Maybe I should quit this blog

Hello? Anybody here? Can I get an echo-echo-echo---?

I know, it's been a while. More than a month, even. Things have been pretty busy with a new boy life in general. For more fun, we're having additional layoffs at work. Hooray.

I'm still commuting by bike for most of the work week. I had taken some time off and gotten quite lazy, but snapped out of it.

Recently I got a new phone (my contract was near the end) and made a big upgrade to the BlackBerry Pearl 8130. It's pretty cool but can be frustrating. There's a lot I still have to learn about it.

The temperature's starting to drop, and it's pretty manageable on the bike. Last week, we had a cold front. I just layered up and did quite alright.

My trip to NYC has been postponed. Apparently, there's drama in my family and I didn't know about it. That's OK. I really wasn't in love with going there in the dead of winter. It will be so much more fun in the spring or summer. Plus, I can pack lighter, ever-important with the constantly increasing price of taking stuff with you when you fly.

Election Day cannot come soon enough. Politicians have been campaigning since 2006. I voted more than a week ago. Please stop it, already.

I am the champion of water-pistol racing at carnivals. :)

But I also have been known to drop a shelf on my toe. :(

Life moves along, but I don't want to go along with it. At least not at this pace. I'm tired of being tired and lazy. The things I try don't work. Bah.

I'll be Georgia-bound for Thanksgiving and will catch up with my mom, dad and two of my brothers. That'll be really nice.

Under my feet, baby, the grass is growing

I'm getting restless, antsy, bored, unmotivated. The new mantra is "I'm proactive," to keep myself from hearing "I'm not lazy, really, just tired." But it's time to clean out the myriad old files, virtual and real, time to empty the dust-covered bins.

There's so much crap everywhere. I get tired of looking at it. I'm tired of feeling like I live in a dump.

Maybe I should just get away. Sarasota's nice, and I haven't been there in quite a while. First, though, I'll start with the Rocket Graveyard. The BFF and her adorable babies are coming to visit this weekend. It'll be a birthday bonanza.

A few minutes ago, I thought I had something to say. Bah. At least it's Friday.

I hate when I wake up to life and realize how much time has passed. It makes me sad for all the days I waste. How do I change?

It's going to be a long two months or so. I suppose this is my time to shine, or put forth my best, or whatever. But I'm not intersted in doing that here. Hm.

Life isn't bad; it's quite good. But when I look around, I feel overwhelmed. It's silly, with so many things going so well.

Maybe this is what happens when you don't blog as much anymore.

Da da da

Yes, yes, yes. It's been a while since I last updated. Funny, I have a life now. Mr. Wonderful is all that and more. One of these days, I'll post the sweet story of our meeting and subsequent attachment.

For now, though, it's another day in paradise. 29 is a good age, but I won't keep it forever.

Upcoming excitement: Free admission to the KSC Visitor Complex, Jacksonville's Night Ride and lots of friend birthdays.

One favorite mentions another

Stuff White People Like on The Onion.

My favorite article and favorite column:
FBI Realizes It's Been Using Black Highlighters All These Years
Someday, I Will Copyedit the Great American Novel

Maybe one day I'll be a headline writer there...

Oh is it any wonder that I'm in the mood for love?

Wordnerdy is taken.

Maybe for good.

She now understands how these things happen.

Trying to reason with hurricane season

We've been inundated by rain and wind this week in Space Land. The conservation easement area has water spilling out over its sides. Now, though, TS Fay is dropping water and rain on the Big Bend, with remnants keeping Mr. Sunshine away from our windows.

This little gem is from the NOAA 5 p.m. update (which we read at 4:47...):
...FAY IS NOT IN A HURRY...SLOWLY MOVING WESTWARD...

Fay has taken its sweet time to cross the state, spending hours stalled over Space Land. We need the rain. We so desperately need the rain. But we get tired of rain after a while.

And it looks like Fay will make the Gannett tour anyway. The storm will pass well south of Tallahassee, but that city won't be able to escape the effects. We wonder, if damage is sustained to any newspaper buildings, whether Gannett will lay off more employees to make facility repairs.

Even though Mr. Sunshine isn't visible in the sky, he's visible in the hearts of a couple of redheads, which is no small feat.

All that I have are these to remember you by

Tonight, I bought an external hard drive, moved over most of my music and photos, and now my computer is flying. Woo-hoo! It's nice that $100 now will give me more time before I *must* buy a laptop. I still want one, but now there isn't so much rush.

I also picked up a digital voice recorder. After quite a bit of research online, I decided on the Olympus DS-30. It comes with transcription and editing software. Sure, I could have bought a recorder for a lot less and bought software separate ... but why not get it all at once and know everything works together?

I'm feeling pretty good about things these days, except for the incessant evening headaches. Likely it's because I've had so much to drink lately. Ugh. What I know is that it causes me pain, and I don't like pain in my head. This week, I also bought a new side chair from a co-worker. Her husband recovered it, and it looks great. It's comfy and well-made. Sweet.

Originally I was thinking of going to Jacksonville this weekend, but I don't want to make the drive. The trip would be good for me, as it always is, but there's the financial part, too. And the fact that I haven't cleaned my bedroom or bathroom or kitchen or solarium in a while. They're overdue.

Funny how inspiration can escape when you have a lot on your mind. These days, I have less on my mind, thanks to getting rid of a car (and a payment, and maintenance, and gas prices, and all that jazz) and getting my finances in more order than I've had in recent years. For the first time since college, I've imagined writing short stories. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have any story ideas, but picturing myself doing something creative with writing has been on vacation for some time. Additionally, I have some journalism-type stories in mind for a few magazines. It feels good to have these thoughts.

Of course, there are plenty of abandoned craft projects in the hutch behind me. I feel bad about those and the money they required. But I don't think hope is lost on those or any other dreams. Hope is never lost.

It's like I'm always looking for something to fill up my time, nevermind that I have plenty of activities to occupy me at home. Things I still haven't done: Write up a report for work about all that I learned at ACES Denver and St. Pete, Finish putting away the last few files in the drawer, call The Onion about the shirt I returned, return the clear glasses, make the outlines for the glass jars ... I get so busy researching how to do things, then buy the equipment, but I don't take that step and actually Do the work.

Good morning, Viera

We're blogging live from the Spring Training home of the Washington Nationals. That's right, Wordnerdy has re-entered the world of home Internet access. Look for more updates on such fascinating topics as personal finance, bicycle commuting and Wordnerdy's unending quest for a guy who'll call back.

But for now, Wordnerdy has to take a shower and get ready for work.

1st lede writethru

Starting Monday (but possibly Tuesday), look for more frequent updates and more interesting topics, as I'll be blogging (and e-mailing, and matching, and maybe even downloading music and uploading photos) from the Viera bureau. Turns out Internet access isn't as much as I first thought. And if roommie decides to use it, too, my cost will be cut in half. Sweet.

In financial news, I'm one year, two months and one day past my last bounced check and accompanying insufficient fund fee. Woo-hoo! To celebrate, I'm getting something valued at $35, the price of my last fee. I'm thinking of a few DVDs in the theme of the "American Dream," such as "Raisin in the Sun" (with Sidney Poitier, of course), "Of Mice and Men" and "The Great Gatsby."

Additionally, I've finally got my checkbook back to balanced. To celebrate, I'm getting something valued at $13, the amount I was off balance. This item will probably be super girly and cute and totally unnecessary, like the wares at Francesca's Closet in the Avenue Viera.

I've always believed in the power of positive reinforcement. No, this is not an excuse for me to go shopping. I've wanted these things, especially the movies, for a while but wouldn't get them because of, well, finances. And now when I watch the movies or use the yet-to-be-determined gee-gaw, I'll remember why I got them, and remember how far I've come financially.

At least one area of my life is doing well. Why can't I say the same about boys???

Mmmmmm, chocolate ...

How could I forget to mention the bicycle is a good invention

This blog post should be required reading for all road users, whether they're on two wheels or four.

At some point, I'll update with photos and info on my snazzy bike, which I purchased June 28. Most of my time lately has gone to looking for and buying cool accessories like baskets. The search continues for panniers that a) I like and b) are available for sale.

Also, there are bunches of
blogs about bikes out there.

Go slow.

Thinking and wishing and hoping and dreaming

Sometimes it's really hard to read PostSecret. Someone else knows how I feel. That makes me want to cry.

It's been rough lately. I don't want to go to Georgia, mostly because I don't want to pay for it. The trip would do me a lot of good, though. Everything's just upside-down. I'm tired of that.

Ladies with an attitude, fellows that were in the mood

It seems courtesy and manners are no longer in vogue in the dating scene. How unfortunate.

Really, what is so difficult about a quick "no, thanks"? Any medium is better than nothing.

All signs continue to point to me getting away from all this. But wait, I haven't even used one month's worth of my Match subscription! Bah.

I don't know when I'll be back again

I can fly to my brother's house in North Carolina for under $50. But I can't get from his house to my father's house (or even within 100 miles of my father's house) for less than $500. Nor can I get from my brother's house to my mother's temporary house for less than $500. And I can't get from either parents' house back to my house for less than $115.

The alternative is renting a car for more than a week, plus gas. I hate driving. Especially that far. And especially if there are no passengers.

Forgot about the best bike link

From The New York Times, March 28, 1898

Fat bottomed girls they'll be riding today

Today, I made a down payment on a new bike.

After lots of contemplation and comparison and checking and review reading, I settled on Trek's 7200 WSD when I gave it a test ride today at Revolutions Cyclery in Melbourne. Originally, I wanted a mountain bike, but then I discovered the joys of sitting upright while riding, instead of causing pain to my neck, shoulders, elbows and wrists to ride a bike that's about an inch too tall, and too long in other places. By the way, my bike is black with blue flowers. Makes it slightly less girly, I think.

I did not switch to two wheels simply because of gas prices. On Mother's Day, my car was attacked by a tree. It was a total loss.

When I moved to Melbourne last year, I chose my apartment complex because of its proximity to work, just under 3 miles one way. I said then that I wanted to be close enough to ride my bike to work, in case the mood ever struck. It struck once, and I nearly passed out when I got to work because I pushed myself so much on the ride. The mood struck two or three more times before the first year was up, but only for trips to the library when my car was in the shop. The car was in the shop a half-dozen times in the one year that I owned it.

I was pretty happy when the tree fell, as I hated the car. And it forced me to live up to the reasoning I gave for my overpriced apartment.

It took a while to find the 7200 WSD. I looked at Specialized, the maker of my current bike, Giant, other Trek bikes, and Electra. I was especially fond of the Townie Commuter, but the components were inferior to the 7200, and the bike cost more.



My plan was to spend $400 to $500 on the bike, as I knew I'd have to add some things: fenders, a basket, a rack. Plus, I've had a great excuse to get some new clothing (shorter pants and moisture-wicking shirts, so I don't stink at work). Tonight I found valve caps shaped like rockets, perfect for the Space Coast.

It's been interesting looking at all the bikes, test riding them, and reading about bicycle culture. I've found some pretty cool blogs. In Copenhagen, the women ride in skirts and heels. Sweet. My friend Matt runs this blog that makes me miss Jacksonville more than anything.

But I've also read up on Florida's bicycle safety rules. Cyclists can, but aren't required to, ride on sidewalks. Motorists are required to give cyclists three feet of clearance. Cyclists can ride in a travel lane if there is no sufficient bike lane available. Most motorists don't know these things. Most motorists drive like there are no cyclists in the world.

My only regret in getting the bike is that I couldn't buy it from Matt. He's a great salesman and super-nice person. But he's 16 miles away. And the 16 miles include a few bridges.


Lance Armstrong rides a Trek. Of course, he's a roadie -- I'm a hybrid. Lance also wears the same brand of helmet as me, according to his Web site.

Barack Obama has been seen on a Trek, too. Unfortunately, the idiot cowboy king rides Trek, as well. But his cost at least six times more than mine, and I can guarantee that taxpayers didn't contribute to my bike purchase.

There's some talk about how Obama would fare against Bush on the bike. I'm pulling for Obama.

So let's sink another drink

Update: I'm getting the new laptop first. Dell will stop selling computers with Windows XP on June 30, which means they must be ordered by June 18. I'm not getting Vista. So come Friday, I'll order the laptop.

It gives me more time to decide between the Townie and the 7200, as well.

Why oh why did I get cable? I can't stop watching tv! Roommie and I watched vh1's Return to the 80s 3-D for years 1987-1989. Ah! Too much big hair! Then we watched Star Kid Parents Gone Bad! Eeek!

My mother should be so glad I'm not a famous copy editor like Bill Walsh. I might have emancipated myself from her at 14!

Our house is a very, very, very fine house

Hello, avid reader(s?)!

This is a first. Today, I'm blogging from home, using the roommate's computer and wireless card. (Thanks, work!) I haven't blogged from home since I left Jacksonville, which was more than a year ago. Wow. It's been a year.

In fact, I'm in the new apartment. That's kinda funny that I never once got online at the old apartment. It seems so weird. But, that's the way the budget crumbles sometimes.

Today, I put together the cheapest, crappiest bookcase I've bought yet. The thing is a real piece of shit. It came with plastic "screws"! Plastic?! How will it hold anything? In fact, the top shelves have a weight limit of 30 pounds each, which I'm sure I've surpassed. (Wordnerds love books, you know.) The one with real screws can hold up to 40 pounds per adjustable shelf, 50 pounds on the stationary shelf and 150 pounds on the bottom shelf. It's not like I bought the thing at Wally World; it was from Target! Ah well. At least I've emptied another six boxes.

The living room is just about complete. All I really have to do now is go through the newspapers ... ugh. And my bedroom is pretty well finished, too. Once I get a few more organizers for the office, the remaining boxes there can be emptied. And roommie has tomorrow off, so it's off to Tar-zhey.

A tree fell on my car on Mother's Day. The tree beat up my car, but nearly as bad as what the vandal in Jacksonville did to Emmie, the Saturn. That poor car was raped. Anyway, I've been biking to work for the better part of a month. I'd like to use the bike for small grocery trips and such, but alas, I have no baskets. Also, the bike's a tad big for me. So I'm getting a new one.

I can't decide between two: the Electra Townie 21 or Trek 7200 WSD. Both have the gearing and braking of a mountain bike, but step-through frames and wheels like a cruiser. They'll both end up around $500 when I add everything on. But the Townie salesman was super nice and that brand has more accessories available, while the Trek has better components. I prefer quality, so I'd like to go with the Trek. Yet I have that "human connection" with the Townie guy, and those accessories are so darn cute. Maybe I'll make a hybrid of a hybrid commuter bike: Get the Trek but add Townie accessories (rack, basket, bell).

The other problem: Only the Trek is within biking distance. Every other shop is at the beach. Over big bridges. And many miles north or south, as well as east.

Two nights ago, I finally paid for a Match.com subscription. Or, membership. Whatever. I've contacted a few guys whom I saw when I first signed up. At least one is interested in talking. Woo-hoo! They're both quite cute, both 33, both love their jobs. One lives nearby, the other is in Winter Park. Eek. One is a Scorpio and the other is a Virgo, both of which are signs that I get along with famously. (Especially Virgos.) So that's exciting. We'll see how it goes. As long as they meet close enough for me to bike.

Greysa's doing fine. She's as starving and as deprived as always, the way she tells it. But now she has someone else to give her love and attention, as long as she's in the mood. Greysa seems to "tolerate" the roommate, not much more.

The only problem with the new apartment, the one that I moved across property for, rather than down the hall, is that is has a real bug problem. I'm sick of these things. I kill more than one each night. The pest guy has sprayed twice, and will do it again this week. I've set out roach motels. I've bought spray.

They're crawling out from under the bar. I've even seen some in the dishwasher -- ewwww! I really want maintenance to come by and rip up the bar, drop a bug bomb or spray the hell out of them, patch whatever hole they're coming from, and seal down the bar. (The bar isn't sitting flat right now.) It's so disgusting. And I'm beyond over it.

I guess that catches me up on quite a bit. Once we get Internet at home (and I get my next new toy, a laptop), I'll post photos from the past year, like John Denver the snowman, cakes I've baked, the new apartment view, etc. Oh, and photos of Greysa. Of course.

Vroom vroom!

I'm a Lotus Elise!

You believe in maximum performance and minimum baggage. You like to travel light and fast, hit the corners hard, and dance like there's no tomorrow.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I understand

I first heard about PostSecret sometime in 2004, I think. Or maybe 2005. I only remember who told me about it, so it must have been in 2004.

I haven't been faithful at reading the posts on a weekly basis, but I get back to them every once in a while.

The secrets so many people have shared are amazing. I've long thought about sending one in, but I don't know what my secret is.

PostSecret is traveling the country in an exhibit. The roommate and I are going to see it tomorrow before I come to work. Before we decided that, though, I had to make sure the museum would be open. I made my way back to the PS page and found the community, where I learned about the beginning of the project.

Then I read the above postcard. Suddenly, I began to understand. Not just the secrets, but myself. The questions I always have. The questions that are all wrong.

It's been an enlightening day, and not just because of PostSecret. I want to find the thoughtful questions.