Challenged

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Sunset is occurring after 8 pm this week, on the longest days of the year. I'm greatful for time to sit in the sunshine for a few minutes finally. If only Mrs. Italian would've stopped loudly pestering Mr. Italian in front of the world, (just a few feet away) it would've felt really good.

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I, myself, have been complaining alot at work lately. I've been very tied up with my "new" things to do, n discovered a whole new set of sore lower-back muscles. Orders have rapidly increased to a high-pitch just as I truelly need the rest of a vaca I'm not getting yet. I may end up doing six-day weeks. Don't want to, but The Electric Company needs more greed-feed...

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The next several week's written logging n reading will likely take a back-seat until the next two-days off in a row are reached. Be warned, I'll probably be involuntarily slowing down the online ec activities awhile.

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The weather's finally forecast for a summer-heat-up mid-week.

The seagulls are flocking in from around the country. The R's are in attendence n the landlord folks downstairs are expected by the end of the week for the month of July. Oh boy! Can't wait to see my how loudly I'll be complaining then...

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The Summertime Survival Challenge has begun!

Beach-combers rev your flip-flops...

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The Indian Maiden statue watching the sunset sky over the Bay is relaxed, tho!

A Few Barcos

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More boats are at the old marina now which used to be known as "Jonesy's." When I lived on the South end of town n my girls were small, I spent six years working on out-board motors for the dude who used to run it.

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I had a bathing suit covered with "Never Sieze" n Axle-grease to prove it, too! Not only did I learn about fly-wheels, coils, n compression-testers, I learned about the different types of junk-metal, n how easy it is to murdilate your wrists using a five-pound sledge hammer to pummel molded aluminum (>$) away from the aluminum-iron (<$).

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Today was a machine challenge of another sort. We were planning to test-run the machne which has been out of service since I was hired there. I had to go in an hour n a half ahead of the rest of the crew to start everything in the building up for the day. The mechanic dude who's been fixing 'er up was late. I was told to put some of the cutter parts on the assembly, n first had to wash the cobwebs off the rig housing- yummy! (Note: this machine makes food). I was missing a few vital wing-nuts, washers, six clamps, n a crank-handle. I hunted down all the parts but the crank, which wasn't vital to test the machine's operation. (I have to remember a hose is still needed too, before the liquid dispenser part is used on some items).

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The Mech-dude finally arrived n got the upper parts all in moving order. But after turning it on n off a few times, non-fitting (n loud-crunching) with the brand-new conveyor problems were discovered further down the line on the bottom end of the business. So our test had to be aborted for the time being, now I wonder how long this'll take... I need a change of work-load like yesterday!

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So for the rest of my day I had to do stuff Iwouldn't have had to if the rig had been up to producing. Now I can't wait until the dude figures out the linkage failure. (Hey, he gets the big bux, n I'm only going to operate it). So although I could probably figure it out, it's his job!

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Back to the old machine n all the new, clueless folks who can't count or prepare correctly.

To top it off, I've been feeling not too well n dizzy, probably due to allergies n too much lawn-cutting. Doh! Well, better luck with the next run...

CrashTourist Tide

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The tourist tide is turning to high,

Filling in all the empty spaces.

Claiming away the places for themselves.

Believe they're entitled to be loud

And dump refuse where they go.

Travel down and pay out for the view.

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Troops carrying along all the pretty things

To show off on the visit

On a long trek to the water.

Enjoying the sunshine and breeze.

Never bothering to ask,

"Can we park on your lawn, please?"

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No time to wait in the line anymore.

Quick stop at the store, too long!

Food and fuel prices fill up the tide.

Crowding into any space they can find.

Getting in the way of any rest

Party down while we all work away

Brite Lite n Road Lines

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I'm trying to operate on about three fragmented hours of sleep today. People downstairs are still up in the city, but the R's next door have been having a good time. Most of the crowd has left for the later pm at least. My Day Off afternoon n evening were eaten up with errands, chores, n calls as usual. I'm still a bit arm sore.

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We had a great 80F day finished off at sundown by T-storms. Wish I'd been more awake to enjoy it. The lawn still isin't done, the pollen is still bad this week, n I really need a rest anyhow.

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The new work associates are learning slowly, can't read English, n haven't taken on most of the load to lighten up mine yet. Another machine which has been off-line all year is almost done being fixed, n when it is I'll take over running it. Can't wait for the change. My one-year mark there is coming up this week, n the best part will be the five paid days (yay) I'll get at some approved point after my review.

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Well, back to finer projects, music, games, n movies in the middle of the night-

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Have a blast (but let folks sleep, too)!

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Hope you've had a Happy Dad's Day- (If it could be)

Note to new readers:

If you haven't already read about my tales of long-gone Red, my Dad, n also his Dad, here are one n two posts in the Archives from '06.

Reflections

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Reflections n pipe-dreams...

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Wish I had more time to just hang out.

Two more of the buziest days of work orders for the week are up for me next (*rats) .

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Weather is turning counter-clockwise in the North Atlantic, throwing more NorthEast winds in. Feeling so cold that I re-closed up the windows n started wearing a coat to work again.

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Wish I could go back to this warm afternoon when I clicked this shot...

But it's time for the zz's again, so I can work until 4am.

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Hope the end of your week is better than mine, folks!

See Sea

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Warning to Self: This blog may be an ad for everyone to crowd in n bug me to death!

Note to Visitors: This pic n many others were taken at a Residents Only beach...

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Too late, the warm weather crowds have begun to congeal already, n the kids aren't even all out of classes yet- Yay, the weather was good today! The first blue sky I've seen with these eyes in about a week. Of course I may've slept thru a few good mornings...

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I knew I'd be better off if I moved to New Hampshire... But I don't want to live there... this town is my home.

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A new Healthcare Reform Law was passed by Governor Patrick n the state legislature. (more info)

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Beginning July 1, 2007, in our state it will be required for everyone to have proof of medical insurance enrollment or else lose the State Tax "Personal Exemption" over $3300 (possibly $3600 for '07 form).

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For me, and many others, this will mean another expense I just can't afford. I have an appointment to check-out the "Commonwealth Care" program instead of sleeping tomorrow. I'm inelligible for a work offered plan until November.

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If I don't sign-up for a healthcare plan, I'll end up owing alot of money to the state tax collector. If I run-up an emergency hospital bill without insurance, it's possible I may be held criminally responsible by the state, as a federal crime in court. I wonder why this legal issue hasn't yet been addressed.

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With my many allergies, I get severe reactions requiring epinepherine once in awhile. In the past few years I've been very vigilant in allergen avoidance n been lucky not to have needed the ER.

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I'm not sure how I'll ever afford a plan, n then to pay for office visits or for a deductable on-top of it. I don't have ten spare bux this month, never mind the $400 to $1200 healthcare plan premium cost the plans are running.

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There's got to be plenty of working people here in MA besides me in the same position.

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The idea of the required sign-up is to lower the overall cost of healthcare because with everyone paying into the system, there should be enough money to keep up with the cost.

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I wonder if this will become a model for the rest of our country, or cause more problems than it solves...?

Hangin' at the Beach

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Playing with images, even with my current equiptment can be fruitful n fun. These two are the same photo, each with it's own appeal. One photo can yield a dozen designs.

Buckle Down

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Tropical Storm Barry hasn't quite quit peacefully yet. You guessed it, now he's heading to New England just in time for my Day Off! Well, at least I won't have to water the out-door plantlings. I just hope they don't blow around too much. I'm still missing a few wandering flower pots from that last NorEaster...
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The pestilence of flea nation has rapidly descended upon my cats since Mem Day week-end. Probably something to do with the landlord's visiting pets that week. The kitties have never had the bugs this bad, n they're going crazy, n driving me crazy! It's distressing that I did spend 40 bux on Frontline drops which were applied just two weeks ago, so no other treatment is supposed to be used for 30 days. There's no way we're going to make it through another two weeks of unstopped flea-expoentiation in here.
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I went out n got flea collars hoping to slow them down a bit. Of course the cats went nuts, having never worn a collar before in seven years, but I figured it beats trying to give the Tazmanian-Devil with claws a bath...
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...So Turtle the nervous-wreck, tortoise-shell model, first jammed herself into under-the-stove-space n meowed for two days before I could get her out to eat some food n water. Then she jammed her fat-fluffy self under stuff in the backroom for another day of remote complaining in self-imposed solitary-confinement!
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I coaxed her out a few inches for food again to discover she's managed to lose the collar somewhere, so her fleas are still running amok, n I have no way to get another collar on her in her current state of craziness. I just hope she doesn't get really ill from not having enough water. She's deathly afraid of the vets after almost dying as a kitten once. She throws bad Tizzy-fits! (look-out)!
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At least Mischief is just loudly begging every minute for brushing again, n has resigned to the collar wearing.
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So, lots of rain, quality indoor time, with Cats killing every peaceful minute you were looking forward too, wanting to help more, n being unable too! (Is this hell?)
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Last weekend: What WAS I thinking?! Why did I mention my Photo Essay blog (on the top of the sidebar links) to the people downstairs...? Because of the other neighbor's difficult to ignore burnt-out house-shell, that's why. Even tho I showed them the hard-copy prints, I stupidly had to mention the pics online.... Faux Pas!
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What would I do without this place to freely complain in? What would be the point? (Close call)!
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Luckily I wasn't specific about the name or url, tho if they knew what they were doing (Fat chance) they could find me. There are already a few neighbors who've seen the online pics who I don't need to worry about mentioning in my rants... (Note to self: Watch the mouth, especially when they deny you sleep... because I'm just not alert enough! Remember who you're speaking too... )
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Hmm... Now how to write anything with decent quality under conditions of loud meowing... Well, I somehow made it through this post, at least!

Shhh!

Can you hear the water going "Lap, lap, lap, ...?"

This scene of the front beach by the short pier is so restful, n I'm so tired! I could fall asleep just looking at it...
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I could use some sleep, like now- After my second week doing OT hours here, I'm still wound up as dawn is breaking. I've only been home about an hour. I'm just finishing some pasta eats with tea n getting ready to wash up before crashing out.
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No where near Day Off yet. Two more wild, long nights to go... I'm sore, hope I make it. Fell in a puddle on cement, hitting the previously injured knee one more time to remind me to slow down a bit. I've got a list of bruises this week not to be envied, as the tireder I getz the clumsier I getz... All due to trying to do the work of two people with these large orders.
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The good news is the schedule I just got for next week has two new victims, I mean new people, penciled in for the week-end on my line. Hopefully at least one of them lasts the first week! Then I'll get to rest my arms a little more, n go home on time.
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I think at this point I'd rather have the rest than the couple of bux... (You know you're over-worked when...)!