Wahhh!

Uggg, I'm sick AGAIN, and the only internet access is dial-up. I'm not even sure which is worse.

When I woke up this morning as my dad left for work there was snow and ice everywhere. Then it rained a bit. Then it was warm and sunny enough to take the dog for a walk, and then a few minutes ago it was sleet, which then turned to mixed snow and rain. There's supposed to be an actual snowstorm in Portland tomorrow, so I guess I'll be hanging around here, as no one in Portland can seem to drive in the snow.

What a whiney little snot I am. In truth, all I did today was drink coffee, watch soccer and play with my dog. How could I possibly complain about that? And yet, I manage.

Hope everyone's enjoying their holidays.

Can't Sleep, Still Tired

I used to be able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime. I could also stay awake through pretty much anything, if I set my mind to it. 28-hour CQ shifts? No problem. I'd just sleep the rest of the next day, get up for a meal, and sleep another ten hours. So this whole insomnia thing is both new and annoying. Yesterday, or rather today, I didn't fall asleep until 7am! My housemate was already up and moving around the recyclables and taking out the trash, while I lay there with the shakes from being so fucking tired, and yet unable to actually do anything about it. According to the Navy's Sunrise/Sunset table, on the 23rd the sun sets at 4:31, a whole minute later than yesterday and today. Maybe that'll cure it. Yeah.

PS, I'm still not done with my Christmas shopping. Is it over yet?

...

I am bored, bored, BORED.

It occurred to me while I sat here in my boredom, that I may be graduating in six months. No longer getting a government paycheck then, I would have to find a job. So, I went to peruse the job listings and immediately, began plotting ways to extend my time in school. Man, does the real world ever suck!

The only jobs I'm qualified for either involve guns and uniforms, and/or measure their vacation time in hours. Even dishwashers need experience these days. The entry-level archaeology work that's out there is stuff like "5 weeks in Georgia - no per diem", "3 weeks in Illinois. per diem $12." While living out of a suitcase and bouncing around the country without health insurance sounds like fun for, say, a year or so, I can't imagine doing it for very long. On the other hand, as I wouldn't be employed for more than a few months at a time, I could go on "vacation" whenever I pleased.

Also, I need to find a new place to live. I'm quite pleased with myself that I've managed to live with a woman who's owned her own place for longer than I've been alive without any major clashes. I really do have a lot of patience for odd behavior, but it's gotten to the point where I feel that I shouldn't have to live with an adult - one who's much more adult-y than me - who needs an explanation as to why hammering on the dining room ceiling at 12:30am is not an acceptable practice. Same goes for vacuuming (indoors and out??) at 11:00pm, and leaving the lawn mower running outside my window (where there's no grass!) at 6:30am on a Sunday. I've also never gotten used to the fact that everyone in the neighborhood has a key to the house and that they come and go whenever they want. It's like a train station, except that everything I own is in it.

Anyway, point is, if I move now I can actually get a place that requires a lease for a bit, especially if I stay the summer for an extra semester. Let's see, last summer they offered a class in Bond movies.... it'll be a productive extra time in school, no doubt!

Why am I only sick when I have time off?

I don't think I've been sick on a work or school day in at least eight years. Think that'll get me a discount on health insurance someday? Probably not. Anyway, it's Christmas vacation and I'm sick and grumpy.

I needed some decaf tea, so I went to Trader Joe's since they usually have a big selection of hippy-dippy things. I should've known better, though. There are always cute guys at Trader Joe's, always - mid-morning on a Monday, Friday evening, it doesn't matter. Today it was full of 'em, looking adorable with their fuzzy winter stubble, knitted scarves, and cute jackets. And there I was, a sniffling, red-nosed ball of leave-me-alone.

Hopefully tomorrow I can pull off a trip to the mall without disgusting the employees and other customers. I'd like to get this Christmas shopping done so I can go to my parents and watch tv for a few days, ideally without infecting the rest of the family.

Ow

I'm pretty much a walking blood clot today. I really can't think of another time in my life when I've been so covered in bruises, save for maybe that one six-week period when I got to be arrested and searched several times a day.

The damage started on Saturday when Dude on Blue Team mistook my left thigh for the goal and rocketed no less than three shots into the exact same spot on my leg. Watching this bruise spread throughout my upper leg has been fascinating, really, and I was looking forward to showing it off to my teammates this weekend, but alas, it seems I have to miss the game for a going-away party.

Last night Flogging Molly played in Portland. Naturally, I went. Since I've seen this band umpteen times and have been obnoxiously sober at every show, I decided that pre-show drinks were called for. Plus, the shitty semester had just ended and it was Repeal Day. Repeal Day! Why haven't I celebrated this before? Why hadn't I even really HEARD of this before? You'd think the day Prohibition was repealed would become a holiday with more booze consumed than St Paddy's. On the trip between the Yammy and the Roseland, Tim and I were surrounded by a group of people that insisted we take buttons in honor of Repeal Day. Buttons! Mine says, "Drink to your Rights!"

In any case, the alcohol gave me the idea that I could hang out in the mosh pit the entire damn show and shove around large men without consequences. And even after the show as I trudged through the puddles and drizzle to wait for my bus it seemed like that plan had worked out.

But then I woke up this morning and couldn't straighten my leg. Seems like I was kicked just above the original bruise on my thigh, possibly doubling the size of it. It's right where the muscle flexes, too, so it's made its presence known all day. In addition, I have some of those awesome bright red bruises along both shin bones, my knee, and the tops of both feet. My shoulder is killing me and I don't know what's going on with my back, but there are sore spots all over it, too.

Thank god for Gatorade and Mexican food, though. Nothing kills a hangover quicker.

PS, The top of my head! I just scratched my head and IT'S BRUISED TOO! DAMMIT!!!!!

Oooo!

I'm pretty excited, because a test and a paper is all that's between me and getting to read what I want to read and watching the movies I want to watch. That, and I got to watch some soccer and drink lots of yummy beer today.
I got up early to practically break in the back of the pub to watch the Tottenham-Birmingham game. Not only were the front doors shut, but they had iron gates locked in front. I could see people inside, obviously ordering food and coffee, and the game was on in the background. So I wandered around in the back, not seeing anything promising, when an older guy with a cigarette dangling out of his mouth asked me what I was up to, with a British accent. "Everyone knows ya come in the back to watch the f--, uh, soccer games. We're not officially open until 9." Ohh, everyone, huh? Now that I was officially in the cool kids club, I could direct my late arriving friends to the inconspicuous door and feel all knowledgeable and stuff. Nearly everything I wanted to happen in the game did - Birmingham won, and Robbie Keane scored a bunch of goals (he's on my fantasy team) - save for Keane getting a stupid red card.
But the best part of today was visiting the Holiday Ale Fest, which is a big beer tasting for local seasonal ales. Winter ales are apparently defined by being really strong; there was only one beer under 6.5%, and several over 10%. When I went last year, I spent most of my time jammed elbow-to-stomach under the giant tent. This time we got there right when it opened, so we got a choice of tables and didn't have to wait in line once, even after the crowds started to show up. I tasted a few duds, but was overall pleased with the rest of the stuff I got. My friend and I ended up staying far later than we intended, and a cute guy kept smiling at me and even ventured over to talk once (but was scared off by my friend, accidentally). He seemed like an Oregonian, although as he asked if Widmer's was any good, obviously not a Portlander. He couldn't have been a more stereotypical Northwesterner, though. His beard, flannel shirt and impossibly gruff voice said, "My ancestors cut down trees. With their teeth." He recommended the "Jim" beer, which clocked in at 10% alcohol, to which I politely nodded and went with a safer 7%er.
There's this monster storm - two of them, actually - expected to hit Portland today. There's already been 105 mph winds on the coast and it's been pouring here all day, but not much wind-wise has happened in the city. The one gust that did hit knocked out a corner of the large tent at the beer fest and caused the middle of the tent to partially collapse, which then resulted in gallons of rainwater gushing all over the patrons. I felt sorry for the guy who's going to have to take down all the Christmas lights while in ankle deep water. After the moment of excitement, people cheered. Beer will do that, I guess.
Anyway, I should study a bit, before I have to read by candlelight.