Guess it's time for my (what seems like a monthly) update. I'm inspired to write because of the events of the past few days. For those wondering what's happened in the past month, well, I've been with Vickie and life has been good. No, life's been pretty fuckin' great, actually. I spend all of my free time with Vickie and she stays the weekends at the MobileQ. She's helped me get on my feet about paying bills and even helped me get health insurance, so that's all good.

Now, the prelude to the tragic tale of this weekend comes in two short facts. Firstly, this past week has been cold - really cold - really goddamned cold, record lows, negative temperatures. Secondly, Dad called me last week and then texted (god I hate that term) me a message telling me to check my propane which I did. I had about eight pounds. When it reaches thirty pounds you're supposed to call for a refill and hope you last the next couple days. Well, at eight pounds you're pretty well going to run out, so I set the temperature at 56 degrees and left on Tuesday to stay with Vickie where there was warmth. I really didn't visit my house much at all that week except to feed the cats once or twice and confirm that yes, the heat was out.

Friday. Friday started with Vickie calling me to tell me she'd been in an accident. The front of her van is all fuggered now, no headlights. Well, after work I went to her place, cleaned up, lit some candles and ran a hot bath for her, setting up a nice relaxation zone for her. This would be the highlight of the day. She couldn't go in for her belly-dancing classes because her car has no headlights, so we packed up and, after stopping for a bite at BW3's, we headed to the MobileQ. During this, everyone and their brother were trying to convince us to go to TJ's and hang out, which on any other day would be great, but we really just wanted to watch a movie and continue relaxing. This was not to be the case.

We knew it'd be cold when we got to the MobileQ. Wow, were we in for a shock. All pipes were frozen - the cat's water dish was frozen - the toilet equally (and colorfully) frozen. It took me over 30 minutes to get the furnace to light (lots of air in the lines meant lots of bleeding them). It wasn't until about two hours after our arrival that the temperature was close to comfortable for me. (Vickie however, requiring a much higher temperature to be comfortable, wouldn't come out of the mountain of blankets on the couch that she'd been hiding under.) This was about when I heard the sound of water dripping. Rapidly. Pouring, actually, and not from a sink. In order for the night to be truly complete, yes, the hot water pipe had burst underneath the trailer. What did it look like under there? Well, imagine lots of very, very hot water being sprayed into an area that was somewhere near ten degrees. The steam and fog was immense. I eventually had to shut off the water supply to the trailer. Vickie and I retreated back to her place. You can go all day long without needing a drop of water to drink, but as soon as you have no access to it, you get really, really thirsty.

Saturday morning I woke up early and Vickie went to work. I picked up "Wolves of the Calla", the latest book in the Dark Tower series which is, of course, the bomb. With the exception of the break to take Vickie to her second job later (it was nighttime so she couldn't drive) and pick her up, I sat in the chair and read all day long. Seriously, from 10am until 2am. My eyes hurt. I finished off that book and was about halfway through the first Harry Potter book before I finally stopped.

We woke up early Sunday morning and decided to exercise a massive Carpe Diem following a picture taking frenzy on the patio (digital cameras rawk!). First on the list of places to go was my home to make sure that nothing drastic had occurred without water. Then it was off to Chipotle's to introduce Vickie to what we all know as God's Favorite Foodstuffs. After that was a fun tour of a few areas of special interest, first being Devou Park (where more pictures were taken) and then the Garden of Hope, near where I used to live in Covington. (More pictures taken.) We finally came through Latonia and stopped at Value City to look at furniture (present and future plans) then headed (somewhat downheartedly) back home where she had to get ready for work. We were both tired from a draining but amazing day driving all over the Cincinnati area. After I dropped her off at work I made a surprising stop.

I'd forgotten it was Superbowl Sunday. Robin was in town - Robin was at Shane's - Shane lived very nearby where Vickie worked - I dropped in. Shane was already hosting Robin and Jimmy, I found a spot on the couch and yea, there was football to be had. Mind you, I'm not a big football fan, but you can't deny the appeal of Superbowl Sunday. The game was good, good ups, dull downs, the commercials were entertaining, but... did you see that halftime show? Naked by the end of this song, eh?

I've got to get that broken hot water pipe fixed, but I'm in no rush. I'll be staying at Vickie's until she gets her car fixed. Really, the only thing preventing us from moving in together is her lease and my cats.

I'm almost done with the first Harry Potter book (and yes, I understand that this does increase my geek levels through the roof) and will soon be starting the second. I've got a stack of books on the bed headboard that I've got to read. As soon as I'm done with all of the Potter books I'll be starting on Chronicles of Narnia, although Vickie insists that I wedge in A Wrinkle in Time. (She's aghast that I've never heard of it. Should I be ashamed?) This should hopefully explain why I haven't been on my own website in weeks, nor even on my own computer.