Pain in the ...

Let's get this out of the way: Getting old(er) sucks. When I was younger, I didn't have the aches and pains, allergies or migraines. Yeah, migraines, that's today's topic.

Since I'm still without health insurance, mostly because the insurance at work sucks ass, I get to live with the migraines. I've had two in the past month after not having any since giving up Diet Coke and all drinks with artificial sweeteners -- especially those with aspartame, which is known to cause cancer, seizures and a host of other nasty things in rats and humans. But that's a soap box for another day.

Anyway, since my job involves me sitting in front of a computer all day under hideous flourescent lighting with a constant din of noise in the background, it's not surprising the headaches have returned. I would like them to stop, but I think there's a way I can make money off 'em.

I need someone, anyone, to develop the technology to harvest the pain from these headaches and store them. That way, I can send them to people. Better yet, refine the technology so I can send them to a specific body part. Store up a few good ones (read: searing pain for me) and then I could send them to someone. Someone like my ex-husband. Yeah. I like that idea. Five skull-crushing migraines, right to his penis. I like that idea.

•••

I got hit on the other day when I stopped at the Stinker Station for a Powerade. Relatively nice guy behind the counter, I've seen him before. Older guy, turns out he's 67. Anyway, I'm at the counter and he says, "Are you easily offended?" [Oh great...] No, not really. "Are you married?" [oh dog... so without even blinking, I say...] Yes, I am. "Darn it! Well, I just wanted to tell you I think you're gorgeous. Not too many women like to hear that because they think you're after something else." [phew] Well, thanks, I'm glad you think so. "You make sure you tell that man of yours he's a lucky guy! And besides, I'm too young for you anyway."

Yeah, that was a little strange. Harmless, mini-boost to the ego, but strange. It's also the first time I've said I was married in nearly two years. We're not there yet, don't have a date or anything, not in any real rush. I just think it's pretty cool that I feel that close to Scott where that's how it feels. People put all kinds of labels on marriage and associate it with a lot of baggage; that's not what I'm talking about. I guess it's tough to describe if you've never been there. But trust me: it's a good thing.

Watching people

Today, we had the misfortune of spending a decent amount of time at the Flying J in Caldwell. It seems the Blazer has an issue with the fuel pump or fuel filter, and the end result = no go. The worst part, we had just fueled the mule and it had a full tank. We got to travel I-84 on the shoulder for a few miles to the truck stop, which isn't nearly as exciting as you'd think. The fun part came later.

When it was clear the truck wasn't going anywhere and we were waiting to be rescued, we killed time watching folks go in and out of the c-store. I know there have been all kinds of news reports and whatnot about how fat Americans are, but seeing it in person was sorta interesting.

Then again, maybe it's more indicative of the type of people who frequent truck stops. We saw the "cute girl" and her fat friend, the unhappily married couples, the old men, the churchies, the alcoholics and the truck drivers.

Truck drivers, it turns out, can be divided into two categories: rail thin and so fat they have body parts that never get washed. Many of them wear cowboy and/or Nascar attire. They almost all carried Thermoses (Thermi??) or huge mugs for soda. The thin ones usually wore super tight jeans and super tight t-shirts and the fat ones, well... I'm still scarred from seeing the exposed white belly of the white whale. If you've ever watched Viva la Bam and saw the episode where they go to Brazil and Don Vito gets waxed... Vito looked like Adonis compared to this blubbery excuse for a human. I think I need to go vomit.

Airports are still No. 1 for people watching, but truck stops, at least in Redneck County, Idaho, are pretty damned interesting. Hey, you get what you pay for.

Postscript:
As for the Blazer, it's going to get its demons exorcised, quickly, we hope. That was a hell of a ride getting it to the garage. Hope I don't have to do that any time soon, but I will say I have new-found respect for pink Geo Trackers and I'm glad the boyfriend is a strong dude. Steering a 2-ton beast with no power steering and stopping it without power brakes looked like anything but fun. I guess some people are just good like that.

Holy crap

I didn't realize it's been so long since I posted to this thing. Frankly, I haven't much writing anywhere lately. Part of that is due to the living arrangment, the persistence of a social/family life, starting a new job and continuing my gaming habit. Who has time to bitch and moan? Oh wait, I do that with other like-minded people now. What a change.

Seriously, I feel bad about not writing. Used to do it all the freakin time. I guess it's laziness and the fact I don't need the outlet. Or maybe I do and I just need to find/use another voice. There's also the fact I didn't have internet for a long ass time, but that's just an excuse. I also need to be out taking more pics with the Nikon. But yeah. Here's a post.