It's been several days and I'm still sore from my cortizone shot. I don't do much with my arm but when I do it usually pops ever so slightly. Granted, the pain is gone, but it was gone with physical therapy. Oh well, I guess time will tell.

Last night I hooked up with some friends and we had a LAN party. It was great!! we played Aliens vs Predator and Warcraft III. I'm so pleased with the performance of my computer. It connected to the LAN without any problems. I'm hoping we can have another LAN party in the near future. Perhaps next time it'll be at my house.

I have one more week to get my Iron Warriors painted. Next Saturday is the battle royale and I just can't seem to get motivated. Now it's gonna be even worse because I have a couple new computer games. Only 8 models to paint. Oh woe is me.

I'm still pretty sore today from that injection yesterday. I feel like I have a golf ball in my shoulder. It should feel better by tommorow or else something is wrong.

I'm going stir crazy being trapped here with the kids. It's hotter than hell today and the smoke is worse than ever. I wish those jerks in Oregon would just put that fire out!! It's up to about 350,000 acres so far. I'm guessing they're letting it burn to clear away overgrown forest. They also can have it logged legally if it is damaged by a fire. Damned Republicans! Their always trying to find some way to help big business, all the while ignoring the little guy.

I'm planning a trip to Mordor next weekend. My old gaming group wants me over for a big battle royale. It'll be good to get way for a few days. However, I dread going to that place again. I plan to stay with Jerkous and take care of some old business while I'm there. I also need to buy a collage picture frame for my stepdad. I promised to bring him pictures of the kids the next time I visit. Despite my loathing of Mordor this will be one of two trips I'll be making in the coming weeks. The second will be in September to attend a Civil War Reenactment in Fortuna. I am looking forward to that visit. The Fortuna event(which I myself created, and organized at the beginning) is really fun.

Tommorrow is my wife Birthday and I have no money to get her anything. I know what I want to buy her, but it may need to wait until we have more money. Damned bill collectors just hit us hard this month.

I feel like a pin cushion. I went to the doctor to get a cortizone shot in my shoulder. This time instead of going into shock when the needle poked me I just got extremely nauseous and nearly threw up all over the doctor(my lifelong dream). However, I survived the procedure and the Doc says I should feel an inprovement in a couple days. He plans to see me in another month. If I improve they will reevaluate me and settle the case. If I don't then they will consider surgery. Lets hope I get better, I don't want to get cut on.

Well we finally contacted Tess who informed us that she has decided not to move here. It took us several days past the time she was supposed to actually show up here to get ahold of her. We get the idea that she was avoiding us. She said it was her decision not to move but, we don't believe her because she has put up such fronts before. I'm guessing that she was coerced by either her boyfriend or her ex-husband. It saddens me because this is the third time she has turned on us so coldly. I think this is the last time we will stick our necks out for her. She doesn't realize that she is the stereotypical female caught in a whirlpool of abusive relationships, and it seems her destiny is to never escape. I said it once before and I'll say it again. You cannot save someone from themselves or their destiny.

In related news, Tess's son has been here visiting for the past week and he came over with his uncle on Saturday and Sunday. He was not what I expected. He is a bright and hansome young man. My wife was very impressed with how polite he was. Frankly, I hit it off with him rather well. I don't understand for the life of me why Tess's turd of a boyfriend doesn't like him. It kinda broke my heart on Sunday when I took them home. Her son said he wished he could stay with us. I genuinely feel sorry for the boy. His mother is a fool and his father is a heap, and there is nothing I can do to help him.

So, with all that behind me I've decided to start a new chapter in my life and adopt a new quote:

"A person needs new experiences. They jar something deep inside, longing to grow. Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens.... The sleeper must awaken."
Duke Leto Atreidies, Dune

I have to start a new chapter in my life. Granted, the previous chapter was short. But, it is time that I begin thinking of the future in a serious way and start taking action. I still want to start my business. But, that won't happen until next year. So, I've decided to go to school this coming semester and take up computer studies again. Prior to moving to Mordor several years ago I was studying computers and really enjoyed it. However, I gave it up because I thought my math skills were inadequate, and I was worried that the job market would get glutted with computer enthusiasts. I Today I registered for 8 units of classes. Next Spring I'll have to take another 3 units and I'll be ready to transfer to the local technical school for 2 more years of training. With that under my belt I'll be in line to land a great job somewhere nearby, maybe even local. Law Enforcement was fun while it lasted. But, now it's time I take up a real profession.