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The longer then even I expected to procrastinate wait is over. Time Warner cable has finally hooked up a new line and our modem is now functioning. The long suffering spouse is now pretty much caught up with all her doings on the net and I have now the prospect of time to catch up with life on the litnet.

Besides the modem going out and the repair taking longer then anticipated there were the usual excuses of holidays (used to explain the absence of PMs from Logos begging for my speedy recovery to blogdom glory), writer's block (used when you drool at other blog entries that are so much more inspiring then your own ramblings) and familiy coming home for the holidays. Could not believe I hadn't seen son Dan in a year. Was looking well.

AAA had one bad weather weekend where I promised to behave for Tami and answer the phone since I was on stand-by status but I was rescued by first shift Sam(antha) who stayed late so I would not have to drag my weary carcass to the salt mines--especially since it was scheduled weekend off.

Worked Christmas Eve but had the other holidays off. Dan was up for a week and brought his dog, Rocky who became friendly with our dog Onyx to the point where she took over the household. I swear he moped for a day or two after Dan's return to Alabama. Dan said Rocky seemed out of sorts also.

Other son Jim sent a Christmas card but no phone call--found out TODAY he did call Damion my grand-son. The Devil-child Gina requested new daughter-in-law, Loretta remove Damion's picture from her Myspace page because Damion is HER son. Also mentioned that we don't seem to care. I do but I have trouble dealing with child nappers especially ones that let the courts enable them. I am fully aware of the emotional cost that will reap a harvest of regrets for all concerned in the years ahead but I don't bluff. Besides Gina's threatened too often to deny us access--Shelia would play fair but I won't dance with her either. My advice to Loretta has always been to ignore Gina and once told her how to milk a rattlesnake safely if she MUST play with reptiles. I like the fact that Gina doesn't get everything she wants. That builds character. Have not really heard from Jim of late so it's entertaining to know Gina can still wreak havoc. She leaves us alone since she knows playing the grandchild card doesn't work. Ah divorce and love gone cold. The trick is to live in hope and not get bitter.

Sandy and Mike were here for Christmas and it was fun watching little Ron hand his presents to his Mom to open for him. I took Dan and Mike to see Aliens vs Predator: Requiem but can't honestly say it's a worthy sequel. They should have stopped with Aliens and Predator 2 rather then let these movie icons become the Abbot and Costello meets Frankenstein of the Universal Studios monster francise past their heyday. And yet we are curious about Indiana Jones coming up and actually hearing good things about Dark Knight so we shall see.

I had a vision today while visiting the Bookery and talking to owner Tim about this and that and we got around to director/producers and I mentioned Peter Jackson doing King Kong in the manner that he did vs. Lord of the Rings.

The vision involved Andave Ya charging into the Bookery with a shotgun blasting Tim away when he declared that LOTR wasn't so great and the books are rather stodgy--quote unquote. The context of that conversation is that Tim and I are aging dinosaurs that wish we could retain the early days of reading when all books were glorious--yes even 1984--overated as it is but time dims the passion and the excitement of it all. For the record I still think LOTR is very readable and the movies spectacular BUT Return of the King to me was flawed because I wanted the book ending (Saruman/Sharkey). Otherwise a viewer may wonder why Frodo can't snap out his depression and enjoy life again. The whining did get a little old. There I said it. Andave Ya feels our friendship being tested. Thankfully she is a lady of character and I feel safe in the friendship. Idril on the other hand---????

The cars are back up to speed. Got some work done on mine and hopefuly I can put the credit cards away for awhile and start the new version of winnowing down the debt load. There is a small chance of getting home for a quick trip (by myself since Ruth has school for another year) and I can do it on my four days off to see my mother who is still hanging in there.

Personally I'm glad the holidays are over and I can get back into my routines. I have now finished nine years of reading Spurgeon sermons with 256 to go plus one more book of 20 'lost' sermons. Am thinking of reading Matthew Henry again or maybe a serious reading of Calvin's Commentaries--not for the tame since there is a reasonably priced edition out but that will be decided God willing in October when I run out of Spurgeon. Might even be nice to sound like a Christian once in awhile when the drama queen isn't reigning in full regalia. The other day I was reading about the Lord asking two blind men if they believed that He could do THIS (cure them). The gist is that believers have a belief in God's power until it gets down to the rubber and the highway and the truth comes out. I have discovered He greatly blesses Ruth, Pendragon, and Andave Ya (and even her sister) but tests me. We hang our head in shame that we think so little of such a great God who truly has been so gracious. Basically I worship Me in place of God's power and want to be in charge rather then rest in Him by faith. I'm starting to understand Judas just a wee bit better now.

Anyhoo enough of the ramblings. This is just a warmup to get me back on the net. Tomorrow I expect to catch up with other blogs and rediscover people I miss and wish to reconnect with and maybe discover some more people here.

A new year and new hope and still no phone number from the beloved Logos. But we live in hope.