Tom's Diary

Dear sister Christine,

[She asked me why I was up and signed on so early.]

Actually, I was not up. I had just forgotten to sign off last night before going to bed.

[She talks of a family cat that died and how her son was upset over it.]

Sorry to hear about Snowball, and Grant’s distress over her.

[She already has a new Siamese cat.]

Siamese cats are nice. But they do tend to make lots of noise. A woman across the hall from me has one that I hear often. Sounds very much like a baby crying. It might cry less as it gets used to its new home. Give it a couple weeks if you can tolerate the crying.

I’m just about unpacked and settled in. I have a new TV coming today – a Sony 36’’ flat screen model. Got it for less than half price because it has a chip out of the case on the one side. But it still has a four-year warranty. So I figured that it was worth the risk and that I could easily live with the cosmetic imperfections for over $1000 off. Also bought a new office chair, just like the one I left at Mom’s. And got my cell phone back. Now the last items I’m going to buy, are a bigger desk, a book case for the office, and an appliance cabinet for the kitchen.

It sure is good being back here. Been going dancing several times a week. Lots of rejections. But they don’t bother me anymore like they used to. Found a few women who say ‘yes’. And one even asked me to dance last week. Yes, as painful and humiliating as it is right now, this is were I really needed to be.

Planning on coming home for a few weeks around Christmas. Will let you know the exact date as soon as the details firm up. It depends a lot on what happens at work after our December 10th release.

Well, must get to work. Take care and will talk to you again, soon.

Tom

Dear   [Lynn],

If your printer is a PostScript printer, you can just drag and drop the PostScript file to it. This would allow you to print the file without viewing it. However, if your printer is NOT a PostScript one, then you’ll need the software we were discussing in IM to view and then print the file.

…

They might also be able to send you this file in .BMP format, which just about any Windows PC can display and print.

Well, I’m off to have some seasoned, cooked shrimp and an orange for dinner [in about an hour].

Later.

Tom

Dear Sister Joann,

Thanks. You too. Nice conversation we had on the phone tonight. Going to call Mom up here in a bit and get her perspective on the whole holiday scene.  :-) Enjoy your early-morning, Black Friday shopping at Wal Mart.

Later.

Tom

Dear sister Jojo,

Thanks for the kind words. And as far as the cleaning and decorations you spoke of, you always make the holidays in Bellwood feel like REAL holidays, with genuine good cheer and giving. Thanks for that. Looking forward to spending some days up there over the Christmas break.

Say hi to Margie and big Ken for me.

Talk to you later.

Tom

Dear sister Joann,

Ho there.

Yes, the move went quickly, and very well [yesterday], although my back is quite sore from lifting and moving all those boxes. But the new phone lines are installed now. My home Philly number is 215-969-xxxx.

I really love the new apartment. Rich, Joe, and Roger all gave it a big “thumbs up”. The neighborhood seems much safer then where I was before, and much nicer stores very close by. There’s an Acme super market about a block away, which is about 1 and ½ times bigger than Martin’s. Lots and lots of variety. Went there today and bought some Clemmentine oranges.

I’ll be coming back home for a month (approximately) on or close to December 16th.

What did you guys end up doing this past weekend?

Oh, ask Rich about   [Kar]. He, Joe, and Roger got to meet her yesterday.

Well, I’m off to bed. Say hi to all. Hope Jeff and Ken weren’t too rattled by that debate we had on Friday night. 

Later.

Tom

Today, I moved from Mom’s in Altoona, back to Philadelphia, to a two-bedroom apartment on Red Lion Road, just west of Bustleton Ave.

We started out quite early — before daylight.  We arrived at the place at around 10:00 or so, unloaded, had a late lunch at the Chinese restaurant across Red Lion Road from here, then Joe and Rich said good-bye and drove the U-Haul truck back to Altoona.

[Kar] and friend [Bob] showed up when we were almost finished unloading.  They stayed for a bit but then hit the road, as there was nothing more for them to do.

Tonight, I met   [JenGee]   at Red Lion Road and the boulevard.  We took the bus to Tiffany’s diner, though I got off a little too soon, and we had to walk for ten to fifteen minutes.  [JenGee]   sure grumbled over that; letting me know often how displeased she was.

She came back here with me after dinner and spent the night; we both had to sleep on the floor as there hasn’t yet been time to set up my waterbed.

Tom

Brothers-in-law Riger and Richard, along with good friend Joe moved me back to Philadelphia today.

[Kar] and [BM] arrived late in the game to help, after we’d already unloaded just about everything. They didn’t stay long. So once they left, the three of us went across the street to a Chinese restaurant. I got my usual cashew chicken. Yum.

It’s sure swell to be back here once again.  I got an Acme grocery store across Bustleton avenue in the next block, and an Eckard drugstore near to that.  There’s the Chinese place at which we just ate too.  I imagine that I’ll dine there often once I get settled. 

Verizon is supposed to come tomorrow to hook up my telephones.

Tom

Dear   [Lynn],

Well, thanks for the clarification on Mom’s “rite of passage”. And I agree with this [that Mom has the right to sell her house if she wants. I might not like it. But I support it.]. Always have. That was never an issue with me.

At any rate, the move to Philly is scheduled for this coming Sunday. I have the new apartment keys now. Bought a living room furniture set this past weekend. It has a leather covered couch, chair, two end tables, and a coffee table. Phone lines have been ordered. As of November 20th, my new phone number will be 215-969-xxxx. The new address is:

xxx Red Lion Road
Apartment Y-Y
Philadelphia, PA 19115

Oh, and here come those high city taxes. *Yikes*

Tom

Dear sister Diane,

I just tried to leave you a message, and got a bunch of static after 4 rings. But heard no tone, nor greeting. You may want to check it.

Anyway, I wondered if you’d have Roger pick me up on his way to work tomorrow morning. I need a haircut, BADLY!!

Thanks,
Tom

[Mel],

I sent you the whole thing. It’s out in the mailbox now, awaiting the mailman, who usually comes around noon. Didn’t want to bother with sending a second check for the other $125 later. As of last night,   [JenGee]   is definitely coming.

Tom