Brits in America - Episode 1: Baron John of the Devine

NOTE: This was originally posted about a year ago...but it's worth a repeat. (Umm...I no longer work at Urban. lol)

With the Urban Execs now on my shit list...and far too much free time with my unexpected eight week vacation, my mind began to wonder ...which is never a good thing.

A little background: Calvin and John are both Brits. They apparently worked with each other at another company previous to their teaming up at Urban. Calvin is the big man in Information Technology. He hired on John about six months ago to run most of the department for him and to oversee a few big projects. The problem is of course...well actually you can read my previous posts to become pretty clear on what the problem is. So let's begin.

Brits in America - Episode 1: Baron John of the Devine

"Ahh! Right-O, this chap has a smart suite! Let's make him...err...Commander of the Queen's Army! Jolly Good! He's a Baron you know...that and a silken suite and all that! Bloody Colonists don't stand a chance. Might as well jump off the great rock, ruddy American rebel rousers!" Calvin is surprised as someone nearly falls into his office attempting to knock on the empty opening in the wall where there should be a door. "Merlin's beard! " He nearly drops the resume and attached photos he'd been perusing. "What the bloody hell are you on about then Jeeves!!?"

The man who has just fallen through the doorway stands, adjusting his "smart suite". He sticks out a hand, "John, my good sir."

"John!?" Calvin takes a quick look around the room, then glares back at the intruder. "Ill have you know this is NOT the john! This is my office my good man! The john is three open doorways down on the right...just past the filing department...yes yes...those stacks of boxes by the water fountain! And Ill have you know, we refer to it as the Loo here...not the...the John!"

"On no no! Begging you're pardon governor! My name...my name is John...John Devine!"

Calvin is still distracted by the vague resemblance this man has to someone he'd just seen recently, "Devine John!? Well I should think it'd be as clean as it is...and rightly so! And as I said, we call it the LOO!"

"No no no! We seem to be having a communication problem! My NAME is John Devine."

"A communication what!? I dare say you're out of line Sir! We'll have none of that talk here!"

"Right you are! I do apologize my good man! I believe these sodding Americans may have made me a bit daft!"

The pair have a good laugh after which the intruder smiles revealing excellent British dental work that even the Queen would be proud of...reminding Calvin where he had recently seen the intruder...he looks down at the resume photos still in his hand. "Jolly good! Devine! Why didn't you say so! You're hired!"

Just then there is a loud explosion and flames burst from a nearby server cabinet engulfing half the surrounding office space in a matter of seconds. The 20 or so good looking young American interns crammed into the space run screaming from the area...each shouting a warning to exit as they pass Calvin and John secluded in Calvin's hole in the wall.

"By the Queen! What are they on about!?"

John sits quietly unaware. "On about?" He turns, "Oh I dare say this bunch is a tad tight in the knickers aren't they."

"Yes. Yes. I do hope you'll be able to remedy that problem my good Sir."

"All in good time...all in good time."

"Right then, how about a spot of tea?"

Pinkies extended, they enjoy a Queens cup as the ceiling behind them collapses and flames engulf the Urban Outfitters banner hung over the upturned trash can the interns had been using as a break area.

Ashley's Birthday 2006

Ashley and I had planned her birthday as the first get-together at the new house. Naturally, things did not go well. :)

Aside from my Step-Dad, none of my family made it because they had all come down with something. Then Publix decided to lose her cake order.

Had it not been for the Store Manager and Customer Service Manager doning aprons, gloves and hair-nets...I wouldn't have had a cake for her at all. Luckily, after my pleads of, "But all I had to do was get a cake...it was my only job...if I go home without it I'm gonna get an awful beat'in!" they were able to get a cake together. ;) At least that's what they called it. FREE makes everything taste better though. ;) Course...that didn't help the way it looked. LOL

We still had a good time finally having some company over to see the house though. And Ashley was sweet as usual and took it all in stride.

It's not that I don't like dogs...

Does every U.S. home need at least one dog to be considered livable by its human occupants? It would seem so. By that logic, it would also seem that the average U.S. home is more livable today than any time in its history. We currently own more than 73 millions dogs. Those are the owned dogs, not the droves of unclaimed creatures roaming the streets in packs across understaffed municipal and rural areas nationwide.

It's not that I don't like dogs. I actually do like dogs, but I like trained pets.

The problem is that the vast majority of dogs, at least in the area where I live, not only go untrained, but unsupervised. These are animals, and for animals to be integrated with such depth as they apparently are being into our society, they most be properly trained and managed. An animal cannot be blamed for doing what is in it's nature. The human responsible for that animal on the other hand, is, and should be held, fully responsible.

A dog left untrained and unattended, even in a fenced yard, is a nuisance. If it manages to get out of its enclosure it poses a serious bite risk which grows with each successful escape. Even if it is properly contained, it is going to be disruptive. An untrained dog is a noisy dog. They bark. It's what they do. Contrary to the apparent popular perceptions in America today, dog barking is not music or even entertaining...unless they're singing Christmas carols.

While every individual has the right to own a dog. Every individual also has the right to be able to enjoy the outdoors, or indoors for that matter, free of barking dogs.

I actually read an opinion piece in the local paper a week or so ago, about the subject of animal control. It was directed at another article from earlier in the week...which I missed...but which apparently had stated that stronger animal control efforts were needed. The author of the op-ed piece, basically stated, that the person who wrote the original article was obviously a fascist and a nazi. They went on to explain how rounding up animals declared dangerous by the state and euthanizing them, was no different than Nazi's rounding up Jews and sending them to the gas chamber.

Ummm...yeah...I wonder what the last name of the anonymous writer of that op-ed piece is? Schmidt? Krüger? Zimmermann perhaps?

With opinions like that, it's no wonder the neighbors can't figure out why someone complains when that wonderful little "child" of theirs, which they love so much they have chained up in the back yard all day and night, barks and howls from 11pm until 4am...every night.

Euthanizing dogs the same as murdering millions of people? Idiot.

belong to

v 1: to be owned by; to be in the possession of; "I belong to FitterHappier."

She has owned me since the first moment her school girl smile caught my attention and I fell into her beautiful blue eyes. Their sparkle illuminated my future and engulfed me in a spell which grew stronger with each passing moment of her gaze.

Four years have passed since that fateful day and the magic wielded by her impossibly deep blue eyes has matured with her smile. Their brilliance rivaled only by the heavens. Their power imprisoning my soul, possessing me in an undying love from which I will never be free. For I am owned by it. I belong to it. With each glimpse into the depths, I fall in love all over again.

Found a little Gnosis...and I feel fine. ;)

Belief. I have belief, but what do I believe? That...I believe...is a very good question to which I've had more answers than questions.

I started out, as do most from the South, indoctrinated in Protestant based Christian teachings. I rejected that early on as completely contrary to the world around me. So I turned to science, some of which made sense, much of which seemed short sighted and overly restrictive. Then I turned to philosophy...I fell asleep nearly smothered by the book on my face. Eventually, I returned to a more liberated spirituality. A more open and investigative spirituality. I suppose I became a seeker of sorts. Through chance encounters and very deliberate experience, I found some things that worked, some that made sense, but generally I found a group of people left very much wanting. I've spent much of the last few years lingering on the outer boundaries of this community left wanting, but that may have finally changed.

I seem to have, in fits and starts over the last two years, come upon something which answers more questions than anything before. At the same time, it does something much more important than simply answering questions...it actually feels correct. Not forced. Not almost a good fit, which I might be able to squeeze my spirituality into if I hold my breath just right. This time, I may have found the thing that is right, because it is telling me a story I already knew.

I have discovered...or more correctly...recognized the stories and "myths" of Gnosticism, to be those I've known as far back as my limited memory allows me to recall...maybe even a little further. From their belief that all is not right in the world and beyond, to the more personally accurate story of creation, "salvation" and beyond. Even to the very purpose and reason for our existence and that of the universes. It's less a recent discovery than it is a recalled memory.

I found a little Gnosis...and I feel fine. ;)

my Celebrity Look-alikes

...and hell...I look like ass in that photo too.
Imagine if I was look'in as good as usual!

Comments from MySpace FitterHappier Wow. Mr. Big! How cool is that? Posted by FitterHappier on Saturday, October 07, 2006 at 9:15 PM Jenni No, Ashley, Dale Jr. is waaayyy hotter than Mr. Big. Mr. Big is really old. Um, how does Chris look like Jessica Biel?! wtf? Posted by Jenni on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 2:59 PM FitterHappier Umm....I like "old" men. Did you forget? Posted by FitterHappier on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 9:12 AM

Ali’s Birthday

We took Ali to Outback for her birthday (complete with her new glasses). Her husband is still in Iraq, so she was distracted, but seemed to enjoy herself well enough.

It had been awhile since Ashley and I went there so it was a welcomed change. All had fun and good food. THEY also enjoyed good drinks…I was yet again the designated driver…I should really get some sort of insurance discount for that.

Myrtle Beach

We finally took another short vacation. It was only four days, but we REALLY needed it!

Had a great time. Saw some sights. Ate some great food. Did some shopping. Went to Medieval Times. Oh yeah…and bought some beach front property…well sort of.

I’ll add more details soon. Until then, enjoy the pics!

Happy New Year 2006

New Years was Great! I can never get enough of watching Ashley when she’s drunk. She is funny as shit!

We didn’t do anything extravagant. Since Ali’s husband is still stuck in the desert…fighting to keep the cost of fossil fuels down…we had her over to bring in the New Year with us.

I’ll let the picture speak for itself. (Ashley Dance) —>

Happy New Year!

Dixie-Narco Dinner - Dec 2005

The Dixie-Narco group had dinner again last night. This time around we met up at Mi Rancho’s over on the North side so that I could make it on time.

Several people showed up. The food was good. We had the regular chit-chat. Well actually…let me rephrase that. *I* had the regular chit-chat. See, I think I have a problem. I think maybe…just maybe…I talk too much. It’s actually quite possible that I may like hearing myself talk so much that I don’t let anyone else get a word in edge wise.

Why would I think such a hideous thing might be possible? Because I don’t think anyone who was sitting near me tonight got to speak for more than two or three minutes. I mean two or three minutes the entire night. Unfortunately I’m not exaggerating.

I started talking shortly after we say down and I didn’t stop until we were back in the parking lot.

This is something I will have to add to my list: I talk to much. Must learn to listen more. Talk less.

In any case, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Although, they did all suggest we get a round table for the next dinner so that everyone has a chance to join in the conversation. I think they might have noticed I had a problem. I just hope they invite me next time. I like keeping in touch with them. Somewhere along the last couple of years, I’ve apparently started to like the idea of having friends again.

I am that I am

I’ve been having dreams again. Well I always have dreams, but I’ve been having particular dreams again.

Lately, I am being accosted by all sorts of beings in my dreams. They are in fact really starting to annoy me with the crap. Obviously, they have something important to tell me, but I mean damn, do they REALLY have to beat me over the head with it. I’ve had to take to using “my words” on them again. Controlling them with “my words” seems to be about the only thing that will work. I’m pretty decent at lucid dreaming, but these “people” just don’t want to play along unless I make them.

Besides the aggressive nature of my would-be messengers is the fact they don’t seem to be able to come right out and say anything. Whatever messages they might have are totally wrapped up in a riddle of some sort.

So I sit each morning in front of my computer at work and try to decipher them…it’s not like I have anything else to do.

After much thought and deliberation, I have come to one clear conclusion.

They are trying to tell me to get my head out of my ass.

I want to be pagan. Hell I am pagan. I really always have been. I know it. The cosmos knows it. Apparently, many many beings know it. So why the heck am I fighting it!? Well, that I’m still unsure of. It’s likely a tinge of Christian programming which still makes me feel slightly guilty about the whole thing. But you know what…I am what I am. If what I am is pagan, then so be it. It’s not like the Christian god wants to talk to me anymore anyway. All we’ve ever done is argue. And hey…if he ever wants to make up…he knows where to find me. Right?

So from here on out, I am pagan. Hopefully it doesn’t put my grand-parents in the grave, but I refuse to continue to deny myself simple because others may not like it.

Chris: “Hello. Hi. My name is Chris and I’m a pagan.”
Chorus of the Cosmos: “Welcome Chris.”
Chris: “So umm…where are the refreshments? I was told there’d be refreshments.”

My Job at the USCA Helpdesk

About a week ago, I started my new job with the USCA Computer Services Helpdesk. I haven’t been very intuitive where my career is concerned lately, but I do have a good feeling about this job.

Within an hour or two I actually felt pretty comfortable with everyone I was working with and the position in general. That’s extremely unusual for me. I typically keep up a “polite front” for a couple of weeks. Although, now that I think about it…maybe I haven’t been doing that lately.

The Helpdesk has four full-time state employees, including myself, plus four part-time work-study students.

The job has to this point been extremely easy. In fact, the only complaint I have is that we don’t really seem to DO anything. Even when we do something…it doesn’t amount to much. I could easily say that what all eight of us do together as a whole is probably only about a third of what I’m used to doing by myself. But I’m getting used to it. I can’t exactly complain too loudly about having too little to do…or at least I won’t anyway.

Our Halloween 2005

Halloween has now come and gone.

We ended up not doing much at all to celebrate. We did carve a pumpkin, but we didn’t dress up.

We’ve been dressing up every year since we’ve been together too. It’s strange that the year we should have really been celebrating it, we ended up doing nothing. Of course that is mainly my fault…since I got all confused.

I’m just still having difficulty deciding if I want to practice any form of paganism or not. I know my mind wants me to, but my heart doesn’t seem to be in it. I seem to have lost my inspiration…hopefully I can find it again.

Our pumpkin did turn out pretty good though. So at least Ashley got to do that. She enjoys carving them. It’s one of the things she makes me do each year as she attempts to give us some “traditions” of some kind or other. She tries really hard at that, and I usually just fight her every step of the way…which I always feel guilty for after the fact.

So this year we carved a pumpkin. Then we bought two huge bags of candy. We sat up the candy in our little plastic candy bowl pumpkin by the door and then settled in to watch scary movies.

Are there any scary movies anymore? Well if there are…we didn’t find them. We also didn’t get any trick-or-treaters. That’s partly because of where we are located in town. It’s also partly…and a lotly…due to many children not being allowed to go around due to their Conservative Christian parents.

Apparently, they’ve had the realization in the last few years that Halloween will steal their child’s soul through candy addiction or something. So…in typical Christian fashion…they have decided to co-op it into some sort of anti-hell campaign night. But I digress…

So we didn’t dress up. Our movies were a flop. No trick-or-treaters showed up. We didn’t do a ritual. Nothing. It was a complete loss and all my fault really.

But then…

My sister and her baby-daddy stopped by to show off her son in his first Halloween costume. That made it all better.

Little Nick was dressed as a Georgia Bulldogs football player….his daddy is a fan. The poor Georgia boy is now having to live in The Valley…but that’s a whole other story. Anyway, Little Nick was cute as always. Ashley can’t ever seem to get enough of him.

Lunch with Ervin

Had lunch with Ervin today. I worked with Ervin while I was at Maytag/Dixie-Narco. Since I have a couple of weeks off, I thought I’d try to catch up with people I haven’t seen in awhile.

Since I left, there have been fist fights, arrests, several of the people I really liked have moved on, and one person I really liked was fired under extremely questionable circumstances. There has been some progress, but all in all, I’m glad I left when I did. If I had taken either of the positions they offered me in Washington state or Iowa, I think I would have regretted it.

It was good seeing Ervin again. He’s a good guy who’s getting a bad deal. Luckily he’s finally gotten some help. Maytag closed another plant up in Florence and they moved the one and only IT guy they had up there down to work with Ervin at Dixie. I’m glad, because even though it wasn’t my fault I had to leave there…I still felt bad about leaving him stuck there by himself.

Brits in America - Episode 1: Baron John of the Devine

With the Urban Execs now on my shit list...and far too much free time with my unexpected eight week vacation, my mind began to wonder ...which is never a good thing.

A little background: Calvin and John are both Brits. They apparently worked with each other at another company previous to their teaming up at Urban. Calvin is the big man in Information Technology. He hired on John about six months ago to run most of the department for him and to oversee a few big projects. The problem is of course...well actually you can read my previous posts to become pretty clear on what the problem is. So let's begin.

Brits in America - Episode 1: Baron John of the Devine

"Ahh! Right-O, this chap has a smart suite! Let's make him...err...Commander of the Queen's Army! Jolly Good! He's a Baron you know...that and a silken suite and all that! Bloody Colonists don't stand a chance. Might as well jump off the great rock, ruddy American rebel rousers!" Calvin is surprised as someone nearly falls into his office attempting to knock on the empty opening in the wall where there should be a door. "Merlin's beard! " He nearly drops the resume and attached photos he'd been perusing. "What the bloody hell are you on about then Jeeves!!?"

The man who has just fallen through the doorway stands, adjusting his "smart suite". He sticks out a hand, "John, my good sir."

"John!?" Calvin takes a quick look around the room, then glares back at the intruder. "Ill have you know this is NOT the john! This is my office my good man! The john is three open doorways down on the right...just past the filing department...yes yes...those stacks of boxes by the water fountain! And Ill have you know, we refer to it as the Loo here...not the...the John!"

"On no no! Begging you're pardon governor! My name...my name is John...John Devine!"

Calvin is still distracted by the vague resemblance this man has to someone he'd just seen recently, "Devine John!? Well I should think it'd be as clean as it is...and rightly so! And as I said, we call it the LOO!"

"No no no! We seem to be having a communication problem! My NAME is John Devine."

"A communication what!? I dare say you're out of line Sir! We'll have none of that talk here!"

"Right you are! I do apologize my good man! I believe these sodding Americans may have made me a bit daft!"

The pair have a good laugh after which the intruder smiles revealing excellent British dental work that even the Queen would be proud of...reminding Calvin where he had recently seen the intruder...he looks down at the resume photos still in his hand. "Jolly good! Devine! Why didn't you say so! You're hired!"

Just then there is a loud explosion and flames burst from a nearby server cabinet engulfing half the surrounding office space in a matter of seconds. The 20 or so good looking young American interns crammed into the space run screaming from the area...each shouting a warning to exit as they pass Calvin and John secluded in Calvin's hole in the wall.

"By the Queen! What are they on about!?"

John sits quietly unaware. "On about?" He turns, "Oh I dare say this bunch is a tad tight in the knickers aren't they."

"Yes. Yes. I do hope you'll be able to remedy that problem my good Sir."

"All in good time...all in good time."

"Right then, how about a spot of tea?"

Pinkies extended, they enjoy a Queens cup as the ceiling behind them collapses and flames engulf the Urban Outfitters banner hung over the upturned trash can the interns had been using as a break area.

Golden Child Gets the Job

“You SUCK!!!! Only you could quit one job and have another one lined up the next week.” That’s how Sonya responded when I eMailed her and Ryan about my job interview today.

Looks like I have the job. I won’t know for certain for about two weeks, however, I was all but told it is mine. Then again, with my apparent loss of intuition where jobs are concerned lately…anything is possible.

The position is with USCA, University of South Carolina at Aiken. It’s only about 15 minutes away. They have a very casual, blue jeans environment. Good hours. Decent pay and benefits. They allow one free class each semester and work with your schedule if you want to take additional classes during the day. They have a very well funded and supported IT department. All in all, it is exactly what I’ve been looking for. So I’ve asked that I receive the job if it’s right for me. I plan to do visualization and spellwork this weekend too…just in case.

Sonya’s response made me take another look at how these cycles seem to occur with me. Now that she mentions it…I guess it is a little odd how this sort of thing always happens. To be honest, I never really gave it a second thought before then. In fact, I just assume that sort of thing will happen…which is possibly why it always seems to happen? Could be.

Except for the major fall I took when WorldCom went bankrupt, I have never had the slightest problem where work is concerned. Each and every job I’ve ever interviewed for…and wanted…I have gotten. Any time I leave one position I find another as soon as I set my mind to do so. Finding work, like most things in my life, have always come to me with little more than the conscious decision that I want them.

This new job with USCA in fact is a perfect example. I actually applied for the position back about four months ago before I started with Urban. I had not heard a single word from them since I applied online. Then, Friday before last, I make the decision to quit Urban. The following Monday, just three days later, I came home to an eMail from the IT manager asking if I was still interested in the job.

His eMail basically said that he had somehow missed my application the first time through. Then he just happened to come across it the same day I decided to quit Urban.

Funny…but that’s just how things seem to work for me. I’m barely even aware of it these days unless someone points it out as Sonya did. Back in the day I used to refer to myself as “The Golden Child”. I wasn’t really being serious, but I’d always found it odd how easily I seemed to cruise through life.

My only concern is that I don’t want to seem cocky. Of course, the very fact that I am cocky…and naturally expect good things to happen…could be a direct cause of those good things happening. Hmmm…too deep for me today. I’ll have to give that one some thought later.

Think you’re having a good day? Sleep on it ;)

I came back from a trip to Philly on Thursday. I was all excited and happy.

Friday on the way into work I was looking at houses for sale as I drove down the road. I’d be able to afford one for Ashley and I…actually pay cash for one…in about five years with this new job. I have to admit I was feeling pretty good…maybe even proud. That was Friday morning.

Friday night I drove home believing I was going to be fired and having already decided I was going to quit regardless.

Funny how that happens.

Trip went great!

Trip went great! Had a good time! Looks like I got the job…actually looks like they want to make me Site Manager, not just IT Geek. Whoohoo! It’s about time!

Met everyone up in Philly. It really helped to meet everyone face-to-face. I’ve been working with these people remotely without every really meeting them for three months. I think meeting like this should help end some of the communication problems we’ve been having.

Though it rained a little on my last day, I was able to get in some site seeing. Philly has more things to see and do than any place I’ve been in a long time. Can’t wait to get back up there and do some real site seeing…the kind not done from the seat of a tour bus.

The tour bus took me around, or at least past, all of the main attractions. I didn’t get to actually go to anything though.

I did do a little shopping. Went to the Hard Rock Café and got Ashley a t-shirt and myself a shot glass…Hard Rock shot glasses are the one and only thing I’ve ever collected. Also got to spend a few hours down on South Street looking around and window shopping. Found only a couple of New Age shops though. I’d thought this area was full of those sorts of things. In any case, I found a cool place and got Ashley a few more things.

Only down side to the trip…I seem to have brought city germs back with me. I’m feeling like ass.

Dear Mr. Postman - Can You Get Your Head Out of Your Ass?

Here's a little letter I wrote up for our local Poastmaster. It's self-explanitory. I liked it. I thought it made my point very well. However, Ashley being the kind hearted person that she is.ouldnt allow me to mail it off. But you tell mewas it really that bad? I mean considering!?

Dear Postmaster,

We have been, and continue to receive several pieces of mail every few days which does not belong to us. On several occasions we have marked each piece of mail with a note that the addressee is not at our box. We then place it into the misdirected mail slot. However, in most cases, that very same piece of mail is returned right back to our box the very next day.

I cannot for the life of me understand how this could continue to happen again and again. In fact, it makes little sense.

Just a little over a year ago, I added my fiance' to my box so that she could receive mail at the same address as myself. Her mail was held however, and not delivered. When I inquired about the held mail, I was told that the mail could not be delivered because I had not shown her picture ID when adding her to the box. To be honest, I found this a little odd, but thought it must have been due to increased security measures.

With that in mind, you can understand our extreme frustration at time and again receiving mail for people who should not be receiving mail at our box. Not only are we getting mail for people who are in no way related to us, do not have similar names as us, are most definitely NOT listed on our signature card, but also for several different businesses that we have absolutely no connection with.

It's bad enough having to wade through the pounds of wasted trees called advertising circulars every day, along with five or six new credit card offers a week. To also have to sort through our mail everyday to find those pieces which do not belong to us, then mark them and return them to the post office so that they can hopefully make it to whoever they belong to, only to have them returned right back to us againits completely unacceptable.

We have a few months still left on our current box rent term, but we will likely not be renewing. I would much rather pay five or six times as much for actual professional service with a box at MBE, than to continue dealing with the rampant incompetence which has apparently engulfed the Langley, SC post office in the last few months.

I would ask however, that until such time as our mail stops being delivered to your post office, you ensure that only mail actually addressed to us be placed in our box. Please use the following names to fill this request.

If the addressee does not have a last name of Spires or New, DO NOT PLACE IT IN OUR BOX.

Dreams - The Snake Dancers

In house (unknown) with people (unknown).

“Lady” gets call on cell. She is told, “They are coming in, so she might was well let them in, otherwise they will just break in. She lets them in.

Group of painted up people come dancing and parading through the door. They go right past us through a door to the basement.

In the basement, they dance around a circle. One of them goes to the middle. He is on a stake. They toss something on him and he burst into flames. His belly appears to be melting, or swelling. Pregnant?

We are all suddenly back upstairs in the original room.

Can’t remember what happens for a short time.

Eventually the intruders all parade back out the door to the outside. We are all relieved they have left.

I go to the door and lock it, but something strikes my hand through the door. Suddenly the line of people flash back and forth between their human forms and a single huge horned serpent colored as they had been painted.

I wake up. Scared. Still feel a pain in my hand as if I had been bit or stung by something. I think something must have bit me while I was asleep but look at my hand and find no marks.

I realize I’m not totally awake. I’m still seeing the images of the intruders flashed between human and serpent form. I’m told…hear…sense…that I’ve been “marked” by “the beast”. I was apparently marked because I tried to lock the door.

I began visualizing white, bright, positive thought forms, in the hope of driving the intruders from my mind. As I do, the symbolic images of the intruders in both their human and serpent forms began to change to a new set of white symbols. They continue to fight me. The images in my mind…in front of my sleeping eyes…alternate back and forth between the white symbols and those of the original human/serpent intruders. This continues until I finally wake up.

As a wake I hear a noise on the other side of the room. It sounds like someone is near the bedroom door. I look but see nothing. Still I feel it there. Then I realize that the sound I heard was Ashley making a grunting sound in her sleep…apparently dreaming.

Still scared, I fall back to sleep.