h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yet another week has come and gone, it's not been too bad all in all.

Friday morning I was invited by one of the managers to pick up even more overtime, starting Monday, and I still desperately need to do just that. I'll be working 12 hour shifts weekdays and 7 hours on Saturdays, for the time being at least, and possibly (hopefully?) through the end of May or even June. What a difference that will make! Especially as my roommate is not planning to move out in April, perhaps over the summer instead, and that means I'll have a few more months where I don't have to try to pay the rent and utilities all on my own. That's a relief!

I'm going to need to make sure that I get enough rest, though, as I need to be able to stay as sharp and focused as possible. It's hard to be productive and accurate when you're all groggy and bleary-eyed! So, while I will continue to pop on a couple of times a day, I won't be able to sit at length much except on the weekends. Just so everyone knows I'm not deliberately ignoring anybody.

This week I received a package from Krispy with some really cool stuff in it. He's put together another CD of various bits and things, and sent along some other general silliness he's found in the course of his daily adventures. There was also a neat little book of quotes from John Prescott. Is it just me, or is the man utterly incomprehensible? His apparent gift of butchery of the English language is rivalled only by that of George Dubbya Bush. At some points, I have had to read and re-read some paragraphs several times, and at least half the time, I still can't figure out what the hell the man is trying to say.

The pinnacle of excitement, though, was finally getting to see the lovely painting which Krispy did for me. I'm not sure if it's his first officially commissioned work, but it's really *very* good! He used the most beautiful coloring- black and blue and purple and violet, all of my favorites! When I get the time, and a bit of spare change, I'm going to see about having it mounted and framed. It will look awesome on my living room wall!

Other than that, I haven't had many surprises this week. It's mainly been work, not quite enough sleep, and trying all the while to relax a bit and still have some fun. I've managed to squeeze in some reading and a few more episodes of Red Dwarf. My house is still a bit untidy, but while I haven't got the energy to really get down to cleaning up much, there is some consolation in the fact that I won't have as much time to devote to messing it up, either.

One of my co-workers who plays trumpet in a band has asked me and a few others if we'd like to come watch them play next weekend at a little Cuban cafe not far from where I live. Depending on who else goes, I just might have to check it out.

Well, I had better run off and see about getting some laundry done before I get too comfortable and fall asleep in front of the TV, as I invariably do on Saturday evenings. I think I might be coming down with yet another cold, not surprising between not sleeping well a few nights this past week, and the fluctuating weather we've been having these past few days. It's been a bit warmer, and even rained yesterday, but it's bound to get cold again before it warms up for good.

I hope it is not a cold coming and you get some relaxation in
I am glad you got the hours you wanted but worry about you getting over tired.

It is good you are thinking about having some fun too.
What fun to get packages from Krispy!

I wish I could see Krispy's painting!

I got the Valentine, PC! Thank You!

Glad you are getting the overtime you need.

I'm taking flowers to church tomorrow, in honor of White Rose.

Talk soon.

JEllen

Hi guys, good to see you all. My back is really hurting me today, let's see how long I can actually bear to sit upright...

JEllen, I'm glad you got the Valentine, sorry about the confusion which stopped it getting there on time. I will be thinking of you today, in regards to White Rose. I'm going to try to catch up with you this week.

Willem, if Krispy said it was okay, I'd email a picture of the painting.

Abbi, thank you for all of your well wishes. I hope you're doing okay yourself. I am also worried about me being over tired. I already *am* over tired. But I don't really see much choice other than working as much as I can for as long as I can, and hoping it doesn't break me.

Okay I've got to lie down again now. Yesterday it was my knees that hurt so badly I wanted to die, today it's my stupid back. I haven't even managed to put a single load of clothes in the wash, it hurts too much to bend down.

Okay, I managed to venture out to pick up some groceries, so I won't starve this week. It's only a mile both ways, and I made it all the way there and back before my tricky knee gave out on me. I missed the top step (there's quite a lot of them, really) and came down on my other knee- right on top of the eggs, of course!

It's really sunny out, and while it's cold, it's not bitterly so. The birds are singing, there's a squirrel in one of the trees in front of my building and he's tearing around the branches like a maniac. That stupid pigeon is on my window ledge, talking to my rubber ducky again. Maybe if I open the blinds and get some sunlight in here I won't feel so cranky for the rest of the day.

"I missed the top step (there's quite a lot of them, really)"

PC underexagerates. Her stairs are KILLERS!
Been there, know that!

You should see the ones out the back- they're even worse!

Friends are always suggesting that the next building I move to should perhaps have an elevator. You've also seen just how much I enjoy being in an elevator- I think I'm better off taking my chances with the stairs.

Hi PC! It's beautiful and sunny here in Memphis today. Went out for some nachos with S today.

JEllen

Hey JEllen! Glad to hear it's nice there. I'm also glad to hear you spent some time with S- we have to IM soon so you can tell me more about "stuff".

It was sunny here today, too, though not so beautiful. I'm feeling kind of yucky today. not quite depressed, but something. Don't worry about me, though. It's mainly from being tired, and partly from having my stupid period again. Every two to three weeks, whether I need it or not..

Anybody wants to see the painting, it's okay with me

Yes, please, I'd *really* like to see it!

Since we're on the topic of weather ... here in Pietersburg it's late summer now, heading towards Autumn. We had some very nice long hard rain yesterday! Tonight there are still some clouds out, and a while ago there was some very light drizzle. It's about half past seven as I sit here and type. I had a very relaxed day today, mostly lying in bed and reading about the origin of the different alphabets in use in the world. At least it was time spent on something interesting! These days I've been extremely lazy, I think because of my new medication which makes me extremely drowsy and sleepy for almost the entire day long. It would make holding down anything resembling an ordinary job impossible! But I'm working on becoming more 'awake' and active and productive, since next year I want to start studying again.

Anyways and s to everyone here!

Me too! I want to see it

I hope today is a bit better for you Ellen

Hi everyone!

I will share a picture of the painting as soon as possible. I haven't been online much this week, been starting work at 5:30 and staying till 6:00 so when I get in, I'm beat! But I'll get to it by the weekend for sure.

Today is February 25th, what would have been my 9th wedding anniversary. And I'm not feeling at *all* depressed about that. Just a little bit old...

Anyway hope everyone's doing okay, I've been thinking of you all lots and can't wait to have more time to sit down and catch up with replying to stuff.

and