Hoku Casa

The Trash Pickers

2012-02-11T06:30:00.000-05:00

Nearly every neighborhood has a neighbor that is, well, perhaps a bit of a challenge to associate with. In our neighborhood, we are blessed with an entire family of such characters, and we experience the joy of living directly across the street from ours.

Mind you, we're not talking the neighbor that can be fondly labeled as a colorful eccentric. No indeedie...our crew is a hard-drinkin', druggin', and livin' crew. The neighbors are regularly treated to the fights that erupt amongst them, usually in the front yard. Then, of course, comes the inevitable visit from the police.

But let's forget about the crew's best efforts to daily devalue the property in the neighborhood for a moment, shall we? Let's talk TRASH.

I put a larger amount of trash at the curb this week, having worked diligently at cleaning and organizing our garage. While the majority of the items - useless, too worn, etc. - were bagged, I had tossed an extremely large basket alongside the trashcans.

As I returned from taking DD to the bus stop this morning, I noticed Big Mama and her daughter-in-law, the neighbors from the loud house, pacing the bottom of their driveway, eyeing my trash. No sooner did I shut the front door, then Big Mama darted across the street, snatched the basket, and both ladies dashed into their house.

Now, I am usually thrilled to put usable items at the curb. I EXPECT someone to take them. Heck, I scored a solid maple dresser from a house two doors up when the neighbor shoved it to street (I did knock on the door, first, and get her okay to haul it to my house). It's common to see people driving though the neighborhood, looking for usable goodies. And, for many, times are tough, and some may not have the money to make a purchase at a thrift shop.

But, since we've lived at this house, I admit that it gripes me that no matter what I put outside, the scavengers across the street take it. Split plastic storage containers, a broken bike - it matters not. They take it. Nine times out of ten, they don't even USE the items they take. It simply joins the enormous pile of junk already filling their garage.

Maybe I'd feel differently if they weren't incessantly ringing my doorbell, asking for food and money. Maybe I'd feel differently had the son not burglarized several houses in the neighborhood. Maybe it's because I'm sick of their grandson and his slingshot, as he daily wings rocks through the air, heedless of the houses or cars in the neighborhood. Maybe it's because they've already stolen my peace of mind.

Luckily, we rent this house, so we will not be in this neighborhood forever. In the not-too-distant future, DD and I will be moving on to the next adventure in our lives. Every box we sort, every item we get rid of, gets us one step closer to our goal.

We're moving forward...

Black Coffee

2012-02-10T05:16:00.000-05:00

Up early, drinking black coffee, because I forgot to buy milk at the store yesterday. Need milk!

Are You Zaching Yet? You Should Be...

2012-02-09T10:17:00.004-05:00

Zach Lederer, 18, from Ellicott City, Maryland, knows a thing or two about beating the odds.

In sixth grade, Zach began suffering from severe headaches. When his mother took him to the doctor, she was ordered to take Zach immediately to the emergency room at Johns Hopkins. There, Zach's parents received the news that Zach had an inoperable, fatal brain tumor.

Noted neurosurgeon Ben Carson, after consulting with Zach's doctors, decided to take Zach's case. Zach endured brain surgery, a medically induced coma, and radiation, before returning to the sixth grade.

Over time, the tumor began to shrink. As of 2010, the once walnut-sized tumor measured a puny centimeter in diameter.

By 2011, Zach was enrolled at the University of Maryland at College Park, majoring in broadcast journalism. He also became the student manager of the men's basketball team.

However, in early January, Zach noticed numbness in his left leg. An MRI showed a lesion in his brain. Zach would require another brain surgery.

While in his hospital bed, Zach struck a pose for the camera. He said that he thought, “If I make these muscles and show everyone how strong I am right now, they’ll stop worrying about me and think, ‘Oh he’ll be great.’"

His dad posted the picture on Facebook. Several hours later, his cousins, Jon Feldman and Joey O'Dwyer, struck the same pose and posted their picture, as well.

Zaching was born.

Since Zach first struck his fearless pose, hundreds have posted pictures of themselves Zaching. And the numbers are growing daily.

Want to show Zach your support? Take a good look at how it's done from Zach's picture, above. Send your picture to zaching27@gmail.com, and it'll be posted on his Tumblr page (zaching.tumblr.com).

Spread the word. Spread the love. Spread the hope. Let's do this for Zach!

Eliminating the Stuff Monster

2012-02-08T05:39:00.000-05:00

We moved to Florida nearly nine years ago. We moved with too much stuff, we've gotten rid of a lot of stuff, and the bottom line is that we STILL have too much stuff.

Currently, the inside of our house is relatively spare and uncluttered. Darling Daughter's bedroom is a bit of an exception, but the normal teenage frou-frou crapola isn't overwhelming.

But the Stuff Monster lives in our garage, and he needs to be purged. I will readily admit that I have thought about and discussed this purge for YEARS, yet it has never happened.

However, several weeks ago, DD and I reached a momentous decision regarding our future. While we are not going to be acting on the decision tomorrow, we both agreed that one of the necessary steps toward its fruition is getting rid of the Stuff Monster in the garage once and for all. We have a pact - we are going to be ruthless.

To that end, I visited his lair this morning. It ain't pretty. In fact, I briefly retreated into the house, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task at hand. After a quick slug of coffee, I returned to the garage, and tackled several half-opened boxes.

Within the hour, I had two filled bags ready to haul to the trash, and four broken-down boxes in the recycle bin. I also set aside several items that will never make it onto the trash truck Friday morning - they will be snarfed up with glee by someone in the neighborhood, once I place them at the curb. One man's trash...

Yes, I was feeling a bit smug after my initital encounter with the Stuff Monster. To further arm myself for future battle, I made a pit stop at Walgreen's, and purchased additional trash bags.

Tomorrow, I will venture into the Stuff Monster's lair again. His days are numbered. By the time we're through, he'll be whimpering in defeat. And we will have successfully laid the foundation for the new life we are planning.

For the Cox Family

2012-02-07T16:46:00.000-05:00

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

- Psalm 23

Rest in eternal peace, Charlie and Braden Powell. Prayers and the deepest condolences to the Cox family.

The Week in Review - A Series of Unfortunate Events

2012-02-06T15:38:00.001-05:00

Monday –

The Leak – Ah, the inexpressible joy of discovering the underside of your car draining antifreeze onto the driveway. The momentary relief of actually locating said leak, while mentally tallying the lack of funds available for a repair. Reminding oneself that a second vehicle and another income are not valid reasons for wishing one had a spouse.

The Computer Monitor – Begins flashing a myriad of colors, blacking in and out, fading from light to dark. Additional time spent stressing over lack of funds to replace, and wondering how well Darling Daughter would adjust to an immediate father.

Tuesday –

The Tire – The thrill of a text from a neighbor, informing you that the rear tire on the car is low. The heart-in-mouth drive to the gas station to put air in the tire, and the blissful moment one spies the gleam of a nail imbedded in the tire. The sense of deja-vu as one again contemplates the lack of funds for a second auto repair. Quickly surveying the patrons filling their car at the gas station, and realizing none look like a viable candidate for a husband.

The Monitor Redux - Computer-savvy friend informs me that computer is fine, but the monitor is definitely on the fritz. Retire to bed with a pounding headache.

Wednesday –

The Internet, The Phone, The TV- Staggering into the office with the day’s first cup of coffee, cheerfully anticipating checking email between flashes of color on the monitor. Noticing, with dismay, that the batter pack that runs the phone, TV, and computer inside the house is dead – again. Make that the third time since last October. Remembering, with dread, the 3 hours and 40 minutes spent on the phone with outsourced tech support – just three short weeks earlier. Making a mental note that contemplated Quickie Spouse should be a tech geek.

Thursday –

The Battery – Making the usual drive to pick Darling Daughter up from the bus stop. Waiting in the unseasonable heat on the parking lot for the cherub to arrive home from school. The moment when one starts the car, anticipating the ride home, chatting about DD’s day, but only hearing an ominous click when turning the key in the ignition, which led me to…

The “Good Samaritan” – Asking the woman you greet every day while waiting for DD if she can give your battery a jump, only to hear, “No, uh-uh. I’m afraid something will happen to my car. Don’t you have Triple A or an auto club, or something? I mean, I hope you can figure out something soon, but I can’t help you.” So much for Sisterhood. Thanking God for the older sister of one of DD’s bus mates, who realized I was having trouble, and cheerfully helped me get the car started. Thank God for Sisterhood. Upon arriving home, I experienced…

The Epiphany – My next door neighbor. He owns a truck and a vintage Camaro that he restored himself, including rebuilding the engine! Invite neighbor to peruse under the hood of my car. Neighbor cheerfully says it will be “a piece of cake” to repair the leak, and that he will do it Sunday morning. I abandon all thoughts of hastily acquiring a spouse with relief.

Friday –

The Tech Visit – A lovely young man, who couldn’t have done more to help me get the internet, phone, & TV up & running again. Yes, he informed me that I would be billed $55 for the visit, but that it would be broken into installments, and added to the monthly bill. Got his supervisor’s email address to write a letter of commendation for his outstanding service.

Saturday –

Empowerment – Buying supplies for Sunday’s scheduled car repair. Though all is not right – yet - with the monitor and the car, feeling happy to have just survived the week, and rejoicing that all items purchased for the repair cost a mere $35.00.

Sunday –

Relief – Brilliant next door neighbor has replaced fitting and hoses on the car in 40 minutes. Internet, TV, and phone working without a hitch. Next door neighbor can also plug hole in tire. The Giants won the Super Bowl. A friend has an extra monitor. Darling Daughter assures me that this week will be better. I agree.

The Crazed Computer Monitor

2012-01-31T05:20:00.000-05:00

So, I have this nice Dell computer with a great monitor that looks like a small TV. That sentence alone should be a huge clue that I am not the most tech-savvy gal on the planet.

Yesterday, I awoke to my computer doing weird and wonderful things. I am supposedly blessed with an easy touch system to adjust the monitor settings. But something has gone fantastically haywire with the monitor's software, as the on-screen menu is popping up on the screen at odd times & the monitor is just doing it's own thing in terms of adjusting the brightness of the screen.

Thankfully, I am blessed with a tech-geek friend, who will be receiving a call from me this evening, and this issue will be behind me shortly.

An Organizing Day

2012-01-29T07:28:00.000-05:00

Am looking forward to a theraputic day of cleaning. With all of the huge changes my daughter and I are contemplating for our lives in the near future, sometimes there's nothing like the mindless repetition of housework. I find that as the house gets organized, so do my thoughts. When I am in the zone, there are no goals, no timetables - just easy moving from task to task. It's going to be a great day.

The Daily Post

2012-01-28T19:30:00.000-05:00

Here it is!

Changes in 2012

2012-01-27T05:18:00.000-05:00

Changes on the horizon in 2012...

The Dating Game

2012-01-26T05:13:00.000-05:00

Let me begin by saying that I have been divorced for many years, and am - happily - single. I only find myself wishing for a husband when it's time to mow the lawn in the stifling July heat, when the car acts up, or when I'm too tired to haul the trashcans to the curb. Once those matters are handled, the thoughts of a spouse exit my head.

True, when my daughter first entered school, she fretted that the kids in her class didn't understand why she didn't have a father. I can still remember her fuming, "They all keep saying you must have that divorce thing and that I have to have a daddy somewhere."

We worked it out. Her little peers understood that I wasn't married when I adopted her, and if pressed, she explained that she had birth parents, whom she didn't know, in China.

Occasionally I have entertained the idea of dating - once my daughter graduates from high school. Right now, I'm just too darn tired at the end of every day. I am perfectly serious when I say that if Pierce Brosnan (Google him if you're too young to know who he is!) showed up at my front door on a Friday evening and announced he wanted to rock my world, I would thank him - and send him packing.

But somewhere, somehow, the internet has decided I should be dating. I have been getting unsolicited emails for "Senior People Meet", along with a pop-up to the right of my one email account that advises me that I can search for eligible single men in my area right now. I have not availed myself of either of these opportunities.

A thought that gives me pause - The internet has let me know that I am now considered a "Senior." Well, yes, age is just a number and whatnot, but I have yet to think of myself in the "Senior" category. And how did the internet figure out my age, anyway? Isn't fifty-five supposed to be the new forty? Hell, in my head, I still feel like I'm 25, though, thankfully, I possess more wisdom then I did at that age.

And where would one go to meet men anyway, were I to seriously think about dating? Bingo? A bar? My partying days are over - now a glass of wine or an occasional beer is a guarantee I'll be asleep on the sofa in no time.

I have a number of women friends in my age group. Most are married. The few that are single, and would like a significant other, are having a hard time meeting a nice guy. Here's what I've observed - most of the men in my age group want a woman half my age. You know the type - divorced, grown children, the careful comb-over, the expensive car. Trust - there's a lot of them out there.

Then there's the opposite end of the spectrum - the ones that DO want women in our age group. They tend to be, um, elderly, and will probably be dead in ten years, bless their hearts. I mean, I have a 13 year old daughter. Were I to take on an older gentleman, I get these nightmare visions of a few years down the road - zipping darling daughter into her prom gown, waving her out the door, then turning around to change the Old Dear's diaper.

My only other option is to become a Cougar (what a loathsome term!). It could work - I was a Cougar back when I was about 30...skinny, pre-child, and before the phrase had been coined. But that would raise another issue. How young a honey would I want? Not too young - it would be like raising two children instead of one. Not too close to my age, because he could run off and leave me for some fresh young thing in her twenties.

Hmmm...

No, I think I'll stay just as I am and continue to dump the daily "Senior People Meet" email into the spam folder. Nor will I click on the profiles of the eligible men in my area. But, once my daughter graduates from high school, I may rethink that whole Cougar thing!

How I Love My Cats...

2012-01-25T06:13:00.000-05:00

Pets enrich our lives, pets enrich our lives, one of the cats woke me up at 3am, pets enrich our lives...

Poison Berry Taking Ex-Boyfriend to Court Again

2012-01-24T07:39:00.003-05:00

UPDATE - The judge who heard Poison Berry's request to deny Gabriel Aubrey contact with his daughter made no ruling today. Poison will have to wait until Monday, January 30, when the judge, who would normally rule on the matter, returns from vacation.

Nahla's former nanny, Alliance Kamdem, was also in court this morning, seeking a restraining order aginst Gabriel Aubry. However, the judge rejected her request calling it "insufficient and speculative." In the court documents, Kamdem alleges other "abuse" she supposedly endured at the hands of Mr. Aubry - incidents that happened many months ago, which she never reported.

********************

Halle Berry is taking the father of her daughter, Gabriel Aubry, back to court today. Ms. Berry is once again playing the abuse card. It's a card Poison Berry loves, and one that has worked quite well for her over the years.

Poison has a pattern. At the end of every relationship and/or marriage, she claims the just-ditched partner was abusive. Sometimes she hints at physical abuse, other times she hints that the abuse was emotional. But there is always a claim of abuse, and she is always a victim.

Rather then seek counseling for her pattern of consistently choosing Mr. Wrong, Poison chooses to simply grab herself a new man. Case in point - within months of Ms. Berry ditching her Baby Daddy, Aubry, she hooked up with Olivier Martinez.

But Poison can't shut Gabriel Aubry entirely out of her life, because they have a daughter, Nahla, together. But she's sure as hell trying. Where she once sat on Oprah's couch, cooing about what a wonderful father Aubry was to Nahla, she's now determined to tar and feather him with the label of Worst Father Ever.

Today's emergency hearing is Poison's latest bid to strip Aubry entirely of custody and visitation of his daughter. According to published reports, Aubry had Nahla at his home, when Nahla's nanny showed up at his house. Nanny began questioning Aubry as to why Nahla hadn't been at school that day. According to Nanny, who filed a police report, Aubry lost his temper, began yelling, "You're the f**king nanny. Who do you think you are? You are a nobody. You don't need to f**king know anything," before pushing her out the door while she was holding Nahla.

Poison must be in ecstasy if Aubry did, in fact, lose it with the nanny. Yay - more "proof" for her that the "abuse" she claims is, indeed, a fact.

I am NOT making light of abuse, having watched a friend live for years with a husband that beat the hell out of her on a regular basis. But here's my beef with Berry. She's a little too glib with her consistent claims of abuse. Because she's done with Nahla's father, she has done nothing but try to obliterate him from her daughter's life since their split.

And she's very good at making her case in public. How convenient that the paps always show up when she's out with her daughter - at the beach, at the park, dining with the boyfriend. Halle loves her daughter - look how doting she is! But let Gabriel Aubry be snapped picking his daughter up at school, and within weeks, Berry files another claim in court that he's "unfit".

Poison certainly isn't the first, and won't be the last parent, to consistently haul her ex into court over custody matters. She's not the first parent who sees "winning" as more important then the welfare of her child. She just happens to have a wider audience, thanks to her celebrity. And it's an advantage that she appears willing to exploit, over and over again.

But she will never be able to erase the fact, despite her mighty efforts, that Gabriel Aubry is Nahla's father, and that he has rights where his daughter is concerned, as well. Sadly, Poison, while claiming to do what's best for her daughter, is more then likely screwing the child up far more then she will ever acknowledge. She's determined to slaughter Aubry's reputation at any cost.

As for Olivier Martinez - he would do well to pay very close attention to Ms. Berry's treatment of her exes. Better still, he should run like hell - now.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

2012-01-23T05:22:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year - Welcoming the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Dragon.

LET'S GO RAVENS!!!

2012-01-22T08:38:00.000-05:00

Frustration

2012-01-21T07:06:00.000-05:00

Missed blogging yesterday - frustrated - empty head.

Leave Paula Deen Alone

2012-01-19T08:13:00.004-05:00

Twice a year - on Thanksgiving and Christmas - my daughter and I have indulge ourselves at breakfast by whipping up Paula Deen's french toast recipe. It is, bar none, the best french toast recipe EVER. French bread, eight eggs, and two cups of half-and-half comprise a small part of the recipe. As if that weren't decadent enough, there's a praline topping, utilizing 2 sticks of butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup, to name a few of the ingredients.

But, hey, this is a recipe from Paula Deen. Good grief, when Paula cooks, one fully expects lavish quantities of butter, sugar, eggs, cream, and fat to turn up in her recipes. I have never watched one of her shows, while thinking to myself, "Self, let's see what low-cal meals Paula's got for us today." I expect to salivate, all the while thinking that a steady diet of such rich meals would certainly add to my (already) fat ass, or clog my arteries. It's not rocket science.

The other day, Paula let it be known that she has type-two diabetes. Since her announcement, there's been a flurry of commentary. Paula should've told everyone! How dare she continue to cook all those rich meals with such awful ingredients? Oh, yeah, make some money promoting a pill and not change your lifestyle! She's being verbally tarred and feathered in some columns as a concious perpetrator of heart disease and obesity.

Get over it, people.

Paula Deen is a typical American success story. Once a struggling single mother suffering from agoraphobia, she started selling her homemade sandwiches to bring in some money to support her family. From that humble start, she was able to open a restaurant, specializing in homemade, and, yes, fattening, Southern fare. She was able to parlay that success into a TV career, and author numerous cookbooks.

Okay, she has diabetes. Paula has the right, as we all do, to choose to disclose her health issues - or not. No one knows what circumstances contributed to her diabetes. Her dietary choices could have been a factor - yes. There could also be a history of diabetes in her family. Ms. Deen is, I am sure, armed with the knowledge and tools to manage her diabetes. How she does so is none of my business - or anyone's business, for that matter.

She is under no obligation to become a national spokesperson for diabetes. She is also, having disclosed her condition, under any obligation to raise diabetes awareness or to choose to do fundraising for the cause. Should she choose to do so is great - and her choice alone.

The media flap, and subsequent, often derisive commentary, that has followed her announcement is ridiculous. Ms. Deen has certainly not contributed to the obesity of many Americans. We all know that a poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to many health issues. Yet too many people continue to make poor food choices and lead sedentary lives.

So, let Anthony Bourdain raise his nose in the air and prattle about the joy of consuming raw gecko anuses in the Amazon. while he continues to bash Ms. Deen - and smoke (hypocrite, much?). As for me, I'll continue to enjoy Paula's shows and cookbooks, and wish her nothing but the best with her health and life.

Laugh of the Day - You Want WHO to Portray Elizabeth Taylor???

2012-01-18T08:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I visited PEOPLE's website for my daily dose of celebrity dish. One of their lead articles stated that there's talk of Lifetime making a biopic about the late, great, and utterly gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor.

In my humble opinion, about the only actresses that comes remotely close to La Liz's incredible beauty would be either Angelina Jolie or Catherine Zeta-Jones - and neither actress even remotely resembles Liz. Nor could Lifetime hope to land either actress.

Yet neither actress was named as a contender for the part. Unbelievably, the article stated that none other then LINDSAY LOHAN was being considered for the part. Okay, Megan Fox's name was also mentioned. But - Lindsay Lohan???

Ms. Fox, though certainly beautiful, basically can't act her way out of a wet paper bag. As for the troubled addict, Lohan, well...words fail. Just take a look at the plethora of pictures of the drug and drink addled Ms. Lohan.

But the producer of the biopic confirmed that Ms. Lohan is, indeed, in talks to portray Ms. Taylor. If this gentleman thinks Lindsay is the right choice for Liz, I shudder to think who he has in mind for the role of the troubled genius of an actor, Richard Burton.

Let's just assume for a moment that Ms. Lohan would manage to show up for work - sober. Nope...I don't see it happening. This poor addled producer needs to get his head out of where the sun doesn't shine and rethink his options.

LINDSAY LOHAN?????

Cue the rude laughter...

Happy 90th Birthday, Betty White!

2012-01-17T06:28:00.000-05:00

Best Dress EVER Worn to an Awards Show

2012-01-16T07:44:00.000-05:00

Angelina Jolie, in atelier Versace, at the Golden Globes last night.

Happy Birthday, Janet

2012-01-15T06:48:00.000-05:00

Remembering my dear friend, Janet, who would have been 58 years old today.

Game ON!!!

2012-01-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

Let's go, Broncos!!!!!

Her Heinous and Bozo Split

2012-01-13T07:51:00.001-05:00

It's all over between Her Heinous and Bozo. The tender bonds formed between our sociopathic murderess and her porcine defense attorney have unraveled. The duo's relationship apparently came undone due to financial hardship. Let's take a trip down Memory Lane, and revisit those early golden days of their relationship -

The First Meeting -

Casey - "Help me, help me! Yes, of course I killed the kid, but no one is buying my lies. I'm missing Happy Hour right now and there's 10 guys I've promised to sleep with. I can't stay here!"

Jose - "Hey, you're cute! Calm down. You're a GREAT liar. First, let's pick the best lie and we'll build from there. Then we'll hire more lawyers to help us out, since I really suck as an attorney."

The Courtship -

Casey - "I'm so glad we're going with the abuse lie. Do you have your colored markers and flip charts ready honey? Let's do this - time to stick it to Daddy!"

Jose - "Sure do, baby. Those jurors look mighty stupid, so they'll LOVE my opening statement. And, just wait to see how unprofessional I act in the courtroom."

Casey - "My hero!"

The Verdict -

Casey - "Wow! Those jurors totally bought all the BS! I can't believe it. I'm important. Get me a book deal or an interview - let's make money! Have you left your wife yet?"

Jose - "Relax, I'm flying to New York tomorrow to see about deals for us. Everyone will want you. We'll be millionaires by the end of the summer"

Casey - "Well, hurry up. I need a haircut and a new tattoo before I go on TV again."

The Demise -

Casey - "All you're doing is eating and going on Geraldo! WHERE IS MY MONEY? You promised me we'd be rich by now. What's taking you so long?"

Jose - "Baby, I ..."

Casey, "Oh, just shut up. I'm giving you till the end of the year to make something happen, or I WILL. Got that, Fatso?"

The End -

Casey - "Screw you, honeybunch! You thought I was just going to sit around and do nothing? Ha! Don't EVER cross me. You're outta here! I'm getting rich one way or the other, and there's NOTHING you can do about these videos."

Jose - "No, I'm done with YOU, and I'm going on Geraldo to tell everyone I'm no longer you're attorney. So, there!"

Casey - "I hate you!"

Jose - "I hate you."

Casey - "Careful, Fatso, because I can and I WILL take you down. Oh, who cares that Jumpin' Jackass Dorothy is quitting too? I'm famous. I'm going to be rich. I'm hot. You're NOTHING without me!"

Will there be a reconciliation? Will Her Heinous yet again claim abuse? Tune in tomorrow.

Three Hours and Forty Minutes of My Life I'll Never Get Back

2012-01-12T19:36:00.000-05:00

We have fiberoptic service. Everything in the house that enables me to work - modem, TV, phone - depends on the battery pack to which all is attached.

Yesterday morning, the battery went out just after my daily blog post. Not rocket science. Foolishly, I thought a simple phone call, and, voila, a tech would arrive at the house with said battery.

That was my first mistake. Tech support was to handle "problems with my service". Little did I realize that my telecommunications company outsources their tech support.

Long story short - the battery was dead. Eight different tech support reps informed me that I had to go through "a few easy steps" of troubleshooting before they could determine "what the next step would be."

One rep actually told me that I couldn't just call in to a representative and just ask to have a technician sent to my house. Another was trying to instruct me how to disassemble the cables welded to the battery pack.

Was I angry? You betcha. But NONE of the reps would budge and schedule a technician to come to my house with a replacement battery pack.

Finally, after three hours and forty minutes, I successfully reached a rep stateside, and within 10 minutes, the appointment was scheduled.

Three hours and forty minutes of my life I'll never get back. This post would be longer, and perhaps wittier, were I not so exhausted.

If Casey Kept A Journal - Part 5

2012-01-11T05:47:00.000-05:00

I am so done with Jose. That asshole promised me for 6 months that we were going to be rich, and NOTHING happened. It's bad enough I'm supposed to be "in hiding", but I've had to sit around and watch all these people talk about me - and make money, hello! - and all Jose has done is get fat and park his sorry ass on his good buddy's show. He actually was starting to act like HE was entitled to publicity and that Geraldo Rivera was more important then me!

You'd think he'd know by now not to mess with me. But he never believed me when I told him he had till the end of the year to get me a deal that would make me some real money, OR ELSE. He didn't, so I just did what I had to do.

Ugh, that damn dog! It wants to go out or something, and I'm busy writing. It'll just have to wait.

Besides, that idiot, Ashton, wrote that book and Dr. G. did that special, and they were getting all kinds of attention. I mean, people aren't interested in them at all, they're only interested in me. But why are they out there making money - money that should be coming to ME - when no one is interested in them?

Ashton can write whatever he wants. He's just mad I got off on the murder charges. And Dr. G.'s show...what a downer. She keeps yammering about what's-her-name being murdered, and I really don't need to be reminded of the kid. I've moved on.

I am really sick of this dog. I can never tell if it's hungry or has to go to the bathroom, but it won't leave me alone!!!

It's really been fun changing my hair color, and wearing those different fake glasses. But the most fun has been getting my nose pierced. Jose was a real downer - he tried to talk me out of it, saying it wouldn't be good for my image, but no one tells me what to do. He pissed me off so bad that I went and made a video about it, and then "leaked" it out on the internet, just like the first one. Take that, Fatso!

Yeah, and now Mason's a bit of a problem because he's all pissed about the videos being out there. He says I should've let him know what I was up to. That old fart better watch how he talks to me or he'll be out too. But I really liked how quick he was to think up that lie about computer being hacked. That made it pretty easy for me when I had to report to the probation officer. I just told her I was all upset by the videos being out there, and looked sad and scared, and she fell for it. She's stupid...she believes everything I tell her. Besides, nothing will happen to me.

I was a little worried she might ask me where I got the money for the computer and the piercings, but she didn't. Money...hmmm...Now I just have to figure out what to do about those other assholes that think I messed up their lives...Zenaida, that search guy, and that stupid meter reader. Oh, and the cowboy - that jerk that bailed me out of jail a few years ago. Why is he still talking about me on TV? They all want some of the money I'm about to make, but as long as I can go into those depo...depi...depasisshuns (I have to look up the spelling of that word) and just not talk, there's not a whole lot they can do.

That's another reason Jose pissed me off. He's trying to say that by me talking on the videos that I may have to answer other questions in that depo thing. I don't know what he's worried about. That Munyon judge always rules in my favor - piece of cake. Anyway, he's out of the picture now.

Stupid dog...I had to stop writing and take it outside because it almost peed on the rug. It better not bother me again.

Now I'm watching some TV while I write. I like to watch HLN. They will talk about me all day, and they really have been since I got that first video out there. People want to see more of me, and sooner or later, they'll pay for me talking, too.

I did get pissed at that Vinnie guy when he said that I was "pure poison" and that no one in their right mind would pay to hear me talk. Wait and see, guido, wait and see. I like that word - guido - and I know how to spell it, too. I learned that one from watching Jersey Shore, just like I got that hair idea during the trial from that short girl, Snooki.

And that Nancy Grace woman...I really hate her. If it hadn't been for her big mouth none of this would've happened. She's part of the reason I had three whole years of my life taken away. And she went on Dancing With The Stars afterwards. Cow. I would've been much hotter and a much better dancer, too. But I would've had to get up early and practice and that just seems like too much work. I don't plan to work, ever.

I'm not so sure about that Jane Velez-Something woman. She liked Jose, but I can't tell if she does now. Not that I care. I'm DONE with Jose. In fact, I'm so mad at him, I don't care of he does get in trouble for how he acted during my trial. That's on him. I mean, it was good he made those jurors like him, and that sure helped with me getting out of jail. But those jurors really were really kind of stupid. Heck, half the time they didn't even seem to be listening to what was being said in court.

Ewww, why am I even thinking about those losers? I'll just have another beer and wait till my honey comes over. He thinks I'm really hot. Maybe I'll make him take me out to dinner again. I love going out with him. We always talk about me, and how pretty soon I'm going to be rich.

What does the damn dog want now? It can't be hungry...I fed it this morning, I think.

Maybe later, I'll give Mom a call. She should have some more money from that foundation she started, and I could use a few dollars till the big bucks come in. It's hard being nice to her, because I'm still mad that she liked being on TV so much, but the cash sure is nice. And she always acts so grateful that I called.

Tomorrow is going to be pretty busy. I'm working on a design for a new tattoo and I'm thinking about getting another piercing. I've got a lot of talking and texting to do, and maybe think about another video I can make.

But I'm going to have to stop writing for now. This dog is getting on my nerves, and I'm going to do something about it.