No internet all weekend

The bastards cutting down trees in my back yard broke the cable on Friday. That means no internet, and no TV. Then the microwave stopped working. It was oddly like having no electricity at all... well, almost. They couldn't send anyone over before Monday. Bastards!

Friday Donald took off work, and stayed home. He just got a new laptop, and was looking forward to a whole weekend of working on it, but no internet. We went out to buy a new microwave, but didn't find one we wanted. In the evening we went out to rent a DVD at Blockbuster. We got Pitch Black, which we both enjoyed. It's a sci-fi thriller type thing with Vin Diesel. I remembered Blockbuster as having a lot of, you know, movies. But their selection was crap, and it cost us $4.29 to rent a 4 year old movie. WTF happened to the .99 rental? Anyway, next time I'll just go to the library, where I can rent a DVD for ONE dollar.

Saturday I got up early to go to a meeting. Then Donald and I did errands, including another attempt to buy a microwave. No good. We ended up back home, playing videogames. :) Later Kristin and Robyn came over to visit. Our plan was to go see Alan do improv, but we had the wrong day and he wasn't performing. So we just did nothing. It turned out to be a good time, but I still feel like a crappy host. It was good to see Kristin, I couldn't believe it had been about a year since the last time.

Today I got up and worked on paperwork for the showcase dealie. I let Donald sleep, and he was happy. Then we went out again, in pursuit of the elusive microwave oven, determined to find success... in Kansas. We tried 2 places before giving up and driving to Sears at Metcalf mall. Hooray for Sears! We bought a Kenmore. It should outlast both of us. Now we're at Muddy's. Free wireless is so very nice. Tomorrow I'll be busy. The worst part is that I looked at my calendar yesterday and realized classes start in 3 weeks. Sigh.

Chainsaws at 9am

A tree service came yesterday to mutilate my back yard, anf they're back today to finish the job. At least it isn't BEFORE 9 am. At least I was awakened by knocking and not chainsaws. I'm surprised it wasn't the sound of the ENORMOUS truck that did it. They have a KCP&L truck too, as ther are many many wires.

Yesterday I worked on my portfolio a bit. I sort of weeded through my show photos, becuase I intend to reprint them. I'll need them for portfolio presentations at the end of the year, so I'm getting a head start. I've gotten my hands on a few sheets of 11x17 photo paper, for some of my higher resolution pictures. I want to make my stuff stand out, and I've never seen anybody else with pictures over 8 1/2 by 11.

Then Robyn came over and we went shopping. She wanted to buy a digital camera. I think she got a good one. :) It seems that we walked around a lot, becuase my legs are damned tired. We finished our shopping by having a late lunch/early dinner at O'Dowds. If you have not consumed the beverage of Strongbow Cider you should. It doesn't tase all alchohol-y, but gives you a lovely buzz.

Bye. :(

Donald and I (among others) helped Kevin and Denise load all their stuff into a truck tonight. They're leaving in the morning for Colorado. We will miss them. They got a 24' truck, and for a while, I wasn't sure everything would fit. We got there about 6 or so, and the truck was packed by about 9:30. With room to spare, and things weren't piled to the ceiling. We hung around chatting and eating pizza until about 11:30. It sucks when frineds move away, and so far.

Earlier in the day, I went to the theater to do some preparation for the showcase thingy. That took me a few hours, and then as I went out the door and enjoyed the pleasant weather, I decided to walk down to 51st St. and get a haircut at the barber shop. But I was hungry as well, so I stood there and thought about that for a while, watching the construction guys working on a pathway. I eventually decided that I could get a sandwich at Subway and headed off. When I got to 51st St, I decided to get a piece of pizza instead. I got my pizza, and sat on the patio outside and had a nice lunch. At about 3:30. Then I got a haircut. No video games today for me! I actually had a productive day, for once.

As I walked, I was listening to my iPod. I thouroughly enjoyed it today, as I was listening to funny stories by Stuart McLean. They're kinda like the Garrison Keillor thing, but he's Canadian. It sounds lame, but they're actually really enjoyable. I first listened to him during naked people drawing. It was great, except when the model laughed, she was harder to draw. I recommend Coast to Coast Story Service. I can copy it for you, since it's Canadian it might be hard to find.

Potter 6, done

I've nearly finished Harry Potter. All I have left is the part when they all talk about what's just happened. Donald made me go to sleep or I would have read it last night. That's okay, I'm glad I still have a bit to read.

Yesterday was a reading day. I went on errands in the morning, and let me say that if you can swing it, Student Health at UMKC is great. Cheap prescriptions too. The rest of the day was mostly spent reading. Comics arrived, so I read them. They were okay. I'm working on dropping the ones that aren't good any more. The reast of the day was Harry Potter, with an intermission where I went over to 116 to watch a (blessedly short) rehearsal.

Donald's new (reconditioned) laptop came yesterday. I made sure to touch it enough to take off his curse. Donald has the curse of new things. If it's new and he uses it, it won't work. It's been proven several times! So now, whenever he buys a computer part or whatever, I open the package and touch it a bit. Problem solved!

P.S. I truly wish I'd majored in Cat. She spent literally all day yesterday sleeping on the shelf in the closet. Now she's sitting on my lap. Tough life. :)

The Island

The Island was pretty good. Donald and Robyn and Kevin and Denise and I saw it last night. ($8.50 x 5 = screw you, movie industry) There was one part when they were falling down a building while riding a sign that was highly implausible, but the rest of it was good fun. You really had to feel bad for the poor clone people.

Donald and Robyn and I ate dinner at Bo Ling's before the movie. We were all feeling unadventurous so we ordered the same food that we'd ordered the last time. It's good, dammit!

Today Donald and I went to his grandparents to fix their computer. They were really glad to see me, since it had been quite awhile since I'd seen them. It felt nice. Grandparents are swell.

At 7 I went to see the Just Off Broadway space. I'd never been there before, so that was interesting. It's mainly a square. the grid looks to be about 18'. The odd part is, that there's a bunch of open space over the grid in the center. There's like a pyramid shape of space. Kind of weird, and I wonder what it does for sound.

When I got home Donald and I went for coffee and played Magic. I won the first game, but it wasn't much of a victory. Donald was playing his counterspell deck, so whenever I'd get something out, he'd just take it away. V. annoying game. :) It went on for EVER. Now, I'm gonna go play kotor 2. :)

Way too hot

My A/C has been running nonstop, and it was still 90 degrees in the computer room before the sun went down. It was 87 in the living room. Ugh. It was at least 98 outside at the time. I feel so bad for the cat.

I now have a membership to Costco. I'm now free to buy HUGE quatities of pickles. Or dog treats. Or rice. Or any number of things that I might need one of, but not 6. Ah well, there are some good deals to be had. I got a great price on 3 ring binders, which I use whenever I'm working on a show. I'm going to buy my printer ink there the next time.

This afternoon I played more Kotor, then went to swim in my dad's pool. (No, he doesn't smoke his pipe in the pool.) My mom even got in, which is pretty rare. It felt sooo nice. Then I came home and took a shower, watched a little TV, and played more Kotor. My life is rough, seriously.

Video game owns me

Yesterday I walked to campus to do some copying and some printing. When I got home, and finished sweating, I played KOTOR 2 until Donald got home. I went to a rehearsal at 8, and when I got back home I played more, then took a shower, then Donald played.

Today I went to the chiropractor and Wild Oats and now I'm back. Guess what I plan to do next?

Presents are nice

Donald bought me Knights of the Old Republic 2. What a sweetie!

Sunday and yesterday were both pretty uneventful. I did some errands and some reading. I think I spent from about 4pm until 9pm on the couch. Not nonstop, I did get up to do stuff, but then I returned to the couch. Last night Donald and I watched the same Family Guy as Jim. Ah, internet, bringing people together.

Today I will do the dishes, and go to a production meeting and read-through for Killer Joe.

Cube = money

I dreamed last night that we were in California or somesuch on a vacation, and we were in a store with all kinds of toys and models. They had Rubik's Cubes with different stuff on the cubes, and if you put it together the right way, you could win $300. I told Robyn that we should get one of these for Joe, so he could make some cash.

Need dream interpretation. What's it mean when you dream about Rubik's Cubes?

Bathroom, you lose.

It's Done. I sepent most of yesterday blasting fans in there, and then burned candles for awhile. I think the paint smell is mostly gone. I can't really tell any more though. Now I just need to reassemble the bathroom.

Bathroom, 0. Margaret, 3

Today I finished the primer coat and started the paint coat. My right arm is very tired. Believe it or not, my attempts at left-handed painting weren't very successful. I started at the ceiling, going on the theory of getting the hard part out of the way first. Works okay, by the time I get to he bottom I can sit. I wish now that I hadn't bought the White Paint of +15 Whiteness. It's making the rest of the bathroom look grubby. Okay, so the rest of the bathroom IS a bit grubby. I guess I should have bought the White Paint of +15 Matching Your Grubby Bathroom.

At least the cat didn't get into the paint. Then again, that would probably be pretty funny since she already looks like she got into some white paint.

Bathroom, 0. Margaret, 1

I finally started painting the bathroom today. It only took me about a year!

I'm hating July

Maybe it's the heat, but I'm VERY unmotivated lately. Today Donald and I took Anna to her follow-up appointment at 9, so we got up about 8ish. When we got back home, we took naps. Then we did some errands, and went to his dentist appointment at 1:30. All I wanted was somewhere comfy to go the hell to sleep. The waiting room was cold, so I sat outside a bit, and then went back in. When he was done, we went home, and took more naps. Until about 6. I'm still headachey and tired. Bleh!!

You sir, are a waiter.

It is your job to attend to us, so that we will exhange money for your food and services. Now, refill my drink, which is described in the menu as having "free refills," and come by every now and then to see if we need anything. Twerp.

Cat continues to eat, and seems okay. Now, time to give her a pill. Yay!!

LAN success

This one went longer than previous ones. We played until nearly 5am, with the usual break to walk to the coffeehouse. We played 2 games of Cranium, but then we played more UT afterwards. Usually at that point it's just Donald and Kevin and Jon or so, but Denise and Sally and I were up for more shooting too, as was our new recruit Tom. Granted, I only played a little before I decided that it was bedtime, but a good time was had.

The vet called around noon yesterday and told me that Anna was not throwing up or anything but that she wasn't eating and she wanted to keep her there so they could make sure she'd eat. I wanted to bring her home, so we did; but we have a follow up appointment Monday morning. First thing, she headed for the food bowl and ate a litlle. A few hours later she was acting pretty normal. This morning she'd thrown up on the rug (no surprise there, most of the apartment is rug.) As long as she keeps eating, I guess she seems normal. So all that, and no real answer. She's sitting on my lap now, purring while I use the computer, and that's definitely normal.

Kitty is sick.

Anna is staying overnight at the vet's for observation. She started acting sickly this morning so I took her in to get checked out. It's weird that she isn't here. Dear vet, please fix my cat. kthxbye.

Score!

Yet another day where I avoided doing anything really useful. Ah, summer. Odd how I can just ignore that nagging voice telling me to be productive...

The Battle Continues

The other day, my dad told me that he'd ordered an automatic pellet gun. You know, so he doesn't have to pump it up during his vendetta against the tree dwelling rodents. After burbling in my brain for awhile, Donald and I came up with the mental image of my dad, with a tommy(pellet)gun in each hand, Rambo-style red bandanna, crossed bandoliers of ammo across his chest, pipe clenched in teeth while grimacing. And in the background it's all smokey and red, and the squirrels are dropping with squeals of terror, while that operatic tune plays in the background. You know the one, dun-dun dun-dun! dun-dun dun dun! dun-dun-dun DUN-dun dun-dun-dun! Oh, we had a good laugh at that one. :D

Robyn's new place is nice

Despite the rain, we had a nice little gather at Robyn's. We took 71 to Harrisonville, only confirming our opinion of the grandview triangle, which is that it's pure ee-vil. Actually, it wasn't too bad on the way there, since it was a Sunday afternoon with little traffic. The way home was less fun, in the dark, in the rain, with the speeding maniacs. But we lived, so all is well. We made our merry way there, and it only felt like about half an hour. Robyn's place is nice, bigger than her old one and chock full of awesomeness. (washer and dryer, and a dishwasher) We enjoyed sitting on the patio area, when it wasn't raining. We saw some pretty fireworks over the trees a few times. A good time was had! Don't come back dead, Joe. :(

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/12049968.htm

This should prove that this whole riverfront park 4th of July idea is destined for failure. They should do the fireworks at Liberty Memorial. We liked them there.

It's like a black hole, only you don't stay in

Last night Donald and I watched our shiney new DVD of scrubs, and after awhile I wanted to go for a walk. I was feeling myself slowly turning into a slug having been on the couch since about 5pm. He asked if I wanted to get coffee and I said no, we'd been there the last 2 nights and we were going to grow both poor and fat from all the lattes. So we went out for a walk, and Donald revealed to me that he DID want to get coffee. Even when we don't plan to go there, we end up going there! We decided we need to set a coffeehouse budget and not spend so damn much money. Actually, once we got there, we ended up getting ice cream at the Russell Stover store next door. Take that coffeehouse! You didn't get us this time!

90% of my posts probably start with "Yesterday"

Yesterday I went grocery shopping and then put in my Grandparent Time. We played a couple games of cards, took a break, and played some more. I took my bag-o-yarn to show my mom and grandma, beacuse I knew they'd like to see. I also brought my cat, who persists in giving me dirty looks every time I leave the house. She had a nice time with the wandering and sniffing, and we all had a good laugh when she tried to jump onto a non-existant windowsill, and slid down the front door. Silly kitty, brain so small. I've started work on a blue crocheted hat to go with my blue crocheted scarf. My grandma thought that was neat. Ah, yarn.

When Donald got home we ordered Chinese food. I always feel silly having Kin Lin deliver. They're right next to the coffeehouse, so it can't take more than 5 minutes for them to actually drive over here. I have to give them credit though, their delivery is super fast, and it can't all be the distance. Robyn and Joe, who had been at the Nelson, came over and we hung out a bit and then went for coffee. It was nice, and probably the last time we'll get to do that before Joe leaves. Stupid army.

Good plays at the Unicorn

Tonight we saw Bug. It was very weird, and 100% entertaining. I recommend it if you can get there to see it before closing. I guarantee that you won't see anything like this at other theatres in K.C. If you have a student ID, they do student rush tickets for $5 ten minutes before the show. That's less than a movie, dammit! The playwright is Tracy Letts, the playwright of Killer Joe, which I will be designing lights for this September at the Just Off Broadway Theater. That will be some crazy stuff too.

Check out Bug: www.unicorntheatre.org