it is funny that I have yet another friend on a reality show. I don't think I would ever do that. My life has been so uninteresting that there wouldn't be anything exciting to film. Maybe that's a good thing. Anyhow, the show is searching for the next lead singer of the band, INXS. Ty has lots of experience performing professionally, and I think he will do well with this show. It's on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on CBS. Watch it! Tell your friends! (Tuesday is when they do the performances.)

This past weekend was a total waste of great weather for me. I did "choose" to work on Saturday on Client D. I am glad I did, but it was such a gorgeous day out, I kept thinking about what I would do if I was outside. Though a few people from work had invited the company to join them in a camping weekend, I didn't go (because of Client D stuff.) But would I have gone? Probably not. Then again... maybe so. Evil Kdar has almost completely wiped Sporty Girl to the floor - almost to a point of non-existance. I am also a big whiner about not having people to do stuff with. I like the out-of-doors but I just wish I had somebody or somebodies to do stuff with. Pathetic. Make it happen, says Sporty Girl. One can't wait for it to come to you. You have to make it happen. I think I will have to post something on Craig's List. I did email somebody on that list about Spanish lessons. I think I might do that this fall. The teacher seems like a nice person and pretty open to privates or group lessons. But with the gorgeous weather that I let slide by, I need to get into doing SOMETHING!!!!

So here's what I have decided. Besides the Craig's List option, I am going to take that book that Los gave me at my farewell party and start crossing off the things to do in that book. There is also hanging out with Sherri (probably next weekend) in New Hampshire. I also want to go to Maine. I need to start exploring the world around me. The concert in Boston was great, but I didn't really get to see much of the city. I went to AAA today and got maps and guidebooks. Enough of the pity party. I can't let the world pass me by. I have to grab it by the balls (or horns, or whichever body part you think of) and DO IT.

I also have my writing. I finished my short and now need to send it out to a couple of you. I might post it somewhere for you to read, but am more apt to mail it out. I might enter it into screenplay competitons. Who knows? I really enjoyed writing it.

BIG NEWS - I HAVE TWO CATS NOW!!!!
A guy (Allen) at work had to suddenly get rid of his cats, Taffy and Sammy. I gladly took them in. The first few days, Sammy (white with gray spots) would walk around the house mewing and hissing at nothing in particular. Taffy (black) would hide. Now they are coming out, less hissing at each other and around the house. They are fun to have. I will always love Smudge and Steve, but these gals are good for me. And my landlords are so nice about letting me have cats. One of these days I post a picture of them and my dress-wearing neighbor dude, Jeff.

Sigh - now if we can just get Client D out the door!

Part 3 Sunday - picnic and the longest day ever...

Sunday

I slept in as there wasn't time for me to go to church with Mom AND meet the girls for the picnic. I went to Trader Joe's for picnic supplies and yummies. Then I met up with Kerry and Stephanie at Kerry's house. We drove over to the park where the reunion was at. Liz and Michelle unfortuneatly, were at the Emergency Room because Liz was having pains in her chest. There were about 15 families there. Small turnout, but we had a great time though we wished Liz and Michelle could have joined us. Funny seeing some of the peoples' kids. One woman was quite the diva and had a mini-me diva daughter. Another was a bit of a brute in school who's child was just like his daddy. ha! Matt showed up and I thought for a second he would come over to continue his professions of love. However, he was there long enough to get photos with a couple of blonde bimbets and leave. So much for true love. Maybe he was shy? ha ha ha We were at the park until about 3 or 4. I had to finish packing and head to LA for my 9:55 flight.

When I got home, I was able to pursuade Mom to go with me to the beach in the convertible. It was gorgeous there. I miss the beach and ocean almost as much as I miss my friends and family. I couldn't stay long as I really needed to hit the road. I said my goodbyes to Kim and Mom and headed for LAX. I got the rental car returned just before 8pm, as my contract had required. I took a shuttle to the Continental wing of the airport. When I checked in my bags, I headed toward the gate. I double checked the gate on the monitor and saw that the flight time had changed to 12:10am! Great. Sitting in the airport for another two hours. I ended up having a really great time talking with a woman who just finished cooking school and was on the way to help her ill mother. I also read a bit. We finally took off for Newark, NJ at 1:30am. I didn't sleep much on the plane. I was thankful that the seat next to me was unoccupied and the woman on the other side slept the whole time. I read, listened to CDs and snoozed. We got into Newark after 9am, and I missed my connecting flight. The earliest flight out they had was at 1:30. I sat around, walked around, snoozed and was downright bored at the Newark airport for the next threeish hours. FINALLY... I got to Burlington. I showered and managed to get into the office at around 3:30. I stayed at work until 6ish and went home to relax. I don't think I really got to bed until 11, and it was a really, really long day. It took me about three days to recover.

Back to work, the head banging weekend

The last two weeks have seemed so long. It took me a few days to get back into the swing of things after my crazy, fast-paced reunion weekend. I have been working on getting Client D's stuff done. Two weeks ago, I had a couple of social outings. I went with Wick and Meg to see "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (me - for the second time.) I enjoyed it as much the second time as the first. I also went out with the Gregs, Tara and a few other people to hear live Flamenco music at Roque's Mexican Restaurant (you might recall I went there with Ryan and Mike D. about a month ago.) We were out on the patio enjoying ourselves and the music when all of a sudden... I fell over backwards in my chair. It was like a bad slow motion movie. I could feel the legs buckle on the cheap, plastic chair. I tried to correct myself, but it was too late. SLAM - butt, back then... THWACK went my head on the nice, SOLID brick patio floor. I lay there slightly dazed. Through my mind I was assessing the situation. Did I black out? No. Did I know who I was and what had happened? Yes. Did I feel any pain? My head. Did I feel any liquid oozing out of my skull? No. I rolled over on my side, while my co-workers rushed to my aid. Can I get you anything? Are you okay? The music had stopped and I knew everybody on the patio was staring at me. I think I said something to Tara about "Just get the music playing again," while she assisted in getting me over to a bench. I got ice from one of my co-workers which I immediately put on my swelling head. The bump grew to the size of a half-softball shape. It was throbbing. Tara and group suggested firmly that I go to the emergency room to get checked out. THANK HEAVEN FOR INSURANCE. So, Tara drove me in my car to the ER.

After cutting through illegally to the ER, we ended up in triage. It doesn't look anything like the tv show, ER. There were about a dozen people there. Greg K. came to check on me and waited with us. After being assessed by an ER person, I was finally taken into be checked by a doctor. The attending doctor was new to the very new ER wing, though as she told us, had been at the hospital for years. She checked out my ears and eyes. Did a bunch of motor tests and I passed with flying colors. Greg and Tara were so kind to stick around and stay through the whole thing with me. We had some good laughs inspite of the rather large bump on the back of my head. Tara drove me to my house and Greg took her to her's. All ended well. The weekend came and went and I had aches and a headache for a couple of days. As it stands now, there is still pain, but only if I touch it (so don't!) Very exciting. The thing that bugged me about the restaurant was that none of the servers or staff came over to check on me even after I left. I thought that was sucky. I finally called the restaurant manager last Saturday to tell him I wasn't going to sue, but he really needs to get his staff to be more caring about the patrons. He said he talked to them and I would get a free meal (I think my whole table should get the free meal.) But it's over and I am okay.

Part 2 addendum 1

I just wanted to add that I was a little sad to see that Guy, Lance and John weren't at the reunion. From what one of my insiders says, Lance doesn't attend such frivolities. For those of you who have no idea who I am talking about, these dudes were my high school crushes. There was Eric too, but that was more about his style of dressing more than anything.

ha ha ha

Part 2 - The Reunion Saturday evening...

Saturday

I got ready for the reunion and Heather Thornton (Martinez) stopped by to give me a ride. We both looked splendid in our black dresses. We arrived at the Poinsettia Pavillion and I saw Rick, Liz's boyfriend and Matt, Dianne's husband at the side door. We managed to find our way around to the entrance and immediately saw familiar faces. Funny thing about the reunion. There were those faces of familiarity whose names I had forgotten. Others, who I didn't recognize at all. Heather went her way, and I met up with Liz, Michelle, Dianne, Kerry and Stephanie. We got nametags and found tables to dine at. We met up with so many old friends - Lori, Ron, Andrea, Cindy. Ron and his wife, Hannah, just had fraternal twins about two months ago. They weren't at the party, but were going to be at the picnic on Sunday. In order to figure out what table went first, we had to guess a few notes of a song the dj played. There are just too many people to name, now that I am writing this. It was good to see so many familiar faces, aged as they were. Funny thing with some of them, I couldn't remember their names but as soon as I saw them, I found I was sneering. Gutteral reaction to the past. These particular people, I remembered I couldn't stand to be around them in high school. But what did I care now? I realized I was sneering at them and wiped that off of my face. I don't know them. They don't know me. Who knows what has been going on in their lives over the past 20 years? I don't care, and they equally don't care either. I saw Greg H., who had dated my friend Doreen right after high school. They had a bad breakup (her very Jehovah Witness parents helped) and he met a gal who looked quite a bit like her. He eloped at the 5 year with her. (That's after telling me a couple of days before that he still thought about Doreen.) He is still married to the same woman and has three kids. They seem pretty happy together. I saw Bill A., who's house I toilet papered with Annette back in high school. Bill was on the basketball team and Annette had a big crush on him. I never did, but I thought he was a nice guy. A few years after high school, I had a strange dream that he was in. I was being attacked by dwarfs on the high school campus and he came running across the campus and threw, beat, pulled them off of me. It was weird. So, I was telling Kerry about it at the reunion and she bet me $20 to tell Bill. So I did. We had a good laugh over it. The food was fine, there was some dancing too. Mostly it was about catching up with old friends. Angie Y. was another person I was really glad to see. She is married with a son. Lives in LA. I got her info, and I look forward to writing to her. Lori G. was another one I was glad to see. We didn't have much time to talk, as there were so many people to talk with. I don't think I saw Heather for the rest of the night. OOOH - I did win an award for the "farthest travelled!!" Ha ha ha! People seemed so impressed that I would come all the way from Vermont. Towards the end of the evening, Matt F., who I have known since elementary school came up to me. He was a little drunk and confessed to me that he had always been in love with me. I didn't know what to say. I think I said, "That's really sweet, thanks." What else do I say? And why is it that drunk guys decide to tell me these things? Yes, it has happened before. That whole thing about inhibitions being down I guess is true. But nothing happens on my end because I don't think they are sure about what they are saying in that state of drunkennsess. Still, it was a nice compliment. He quickly ran off and boogied on the dance floor. I went back to catching up with people and I think we left around 11. Picnic Sunday....

Part One - Thur to Saturday

Thursday - Friday

Of course I was up until midnight packing. I got up at 4am Friday morning to shower and ready myself for the trip. I drove to the airport and flew out around 6am. We had about an hour layover in Cleveland before continuing on to Los Angeles. I called the Sullivans to check on Helen. She and I spoke briefly but she was able to give me a status on her health situation and about the boys. Joe and Patrick are now very much into Star Wars. How happy does that make their pseudo-Aunt? SO happy!! AND, their favorite one? That's right - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!!! Of course it is!!! I love those boys!!! Now that Joe is moving away from his crocodile/dino obsession, I have more ideas of things to send them. tee hee! Helen said that when they are playacting, Joe is Luke and Patrick is Darth Vader. How appropriate!

I got into LA right on time at about 10:40am. I took a Hertz shuttle and waited an hourish for my convertible. I have to say that convertibles are not all that exciting. They really suck in city driving where all you hear is traffic and breathe in pollution. But it was fun driving. I drove with the top down most of the way to Santa Barbara where I was going to meet up with Gail, who scored tickets to a Kenny Loggins concert. That's right. I said Kenny Loggins. Now, the thing here is that she had met him somewhere and he took a liking to her. I didn't know what to expect with the show. It was with Jim Massina, who was Loggin's musical partner in the 70s. They are talented musicians, but I didn't really care for the songs. I also didn't really know the songs either. We sat in the same row as his ex-wife. It was in the orchestra pitish area at the Santa Barbara Bowl. It was a lovely night. After the show, we were invited to the after-party where Gail, Mary Ann and I danced the night away. We had a great time. I was totally exhausted from flying all morning and having little sleep the night before. I crashed at Gail's place.

Saturday - Day
In the morning, Gail and I went to breakfast at Sambo's. Sambo's was one of those restaurants I went to as a kid because they had the best pancakes around. On the walls were depictions of the characters taken from a story written by a British woman who travelled to India in the late 19th century. Totally controversial at the time. Basic story is a kid is chased by tigers who steal his clothes. They run around a tree and turn into butter that the boy takes back home. Justice is served. But within the original story, the characters are depicted as negative African stereotypes. The new, cleaner, PC Sambos has a more Indian ethnic boy with a happier ending for the tigers. In spite of the controversy, the breakfast was delicious. I then drove down to Ventura where I met Liz, Kerry, Dianne, Michelle and Stephanie for lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. I have known Liz and Kerry since junior high school at Anacapa. The others I met in high school. I saw Liz when I went to CA in May and Michelle on my way out East. The others I hadn't seen in a long time. It was just like old times. We had lots to chat about and it was just nice being together. After lunch, I went home and FINALLY saw my mom (and Cousin Kim.) It was great seeing them, but I had little time to chat. I had a reunion to prepare for.

Coming to California, haircuts, London and annoying customers

Last night I spent about two hours resizing and printing out a few pictures to bring to CA. It includes Mallet's Bay (my new favorite place) and my dress-wearing man neighbor (maybe a transvestite, maybe a Vietnam Vet, maybe both?) I would post them, but I don't have time. I am so excited about going back to CA. The class reunion will be a trip. I am excited to see my high school friends: Liz, Kerry, Dianne, Stephanie, Michelle and Heather. I am also looking forward to seeing how people have changed and if Guy Jeans still looks hot. There are a few others that I really am not that excited to see as they bring back all kinds of bad high school flashbacks. But I will fully report the activities.

Today I went to get my haircut at the school where Meg recently graduated from. Though Melissa (who did my hair before) wasn't there, I went ahead with Emily. She didn't have the same pinache that Melissa has, and I need to spend some time working the hair around, but for the price, it was fine. $15. I then went over to the AAA office and rented a car for CA. CONVERTIBLE! I totally rationalized the price. It would cost about $40 less if I took a shuttle. But taking a shuttle requires more energy. Renting a car = freedom. Plus, it IS California and it IS a convertible. I am thrilled to have it. I went to a great Mexican food place that I had been meaning to try for ages. I took a burrito to go and ate it at work. It was SOOO good. I will have to go back. What a goldmine that would be. While I was there, there was a pecuilar woman who was having issues with her food. Maybe she has OCD. Maybe she's just a freak. Not to say that those with OCD are freaks. But here's the thing. She had a plate of three items - black beans, pinto beans and dirty rice. She goes up to the counter and asks the guy for bowls for the beans. "You use to have bowls for the beans. Why don't you do that anymore?" The guy tells her they can do the beans in bowls. "Well, I guess that may not be YOUR way of doing things, but that's the way it's always been..." I ask you, WHO CARES if the beans are in bowls or not? They are all going down the same shoot and pooping out the same shoot. It's not like the flavor of any item will dramatically change if they touch, YOU FREAK.

That's all I really had to say.

I'm a Vermonter (sort of) and Happy 4th of July!

THURSDAY

It was time for the Company X picnic. We went to a lovely park near the waterfront. There was a pavillion where we set up shop. There was lots of food and about 35 people. Pretty good turnout. I took a short stroll with a few people down to the water. It was really lovely, inspite of the mosquitos. I think I will go there again. It's so close to the office. It might become a regular spot for me. Who knows. It was lots of fun. I am glad there was a good turn out.

FRIDAY
Greg K. and I both had business to do at the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles so we left work a little early to take care of business. Everything went really smoothly. I had a sinus headache and my back ached. I think it was from all the excitemtent. I am now the proud holder of a Vermont Driver's License. It is an exciting time in my life. Though I wish I had my CA driver's license, it was time to move on. I wonder if I can still get the same number should I return to CA? Hmmm... Anyhooo, it makes me feel better about traveling to CA now. No problems. In the evening, I hooked up with Mike D, Greg A, Tara and Greg K and we went to dinner and then back to GA's house to hang out. It was really fun. It was nice to get out for a change.

SATURDAY
I ditched WW. I have gained weight and just didn't feel like going. I should go next week when I am in CA. That would be good for me. We shall see. I have run out of enthusiasm for weight loss. At the same time, I don't want to have to buy fatter clothes because I have given up the fight. That won't happen. I still have the damnn gym membership that I am not using. Maybe I will use it this week. I worked on one of my screenplays and watched DVDs. I stopped in the office and worked for a couple of hours. It was a very mellow day. I think I only left the house to get gas and see "Bewitched". I thought it was entertaining. No "Sleepless in Seattle", but I enjoyed it. I thought Kristin Chenoworth who played the neighbor was great. I would love to see her do more film. I am sure she was cast in this because of her recent stint as Glinda in "Wicked" on Broadway.

SUNDAY
I slept in again and didn't do much beyond cleaning and laundry. In the afternoon, I met up with Elissa and went to Mallet's Bay. Really lovely. Picture coming soon. She had editing to do and I had the script to rework. We were there for a few hours and picked up again at her house in the evening where I played games and BBQd with them and their friend Mark. We had so much fun playing Uno.

MONDAY - HAPPY 4th of July!!!!

Today was more lounging and writing. I finally finished revising my short script. Who knew it would take so long to add just a few more pages? I think it is going in a better direction now. I might even expand it. I need to work on something else for a bit to take a break from It's Jackie. I went to Elissa and Rocky's and we walked Bower. Then we went to Mark's where we ate pizza, played Scrabble and watched fireworks. They did a nice job (yes, I promise more pictures....) All in all, it was a swell day. I have to point out that the gang wasn't that keen on "ooohing, ahhing and ohing," when the fireworks exploded. It is a Californian tradition. I think they thought I was nuts. How can you NOT cheer the fireworks? Sheesh!!