Things That Creep Me Out

I don’t get freaked out by a lot of things…just mice (especially dead ones), Ferris wheels, and snakes. Noises in the house usually don’t bother me unless they’re really suspicious. It doesn’t bother me to stay in the house alone. BUT I have noticed lately that there are several things that CREEP me out. So, since it’s a slow day in the office (and I was just reminded of one of these things) I’m going to list them for my few loyal blog readers:

1. The Burger King “King”. That thing is just WRONG! I sure hope he doesn’t make public appearances because I might just run for cover! He might have a smile on his face, but I fully expect him to pull out a hatchet and start a massacre at any moment.

2. Ice Cream Trucks. I know this might seem weird to some, but there’s just something not right about a man in a truck chasing down kids. Maybe in the 1950’s the Ice Cream truck was a staple in society, but these days it just screams pedophile looking for a quick get-away.

3. The Journey Land Hallway. You’d have to be familiar with my church to know what Journey Land is, but occasionally I have to take things down there during the week. Our building (which is also where I work) is really scary during the week when there’s no one around and the Journey Land hallway really creeps me out. It’s just this long dark hallway. I walk quickly.

4. Dark Basements. I don’t like to be in the basement with the lights off. I still, to this day, run up the stairs when I turn the lights off in my mom’s basement.

5. When Strangers Know My Name Before I Tell Them. A good example of this was yesterday when I went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. I walked up to the counter and the tech asked me if I needed help, I told him I was there to pick up a prescription, and he said, “for Stacey _____, right?” This wouldn’t bother me so bad if 1) he always helped me when I went in or 2) I was in there weekly. They deal with enough customers during the week; I sure couldn’t remember everyone’s name. Anyway, instances like that creep me out.
I guess that’s not too many things. I’m sure there are more, but this is what stands out.

New Neighbor Update

Oh, my new neighbors…will the fun never end? So much has happened since my last update on them, where do I even begin? After the incident with the loud stereo and my talking about it with the landlord, Jeana met one of them (Vick). He was really nice and apologized for being so loud. So, we were good.

Sometime after that (not sure when, maybe a week), I was home one day at lunch and they had their stereo up again. Since I was going back to work, it wasn’t a big deal, except the bass was so loud that it was rattling things on my wall. So I decided to go over there during the day when I was in a pleasant mood instead of waiting till one night when they were keeping me awake and I wasn’t in such a pleasant mood. I could have let it pass, but I just thought it was best to go ahead and establish the fact that they do play their stereo too loud at a time when tensions weren’t high.

So, I walk next door and rang the doorbell. When the door opened, it was all I could do not to laugh. Vick (I soon figured out) opened the door. Vick is about my height and has a build like Drew Carey. Now, that wasn’t what was so funny. What was funny was the fact that Vick had his shirt off, nipples pierced and more hair on his torso than any ape I have ever seen. Not a sight I look forward to seeing again any time soon. So I very kindly explained the situation…that I didn’t mind so much that their stereo was loud during the day because I’m not home and not sleeping, BUT they really needed to turn the bass down because I didn’t want things falling off my wall. They were really nice about it and turned it down.

But bless their hearts, they are single boys and I’ve come to the conclusion that they are, without a doubt, hopefully clueless! For the last week, they have been parking their car out behind their garage (because they can’t get their car in the garage because they have turned it into ½ den, ½ motorcycle storage). Problem is, their depth perception is bad and they end up parking too close to our garage and I have to maneuver my car just right to get out. Saturday, a girlfriend parked her car ½ behind their garage and ½ behind ours. Thank goodness Jeana had already left for the day or I would have been stuck.

This problem seemed to resolve itself this morning though because when I came out, our homeowners association had put a tow away notice on their car. I don’t think I’ll be having this problem any more.

I doubt this is the end of my experiences with the new neighbors, so I’ll keep you posted.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

New Neighbors

I just want to start by saying that I REALLY miss Katie & Tamra! Yes, Katie had been known to turn her stereo up from time to time, but they were actually very considerate neighbors. But noooo, Tamra had to decide to move to San Antonio and so now without a roommate, Katie moved out too and left us with ANOTHER set of new neighbors. This time, though not yet confirmed, we have two guys living next door too us. This really is not a good thing because these guys also come equipped with a stereo with a lot of bass. We can't even watch TV in our living room when they have the stereo going because you can't hear it.

Early Tuesday morning at about 1:45 a.m., they woke me up when one of them started yelling (I don't know if he was mad or just loud), but once they woke me up, their stereo kept me up for what seemed like forever! Then last night I finally got home at 9 p.m. after a REALLY long day, only to hear the bass on their stereo pounding AGAIN. Even though I was no where close to going to be at that point, I just wanted to come home to some place quiet.

As a result, Jeana and I have been trying to come up with a plan of action to silence the noise problem. Randy suggested we get this CD that has really annoying sounds on it like a baby crying and blare it early in the morning when they're trying to sleep. Jeana suggested I put on something really provocative (because my legs are longer) and go over there and try to sweet talk them into turning down the stereo. I'm thinking I'm just going to call Patsy and get the scoop on the new neighbors.

So that's it for today, but I doubt this will be the last post about our new neighbors.

The Puppies

McKensi & Colton's new puppies. Right now the names are Midnight and Sandy, but that changes frequently.

Bite A Snake Cafe

This is the Bite A Snake Cafe. They tell me it tastes like chicken, but frankly I'm not eating anything that shoots poisonous venom out of it's mouth.

Rattle Snake Derby

Rattle snake cage

This past weekend, after much coaxing, I attended my first Rattle Snake Derby in Mangum, OK. Actually it was the 40th Anniversary, but I didn't buy a comerative t-shirt. Since this was my only experience with Rattle Snake Derbys, I don't have much to compare it to. I wish I would have been brave enough to take more pictures because there were a lot of strange people running around. I saw women wearing things they should have reconsidered, mullets, and people taking pictures with a rattle snake around their necks (I'm told the snakes mouth was sewn shut, but I don't care...that's just wrong!). The people watching was by far the best part. I swear I smoked an entire pack of cigarettes though -- second hand of course. So, this was my excitement for the weekend. I know your jealous.