Eaten Lotus Leaves

Don’t ask, don’t tell. Hide, just conceal the truth at all times. Who wants to know the facts anyway? After all, we’re talking about the government here.

What bullshit that a person in the military has to hide behind lies to be able to serve his country. What difference does it make, really? Does a gay eye focus less on the enemy than a straight one? The bullet fired from a gun held by a gay person shoots differently? Does a gay person drive differently? Don’t we need all the bodies we can possibly get to help fight this wonderful war on terror? I just don’t get it. It must be the cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face syndrome.

This is the letter I want to write to all the charities and benign causes that send me calendars, name labels, and pleas for aid and assistance every day of the week:

Dear SIrs:

Thank you for all the action you’ve taken in the name of turtles, polar bears, the Brasilian rain forest, green energy, etc. I believe in and appreciate you and your cause. I have sent you money and pledges throughout the years and am grateful for all the calendars, cards, bags and personalized name labels you’ve sent me throughout our relationship. At this time though, I must ask you to please stop sending me these items as well as the insistent, repeated please for help.

As you are aware, the economy is still in a slump and many people have lost their jobs. I am one of those unfortunates. If I was able to send any money I certainly would, considering my awareness in the causes to which I’ve chosen to donate. However, all the money I currently have coming in—a paltry sum to be sure—is presently going to pay my bills and my gas.

Rest assured, as soon as I re-aquire a job I will resume sending you the much needed donations. And here’s the best part: you don’t even have to send me any goodies!

It would be fantastic if all causes and charities could get together and compare notes to see who sent what last. I can only use one calendar at a time; two if I have a desk at a job. Name labels? I use email. Backpacks? I have more than I can ever use already. And, though plushies are adorable, I have no children and no room for something that cute. Could you perhaps place a check box somewhere on your donation form that I could check so you wouldn’t send me anything? Perhaps another one for quarterly mailings only?

Once again, I want to thank you for everything you do. I truly do appreciate it.

Sincerely
~me

20:09
Wow!! That was by far the nastiest storm we’ve had this season. Thankfully we had the presence of mind to turn off the a/c and unplug everything we wanted to be able to use tomorrow. The power blinked or went off 7 times—in the middle of dinner I might add—but fortunately never stayed off. Of course the pain in the ass alarm had to be shut off each and every time :/

Rain barrels are full, all plants are well watered, and all is as it should be. Thank you Mama for the life giving rain (and for not hitting any of our trees with all that crazy ass, frackin’ lightning).

I can’t believe it’s been 49 straight days the gas prices have been rising. how can the oil companies get away with that? I mean really, the economy is still not good, an amazing number of people are still unemployed (meee!!), and these people chose to raise prices merely because the summer season’s here?

What fantastic foresight. What charitable conduct from companies that must truly need all that extra change. Thanks assholes.

So the Lakers won. Now their nearly bankrupt city is throwing them a celebration party!? Wtf?? Teams should set aside money  toward a Victory Fund, in case they win. The players get paid enough money to be able to afford pitching in to something like that. There’s enough economic problems and cities in financial trouble to make victory celebrations an über frivolous act.

Does spiritual living mean you have to be like the Dalai Lama in his lifelong quest? Can you follow your own paths for inner peace and salvation, or is there one being who controls all this awareness, and the rights and wrongs? Is there only one channel, one path, through which you”ll find awareness? Does it only happen through meditation or a trance? If so, what defines that state?

Big words and conflicting ideas of the perfect state of being.

Went to Silver Springs on Monday with the rents and the neighbors. Neat place! Very natural. A little sad though, since they were near bankruptcy there’s many things that’ve gone the way of the dodo, including filler plants. Relaxing place :) I’d love to win the lottery and donate some money (and time) for plants. Than again, if we won the lottery, I’d donate a bunch of money to my three favorite animal causes. Alas, the Powerball numbers did not cooperate.

The garden’s coming along, the plants doing much better thanks to the relaxed rain schedule. Even the frozen to the ground plants have begun sprouting and are well on their way to summer magnificence. Yes, of course I’ve bought more plants, duh. But they were on sale :)

Finally got through to unemployment; got my paperwork yesterday. My problem now is, do I really wanna keep doing the same ol’ thing? Then again, can I go back to the workforce in a full time capacity? I think not. So I guess what I need to do is find a good way to drum up online work; or just go into landscaping! The only issue with that is you gotta get up way early.

So Universe, please hear my plea and stick the perfect position in my face, ’cause otherwise I might miss it. Thanks ;)

March 31

This was my last day of employment with Fabric Images, the fucking company that was impossible to get fired from. The company that was to be my last employer. Um…yeah, about that.

Fuck all of you tight ass Christian shit heads. I was hesitant to lay all my eggs in one basket but your calming soothing words (almost) convinced me to do so. Of course, my preternatural instincts have been telling me for the last few weeks that all’s not well in the land of ahs. Short sighted, single minded idiots always prevail.

Worst part is, one of my good friends took my job. Well let me rephrase, my position was dissolved so his could be created. Ok, well, not his fault. The actions of a company are not to be mistaken for the actions of a person. However, the fact that he hasn’t had the decency to call me and tell me he took my (financial) position is what is irking me. Like that grain of beach sand that gets under your eyelid and day after day you’re trying to ease it out—with drops, with eye wash, with eye lid pulls—yet no matter what, it’s still there. That’s how its bugging me!! And the longer it goes on the worst it gets. I’m getting to the point where I really have no interest in seeing him again.

Drastic…well, you know me; dramatic is my middle name. But seriously, courtesy would dictate a phone call would it not? I’d have called him were the roles reversed. I’ve even put it to a few friends anonymously and they’ve all agreed, so I know I’m not way off base.

Whatever. Life goes on and so do my rants. I’m angry, I’m bitter and I’m thankful for an amazing husband who’s willing to put up with the good and the bad (as long as I cook something good in the aftermath). So thank you angels that our life together is a long, wonderful, happy one. And please don’t ever let stupid things get in the way of our ultimate goals, whatever they may be.

Since May 17th, Eustis has received 13.37″ of rain. The only place that got more was Daytona Beach with 14.91″, but they’re on the coast so it’s to be expected. To be honest, I thought we’d gotten more, the way the lake and pond came up, the way everything is overflowing. Yes we needed rain desperately, but all at once? No I’m not complaining…really. However we did lose out zuchinis :/

Saw an alligator on the side of the road coming back from Lowes the other day. Looked pretty big—maybe 4 or 5 feet—and dead.

Played ping pong with the Dunlaps yesterday. Lotsa fun, even a little (albeit mini) workout! I think tonight’s Rock band :) Stood outside while the giant praying mantis took down 10 feet of trees as a fire band between the houses and the new ‘nature’ park. Um, what exactly is ten feet gonna do? Thankfully though the county decided to do a natural setting area, unlike Umatilla where they razed every living thing to the ground to make fields and bike paths. Just a thought, in Florida, in the summer, it gets really hot. Perhaps leaving a tree or two might be a nice reprieve from the scorching sun?

Heading to the rents later to do a little landscaping: the back door area with Irises. I also printed out the plan I made for the front walk area. Let’s see how long that takes. Give us something to do while over there.

I was thinking of Sabre this AM when I woke up. I miss him.

Bev’s dad passed yesterday. Bad, yes. But I think it might’ve been a little good too. From what I understand he was in pain; had been for a while. Sent her love this morning.

Charleston was kewl. Everyone there is nice and smiles! The city wasn’t at all what I expected. More of a new England beachtown than the antebellum mansion-ed place I envisioned. Went out Thursday night, hit a few bars, and ended up having a super yummy dinner at the brewery. The rooftop bars were neat.

The program went well, pretty chill. The airport is teenie, easy to manage. Didn’t really care for the resort, though. Blinky’s apartment was nice; our room left a bit to be desired. No alarm clock, the room was only partially mad up, and the fridge didn’t cool very well. The bathroom was nice :)

The drive took us about 5.5 hs, not bad at all. Perhaps we’ll stop next time we head up to VA?

Not a whole lot of really interesting stuff going on. Still haven’t got unemployment, still working with the events company (thankfully), still gardening, and still opinionated. The veggie garden is huge and we’ve been picking peas and beans for about a week. As soon as we get back we should have zuchinni! back I say cause we’re in Charleston, SC on a program. Heading back tomorrow afternoon after the final departure at 17:00. Five hours sleep then up again for a wedding in Lake Nona. Than happily free on Sunday :)