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2007-02-16 - 10:05 p.m.

Lazy Days

The other night mom and I watched "The Grudge," and I was in one of those moods where I was particularly spook-sensitive.

Now, quite often I pop on horror movies (that I've seen a million times) before I go to bed, so I'm rather oblivious to getting scared.

But there was something about this movie (which I'd never seen before), and the fact I was sitting on the floor with my back exposed to the darkness, that gave me the total heebie-jeebies. Perhaps it was that creepy kid with the raccoon eyes, or images like this.

I kept screaming and flailing around on the carpet, while mom squeaked and yelped on the couch.

Then we started shrieking in anticipation of the next scary moment, which eventually led to the inevitable spook-giggles.

The dogs looked at us like we were seriously fucked in the head.

'Twas quite an enjoyable evening.

Between movies, shopping, errands, and eating of delicious nibs (kolaches and Jack-in-the-Box missions have been accomplished!), we often watch the morning line-up on TNT (ER, Judging Amy) with our coffee and cigs. In the afternoon we switch to Diet Coke (me) and diet root beer or cream soda (her) while half-watching Law & Order. She works on her cross-stitch and I set up my laptop and browse blogs and websites. We chatter on and off, I run the dogs out in the backyard here and there (Buddy has to be on a leash now because I don't trust his wily ass), and usually one or both of us will settle down for a nap mid-day.

It's so nice to spend time with mom and be "removed" from my actual life for awhile, ya know? Not that I had anything big going on back in Lexington now that I'm between jobs, but I'm free from staring at my apartment and all my stuff thinking "I should clean that. I should organize that. I should do blah blah blah."

Sometimes I feel like I'm playing hooky, as if I'm on a bogus sick day from school or work. Especially when I'm nestled up on the couch watching TV, while mom's rinsing off dishes in the kitchen, or chatting on the phone to a friend.

I'll probably stay here another week, and travel back on a weekend again, depending on the weather. I AM feeling a bit wistful for Lexington, and my apartment, and my stuff, and my poor plants which have probably given up by now. Two were nearly ready for the big garden in the sky anyway, so I'll try to save the other three (foliage triage). And that "what if something bad happened while I was away?" feeling is setting in. What if the heat went out, or there was a leak, a fire, a break-in? Or more likely, what if my balcony door was flung wide open, like it did when I was away in Baton Rouge while Dad was in the ICU, even though it was locked? (Actually, I suspect that during that trip, the door was shut - but not tight enough - before I turned the crappy knob lock, and either my shutting the front door downstairs and/or a gust of wind popped it open).

I didn't have the post office hold my mail (didn't want to fuck with it since it seems to delay things after the fact), so my mailbox will be jammed full o' crap. I paid off a lot of bills early, and will call companies for any new bills to get balances so I can send them a check. I packed all my last statements so I could reference account numbers and mailing addresses.

So far the only bill I nearly forgot about was for cable. It wasn't on my due date list, nor had I packed the old statement for some reason, but I was able to pay it online yesterday (due date isn't even until tomorrow), so that's all taken care of. Several other bills are automatically debited from my account, and after mailing out a few checks next week, I should be set until I get back.

And as far as the total bill for my car, I'm not sure yet. I called the dealership around noon and they said they'd be finished up by 2. Which of course, translates to 4:30ish, smack dab in the middle of Friday rush hour in Houston.

The gal wasn't sure about the final cost, and since Aaron was out for the day, I'll just wait to find out tomorrow morning (we didn't feel like driving over there this afternoon). Since they didn't need to do any extra work on the A/C, the cost with tax should be under $950. Or I will stomp around and have a GRANDIOSE fit of hissiocity. (Stay tuned to YouTube!)

And on a completed unrelated note, I want to design a dress made out of sporks. Just be careful not to sit down, or walk into a KFC. (Stay tuned to Top Designer!)

Did I ever tell you guys that in Kentucky, KFC ads have the tagline "Chicken Capital USA"? As IF people needed another reason to flock there. Horses, tabaccy, coal mines, mountain folk with three-legged, creek peein' young'uns and CHICKEN. Yes indeedy, folks, Kentucky has it ALL.

Meanwhile, Texas is basically "Howdy! Fuck Up and Die."

You know, I actually love that Texas is so determined to eliminate everyone on death row as quickly as they possibly can. That's why these dregs of society are ON death row in the first place. With all the appeals it still takes a decade or more, but here, they USE the death penalty.

So many other states get all squeamish about it, even after the appeals process is nearly exhausted:

"Wait, you're not proposing we actually KILL this man, are you? This man who confessed to murdering eleven people, including a toddler, a priest, a nun, a pregnant woman, a teacher, a cop, a judge, a pair of Siamese twins, Julie Andrews, and his own mother? This is the man you want to put to death? Let's back up the train here and not be too hasty. Eight of his lawyers were incompetent! The peanut butter in prison is not crunchy enough per his other lawsuit, and there's still discussion as to whether the conjoined twins counted as one or two people, since he only stabbed ONE heart."

That kinda shit irritates the fuck outta me.

And think about this for a minute folks: Richard Ramirez, "The Night Stalker," one of the most notorious serial killers of the 20th century, was convicted in 1989 and is STILL on death row in California after nearly 20 years.

Why is he still alive? Why are the Calfornia taxpayers still footing his bill? Why was this monster allowed to get married in prison when the vast majority of gay people in America aren't given the same right?

Which makes me think that all these people who spew venom over gay rights should spend a couple hours, at the very least, stewing over the REAL ABOMINATIONS in this world for a change. Point the poison arrows at those who deserve it.

*Scampering off my soapbox*

I'm in the mood for cupcakes with buttercreme icing. I happen to have some right over there. You in?