Friday!! I was kind of nervous about the vet today. I was really glad when she was in and out within ten minutes. The woman who brought her back out said, 'She's always a perfect angel; I love when I get to see her.' That's quite the contrast to my older cat, Cat, (when he went in for vaccines, they couldn't get his nails did because, he was "A bit too spicy," and they, "didn't want to push it." My old roommate and I watched as a male worker was called to help, but we couldn't hear much through the door). I put the boys out on the floor for a while. I've been putting my hand in their exercise pen, and I give positive verbal reinforcement when they sniff me. The boys will even give me a kiss sometimes, they're so cute!
It snowed a bit overnight. It's always so cold in the winter mornings. I hope the next car I get will have a remote warmup feature...! I got my health insurance tax info in the mail today, which is cool. Now I can do my taxes. Tomorrow, Salem should get her cone off; I'm sure she'll be thrilled.
I got paid, moved money around, and worked normally. I did my shot without much problem, only a bit of blood. I went to PetSmart, to get hay, vitimin C bites, and a little tunnel (for the boys); and a cardboard ball toy for the cats that came with catnip. I set the toy up as I spoke with my roommate about rent. I also grabbed some oui'd from the dispo. I need to refill my pills.
I woke up early, got ready for work, and left to clean off my car. I had to kick some build-up from the overnight plow from behind my car, but I did good enough to get me to the gas station down the road. It always looks kind of desolate when it snows here, because the snow almost consumes the landscape and just about anything in its way. We got damn near two feet of snow, which is almost up to my knees. On my breaks, I went out behind the building. Should I build an igloo out there? Oh my gods!! I could build an igloo!! Bruh, I'm gonna do it. I'll start tomorrow at first break! I'm very excited about it! I'll keep you posted! I also want to make a tool room page for the site. Things to do...
I didn't show up to work. I texted Roman at around 5am, then went right back to bed; I just needed the excuse, but I'm actually glad that I didn't try to push myself to go in. Later in the afternoon, I did go out with my shovel, and spent a good hour, just digging my car out of the snow. Tbh, as long as nobody gets seriously injured or killed, I think the snow just makes things a bit funner. It's the unpredicability that calls to me, the way tires spin out, and vehicles sway and swerve out of countrol while splitting the light brown sludge on the road. But, then again, I am the guy who walks doown the road, and on occasion, I'll find a large sum of cash by the road, and if I don't take it, that's a waste of money, literally. I like to put value into the things I have, which is why I don't mind suffering in the snow a bit to properly ensure that I can move my car in the morning.
A gain, just chilling. Getting some laundry done, playing video games, and hanging out with my pets. I 'll have to wait and see if I want to call out tomorrow or not. I don't want to seem like I'm trying to get out of work, but at the same time, I don't want to crash due to poor conditiions. If I can't get out of the parking spot, I won't go, how about that?
I was just chillin. I got my vape because my roommate got to leave work early; he also got blue cap milk, for which I was grateful. I finally figured out how to turn on the heat, lmao. I had to call my old roommate, because I've never turned those breakers on before. I need to pay my phone bill.
I ran 661, while Cotton ran 669. Roman came by to flip me off and we got into a quick draw match of middle fingers.He later said that they were planning on opening on Saturday as a precaution in case we didn't open on Monday, because of the storm approaching on Sunday. I asked if we were going to be snowed in or not. He said he didn't know but if enough people call out, then they won't open. When I got home, I texted my roomate and asked if he could buy me a vape, and he went off like,"Rea, I don't want to fall asleep behind the wheel, you should ask us when we need a vape so we don't have to go out as much." Like, first off, ass hole, how tf am I supposed to intrinsically jus know when your vapes are empty. You'll fall asleep behind the wheel, then play video games all night. Fuck you. But instead, I said 'no worries, also Idk if I'm able to know when yall are low on vapes, lol/lh' He apologized and came in to talk to me and see the boys.
I started hearing about snow coming our way... It snowed again overnight. I went doen the hill extra slow, and had a good day of setting up two jobs. I spent some time with the boys on the floor.
Pay day! I moved some money around, and paid some bills. I did my shot, no problem. Its been 3 years on testosterone, and I'm just so grateful! I didn't go to the dispo, because money's tight.which pproves my ability refrain from indulgence. I bought some veggies for the boys.
It was easier to go down the hill this morning. I did bring my phone to work, and I went through my appointment. I told her about how my winter trip went much smoother than expected and the argument with my roommates a day after my return. I ran Jaco.
This morning, I went out and cleaned the snow off of my car. We got a good amount, near a foot; I had to kick a bunch of snow out from behind my car, so it wouldn't be stuck. When I went down the hill this mmorning, it was so icy, that my ABS brakes were working hard! I had both my feet on the petal to stop before the road at the bottom. A lot of cars park on the bottom of the hill, especially when it snows. It blocks the visibility of the road on the bottom, so I had to be really careful. I went and bought coffee, and I nearly spun out going into my work's parking lot. During my breaks, I started clearing the snow out from behind the buidling, enough for a walking path at least up to the green table. I need to pay my car insurance tonight, and then tomorrow morning, I need to pay my psychiatrist, before I go into work. I need to ask for the wifi at my work so I can attend my appointment without having to go home. Things to do..
This morning, Salem was so cuddly, and my electric blanket was on so it was sooo warm. I cleaned up the kitchen a bit, did the dishes, took out the old litter (almost busted my ass, lol), and Dyllan stopped by and we takled for a bit. She asked if I wanted to move to the south, I said nah. We talked for almost an hour before she caught a car back to where she was staying. Later, my roommate came in and asked ifDyllan was saying anything, which I told him 'no, but if there were, I won't tolerate shit talking.'
Fuck! It's snowing bad today. I need to go to the Appotheke and get some cleaning supplies. I don't want to get cold or get into an accident on the road, but I guess I have to... I want to get litter and wipes, so I can change the litter boxes and wipe things down. Yesterday, Dyllan asked if I wanted to get a boba with her like we used to, so I said Sunday would be good, but I fear I'm fucking poor. Shit. And, it's supposed to be ass out (more snow). Is it true that a snowflake only matters in a blizzard?
So, my tortie kitten, Salem had to go to the vet for her spay. I went to work at 6, but at 7, I left to take Salem, and I returned at 8. I was nervous all day, because I was so scared of getting a call about complications; I'm glad that the surgery went well. She has a cone and will need to keep it on for 2 weeks. I think that'll be when I'll make appointments for the boys. Yesterday, I switched beddings. So I used to use paper bedding, which is good, but it wasn't very efficent, and it's single use, so now I use fleece. I got new fleece blankets from Savers.
Today, I ran the final size for OMG's center assemly, Thank the Gods! Updating the website. Also, my coworker came up to me and offered a proposition. A car, apparently good, but it's a '98 Oldsmobile Delta? And, I'm not sure if that's gonna be a car that I can sustain. He said he would probably get the information on it over the weekend. I kinda want to see what I get back in income tax before making that kind of decision. Yes, my car doesn't show mileage (not even on a reader- I tried!),and it has a casette player instead of a cd or bluetooth connection to the radio, but I put personality on it, when my old roommate and I used paint markers to draw over the base coat of my front bumper after I needed to replace it last year. But I need to get a new seat pillow. I should look in Savers.
Pay day!! After work, I took my weekly shot and went to my favourite dispensary. I got 2 vapes, 2gs each; I also paid some small bills. I didn't have time to do it before work, but I wanted to get the Wellness Plan for my cats, and also to add the boys (my Guinea Pigs) to my toggled list of pets, before Salem has to go in for her spay. Hopefully she'll be chiller, but honestly, she's been more mellow recently. I think Cat just screams louder because she's gotten bigger, like almost his size.
I had a good time setting up Jaco in 668, and it seems to be running fine at 1200rpm, which is what matters.
My first day back to work. I made sure to set my morning alarms, and put it under my pillow, otherwise, I won't get annoyed enough to turn it off. It was really cold today. Time flew by so fast today. So fast, that I accidentlly stayed late by a few minutes. I talked with my supervisor, who took me on a tangent on hoagies, and I sprung off with a tangent on the difference between Cheesesteaks and 'steak & cheeses'. Then, an old-head, Larry brough in old photos of other older coworkers, who still work there. Roman didn't give me any shit today, well, he joked about me being eaten by wolves on my vacation, I laughed and confessed, I'd much rather die by shark attack, or by volcano, "Go out like Pompeii," but at least he didn't call-out my paleness. Yet, I think I'm gonna start a tally this year for how many times he will comment on how pale I am. And each and everytime, I joke that he's racist.To be fair, my family would call me Casper. I'm almost always cold to the touch and pale, so Idfk what tf Roman be wilin sometimes! But not today! So, maybe not 100% racist, lol.
I finished running OMG, because there were 75 left on the 4" model, so I needed to, after finishing up the afformentioned job, I jumped right into the next setup. Jimmy also gave me the Jaco hook setups, which I can do in one machine. Someone took off the regular air-gun nosel on 661 with a surface grinder, and I haven't replaced it yet. I'm going to put Jaco in 668, because I want to test out Greg's fix on the motor panel. I gotta take my meds, but I'll catch you later!
I haven't written poetry lately... I feel bad for not having the creative flow that I usually would. I've been in an artistic rut. I think I need to write something new soon. I spent my weekend with my pets
I had to call a number and sit at the Appotheke to opt out of mail-order. I hate it so much!! I never fuckin asked to be mentally ill, and I sure as hell didn't fucking ask for my meds to physically be withheld when I am physically at the fucking store for it!! Oh, my Gods! It's such a thinly veiled breech of privacy and my rights to control my own health. America is a land poisoned by lies and perpetual cruelty. I'm really getting sick of it, not gonna lie. They don't care about me. They aren't my dad, they aren't my mom, and they sure as hell aren't my Gods, as much as they'd like me to think. They're just a system of people who have no right to say, "we want you to have less autonomy and fewer human experiences, bc despite us taxing and light heartedly threaten you, we want you to be afraid of the world." And, I'm like, "Nah, fuck that. I don't give a shit if I need to wait--That's why time exists, you brain rotten beta."
I actually stayed up past midnight. I didn't intend to, but eralier that evening, I did tarot readings for myself and my best friend, because we haven't talked in a while, and she claimed my accuracy last year stuck with her. The readings were promising. I'm going to runn out of meds before the Appotheke can refill them...
I passed that CNC Haas Operator class so hard, I ain't even need to take the final hands-on exam! I'm verry chuffed about that, yes. I left for New Jersey on the 20th of Dec. I took buses to Philli, where my bestie, pip, picked me uup. It was, historically, the calmest pick-up that we've pulled off, for which I was extremely glad. It wasn't too cold down there, and when we arrived at their apartment, I gave them their big gift, 5gs worth of vapes in the strain White Widow. They said it's their favorite strain, and it's hard to come by in the markets down there. They gave me a bag of Wawa coffee grounds. Later that day, I gave their roommate, H, his big gift--not in size, but in price: A Ghost of Yotei style PS5 controller. On Christmas Eve, we went to Pip's dad's house, for food and presents. It was a chaotic day, as plans got moved around and H fell physically ill suddenly that night.I felt bad for not giving Pip's brother, DJ, a gift, aspecially since he gifted me a small, yellow dragon and a communism pin (?), but I gave H and Pip both books this year. H recieved 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy, and Pip received four manga, the next in a series that I've also gifted to them in previous years. Pip's dad and his girlfriend, gifted me some mechanical pencils and gift card, which I was grateful for. It was unexpected. I, then gave Pip's dad his gift: A Phoenix design display Balisong Knife. It was dull-edged, meant for display or practice, but I told him he could easily sharpen it at work, when he gets confident. I was pleased that I've given Pip's dad, repeatedly good gifts; last year, I brought some Homer laser cutouts down to gift to both Pip's dad and brother, because I knew they both liked the Simpsons show. I enjoyed sharing masculine interest with the , seemingly, put-together men in my life.
All-in-all, it was a good vacations, as tensions were eased this year, and I gave more than I received. I was also very involved to the creation of a certain, very epic animatic, from my friend, Pip. It was mainly encouragement, and emotional support through the project, but I recently saw their sketches put together, and wow... It's so fire! I can't wait to see the final product, but omg it's already so good.
It was a good time, but I was beginning to miss my kitten, Cat, and my boys, so when Dec. 28th crept up, I didn't mind the thought of returning; That, and I wouldn't need to return to work until the first Monday of the year. Coming home came with it's own complications, trying to get myself back into order for the new year.
I think everyone is just waiting for the holidays. I know I am. I don't know how well everything will be while I'm gone, with the boys and the cats. Jack came around to all who had to take the exam to give them an overview paper, but he said, "but I have to check, because it says here you're good, you don't need to take the test." I saw the note in parrenthesis: "(Ready! Does Not Need To Attend)" Later, I was called into the front offices, where Jack confirmed in front of my supervisor that I passed so well in every class, that I [theorhetically] already passed?? Anyway, I'm sitting in my room, trying to appreciate all that I have, and to keep up with relationships that I cherish.
I got my christmas bonus, and so after work, I went to the dispo, to PetSmart and bought the boys a new cage. Its bigger than the one I had for them, and it has a built-in hide for them. I also bought my bus tickets for my trip next weekend.
Pay-day!! I paid my phone bill, and after work, I did my shot, cleaned up the boys' cage, and had some alone time with them while I cleaned their bedding. I am poor, but I think of things and ways to get around things, it's almost second nature. So, without a proper pen for them, I did what I thought would work, which was taking the cat wheel off its base frame, put it on its side with a tight, non pill, fleece underneath, with their food, water, treats, and toys. They were popcorning, hopping, running, ouiking.
Tuesday was a bit slow and sluggish. I got a setup card while running Lista in 661, for the Center Assembly for OMG Building Products. I know that it shoudln't be daunting, but the only machine open in the tool room is 668, a twin to 661, which only has one air hose line, so I put it off. I got some free time later to clean up , sweep, put rags where they needed to go, cleaned up some trash, chips, and quik-dri sand.
I arrived, sat in my car and went in, all on time! You don't understand my satisfaction, as I am such a stickler about arrival times and stuff. First thing first, I turned on the lights to my area, then started up the air compressor for the whole shop. Then, because my Haas test is friday, I did the 'ritual' walk-around with the mill running the Linemaster job. I started it up, and started running, after doing the spindle warm up. Florydia came and relieved me at 7. She tells me often that I'm one of the only English-Speaking coworker she wants to talk to. She says that I never make fun of her when she slips, because her English is a bit rough, but as someone who couldn't always speak well in my native language, my perspective allows me to empathize with foreigners and other varied disabled folk. I understand not getting a joke, I understand using the wrong words in full confidence. We often talk about small things, like weekend plans, she tells me about her son, I tell her about my pets. We both bicker with Roman. For the rest of the day, I ran the Jaco job on 669, first machine when coming from the welding room nearest the offices.
I finally figured out the index page format, but I think I want to change the colors a bit to match the Rammond picture that's there. I took my meds, deep cleaned the boys' cage. Then my roommate and I went to the thrift store and the dollar tree. I got some fleeces for the boys, some cool looking mugs, annd a book. Oh, and a Japanese vase. Gods, I love the thrift store! I'm gonna use that vase as my new money bowl/pot. I think it'll go well with the Hermes altar my money bowl's at now. Tomorrow, I don't have class, so I'll finish all the classwork stuff online tomorrow, so I can have a good grade by time for the cert test on Friday.
I spent most of my day on the computer, trying to figure out sidebars for a more appealing interface... I ordered Doordash, McDonald's. I even got the boys some apple slices.
Fridays are always chill at the workshop. I ran the same 1200 piece job. Roman Day, one of my friendliest coworkers, commented on my white skin. I grew irritated. I told him, "Well, it's a good thing I live up north so I can blend in with the snow." He accepted it with suspicion. I don't have too much left on that Jaco job, but Jimmy came in and handed me a new setup card. I started 661 and set up the fixture and was able to, with help, sift through some old endmills to find one I could use instead of getting a brand new one from Dennis. A little later, Roman came in once more, looking into the nearly empty gaylord in front of 669. We looked at each other, he smiled, and quickly flipped me off. Even quicker than he could lower his hand, I shot back with my own. Roman was shoked, haha! I didn't get a sample in before the end of the day, but when I got home, I held my guinea pigs, smoked some weed, and started working on the format of my pages. Salem seems obsessed with the guinea pigs, which makes me nervous. My brother told me he's going to have a child with his girlfriend. That also makes me nervous. I'm supportive, of course. But part of my stomaach knots up at the implications of what that means. Maybe I think too deep too often.
Thankfully, I woke up early enough to spot clean the boys' cage ('the boys' = My guinea piggies!). Yesterday, I drove all around, haha. After my shot, I went to Walmart, then down to the local shopping mall, to get more paper bedding, and I ended up getting some treats and chew toys for them. Then, once I got them set up in there, I went to the dispo for my medical 'nectar' lol. Today, I went to work, started the air compressor for the shop, flipped some fuses to turn the lights on in the tool room, my work area for the past 3 and a half years. I decided to flip the power on for the Atrump mill labeled as 669, but I went to start up the right-most Haas out of the three mills that are placed next to the welding robots, the Aim Wire-form (the newer one--there's two), the laser, and the giant shipping garage door. We have a high-end job in that Haas. C-Sink, drill, tap, and chamfer mill. (By the way, I pronounce it as "Schamfer," because the guy who taught me in trade school is British, and ig that's how they say it, idk) Once Florydia came in at 7 am, I slinked back into my tool-room. We had an insurance meeting today. I tried to rake the snow from behind the workshop, so I can freely pace during breaks, and not slip around, but it didn't work. Tomorrow, I'll have to try to get my hands on a snow shovel lol. All in all, it was a good day today, except for the fact that I was hungry all day. I feel like this new med I'm on isn't actually improving my appetite, it just makes the hunger worse. I still have hardly any desire to eat, except to keep the hunger at bay... When I got home today, I fed the kitties and the piggies, and I held Rex for a bit. He's the shier of the two, so I want to socialize him with handling. He wheaked and enjoyed some nose pets. When I was in high school, I remembered hyperfixating on hedgehogs.There's just a lot that could go wrong when caring for a hedgehog, especially in the northern states where it gets frigid fast. I knew I wanted a small animal of my own, but I didn't want to subject an animal to something that could cost its life. The guilt would eat me up. I'll try to add more to the religious page...