Here are all of the symptoms from which I have been suffering for the past year: (copypaste from www.toxic-black-mold-info.com/moldhealth.htm - maybe not the authority on black mold, but more informed than I)


"Allergy:

Allergic reactions are elicited when a substance such as mold that is not harmful in itself causes an immune response in susceptible individuals. The most common symptoms of an allergic response to increased levels of mold range from runny noses, itchy-watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, and throat irritation to more severe symptoms caused by chronic conditions such as sinusitis and asthma.

Irritation:

Fungi produce Volatile Organic Compounds during the process of degrading substances to obtain nutrition. The VOCs are the cause of the typical “moldy/musty” commonly associated with fungal contamination indoors. Exposure to high levels of VOCs may irritate the mucous membranes and the central nervous system leading to symptoms of headaches, decreased attention span, difficulty in concentration, and dizziness."

This would explain my dizziness, and persistent and worsening cough. It would be convenient if I could blame my decreased attention span and concentration on the mold, but that is a bit of a cheap out, and I know I am also a bit lazy. Maybe I'll be brilliant and productive in my new house. The mold in my bathroom is growing at an alarming rate - my roomate Jamie noted that it looks like a scene from Resident Evil. I'm scared to sleep in my house - my whole bedroom smells musty. I couldn't be moving soon enough.

I don't know if the problem is psychological or physiological; but sometimes, I feel so disconnected, I could lose consciousness.

I think I'm going to have to give up drinking (to an extent) for a while. I'm having very bad reactions (ie. hangovers) to having drunk not really that much alcohol. My body is rejecting it. I'll have to set a one or two drink maximum. Also, I kind of take pleasure in going to sleep early, taking vitamins and eating properly. I feel better, psychologically and physically. It's too bad I freak out when I smoke weed, that would be a good alternative. I just don't think I am stable enough to deal with another perspective right now, this perspective often seems to be more than is tolerable.

I'm entertaining the idea of going back to school for psychology. I thought maybe I could be a counselor. I could counsel part time and still play music. Having to confront other people's problems might help me deal with mine. If anything, I could at least relate. Jessica had suggested my line of work be in the gay community. I could see myself doing that. Gay counselor? Why not? It's a huge part of my life. The problem I face is my lack of commitment to school. I know I say this over and over, but I really want to show myself that I can actually fucking do something that everyone else seems to do without complaining and breaking down. I want to be functional enough that I can go to school and finish a degree. I might have to give up the rocking and rolling for awhile, though. It's weird to think of, though; for as long as I have lived, I thought I would grow up and be a musician.

For now, I'm just going to practice songwriting so that I can rock and roll as hard as I can until I go back to school and grow up.

Today, it was warm enough that I could actually smell the trees.

Check out my Flickr page, I'm a cartoon character!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kill_your_television31/sets/72157600065421261/

(Jessica just bought a macbook with Photo Booth. Thank you Photo Booth, you hilariously entertaining program.)

Hills Like White Elephants/The Acorn/Storyboard (With no actual Storyboard photos.)

I'm pretty bad at livejournal. I can't ever seem to find time to sit down and write about what happens - I barely have time to do the things that I do.

I've posted most (not all) of my pictures from my two trips here. Now you can just look at the pictures, instead of me writing about my trip.

Back to work!

The plan, Saturday, if anyone would like to join us: bowling after work (not sure where) then to the Roost (which was mostly Jamie's decision). RSVP... emilysaidshemightbedriving - but I don't want to give away seats in her car. So maybe contact Emily.

I went to get in my car on Thursday night, and realized that someone had smashed the front driver's side of my car. My turning light is completely gone, my hubcap was in pieces on the ground, and the wheel well is grinding against the tire. I had originally thought it was a hit and run, but somebody left a tiny business card that I didn't see. The police became involved, and my entire weekend has been spent waiting for them to come slap a 'damaged' sticker on it and give me paperwork for the insurance company. That is pretty irritating... I canceled all of my plans to sit around and wait for the officer to NOT show up, four nights in a row. I would have appreciated a phone call if they got too busy. I'm not surprised, though, I know that the EPS does not operate with a lot of consideration for others. I can't tow it to be repaired until the insurance company has the paperwork from the police. It is a slow process.

On the bright side, I decided to finance a digital SLR for myself. I just finished paying off my laptop, so I have a debt hole in my life to fill. I bought a Nikon D40:
I've had it since yesterday, so I spent all night taking pictures of my pets:

And yes, I'm sorry everyone, I don't yet know how to make LJ cuts, so I apologize.

Expect many more pictures soon! I am very excited to learn how to use this camera very well. With my course from Grant Mac, maybe I can maybe even maybe charge to take pictures for people maybe.

Also, my birthday is on Saturday, so I want to do something that is fun, but does not end in my having a hangover. The idea of going to the Roost has been tossed around, but I'm almost more inclined to have a potluck, or just have people over to hang out. Or maybe bowling!!

And to conclude, here are some customer 'types' that annoy the hell out of me:

1) The know-it-all. It doesn't matter what you tell them, they already know, and they know more than you. Especially if they suck at the instrument they're talking about. An especially irritating factor is if they are teenage boys.

2) The non-listener. They'll ask a question, and interrupt the answer with another question, ad naseum. You could be speaking pig latin and they wouldn't even notice.

3) The 'experienced player'. These customers try to be salespeople. I hate them. They will butt in on your conversations with customers, and take over your sale. They most likely contradict everything you're telling the customer, because they a) don't know the products in the store like you do, and b) are not as experienced as they think they are.

4) Groups of high school kids. These customers (that's the wrong word, they never buy anything) travel in large, loud, annoying packs. They are rude, destructive, never ask for assistance, and play instruments for far too long and far too loud.

5) The indecisive customer. These customers require far too much attention and help deciding on stupid things like picks and guitar stands. They're fucking all the same!

6) Ryan Steedman.

Dear all:
I have been asked to judge a Karaoke contest tomorrow night in Leduc. They are giving me + 3 others a $300 bar/food tab. 2 spots are taken. I have 2 more spots in my car, and seeing as I will be driving and unable to drink anyway, please come help me spend my tab.

First come first serve.


edit: I just found out that we are the ONLY judges. So I guess it's a good thing I decided not to dump this for the band, because they would be fucked.

I need someone to tell me what the right thing is to do, and also how to be happy.


Anyone? I'd probably take your suggestions.