Netscape 4.7; lunch and being an interloper ; "fullsoft.dll"; "Twelve Monkeys" and time-travel movies; sinus infection and Biaxin; non-autumn; reading other journals and wondering about the benign indifference of the universe

Saturday morning, I decided to download Netscape 4.7. I started the process at about 8:30, decided I was too groggy to stay up, went back to bed, and woke up around 11. And it was finished, all umpteen megs. Next I downloaded an assortment of plug ins which took about an hour.

Around 2, I scampered off to lunch. A return to the deli-bread place that I used to think so highly of. After chowing down on a catfish poboy, I remembered why I had stopped eating there. One, it is expensive. Almost $15 for a sandwich, iced tea and two chocolate chip cookies. Two, although there is nothing wrong with the food; it just does not satisfy my taste buds. Three, the menu is as limited as before. But it is still very trendy: college-age couples, baby boomers, yuppies, aging artsy-fartsy types, retirees.

Yet, somehow I feel an interloper, an intruder, "stranger in a strange land." This is not an unusual feeling for me, and I'm never sure what to make of it. Maybe, there is too much psychic energy, and it overwhelms me. Or it may have something to do with the high noise level. Or it may be a manifestation of my own deep-seated insecurity.

Around 5, I hit the computer again, logged on and pressed the Netscape icon. But no Netscape! Instead I got a page fault error message indicating a problem in the "fullsoft.dll"! Tried again; same message. Rebooted, tried again; same message! This is what I get for hours of work! Finally, opted to use the still present Netscape 3.0 which worked. First I searched the technical area of Netscape. Found a reference to the problem, but the actual page was missing! Then discovered that all the technical reference pages were missing! What next, I thought. Did an AltaVista search for the term "fullsoft.dll." About ten links, most of which were at Netscape; but again all the pages were missing. Then I tried a link to a forum. and there was an answer. "Delete the 'fullsoft.dll' or re-name it." Which I did, and it actually worked. But what a headache! And how frustrating!!!

Saturday evening, I tried to watch Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt in "12 Monkeys." And indeed, I did for about an hour and a half. Then stopped. And came back for the ending. Time travel schemes always fascinate me. One of the best has to be "Back to the Future," which is very plausible.

Sunday! Had to go to the clinic because the sinus problem flared up again. Brand new clinic - interior is very new-Euro. Doctor gave me nasal spray, antihistamines/decongestants, and antibiotics. The antibiotic is Biaxin, which is about the only thing that gets rid of the infection. However, it creates a vile, metallic aftertaste that is irritating. And, as usual, I could not go to sleep last night/this morning. Dozed off around 2, until to be awakened by the cats playing with venetian blinds. I do believe they do this deliberately, in hopes that I'll get up and feed them. I would not put it past them. These are some very cunning felines.

Today, I actually got a lot done at work. Very surprising since my head hurt, and my throat was sore. But this evening, I feel slightly better.

In the last hour, it is getting cooler. I've been intending to talk with Mother Nature about the weather. This is autumn which means cooler weather, possibly rain, colorful trees. Over the weekend, the temp was in the high '80s and above. And where is the rain?

I've been on a journal-reading frenzy. My semi-life appears downright bloodless against the escapades I read about. Sex, relationships, travel, new jobs, sex, exciting projects, sex, moving. My life has become insular. But is that positive or negative? Does anyone know what they really want? Or is it enough to open yourself to the "benign indifference" of the universe?

PAX!