Good Bad in Book Seven: Reconstruction 2020

Good: It seems that my work for this week is entirely completed
Good: That means I got to catch up on Prosebox book marks!
Good: That means I got to review the upcoming stuff!
Bad: February 20th and our March Trial dates look to be cosmically fucked up.
MIDDLE: It looks more fucked up for my boss than for me, largely because of AAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL the drugs (almost exclusively meth) coming in and out of this county.
Bad: I’m thinking a lot about my weight loss journey lately. And while I am still thrilled that I am still below 220 and stay below 220 for the first time in years… I’m still not any closer to getting below 210. And as my goal weight (as ever) is 160… that’s a hard horse to hurdle. By the removal of soda and alcohol throughout most of this month (and the desperate attempt to get exercise every day) I’m hoping to see what I can do. SO

TODAY I WEIGHED 216

Let’s see if I can get below that for March 6th. Honestly… if I could get a consistent 211 for March 6th, I’d be happy. Hell… I’ll have a friggin’ house party if I can consistently get below 200!!

UFDA! It can be interesting to have such diverse family and friends. It should surprise NOT A ONE OF YOU that my racist Trump-worshiping cousin is “on blast today”. I won’t share it here because it is so stupid as to injure the brain… but he shared a very long post “proving” that the Democrats of the United States are “the party of Adolph Hitler and want to bring his kind of totalitarianism to the United States.” Uh… you support Trump. The man that literally proved he can do whatever he wants? The man that got away with saying, “If it is in my best interest, it is in the Country’s best interest”? The man who supports racism? And you’re saying that the Democrats are the ones that are going to bring “Totalitarianism” to the United States?! Holy fuck, kid.

And immediately under that post? Is the following meme:

SOOOOooooooooooooo… let it never be said that I don’t get politically diverse inputs.

SURVEY TIME

Is there always going to be that one person you and a friend makes fun of?
Each other, in light hearted ways. And the stupidest defendants. Because yes, people. If you are an absolute dumb ass, your attorney will make fun of you.

Would you confess an otherwise safe secret, or keep it to yourself?
I rarely speak secrets. My own or other people’s.

What color are your nails?
Pale and terrible. SUPER bad habit of nail biting.

Do sluts make you mad?
Not exactly. It depends on the context. If someone practically has their tits out at church? Yeah. I get upset. If someone is into me and tell me they “want to be my slut”… that is a huge fucking turn on!

Are you waiting for a phone call?
Never and always. Wednesdays are worse because Traffic Court is Thursday; but I’m always waiting for phone calls from attorneys or defendants

Do you look forward to swimsuit season, or get really nervous?
Both. I like the idea of swimsuit season but I’d be a little happier with it if I was a few dozen pounds lighter

Have you kissed the last friend that called you?
Who was the last friend that called and when..... Martha called me on January 25th… the last non-work, non-political phone call I received… so… yes… but also, that was like two weeks ago. I know we’re a texting culture now, and I’m all about that… but other than Andy and MBFITWW and sometimes Victoria… I don’t even get texts either.

Describe the perfect cozy outfit for being sick in that you have:
Blue baggy sweat pants, grey fuzzy socks, red Old Navy sweatshirt, magic light blue blanket

If you could live for a year with any foreign family, where would you go?
Ireland or Scotland or England

What is a bad habit of yours that you’re actually trying to fix?
Eat better, drink less alcohol, drink more water, exercise better

Think of a friend you know; how would you feel if they kissed you?
I can honestly say that I would be open to getting a kiss from any one of my female friends. NOW… if they wanted it to go farther than that… for some of them, I would have to shut that down. For others? Maybe not so much.

Do you write out your feelings?
If you’re reading this, you tell me. :p

Do you have bills to pay yet?
You betcha! Utilities to the City, Mortgage to the Bank, Credit Card to the bank (credit card is actually fun for me. I am in a position where I have to remind myself to use it so that the ‘avenue of credit’ remains open).

Will you be changing your hair any time soon?
Not likely. I may shave at some point (may not) as apparently everyone in the mid-west thinks “beards” are a requirement for dating. But as to dying my hair or anything? I’m okay with a little salt in my pepper.

Does your mom have a celebrity look-alike?
Hells no. But there is a lot of Kitty Foreman to my mom in other ways!

Do you have a song stuck in your head?
No, but I typically can get one in my head very easily.

Are you afraid of living alone?
Not really. If I were back in my Dorm Days- then yes. Living alone, surrounded by people having fun, having social lives, getting dates, getting laid… and struggling to find any of that for myself? THAT was tough. Living alone now? I don’t know. I’m nervous. I’m worried. But I’m also looking forward to it. No mess but my mess. No taking care of someone else other than Nala. I’m excited to teach myself that (1) I am enough; (2) Don’t live for someone else, live and let someone else be attracted to that; and (3) every day tasks being done every day is the best way to keep things tidy and in good shape.

Are all crushes something to take seriously and consider going after?
A crush is a way for your mind/body/soul to say, “This is someone I am attracted to.” I think from that point, analysis can and should take place. WHY are you attracted to this person… is this a pattern you are noticing… is this a healthy pattern or an unhealthy pattern… those kinds of questions are important whether you go after the person or not.

Is there something you wish you could learn to do?
SHIT. YES! I wish I could speak Japanese, I wish I could draw, I wish I could do a martial art (preferably Kendo), I wish I could be a master CosPlayer, I wish I could learn how to be an amazing lover… I mean… the list goes on!

If you could be amazing at ONE thing, what would it be?
Investing. It might sound cold and shitty but consider it. If you were an absolute MASTER of investing… your money would be how you made money. You would be wealthy. And you could spend your time and wealth doing whatever you wanted.

What do you wish people would pay you to do?
I wish people would pay me to listen to them. I’m paid to get a result in court. That is what I wanted. It is what I want. I didn’t want to be a pastor specifically because hearing about people’s pain and hardship and not being able to actively do anything to fix it bothered me. But… whenever a stranger wants you to listen to their problems, their excuses, their drama, their bullshit (blah blah blah blah) I’m always feeling.... “I don’t get paid for this. The service you are looking for is either a therapist or a bullshit deposit. I am neither!”

Could you describe your bed?
Custom built wood framed sled bed; queen size

What does your lotion smell like?
My three favorite (in order)
Cherry Blossom
Argan
Coconut

Do you regret kissing anybody?
Somewhat. I’ve not kissed many. In fact, I’ve only kissed 7 people in any sexual/romantic way. First one? Worth it. Second one? Wish I’d skipped the ENTIRE relationship. Third one? I wish I could have kept that relationship from completely dissolving. Fourth one? Mostly, I kissed back when someone started kissing me because I didn’t know what else to do. I don’t regret that one, I just wish I had maybe done something differently. Fifth one? The relationship was stupid and not worth my time; but taught me some valuable things. Sixth one? Married, that is Martha. Seventh one? Mostly it was Shanon saying goodbye.

Do you still sleep with stuffed animals?
No but that is only because Nala sleeps in my bed and rests against me. Meaning, I don’t need a stuffed one as I have a real one.

Do you take good pictures?
Not at all, I’m atrocious at the task.

Should you be doing something else right now?
Actually, not really. It would behoove me to continue writing my schedule for the next six weeks but… as the task itself implies, it isn’t exactly a pressing concern

Did that question make you nervous?
If the answer had been a panicked, “shit, yes. Fuck!” Than yes it would have made me nervous. As it is- not at all.

Do you automatically apologize if you walk into somebody?
Not automatically. If I can see the person is surprised, I might offer a small shrug but that comes from a lifetime of being accidentally sneaky

Why don’t girls like porn?
I saw Nikki Glaser last night on TV. Some girls like porn. I would contend the following: Pornography is not sex. Romantic Comedies are not relationships. If a woman did her best to try to make her relationship exactly like whatever Nora Ephron film she was obsessed with; her man would be very upset with her and would likely dislike Romantic Comedies. So to, if a man does his best to try to make his sex life exactly like whatever Nina North film he was obsessed with; his woman would be very upset with him and would likely dislike Pornographic Movies.

Tell me a memory of this summer:
This last summer… was Hawaii… which was fun but supremely telling. So happy and sad.

Do you think it’s pretty when 100s of balloons are let loose into the sky?
Fuck no! Don’t be so irresponsible.

How do you feel about people with two different colored eyes?
I think it is interesting, beautiful, and often sexy

What’s something that you don’t need, but really want?
A new desktop computer with two monitors

Are you hungry or lusting after anything right now?
I am rarely hungry and often lusting

What do you draw more than anything else?
Cartoon eyes

How often do you eat your favourite food?
Rarely. Whenever Mom or Martha make it. I figure if I learn to make it and make it for myself, I’ll go overboard.

Have you ever fallen asleep on public transport? (including planes)
I sleep fairly well on planes and buses!

What room of the house are you in right now?
I’m in my office

What was the last tv show you watched?
Brooklyn Nine Nine

Have you been using Apple Music?
I have not. I tend to listen to music through YouTube

Do you pay rent for the place you live? How often?
I have a mortgage, which I like to think of as “monthly rent for an extended period.” Because, and this is true, I pay just a little tiny bit more per month for this 5 bedroom house in IF than I did for a 3 bedroom apartment in WDM.

How do you feel at this particular moment? Anything on your mind?
I feel like, despite taking a thorough and cleansing shower… it is bullshit that I have a deep gash wound that itches right now and to itch it makes me look like I’m playing with my balls.

Where was the last place you went on vacation/holiday to? Who’d you go with?
Probably Hawaii. I mean… you could argue Anime Iowa as a 3-day “staycation” with Anime Festivities. But really it was Hawaii. An interesting experience. A vacation I had to practically DRAG Martha to kicking and screaming. A vacation where she constantly complained about heat and her discomfort in swimming. A vacation that involved a beautiful expensive (but free for us) anniversary dinner. And absolutely zero physical intimacy. Not just no sex. But like… no sharing a hammock, no holding hands, no nothing folks. I get that we waited a long ass time for our honeymoon/first vacation but for it to be that and to go down like that? SAID A LOT.

Does the place you work have music playing? What sort?
NOPE. Technically, I could have music playing and I occasionally do. But typically that is when I need to pour my focus into something. Counter intuitive but true.

List all the colours you’re currently wearing.
Black, black, black, black, blue, and purple.

What’s your favourite type of donut?
Bear Claw, Red Filling. Raspberry, Cherry, Strawberry… doesn’t matter.

What do you usually eat for breakfast?
If I eat breakfast it is one of the following:
English Muffin; or
Egg Sandwich; or
Cereal; or
Left Overs from the night before.

Do you have any candles in your bedroom? Do you light them often?
I do not. Martha is… super anti-romance. Otherwise… I’d probably have one or two in there for fun and ‘just in case.’

Can you touch your toes without bending your knees?
Yes but that is because part of my chronic pain means that I am very flexible unless experiencing a really bad flare up.

When was the last time you went out for dinner?
I went to the Mexican Place with the awesome bar last Friday. It was a “Okay, last drink” night. I love that place for its excellent food, huge portions, and generous bar. :)

Have you seen all the Hunger Games films as of current?
I have not seen a single one

What was the last thing you said to someone else in person?
Ha! Yeah. Sounds like he is certainly gungho!

Do you use Windows, Mac, Linux, or something else entirely?
Windows.

How many times do you call someone on the phone a week?
On average? Never. Never. I never call people on the phone. Call me anti-social. Call me a dickhead. I. hate. the phone. I’m absolutely the type of person where I wish we had futuristic FaceTime Phones. Because to NOT have a phone cradled to my ear, balancing on my neck, while I can’t see what your facial non-verbals are???? GR! Hate it!

Have you cooked anything today? What was it?
I have not. Ate an English Muffin, had Subway.

Do you have a lot of cousins? What are their names?
Not sure what you consider a lot. If you include extended family? I have 13 cousins.

What does your shampoo smell like?
I am still finishing up the Axe Shampoo. When that runs out, I may return to my Shampoo/Conditioner combinations of such arrangements as Coconut or Cherry Blossom or Tropical Passion

What about the body wash or soap you’re using at the moment?
It is Dove Body Wash for Men and while I enjoy the scent… I am only guessing that I think it is Sage

Have you ever had an exotic or unusual pet?
Nope. Only pets in my life were vicarious until Nala. Meaning… my parents had dogs and fish… my brother has had dogs and fish. But my first pet is Nala.

Any movies you’ve seen recently that you’d recommend to me?
Probably but I’ve forgotten. I mean, I’ve seen movies in the last month but… mostly as distraction so I didn’t put them in the processing portion of my brain and don’t really remember.

Why did you last go see a doctor?
Pain management

Do you know how to play Minesweeper?
Yes but I was never very good

What was the last thing you bought online?
Hotel Confirmation for AnimeIowa

Where do you usually park your car?
In my garage on the right side or in the parking lot of the courthouse

Does your mail get delivered to your house or do you have to collect it?
It gets delivered to the box at the end of my driveway. But almost all of it is usually addressed to either the last owner of the house or the owner before that.

Are you more logical or creative?
I think I balance precariously on this one. I think my job asks me to be more logical, so my creativity takes too much of a backseat in my daily life

Do you cut tags out of clothing so they don’t itch and bother you?
I don’t but only because the last new clothes I purchased were YEARS ago. One thing I’ll say for Martha… she is a frugal lady but has the skills to stay that way. Like… I rip a pair of pants? I’D just toss ‘em and buy a new pair. Martha patches them up. Over and over again. True… I’d much rather look like an attorney with a professional demeanor; but… for rural Iowa the “patched up local attorney” may play better to a jury.

When was the last time you looked at Facebook, Twitter or etc.?
Facebook is presently open right now. It is almost always open at work as I conduct conversations, peruse memes, and attempt to actively refute the bullshit news that Facebook refuses to fact check.

Have you ever been on a train? Where did you go?
I’ve never been on a proper train. I’ve been on “fun trains” like tour trains in Boone. But as far as something proper like… New York to Boston or London to Edinburgh… never. Though, that might be because I’ve never been to any of those cities.

How many times a year do you go on vacation?
If we’re talking a proper vacation (so not for work or a wedding or a family reunion; but a proper vacation to relax and enjoy) I have really only gone on 3 in the last ten years. Which is why if this year goes the way I’d like? That would be intense. Because I still want to do the Japan Trip. But there is also a Canada Trip that is… meaningful… for family purposes… that I’ll be doing as well.

Can you curl your tongue or do anything else cool with it?
The honest answer is I don’t know… but I’d certainly like to learn and experiment with the various different things my tongue might be able to do. :)

What was the last job interview you went to?
There were MANY job interviews in 2018. The very last one I did, I think, was the one that got me this job. If that wasn’t the very last one, then the very last one was the one in Dubuque to act as Liaison between the Board of Supervisors and the County Attorney’s Office. Both places offered me a job! :p lol