17 December 1998: Roundup

Thursday, 17 December 1998:

Roundup

Hmm, I notice that someone from work has been reading my journal. Assuming it's not Tracy again, I'd appreciate it if they'd identify themselves, like the disclaimer on my index page asks. If someone who knows me or works at Epic is reading my journal, I'm inclined to get a little paranoid if I don't know who it is.

It's been a busy few days. Well, sort of busy. Tuesday was actually pretty dull, which is why I didn't write. Watched some Homicide re-runs; the fourth season seems to (so far) involve homicides by disturbed people or people with unusually twisted motivations for their crimes.

For instance, last night's episode was the first of a two-part episode involving a sniper who shoots seemingly random groups of people and leaves unfinished hangman games behind him. Another involved a man who was obsessed with Edgar Allen Poe. (That episode was actually rather poor, especially Munch's ill-fated dating escapade, which actually made me hit the fast-forward button in a few places. How corny!)

I've pretty much stopped watching the Batman/Superman Adventures and also stopped watching The Practice. Daily Homicide is enough. I did watch last weekend's Christmas X-Files, though, which was particularly derivative and lame. Ick.

Wednesday was comic book night, which is always a good thing. I really appreciate having comic books come out on Wednesday, since it really breaks up the week and gives me something to look forward to on Monday that will arrive before Friday. It's been a nice psychological crutch for the last few years. Back in high school I made my comic book runs on Fridays, which always made the week seem longer... although it made the arrival of the weekend that much sweeter. But I prefer it this way.

I hope to write about this week's haul in a day or two... I'm afraid I'm already up past my bedtime writing this entry!

I also talked to Karen on Wednesday, and we went out to Michael's Frozen Custard. She was having a bit of stress that she wanted to talk about, so I was happy to do that.

I occasionally get mail asking about "frozen custard": Basically, it's another variant of ice cream like frozen yogurt is. Frozen custard is somewhat richer than frozen yogurt, but I think a little less fattening than ice cream. However, it does have the disadvantage of melting more rapidly than ice cream. It's still pretty yummy, though, and is pretty common around Wisconsin in the form of Michael's, and Culvers (which is also a great burger place).

Oh, and Wednesday I let the cats out into the hallway and threw the "crinkly balls" (as opposed to the "sparkly balls") that I mentioned last entry around for them. They seemed to love that, being out in the hallway and having me play with them. Usually we just walk around and they run a little. They loved it so much that around 10:00 tonight they were both sitting at the door looking expectantly at me. Aww! So I let them out for about ten minutes and we did a little playing.

Rascals.

What else have I been doing? Mostly assorted tasks and chores. Certainly that sums up the nature of work this week: Lots of little things I'm trying to get tied up. At home, too, actually: Clothes I've bought, Christmas presents to wrap, phone calls and plans to make... and I have to write my APAzine this weekend!

Boy, it makes me glad I'm not the Christmas card-giving type. That would be one more big task on top of everything else.

Michael Rawdon (Contact)