Archive for the ‘Kill Me, I’m Begging You’ Category

04-17-2013   Leave a comment

My drywall frustration continued again today shortly after I started priming the ceiling.  I’m enough of a realist to understand that no matter how hard you try it’s almost impossible to do a remodeling  project in an old house that is just perfect.  I accepted that fact and decided early on I would deal with those problems as they occurred. Well, they did.

I purposely made the decision to for this to be a winter project and to take as much time as necessary to do it right.  From the first that freaking ceiling was a problem.  It wasn’t level and the room wasn’t square but I fixed each issue as best I could and proceeded on. In my heart I knew that no matter what there would be certain areas I could never get perfect.

As soon as I began painting today I discovered a new drywall rule of thumb.  Everything good is really bad and everything bad is really good. Every area that I was concerned with turned out perfect and the two areas I was worried the least about became the biggest problems. One area couldn’t be  properly fixed and will require additional repair work once the remainder of the room is completed. It’s just so damn frustrating.

Enough with the damn remodel.  I finally made my way outside and it was the most gorgeous day so far this month.  I managed to complete some of the yard cleanup, chatted with a neighbor or two, and cleared my head of remodeling issues.  After my better-half arrived home from work we sat down and began to plan the garden.  What and where we should plant, buying additional soil to fill the frames, and a possible expansion of the garden to allow her to plant thirty of forty of the larger species of sunflowers.  It was an hour well spent that will make this year’s garden preparation less of a challenge.

One of our neighbors stopped by and he really has a bad case of garden/spring fever.  Over the past few summers he and his wife created a basic home garden and discovered how much they enjoyed it. This year their two young daughters, ages five and seven, are becoming more involved.  The girls are are ready to jump into things immediately and  have already started a few seeds and can’t wait to get a little dirty with their mom and dad in the garden.   It should a great summer for all of us exchanging gardening tips and canning techniques.  I’m looking forward to my first visit from his girls to talk about our gardens.  They’re too cute to be believed.

My book reading goal was reached last night when I completed both my sci-fi and non-fiction novels.  I read well into the night and had a great time in the process.  Now I can finish the third book at my leisure and take a little time to properly enjoy it. 

Slowly but surely I’m making progress.

04-14-2013   2 comments

There are a few things that are unavoidable in life.  Death and taxes come to mind but a few others are almost as unavoidable especially if you’re a man. I’ve been around longer than I care to admit and that in itself has inevitably forced me to closely study and attempt to understand the human female.  As hard as it is to believe, I’ve made very little progress.  On any given day I’m confronted with comments from women about guys “leaving the seat up” or “being difficult to talk to” and a host of other broad-brush criticisms. All I can do is smile a little, say nothing, and be amused by the fact they really don’t understand us either. 

Today was a perfect example.  I was asked along on one of her famous shopping excursions so I prepared as I always do.  I packed my e-reader, one book, and my camera.  This is the basic survival equipment required for these short local shopping trips.  I also have several other necessities I require for extended shopping trips that last more than three hours including but not limited to binoculars, a back scratcher, a pillow, and a a warm fuzzy blanket.  Being a former Boy Scout I’m still a big believer in the motto, “Be Prepared”. I need these things to keep me comfortable as I wait in the car in front of every Kohl’s, Target, Michael’s, and Wal-Mart. The alternative is go in and push a cart around for a mile or two and idiot watch. Do I get any credit for just keeping her company?  A big no. It’s always something like “you men, you never want to be with us. You just sit in the car and play with your toys”.  How’s that for gratitude?  I’ll have you know anything I own that cost me more than $400.00 is no freaking toy.  Sorry, it just had to be said but unfortunately only the men are listening.

I have a few other issues with women but no one seems to pay much attention to my thoughts and conclusions.  Simple stuff, like why does it take fifteen minutes to pull a car into the garage and get out.  I’ve timed my better-half many times and it’s never takes her less than ten minutes.  Gotta check the hair and the makeup (for some reason), then she goes through her bags (always carrying at least two), checks the back seat, glove compartment , and possibly her pulse and blood pressure as well.  Do I loudly criticize her for these things?  Not anymore.  I gave up even mentioning them years ago because it was a waste of time.  It goes in one ear and directly out the other.

What are my conclusions.  I have none.  But as a human male who is a long standing member of the Men’s union and a continuing target for female criticisms (valid or otherwise), I’ll keep trying to make sense of it all. 

A few juicy wisecracks immediately come to mind but today I’ll ne nice.  I won’t use them except in my own defense if she starts getting feisty when she can’t find clothes that will fit. I’ll do my best to convince her it’s not the fault of all the men in the world that she can’t fit her ass into a pair of jeans.  I guarantee you she won’t believe a word of it.

This is what I would call a text book example of what a women would consider a normal relationship.  They talk and we listen, just perfect.

04-13-2013   Leave a comment

Please, can someone explain to me just how I can go about getting "writers block".  It seems the only way I’ll be able to get some rest is if I can’t write anything at all.  Slowly over a period of time starting about three years ago my mind went into overdrive.  Now I find myself waking up in the middle of the night, sometimes more than once, with ideas demanding my attention.

At first I would get up, grab some coffee, sit at the computer, write out a quick draft, and then return to bed.  That got old very quickly so I decided to keep a notepad next to the bed. I could then just roll over and jot down notes without getting up at all. That sucked almost immediately when I had difficulty reading my half-asleep handwriting. Finally I purchased a small handheld recorder which didn’t work either. My recordings were so bad I sounded like I had a mouthful of rocks. Scratch that idea.

Well guess what I’m doing now.  Since I refuse to get up and get on the computer and I can’t write or record anything I understand, I’ve been stricken with an annoying case of insomnia.  I’ve experienced a number of things over the years that were unpleasant but this is by far the worst.  I’m awakened from a dead sleep and begin to recite to myself the thing that so rudely woke me up.

I’ve since tried dropping a couple of Tylenol PM’s before bed which helps me get to sleep but not to stay asleep.  I tried alcohol but unfortunately for me it’s more of a stimulant than a sleep aid.  It’s driving me just a little bit crazy of late because the only time I seem to get any sound sleep is in mid-afternoon for no more than twenty minutes at a time.

Another side effect which my better-half has mentioned on a number of occasions is that it’s making me just a bit cranky.  My normal fun loving self has slowly morphed into a newer and more sarcastic Don Rickles.  I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that this crap has to stop.  I cleaned up the actual language she used because this is supposed to be a "G" rated blog and I understand how sensitive some of you are. The point she’s trying to make is that the more screwed up my sleep is the more miserable, unfriendly, and argumentative I’ve become.

I’m hoping these problems soon rectify themselves with the beginning of Spring, warmer weather, and increased physical activity. If they don’t I could be in big trouble.

04-12-2013   2 comments

Each morning I try to write the drafts of my blog postings while relaxing in bed and at the same time keeping up with current events on TV. One thing that irritates me even more than the never-ending infomercials for products is the never-ending religious infomercials by a bunch so called preachers. How stupid do you have to be to believe that someone requires a half-hour long infomercial to save your soul.  It’s for the effing money you fools.

Over the years and after a great deal of collecting and reading all types of information I’ve come to the conclusion that organized religion as we know it hasn’t convinced me of anything except to remain totally skeptical.  To quote a comedian with a wicked sense of humor, "I have no problem with a universal deity but I do have a problem believing in one that takes attendance".  It’s nothing more than an attempt to be funny but it’s simple thoughts like that that cause a person like me to think.

I’ve tried for many years to read as much about as many religions as I could and gotten nowhere fast.  The mere fact that there are so many religions bothers me the most.  It’s my opinion and belief that if there is only one God, with one basic message, then there should only be one religion.  Man-made religions with miracles and visions and other assorted nonsense leave me cold.  They continue to be more a source of amusement for me than anything I can take too seriously.  That being said, I am a big believer in the natural order of things.  Science is not a religion to me but scientific studies have convinced me that the natural order of all things will remain as fact long after most religions have crumbled into dust and been forgotten.

One thing that sticks with me throughout all of my attempts to believe in something supernatural or godlike is the term "karma". As stated by Isaac Newton’s Third Law, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction".  It’s simple and basic and believable. You can call it "karma" or use any term you’d like.  The term isn’t important but the facts of the matter will always remain constant. I’d like to believe that in the grand scheme of things there is a power that helps maintain a balance in all things. It just the old and overused biblical quote of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" taken to it’s logical conclusion.  You treat me well and I’ll return the favor. If you do good, it will come back to you ten fold and as a balance if you do evil it will revisit you as well.

Two of my favorite sayings have always been; "what goes around, comes around" and "always do the right thing, no matter the consequences".  To me they seem to say the same basic thing.  It’s not a religion but good old common sense.  Do we really need every common sense thing reiterated and interpreted by human prophets who are no more intelligent than most of us already are? I think not.  As in everything else, when humans get involved things get twisted, misinterpreted, and turned into issues of money, power and control.

I try to live my life with my own self-imposed laws of proper behavior without having things dictated to me by other humans claiming they were chosen to deliver these messages by a higher power.  I find that offensive and I chose to go my own way.  My laws will always be the same, they will never change, or be misinterpreted.  When the day comes when I have to answer for my life and my actions, I’ll be ready. Will they?

04-06-2013   1 comment

I hesitate to get into this subject since it’s not something I’ve ever been very good at.  I’d like to talk about texting in general and also about sexting in particular. To me they’re similar enough to discuss as one topic since both seem to be the "thing to do" these days.

I’m someone who lives for technology in most things and I work very hard to stay on top of the latest and greatest trends.  Some things like sexting and texting just never really appealed to  me because I’ve always been more of a hands-on kind of guy when it comes to the opposite sex. It’s my belief that if you want someone to respond sexually to you, you do it in person.  Why is it necessary to text at all?  Put me on speed dial and hit the damn button if you have something to say, especially if it’s something erotic.  Hearing the words spoken by someone who I desire is way more erotic than a text message that could be sent by damn near anyone.

I understand that texting and sexting are all the rage with many of the younger generation because it’s so much easier to say outrageous and erotic things on a computer. Young women can get as crazy as they want, say anything they want, and all too often send pictures and videos thinking it’s safe and won’t easily get distributed.  Sorry girls but just think about it.  You sext your heart out to someone you think you love and want to be with.  Two weeks later the magic has disappeared and he walks away after sending your photo’s, videos, and sext messages to all of his friends.  Nothing on the net can be totally controlled no matter how hard you try. You should never forget that, ever!

As I was recently surfing around the net I discovered a few sites giving advice on how to talk dirty with sexting. I won’t link to them from this blog but if your really that interested just look around a little, they’re everywhere. This first list is suggested sexts from men to women.

  • "Passed the lingerie shop, and thought of you."
  • "Are you wet in the right places?"
    "I need to feel you."
  • "When I think of you, everything gets harder."
  • "What are you wearing under your clothes."
  • "Are you ready for some ecstasy?"
  • "My hands feel empty without your breasts."
  • "I want to be inside you."
  • "You need a tongue bath."
  • "Meet at the door naked."

Tell me ladies, do these really do anything for you?  I find them just a little lame and would be more than a little embarrassed sending them to anyone.  Now lets check out a few examples of some suggested sexts sent by women to men.

  • “I’m imagining you all over my body.”
  • “My clothes feel so uncomfortable right now, come and help me get out of them.”
  • “I can’t stop thinking about what you’re going to do to me tonight.”
  • “Does it make you hard to imagine me standing naked.”
  • “I’m dying to please you tonight.”
  • “I want you in my mouth.”
  • “I’m so horny, do you want me to keep myself warm until I can see you.”
  • “I want to stroke you all the way to heaven.”
  • Does it turn you on knowing that I wrote this txt with one hand because my other is busy.”

I’m sorry but if these were sent to me by any woman I’d be a little amused but far from aroused.  A number of years ago when texting and sexting first arrived on the scene I met and dated a young lady who was truly addicted to sexting.  She drove me crazy with dozens of messages all day long and the harder I tried to tell her it wasn’t my thing the more persistent she became. I then told her that I was too cheap and  refused to spend my hard earned money just to receive unlimited sexts from anyone.  On our next date she gave me an unexpected gift, a new cell phone.  She demanded that I carry that cell phone which was set up for unlimited texts and that I respond to her sext messages with some good dirty talk of my own.  Shortly after that she sent me her first few nude photo’s which helped me to decide to break things off.  I returned her telephone unused and disappeared from her life.  Just not interested.

Here are a few additional stats I found interesting but a little scary. Our friends over at Harlequin Publishing ran a survey of their readers with the following troublesome results:

  • 43% of women talk dirty through texts.
  • Two-thirds of that 43% said they’d only send racy messages while in a serious relationship, while 35% only needed a few dates before they’re ready to start sexting.
  • 27% of women admitted to sending nude pictures via email or text messages.

Well there you have it. It appears that this sort of interaction is here to stay in one form or another.  That doesn’t change anything for me though.  I’ll always prefer to hear my soulmate whispering softly to me on the telephone as she’s speeding home to be with me.

I wish all of you ladies the best of luck.  It’s a dangerous world out there so please be careful with what your sending onto the net.  I’m reasonably sure I’ll eventually be reading some of what you’ve sexted to your lovers if you continue putting it out there.  There’s one thing we all should know by now, once something is on the net it’s there forever.

04-04-2013   2 comments

Can you quickly name twenty-five things you love?  Are you a hater?  Can you immediately name twenty-five things you hate?  We as human beings seem to have the ability to quickly list those things that adversely effect us and to verbalize them  loudly to anyone nearby.

On my shopping safari yesterday I found myself rubbing elbows with the normal everyday human insanity to which we’ve all become accustomed.  I visited a few businesses in the area and as always was pretty much forced into listening to my fellow men and women  bitching about almost everything.  I’m only mentioning it because it became painfully obvious very quickly that an infection of some sort was in the air and effecting everyone including me.

I first visited my favorite book store to make a few purchases, check out some new authors, and people watch, of course.  I was in a great mood and anticipated a quiet restful visit. This is a very small store and when new arrivals show up they’re easy to spot.  A woman arrived in a rather expensive Audi, dressed very well, and with a walk that showed a lot of attitude.  She was in her fifties, fairly attractive, and well maintained, if you get my drift.  She wasn’t in the door more than three steps when she began talking at, not to, the proprietor.  That poor SOB was manning the register near the door and couldn’t escape.  This well-to-do looking woman began complaining about a book she purchased a week ago and didn’t really like and wanted a cash refund.  I think the term I’m looking for is "a bitch on wheels". She pissed and moaned about a three dollar refund for so long I was tempted to give her the money just so she would go away.  Thankfully neither the manager nor I gave her that refund and as she marched out the door we both breathed a sigh of relief.  She must have a real fashion sense though. It’s can’t be easy to hide such a huge set of balls in such a tight dress.

I then made a short drive to a nearby Wal-Green store where I was forced to stand in line behind two young ladies in their twenties.  We were in that line for maybe ten minutes but OMG it seemed much longer.  These young ladies were the queens of public trash talking.  Friends and foes alike couldn’t escape their wrath. To quote, "that bitch was all over him last night, what a slut", "I hear he uses so many drugs he can barely function (wink, wink) and finally a few choice words about someone who is their BFF and who threw up all over the side of her car.  I walked away really glad they didn’t consider me a friend.

As my safari continued I made my way to the Hannaford food store.  I like shopping there because I can quickly use the self-checkout and be in and out quickly. As usual I got in the checkout line behind the wrong effing guy.  I swear there could be twenty registers open and I would still manage to get behind that one customer with some huge problem or issue.  Today was no different.  I had about twelve items and planned on being checked out and gone in just a few short minutes but no way, Jose!

As I walked up to the self-checkout there was a guy just standing in front of the device with a dead stare and a blank look of real confusion on his face.  He apparently was new to self-checkouts, couldn’t figure it out, and the longer he waited the more pissed off he became.  For the next ten minutes he invited a cashier, a Front-End Manager, and finally the Store’s General Manger to help him.  I was proud of myself because I just wanted to scream a few obscenities at him and loudly identify him to everyone in the area as the dumbass that he was.  He was loud, obnoxious, rude, stupid, ignorant, and wouldn’t stop complaining.  He actually looked over and gave me a dirty look like I was part of his problem.  Those poor managers really earned their pay dealing with this schnook.  I finally was able to go on my way fifteen minutes later and was glad I hadn’t parked anywhere near that A-hole.  He was still standing in the parking lot as I drove away bitching to anyone who would listen. 

I’d planned to stop at a couple of other places but what was the point.  I was caught up in a local shit storm of complaining and unhappy people and had to get away as fast as possible.  As you can tell by reading this I didn’t get away quickly enough and was also infected.  I immediately went home and sat quietly for a while to compose myself and to let the infection run it’s course.

People are just so much fun it’s just a real pleasure to be around them. (sarcasm off)

04-03-2013   2 comments

I’m celebrating a little today because finally the freaking drywall job has been completed.  If I never see another sheet of the damn stuff again it will be too soon.  I estimate about an hour of sanding and smoothing before we can do a whole-house cleanup which could take a very long time.  That insidious white dust can be found in every room of the house even though I took great pains to control it.  Some things just can’t be avoided I guess.  The mere fact that I’m actually looking forward to doing the priming and painting should tell you how much I won’t be missing drywall. DONE AND DONE!

Other than the remodel things have been very quiet around the house of late.  My better-half’s been working a couple of weeks of some really weird shifts making our time together somewhat limited.  The grand child has brought an illness home from daycare and their entire family has been sick for more than a week.  I’ve been pretty much left alone except for the cat who is also not too happy about the lack of attention.

Today was first day in a while when I didn’t have to get up early and work on the remodel.  A day where I could sleep in and lounge around and even get out of the house to run a few errands. Why did I ever think that things would happen as I’d hoped.  The better-half left early for work and it wasn’t long before I wished she’d taken that damn cat with her.

The feline nagging started immediately since she left without feeding him.  He was unhappy and made sure I was too.  He walked slowly around the bed meowing at the top of his lungs until I brained him with a pillow.  Just as I was getting back to sleep he started his old routine of jumping on the bed, walking all over my body, meowing loudly, and then running away before I could grab another pillow.  He repeated this at least eight times before I found myself wide awake and none too happy.  Once he realized I was awake he disappeared from the bedroom and planted his furry little ass next to his food dish and just waited.  I made my way to the kitchen, fed the little bastard, cursed at him a few times and went back to bed.

Now I’m lying here writing this because I couldn’t get back to sleep.  Does the term "urge to kill" come to mind?  I think a few hours away from this place will allow me to clear my head a little and keep me from drop kicking the cat into next week.  The older he gets the more like my ex-wife he’s becoming.

This appears to be the beginning of what I fear could become a very bad day.  I think a few cups of really strong and tasty coffee just might do the trick to turn that around.  I’m willing to try just about anything to improve my day before the better-half returns from work.  The last thing we need is to have is a stupid argument instigated by the cat.

I think a quick trip to the discount book store might help.  I can calm myself with an hour of browsing through the racks to find a few interesting mysteries I haven’t read before.  This has been one helluva winter.  I been reading two books a week all winter but with the weather finally breaking that should slow down a bit.  I find myself actually looking forward to starting the yard work and preparing this years garden.

I’m out the door searching for a better day.

04-01-2013   Leave a comment

Are you prepared for April Fools Day?  It’s another one of those waste-of-time observances that the United States has become so famous for.  I love practical jokes as well as the next guy but anyone who’s fooled on April Fool’s Day isn’t too bright.  If I wanted to truly prank someone it would be unannounced and unexpected but that’s just me.

I have to admit there is one observance I’ve discovered for April 1st that I could possibly get onboard with. St. Stupid’s Day has been celebrated for thirty five years this year in the most appropriate place you could imagine, San Francisco.  The ‘City By the Bay’ is well known for some of the most ridiculous stunts and political decisions ever. This also includes it’s intimate relationship with the country’s most ridiculous political family, Jerry Brown Sr. and Jerry Brown Jr. or Governor Moonbeam to his friends.

San Francisco is well know for it’s far left approach to almost everything and just when you thought you’ve heard and seen it all, they come up with something even more absurd.  The left coast (well named) has over the years been the cause of much laughter and ridicule brought on by their approach to almost everything.  Here’s a short blurb with a few facts about their St. Stupid Day celebrations.

The Saint Stupid’s Day Parade is an annual parade that takes place in San Francisco on April 1st. The somewhat anarchistic parade was founded by Ed Holmes (aka Bishop Joey of the First Church of the Last Laugh) in the late 1970s. If April 1st falls on a weekday, the parade starts at the foot of Market Street and follows a well established route through the financial district. If April 1st falls on a weekend, the parade starts at the Transamerica Pyramid, proceeds up Columbus Street and ends at Washington Square. The parade begins promptly at noon. Participation in the parade is open to the public and silly costumes are encouraged.

The following list of headlines were obtained from recent articles found in the San Francisco area newspapers. Just reading them will tell you all you need to know about why St. Stupid’s Day belongs in California and San Francisco in particular.

  • Public Sex Exposed This Woman’s Worker’s Comp Fraud
  • Taxidermist Puts Stuffed Animals In Silly Outfits
  • Thugs Throw Milkshake In Woman’s Face, She Throws $2,000 Back
  • This Is A Fork Used To Eat Human Flesh
  • San Francisco City Official Consults Ouija Board Before Vote
  • This Vibrator From 1906 Could Have Been In Your Great-Grandmother
  • First Surrogate Otter Mom Dies
  • He’s A 36-Year-Old Virgin Who’s Fathered 14 Kids
  • Top 10 Haunted Houses In America
  • Muppet-Themed Bar Opens In San Francisco
  • A Picnic Table Bigger Than A Football Field Assembled In 30 Seconds
  • Do You Love Nature? Take The Next Step — Go ‘Ecosexual’
  • Gay Softball League Limit On Straight Players OK’d

Need I say more?  I don’t think so.  So wake up bright and early tomorrow and be prepared to act even more stupid than usual.  Unfortunately I’m reasonably sure the parade won’t be televised, sorry!

03-30-2013   2 comments

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head?  Over the years I’ve listened to hundreds of thousands of songs without any problems whatsoever.  I’ve listened to Jazz, Pop, Hard Rock, and yes even Opera.  I’ve avoided when possible Hip-Hop, Rap, and the old style Country and Western songs because I just don’t care for them.  There are a few exceptions to that list of course but not many.

I live with my better-half who is obsessed with music, singing, dancing, and humming songs almost constantly.  It can be really annoying if you ever crave absolute peace and quiet like I do at times. Every once in a while as I’m listening to music I also find myself unable to disconnect completely.  It’s maddening because I find it interfering with my everyday activities.  I’ve been in conversations with people and as I’m listening to them speak I begin to hum to myself and I can hear the lyrics in my head very clearly.  Then I begin to tap my toe to the music and then suffer from the almost uncontrollable urge to dance.  It takes all of my will power not do anything stupid and embarrass myself.  This has occurred in the past not just in casual conversations but important business conversations as well.

My mother passed away last year and as I was sitting in the church with my sister listening to the priest drone on and on I had the song "What a Man" by Salt and Pepa echoing through my head.  Why? I have no freaking idea but it was actually better than listening to that priest and thinking about my mom’s passing.

On one occasion I was driving to Pittsburgh to visit family which is eleven hours of sheer boredom.  For a large part of the trip through Pennsylvania there is little or no acceptable radio stations to listen to.  Unfortunately I also forgot my IPod and was limited to one CD I found under my seat.  For the rest of that trip and for the  next week the song, "Higher Love" by Steve Winwood drove me freaking crazy.

When I’m cooking I find myself humming and occasionally singing various songs by Luciano Pavarotti in Italian no less.  How weird is that? I love opera but it’s not something I want to hear over and over again.

This problem isn’t limited to good music but also to really bad songs and a few truly annoying television commercial theme songs. The theme songs are the absolute worst.  Lately it’s been that stupid commercial with the Korean version of Richard Simmons singing some stupid song that I don’t even understand while he hops around the screen in a pukey green sport coat with a bunch of pistachios.  I ‘d look up the name of the song for you but what’s the point, I hate that stupid song.

I think the worst part of this problem is that once I capture a song in my head, it’s there forever. I have quite a long list of tunes that show up unannounced at the weirdest times to entertain me. I may be forced to involve myself with some sort of meditation program that will allow me to sit quietly and purge my mind of all this nonsense.  Maybe I’ll become a Buddhist monk where I can spend my time in quiet self-reflection in an attempt to make these evil music demons go away.

As I’ve been writing this I’ve been humming "Three Time a Lady" by Lionel Richey.  Someone please help me!

03-27-2013   2 comments

I’m a bit tired today after yesterday’s drywall work.  If you’re expecting anything spectacular on this blog today you’re sure to be disappointed.  I often hear people on their blogs complaining about writer’s block. I’ve never had that problem but I seem to be suffering from a block for which I have no name.  It could possibly be called an ‘artists block’ or a ‘remodeling block’, or even a ‘get-the-hell-out-of-bed block’.  I’m feeling like a big giant lump with no motivation to do anything except write about how lazy I’m feeling.  Which for the record is mighty effing lazy. At the same time my mind is racing and I’m visualizing work that still needs to be completed on the remodel tomorrow.

Unfortunately for me when I’m working any kind of project I’m consumed not just by the work that I’ll be doing but by constant mental activity that I can’t turn off. It can also make sleeping extremely difficult.  Even after having my better-half tell me to take the day off, I struggle.  I should be relaxing and enjoying my down time but for me there is no real down time.

She’ll be talking to me about work or family and if I’m lucky I may get every other word or just a general idea of what the subject matter is.  I suspect she thinks I’m getting forgetful but that isn’t the case at all.  It also isn’t that I don’t care or I’m not interested, I’m just focused on my tasks at hand almost 100%.  It’s totally out of my control for the most part and it’s something I’ve resigned myself to dealing with.

Even as a kid I was consumed by my painting, sculpting, reading, and once I started something I kept at it until it was completed.  Especially my art work.  I’d start a painting and would work around the clock with little or no food or drink until it was finished.   I love that feeling of being in the moment and just staying there as long as possible is a real pleasure for me. 

At times I have difficulty getting a project started and will procrastinate a little. It’s not that I don’t want to do the project, it’s because I know that once I start I probably won ‘t be able to stop.  You could be in the same room with me and during those times you cease to exist. Even my surroundings in the room become a blur except for the piece I’m working on.  It can be maddening when interruptions occur  and I lose my temper and become difficult. 

I thought in my younger days that this compulsion would lessen as I grew older but it has not.  It’s been both a blessing and a curse over the years but I’m certain I would miss it if for some reason it just disappeared. I guess I’ll do my best to relax today but both my better-half and I know what I’ll be thinking about.  Tomorrows project.