The day is swiftly approaching
My folks are now in town to help with the last bit of the move. Therefore, my time is not my own until next Monday. Otoh, it's nice to have someone else doing the final packing while the forces of evil at my work get their last pound of flesh from me.

Thank you! I also get put off by unnecessary foreign phrases in fanfic. If you're writing in English, then use freaking ENGLISH! It really does disturb the flow of the words. Japanese IS a very beautiful language (as are many other languages), but there's a lot to be said for well-written English.

You sound like you'd be fun to hang out with, chica! Looking forward to seeing your character designs.

Yes, Ammie, the love/hate thing between the Doctor and Romana I was a thing of beauty. But what exactly was "the thing of Evil"? *out of the loop*

Only TWO MORE DAYS until job of evil is complete!!!! Rejoice, ye mighty! Rejoice also, ye waiting-for-me-to-finish-certain-fanfic, for surely my muse shall return unto my side, especially since I haven't found another job yet (although I've got another interview next week!). Which translates Maria will be at home doing nothing more than unpacking boxes and writing fanfic for at least TWO WEEKS!!! (Maybe more!) Especially since Maria shall be completely BROKE due to aforesaid lack of employment and having spent all her savings closing on the house!!

Finally saw X-OAV. Kusa's voice-actor was VERY good. I agree with Satsuki-chan in that Fuuma's voice was sexier than Kamui's, but yes, that actor playing Kamui sure was pretty. Very much looking forward to seeing the series now.

Wednesday, October 3, 2001 06:35 p.m.

Solved! Case of Missing Kitty!
After being up half the night, I finally found Nabiki-chan. She was caught behind the wall, but there's a place in the downstairs bathroom where you can take out the back of the tub (don't ask, weird vintage '50's bathroom, hard to explain)and I managed to get her out. She was pretty dusty, and had yowled herself hoarse (which was why we couldn't hear her). I'm so happy my kitty is okay! *does happy dance* Now must go to job interview...wish me luck!

Monday, October 1, 2001 07:17 a.m.

Nabiki
We moved another load up today. Am v. tired and upset. Nabiki, our little black-n-white Japanese Bobtail is missing. We let all the cats out in the basement and closed the door so they couldn't get out while we were moving stuff in, but later, we went down there and can't find her anywhere. Either she got out somehow(and who knows where she is, then) or she somehow got into the wall via the basement? Not sure. I thought I heard her earlier tonight and called her name. She meowed back, but I couldn't hear it well, which means she may be in the house somewhere still? Must sleep now, important job interview early a.m., worried about little Biki, though.
Sunday, September 30, 2001 10:39 p.m.

YES!!!
After months and months of waiting, my CLAMP Campus Dectectives series came in! Bob had ordered it for me back in April, and it just came in today, right before the move. *does happy dance*

So where's Fuuma? I so miss his terrorizing. I really don't know why I like Fuuma, but I do, even when he had bad hair. Kusanagi is still by far my favorite, but as villains go, Fuuma is the MAN. Perhaps it's the fact that you never really know what he'll do next (although odds are in favor of decapitation or some kind of tongue-thing involving Kamui). He's like one of those guys you want to hang around with because he always knows where the party is, and if there is no party, he'll start one and it'll kick ass.

More moving this weekend. Yippee. However, it's just one more week and we'll be completely out of this house. I'm still not quite comprehending that fact, I think.

Friday, September 28, 2001 03:58 p.m.

Dizzy
I thought I'd have some free time this week, but I wasn't counting on my hell job. Grrrrr.

Satsuki-chan, that was a mighty rant about singledom. Thanks for making me an exception to the rule of arrogant married folk. I try. ;-D Actually, I was quite happy with being single, and am quite happy being married. There's good and bad with either. But there sure is a lot of societal pressure to hook up with someone...just like once you've hooked up, there's pressure to have kids. Grrrrr. Don't want evil children!

I guess I was thinking about it some since I've been Bobless this week. It's nice to have a break now and again, but I do miss him as well. I forgot how hard it is to maintain a household alone. It's been very stressful. No wonder I was so thin before I married.

Getting into the overwhelmed mode regarding the move. Things have fallen into place pretty well, but I'm still having seller's regret, buyer's regret and a ton of nightmares about being able to get all this stuff we have moved safely. Then, there's the fun of unpacking and reorganizing everything! And finding a new job! Arrrrrrrgh!!!!!

Otoh, I do have an interview Monday, so maybe I have a chance of getting a job before we go completely broke. Although it's the same kind of office slave job that I'm leaving (hopefully less stressful, though!). There's part of me that really wants to give up financial work, but I'm not sure what else I could do for a living, and even if the job doesn't pay great, I really can find some kind of work just about anywhere due to my accounting experience. But it's getting very old. Office to office, different companies, but the same kinds of people with the same kinds of attitudes doing the same kinds of work. There HAS to be something better out there...and in a small way, I'm a little resentful of Bob's happiness at his new job. I'm having to up and relocate and take a pay cut so he can have a better job. And this is the second time I've done this in the last 3 years. But I AM very pleased that he's happy. I just want to be happy, too.

I guess I'm nervous, since I've not had to interview for almost 3 years now. I've gained so much weight and don't look professional anymore, just frumpy and fat. I used to enjoy dressing up, but since the weight gain, nothing looks good on me anymore (well, I don't think so anyway) and so I think, what's the point?

But enough whining!

Ammie-chan, it's true, Doctor Who is a favorite. The Tom Baker episodes were okay--some very well written ones, although he wasn't my favorite. I loved the Peter Davison ones, especially when they brought back the Master! Romana II was fun, although I preferred Romana I, bitch that she was. (I seem to share a love of bitches with Lika! I don't know why, but the bitchy girl gets my vote each and every time! Perhaps that's because they remind me of myself...;-D)

The latest Asuka update on DOS was certainly charming (ARASHI AND SORATA WERE SOOOO CUTE!!!) and Aoki just looks so nice in his casual clothes. I don't really care if Subaru shows up again or not. I like Subaru, but the guy I REALLY want to see is Kusanagi! He's not shown up in what, a year or more now? It's time for some Kusa/Yuzu interaction, CLAMP goddesses!

Okay, I should now go back to packing. Although I'll probably just sit around, scrounge some dinner somewhere and veg.

Thursday, September 27, 2001 06:45 p.m.

Zombie Woman
Back home from Dubuque. And I am TIRED. Poor Bob was so nervous about his new job, but he called and said he was really liking it. I can tell right now that house is going to be drafty, though. Gotta get some more sweaters.

Yep, Ammie-chan, I like Keiichi, too. He's so cute and so genki. And yes, Peter Davison (the blond Doctor) was also my favorite Doctor Who. Some of my earliest fanfics were for Doctor Who, actually, back when we had fanzines instead of websites. I should get them on a webpage eventually.

I plan to do a webpage for my fanfic, once this move is done and I have a little time to devote. My only regret is that most of my best stuff was about The Dragonriders of Pern, and Anne McCaffrey's lawyers are so rigid about not letting any of that stuff on the Web. I see their point, but I wish more people could get to read those fics, besides the small, now-defunct writing groups that I wrote them for and with.

It's back to the evil workplace tomorrow, worse luck. And no replies to my resumes I sent out last week, either. Ah, well, I won't get nervous just yet.

It's so weird being here without Bob. It's soooo QUIET....

Monday, September 24, 2001 07:59 p.m.

Shameless
this just cracks me up. Just how sappy can we get? And don't worry, Satsuki-chan, even if Lika doesn't have you on her list of crushes, I still love you.

And at some point, I really ought to post to the Sakura Board. I've lurked there long enough. But I never know what to say....

Work is getting really bad. Had to go in today and look at code to find out why a system isn't paying some commission. I don't know why I'm looking at code. I'm a goddamn accounting clerk, not a programmer!

Breathe. *sigh* Just 8 more days now. Working days, that is.

Off to Dubuque again tomorrow. The house appraised high enough and everything else is falling into place. I can't believe all this is happening. *smiles*

Saturday, September 22, 2001 06:23 p.m.

Wagons, ho!
I'll be working tomorrow, then Bob and I will be heading out for Dubuque with as much stuff as will fit in two trucks, a U-haul, a sedan and a stationwagon.

Not that we've done much packing yet.

Anyway, I'll only be around sporadically until Monday night. But then the rest of the week, I'll be baching! Woo, the single life! Bring on the beefcake!

(Bob, if you're reading this, that IS intended to be a joke, sweetie...)

Friday, September 21, 2001 10:43 p.m.

A Decision
I have decided to go ahead and turn in my two week's notice of resignation tomorrow. This entire week has been hell, and since I'm moving anyway, I decided enough was enough. So, last day of work is October 5th. 10 days to go rather than 20.

YEEEEEEHAW!!!!!!

Ahem. You may now return to your normal blogging experience.

Thursday, September 20, 2001 05:36 p.m.

Food for thought
That was interesting. I agree that Sorata's charm is not in his humor, but his obvious good heart. Guys seem to think being funny is important, though. I know my husband does. *rolls eyes at endless bad puns* I fell for him because he was sweet and nice and didn't want me to be someone else, which is sadly so often the case.

There seems to be a lot of emphasis in our society on being entertaining and interesting. Not that being boring is any great virtue, but really, there are much more important things in a relationship besides entertainment. Yes, a good lover is one you enjoy being with, but is also someone who you share values with, who respects you for who you are, and who is willing to learn and grow with you as time passes.

Sorry if I sound incoherant...very little sleep, insomnia again. Oh, check out my countdown....! That doesn't include weekends and Mondays (I work 4 10-hour days a week). There's got to be a better way of doing it, but at this point, I'm too tired to figure it out. Any suggestions on countdown improvement can be sent to my address above.

Thursday, September 20, 2001 02:55 a.m.

Sweet Nothings
You actually broke down and signed Alison's guestbook? It really must be love. Hope you feel better soon, chica.

I loved THE PIANO, too, Satsuki-chan, especially the music! Incredible! While Harvey Keitel isn't my idea of a dream date (although props for the willy shot), those Maori tattoos are extremely cool. Oh, and I hope that family gathering goes okay for you this weekend and that your aunt isn't too difficult.

I will refrain from whining, but let me state for the record that I really hate my job and especially my co-workers. I can't wait to get out of there. 'nuff said.

On the plus side, it's rainy and misty and the leaves are just beginning to turn. Autumn is a'coming in! There's just something so peaceful about misty weather. I love it.

Tuesday, September 18, 2001 06:41 p.m.

Cho goodness
My hubby went out on an errand today and brought home the latest Rurouni Kenshin DVD for my viewing pleasure! I'm so happy! Yes, I have the fansubs, but I'm one of those rare birds who happens to like dubs (if they're done well), and I do declare that Media Blasters has done an excellent job so far with their dub of Kenshin.

Plus, with DVD, you can jump between the sub and dub. I love it.

Making the event extra-special was Kenshin's first fight with Katanagari Cho! *goes into geeky fangirl mode* Yes! Cho, my man! Screw the rest of the Juppon Gatana, Cho is the one I want! Ok, maybe Hiko Seijuro in a close second place, and Hajime Saito is a definite badass. But Cho is the best, even if the English dub gave him a Texan accent. (At least they did a decent job of it. Having spent most of my formative years in the Lone Star State, I confess I have a certain sensitivity to bad Southern accents.) I think I do prefer Cho's Kansei-ben to the drawl and twang of the open plain, but HE'S STILL COOL!!! And, yes, I admit, he does slightly resemble Vash the Stampede, but Vash is a hero, and Cho is, well, Cho.

It's hard to believe that I can't find even one shrine to his greatness. What a travesty.

Sunday, September 16, 2001 07:47 p.m.

Bits 'n' pieces
Thanks, Lika-chan for your comments. I talked to my mom today, and she went through the same thing with my Dad's family, evidently. My family doesn't pry too much into my doings, but then, my closest relative lives 700 miles away! Sometimes, I admit I envy Bob his nearby clannish kin. Heck, even moving away like we are, we're still going to be closer to his family than mine. However, I did get Bob to promise we were NOT going to be going to his family's house for the X-mas holidays this year. *sigh of relief* I always dreaded that.

The one good thing about my recent bouts with insomnia has been that I get to chat with Satsuki-chan. Chica, I hope you know what a special person you are. It really helps to be able to chat to someone in the middle of the night. However, as money is tight right now, I can safely promise no phonecalls! To anyone, actually! *gazes sadly at empty checkbook* Dang, moving is expensive!

I hadn't felt much like writing this week with all that was going on, but today I actually put in a couple of hours on WINGS OF DESIRE and came to a sad conclusion. *tears hair* I was working with this neat little interaction between Subaru and Yuuto and after spending hours on it, decided it's just not going to work with the story! Arrrgh!!!! Oh, well, maybe I can slice it off and use it for something else later? I'm feeling the need to add a Karen perspective, as well. What began as a simple narrative sequel is turning into an examination of desire...love, lust, need, and how it's all tied together. And somewhere, somewhere, there may actually be a plot to the damn thing.

And Kakyou and his stupid dreamscapes are a BITCH to write.

Saturday, September 15, 2001 09:08 p.m.

Grrr
Some of Bob's relatives (uncle, aunt and a cousin and her kids) came through town yesterday. He wasn't feeling well, so I made my obligatory appearance at a family dinner.

BIG MISTAKE.

Beyond saying hi, no one said anything to me. It was awful. And he wonders why I don't ever want to go to any of his family gatherings. It got so bad that I left, then thought better of it, and went home to get my sweetie and haul his ass over to meet with his family. HE was the one they wanted to see, not me. I'd feel put down, but they treat my sister-in-law the same way. If you're not born into the family, you're not really part of it. Jerks.

After getting there and eating something, Bob felt better and was happy to see his relatives. I was happy that he was happy, but I was even happier to get out of there.

Damn, but I hate family gatherings.
Thursday, September 13, 2001 05:44 a.m.