I’ve been on hold with the IRS for about 45 minutes now. I’m calling because I still haven’t gotten my federal tax return (or stimulus check) yet, and I filed back in March.

The classical music they play when you’re on hold is an improvement over the elevator music, but it’s WAY too loud.

My driver’s side door now has trash bags duct taped over it. Why? The window fell off the track and down into the door. I haven’t had a chance to tear the door apart and fix it yet, so I taped it over for now to keep the rain out. I feel so pimp!

Update: just got off the phone with the IRS, they said they never got my return. GREAT!

I’ve gotten exactly 4.5 hours sleep in two days. I feel like the walking dead.

Night before last, I had a (at this point, predictable) bout of insomnia. I got about 1.5 hours sleep before having to go about my day. Rather than take a nap in the afternoon once my daily responsibilities had been met, though, I decided to stay up until a more normal/reasonable bed time last night to ensure that I would sleep through the night. So, 11pm rolled around and I went “night-night”. At 2am on the dot, my eyes popped open and refused to close again.

I’ve managed to get throught the 100-some-odd RSS items sitting in my reader, and the few emails waiting for me in my inbox. Now would normally be the time that I would start drafting an article for THM, but I just can’t muster the enthusiasm at the moment. Not to mention the fact that I appear to be almost completely incapable on focusing on any one thing long enough to actually feel productive. Unfortunately, having already missed a few posts last week, I can’t shirk posting for today, so I’m trying to think of some “light reading” to post. (I invariably feel like an asshole if I don’t post something of some substance at least a couple times a week, and “fluff” posts irritate the crap out of me…)

I’ve actually got a few post ideas on my “To Do” list, but unfortunately all of them require some thought, care and research to properly address, which doesn’t appear to be something I’m capable of today.

I’m thinking this is going to be a shitty day…

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend! I’ve been AFK since the afternoon of the 2nd and have a lot to catch up on!

My holiday weekend started on the 3rd, when Zach and I went to downtown Burlington (as has become the annual tradition) to stake out a spot at Breakwaters for the fireworks. We got downtown around 2pm, and it started to rain cats and dogs, and even chickens. We sheltered in Breakwaters’ foyer until it abated enough for them to wipe off the tables on the waterfront, and we grabbed our usual seat up front. Most of the day was cold, windy, rainy and miserable (unlike past years where it’s been habitually sunny and gorgeous). The real saving grace was the live band they had playing until the fireworks started. The band was great! They played a mix of covers and original tunes, and were generally just very fun to watch. The band is called Audio Journal, and I suggest fans of classic rock check them out! (They played “Rebel Yell”, and thus, won my heart.) Also, Bailey’s & Coffee FTW.

Anyway, the fireworks were great once they started. After the fireworks, Zach and I went to Finnegan’s Pub with a couple friends for more drinks and some billiards, and then went home.

On the 4th, we did a fair amount of traveling. We stopped by a BBQ a friend was having to say hello while they were in town for the weekend (visiting from California), and then headed up to my parents’ lake house.

I got us lost on the way (I’m used to traveling to the lake house from Barre, as opposed to Essex Junction) because I missed a turn. (We were laughing at some people on the side of the road–long story–and completely forgot to watch for our turn, and missed it completely. And didn’t notice until 30 minutes later: “Hey, weren’t we supposed to turn somewhere?”) Anyway, thankfully all roads in Vermont go to basically the same place if you stay on them long enough, and we made it to the lake house without incident–just late. (What should have been an hour and a half trip became a two and a half hour trip, heh.)

My brother, his girlfriend, and both their sets of kids were also at the lake house for the weekend. We all had a pretty good time, despite the fact that I spent the entire weekend alternately fighting off allergies or yappy children. We made S’mores, lounged in hammocks, played badmitton and lawn darts, all that fun stuff.

My dad forgot to register the jet ski… so… yeah, that was out. (I was disappointed, to say the least. But, he felt really bad about it…) Apparently he’ll be registering it this week so its ready for this weekend, lol. Thanks, Dad!

Sunday afternoon, we made the drive back to civilization. There was a lot of sleeping. Then yesterday I spent some time playing taxi, and today it seems like things are finally back to normal! Time to catch up on RSS, THM, and all that good stuff!

Hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend!