1/31
The consensus is that it will be the Falcons by 7 even though that's not the line. Doesn't look good right now, though. The fair was fun, and alwmost busy for a little while today, then, game time, it gradually ground to a halt. For a bunch of psychics at a psychic fair, no one seemed to know what the outcome of the game would be. Makes for an interesting weekend. I've eaten more meat this trip than ever before, steak on Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night, Sunday Morning. Sunday evening, too. This thought came with dinner -- "Ginzu Throwing Stars." Then, we discussed the Feng Shui of mounted Bass Trophey's on the wall. Bubba Feng Shui, as it were.

1/30
I'm sure I qualify as a primary computer geek in some circles. Get off the airplane, juggle a cell phone, a Palm Pilot and a backpack with a notebook computer. Eat some steak with some El Paso friends. "Hey, you want to check out my cable modem?" "Yeah!" It's Friday night, and I'm looking at the web.

I had such an unfortunate experience with guys in suits at the airport yesterday that I'm beginning to think it's time to impose an Austin wardrobe on more people. Seems like all the people who were at the Austin airport, and rather rude -- to the tune of running over little old ladies -- the guys were wearing suits with a "Texas Sate Bar" lapel pin or baggage emblazoned with the logo. But it only takes one nice guy from South Austin to set me right. He was trying to -- as diplomatically as possible -- suggest that I wasn't a redneck. I asked one of the guys in El Paso, too, seeing as how he is a professional student of human behavior and Virgo attention to detail. "Kramer, with the jacket and the T-shirt, you may look like a biker, but you certainly don't look like a redneck."

1/29
I got up early because I've got to be dog tired by the time I hit El Paso tonight. My neighbor was up, I grabbed the cordless phone and wandered next door. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. All those cable channels and no Springer. No Scooby Doo, either. It's Friday morning, what is the world coming to? But has been raining, and that's really nice. I picked up a ZZ Top CD at Waterloo the other day, I think $3.99 for a used CD was a good deal. A little bit of music to set the tone for the day.

1/28
When my cat starts to turn down food AND affection, I know that there is something wrong. She had that Cedar Fever thing, too. But we're getting over it. Change in the weather might help. I got some of my material back from the copy editor at AOL. It all started out with a gentle, "uh, Kramer, you can't say that." I had suggested that something was going to "summarily suck" and the folks over yonder suggested I needed to use other words. So for the sanitary AOL version, there's a different phrase. Here at the office, I'm sticking to my phrases. I'm beginning to think the coffee at Jo's is extra special, worked again today. I might have to move it up to one of the best coffee stops ever.

1/27
So I thought I was done with the rough draft version of the Romance through the Signs text. Looks like I was sadly mistaken. Seems to be a few gaping holes in there. The inevitable question? Can I combine a Shakespeare reference and a fishing allusion, all in the same paragraph? Don't know why not, I've been doing it for years. The extra nice, spring like weather meant I had my front swining open, and my neighbor wandered in this evening. "What are you doing?" "Making dinner." "What's it going to be?" "Chili." "Home made?" "You bet. I opened up that can myself." That qualifies it as homemade, heated up in my very own microwave.

1/26
I figured out the Cedar Fever thing. It's like an allergy only worse. And I didn't have it until I went to that wedding, last weekend. I'm deathly allergic to weddings. I was hiking the lake again today, a slightly shorter route, coming across the Congress Avenue Bridge, the winter wind whipping up from the river tussling my [very sparse] chest hairs [like all three of them]. It's late January, and I'm working on a summer tan. And as the evening rolls into night, after a little bit of Hank Hill, I got the last of the rough draft of the romance done. Yes!

1/25
Ever have one of those extremely weird days? The weather is "oh so beautiful" but then there's this affliction called "Cedar Fever" and it's hit by now. Leaves me crabby, tense and irritable. But the weather is so nice, when I finally decided to get outside, it was just a wonderful day. A quick bite, a lovely afternoon lakeside with a cute little Cap girl. You know, it just doesn't get any finer than this. I had my afternoon date drop me off downtown so I could attend to some business. Crossing the street, what is there but a Virgo friend in her monster red vehicle. But alas, it wasn't a day that we were both going the same direction....

1/24
Intermittent problems with the server today. I finally broke down and called tech support after I checked with both my big mac and the powerbook. "No problem it will be up in about ten minutes." Half an hour later, the next call was little different. "We're having some trouble with the server and I called an engineer...." I figure if the server is down, a slow traffic day and night is the best time. I'm still amused that I went to a wedding tonight. I'm still carrying a little extra weight from the summer's hospital visit, so my nice Italian suit was a little snug around the waist. Such is life in the city. But I've added two more chart comparisons to the romance section. As long as I've got the good spirit working, I'm a happy camper. I just wish I had a picture from Friday night, we looked pretty hot together.

I did a quick "power breakfast" with Dave and Troy. Cool to hook up with the old buddies.... there's a special place that can be attained by the right amount of coffee. Not too much to vibrate into another dimension, but right up there, close to that point.... Dave had some of the best words of advice I've heard in a long time, "I'm in touch with my feminie side -- in fact, I'm touching it right now...." I guess you had to be there.

1/23
I was frisked before I went through the door at the concert venue. My companion was done over with a metal detector. "Got any knives?" "No." "Guns?" "No." "Illegal drugs?" "No." With a line stretching behind me for a what seemed like a mile, I had to suppress an urge to say something smart like, "I'm an old fart. All I've got is cell phone and pager." But Black Sabbath just flat out rocked. We had pricey seats in the upper decks, and watching the stage antics, maybe the upperdecks was the best place to be. But better than just watching the band, I really do enjoy watching the crowd. There was a little bit of everything. I gave my red haired companion a spare set of earplug, and dug around for mine in my pocket, but I couldn't find them. There were four young people in the seats in front of us, and it was great to watch their heads all bang back and forth in unison. Bang your head, dude. What I found more amusing was the fact that these people in front of us were probably born after 1980, and they were listening to some song, even signing along, to music that was first recorded long before they were born. Wedding night for one Gemini tonight. More news as it develops. So last night I was dressed on black jeans and a black T-shirt with my black biker jacket on, and this evening it's going to be black tie, which means one of my tuxedos. Maybe just a suit will do.

1/22
Black Sabbath. Tonight, the Alamodome, in San Antonio. A couple of readings in the afternoon, and I'm good to go. Late last night, meandering back from an evening repast and some country music, I had a chance encounter with a friend, while he was waiting at a bus stop. "Dude, Kramer man, this is so PHAT!" I don't think I liked being called fat, I mean, enough of my friends have told me that the extra weight looks good on me. That dog. I also heard from an old friend in Phoenix last night. It was too cool to hear from the old side of things. I wonder if they all look as old as I do now.

1/21
How does a day start when you have breakfast with your lawyer? To be sure, this is the only woman who has ever called my bluff. Many years ago, I took one look at her birthday and asked her to marry me. Rather than fool around with pleasantries, she pulled out her little black book and started looking for a date, "Your Mother will be pleased."

I'm about at a breaking point, and I can't remember how long I've been doing to the romance stuff, but I'm getting mighty tired of calling up old clients and asking about relationships. It's hard to collate this much data, all at once.

1/20
On second thought, I think that was B-25 yesterday. My memory is a little hazy. I remember some of those from a visit to Midland's airport, the home of the Confederate Air Force, dedicated to preserving and flying old piston engine planes. Cool stuff. There was one comic last night, early on, who just had me doubled over with laughter. A lot of his stuff wasn't too new, I mean, ice in Texas, that sort of thing. But I can't remember the joke -- I saw the punch line coming, and I was laughing so hard by the time he got to it I was crying. Good stuff, check it out.

1/19
I was doing an abbreviated hike around the lake today, I mean, it was just too nice to be inside, but I was running short on time. As I was getting closer to the downtown section of the trail, I looked up to figure out what kind of airplane was passing over. It was a restored ME-109. Following closely was P-51, then, I think, a B-24. They were down on the deck, and it was pretty cool sight. Comedy night tonight. I sure hope my stomach gets better after yesterday's little midnight upset from the spices. I think I can either eat Mexican or Polynesian, but combining them might be bit much for the system.

1/18
Sleep, glorious sleep. Always happens after a show. I was so wound up after the Austin gig, I was floating by the time I got home. Maybe before. Just a lot of energy. The let down came as I posted the new scopes, and then I slept all day again. This kind of work can really wear a fellow out. I did squeeze in a lunch with a darling Virgo, then a cigar whilst sitting by the lake which has been lowered. The weather was perfect, but I was too tired to take advantage of it. Work on the romance stuff is eating up way to much time.

1/17
I wonder if I can properly catch the idea, the concept, the rigors and the tough calls I have to make while I'm working. I wonder if the excruciating schedule, the pain and the anguish I experience can be conveyed. It was hard day the "office" working at the psychic fair. "Are you psychic?" "No, I'm an astrologer. And redneck if you believe the paper. Do I look like a redneck?" "What are Tarot cards?" "They are the antecedent to the playing deck we used last night for poker." "Do you know my name?, you're psychic aren't you?" "No, I'm just an astrologer...." "You take charge cards, are you a psychic, will my Sears card work here?" "No, I'm an astrologer."

1/16
There's something special about Austin, in particular south Austin, that sets it apart from other places in the world. I've been to Europe, the Far East, I've been in Australia twice now, but I still like Texas best. And no place in Texas better exemplifies this place than good old South Austin. Maybe it's because two major industries are working right now full swing, the Texas State Legislature and the University of Texas. Or maybe it's just advice about romance from a Bubba named Sean. He has a Tribal Texas Flag as one of his tattoos. Just makes you feel extra special to get love advice from him. I worked my tail off today, had a fine repast of Tex-Mex and concluded the night with a good cigar at Bobalu.

1/15
I was so depressed by yesterday's paper, I spent the day in bed. The e-mail still rolls in, and I still answer, but other than that, there isn't much that's going on. I did get out to see Don Walser play last night, and for the briefest of moments, my spirits were lifted. I'm still busy trying to collate all the relationship data that I've collected, too, and that's turning out to be mammoth task. But it will be up. Parts up already. But then an old friend shows up and drags me out for some Vietnamese food, and I do the prediction panel last night as a precursor to the fair. And to be fair with the paper, I shouldn't be depressed -- I've always wanted to be a real redneck, now, according to the popular press, I am.

1/14
The newspaper came out today, and I swiped my neighbors -- of course I'll return it when he gets off work -- I just wanted to check it long enough to see what it said. So much for a reader's choice award. But I do get to mention that it's been two years running. Spam? This is the happiest note today:

>To: KramerW
> Dear User, Thank you for bringing this abuse to our attention.
> The website that has violated our usage agreement has been deleted.
> We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

1/13
I was beginning to think that doing this little journal was a waste of time, but I've gotten to enjoy it, and it keeps me on track. The comedy was painfully funny last night -- too bad the venue was less than wonderful. I'd say more, but one of those jokes, or more of them, might show up in my weekly scopes. I've spent an entire day uploading, refining and then correct a mass of material I had in place. I'm trying to get all the romance stuff out of the way before the end of the month. I mean, February is Valentine's Month. I did get a little break and quick chance to hike up to the bank, long enough to deposit small check and grab a cup of coffee at Ruta Maya. Then a cigar with Sean M., and it's back to work.... Bubba Night, tonight.

1/12
There's something inherently tragic about watching a good friend suffer at the hands, the whims and moods,of his intended. What's worse is watching a full - sized, full - strength, strong - armed fellow lose all his self - respect and suddenly turn into a large, sniveling child. I fully expect to see his low lip quivering before the week is up, but stay tuned, it could change any moment, it's a Gemini and Virgo, two mutable signs. Makes me glad I am bereft of the company of a single companion right now. Makes life a lot easier, except for the cat, but as long as I feed her, she doesn't require too much attention. I get to go to watch standup tonight, and that's a welcome relief. Relationships, even tragic ones, all seem to have a comic flavor to them, in my eyes.

1/11
I'm beginning to loathe Monday morning again. Fortunately, the mail was light this morning, and I had a chance to pursue some academic research. I discovered that Ireland is in Coryell County, just a little west of Waco. I've always wondered where these places were, and the trusty map has given me a clue. It was bad day for Thai, food, though. After three unsuccessful attempts at finding a decent restaurant in which to enjoy the fine cuisine, my dining partner (the girl with Red Hair) wound up eating good old Threadgill's food. Safe, simple, biscuits and gravy sort of fare. Thai it ain't.

I've been working on the web pages again, trying to get my latest material up and available. I sure hope the new stuff is fun enough for everyone. I've only got about two signs left to cover.

1/10
Another day, another Gemini. I'm beginning to wonder if there's a pattern here. Blond hair, blue eyes, Gemini Sun sign, minimum of four planets in Air Signs... One is bitter, one is bittersweet and one is sweet. Nope, no discernible pattern here at all. "1999 ISN'T UP YET, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE? IT'S ALMOST OVER!" -- Heard from another Gemini this morning, I love the way their multiple brains work. Parallel processing, right? Then it was off to see "Shakespeare in Love" again. Got to be a good movie. I really like the work, perhaps the find hand of one of the authors, but whatever it is, I really do enjoy seeing material by Tom Stoppard. He was a coauthor on the script. I'm more than a little frantic about the coming week and the coming web poll for the local paper. I understand that the journalist is a Scorpio, and I'm a bit afraid of what he might say.

1/9
There was something else that happened last night that I was wondering about, a strange metaphor I haven't worked out yet. Sagittarius is a clumsy sign, according to my observations. I've been good, this keyboard is over three years old now, and I haven't ever spilled anything on it, until last night. Diet Dr. Pepper? Coffee? Herb Tea? Nope, I spilled ink on it. How bizarre is that?

I enjoyed an event free afternoon at the bookstore, each reading subtly different from the other. I also had a Gemini with blond hair and blue eyes come by to pick me up for dinner afterwards. One of those things, I guess, perhaps, an occupational hazard.

I did an extra long hike yesterday afternoon, over six miles in 75 degree weather, shedding my shirt and going for the basic shorts and sandals for duration of the stroll. I managed the route in under two hours so I was pretty happy about my time being good. Then it was off to meet a client for a quick Virgo reading, but by the time I got home, the cold front hit, and I was freezing cold again. Even though some friends were playing up on 6th Street, I just couldn't get myself out of the house. I did managed to clean up a few of the web site's little link problems. I've got to have this thing humming by next Thursday.

1/8
On my afternoon hike, I was reflecting back about one of my neighbors, and the fact that he actually done some things in his life that I envy. One, he's actually a working musician in Austin, and two, he's played my old high school in New Mexico. Roswell, New Mexico, to be precise.

It's Elvis' Birthday, a holy day in South Austin. I think it should be that way on a global level, but I'm not sure it's so. Work has kept me pretty busy, one reading after another. I just updated my Palm Pilot software thing, and that's caused a problem or two. I tried to schedule myself for the same reading twice, and then wondered why I was sitting there with no one to talk to. Of course, the FGS Faithful always show up and always offer to keep me company, it was a Leo that afternoon.

And so my scheduling has gotten better. I just had to figure out how to keep from duplicating entries, and what day of the week "T" is.

There was a really nice scene from the music last night, a young couple got up and did some swing dancing, that stuff that's just all the rage now. Sure, it was smooth and very elegant, and it sure looked like fun. But as a slower song came on, spurred on by the youngsters, an older couple got up and moved in more sedate but equally passionate style. Rather heart warming. Of course, I took my cynical self out of there after that.

1/7
No day in Texas is complete without a certain amount of BBQ. One of my Gemini friends turned to me, and said, "I've eaten everything on the menu at Magnolia, what about that place where you try to get all the farm animals on the plate?" And, in an effort to be complete, it was a place where the customers were all carrying guns. Of course, they also had badges... and you know the mythology that goes with that.

I wrapped up the day by taking in Don Walser at Threadgill's again this evening. He did his cattle call yodel number, early in the first set. I think that has to be my favorite bit he does. One of the band members was joking between songs, suggesting that Don was "The Buddha of West Texas," which, of course alludes to Don's girth. But that doesn't stop his eyes from dancing while he sings.

1/6
I did manage to work in a little bit of a breakfast at one of my favorite places in East Austin. I'm reluctant to name the place because I'm afraid it will be discovered and then lose its appeal. But the breakfast tacos are the best, and there's a green hot sauce which burns with such flavor....

1/5
I couldn't help but think some about something the shuttle driver said when I was leaving El Paso, catching a lift to the airport. He asked me how my trip was, what I thought of El Paso.

"I love El Paso," I affirmed, and then I slipped in a comment for him and his disgruntled look, "of course, I don't live here."

"Yeah, you live here only if you have poor navigation skills," he said.

While I may not completely agree with him, I do live where I want to live, in the nicest neighborhood, in the nicest town, in the nicest state. And one of things I love best about what I do is that I get to travel this state. And yes, I do love visiting the little towns, the strange places and seeing what all is around. Best of all, though, is the people. Even f they do have, according to the driver, "poor navigation skills."

1/4
I'm beginning to think that my airplane karma has finally run out. I've been blasting back and forth on Texas highways and skies for over, well, a long time now. The longest trip back was a trip from El Paso,it was special discount ticket that went from El Paso to Amarillo to Dallas and finally, via San Antonio to Austin. I'm not sure the saved money was worth it that once.

I usually try and sit in the over wing exit row, and I fear my good karma with interesting, attractive, or at least entertaining fellow passengers is coming to an end. I've been so lucky for so long, I just sort of take it all for granted. Looks like this about to end now. My last few flights have been good service, timely, at one point, flying when cars couldn't make it through, but still, the other passengers have all seemed a little too crabby for my tastes.

Of course, my attire might be a little off-putting, too. I was working on a PowerBook, answering Monday mail, wearing ragged jeans, a Wal-Mart flannel shirt, an Italian sport coat and freshly shined cowboy boots. I wonder if it's me.

1/3
I was reflecting back on one my friend's comments at dinner last night. It was her son who had been with us. I watched as the son made an issue out of something his mother said. Oh, for the energy and nerve of youth again. He was emphatic in making his point, and pretty clearly not correct, but that didn't stop him. I'm reminded about what Oscar Wilde said (I think), "Youth: pity it's wasted on the young."

Made the El Paso paper today, a nice article by Megan Stack -- a Pisces reporter. She quoted me about what I say about people who aren't skeptical, and how those clients scare me. Then the article closes with the fact that even a reader can have a bad hair day, a direct quote from me. Front page of the Sunday paper in El Paso.

And the Channel [something] News at 10. Whoo-hoo.

1/2
I'm sitting in the airport, waiting to get out of town, and the busy work schedule has already kicked into high gear. Except for a few forward thinking Capricorn's, most people wait until January 1 to get a hold of me and find out what the new year will be like. Elvis scopes are up, the yearly overview is up, and I find myself repeating the same message over and over. And then there's El Paso.

Work. Work. Work. Then dinner with the psychic friends network. What did you expect? One of the readers brought her oldest male child, and for the life of me, I couldn't find the horns and the tail that she had described on the boy. I looked and looked, but I just don't get it. Might have been the fact that I was pretty tired, by El Paso time, I had been up and moving since about five in the morning, catching the red eye and getting set up for another day shift.

Garth Brooks was on SNL late at night. I guess that sort of explains what I did at the end of the evening. I missed the Monster Truck show, though.

1/1/99
"It's new years eve, and I might have to wear long pants. This is bullshit." Sean M. [Bubba Sean, as it were.]

What a way to start the new year, Bubba Sean was grumbling about the weather. It took four cigars apiece, a fine meal at Hula Hut, time spent at the fabulous Bobalu cigar company, and little time wandering aimlessly on 6th Street.

One of the problems with getting a little older is that I feel like hell this morning, and I didn't do that much.

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