Went to a couple Halloween parties, didn't stay long at one, insufficiently Halloweeny, at the other,much to my surprise, came in 2nd in the costume contest. Was a reasonably fun party, kind of wish they'd had savory snacks.

Before that, got cleaned out of our stock of candy by a bunch of snotty nosed kids, pretty adorable.

Treats?

Slept really late, pretty fabulous.

After that, was out in back with dogs, smoking & thinking about what, if anything, I was going to do about a Halloween costume, emerged from reverie to observe that Peretz, having somehow come disconnected from his line, was wandering off into the neighbors' yard. Tried to call him back, which of course didn't work. He instead wandered into the neighbors' garage where I went, in my pajamas, to recover him.

We're getting old & slow, we are.

Went & helped some nice old folks, then to grocery for root vegetables & squash. Made a red curry with those.

L. came home around 8, quickly ate some of the curry & went off on her merry way. Music, music.

Dogs are fed & walked, done for day.

Just learned that one of my new colleagues was among the group of morris dancers I watched dancing by the Potholes Columbus Day weekend two years ago after the Ashfield Fall Festival. Strange, morris dancing.

Cool air, hum of machines. Just ordered a usb hub.

Slept a little late, then hit the ground running, issuing sage technical advice, etc., etc.

Still a bit bleary eyed, getting too old for the late night rock 'n' roll bit.

Working for the weekend.

Just back from another Brain Exchange, they've gotten too darn crowded. Enjoyed the music/performance stuff, punk celebrity interview ran a bit long, was too quiet to hear much of anyway, had a nice chat with Cooper about how shows aren't as fun as they should be.

Should go to sleep, feeling a bit wound up.

They've moved the photo studio to right next to my office, flash keeps going off in my eyes. Very annoying. At first, thought there was a serious electrical problem or my brain was going haywire.

Otherwise, things are back to dull, dull, dull.

Managed to get up earlier than normal, feeling less tired generally, crisp air helps.

Sadly, but as expected, missed out on snow, want snow.

Thinking about taking Friday off.

Late in the day at work, things started to break, stayed late fixing them. Drove home through the rainy night, stopping for a few groceries on the way. Made some roasted mashed sweet potatoes & beef croquets in a mushroom cream sauce.

I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, etc.

Actually did bring some bacon home the other day, haven't fried it up yet.

Last night, went home, walked the dogs, made semi-elaborate baked pasta dish, did nothing much else.

This morning, overslept, rushed walk with Peretz in the gentle rain, off to work.

Here I am at work.

Forgot to mention Peretz has been engaging in some civil disobedience lately.



Brave little pup!

Boss out sick = chaotic morning, beats the usual dull.

Feeling strangely well rested.

Finally fell asleep, woke to chimichangas, pretty fantastic, but it's true.

Still very sleepy.

Seem to have lost my newfound knack for napping.

Fiddlesticks.

Went & did that pumpkin carving.



Lovely day for it.

L's downstairs working on guacamole for the chimichangas, I'm going to take a nap.

Got up earlier than I'd like, went & rebooted servers, on the way home picked up pie & pumpkins, going to walk dogs then go to pumpkin carving party.

Last night's storm was quite something, went out in it to catch some of Who cover fest, poor visibility, people driving badly, trash cans at gas station blown over, turn signal wrenched sideways, Pearl Street a raging torrent full of tiny almond-shaped leaves.

Sunny & pleasant now.

About to head out into the rainy night. More music, more music, more music.

Spent the last little while sharing blanket with the pups, very pleasant.

Pretty serious weekend laziness, we did finally get down to some vacation planning brass tacks, beginning to really look forward to the trip.

Out on the porch with Peretz, overcast, rain later.

Reading about Hawaiian food destinations has left me with strange, unattainable cravings. Salty, salty.

Oh so very sleepy.

Had a fun night.

L. came home early & we took the dogs for a nice walk down by the river.

One load of laundry down, one to go.

About to go out for dinner, cocktails with pals & Deerhoof.

In process of reforming soul after week of soul sucking tedium. First step was enjoying newly returned meatloaf club, the second some lazing about, the third, shower. What's next? Reuben chimichanga?

Doing laundry.

Frosty morning, just out in back with pups, thinking about left wing screed I read yesterday chastising people for unrealistically hoping for technological solutions to their problems. Seems to me those have mostly worked out better than political ones, not that I'm particularly hopeful or anything.

Simple life's a hard sell, best of luck.

Dogs were just going berserk, have now settled down again.

In bed, doing some work, waiting for some computers to reboot.

Chile relleno night tonight, really delicious, kind of hoping chimichanga night's next.

Just back from time in hot office with overheating(?) iMac, bit sweaty.

Off schedule Microsoft patch interfering with my weekend R&R plans.

Got a Halloween balloon for my office, on one side are worried eyes, the other says 'eek!'

Woke to a down Internet connection, spent some time fixing it, some more time attempting to humorously dramatize the problem for the wife.

Working all day in Northampton today, sorry Peretz, Pickles.

Tacos, tacos.

Went from feeling pretty lousy to pretty great in about the time it takes to eat a taco.

Collapsed in a contented heap.

Taco night, yip, yip.

Very much looking forward to getting my head around some tacos, feeling pretty drained.

Also learned that Deerhoof is playing in Northampton on Friday & I can go without contributing to hated entertainment group, pleasure universe.

Dragging myself through the morning, music last night left me a bit wound up, had trouble falling asleep. Finally woken by urgent barks from Peretz, still not sure what that was about.

Gusty & gray.

Went & saw some music at the Pint, some really beautiful stuff, a bit hard to focus on amidst the chattering yahoos. It happens.

Before that, Buffy, Italian subs, kind of idyllic.

Before that, what?

Reading about exaggerated startle responses, providing ever more ridiculous user support.

Mostly, I'd rather be asleep.

Looking forward to lunch of tasty leftovers.

Noticed just now, while showering, that my hands still smelled of garlic from yesterday's curry prep, threw my thoughts down long strange avenues, domesticity, wildness.

Thoughts are beginning to rove a bit further afield generally, cooler weather always helps.

Just took a picture of a leaf on our marble bistro table.

There was a time, not long ago, when I was much more fluid, linguistically & otherwise, feeling old & stiff.

Back still hurts, at least spasms have stopped for now. Advil, coffee, etc.

Woke around 6:30 with a strange feeling of unease, then slept a little more.

Sometimes, sleepy & with my guard down, I find myself thinking about politics, it's awful.

Finally got around to making that curry, pretty tasty, made rice with saffron also.

Feeling not quite all here, hollow, achy.

Will maybe watch more TV.

Was planning to spend day flat on back, emergency of work came up, so just went back & forth to Amherst, flipping switches & such.

Don't feel very good.

Got news that cat is doing well in new home, happy days.

Dreamt last night of climbing around a junkyard, came across a painting of Underdog on a ledge, took out my camera to take a picture & it got up & ran away, green cape glistening in the wind.

Back muscles on the fritz again, having trouble standing up.

Back's acting up again, watching the ball game.

Went & did some dreaded work, wasn't so bad. Driving home, saw a bald eagle circling over 91.

Stopped at the grocery for dog food & other necessities, makings of queso, etc.

Brunch momentarily, hurrah.

So, outing accomplished- went to the Target in Keene & stocked up on Halloween goodies, then went to Burdick's for hot chocolate, chocolate penguins, Halloween chocolate assortment. A pound of kusa to go & a sushi dinner later, we're home again.

Dogs are eating their dinners, just walked them, brisk out.

May go to a movie in town in a bit.

Went & got the makings of a curry to go with the garlic naan L. bought the other day, may make that later, may make that tomorrow.

It's a dramatically beautiful fall day, would like to go on an outing, maybe.

Woke to bacon & french toast, what I'm talking about.

Had fun singing, ended singing with two acts as it turned out, enjoy singing.

Before that, enjoyed the mac 'n' cheese special at the Shady Glen.

Head hurts a little.

Apparently I may sing at a show tonight, fun, fun.

Just fixed a printer remotely.

Hungry.

Actually feel rested for once, aces.

Just a few more hours of complete boredom before happy free time.

Everybody's working for the weekend.

Came home, made fried rice with bacon, broccoli & onions, pretty tasty.

After that we walked the dogs.

Came home again, collapsed.

L.'s headed off to get more googly eyed Halloween stickers & see a show.

Me, I'm resting.

Wonder if the bosses would be willing to spring for some Boredom Management training.

Disappearing into the hum of equipment.

Thinking about this October, the last & the one before that, funny how different they all are. Bored stiff, busy bee, crisis mode, all on a lovely orange backdrop.

& just like that, Harriet's gone. Another one for me to miss, hope she's happier.

Apart from continuing back pain, feel pretty pleasant physically, warm glow of sufficient sleep.

It's Waffle Day.

Apparently we're giving away our cat. L's been becoming increasingly concerned about the dogs ganging up on her, egging each other on, etc. Doesn't worry me quite as much, but I can see where she's coming from. Sad to see Harriet go, she's a very nice cat, good company.

Sigh.

Having some coffee, not perking me up much.

Having fun at work with shooting back pain, spicy Chex Mix.

Half wishing my mind were a little less vivid.

Oh, well.

Driving to dinner, saw low pink moon dominating the horizon. All day sucker.

Cool weather again, time for scotch & holding hands.

Thinking about Gore Vidal.

Here's to ya.

Home again, flat on my still aching back, just back from the Four Leaf Clover, nice place, quality pie.

Approving installation of security updates for my corporate masters.

Last night's backache turned into this morning's back spasm. Has moderated now, pressing on.

Beautiful gray autumn day, misty rain.

Extreme boredom at work.

Spent the afternoon away from work, doing nonwork things, now back at work for a bit, catching up on work. Back hurts, over full.

Just put some transparent nail polish on thumbnail that keeps cracking, watching it dry.

Slept very poorly last night, strangely agitated again, blech.

Chaotic morning at work, better than the usual dull.

Just back from really lovely show in barn in Montague, Tuneyards was particularly good.

Also did some work & shopping, got warm slippers, spices.

Off to a birthday party shortly.

Went & saw Nashville, always a strange experience, familiar locations I can't quite place. After that, went to noise show at the Pint, good times, nice to have a short drive home after.

Pickles is gurgling under my comforter.

Made a frittata, watching more Dr. Who.

While frittata was cooking, spent some time on the back porch, thinking about others' enigmatic behavior as well as my own.

Feel better having eaten.

Slow morning, L.'s in bed with a headache, I just walked the dogs.

Thinking about lunch.

Have become quite the napper of late, time was I was never caught napping.

Would like to nap more.

Foliage is looking to be a hot ticket this year.

The mail server where I am presently working is shockingly crappy, dealing with that now.

Want a snack, want to be home hanging out with the pups, want, want, want.

Want the fucking election to be over so people will stop talking to me about it.

Feeling itchy all over, inside my head, etc. What comes of sassing an angry & vengeful god, perhaps.

Just spent a little time pouring over logs, would rather be sawing some.

Bleh.

Car wasn't done when I went to get it at noon, had a pulled pork burrito while I waited. Happy Yom Kippur.

Went home to let the dogs out, received notification from my bank about fee increases, new fees, should really get a new bank.

As far as I can tell, car is actually fixed, hurrah. Newly warm air seems to contain something I'm allergic to, boo, hiss.

Feeling exhausted, wondering yet again why that can't simply be taken for what it is.

Also itchy.

Dropped my car to have its transmission control unit replaced, will hopefully be done by lunchtime.

Welcomed the Day of Atonement with a dinner of braised pork belly & legumes at new French bistro on West St. Now feeling a bit over full as is fit & proper.

Before that, while awaiting L. & friend's arrival, watched the sunset over the Mill River, fascinating turbulent sparkles downstream of the dam. On the athletic fields beyond the river, young women practiced a team sport I didn't recognize.

Feeling a little lightheaded.

Had an extremely vivid dream involving fixing a large number of bizarre problems with the computer at work that makes the advertisements into encapsulated postscript files.

Just got a call from work about nothing important while loud dog antics proceeded in their usual way.

Have a case of the sneezes.

Just watched Spiderman 3.

After that, sat out on the cold porch, smoking, drinking a cold glass of half grapefruit/half lemon, half Vulcan, half human.

Now watching The Facts of Life.

It's extra special tedium day at work, lucky I'm sleepy.

Busily fulfilling contractual obligations to credit card processing firm.

Whistling while I work.

Extreme drowsiness continues.

Having tiny waves of panic apropos nothing.

Going to walk around a little.

Peretz's cat obsession threw a small wrench into morning routine, glad the cat had the sense to come in from the cold, anyway.

Pickles's digestive disturbance seems to be on the mend.

Geese honking overhead.

Could use a nap.

Was really just somebody being stupid.

Been a busy little drone today, want to get out of here & get my free soup, damn it.

Checking ickily complex data flow problem that is probably really just somebody being stupid, need to trace my way through anyhow, oh, bother.

Slow drippy rain outside, would rather be sleeping.

Went to festival, got fried dough with maple cream, Tibetan dumplings, a couple books, saw the sights, etc.

On the way home was feeling tired & sore & cranky.

Made spicy stew, did laundry, walked dogs, etc. Even more tired & sore, no longer cranky.

Going to watch more Doctor Who.

Slow, beautiful morning. Still playing with new toy, sipping coffee.

Very stiff from yesterday's stacking.

Halfway wanting to go to the Festival of the Hills.

Went & did a little work, picked up magic movie streaming box that was delivered to work yesterday, went to town & got a bagel after, then walked up to the Forbes to see some music.

Came home, hooked up magic box, used it to watch Pan's Labyrinth. Pretty groovy.

Stacked a lot of wood, solid citizens.

Pretty sweaty.

Pretty & sweaty, we are.

Woke to coffee & glazed donuts. It's like magic.

Peretz is resting his cold paws on my leg, wants donut.

Went to get a coffee & came across helpful teens in front of the library with voter registration forms, feel confident that this is Nader's year.

Ha ha.

Gloomy & brisk out, almost feels like snow. Might rain, should probably get tarp before wood delivery.

More violent coughing, lovely way to start the day.

Cold feet, really must get some cozy slippers.

Warming my feet on Peretz.

When I home, L. announced that we was heading to Boston later to see a show and was going to take a nap first. Brave lady.

Went & got a burrito & myself together. Decided to make a small batch of mac 'n' cheese to speed her on her way.

As I was doing that she came downstairs & announced she'd decided against going. Smart lady.

Returned that hamper, got fancy sandwich & cake.

Lingering cough, resolving technical issues.

Trip to Hawaii finally coming into focus.

The glorious fall is in full swing.

Stuck inside at a desk with an itchy nose & throat.

Need to remember to return H & O's hamper.

The autumn winds blow chilly & cold.

Didn't get much I wanted done, did watch some TV. As I left work, started feeling shaky & strange, like I'd had far too much coffee. Got home & laid down for a while, vibrating. L. went & got us Italian coldcut subs from down the street. They were really lovely, toasty deliciousness.

Still feeling odd, had an apple & some cheese & crackers, have now returned to the safety of blanket.

Oh, fuck, my mom used to go out with this dude:



Not the first time he's come up, like a bad penny.

Getting email berating me for not writing enough, ok, ok.

Busy day, car's in the shop getting a second transmission issue fixed, first one will get fixed later. One foot in front of the other.

Later, wood stacking, watching TV, would like to buy & cook some vegetables. Probably should do dishes, laundry, not going to.

Earlier, rushed out to throw tarp over new wood getting wet in morning drizzle, under desk fixing UPS, eating blueberry pancakes with a sides of bacon & home fries with hot sauce, etc., etc.

Little cursor, dashing back & forth.