Disconnections

Forever again. I now. I've been sucked into Steampunk Empire-- so long ago that I am now neglecting it like LiveJournal-- and MySpace? Not been there for about a year...and DEviantArt owns my soul at the moment....Must get back to ebay, for an income! Apologies to anyone who feels like I am ignoring them. It's nothing personal-- I'm ignoring the world. September was an awful month, October not much better. Halloween is over so now I can go back to wearing Victorian clothes without being misread. Need a T-shirt: PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE ME WITH HALLOWEEN. I think the Stripper went well, but awaiting Richard's final verdict-- I expect to be yelled at, so I'm hiding from the mailman... Veterinary trials and tribs, cat ills and medical expenses. Worth it though. Dad was in and out of the hospital, now not working, but feeling better. Financial blahs. Employment now extended to the end of February, and so working on our Victorian Christmas gala... Writing every day but not on the MS-- BUT PLAN TO!! At least I resisted the urge to get involved in the NaNoWriMo-- National Novel Writing Month, write a 50,000 word opus in 30 days-- yeh, that's one thing I will NOT be giving time to. And Javert is my life-- well, Tony Perkins. YES-- return of the GIGANTIC LUST CRUSH I have had on this man since the late 70s. I KNOW he's been dead for 17 years-- but i am now seeing films i've never seen before. And obsessing.... Okay-- too early to ruin everyone's day with blather! Off to feed my menagerie and get something done that looks like.....housework. Bleh.

Since I updated, that is. News? Working an additional 2 months as interim vurator at the Thomas Warne Museum, formerly a FT position held by my dear Mr. Johns, who was driven away by harpies. It's so miserably PT now, and they won't make a decision about a permanent position, but keep telling me i am doing a fab job and asking me to stay on 'two more months'. The President of the historical society recently lost her husband and we all thought she'd resign-- various reasons for this but she is physically unable to do much for herself and can bearly walk-- the hubby did all the driving and go-fer work. Anyway, she is a problem for everyone because she lies and manipulates, assures me she's my friend and then behind my back and the museum board's goes sniffing around for another curator, etc. She's the main reason Dave left...

Rediscvered nmy passion for Tony Perkins-- his Javert is reason enough to live. Sad that the man's career was not longer, and that he got some real stinker roles. Everyone knows Norman Bates, but he was maybe just as troubled and intense. Gone 17 years as of Sept 12. His widow, Berry Berenson, was on one of the planes that hit the wTC towers on 9/11. Anyway, feverishly writing Unburied dead and trying to figure out how to get the heroine in bed with both leading men-- nit at the same time of course....the Inspector is way too repressed for that. At 40 years old, I don't think he's ever had sex....

Sadly, my little cat Toodles passed away on 9/8. Only 5 years old, and I blame myself for not having the necessary load of money for a vet. And of course it has caused me to rethink the notion of a merciful God. Poop-- just missed Offenbach on the radio. Straus sr, Rossini, and Offenbach are my good-time boys....

Still no wheels. Ebay sales slow-- shall I blame the economy? tracking down the LONG version of the '78 version of Les Miserables. Doesn't take much to distract me. Also engulfed in things Steampunk, and reading 1) my sisters first published book (albeit slowly. Contemporary romance is not my thing) and 2)some random chapters of an excellent work in progress by my friend Dick Lumbreyer. AWESOME time travel, circa 1944, with a cast that includes folks from 2079 and N. Tesla.... well done!!

Richard's latest work is going well-- so far. Wonder if it will make it to the US? Owe him a letter as usual!! I think part of the glue that keeps him writing to me is that I play 'hard-to-get'--- LOL!! no, just lazy in the art department, as I have promised him to inckude pix of new art every letter, so sometimes it's a month or two between my letters. And I have started posting this month on DebiantArt even though I signed up for it 2 years ago!!

Enough of an update. Better get something constructive done!

Well, admittedly we had an easy summer until mid August. I could actually learn to like it if the temps stayed around 80. But NOOOOO! Heat is now up and humidity to the max, making it fee; 100+ and too oppressive to breath. AC makes it bearable, but we don't have that here. Cars, theatres, stores and of course work at the museum actually make a big difference, but not always do-anle. So it's sit in front of the fan and otherwise try to sleep until it's all over.

Latest newsies? Yes, until the end of August I am working weekends at the museum, in the position of interim curator. Rumor has it this will be extended but I cannot trust the source. Couple of weeks ago I messed around with some weeding at the museum that got me a very severe case of poison ivy over half my face. VERY hideous, ugly to look at, eyes swollen shut, couldn't even get glasses around my melon head. After 3 days a friend carted me to the ER, got meds and injectables and boy did that make a difference. I was on the road to recovery when I got a phone call last Friday night, from Nancy the prez of the historical society. Her husband had just died, like 2 hours previous and he was still dead on the bathroom floor. Yeh, it was a really a horror show for all involved. Nancy is morbidly obese and cannot even do basic care of herself most of the time, and now with her husband gone-- her one and only caretaker-- who knows what's going to happen? She is not a very popular figure in the historical society, but that's another story. Anyway, the meds i was taking started acting up and I got sick-- now everything seems to be over and the main factor-- HEAT, and HUMIDITY!!-- is what is basically putting a crimp in life. Should improve tomorrow. The rain will also usher in temps about 10 degrees cooler.

Have discovered STEAMPUNK EMPIRE and that's a blast. Wed had a lovely day out with Jen and Dave-- we went to the park in Grover's Mills where they have the War of the World's monument, took lotsa photos, includinh Steampunkery ones, and then there was the impromptu trek to PA-- long story-- but got to have dinner in one of my old regular sites, Villa Vito. Got free food, too-- after 10 years they still remembered.

Thursday night Alycia, Jen and I trekked to the park at Sandy Hook and went on one of their lantern tours. IT WAS AWESOME!! Got to see the old prison, History House and even climbed up the 18th century lighthouse for a view of NY and harbor. Super splendid time. Yesterday I also got a piece of mail from Richard-- a flyer for the Stripper opening, which was very sweet of him. In the last week Dave and I also went Thrift Shopping, so it's been a good week in spite of the heat. Except the 16th marked 3 years since Puppy died.

Tomorrow is a photo shoot at Central park, but can't make it as I work-- plus weather sounds sloppy. There's another shoot at the Bronx Zoo next Wednesday-- dunno if we're going to that or not as yet. Have yet to read my sister's book, as Dad has had it for almost 2 weeks-- has a hard time dealing with 'sex scenes written by his daughter'. Eyyywww. Yeh, I can see that. Will pry it away from him soon anyway. My sister must think we hate it, as we haven't gotten back to her about it.

Okay. Time for a break-- lousy night's sleep last night so maybe I can squeak in a nap? Celeste expected to drop by, so I have to wait until I hear about that. Thus ends the August update!

For the last 4 days I have suffered pumpkin head. Sunday I somehow managed to stirr up poison something-- sumac, oak, ivy, I dunno-- and by Sunday night the left side of my face began to swell. Well-- by Tuesday I couldn't see out of my left eye and the whole half of my head was something from a SFX warehouse. Dave and Alycia had dropped off meds monday which I took according to instructions-- careful not to mix those unmixable. Tuesday I slept all day in 3 hour shifts. Wednesday morning, my right eye was getting inflamed-- Took a shower and thought I might lay down in traffic somewhere. but thanks again to the conspirators Dave and Alycia, I was whisked off to the local ER-- I was the hit of the day's arrivals, apparently. Evenetually got some IV steroids and Benadryl, along with RXs for a creme and 2 pills. Slept when I got got and can see a bit of difference, as in a good way.. to the overall mess. And my glasses fir.

So I am MONDO behind in painting, listing on eBay, and even pets and house up keep. Have started a few things but hope to feel better tomorrow ao I can do something productive.

Meanwhile, Steampunk resurfaces with a vengence. hope to get a human night's sleep and take over the world tomorrow....if it isn't too hot and humid.

I am on extremely slow speed today. About 11:30 and I have already gone back to bed once for a couple extra hours nap. Had a bizarre-o dream that I murdered someone I know (woman who used to be curator at the museum) Shot her twice in the head-- that wasn't the bizarre part-- everyone helping me load a truck and make a get away did not grasp the severeity of the situation-- SPEED being of the essence and leaving no clues, Anxiety dream at its finest. THEN in reality yesterday I had the BEST gazpaucho soup ever, introduced my friend Alycia to Mastori's resturant in Bordentown, also the historical city of Bordentown and Burlington, as an extremely severe line of deadly thunderstorms, wind and hail moved into NJ. The ride home in the dark and rain was a hoot-- saw some awesome lightning strikes, but alas the highway got flared-off because of an accident and we wandered around with mindless back-road attempts at detours for the next 60-90 minutes AND ended ip back on the highway, and at the accident site 3 times!! The final detour, taking the lead of several other cars, deserves a page itself. Alycia tells me the road was called 'Axe Mill Road' and we ran into 2 floods, and some knocked down road blocks...in the middle of b-f nowhere btw-- back on the highway in the Bordentown area it was a nightmare-- all the traffic lights were out and no one directing traffic. I can't wait to do it again-- seriously!
Okay-- have yet to dress, feed animals and get anythong accomplished. Lots to do that I've neglected and must contact Q about her website, as well as Celeste about a sale, and send an invoice-- paint-- well, you get the idea. Quick note from Richard today, too. But on to the critters!!

Indeed.
Hanging in limbo at the moment. Want to paint, want to write, want desperately to sleep and yet am not sufficiently tired....
Just came home (alright 2 hours ago) from conducting a meeting which would have made Rod Serling proud. It was a combination of, 'Please check your brains at the door' and 'ooooh goodie!! Let's not tell anyone the rules to tonight's game!' Have you ever had to try to explain something to people who could not comprehend or agree on the subject, let alone the details? For the most part, I think it went well, said what I wanted to say, presented everything I intended to cover-- and yet.... the strangely manipulative planet known as our Historical Society president CLEARLY announced to all afterward, 'I need to talk to Kate' (i.e. 'LEAVE, you miserable proles!!") and thus pretty much throwing out all the people I like so much better than I like HER, she has the GALL to say to me, with her shit-eating smile, "I hope you realize you've pretty much ruined all chance of getting a job!"
Hmmm. Okay. No, I don't realize that; I already HAVE a job, as interim curator. Which, by the way, you once mentioned I had also ruined all chances of getting THAT. And when that runs out end of August, you've made it clear they are conducting interviews for the post of FT curator (not so, say members of the board) Welly, no point rehashing the sack of lies dropped after everyone left so there would be no one there to dispute her highness's warped opinion.
I laughed.
Didn't believe a word she said, and don't really give a crap if I'm hired FT or not during the present regime. She DID make a point to say she's working SO hard for them to hire me--- same story I was getting from her when she was working SO HARD to get me hired part time. Had the chance to blow the whistle on her in front of the group, for a pack of lies that lost us a curator and several members, but elected to explain it privately to the person who asked. And said person was flabbergasted to hear the president could sink so low! SURPRISE!!
But otherwise, YES life is SOOOO good!! Writing is coming along great, and my sister's first book gets released this week! New paintings to be listed soonly, maybe a Snape or two, certainly a Vinz (the Marquis!)and the obligatory naked boyz. And I am most in the mood for some Richard work. Zounds. It's already been a full day.

When will it ever end???
How is it I could empty an entire museum gallery in 5 hours, including a REED ORGAN, grinding wheel, and map cabinet, all by myself, and it has already taken me 3 days now to start moving things back??? Maybe because I am cleaning things as I go-- and discovering more things in storage? So far I've only emptied 4-5 boxes of stuff. Tomorrow, the big pieces will get moved back. Packing is easy....comedy is hard.

ZOUNDS-- can't believe we have to go BACK to the studio Monday for VOs. Last week we had to re-shoot the intro, which carcks me up, as I have colored my hair in the interim. So for the opening shot I am a burnette, and the rest of the time it'll be white! (obviously I had quite a bad scare along the way.

Sent a note off to Richard on the 4th, and was surprised to find a letter from him in the mailbox today, written the 8th. But oddly enough it was written before he got my letter, and spent half the thing asking me why I haven't written, he was worried, hoped I was okay, and 'drop me a note or give me a call' with # provided and DAMN I didn't phone because I know by now my letter MUST have arrived and it woulda been too obvious, calling just to use the number!! And what was also weird is that I always know when he's got a letter on the way to me, even when one isn't due. But to say the least, I was touched by the sentiment. ('nothing's wrong, Richard, I've just been a REAL SLUG about writing!') And also a slug about painting for him....

I am pleased and thrilled with myself that I have 'ressurrected' Unburied Dead (my MS in progress) I had hit a major snag, ended up getting one of my main characters in a bind (hell, I ddn't do it, SHE did!) and spent the last almost 2 years considering rewriting about 10 chapters to undo the damage, but sat down a few weeks ago, and it started rolling again-- slowly-- and now it's up to about 20 pages a day. AND it's actually careening toward the end-- which is going to be pretty messy just by necessity. I'm psyched and really looking forward to having it done and actually in shape for a publisher-- wow, and within my lifetime, too.

In fact, I think I'll go work on it right now, since I just don't have the energy to paint!!

How is it possible that any of the local (insert snide descriptive) PUSSIBLY have any fireworks left after last night??? I thought fireworks were illegal-- and not a cop cruiser all night. Practically every 3rd house on my block was bombarding the neighborhood!! Sure, a few were pretty-- but that's not the point. Dad was trying to sleep before the midnight shift, and one of my birds (a cripple) wedged himself under a piece of furniture in a panic. He was panting and I had to wrap him in a towel and calm him down hald the night. I remember many of my dogs used to freak out on the 4th-- but last night was THE WORST it's ever been. Glad that's over for another year!!
Wow, I hardly ever visit LJ anymore-- curse you, FaceBook!! Maybe I should check and see how many 'friends' here are still posting! In the News: I've been appointed interim curator at the museum, since Dave resigned. The witches and bitches on the Board drove him to it, and he's thinking of returning to school. Meanwhile, the witless wonders who make the rules and have NO interest in history have decided to cut the hours down by 2 days. INSANE!! It's SUMMER, people-- when we get the most visitation! Anyway, I have weekends now until the end of August and they are supposedly looking for Dave's replacement. They COULD hire me, as I have more qualifications than Dave did, but I am being discriminated against because I'm Dave;s friend. I wish these old farts would just hurry up and DIE! (did I say that outloud?) or at least find another organization that they have an interest in!!
Still no wheels, but a rental this weekend-- wheee! Sales are about the same on eBay-- I'm just slow getting things listed for now. FINALLY got a letter off to Richard, and sent him Dave's drink recipe. For Richard's birthday, and his 'bartender Dave's corner' on the radio show, Dave created a drink called the Richard O'Brien. A pink martini with Goldschlager in it (so little gold flecks float down through the rosy vodka as you drink). Recipe can be found here http://www.queerspiritradio.com/queerspiritradio2005_004.htm
The TV show filming is ALMOST done-- we go to the studio this week to see the 'rushes' (dailies?) and do the last voice overs, then Thursday reshoot the opening/intro sequence. THIS outta be a laugh! I've colored my hair since May and it's not like no one's going notice the difference between the intro and the 'on the road' segments!
Okay, had some good sales last couple of days so I need to wrap stuff to mail-- but first i think I'll paint a little more. Until next time-- whenever THAT is!

A world without wheels-- car's still not on the road-- got wod today that I can have the engines replaced for a grand. That's actually a good deal, as it includes the replacement engine. Dave is within about 24 hours of resigning his curator job. Yup. Don't believe it and wish he wouldn't BUT he's totally fed up with the drama, the harpies, and the abuse. Frankly, I think he coulda made the position a stepping stone to better things if he just played ball at least a little with the Board. Alas, meetings have degenerated into confrontations, arguments and verbal abuse, and he's decided he's DONE. The 3 years he's been curator he has done more good for the museum abd historical society than they've managed in the previous 40 years. Most of the volunteers who have gotten involved during that time have become friends and have already started bailing out-- There is a possibility that I will be offered the job, though for budget reasons they plan to cut the hours down. No lie, I would take it for the sake of the museum and volunteers and of course the money. I have yet to be offered the job this time around-- last year it was brought up but because I spoke out on a few occasions and made the Board uncomfortable, they've been offering the post to everyone else who have been turning it down!! But it ain't over til the fat lady sings...

Yesterday Alycia and I took a drive around, locating some old homesteads that appear on the township 1870s map. She remembered one old place from her childhood nd we took a dead-end back road to find it. When we did-- it was burnt to the ground and the WEIRDEST thin was, it had just burnt down 3 days earlier!!! A house that stood for 200 years and it's gone within a few days of our rediscovery.

Heard from Richard last week, even though it was my turn to write! Now I owe him 2 letters but DAMN ME, I had a feeling the other day that he was sending me a letter, How strabge! Another weird world incident. He's going to be very busy in the next several months.

Dangerous Ink Magazine requested some art from me to go along with the issue his interview will be in, but I have yet to respond-- I am such a slug. I'm helping Celeste with selling her hats and bonnets on eBay-- hopefully she'll do well. and there's a Friend's meeting tonight at the museum which ought to be interesting....

Chell had lunch with Pat Quinn last week and I am SO PSYCHED to hear how it went! She's coming home after months in Europe in June, what a rush. Sales slow on eBay, but I haven't posted paintings in a few weeks. Other stuff sells in dribs and drabs.

A group of us are organizing a 'Friends of the Lambertson FArm' non-profit, in order te reclaim and restore the 1840s farmhouse that's been standing empty too long. Wish us luck! Meanwhile Mrs. Norris, our gi-huge-ic red eared slider has been relocated-- the harpies again who evicted Danny the parrot a few months back-- But Mrs. Norris is now quite happy in her new home, with my wonderful neighbor Jean!

Lots about to change with the museum, and have been doing alot of writing and rewriting some of my old MSs. Also, have completed a FAB script for the TV14 history tour show Dave and I have been filming-- hopefully wrapping it up next week. The directors/producers/crew seem to love the script, every time I hand them a new show-- which makes me very happy, despite the fact I generally sit down the night before and bang in out in less than 2 hours.

Meanwhile, Dave has just been offered the role as host for a new series, which he is quite excited about. I deliberately kept out of that one! No desire to be a TV star! JUST GIVE ME MONEY!

I spend too much time on FaceBook, though I do not take the quizzes, join the groups, or post the photos. At least two 'women' who have friended me are a bit....pathetic! They post endless photos of themselves in underwear-- always fishing for compliments with the boys and getting them. One woman seems to be puckering her lips in every pic and God help be it just reminds me of my cat's BUTT! She, and some of her friends not only take EVERY quiz out there but also come up with quizes and polls about each other, 'Do you think Yadda yadda is pretty?', 'Do you like so-and-so's eyes?' OH PULEEZE!! Maybe it's me, but I'd rather use FB to check in with friends now and then! And I haven't been to MySpace in ages....or LJ, I guess!

Okay, enough punishment for now!

I've completely lost track of the last time I've posted. I refuse to Twitter-- too much time already eaten up by FaceBook, and I've ignored MySpace for almost a year again, and then the miscellany board, forum, and group .... and then, there's reality. The museum, the drama, the stuff I love like field research, and digging through archaic cabinets and files for reference materials.... But alas there are also personalities, power-plays and alot of paranoid and 'uninformed' individuals in positions of power (due to underhanded means)whose main purpose seems to be to drag others to be as miserable as they. In particular, during an election last year for directors to sit on the board at the museum, one especially spiteful and unpleasant lady literally bribed people to show up at the meeting, pay for a membership in the historical society THAT NIGHT, in order to vote for her-- and then they of course are never to be seen again. No kidding. HOWEVER-- life goes on, well, despite people like that.
Went to Chiller Sat night with Dave and Alycia-- hung out with William Forsyth(e?) again, like last year, had a pretty good time. Dave leaves for a week's vacation in Mexico with Jerry next Saturday, Richard leaving for Vancouver today-- with Amelia, I think, to visit Linus for the weekend, back on Sunday. I have an article to write for WNJ at the request of Mark....or is it Mark? And spring cleaning must start....today. Excited about painting, too, as I have some new colors!! And subjects, and patrons!! Meanwhile, animals are all well, Dad is great, I need a car and want to go walking-- and Peter Steele is in North Jersey tonight-- but I really don't feel like going.
Enough for now. 10 am and I want to go back to bed!!