back from vacation

Came back from vacation in Iceland yesterday.
It was very relaxing, I did a lot of walking, climbing, some cave exploration, trips to geysers, waterfalls and glaciers, checked out non-active volcanoes, went whale watching and just tried to forget my work routine.  I bought a lot of various coffees and smoked Prince cigarettes.
I really liked Blue Lagoon.  Maybe I will come back some day.

sad state of WoT...

Worked, played WoT at low fps - thus no achievements, just lowered my stats.  Bought KV-2, so far worthless.  Drinking caffeinated beverage and coca leaves tea, because I don't want to sleep, but don't want to sit groggy watching the walls.  My budget is close to its lowest point due to close second vacation and excessive purchasing on Deal A Day sites - mostly crap, but sort of useful crap.   I ate lots of buckwheet kasha today, boiled and fried.  I still have some left for tomorrow. Also, fried several Tofu Pups after cutting them in small pieces - sort of tasty.  Almost finished another case of Coca Cola - just bought it this week, drink too much of it.  No news is good news.

drinking coca-cola

It appears that WoT now works at normal speed for me only on Saturdays until 5 or 6pm, so I played it most of the day, from early morning, and got enough coins to buy SU-100.

I remembered today that when I was 4 years old I was sure that I want to be a cosmonaut and when adults were asking me who do I want to be, I would always think "what a stupid question", but never say it.  I was 100% certain that anyone in their right mind would want to be a cosmonaut.
I don't recall exact age when I stoped thinking that way, but I think it took me a while...but definitely before puberty, I think.  Ever since that age I don't recall telling people that their questions are stupid.  Looking back, I think I always had my own opinion about everything, but somehow had the wizdom not to talk about it.  Most of the time people think that you agree with them or share their opinion if you are not verbalizing anything otherwise.  Looking back, I think it was very lucky of me to think that way, as I was able to have more friends.

working for vacation

I had a really nice, quiet dream tonight.  Usually I am dreaming of work or looking for food, this time I had a dream about vacation and plenty of tasty stuff on the table.
Next week could be quite hectic, another inspection.
Cigarettes seem to run out faster than before...just like cash....Started buying a lot of useless crap on Deal of a Day sites: helps to improve mood during workday when I get some cheap crap in a nice packaging.
Yesterday got flu  vaccine...didn't feel very excellent half of the day, doubt this weakness and pathetic mood will go away in less than a week...I guess I am slightly sick from vaccine shot. Unless it has something to do with the weather changes. It's getting cold here.  Drank more caffeinated beverages today than yesterday and day before that...still sluggish. Booked a vacation for second week of December.  I hope I will be able to enjoy it.

right side headache

World of Tanks wasn't working properly for a month.  I was involved in a long discussion with technical support team, one of the solutions worked, but only for 24 hours, still don't know why my fps ratio went down significantly and ms delay went up as drastically.  No change of settings is helping, so I not playing it much now.  I played World of Warplanes, but it's just not the same experience, although it's fun.

It was decided not to purchase the 1-bedroom apt due to it being 1) not 1-bedroom apt, but a studio and 2) too much money for a studio.  Parents are determined to secure my life with the housing purchase sooner or later.  Their generosity with downpayment will get me into life-long debt to mortgage bank, but I suppose I have to be grateful for concern and support.  There is a good news this week: 4 cartons of good cigarettes are now on my table.
Seems to be always busy at work lately, maybe I'm just tired.  My previous vacation wasn't as inspiring as I expected...maybe I am just getting old(er)..and head baggage presses too hard on the brains...or I am very low on energy.  I will try to take vacation next month, in the second part of December.  Somewhere cold, where everyone speaks a foreign language, somewhere where there are really cheap vacation packages...
Tomorrow is another working day, I have to get some sleep.
  

life goes on, part 5.

Today I came back from a week of vacation in Connecticut.  There was nothing to do, I needed time to recuperate from work and it worked in that quiet little town environment.  Well, all good things seem to end too soon, so I am back on my working week schedule starting this Monday, on Columbus Day.  I think it was overall a growing experience, even though it doesn't seem as such at this particular time.  I have a falafel sandwich in my refrigerator, which is also stuffed with Coca-Cola cans, so I am set for a beautiful breakfast tomorrow morning.

hello, still living

Not much of great news other than the fact that I am still living, breathing, having appetite, enjoy quiet weekend day in my apartment with closed doors and hot shower.

We had federal inspection at my place of work.
There was more work to be done than ever, especially documentation.
Also, it was quite stressful.  I had to stay over at work until late evening most of the time.  This high-pace job related stuff got me somewhat tired and I found a cheap location for vacation, close by, can't afford anything better because I am fixing my ever-collapsing teeth and dental bills eat up all my savings.  I think I will feel mentally/spiritually better after my vacation.  I am leaving for a week on October 5th.

Lately, WoT is having low fps count, can't play World of Tanks as much as I used, as much as I want.  Saw last Riddick movie: very good!  Got a copy of latest Wolverine (X-Men): will watch it when I feel like it. Spending lots of time on DOD sites, ordered a bunch of stuff I don't really need because they were on big sale.    Gotta pick up laundry...and remember that this week is the last dental work for the month (I hope).

wasting time because there is not much I can do with it otherwise

I've getting extra silver coins at WoT due to improvements on my Russian KV-1 and German JagdPzIV tanks and because American M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo gun seems to have more penetration power after last upgrade.  I had a dream that I was working today and woke up before 7am even though it's weekend.  After first few minutes after waking up I realized that I am still "calling" back the person who called me in a dream to my workplace using my hand as a phone.  I caught myself trying to explain to him via my palm (as phone speaker I suppose) that he got the wrong organization and needs to contact another one. I think I need a vacation, but it's not possible in the next few months.  I am off to play WoT.  I completely stopped playing Godfather Five Families and Settlers Online a week ago and deleted the shortcuts from my computer - got bored.  Instead I am entertaining myself between WoT battles with Rise of Heroes at http://rohgame.com.

caffeine evenings

Lots of stuff to do at work and not much accomplishments in computer gaming, particularly in WoT.  Try to eat less, lost a pound or two...food makes me happy now, not just content.  Don't see much point in it, but it's easier to walk, maybe that's it.  Everything revolves around job lately, due to coming inspection.  Will have to put more hours into it...  Will need more coca tea, cigarettes and coffee.  Drinking more Coca-Cola than before, getting all caffeinated.

пронесло...

meah meah, meah? meah! meah...

Tomorrow is going to be tough day at work.  With our acquisition by another similar institution, everyone is worried their job could be in jeopardy regardless of the quality of work they do.  Also, we just passed a federal inspection and there must be some changes implemented that will make job somewhat harder, with much more documentation.  I am not the exception: I worry too.  However, I can't say that it took me away from playing WoT online most of the day.  Yesterday I went out to mall w/parents and bought two pairs of expensive shoes: one for now, boots for later, when it will get cold.  I got a haircut yesterday, got clean laundry.  We ate at Столовая on Avenue U: always relatively cheap, abundant quality food.  I will need to eat less today to maintain my body/fat ratio...

sick day

My initial stage of Pink Eye developed into something a little bit more infected, so I have to take a day off work to make sure it won't spread around.  I have to see my acupuncturist and continue treatment of my eye with pink eye drops, tea extract, various herbal drops until it will look decent enough for me to go to work, which should be tomorrow, I hope.  I will have to spend less time online, so it means more sleeping today, because there is nothing else to do.

WoT 4th of July weekend

Back to WoT: www.worldoftanks.com:  sold several old tanks, bought M7, StuGIII, Churchil I, M41.  M41 is the best SPG so far, I think.
Seen parents: ate Georgian food, helped to make CD for work, discussed health and legal mail.  Received two cartons of Kent.  Still prefer Seven Stars, but it's nice to have a back-up plan.  Had iced coffee at relatively new coffee/tea shop on Avenue U, called Kung-Fu Tea.  Very good coffee, surprisingly reminding Alto Maya coffee of Peru.  Bought vegetables/fruits/seitan/bread.  Barber shop was closed.  Too lazy to take laundry to cleaners, still have enough for one more week.  Probably will spend next day playing WoT at home.

wonderful sensation

Tried Ste Martaen 100% dairy and soy free cheese firm Muenster style: WOW!  It's like a dish on its own, like a delicatessen that stands out of any meal.  Tried it on rolls with thinly sliced fried eggplant pieces, with yellow mustard: even better.  It was a highlight of two last days.  I doubt I will be ordering it soon again though because it's not cheap considering the size of it.  Now I noticed that it's from Chicago, stemartaen.com.  I wonder if local stores would consider carrying this product...

food, glorious food

Found a new store online, looks decent: http://www.veganstore.com/
Ordered lots of non-dairy cheese, 40 bucks worth altogether with shipping.  Good prices for products not available at local stores.  Hopefully, it taste just as great as it looks on advertisement.  I thank me for pushing on my self-cheapness and allowing myself to enjoy finer cuisine.  Today I made lots of sushi rolls with just rice and seaweed paper.  I'll eat it tomorrow.  Don't know why, but I felt like taking a break from Borderlands 2: I guess too much of it gets me bored...I am sure it will be just as exciting as before if I will made a break for a week or so.

not a tourist???

Parents are thinking about buying me an apartment.  Of course, it's my name that will be on the mortgage agreement and it will be my responsibility to pay for it, but they may pay the down-payment.  Of course I can't afford any mortgage with my salary, but with their names on it I will surely get the credit I need.  I told them that I am interested in house-on-wheels, they disregarded that idea, so they are not going to participate in sponsorship.  I am cold to idea of own apartment - just going to get me deeper in debt for many, many years.  On the other hand, jobs come and go and there is no guarantee I will be so lucky to afford renting an apartment indefinitely in near future.
I guess I may have to think about it.  Although the way global economy is moving it's possible that in next 10 years survivors will be occupying half-destroyed homes filled with fall-out radiation without any rent or mortgage payment...on the other hand, that's not really a good argument not to think about it.

bored at home

The week started out busy, but without extra mental pressure when inspection was here.  So far so good.  It's way too hot outside, running air conditioning all evening.  Have to remember to pick up laundry and dry cleaning tomorrow.  Accidentally found lots of footage (avi and jpg files) from my trip to France - Israel - Amsterdam.  Testing is this one will work (view from Masada).

Federal Inspection for a full week: gotta remember I'm the little fry

Big inspection at work.  Hitting at the weakest spot - documentation.  I was never a great bureaucrat, I have to get better.  Hopefully everything will be okay.  If not, than I'll have to think how to make it okay later.
It's funny how a mortal organism that doesn't have much to live worries about how it will feed, cloth and shelter it, putting the thoughts of mortality behind these needs.  Surprisingly, that's life for most.  I had couscous and split pea soup at work, then I had extra portion of couscous before coming home.  Wednesdays are really the best days in our cafeteria for me.
Tomorrow there will be more grilling at work.  Hopefully it will all go away after the weekend.  I'll drink a lot of caffeinated beverages and look sad.

choclo!

It's been raining a lot lately.  Today I found a Peruvian restaurant on Coney Island and Avenue W, called Coney Island Taste Inc. I bought three choclos and ate them very fast.  They don't have coca leaves, nor asparagus soup that I liked so much, but at least they got authentic choclo.  I've been playing Borderlands 2 all this time, really addicting game.  Still playing Godfather 5 families and even Settlers Online in free time.  Didn't play much of WoT, only on Memorial Day weekend.  Tomorrow I will visit my parents and on Sunday I have to attend a large Festival event, work related.  Hopefully it won't rain and it won't be too hot.

going to sleep

всё хршо

40 -2 and counting

Yesterday had a birthday surprise party at work, today went to Mitoushi japanese sushi place with parents after spending a day with them in Long Island in shopping centers.  Bought a new suit.  Planned to get two, but the other one turned out to cost two times more, so I didn't get it.  Still got lots of food, including fancy Georgian food in my refrigerator.  It was rainy most of the day.  Tomorrow should be the same type of weather.  I think tomorrow will be a good day: I am planning to sleep through it.  With all celebrations and free food gained 2-3 pounds back.  Will have to diet next week.

mmm...bean curd

Just fried bean curd squares and boiled fresh broccoli.  Ate it with soy sauce.  So good.  Still playing Godfather Five Families, but on a joined server.  Continue to play Eador...
Searched for supplements in stores to make me smarter.
Got some herbal tea, so far not feeling the difference.
Bought Garcinia Cambodia, weight loss herbal supplement.  Maybe it will work.  Looks like I am not completely satisfied with myself and still trying to improve on many qualities.  I guess my mind is not completely giving up on trying to find some meaning in this life.

new exciting game

Weekend surprised me with unexpectedly addicting new game: Eador, Master of the Broken World.  Seemed like a "nothing interesting" game, but I found that I spent the whole night playing it...didn't even notice that until the sun came up.  As soon as I got hooked, I stopped playing Van Helsing game, since it had better graphics and stories, but seemed repetitive   I didn't uninstall it, will come back to play it some time later.
I think I gained a pound back already, since I am off my diet.  Hopefully, I will not add any more pounds.

lost 4 lb

Still experiencing this sort of down-turn...trying to think of some form of improvement in life.  Everything is okay, but there is room for something bigger and happier happening.  It is very possible that all these down feelings will go away soon - after psychological examination of self I determined that my down feelings started 2+ weeks ago, when I decided to go on two+ week diet without eating anything with bread, pasta or potatoes.  My self-instituted diet should end this Monday and I will allow myself what I like and eat daily.  It is very likely that my optimism and improved outlook on life will be restored this Monday, then, after a customary cinnamon-raisin bagel with coffee in the morning.
Played WoT because there was nothing to play and I was too cheap to buy Bioshock Infinite for 60 bucks, will wait until it is cheaper.
Still waiting on buying Borderlands 2: with 11 DCLs it would be smarter (financially) to wait few months when the Game of the Year edition will be released.
Everything is peachy.  Mood will be better on Monday. I already purchased lots of bread-like food and vegan pastries made with bread.  If it is only 4 pounds that I can lose on breadless diet, than maybe it's not worth taking it out of my food pyramid.

"if I only had a brain..."

Playing computer games to take the mind of thinking does not imply there is much to think with...or there is, but nothing smart comes to mind for a long, long time and computer games take the stress of it off...
I think my cold is getting better.  Chewing coca leaves tea.  Easier to breathe...  The weather is still on the cold side, which is okay with me.  I like it cold.  I think I reached the first stone on my road.  I have to go around it, break it, burn it or flood it, or climb over it, or dig a hole under it, but until I figure out the best way to go I won't move from the point I am on.  I seem to be slightly stuck for a moment.  I'll think of it later.

sneezy, caughy, stuffy, chilly, heavvvvy

I guess I came down with a cold.  Went to Alice, she helped, but I still got water coming out of my nose all the time regardless of medicine.  Hopefully, this cold will go away by the weekend, when I will have to go out with parents to celebrate my mother's birthday.  It's raining all of a sudden.  Not that it makes any difference.  Nothing new to play, replaying Witcher 2, just because I really liked that game and it's been a while since I played it.  Tomorrow is another working day.

no title

Parents came back from Florida.  I was very glad to see them.  Now I don't have to walk that dog and clean his poop.  I got a Perry Ellis jacket as a present and three packs of Kent.  Also, new teas.
I felt very good returning home.
I really like how quiet it is, how there is no talking or barking or meowing in my apartment.  It's very relaxing.  Tomorrow I have to buy some food for apartment.  I also have to find my work beeper.  Other than that, this evening turned out to be very nice.

Passover week coming

Next week parents are going away for a week of vacation and I will move into their apartment to take care of their poodle and guard it.  I guess it makes sense - out of valuable things my computer is the most prized possession.  Plus dog does need to be walked.  They don't want to pay for sitter, so I guess it will be my responsibility.  Decided to retry playing L.A.Noire on new computer: much faster, much more interesting.  Already finished half of the cases.  It's a much more interesting game to play with better video card, more RAM and faster processor.  Now it makes sense why I paid for it in the first place.

Life Goes On, part 4

Finished playing Hitman: Absolution.  Wonderful and exciting game, very well made.  It was not a disappointment, as with some follow-up games.  Right now I am playing Dishonored.  The game is interesting, although there are few nuances that could have made it slightly better.  Clearly, the producers wanted to cash in on their success with Bioshock series, as it seems a lot of elements of Dishonored come from that game.  Considering other games on the market, it may be the best game for the season, even if it's not a 100% hit wonder.  I did not finish Just Cause 2:  crappy follow-up, first one was definitely better regardless of new stuff.  It now looks more like APB game.  Still playing Settlers Empire Online and Kabam's Godfather 5 families - I am at a steady "Lieutenant" level.  It's not as much fun as it used to be, more of a habit...something to spend time on after work.
Parents will go on vacation soon and I will have to spend a week at their apartment attending to dog's needs.
That's life and I accept it.  Thanks for this.  I have to water my bonzai tree before leaving for work.  Thanks for work.  Everyone is shaky with possibility of getting fired with this economy.  It would be hard to find a comparable job, I think.  Not in New York, for sure.

back from vacation

I am back from visiting Israel.  It was an interesting experience and I got a chance to visit relatives that I didn't see for more than two decades.  Trip started through Paris, which did not look much alive, and I got back through Amsterdam, that looked quite growing.  Israel was very lively.  I enjoyed its superior hummus and falafel sandwiches, got disappointed with its cigarettes, but the coffee was not bad.  I visited Casarea, Haifa, cities on border with Beirut, cities around Jordan river, Akko, Natania, Jaffa and Tel Aviv, where I stayed most of the time.   I visited Jerusalem twice, because my planned trip was overbooked and I had to take a similar one, which included same Jerusalem trip plus trip to Bethlehem located on Palestinian territory.   I also took a swim in Dead Sea after going through black mud treatment.
Tomorrow I will go to work and have to get back into the rhythm of working life.  It was nice to travel so far.  I hope I could visit other places before my final rest.    

going to Israel today

Going on 10-day vacation today in the evening.
Packed Dove cucumber&green tea GoFresh anti-perspirant instead of cologne, works just as well.  Packed T-shirts, sweaters, extra pair of shoes, extra pairs of pants, underwear, documents, cigarettes, lots of gifts, cash in three currencies, swimming trunks, keys, pain and allergy medication - basically, I think I got everything I need, hopefully did not forget something important.
If this trip will go as planned, next year I may go to India.  Just in case, I paid extra for travel insurance to have $250,000 reparations in case the plane will crash and I'll die.  My parents implied that it's much more than my life cost, so I feel somewhat more morally secure traveling by air.

Thinking of Monday

Internet hasn't been working well.  It's not reachable half of the time.  Tomorrow evening a technician will come to fix it.  Next week I am going on vacation to Israel.  I will see my aunt and her family.  I haven't seen my aunt in person for 22 years or so.  I got Park Avenue neighborhood in Godfather Five Families and now I am upgrading it: something to do.  I have to see Alice tomorrow: same thing, just different side of the face, some neuralgia.  But I have a feeling it's not going to bother me until old age: after all, if I could take chronic fatigue under control, I surely can deal with some nerve issues.

Valentine's Day

Looks like I am getting a strap throat, unless acupuncturist will help.  I am feeling the onset of it, so far just a little sour throat feeling, but I think I learned the difference in onset symptoms.  I misplaced my "surgery" kit, the one I got in my college years...can't find it in stores...so that means if Alice won't be able to help, I better consider seeing a medic for antibiotics. 

 It's February 14, Valentine's Day.  I guess it should be slightly more busy at work today.  After work I will be playing new game, Omerta: not the greatest game by far, but it fills the time.  

Alternate side parking is now in effect.  Streets are not in snow anymore.  Weather prognosis on News12 says it will be a warmer, sunshiny day and it will be more of that tomorrow, but the next week is predicted to be gloomy and cold.   

Yesterday I had dreams about my late grandparents.  It was nice to see them alive and well.  I had a nice dream tonight: one of the man I seemed to know returned my stolen wallet with my IDs (no cash though).  He stole it and I didn't know about it and it was pleasant that he finally gave it back to me along with lots of packs of cigarettes that I presented him with earlier.  Also, it turned out he was affluent, but not very good man.  The rest of the dream was the usual sci-fi scary crap, but I am used to it.  I hope it means a good day for me today.  Just learned that it's the last day for Mayor...he steps down.  Maybe the next one will not try to make cigarettes the privileged right of more affluent population.  I can't say he did anything right, except making Sunday a free parking day.  Doubt people will get anything better, no hope in dope.

another blizzard

Internet is working fine for two days now.  The Optimum Online support team said they will send out a technician to check something outside apartment and 10-12 hours after that services started to work fine again.  They also will send a technician just in case in less than two weeks to check something in apartment, although it seems it would be redundant at this point of time.
I am preparing millet kasha.  Just came back from cleaning at dental office.  Tomorrow the parking may be suspended, since weathermen promise some kind of snow blizzard.  I already see how gas station lines are increasing.  So far no snow in sight.
Hopefully, it won't hit NY as hard as it could.

?!?!?!!

2nd day of computer internet connection slow-down.  Checked everything... Called Optimum Online, thought I am connecting only via wireless connection.  Requested assistance to re-set up wired access, it worked.  Still same problems.  Downloaded some accelerating software, checked registry, etc.- it's definitely not the computer, it's connection via Optimum.  Will see how it goes.

jc2

I got bored playing Sleeping Dogs and the usual online games I play, checked Steam and found Just Cause 2 on 50% off sale.  I am downloading it now.  I think I wanted to purchase this game as soon as it came out, but my computer was running XP and they didn't make it for it.  Now I can see if it is as good as I thought it would be.
Still waiting for Borderlands 2 Game of the Year edition....

opa smth smth

Just came back from Russian Baths.  Also, found lots of cheap vegan pastries at local 99c and up store.  Tomorrow is holiday, so I am staying home.  Looked into possible vacations to Israel: pricey, cheaper to flight at the end of February it seems.  I may book a vacation if I can get time off at work.  The plans will be scrapped in case of another physical conflict, of course.  It would be cheaper to flight via Moscow, but I am not sure I'll take that flight: they may have some sort of delay and vacation may be aborted... not that Israel is any safer nowdays...  If I will not use my vacation time by end of March, I'll lose it.  I did so many times before, but this year I didn't take any other vacation, so I hope to stick with this time frame.

-2 and counting (part 2)

Took a day off work: two more teeth pulled, first one was a matter of minutes, easy, without pain, second one required a laser machine to pull it out and it was painful at times.
It was a good idea to take the whole day off: I still have bandages in my mouth and it's hard to talk.  I don't think I would be able to do a good job today anyway.  Things should be better by tomorrow.
I guess I will play Deus Ex Human Revolution for the rest of the day.

wish fulfilled

After giving up hope of getting a fast computer with liquid cooling, my parents decided to go to a Micro smth store in Long Island, where I found the computer I wanted on sale.  Sale tag doesn't mean that it is cheap: I will pay it off within 12 months.  It has top i7 chip, NVIDIA GTX 680, lots of goodies.  It is very fast and so far works great.
It's after 3am and I can't sleep because I was too excited and tested games and applications.  It's a world of difference compared to my 8 year old upgraded comp that was running on Pentium 4 chip.
This was a very good day in my life.  Now it's time to go to bed.

soccer match over my tooth rages on...

After all blood is gone from sight, I can clearly see that dentist pulled out only one tooth, the other one was not completely pulled out.  I woke up in the middle of the night, since tooth is aching.  I have to make another appointment and be much more specific and pointy this time.  I guess I will have to take a day off next week.

-2 and counting...

No matter how hard I tried to leave the work on time to keep my dental appointment, I was not able to do so, so I was slightly late.  I got two teeth pulled out.  Could have been three: I got a huge hall in one of my wisdom teeth.  Shots are still working, I got no pain, just bleeding from mouth...  Good dentist even provided two pain pills.  The good news is that Deus Ex Human Revolution started working after another reinstall all of a sudden and I spent most of the night covering what I missed.  I think I will try to go to bed earlier today, because tomorrow will be a very busy day at work.

New Year's Day, 2013

Celebrated New Year's at parent's apartment.  I got a cashmere sweater from expensive store as a present.  Watched Russian and then American musical shows on TV, watched the ball dropped in Times Square.  Don't seem to be in a celebrating mood, probably due to toothache.  Took more pain medication, will see dentist on January 3rd after work.  I had a glass of champagne tonight, even though I don't drink any alcohol for a number of years.  I didn't like that old feeling...I guess I am not so young anymore.  I like coffee more.
Fridge is filled with left-over food that parents shared with me, so I won't have to go outside tomorrow to get any food or drinks.  It should be a quiet, nice day tomorrow.