For the last 3+ weeks, I have been dealing with a few problems, but it looks like the sun is shining again, leading me back to socialization.

The things I have been dealing with include an oil furnace that decided to kill right before the cold snap in December. Not a real problem, just inconvenient. Being brought up by a survivalist and a coper, we have a gas furnace and two fireplaces to heat the house, though an investment in a space heater to put next to the water tank was a good investment. Bountyhunter will probably laugh, but the oil furnace is moderately old, and the flue hasn't been cleaned in a few years. Silly people, we all know things like that need maintenence, don't we? Um, yea, next season...
The other main problem was a Housemate and Business partner of mine. He had to go into the hospital, twice, for the flu (different kind!) and secondary infections. (secondary, my ass... the second time into the hospital, he admitted that he haddn't been taking his glyburide for at least 6 months...) Unfortunately, he was the only one who could order supplies from our main distributor, and our other partner is at a programming job for the next few months. We lost several clients because I couldn't get their computers fixed and back to them in a timely fashion. And my partner still refuses to put my name on the paperwork with the distributor.

Grumble.

Other than that, no sleep, keeping engagements for catering side business, absolutely no sleep, cleaning for relatives visiting from out of town, trying to get rid of cats(the reason for the cleaning), and general SAD conditions.

And how have others been?

Jobhunting here. The horse industry is in a slump and my attempts to get a home business going is behind schedule. I went to a local company's job fair and arrived 15 minutes early. The interviewer was late 15 minutes. I was first and he started ranting about employees needing to be prompt and did I have any forklift expertise? I leaned over and pointed to the application section that gave my certification # and asked if he was always late. Interview #2 asked if I was bilingual. I said yes. Bilingual in California is an euphemism for Spanish, a language I have some skill in but failed to take in high school and the service language school at Monterey taught me Russian, a bit more usefull in Alaska. #3 was a small business selling posters,candles and these sparkley charm things with a gossamer winged fairy motiff. The pink haired owner was playing a celtic harp during the 'interview' She asked if I knew ANYTHING about the product line. Oh yes, I got to handle the original graduate thesis of C. Evans- Wetz at University. Blank look <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />, who? C. Evans- Wentz, the first anthropology doctorate from the University of California, awarded for THE FAIRY FAITH IN CELTIC COUNTRIES. The blank look intensified. I have a signed 1st edition if you'd care to read it. she mumbled a thankyou for dropping in as the waves washed over Tir-na-nog in C flat. I got a frantic phone call about a horse a client took to another trainer. It was the big black one in SEABISCUIT and had dumped the trainer and was rearing on everyone. I arrived just in time to watch it drop dead from a massive cerebral hemmorhage. The owner asked me what was wrong with it. I said " nothing now, it's finally safe to ride" and left. I heard this load explode in my trunk and remembered the aluminum cans I arm wrestle street people for in my apt. dumpster. I took the cargo to the recycling station and made $19.97. I found a nickle on the ground and bought lottery tickets for Wednesday, gasoline and a grim looking burrito and coke <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> weatherman just announced 4 days of more rain coming in. I checked the wipers on my 15 y/o Mazda ( at least it doesn't need ductape like the old Volvo) and I need new blades <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I came home and couldn't find my cat. Then I saw my Gill net eviscerated from my rucksack. When I picked it up something pulled back on it <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> My cat had dragged everything out ,hid it under my bed and crawled inside. At least he knows a safe place in the universe <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Survivalgene:

Was the dirty flue the problem as the only thing that affects is the exhaust draft and if you have a draft diverter on the exhaust flue, that should compensate unless you have dead critters or other obstructions in the chimney itself?

I don't know where you live, but usually there are no laws against eating cats.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Getting colder in France. Snow coming along.

At the beginning of previous week, I didn't feel good at all, but too many computer's installations were planned with customers, co-workers also fully occupied so I didn't took time to go see my doc.
Until yesterday (and just because the material I was supposed to install monday, is missing in the warehouse (misplaced ? not received ? nobody knows ?!?).
And now I'm home, on sick leave, instead on being on a flight to Barcelona ....

So I'm a good boy and take my pills, all of them.... and cook a bit (catering for a christening's meal next month).
But reading the posts in this thread, I guess I will go take a nap with my cat....

Cheers.

P.S. : don't listen to Bounty ..... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hmmm, well I have been going through the beginnings of what will probably (though hopefully not) turn out to be a very nasty divorce, law suit and custody battle. At least I know I'm not the only one that had a bad past couple of weeks! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Sorry to hear the the job fair was not all that.. fair. Having been a manager, I find there is little excuse to rant about something that you do yourself. But then again, many people see in others what they dislike about themselves... BTW, been looking for a copy of Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries for a while and had given up - the local used shop has been searching for a copy for me for several months, and Shakti didn't even know about it. What good is a local wiccan shop if they don't even know about that? (and had no idea what dyanistic ceremonies were, either)

Sorry about the horse, though I had heard it had gone wild towards the end of the filming(almost said shooting). I hope that they call in a vet before the next horse keels over.

Lottery in California always reminds me of "I can totally buy all this cheese." Only saw the ad once, but it stuck with me.

Good to know that you are doing o.k., even if you are looking for employment. Hope the Lottery ticket pays off.

The draft is the reason it isn't going. It will light, start the 'pusher' motor(lack of real terms) and then rattle and clank and then stop. Took the furnace partially apert to clean it(needed it). There is something in the chimney, I am sure, as I cannot even hear wind up there when I hold the ductwork flap open. Something to do in my ample time...

And - with the cats, Madison does indeed have a code against exotic stock animals - but they have to catch me first!

Hehehe - I listen selectively to Bountyhunter...

Too bad about Barcelona. Getting better is more important than being sick on a plane. Though it would be warmer in Barcelona, wouldn't it...

Cat's make great warm pillows, though they move too much.

Get better!

Too bad the year and a day or the specified term marrage contract isn't an option right now. It would make some things easier.

Hope you get to keep all your toys!

My cat would rather say that I am the one who moves too much .....