It's been awhile since the last update, obviously.  A lot has happened.  The surgery has been the most recent.  I'm healing nicely, but it's a slow process.  Originally I was supposed to just have a hip resurfacing and my doctors kept insisting I wait as long as possible to do this.  When I came to and was coherant enough to understand what was going on around me, the doctor admitted the pain I'd been describing was real because my hip crumbled when he began the resurfacing process.  I ended up getting a total hip replacement.  I'm most likely going to be on bedrest until mid December.

In much better news.  I worked at a haunted house the month of October.  While I was there I was introduced to several females, one of which I'm dating pretty seriously.  Her name is Kat, she's 19 and she "fits".  I honestly had given up all hope on finding someone.  Then one night while working Kat came into my room at Fear Fest during a break and I took a chance, not actually believing someone as beautiful as her would consider dating someone like me.  But she said yes and since then we've only spent a few days apart (including me going to Nashville for 3 days for Derek's wedding).  Neither of us is sure what is going on.  We've both admitted to each other we normally date someone a few times over the period of a few weeks and get bored.  But so far it's been a few days short of a month and everything is still running smooth.

Two Weeks. Time for an update.

Five stores out of the twelve in our district were given the axe this week.  My store was not one of them.  I have, however, spent the last two days pulling double-digit shifts driving back and forth from St. Louis helping stores prepare for the liquidation sales that open at 10 A.M. tomorrow.

I met someone two weeks ago.  Nothing has really formed between the two of us so I have no idea if it’s just a friendship thing or if she has true potential.  If you don't know me, this is weird because at two weeks I'm usually ready to tell you exactly what direction everything is heading. 

I’m interested in her and that seems to always be the hardest part.  The trick has always been finding someone I’m interested in that is interested in me as well.  Not as easy as it sounds by any means.  I started being interested in girls at 4 years old.  Since then I’ve met less than ten that made the cut as far as keeping my interest past the initial introduction phase.  After this phase only three showed any interest in me.  One turned out to be a pathological liar; the other two I was ignorant enough to screw up all chances.

ANYWAY… In other news (and sort of related at the same time) I’ve picked up a seasonal job.  I’m Michael Myers in the local haunted house called Fear Fest.  My friends Jason and Jen were insistent enough that I was happy to oblige.  They are also the ones whom introduced me to the new co-worker I have afore-so-mentioned.

Yesterday I finally licensed the car.  I ran around town paying bills and grabbed some sushi for lunch.  Later I ended up at Phil's and played an ungodly amount of Halo 2 online.  Not a bad day off, if I do say so myself.

So as I'm finishing up my last round and getting ready to pick up some ice cream for me and the roomie my phone rings.  I think about ignoring it but the caller ID shows Hollywood.  Thinking something could be wrong I pick up.  Josiah is quick to assure me all is well and actually quite slow.  He knew Brian hadn't called me yet and was hoping I would stop by the store like I usually do on my days off just to make sure everything is running smooth.  It just so happened that yesterday I didn't want to go near the store because I'm unhappy with (Josh) my superior's performance.  Welllll Josiah goes on to tell me that Josh had Brian open for him this morning and never came in like he was supposed to.

My issue in a nutshell.  Josh switched shifts with me last Friday but never came in to pick up my shift knowing other people would be there.  He didn't come in Tuesday morning because he said he would come in late and work overnight to make up the shift and work opening Wednesday as scheduled.  That's a total 28 scheduled hours missed in five days.  I was told last month he's out of vacation and sick days.  He's salaried so he doesn't have to worry about clocking in and out like the rest of us.  WHAT THE HELL!!  This guy's already pissing on thin ice.  How much longer does this have to go on before someone above him thinks, "I think he may not be the best person suited for this position any longer."?

**EDIT**

Not 10 seconds after I posted did the phone ring and Hollywood shows up on the ID.  Our DM is coming to visit at noon tomorrow.  Thank you xanga angels for answering my prayers.

Most Recent Dream

Last night I dreamt that Curly from City Slickers and I were sitting by the fire on the open range.  There hadn't been much said when I asked him to tell me about the girl of his dreams again.  So he goes through the story just as I had memorized it.  As he trails off after "I just turned and rode away." I retort how she could have been the love of his life.  And just as I remember it he replies, "She is."

After he lights another cigarette he stares me down.  His raspy voice irritating and soothing at the same time says, "You've done the same.  I can see it in your eyes."  I don't reply, just simply stare at the fire and hope his painful reminder has a point.  "You and I, we live different kind of lives than everyone else.  We're not better or worse, we just took a path most people don't know about."  He only pauses to drag and exhale.  "We're tough as diamonds, and appear cold as ice to people who don't take the time to know us.  We're landmarks in time and don't often get the pleasure of companionship outside of the animals we raise.  That doesn't mean we can't love or be loved.  It means we need to keep the memories we love closest to our hearts.  Accept the fact fate doesn't always play it out how you wanted it to," he says as he flicks the last of his burning cig at me.  "It gave you the chance to embrace another memory to get you through the worst of times."  He gets up and just as he pats me on the shoulder to walk off he puts in, "You can't call it love if the memories don't give you life...  Don't mourn what the fates expect you to celebrate."