Tree House

 I have completed a new Lego project for those who have been asking. I spent a few days sorting Legos and cleaning the area before starting on a Forestmen Tree House. The build went straightforward. There were only a few redoes during the project. I started with the base and tree from the Lego treehouse, making it taller and more to my liking. I took some images of the work in progress this time.

The Lego Treehouse looks like this. It has playability in mind, and the interiors of each building are decorated. Mine are not.  

The Beginning

Making the Tree Taller and the first attempt at a structure

I wanted to attach two structures with a rope bridge.

It wasn't working out.

I tried connecting two structures by a rope bridge in the tree, but it was not working. I abandoned that idea and made two separate structures in the tree. After two more attempts, the final project looks like this.

I am happy with the colors and the final results. Each level has a door for imagined access. The structures don't look too heavy for the tree, and the model is sturdy. I can carry it with one hand, although it is very heavy. It looks more impressive in-person. The pictures do not do it justice.

Dinner

 Our weather has been rainy and mild. No complaints from me. Sam and I went to dinner Saturday night. We went to Green Lantern because we lacked any other choice. The place was not busy. Most people were celebrating the holiday season with family.

Sam was in an argumentative mood. No matter what topic I introduced, she had something negative to say. Sam would consider me no fun when we hang out, but I feed off the other's energy. We had a fantastic time laughing and joking when Gia and I were together. Despite Gia's walls, she is a joy to be around. Sam is too bitter and tired from working.

Sam wanted to shop at the outdoor mall after dinner, but I declined. I could not take more of her negativity. I am going to dinner with Sam and her sisters tonight. I hope she is in a better mood. Luckily, the place is close to my condo, and I will drive separately. 

Speaking of Gia, she and I are still texting back and forth regularly. Just playful interactions and gifs. I intend to keep the conversation going for as long as she allows. Absence may make the heart grow fonder.

Tempus Fugit

I have ignored the holiday spirit this year. Christmas holds nothing positive for me except an extended vacation from the stresses of work. My time with Gia didn't help. We had so much fun together. It leaves me wishing I could find someone similar.

I gave the twins their presents yesterday. They spent the night, and I took them back to their duplex and helped Twin B set up the TV I purchased for him. Max is coming over today. I made plans with Sam to go to dinner with her and her family on Saturday and have plans to take the twins to see my brothers the day after Christmas. I am not looking forward to any of it.

So, the year is winding down with a sputter. 2024 is a daunting number. Tempus Fugit. 

What we lost here is something better left alone
Second steps been forgotten, will you tell me how they go
Set yourself, situate, like a fool try again
There's no one around you can remember being good, for you so...Shame, Matchbox 20

End Of Year Snapshot

 In homage to Sarah H. at Death Wears Diamond Jewelry, who is no longer blogging but is missed.

Listening… Podcasts like Morbid (true crime and ghost stories). Find Your Alpha (YouTube channel that reads stories of infidelity).

Reading… Nothing currently on my reading list. 

Watching…I am rewatching Gilmore Girls on Netflix. I like the show and its quick dialogue. It has many seasons, so I don't have to find anything soon.

Playing … I have been playing Wordscapes on my phone. 

Hoping… I am replacing Eva (who didn't work out) with Gia, who may work out. I am hoping to spend more time with Gia.

Buying… Christmas presents for the boys. They are all I shop for.

Loving... I only have to come into the office 5 more times this year. I need a break.

Planning…  I have several Lego sets to build over the Holiday break.

Missing… My pseudo-fourth child, Tinkerbell, she has been distancing herself lately.

The Past, Shimmer

 It was Tinkerbell's birthday on Saturday. I texted her the day before asking if she had special plans and didn't get a reply. I didn't hear from her, so I didn't bother texting her on Saturday. Tink has been distancing herself from me for a while. I am not sure why. Anyone who read my book will note this is not the first time. I can only guess at the reason. 

Tinkerbell is a lot like me in that respect. She cuts everyone out eventually. I wouldn't be surprised if she shows up again without explanation sometime in the future. Years ago, this would bother me more than it does today. I don't care anymore. I lack the energy.

Excerpt:

Shimmer Originally Published, April 3, 2009

 "When you are all happily ever after," I start. "You better not forget about me."

"I haven't so far, have I?" She replies-- but that is not an answer. I know she will have to let me go. I cannot play the same part in her life.

As I drive home, I can't keep from wondering: Who will need me now?

We're here and now, but will we ever be again?
Cause I have found
All that shimmers in this world is sure to fade
Away again

It's too far away for me to hold, too far away

It's too far away for me to hold Its too far away... Guess I'll let it go-- Shimmer, Fuel

Tail End Of The Year

I didn't get a chance to post a Snapshot of November. Work has been busy, and I am looking forward to the end of the year and some time off. You can tell nothing new is happening here from the lack of posts.

To clarify a question from Harry I received. I didn't plan on taking Gia to a terrible place for a date. My lack of knowledge of the area led me to pick the first place that popped up on Google. It worked out, though. 

Gia and I continue to text. I am not sure exactly what it means, but I do love the mystery of it all. Gia texted me today and said she would be returning in ten days. She indicated she is staying till January. I am not sure if that means through the holidays or not. Still, I will have plenty of time off if she is interested in getting out during the day.

The steering stabilizer finally came in for my truck. Which is good. The Gladiator would vibrate like crazy whenever I went over a bump. I had it installed today. 

I am going to have to do an end-of-the-year Snapsot to cover both November and December.

Sick

I started this post last week. I was going to delete it and start fresh, but nothing in the details has changed. I have been sick for the past ten days. It started the day after going to the club (see below). Test say it was not Covid, but it has lingered on in my sinuses for days. The doctor gave me some steroids, which helped briefly, but my symptoms continued to remain.

*     *     *

It has been so long since I posted that I need to remember where I left off. I went to the club last Friday night. I saw Eva, Al, and a few other girls I now know there. Eva and I had been texting frequently the previous week, but she had disappeared. She seemed to be into me. However, she has a lot of personal issues she is dealing with. Eva definitely drinks too much at the club. I am not even disappointed about her disappearance.

I got a booth while I was at the club on Friday. Something I used to do regularly back in the day when I used to hang out at Penthouse. I wanted to avoid Teach. He has stopped talking to me anyway. 

Work has been busy. There are only four work weeks left for me in the year. I have five vacation days I could use in those four weeks. I must drive to the office about fourteen more times this year. This is what I think about during my spare time. 

*     *     *

I started hearing from Eva on Thursday, but by Monday, when we were supposed to get together, she had disappeared again. I have to assume she was looking for me to return to the club last weekend. I didn't. Had I, it wouldn't have been to see her.