Almost New Year's

Had a slight headache most of the day, at least it felt like it.  The weather is very cold and windy.  Went to pick up package from China at Flatbush postal office - they did not deliver it right.  Had little to eat for lunch, just a single portion of rice - felt proud of not overeating, but then was invited to office party in one of the departments and ate a lot of tasty salad, spinach dip, some veggie sushi.  Today I found out that Monday after New Year's is a day-off.  I have a dental appointment that day.  Read my blog: it's very boring.  Just like my life.  Thought about it: better than too much excitement that leads nowhere good.

scientists promise another Y2K this New Year's...not so sure about it

Almost passed current level in Castle Empire.  Meat Supreme's fried eggplant is clearly of better quality than the eggplant I buy at Met Supermarket, although it is more expensive.  Got a haircut.  This is the last week before the New Year's.  Yesterday I visited Alice, today is a payload day.  It's been raining heavily for many hours.  Tomorrow it's predicted to be a Windy Day.  It will be busy at work as well, I think.  Made a pretty tasty mushroom souffle yesterday.  Still did not pick up a suit from dry cleaners.  Still getting New Year's presents for family members together.  Parents are coughing, sneezing, aching.  For some reason received a negative bill for natural gas.  Checked my records - I did not send any payment, so unless someone has been paying my utility bill, I'll have to pay it back when the mistake is found.  Peace on Earth.  Piss.

Holiday Weekend

Tomorrow I will visit parents, on Sunday I will see my grandmother, Monday is all to myself.  It's a long holiday weekend.  I went to NetCost Market on 16th and Gravesend Neck Rd, bought a lot of food on sale, drinking Essentuki 17, eating sandwich w/mushroom salad, playing Castle Empire.  The weather was somewhat cold, but not too cold.  Same expected over the weekend, without any changes.  I bought another lottery ticket, didn't win again.  I don't think lottery is for me.  I'm not lucky in it.

happy from fat in eggplants

I overate fried eggplant sandwiches.  Busy day at work.  Got some presents from coworkers.  Tomorrow is last day of work, Saturday, Sunday I see parents, grandmother, and MONDAY is a true holiday: no work, nobody to see, quiet and peaceful, playing computer games.
I should check the oil meter.  I gotta change oil in about 100 miles.  I don't feel seasonal depression.  Maybe it's large amounts of caffeinated drinks and coffee.  It was the hottest day on record today, around 60F.

so bored, even watched tv tonight...

Everything went as usual, except this time grandmother did not wish any Poland Spring water.  I started a high level adventure in Castle Empire and realized I don't have army high enough in rank to defeat the boss, so I had to cancel it.  However, I played a 2 day adventure in under 10 hours and received a lot of XP points.  bored
P.S. accidentally found an excellent toilet paper called Panda.  Surprised at quality.

Leveled up in Castle Empire

Took one of the suits to cleaners, visited parents, after that went to King's Buffet and ate three plates, as usually. On the way back bought chick peas cans on sale.  It's cold outside all day long.  Same forecasts for tomorrow.  I'm feeling some Christmas spirit...most likely from overeating at Chinese restaurant.  It's joyous, yet somewhat detached.  Some may perceive sadness in it, but it's acceptance of things as they are.  Tomorrow I will visit my grandmother: I have to remember to buy some water for her.  I should probably dry clean more suits.  I'll think about it tomorrow.

War in Iraq is officially over (as per news media)

It's 3:30am, I just had two hours of sleep tonight.  Castle Empire is on maintenance and not accessible.  Tonight after work I am going to an "office holiday party" at El Caribe.  Most likely, I'll come back home about 1 am.  I ordered avocado sushi and miso soup at work, ate couscous.  At home I ate baked potatoes.  Bought shopping bags' hooks for car for easier grocery shopping.  Received few more packages with holidays' gifts for parents.  Tomorrow I will order an eggplant at the party: they have really good eggplant dish.  This will most likely be the most positive highlight of tomorrow.

all the same...

I finished my soup after eating a lot of matzo balls, salad and vegetable soup at parent's apartment.  It was still good, but of course second day is not the first day, when  it was just prepared.  Newspapers write about moon eclipse, but it was not visible where I live.  I took a bath w/iodine.  Tomorrow morning I should get faster internet.  Just finished another short adventure in Castle Empire, almost made it to the next level, built a new building.  It was cold today.  Tomorrow will be colder, based on the forecast.  All the same...

enjoying Ginger Noodle Chick Pea Miso Soup

Yesterday was much busier day than today.  Actually, most of the week was busier.  I keep ordering New Year's presents to family members online.  Sometimes it feels like I am subconsciously jeopardizing my possibilities of fixing all teeth.  At work I ordered from Ju Fang, a Chinese restaurant with the formerly best tofu and bean curd dishes.  I guess they changed the chef: same meals I ordered before taste very different and far from better.  Right now I am eating a well-prepared soup with chick peas, miso soup base, some vegetarian soup base, Japanese noodles, with added ginger pieces, vegeta, lots of Peruvian salt, boiled red onions and margarine.  Even though the soup tastes awesome (I got 2 portions made), it does have a faint smell of ginger, which is not so great.  I rarely cook with ginger anyway.  Most likely this will be the last time, because I don't like its smell.  Still playing Castle Empire, finished another adventure, but did not level up.  Spent another 25 bucks on that game to get some new Christmas Edition content.  It's my New Year's present for self.  Nothing else is new.

getting faster Internet without spending extra money

Medium level of busyness at work today.  After work: espressos, double portion of fried cubed tofu with herbs, salt, vegeta, then a large bun with margarine.  Finally couldn't wait with tooth pain and scheduled the appointment for January 2nd, one day after my new, better dental insurance goes into effect.  Honestly, can't wait for that time, tired of taking non-prescription pain medication.  Purchased Shiquan Dabu Wan from Alice, ran out.  Decided to get faster internet - comes with free TV which I am not going to watch, but for extra 10 bucks I am getting 50 Mbps increase in internet speeds.  Still cheaper than my current price.  Technician will come with new modem, etc. this Sunday 8am to 12pm.  It's been raining all day, heavily at times.

raining days

Another busy day at work.  It was drizzling and then raining lightly all day.  After work I bought fried eggplant, buns and olives at Met Supermarket and had two sandwiches with eggplant, tomato and lots of yellow mustard.  I think I will finish my dinner with Turkish tea little bit later.  I am considering new Optimum Online offer - it's definitely good, saves me about 15 bucks a month, but it comes with a TV box - I don't want all these channels - I'd pay 15 bucks a month not to watch TV...but internet offer promises 15Mbs more in speed...not that I need wi-fi.  I got time to think about it.

Miracle on New York Avenue

I was in a rush to make an early meeting at work and forgot to close my car's side window.  I came back to my car at the end of a busy working day to find it open and - nothing was touched!  Still under miraculous astonishment, I drove to Efe Turkish market on Ocean Avenue and Avenue W to buy Turkish tea glasses for self and parents.  I also purchased Turkish coffee and tea, which I am drinking now after eating a can of Italian chick peas and Polish spring soup.   I will feel this miraculous evening feeling until my bedtime.

postponing teeth fix-up for a month or so

Visited grandmother and parents.  Grandmother refuses to see a surgeon for her legs and that's the talk of the day.  Ate matzo balls, some soup, lots of fried cauliflower, some salad and coffee.  Finished adventure in Castle Empire and now I am on level 35.  Tomorrow is extra work day, but really close by.  Right now I am eating soup prepared with Japanese noodles, with vegeta, mushroom flakes, freshly cut red onion bits, lots of salt and it tastes pretty good.  Had a headache most of the day and so did my father - the weather will be changing probably.  It is slowly getting colder.

ordered personal calendar, with my pictures - cultivating identity

 It was not busy at work up until the second part of the day, then it got busier, but not overly so.  I ordered from Chinese restaurant a double-order of broccoli w/tofu in garlic sauce, with fried rice and vegetable soup with tofu (they wouldn't deliver a single order).  It filled me so much I decided to skip dinner tonight.  I am starting another adventure in Castle Empire.   I was wondering today: if you have Everything, and it's like the whole Humanity is in you...when you wipe your ass after bathroom break, does it mean the whole Humanity is wiping your ass?  I don't think I'll skip tonight's supper, though

sensible thinking: work break No. 3

Yesterday I came home late and went to bed around 1:30am.  I woke up to drink an espresso and coffee, trying to wake up.  So this is life: traditionalized way of fitting into an unhappy pattern that makes everyone feel jailed.  Self-imposed lack of liberties, defensible pairings,  unnatural flow of energy, celled family structure.  Job is essential for obtaining money that are essential for food and housing, unless you have your own hut with a large garden.  Therefore, the goal in life is to get a small house with a large garden where you can grow your own food and live rent-free.  Then life will get simpler, easier, more enjoyable.  But where to get all these money?  Taking loans from banks at the time of global economic collapse is like volunteering to spend a wild night with the vikings with your ass being raided like a village...basically, not acceptable, too risky.  There must be another way...lottery?

dead people seem so quiet and calm in morgue

Premotion came true in a dream, but that's not so important as the fact that I got 2 hours later than usual to my apartment due to clients.  I immediately ate half-a-bag of Wise Onion and Garlic potato chips since I was very hungry, then ate the last banana and now I am boiling half-pack of shell pasta.  There is still report of rain tomorrow.  My dress shirt was found to have a cigarette hole on collar when I came to work...now I have a very pretty rag.  The left upper lip went numb in the middle of working day, don't know why.  As if someone shot novocaine there.  It is still numb.  Good thing I don't have to talk anymore today.  Listening mostly to old jazz and classical music on car radio.  For some reason, lately every song of any style with words bothers me.

premonition of something unexpected

Visited grandmother, ate fried cauliflower, filled out section 8 papers, etc.  Bought new autumn shoes at Telco on the money given by grandmother - don't know why she's so generous lately; shopped at Met Supermarket (mostly chick peas cans).  Something has been bothering me all day, on and off.  I can't understand what it is.  Something in the air... changes... uncertainty...   It's too quiet on the streets.  Although, may be just gas.  I'm drinking Liquid Ice, diet version.  Still have few cans of this stuff in refrigerator.  Weather reports states that there will be rain on Tuesday - and I have to attend a fancy event after work.  I guess I have to take an umbrella.  Something is definitely changes somewhere...don't know what it is, but not too excited.  Usually, as life teaches me, most surprises are bad.

Cusco 10.0 file: Odessa

I've always noticed how architecture around the world is very similar.  Sometimes I get deja-vu sense in many places I go, as if I've been there before.  I thought today that maybe this whole life is that of a tourist in another world: if something doesn't feel native, then maybe it shouldn't.  This is my tourist exploration, I guess.  For some reason, I felt native before and was questioning locals in my mind.  I felt more like I felt with the short-term accepting family on Amantani island: we eat together, we sleep close by, but it's not my house, not my real family, not my long-term lifestyle.  It did not feel out-of-place because that's what it was advertised as...  But lately it's all falling into its place and my tourist status is more obvious than ever.  I should be glad just to be present and enjoy the exotic experiences without asking for much or even equal rights with locals.

Cooking with Coca Leaves

Today was first day at work and it was not busy at all.  I received a nice bonus to salary for excellent dedication to work, as I was told.  The bonus will cover next month's rent and grocery for a month.  After work I stopped by StopNShop, bought lots of fancier food (~$50) and prepared Peruvian inspired dish:  fried brown rice with cubed tofu, with mashed coca leaves, basil leaves, mystery sauce from previous order at Japanese sushi place, lots of minced red onion and salt from Peruvian salt mine.  Either the amount of red onion bits was too big, or mystery sauce was too spicy, but the taste of dish was slightly on spicy side, which I don't really like.  However, I noticed that spicy effect went away when I drank Simply Lemonade drink and the food tasted great.  I decided to pick up my laundry tomorrow instead of now.  I also bought lots of Cesar brand food for Max, which I will give to him tomorrow.   Currently smoking Dunhill International: bought a full box at duty-free shop at Peru's airport.  Cheap.  Listening to classical music on car's radio most of the day.  Seems to be alright for my current mood.  Sending the rental payment before due time this month.  Bonus check couldn't come at a better time: my bank account was almost drained by the cumulative price of Peruvian trips.  And only two days ago I thought I will have to go on a steady diet...

Inca Heritage

Today I came back from almost 2 weeks in Peru: I stayed mainly at Cusco and then in Puno and Lima, visited 6-7 smaller cities, various villages, settlements, went to Machu Picchu,  took a trip on Lake Titikaka where I stayed a night on Amantani Island after visiting Uros and Tequele islands.  Peru is beautiful, Peruvians are very nice, peaceful people.  I wouldn't mind living in Peru permanently in a place like Cusco.
The altitude however is too high for me: I had to chew coca leaves all the time to prevent dizziness.  It's the highest point I ever visited.

computer troubles temporarily fixed

Drove to outside agency for work purposes.  Came to work in the middle of day, with lots of stuff to do.  It was quite busy.  I took lunch at Del Rio Diner on Kings Highway between two places of work.  I had veggie burger deluxe and mash potatoes plate, with large ginger ale.  It was very tasty.  After work I played Castle Empire and had a bean curd instant miso soup with ramen-like noodles and mushroom sprinkles.  It also was very good.
Last few days my monitor was flickering and yesterday went kaput.  I figured it had to do with heat sensors: apt is heated way heavy now.  I installed a small fan inside the computer box, uninstalled few new driver upgrades, and it works again now.  I still have issue with overheating CPU but I don't think I can fix it without buying another fan for computer.

slightly in need of changing the scenery

Computer monitor is flickering all day.  Changed whatever I could: it got better.  It acts as if there is a large electric device nearby.  We do have new neighbors, hopefully they are not cutting into my ConEd meter.  Because if they do, there'll be nothing I could do about it - as usually. 
Grandmother gave me 100 dollars for trip/holiday/water.  The time was moved an hour back - I still don't understand the daylight saving time scheme.  It seems it was never instituted before in history, and to do it now, with electricity in every office, would be less meaningful than if it would be done in the past.  Tomorrow is the first day of the last week before I'm going for vacation.  It's going to be a coffee-filled week for sure. 

Smoking in a quiet room with A/C

Busy at work, ate avocado sushi and miso soup late.  By the end of day it got very quiet.  Came home, had instant bean curd miso soup with added ramen-like noodles.  Finished adventure day ahead since I prepared for it.  It didn't give me much XP points, so I am at the same level.  Bought new pair of sunglasses for driving, with brown lenses.  Bought cheap hat and gloves for vacation in 99c store.  Got hit by a school bus, lightly.  Didn't make much of deal about it, since there was no damage.  Thinking of buying a square glass food plate at nearby store.  It's breakable though, don't know if I need it that way.  It's pretty though.  There is still time to think about it.  Eh, life's boring.

It was couscous and split pea Wednesday at work.  I like Wednesday's buffet. I changed my dental plan to find out the changes will go in effect only starting next year.  I noticed that I have less money in bank account than usually, possibly due to traveling expenses.  Still on the same level in Castle Empire, gathering resources for next adventure.  The weather was sunny, warm.  At home I ate potato knishes and drank lemonade.
I am going to bed a bit earlier, like yesterday.

hell'o'win {aka Halloween}

Today was a busy day at work.  I ordered vegetable lo main, quart size: it was delicious.  After work I ate a potato knish with soy cheese, drank espresso, mostly smoking, chewing some coca leaves - works like Mentos.  Kids in scary masks were walking on the streets with their scary parents: it's a usual tradition.  For some reason I felt depressed - this year this holiday seems to be less funny:  something is not so cheerful, but rather ominous.  At work we talked about Moschiach, or simply Messiah.  Even though it's hard to believe in at this point of time, I guess that's the only thing that's left to do here: just sit and wait for things to get better through some divine intervention.  The way things are going it is doubtful that anything less will do.  Hopefully, everything will work out for the best.  All I can do is hope.

some people read my blog for some unknown reason...

Finished adventure, I am on level 35 now.  Already purchased another adventure but will need to gather resources for it and doubtfully will be ready until Friday.  It's sunny and cold outside, great weather.  I saw parents, ate matzo balls, veggie soup, took a roll of veg. sushi with me.  Stopped by Stop'N'Shop on Avenue Y: bought 10 Simply Lemonade bottles on sale, soy cheese, bagels, Gabila potato knishes, Fleischner's margarine sticks, Ronzoni shell pasta, Silk creamer and energy booster with gas relief medication.  Turns out that coca leaves does have some effect: works as weak laxative.  There is not much to do this evening but play Castle Empire.  They got a sale on gems in every category, but recession is felt in the wallet and food prices, so I'll somehow manage without additional purchases for now.

Let me snow

Today it is snowing everywhere.  I like this weather, very frigid and cold.  Visited my grandmother instead of parents today, since they went to another state to watch some show.  So, I guess, I will have to see them tomorrow then.
Had usual fried cauliflower in bread crumbs, tea, few pieces of dark bread w/salt.  I am way ahead of schedule to finish another adventure in Castle Empire and most likely will be able to complete it by late evening tonight.  Bought coca leaves, after studying Peru guide: not much effect at all.  There are very few people outside in such weather...so quiet...so nice...snow is now turning into rain and the weather reports predict it will be sunnier tomorrow.  I think I may bake some potatoes for dinner, or prepare mash potatoes.

Further into the Blessed Day

It was not overly busy at work, but very curious clients today.  I received a call after working hours and had to stay over.  At lunch we had a company sponsored luncheon, very good quality food, but of course lack of vegan choices, so I had to make a sandwiches by removing meat from them.  I also had green beans salad, macaroni salad and iced coffee.  After work - Castle Empire, gathering resources for next adventure.  I will start it tomorrow evening.  It was raining all day long and I enjoyed it.  It is possible we are going to have the first snow this Saturday.

growing up, part three.

Drank extra amounts of coffee today.  Tomorrow after work there will be some place I need to go, work-related.  Hopefully, I will be back by 9pm.  For dinner I had sunrise tofu, fried with garlic salt, kikkoman soy sauce and cinnamon in corn oil with quadruple espresso mixed with caffeinated cocoa.  Ordered another order of Seven Stars, even though bank balance is lower than usual.  Reading on future vacation spot, found out it's popular drink is coca leaves tea - apparently it is legal to buy at amazon.com, which I did.  It supposed to help with various GI issues and lack of energy.  Left eye allergies are really high today, teeth are crumbling - sounds like an old man's list of ailments.  Actually, I don't feel young for a long time.  I feel quite old lately.

It's all about peace

Have a day-long headache on left side.  Saw parents, ate lots of matzo balls, vegetable soup, some fried mushrooms, coffee.  Played Castle Empire on and off, still at the same level, although I finished another adventure, with pirates.
It's almost 2am, I took 1000 mg of pain medication, but it doesn't feel like I will be able to sleep much.  I don't like this movie.  This life is not satisfactory and does not teach anything worthy of attention.  It's stupid existence on animal level.  The only thing that makes it better is understanding that there are more vicious, violent animals right on top, in that so-called heaven.  But to be honest they are not that much different, these havens and earth level.  Same characters, same goals and means, same philosophies.  I don't know what God likes about it.  I don't.

Simhat Torah

Meetings at work, completion of survey.  I may need to go to Manhattan on October 26th, not sure yet.  Bought Mexican black bean quart sized soup, couldn't finish it: no wonder it cost less than 2 dollars.  Had bagels with margarine, lots of coffee.  The weather was mixed, some sunshine, then cloudy.  It's after 6pm, so I guess the end of world is cancelled for now.  Boiling large shells pasta, will put there some pesto sauce, some soy cheese, margarine, maybe garlic salt.  My father switched today to a new job, same kind, but better hours and some extra benefits.  I wonder what I could do if I would be let go...I can cook but without a degree in it, I can drive, but without official experience...I can write poems, but so does anyone else...  Wonder what I will do later.  Wondering day.
P.S.  Today I saw advertisement for second Johny English film.  I think I could watch that.  It should be funny.  Also saw a new game which will come out in December of 2012: Dishonored.  Looks good.

dreams are weird tonight...

It was not so busy in the first half of the day, but by the end of day I had to stay an hour over to accommodate clients.  At work I ordered an eggplant sandwich and lots of garlic knots from Big Cheese Pizzeria, formerly known as Superano's.  Quality was very good, as before.  After coming home I made a large bowl of soup mixing several instant soups of different kind.  I slept from 10pm to 1am, unexpectedly.  Don't know if I will sleep again tonight.

eye allergies...from underground...

Had to stay at work extra three hours.  Tomorrow will be even busier than today.  Had basmati rice for lunch, lots of watermelon pieces, later got pretzels and Nestea Lemon Tea.  After work baked potatoes, ate about 5 of them.
I went to bank and received nuevo sols for US dollars.  I am preparing for my upcoming vacation: bought 10 pairs of socks, a sports shirt with zipper, a light reversible overcoat for rain and cold weather, ordered a guide book with maps.  Today at work meeting I felt that I am starting to develop the eye allergies on the other eye.  I really don't care as long as won't be screwing with my face so I can work.  I am not striving to win any beauty contest.

ideology of surviving

Very busy day at work, but tomorrow will be busier.
After work I bought two Tradition Vegetable instant soups for dinner and had something like Trail Mix bag with black current and plum juice.  I played Castle Empire, then got drowsy without reason and took a long nap.  Woke up at 1:30am, still can't fall asleep.
I thought that maybe it's not power that corrupts, but maybe it's just people choose the same corrupt characters from the same pool of usual corrupt individuals, so it appears that power is always corrupted.  Sort of like Independant Party: we don't even know if it would be good or bad in full power, because it never happened.

Good to the last drop

I am level 33 in Castle Empire.  Visited grandmother, ate cauliflower, had some dark bread pieces with salt and tea.  My computer wasn't working well, turned out there were problems with disk drive - now it seems to be fixed.  Life is getting a bit boring lately, which is slightly depressing and requires more amounts of coffee.  The only thing for sure is that I will live until I will die, like everyone else around me.

growing a little bit older

It was another easy day at work.  I bought many bagels and coffee.  After work - same two sandwiches, substituting mushrooms for soy cheese and French mustard.  I am starting to understand certain technicalities about life's perception.  It is very interesting.  A lot of strange things seem more comprehensive.  Tomorrow my father will take my car to mechanic to change oil and find out why computer is showing a problem on a dashboard.  I may still be asleep at that time.  It's late and I am planning to take a long, long nap.  I feel wonderful, soft, chilly.  Life's been grand and it will surely get better.

could it be that Tooth Fairy is an Ugly Greedy Man?

Yesterday was very busy day at work, but today was unusually opposite of busy.  Today was beginning of Sukkot, it was raining all day long.  I bought eggplant hero and felt very full for longer than usually.  After coming home I stopped by Met Supermarket and bought stuff for sandwiches: I ate two sandwiches with veggie burgers, vine tomatoes, fried Portabella mushrooms and red onion.  It was followed up with sauteed mushrooms in soy sauce and espresso with banana.  Still on level 32 in Castle Empire.

nothing interesting in this post

It was a busy day at work.  The sun was shining all day.
I finally beat Wild Mary.  Still at level 32, points did not level me up to level 33.  I will have to prepare for adventures now.  First, I will replay the previous adventure since I am accustomed to it and will get more points.
I feel okay.   My two teeth on right side are starting to give me pain.  It's expected.   Couldn't finish the rice: maybe it's weird dream to blame, maybe I had too much of rice lately.  Don't feel like eating pasta for some reason, for two weeks or more.  Maybe I'll switch to potatoes for a while.

thinking like computer

Nothing significant happened today.  I visited my grandmother and saw my mother there.  I gave her a ride home.  Still on level 32, gathering soldiers to attack Wild Mary in Castle Empire.  I should be ready by tomorrow's late evening.
I went to bed early, slept about two hours, now it's after 2am and I have to figure out how to get some extra sleep before tomorrow's work.
I was thinking how even when I would mess up and do something wrong I would try to explain myself to self in a positive way, like most people do.  Even though I haven't messed up or done nothing wrong for a long consecutive time, I am thinking: I don't have to be such a positive character.  Nobody is pressuring me to be a positive character anyway, so maybe I should take life more easy.  I think my character needs improvement.  If not improvement, then some changes must gradually be implemented by me on a daily basis.  I am still searching for correct application.

feeling good chi

It's 4:46 in the morning.  I am feeling much better: as if a heavy stone has been lifted from me.  Maybe it's a proper way of balancing my chi lately.  I couldn't sleep all night, but a cup of espresso will keep me awake.  I got a full plate of Kokuho Rose rice with vegetable broth and an old potato knish for breakfast.  I may save it for dinner though.  Life is great.  My energy is not flowing out of me at the same rate as before and maybe in time I'll be able "to patch up" the wounds from it.  I think I am in the beginning stage of a recovery process.  All in one night.  Excellent.

From Nice Day into the Blessed Day: long road to nowhere good.

I finished the adventure.  I am level 32 now.  No more rushing through the game for now, just enjoying sitting in silence.  I had a lot of coffee today and recently had an espresso, so I doubt I'll be able to sleep well tonight.  I bought Japanese rice and made myself a rice soup with various spices and soy bean base.  It turned out delicious, after I added some vegeta and garlic salt.  I still have a full plate left for tomorrow.  I received invitation to open beta for Battleground III, but decided not to play it - I am still too excited about Castle Empire and want to finish playing it.  I still have about 20 levels to go.  I noticed there is a new game on the market: Driver San Francisco.  Looks good, but my budget for gaming is out for this month.  At work - more firings, on the streets - more closed businesses with "For Rent" signs, gas prices are up, our building listed an available apartment but nobody is renting it: recession.  I thought that Wendy's Plate was closed, too, but they just renamed it to Alice's (they also increased prices).
Even though there is stuff to do at work, at times I feel jittery whether I don't have an expendable occupation - it would be hard to find any job now that would pay for food and rent - by the way, rent was just increased.  Things are getting nicer.

Castle Empire Fever

Started another adventure on Castle Empire.  I decided I need to level up before continuing quest to defeat Wild Mary, so I can get better soldiers.  Purchased more content, 40 bucks worth, so I can pass it and move on.  It's a lot of money for such game, but it gives great entertainment for many hours.  Still level 31.  Today I will visit my parents, tomorrow I will visit my grandmother.  Eating mostly rice, although yesterday I bought eggplant hero from Superano's - it was delicious.  I put lots of herbs and basil leaves in rice, add some vegetable oil when cooking it, soy base, mushroom sprinkles, vegeta, garlic salt.  It came out nice, but it was better the last time I made it: I guess you can't cook it more than 15 minutes with Carolina rice, or it gets mushy and you won't be able to roll it into seaweed paper with success.  Planning to spend whole evening and maybe half of the night playing the rest of adventure in Castle Empire.  The weather must be getting colder: I am no longer using air conditioner during the day.

pizzzz

My day off: eating plenty of Carolina rice, visited Alice, sleep most of the day.  Going through rough Wild Mary character in Castle Empire: progress in defeating her camp is very slow and will most likely take at least one more day.
I was bored and tried to draw self-portrait: nothing similar.  I guess in drawings I should stick to abstractedness since I have no skills to draw realism.

getting conned

Relatively busy day at work.  After work I checked the bank account to see how much damage Con Edison got me with this summer: in three months I spent enough money on electricity to buy a European vacation for a week, including a non-direct flight.  On my request to check the meter they sent someone over: I let them in.  Same day I received a response letter, stating they checked the meters a week earlier and the charges are correct.  I immediately sent an angry letter saying that I personally let in the guy to check the meters yesterday and they couldn't know that charges were correct a week ago.  Their response was that they checked it a week before as well, which is a blatant lie since the entrance to basement is right in front of my door and they always come early in the morning, so I would definitely hear them opening it.  But I guess there is no point, it's monopoly anyway.  I was so upset that my bank account is narrowly escaping a budget hole due to false billing that I went to all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet at King's Buffet on 86th Street and ate until I almost vomited from excess of food.  I will try not to binge eat again: it improves my mood, but it really blows up my stomach in size.

sleepless in brooklyn

Evening did not go as I planned: I felt asleep quite early and woke up around 1am.  To my surprise, I had a wonderful dream - don't get many of those.  I doubted I will be able to sleep until morning, so I had an espresso and went back to play Castle Empire.  I already asked for a day off for Rosh Hashanah's on Thursday, going back to work on Friday.  I figured out how to create acceptance of all religions on Earth in any particular country:  make every religious holidays (of all religions) a National holiday which will be officially a day-off.  Then everyone will rejoice in holidays of all religions and will think twice about fighting over them.  Well, everyone except Big Business, I guess, because people will be missing more workdays, but there are more poor to middle class people than rich people anyway...it could be good even for Big Business with this economy: they would just have to press on making these days pay-free.

B-ok

Level 31 in Castle Empire.  Usual Saturday dinner at parents' apartment.  Bought lots of edible/drinkable stuff at 99c store on corner of Avenue Z and Coney Island (at least that's what it was called years ago, I never bother to look at current name - considering prices it probably changed).  I was so bored I started painting a picture for my bedroom, but then I got bored with it and will finish it some other time.  Life is not changing much and I find comfort in this routine way of life.  It looks like this is the best of it, glad to get used to it - better than I expected considering unexpected stuff.

money on my mind

It was the least busy Monday as long as I recall.  I tried to be useful, but it seemed that there was not much to do today.  I am sure it's a stand-alone instance that doesn't repeat.  I wanted to buy something for the wall: I moved the painting I had, since it has been there for many years and I grew tired of it.  I went online, but all paintings seemed to be more expensive than my budget could afford.  After work I went to Staples and bought oil colors in pencil form, large board, pens since I decided to draw something myself.  So it won't look pretty, but at least I'll save money and change decor.  I am still level 30 on Castle Empire, since I am trying not to spend more money than I spent and the progress is slower.  Everything is more expensive than before, even pens on sale.  I don't know how the management is meeting their budget and suspect that we'll have lots of workers slowly encouraged to leave within a year or so.  It looks like a slow beginning of another Great Depression.  I've been through this before, just before I left USSR: the safest thing is to go to another country.   Unfortunately, this time it appears that it's a global economic collapse and I don't know where would be a safer place to go.  I heard Canada is doing ok, eh?
For now I'm just eating sandwiches with soy cheese, drinking espresso, smoke a lot.  It is comforting to know that nothing really depends on me and whatever happens - happens.  Everything was predicted even long before year 2000 and it all does not come as a surprise.

still satisfied with life

Visited parents, ate matzo balls, some salad, vegetable soup, coffee, zucchini souffle.  Yesterday got a haircut.  Bought green tea with ginseng and honey and Brisk iced tea.  Saw a sale on big canister of Cafe Bastelo espresso roast - will try it later.
I feel like I am writing my life out: it's like making your own life-circle.  Guess mine will be a lonely circle for a single guy, but at least there's lots of light.

peace on earth 4.6

After work (it was busy) went to see Alice and now feel much better.  I had a headache most of the day and now it is gone.  Decided to take it easy w/Castle Empire, so that it would be more enjoyable.  Fried cubed firm tofu with salt, garlic salt, vegeta, mushroom dry flakes: turned out to be a very tasty dish.  Had espresso with cinnamon and creamer, found Peace cigarette pack in rarely worn suit, life couldn't be any better.  Hope neighbors won't cause riots because I feel better than usual:)  They care so much...for some reason...