Doug

inner_city_poet @ 2009-12-06T22:29:00

2009-12-07T06:29:27Z

I so don't wanna go to work tomorrow. I wanna stay home curled up under a hundred blankets and drink hot chocolate all day. It's 13 fucking degrees right now, and it's gonna get colder. The only bonus is there ain't been snow, but that ain't a big bonus. It's the cold that I hate, the snow's just something that comes with it. The fucking wind felt like it was gonna rip my skin off tonight with how fucking cold it was.

Yeah, I know. My entries this time of year suck. I don't talk about much else but the cold. It's hard not to since it's right there in my face constantly. I don't fucking envy Mikel tomorrow with him going to the high school to wait outside all day while Rafiq's there. If he's smart, he'll wear warm clothes. This cold's even gotta get to him, and he handles that shit better than most. Might have a frozen Mikel meeting Rafiq after school. Of course, ain't nothing unimportant like snow that's gonna keep Mikel from doing that for the kid. He's nothing if not stubborn and loyal.

I can't believe Christmas is so close. Seems like it really sneaked up on my this year. We got the tree up this weekend, so it really hit me that it's getting here fast. The kids had a great time decorating the tree and the rest of the house, and they keep wanting to do more. Jamal's into it in a major way this year. He wanted to get on the roof and help put shit up there, but that ain't happening, obviously. Got him distracted with spraying fake snow around and doing some of them stencil things on the window. He liked that, but wanted to cover the whole window in it. Wasn't easy explaining to him about overkill.

Okay, that's enough of sitting here typing. I'm gonna go curl up somewhere warm and hope this season ends real quick. I never get that wish, but ya never know. Might happen someday.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-11-30T19:30:00

2009-12-01T03:30:55Z

I'm really sucking at getting posts written early. I told myself I'd write in the first week at the latest, and guess what I ain't done? Maybe next time. Right. I'm sure that'll happen.

Least I got the holidays as an excuse. They have a way of totally short circuiting my brain. I ain't the only one, so I don't feel so bad. It'd just suck if I fucked up the competition I started. Talk about embarrassing.

As usual this time of year, it's too fucking cold. Yeah, I say that every time. I'll say it more. It's right there a the top of my mind. Least we ain't got much snow yet. I'm hoping for a winter without anymore snow. That leaves me in the minority, and gets me targeted for shit, but that's how it goes, I guess. Ain't like it's my fault when there ain't no snow. I don't have that kind of clout.

The kids have been having fun decorating and picking out decorations for the house. Kind of sucks that Bait can't put 'em up like he usually does. Hopefully he'll be back at it next year. I know I bitch sometimes at how much we pay him to do it, but I don't mind as much as I say I do. He does a good job, and he deserves the money. I hate seeing him stuck inside where he knows he can't do none of the shit he used to. Tackle and a couple others been helping instead of him, but Tackle ain't as coordinated as Bait. I can just see him falling off the roof on his ass. Could be funny, at least.

I've been trying to decide what to get people for Christmas, but I still have a mental block with it. Seems that even if I wanna do it, I can't shop before the day before Christmas. My mind rebels and don't help me at all. It ain't my fault. I think I inherited it from my dad. Pretty sure of that, really. It's nice to be able to blame him for shit.

Dinner's ready now, so I'm gonna go eat. I'm hungry as hell. Leftovers ain't so bad. At least they don't take so long to make.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-11-11T21:18:00

2009-11-12T05:33:20Z

Okay, I'm gonna get this done now before I forget. Ain't got much to say, but maybe I can make it interesting enough to not put people to sleep.

Most of the past while was spent taking care of Bree and helping Gayle and crew move. Bree got stuck with the bad flu, and spent most of her time bitching about how she was fine and didn't need help and shit. Same ol', same ol'. She's doing better now, but I was beginning to think her and my mom were gonna start exchanging blows with both of 'em being sick and denying that they needed any help. I don't get women. Probably best that I don't. Might drive me nuts.

Helping Gayle move ain't so bad except it's fucking cold out there. Moving in and out and shit ain't much fun. I'll be glad when it's done and I don't gotta freeze my ass off so much. Might be snow this weekend, too. What a fucking joy that'll be. Note the sarcasm.

Since that's about all that's gone on, I'm gonna be lazy and not write a lot more. I could bore ya all with talk of work and shit, but I'm a nice guy. I'd hate to do that. Maybe next time I'll have more to write about. Hopefully it won't have nothing to do with snow or freezing weather. Guess we'll see.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-09-29T21:10:00

2009-09-30T04:21:39Z

Time to get this done, I guess.

It's cold. Yeah, that'll be a common theme of my entries for awhile. It's fucking cold, and I hate it. It's in the forties right now, and that sucks. I hate this time of year.

See? Same ol' shit, different year. We can just hope for less snow this time around. None would be better. We'll see how that goes. At least it's a possibility here, much as some people'll bitch and moan about it. Someone's always bitching and moaning here, right?

Jamal's been having fun with kindergarten. It's hard to send him off to be with people we hardly know to watch him, even if it is only half a day. There's always the wondering if he's in good enough hands or if they can handle some of his little quirks or whatever. It's hard on me, and I know it's gotta be harder on Bree. Moms always think everyone is messing up with their kids, I guess. I know my mom was that way. I remember more than one talk she had with more than one of my teachers growing up. She didn't put up with shit. I see Bree being the same way.

Soon we're gonna be randomly figuring out who gets to fill whose stocking for Christmas this year. It's good to get these things started early so people got time to figure it out and get stuff. It takes for fucking ever to figure it out since there are so many people up here now, but most people seem to have fun with it. Everyone always wants to get John's stocking so they can thrill him on Christmas morning. I'm betting he really dreads finding out his "benefactor." Maybe I'll get lucky this year. Never know.

Okay, I got to get concentrating on other things. Just wanted to make sure I got this done. Getting a free minute these days ain't the easiest thing in the world.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-09-04T07:08:00

2009-09-04T14:15:19Z

I'm gonna do the unthinkable and update now. Yeah, five days after my last post. Pretty efficient of me, ain't it?

Actually, I'm dragging my feet. I'm supposed to be leaving for work about now, but I don't wanna go outside. Forty-five fucking degrees. Need I say more? Didn't think so.

Off to Pig Out in the Park after work. Hope it's warmed up enough by then. But we'll go anyway, cause hey, it's once a year and it's a lot of good food. And it's always like some kinda weird reality show to watch the Denny family bring plate after plate after fucking plate to the table. It's amazing. They compete every year as to who can eat the most, and Mikel wins almost every time. Depends on his mood as to how much he eats, but he can fork it away like no other. I don't know how he does it. Hell, I don't know how any of 'em do it. Even the little ones eat more than me, and I can eat more than my fair share. I feel seriously outclassed.

Everyone's being a lot more cautious this time around. I mean, after what happened last year with Magnum .44 and Freebase, nobody wants to be caught with their proverbial pants down. Who knows what could happen next? Not to mention past confrontations with the fucking Masters and that shit. It'd be nice to have a whole Labor Day weekend without any bad incidents. Might be too much to ask, but ya never know. It could happen. Ain't nothing impossible, right?

I'm so fucking tempted to call in sick, but I won't. Don't wanna use up my sick days for this when colder days are coming. I need to get my ass up off this chair and get moving. Here's to a quick work day and a slow weekend.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-08-29T21:09:00

2009-08-30T04:30:36Z

Summer's almost up, which is a bitch. The weather's gonna start cooling down even more any second now and I'll have to start bitching all the more. Everyone looks forward to that, I know. It's too bad I can't find good ways for people to feel like it's ninety degrees or more out while they're bragging about the cold weather. It'd only be fair since people think it's a good idea to do things to make me cold when I'm bragging about the heat. Talk about one-sided.

Jamal's gonna be going to school. Time fucking flies way too fast. He ain't supposed to be that old yet. I'm supposed to have two or three more years of the little guy and now he's bragging about being big. Being a parent's full of unfair things like that, I've noticed. Bree's been making noises about another baby, too. Time's coming where she's gonna be making sure we work on making that happen. I had to end up with a woman who wants an endless parade of kids. I tried to tell her adopting is better, but then she got on a tirade about how we should adopt more kids, too, insisting on the having her own babies thing, too. Women.

I guess my folks are officially Washington State residents now. That's weird. I'm glad they got out of where they were cause it ain't a great place, but having 'em so close on a permanent basis is gonna drive me nuts. Trey and his family might just be here for the long haul, too. More weirdness. It's strange enough for me to get out of that shithole, but to see my whole family doing it's kind of amazing. Lots of families there dream of having this chance, and we got it. Never would've believed it if someone had told me that when I was a kid.

Okay, that's good enough, I guess. I need to do some things and they ain't getting done with me doing this. I know you're all sad to see me go, but it had to happen sometime, right? If ya ain't sad to see me go, don't tell me. Just let me be deluded. My ego could use it.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-08-15T16:35:00

2009-08-15T23:52:16Z

Now that I'm stuck in the house due to weather that's too fucking cold for me to want to go out in, and since it's the last day for this thing, I'm avoiding being in the losing position and writing it. At least I have a few things to do inside, so it ain't so bad. I want the eighty and ninety degree temps back. They better get back soon, or I'm finding somewhere to lodge a complaint. Temps in the sixties in August just ain't fucking natural.

Jamal's been trying to get me to go out, but I've been able to distract him so far. Other people take him out instead, and he seems okay with that. Let's hope it stays that way. I got no desire to go get my ass hit by water balloons and shit on a day like this.

I'm gonna pick a day in September to go bless the English department at EWU with my presence. I'm sure the ones left there miss me, especially Dr. Logan. It ain't the same without me, I'm sure. Sad thing is that most of the profs I know have retired, died, or moved on, so there's a whole department that don't really know me. Well, I guess there are probably stories about me that go around since I made my mark, but it ain't the same thing. Imagine how empty the place has gotta be without me. I'm sure my shining face'll brighten the place up real nice. They should have a party for me. Of course, I'm making a surprise visit, so that ain't something that'd work. Maybe I'll take Dr. Logan some cupcakes at least. She'll get the idea.

Looks like I gotta head off and do dad stuff. Sierra's trying to get my attention by pulling at my pants leg from under the chair, and that's always a not so subtle hint. I hope she outgrows this getting under and in things tendency before too long . Who knows what trouble she could get into otherwise?

inner_city_poet @ 2009-07-26T22:32:00

2009-07-27T05:38:22Z

Ya know how unfair people can be? I mean, I finally get the hot weather I been wanting, and yeah, I brag about it. Might say I even gloat. What happens to me?

Water balloons, hoses, and other receptacles for cold water. Try to enjoy the heat and they freeze me.

I'd understand if my gloating was uncalled for. But all winter long, I hear about how cool it is to have cold water, bragging about the snow, all that shit. Do I retaliate? Hell no. I put up with it. I'm a nice guy that way. I might bitch about it, but I don't go pulling shit on them for the bragging.

I was soaked four times today by mean people. All of 'em cited the fact that I was gloating as the reason. They even admit that I don't pull that shit on them and say they don't care! Ya know how fucking twisted that is?

I gotta find some way to start paying 'em back in the winter, that's all there is to it. Got no idea how yet, but I'll come up with something. I can be creative, ya know. I'll have my day, damnit.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-07-08T20:25:00

2009-07-09T03:39:40Z

I'm getting this done now so I don't forget. Been doing that too much lately and getting it done too close to the deadline. It'd look real bad if I lost this since it was my idea.

bree's been real determined and thoughtful on this whole thing about the kid she talked to today. She's seriously unimpressed with his parents, not that I blame her. I just don't get people like that. Kid only gets attention when he does shitty things, and then it's good attention? Some people shouldn't ever be parents. Hopefully the kid'll turn around and stay turned around. Bree and Cheyenne been talking about it, so shit's gonna happen. Hopefully it won't somehow hit me. Shit around here's got a tendency to do that.

Stupid fucking weather's been annoying the past couple days. It's fucking July and it gets into the forties? What kinda shit is that?! This part of the country leaves a lot to be desired in some ways. It's got its good points, but the weather needs serious help. Of course, I bitch enough about it that ya all probably got it all figured out by now.

Jamal's been loving all the summer shit. The other kids being off school means he's got more kids to play with more often, so it's all good with him. Now if he'd stop dragging me off outside when all the water fights are going on, I'd be happy. Sure as shit, I always get hit. I told ya, I got a target on me. That's all I got to say about that, considering Bree decided to have some fun with that statement last time I made it. The woman can be cruel. Take it from me.

There ain't really all that much to say that I can think of. Ain't much going on at the moment. It's even kinda quiet. I wonder if that's a good thing. I hope so. We need more good things.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-06-27T15:06:00

2009-06-27T22:17:42Z

They really gotta learn to do summers right up here. Seventy-eight degrees at three in the afternoon at the end of June? What kinda shit is that? It should be in the eighties, at the very least. Fucking northwest. Something just ain't right with this place.

There have been quite a few spontaneous water fights the past couple days, though nothing protracted like they were before. I'm sure that'll change quick enough. Kids out of school for the summer, unfair Doug targeting people staying around here, the invisible target on my back that feels like a fucking water magnet... it all adds up to more water wars. Some people got no thought for the environment or water conservation. They oughta be ashamed of themselves. I always keep things like that in mind. I'm just that kinda guy.

Jamal's been dragging us to the park almost constantly lately. Well, figuratively speaking. He can drag us, but that's a little far for him. Close enough, though. So we end up there with him running all around having to make the big decision about what to play on. It's rough being a kid, ya know. Then there's the little pool they got there for kids, and he loves that. He looks damn cute splashing around in his little swim trunks and laughing like a maniac when he splashes someone. At least he don't target me so much. I got one ally. Bree sure ain't one. She stands up for people like Jumanji, even when it's his fault I pay him back. "Be nice to Jumanji," she says.

Right. If anyone ever tells ya that Bree ain't softhearted, they're lying. Of course, Bree's the only one likely to tell ya that, but ya know. Anyone who protects Jumanji and falls for his innocent look's got one hell of a soft heart. I won't go so far as to say soft head. I'd get hurt for that.

I'm gonna head outside and get some sun. It ain't much, but it's better than sitting inside all day. The summer's for outside shit. Well, long as I ain't got water balloons flying at me constantly it is.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-06-07T16:20:00

2009-06-07T23:35:40Z

Just when I start to enjoy the hot weather, we start to cool off. Ya know how frustrating that is? Sixty-seven degrees now. That's a fucking rip. I want my ninety degree and higher weather back, damnit. It sucks when the sun is out and shining, but being a big tease cause it ain't warming too much up. Stupid sun.

Things have been okay other than that. There ain't been no more run-ins with people wanting to be assholes and start fights, at least. Makes me want to not let the kids leave the house. I know that ain't realistic, but that's how it is. Now I know how my folks felt when I was growing up. It ain't as bad here (yet?), but when ya get used to having some measure of security, it seems to make it all the worse. I just hope we don't get anymore problems. It'd be nice to have a peaceful summer.

On a less doom and gloom side of things, I'm now making dinner once a week. Bree's got this thing where she makes way too fucking much broccoli and expects me to eat it. Ya know, cause it's real good for me and shit. She says she makes dinner, so gets to decide what foul things she makes us stick in our mouths. Okay, she didn't put it quite that way, but close enough.

Well, there's this little thing called chicken. It's good for ya, ya know? She hates it. I never get to eat chicken at home cause of that very reason. So now I'm making dinner once a week so I can have chicken and she can be made to eat something she don't like just like she makes me eat the green shit. Sounds fair enough, right? She don't seem to think so, but oh well. Way it goes, right? I gotta make up for years of being forced to eat broccoli, so chicken once a week. My mom's even gonna give me her recipe for chicken salad sandwiches, which Bree says ruins everything but the chicken.

Don't ya love little domestic things like that? Makes it look almost normal here. Almost. Can't be completely normal when ya got all the shit going on here we do, but we can get it as close as we possibly can, I guess.

Time for me to give in to the pulling of my arm by Jamal. He don't like to sit still for more than five or ten minutes at a time, so he don't think I should, either.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-05-24T19:08:00

2009-05-25T02:21:33Z

I think I'm some kind of fucking magnet for water. It sure feels that way this weekend, anyway.

I lost count of how many times I've been doused, even when I wasn't involved in the damn water fight. All I got to do is step outside to get the fucking paper (don't I sound domestic?), and suddenly I'm soaked from head to toe. There ain't no justice. And here I thought that Amber and her family moving away from the duplex would make my life easier. But no, Markez just has to come visit constantly. Sure, they live less than a mile away, but still. He should make friends on his own block and torment their parents for awhile.

Things almost look wetter here now than they did when we were having all that rain. Water balloons, water guns, hoses, buckets, cups... you name it and it's being used to carry water somewhere to douse someone with. It ain't safe to go outside at all. It's almost too bad that Mankin ain't living in the neighborhood no more. He loves when we do this shit. Really.

Ain't much else to talk about besides the water fights. Been working on roleplaying shit and working and dealing with crazy people. Typical shit for around here. The weather's better, though it could still get hotter anytime now, especially at night. I need me some hundred degree weather.

Yeah, saying that gets me hurt, but that's what I like. Better than all this shivering cold shit this place tends to get. I'm looking forward to stepping outside and immediately breaking into a sweat cause it's so hot. That's good shit.

Okay, time to go help Jamal get a water balloon ready. There's someone who needs a dousing, and I'm hoping he comes under our bedroom window soon. If Jamal does it, I can't be blamed, right?

We'll see.

Later.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-05-15T17:18:00

2009-05-16T00:24:48Z

Making my post on the last day of the competition this two weeks ain't exactly what I planned, but that's how it goes. It ain't gonna count anyway. Due to major issues going down all over the place leading to major stress, those who ain't posted get a reprieve on it. Competition is on again for the next two weeks though, so stay tuned.

As for me, I'm gonna sit back and relax. I got exactly no sleep last night for what turns out to be no reason, and I'm fucking tired after working all day.

So yeah. Later, everyone.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-04-30T04:43:00

2009-04-30T11:54:19Z

I fucking hate insomnia. It sucks. I been trying to sleep for hours, and I can't manage it. I start to drift off once in awhile, and then my mind pulls me back. That's awfully fucking rude of my mind.

I guess it serves the purpose of getting me doing this. Last day and all, so I'm pushing it. But hey, it's getting done, and that's what counts.

The weather here needs to fucking warm up. It just ain't right having temps in the forties at the end of April. What is this? Opposite year for global warming? It better warm up soon, or I'm lodging an official complaint. I'm sure that'll get results. I just hope we have a nice hot summer to make up for this shit. Yeah, that means people like Gayle and Becky and others'll blame me and try to hurt me for it, but right now it feels worth it.

Ain't much been going on to talk about. Work, kids, roleplaying, etc. Same ol', same ol'. I'm just real fucking good with this updating shit. I'd try to be entertaining, but I'm too fucking tired and frustrated for that. I'm just hoping this is the only night I have this problem. If it ain't, I'm gonna be one grumpy motherfucker until I get a week's worth of sleep.

Might as well get a shower and something to eat. Later.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-04-02T03:32:00

2009-04-02T10:33:58Z

A goddamn fucking winter storm advisory! God fucking damnit! We have an inch and now might get 3-5 inches more!

Someone hates me. I did something to piss off the powers that be and now they fucking hate me.

I'm going to go hibernate.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-04-01T18:33:00

2009-04-02T01:36:55Z

Nature has the cruelest goddamn fucking idea of humor April Fucking Fools Day, I ain't laughing.

It fucking snowed today! Snow! On April 1! That's no goddamn fair! It's supposed to get warmer in the Spring, goddamnit! It ain't supposed to fucking snow! I ain't impressed one goddamn fucking bit.

It's cold. It's snowing. And I'm still fucking sick, though at least I'm feeling better. This is the suckiest April in history.

I'm gonna go hide in the blankets now and curse the heavens.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-03-25T01:50:00

2009-03-25T08:57:32Z

Can't sleep until the flu meds kick in and I can lie down and breathe at the same time, so I'm getting this over with. Don't help that I start coughing like hell when I get all horizontal. And Bree's been coughing like hell all night, so that keeps waking me up. Flu sucks, in case ya didn't figure that out.

This ain't a long entry, but since I ain't sure how I'm gonna be feeling the rest of month, I'm getting it done now. I'm sure you'll all understand if this ain't a novella. Lucky school got me typing good so I don't gotta keep my eyes open and get blinded by the white screen.

Jamal's doing better after having a real bad bout for a couple days there. He was up and playing yesterday, so that's a good sign. Bree's gotten worse, though. Probably ain't no one hates the flu more than her and Mike. They never seem to catch a break.

Okay, that's all I can take right now. I'm sure ya all feel better for having read it and can't wait to read the next installment. My fingers feel funny. I hate this shit.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-03-09T18:25:00

2009-03-10T01:26:20Z

Snow sucks.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-03-07T23:09:00

2009-03-08T07:21:27Z

Spring's taking it's own sweet fucking time to get here. Yeah, I know it's just early March, but thirty-one degrees is totally unacceptable. If someone the powers that be might actually listen to would lodge a complaint, I'd be real grateful. They never listen to me. And whoever coached Jamal to ask for snow needs to not pull that shit. It ain't right.

Surprised I'm posting earlier this time? I'm feeling ambitious, what can I say? It takes the pressure off later into the two weeks. I'm all for relieving pressure, at least this time around. Who knows what'll happen next time? I'm unpredictable by nature.

Ain't much going on, really. I'm shivering and Bree's telling me I'm adorable, which I ain't. Why being sensitive to the cold would make someone adorable is beyond me. Women are weird. I'm sure I ain't the first guy to ever notice that, and I ain't gonna be the last.

Bree's birthday's in just a few days. I gotta get to thinking on what to get her. I'm gonna take the kids shopping sometime in the next couple days to let them pick presents for her. That's always fun. Ya never know what they're gonna do. Me, I gotta put more thought into this. It's her big 3-0 (I can mention that here since she did, right?), after all. Can't let that go by without something special. I'm sure she agrees.

Hey, if anyone's got any present suggestions, go ahead and pass 'em on. I'm open to anything but Grace-like suggestions. I suck at this shit. Kid presents I can deal with. Beyond that, I'm stuck. See the pressure I'm under? Ain't fair.

Gonna go now and pull the blankets tighter. Summer needs to get here tomorrow. 90+ degree weather is needed here.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-02-28T13:42:00

2009-02-28T21:57:15Z

Hey y'all. I'm squeaking by at the last minute again, huh? Least I'm getting it done. February sucks for this.

Spent the last couple hours trying to write something passable, but my poetic brain's on vacation or something. Everytime I think I got something, it don't lead anywhere. I hate times like that. Ain't much to do about it but ride it out and hope that part of my brain didn't die its final death.

The damn weather can warm up anytime now. This forty degree shit ain't cutting it. It needs to jump at least thirty more degrees, and more would be better. We got lucky and missed the snow that went north of us the other night. February's too fucking late for snow. Of course, I thin kanytime's bad for snow. I can be reasonable, though. I'll allow a week right at Christmas to let everyone who wants a white Christmas to have one. See how generous I am?

I managed to survive Valentine's Day again this year, this time with a little help from my mom. She had some good ideas, so I wasn't struggling as much as I could've been. We had a nice night out, and that was good. As much as I love my kids, it's nice to have time just for me and Bree once every year or so. Now if she'd just stop teasing me about adopting kids, I could sleep better. I ain't got no problems with adoption, but when she wants to work on having a kid every three or so years, well, adopting just don't seem practical. We're gonna end up having to get a bigger place at some point as it is, but I ain't the mansion sort (not that we could afford that ourselves), and that's all that'd house all the kids she wants. Besides, we did adopt Taye, so she's got that to fall back on. Makes me feel like an ogre to say no to it, but we can't save all the kids in the world, much as I wish we could. I ain't heartless, just practical. She sure ain't gonna give up her desire to get pregnant, so she'll just have to give up on the one to adopt. Someone's gotta be levelheaded here.

Weird. Never thought I'd be the one to do that. Major reality shift.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-02-14T00:10:00

2009-02-14T08:26:45Z

Valentine's Day has got to be the most stressful fucking holiday ever. I oughta find someone to sue for making my life harder. People tell me I need to shop sooner, but that so ain't me. And ya go in the day before to find something nice and ain't much on the shelves. There oughta be a law against it.

I managed to get Bree stuff after more than a little hassle, but damn. It took at least half the day. There's just too much stress in all this, especially for someone who ain't all that romantic. Okay, I ain't romantic at all. I admit it. Ain't nothing wrong with that. Bree might not be romantic either, but she does expect some celebration of the day, if only going out somewhere and getting a break.

Hey, at least I ain't John and don't think that Valentine's Day is for women and that he deserves to get laid that day. And I got no desire for a Steak and Blowjob day like he thinks all guys want so their women can fucking serve 'em. Talk about crass as hell. Fucker needs an ass kicking for that suggestion, which he claims was made by a woman firefighter where he works. Yeah, I'm just betting it was. Not.

Other than that, things are okay. Been stressful and busy, but at least nothing new's popped up to his us in the face. Now that I've said it, if something happens, I'm getting blamed. Oh well. Wouldn't be the first time.

Looks like one bit of stress is gonna be going away soon. Won't be too long before Topaz's mom is outta here. Most of us are breathing a sigh of relief over that one. Once she's gone, things'll feel a lot less tense, that's for damn sure. Here's hoping she has a happy, healthy, and accident free rest of her life, however long that may be. Ain't it nice of me to wish her well in such an unselfish way?

Ain't much else to talk about. I need a midnight snack. I think there's some cold pizza left, and it's calling my name.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-01-25T17:26:00

2009-01-26T01:39:31Z

I'm gonna get this out of the way now that I have a few minutes to actually sit and breathe.

It's been a long day. I've been chasing kids and trying to get things done and it's been hectic as all hell. Bree's been at the hospital most of the day (she's real close to Bait so this whole thing's hit her pretty hard) and I, being the nice guy I am, said it'd be no problem for me to watch the kids. Little did I know that apparently meant Markez running in and out more than usual and Jamal getting hyped up on something (probably something Markez slipped him). Sierra's at least with Bree, so I ain't had to deal with diapers and all that, but damn, seems like the kids I'm dealing with are trying to make up for it. Don't help that Markez has pulled a few pranks on people who feel the need to pay him back, usually when he's here, and I'm feeling like a vacation of about a month. I'm hoping I can get Jamal to sleep at a reasonable hour, and I'm seriously considering some kind of deadbolt to put on the door between our side of the duplex and Charlie's. Just that first time when Markez tried to open it and run through would be worth the nagging I'd get for having done it.

On the bright side (I try to look there occasionally when shit's going on), we didn't have the snow they predicted for this weekend. It's still fucking cold, but at least we've had double digits, unlike people in some parts of the country recently. I'd be fucking migrating if I had to deal with some of that. I would if I'd survive stepping out the door, anyway. There oughta be a law about this shit.

I'm really stretching for things to talk about. Ain't much on most people's minds besides the current trouble with Bait and the upcoming trial for Freebase and Magnum 44 (that's this week, for the record, and we're predicting it'll take two or three days and then they'll be convicted. See how optimistic we are here?). This is all definitely more than we need to deal with right now. Gayle don't need no more shit, and with as close as she is to Freebase, she's stressing about that. Gonna be some of us going in to be character witnesses for 'em, so hopefully that'll do some good. She won't miss doing that, and I know Topaz and Susan are gonna be stepping up to the plate there since that'll be real good word put in for 'em. Ain't sure it'll be good enough to get 'em out of any jail time, but we'll see. We're hoping it'll at least minimize it. Stay tuned somewhere for the details on that. I'm sure it'll be up on the Pantheon's LJ if nothing else.

I'm gonna go pop some Tylenol to deal with this headache and then find something to do about dinner. Maybe I'll order pizza. Sounds like a good plan, and keeps me from having to find something in the kitchen. Cooking ain't my best skill, after all.

inner_city_poet @ 2009-01-10T19:06:00

2009-01-11T03:26:45Z

Too fucking cold. It's warmer these days, but still too fucking cold. Temperatures in the thirties just ain't good enough, in my opinion. I can't fucking wait until summer.

Markez just ran though this half of the duplex, his mom not far behind. I wonder what happened. Maybe I don't wanna know. They're both out the front door now. That door connecting the two halves is dangerous.

Spent quite a bit of time writing today. I ain't even watched much football, so I guess I really needed to get some shit out. Ain't nothing cohesive and finished yet, but I been jotting down ideas and throwing in phrases here and there. Maybe I'll have an acceptable poem or two sometime soon. We'll see. I been slacking too much in that area these days.

My dad ended up getting the job he was trying for, so he's happy. He don't like being idle, and hates being supported and helped by others. Ain't no more sitting around on his ass all day being fussed over by my mom. That's just on the weekends and after work now. He might not go totally nuts having to deal with it just then. They've gotten in more arguments during his recovery than they ever got into when I was a kid, that's for sure. Ain't been nothing major, but hopefully this'll curb those. So far, so good anyway.

Jamal's been obsessing over his new toy motorcycle. Susan ought not to encourage hero worship for Mikel like that. Next thing ya know, she'll be giving the kid a bunch of rock climbing gear. Or maybe I shouldn't give her any ideas. Not sure she reads this, though. Guess I might find out.

I think Sierra fell asleep under my chair. She crawled under there a little while ago and started playing with my shoelaces. Ain't felt her move for awhile, and she was yawning pretty good. Now I gotta be careful getting up. Bree's over at Peter and Laura's house fussing over Peter and his leg, probably trying to make him go get x-rays. He's been real good at covering if is leg hurts bad enough to do that, but I'm pretty sure it does. He's got a talent for deception, but ain't nobody perfect. Don't blame him for not wanting to go, either. Hospitals suck. 'Nuff said there.

Guess I'll see if I can get Sierra up and into her crib without stepping on her or hitting her with the chair. Wish me luck.

Huh. I really need to ge ta Sierra icon. I gotta get someone on that.

inner_city_poet @ 2008-12-17T19:57:00

2008-12-18T04:17:31Z

Winter. Sucks.

Just thought I'd enlighten everyone about that. It ain't as cold as it was, being nineteen big degrees and all, but there's a bunch of that shitty white stuff outside now. We're supposed to get more.

See what I mean?

Winter sucks.

People been running around outside like maniacs, throwing snowballs and shit. I had to go out at Jamal's insistence to build a snowman. See what I do for my kid? I oughta be voted father of the year. Luckily, people avoided me with snowballs. This time, anyway. Next time, ain't no guarantee.

Bree had hot chocolate waiting for me when I got back inside, and I piled on the blankets trying to get warm again. I still ain't made it, and that was hours ago. It's better, but it ain't complete. Sucks being so sensitive to the cold, especially having a kid who loves it and wants me to go out and play with him. Just gotta steel myself and do it. At least it wasn't below ten like it's been lately. I'm hoping that's how it stays. That weather sucked, especially with the wind thrown in.

My dad's got a line on a possible job. Ain't a sure thing, but he's up there in the running. My mom ain't too thrilled about it, but ain't nothing can be done about it. He's insisting on working, and he ain't the type to just change his mind like that. Guess he's got that old fashioned notion of men bringing home the bacon. He don't adjust well to circumstances that change shit like that. Besides, he's been bored as hell most of the time without working. He's an active guy, and it don't suit him to sit around.

The good thing is that the cost of living here ain't near as bad as where we come from, so things might just be easier for 'em. Weird growing up in a shitty, crime ridden, poor area and then coming somewhere like here to live. Ain't so bad here, except for the shitty cold weather. It's sure nice not to have to worry about your kids just walking to a friend's house. Drive-by shootings ain't an almost daily occurrence here. Let's hope it stays that way. With certain elements moving into the area to make trouble, we'll see how long that lasts.

Jamal's begging for my attention, so I better go give it to him. He gets pretty insistent. I think he wants to watch Rudolph. He's cutting down. Only four times today. I think I got it memorized now.

inner_city_poet @ 2008-12-04T00:38:00

2008-12-04T09:20:21Z

See me be earlier than the last couple times. I figure if Alyce does it, I'd look bad if I wanted until the last minute.

I think we're about done with the Christmas decorations, though I never know. Jamal sees something at the store he wants to put up and Bree can't resist. She's such a sucker. It's a wonder we don't go broke just on that shit. I guess it looks good though. I like the lights. That's always been my favorite part.

I still have to shop, but that ain't happening for awhile still. Can't ruin my rep. I got a few ideas what to get people, but I like to wait until I know 'em all. Saves time. It's my system. It works for me. Well, most of the time anyway. Nobody's perfect.

My dad's actually actively started looking for a job now. Looks like they're staying here for awhile at least, and they can't go forever without money. They hate depending on other people. My mom's gonna start looking too. She wants to get one before him so she can use her income as an excuse for him not to get a job. He still ain't a hundred percent, so she's worried he'll overdo it. She could be right. He's like that. He don't understand the benefits of vegging out on the couch all day. Not that I do that. Just guessing.

We ain't had to worry about snow again yet. There's been some rain, but none of the white shit. If I'm lucky (laugh now if ya want), we'll have had our fill for this winter. I can dream. Yeah, I know. Everyone likes their snowball fights and building snowmen and going sledding and all that. But there's a lot to be said in not having any of that. And no shoveling. brushing snow off the car, getting stuck, any of that. They just ain't got the right perspective.

Okay, so that's all I gotta say right now, I think. I need more blankets, as usual. And maybe body heat. Body heat's good.