My computer has been driving my crazy. Over the past week all kinds of things have been going wrong. I can't access most of the program files on the windows desktop because it keeps going blank on me when I restart the computer. It does work sometimes though and I don't know why. Even more frustrating is that my stupid anti-virus program is automatically changing the default settings on my incoming mail server. I haven't been able to check my mail in three days.

But enough of my ranting. Today is Saturday. It's the last day my lovely friend J.S. will be here, she flys back to Ontario tonight. I think we're taking a drive out to White Rock this afternoon before she leaves. White Rock is a beautiful place by the ocean. It's about 45 minutes from my place. I'm going to take some photos while I'm there too.

Ciao!

I brought my camera to work over the past two days. I've managed to capture some pretty interesting images. I'll post some of them here.

Work has been ok. I havn't been pushing myself very much, I have to be careful. The guys have been relatively understanding about this--well, about as understanding as can be expected by a bunch of guys who can carry on a conversation by farting--Hehehe! Honestly though, they aren't all like that. But some of them really are.

This morning I chose to ride my bike to work. I was really moving down the highway when a guy in a van nearly hit me head on! It scared the #$(* out of me! I think that was the closest I've come to beining nailed my a car, and believe me, I've had some close calls. The guy simply couldn't see me. I'm not sure why. I must have been in invisible mode this morning. After I shouted "$(#* *&^!!!" at him we both continued on our way. I wish I could have taken a picture of the driver's face at that moment. He had that "I just crapped my pants" look on his face.

So here I am in my second Monday back in the land of the working.

I had a pretty good weekend and tried to make the best of it. Friday night was fun because it was my friend T.'s Birthday party. There was a big bar-B-Q there, and so I brought tofu wieners and buns. I love tofu wieners. T. got lots of nice gifts (I got her a nice top from GAP) and I think she had a fun time.

Earlier that day I bought a car from my friend E. from work. He's a mechanic and he just got a new car, so I bought his old one. It's a 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra. It's a big boat, but it runs nicely and gets me around in comfort. I could sleep in that car (it's very comfortable). Here's a picture I shot of it at T.'s Birthday party:

Here's a nice photo of T and I just before I left for home from the party:

Isn't she a cutie?!

Here's some more from the party:

On Saturday I was supposed to take some baby pictures for a client, but it turned out that her baby wasn't feeling too well that day, so it didn't happen.

On Sunday I had a nice and relaxing dinner with my best friend L. It's really bloody hot in my place these days, so I cooked dinner at her place this time where it's a little cooler. I don't know why my apartment is so hot. It doesn't get very good air cirlulation even with the windows and balcony door open.

Well, I gotta go for my bike ride now. I've missed a few rides last week, so I need to get caught up again.

See ya later.

Today (Monday) was my first day back to work in 1 year. It' so strange because virtually nothing at work has changed. The same people doing the same old things. I looked at the whole picture today from a different perspective. It's not like I haven't noticed it before, but I realize that this kind of job sucks the life out of people. Before they realize it, they're trapped there and can't find a way out. I don't want to be trapped there anymore. Over the past year I experienced a sense of freedom I haven't felt since I was in my teens. For the past year I've been free to do what I want and to go where I want. I accomplished more things last year than I have in nearly all the years I've spent in that job. I don't want that to change. I still want to be free.

Today they had me pulling weeds all day in the back field where the tree nursery is. It's a huge area and it was raining all morning. I got soaked and I was bored out of my freakin mind. Total percentage of brainpower used: 0.0%. I didn't say a word to my boss today other than "hi" this morning. He knows I shouldn't be there, yet he insisted on bringing me back there.

I'm really a night person, as you all probably know, and so it was really hard getting up at 5:30am this morning to get ready for work. Now I'm really tired. I think it's going to take a while to adapt to the new sleeping schedule. I fell asleep in front of the TV this evening right after I ate dinner. That never happens to me. I woke up on the floor about 2 hours later and ate a piece of apple pie from the fridge. It was yummy, but I'm out of green tea. I absolutely love green tea and I have about 2 cups a day or more. I especially love it with a snack like cookies or pie. I must remember to pick up some more green tea tomorrow after work.

Well, I'd better get bed now. Tomorrow is another day. Please wish me good fortune. Thanks.

-Mark

Ah crap. I just found out that I have to return to my old full time job on Monday. It's hard to believe it's been a year since I left there. Life has been rather good without it. I don't think it's really hit me yet though--or I'm not letting the realization that I'm returning to that place hit me yet--it's the weekend, so I'll probably be thinking more about it on Sunday evening.

I guess the biggest problem I have with my job in forestry is the fact that it's a huge waste of brainpower. Because of all the bureaucratic BS that goes on there, they simply won't put me in a position in which I can use my other skills. Frankly, I'm getting too old to do the He-man extra strength jobs. I am strong, but I know it causes too much wear and tear on my 34-year-old body. That job is the reason why I could barely walk one year ago.