paraskevidekatriaphobia

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noun.

the irrational fear of Friday the 13th

I, too, thought that it was just a bunch of craziness…until the events started to piece themselves together…

Remember that $300 brake job from Wednesday? Well, “there’s really no connection because those are two completely different systems / it’s not our fault,” but I took it back into the shop Friday morning first thing because it started spewing engine coolant all over the place on my way home Thursday night. I had hoped that it was merely an overflow because they had filled the reservoir too full…but let’s face it – overflows don’t empty the container bone dry.

So they had it all day – first it was one $40 part, then it was something else. Of course, this blows all the more because if anything, six years slaving away in that warehouse taught me that those $24.99 and $34.99 hoses actually wholesale for maybe $20 together…that is, if they’re buying the good stuff, which I doubt. Mind you, continuing to get that auto parts discount wouldn’t exactly over-weigh getting to live here in paradise, but it still pisses me off. Long story short – the latest part that they want to replace now won’t be available until Tuesday, so I’m without transportation for the next four days and I don’t want to burden my friends with anything more than the rides to and from work because I really need those!

Grand total on auto repairs for the month of May is coming in just shy of $700, so I guess I really shouldn’t be buying anything right now anyways…even if I do need it for my trip next week. Luckily I can walk over to Wal-Mart for groceries (sorry, hun – I know that you don’t like me doing that, but there’s really not much of a choice this time)…and if anybody needs me in the meantime, I’ll be…uhhh, right here.

Moral of the Story: Don’t underestimate Friday the 13th…it could happen to you!

Don’t ‘cha just love price gouging?!

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I just completed eight auctions on eBay for the same seller – a couple of SNES controllers, a power supply, and five games.

Total Sale Price for Items: $25.27
Total Price for S&H: $24.60

What’s wrong with this picture?! I just love paying a price like this, only to see the USPS price sticker for less than $10 worth of postage when my auctions finally arrive. Then again, who ever said that pawn shops are fair?

vacation weather forecast…

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At 12:43 AM…

It’s 69 degrees here in Tampa…
…and 36 degrees up in Gaylord!!!

That’s almost double – I don’t think that I even have the clothing to survive those kinds of temperatures anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

—

Daytime Update: Tomorrow afternoon (during the warmest point of the day), the coldest temperature here will still be warmer than the hottest temperature there…seriously, what am I getting myself into?!

a few brief words

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Spent $307 on the car today getting it ready for the trip up north.

Came home and watched National Treasure – kinda disappointed.

Stack of bills on the desk that should be able to get put off for another day or two…

I’m tired – good night!

insomnia

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My sleep schedule is all out of whack right now and I’m not really sure why. Typically I’m up late on Sunday nights because of my writing anyways, but this week I was all done yesterday…and yet here I am. I suppose my best guess is that it just has something to do with everything that’s going on right now.

I feel like Dave Attell right now, only not very funny. On second thought… 😛

Verizon VoiceWing, anyone?

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Ok, so I gave up on Vonage a while ago now, but I’m still wanting to find some sort of VOIP phone service to switch to and lower my payments a bit. Today I just happened to find a link to Verizon’s website that offered a 500-minute VoiceWing package at $19.95 / month for a year. Bonus “feature” – because they’re actually Verizon, they shouldn’t have any problems porting my original Verizon landline number, now should they?!

So here’s the catch – at this point, cable modem is in my office with all of the other computer stuff and there’s really no way to route ethernet cable out to the kitchen (where my main phone / base station is) without it laying across a hallway at one point. I’d like to keep the answering machine where it is in the kitchen, so does anybody have any ideas of how I can pull this off without tripping over wires? I’m wondering if there’s some way to utilize the wi-fi to connect things, but I haven’t been able to find a wi-fi VOIP phone adapter – only wired models.

(Also, if anybody’s actually tried out VoiceWing and it wasn’t so hot for you, I’d certainly appreciate hearing about that, too!)

random thoughts…

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I just finished gathering up the last of my home-buying materials that have accumulated over the past couple of months…talked to my realtor this morning and explained the situation, or at least a situation. Oh yeah, for those of you not in on that conversation – I’m putting off trying to purchase a house until next year. This should give me time to pay off my debts in full and put me in a better position to handle all of the financing on my own (without having to scrounge for money)…overall, it’s probably for the best – it just sucks to table the concept for the time being.

…

Luckily, the neighbors have quieted down and I haven’t heard much noise in over a week. I think they might’ve evicted the party apartment, and it seems like the guy downstairs is laying low right now. There were some younger folks goofing around at the pool when I went swimming earlier, but certainly nothing that I’d call the cops over! I’ll enjoy the peace and quiet as long as it lasts…

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The SNES games that I bought on eBay came today (Super Mario World / All-Stars & Tetris / Dr. Mario), but it turns out that I don’t have any controllers. 🙁 Back to the auctions, I go…

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Exercise is getting more feasible – I went swimming again tonight and I’m now on a track to try to do something physical every single day, whether it’s workout at the gym or go swimming or even just take a walk. I WILL lose this weight!

…

All of my writing is actually done early this week, or at least my paid stuff…meaning that I actually can get a decent night’s sleep Sunday night! I still want / need to have them done on Friday night, but hey – baby steps, people!

…

I miss Leslie…really do love that woman, yes. There’s really not much more to say beyond that, except that I hope that I can see her soon…

Tune in again tomorrow for another chapter in these exciting chronciles! 😛

Changes.

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The next month or so is going to be very tough on me…please don’t ask why.

Just keep telling yourselves that love conquers all, I’m going to do my best to keep my chin up, and everything will be alright.