I've been told that I ought to try the "Rotational Rebalancer" (yes, that's the official name) to help me in my quest to get better. A lot of the other patients claim that it's an amazing device and that they always feel fantastic after a ride. I'm -- dubious, to say the least. It still looks like some sort of death trap to me.
Also, I've seen too many people throw up after using it to be convinced of its health benefits.
I think I'll continue using yoga to help "rebalance" my mind and body. Even if I'm still struggling with a few of the positions. One day, I swear, I'll be able to do a proper handstand.
I'm happy to report that I've gotten another promotion at work -- I'm officially a Project Leader! I now help Dr. Burton and his fellows in planning and supervising experiments. It's a great honor, and the hours are rather better than when they had me teaching the other assistants. Dr. Burton says I could do with a little more "charisma," though. So I'm working hard on my speech-giving abilities.
It can be rather hard to concentrate when you're trying to ignore the two people glowing next to you, however. I still haven't found a reason for that, to be honest. I'm not sure whether it's a bad thing or not. On the one hand, it seems to make anyone who's affected by it happier. On the other, it also makes them ignore their basic needs in favor of playing the piano or spinning on the Rebalancer. It's a bit creepy, to be honest, and I'm glad it's never affected me.
It's been terribly rainy here as of late, with lots of violent thunderstorms. In fact, we've suffered lightning-related fires TWICE! The first time, lightning struck one of the lampposts outside and managed to ignite something. Fortunately, a combination of hard rain and sturdy brick soon put out the flames. Though the lamp hasn't worked properly since -- I suspect the wires inside were melted.
The second time, however, threatened to turn into a real disaster. A stray lightning strike at the end of a storm set the grass around our telescope ablaze. And this time, we didn't have the benefit of rain to help put it out.
Fortunately, Johnny was outside and managed to quell the blaze before it destroyed the telescope. Or our home. I -- I don't want to think about what might have happened had the fire spread to Houndsditch itself. . . We could have lost everything. I could have watched at least some of my roommates die.
Much like Alice and her family.
She's -- she's come to mean a lot to me in the time I've spent here. I don't think I've ever connected with anyone like I've connected with her -- not even Victoria or Emily. She doesn't think I'm a necrophiliac, or possessed by the devil, or even just a freak. . .
I've made a decision. The next time I see her -- I'm telling her how I really feel about her.
Much like Alice and her family.
She's -- she's come to mean a lot to me in the time I've spent here. I don't think I've ever connected with anyone like I've connected with her -- not even Victoria or Emily. She doesn't think I'm a necrophiliac, or possessed by the devil, or even just a freak. . .
I've made a decision. The next time I see her -- I'm telling her how I really feel about her.
***
I've been informed by my employer that I've officially earned 10,000 pounds in wages during my tenure at the laboratory! I was rather shocked, to say the least. This news both makes me feel very proud of myself and worries me a little. I'm incredibly happy that I've been able to hold a job long enough to earn such an amount. It proves I can be self-sufficient!
On the other hand, it reminds me just how long I've been in Houndsditch. I don't even get to see most of my wages -- a large percent of the money I earn goes straight to the doctors to pay my room and board. I get an allowance, but that's mostly used to buy food for us all. It would be nice to have some savings. . . .
On the other hand, it reminds me just how long I've been in Houndsditch. I don't even get to see most of my wages -- a large percent of the money I earn goes straight to the doctors to pay my room and board. I get an allowance, but that's mostly used to buy food for us all. It would be nice to have some savings. . . .
I suppose I can't complain too much. I have a roof over my head, a usually full belly, and an interesting job. Dr. Burton wants me to chart constellations for him for an astronomy project he's doing over the next few weeks. The night sky is even more fascinating than I first realized. All those stars. . . I'm so glad our telescope survived the fire -- and in working order too.
I'm also learning how to cook more types of food. Macaroni and cheese is a surprisingly tasty combination. And it's much better than constant helpings of grilled cheese. I wish I understood why my fellow patients were so obsessed with those sandwiches.
Then again, I'm not quite any of them know why either. I've never been able to get a straight answer out of any of them on the subject. And lately their minds seem to be getting more and more muddled. They can still function on their own, thankfully, but sobbing breakdowns on their parts are getting quite frequent. And there's still no sign of any help from the doctors. Sometimes I wonder if they just abandoned us here, cruel a thought as it may be.
The only activity that seems to soothe anyone here is playing the piano. At least this is something I can understand. Nothing soothes me like sitting down at the instrument and letting my fingers travel over the keys. It's wonderful, and I'm glad my roommates here share my feelings.
Even if it does mean I have to spend a good portion of my free time tuning the poor thing. We really do work it hard.
One thing that still concerns me about it, though -- that strange glowing. Nobody knows why that happens either. But I have found out something new -- you don't even have to be in the same room as the piano to have it happen. When I was playing the other day, Johnny said that one of the others started glowing merely through hearing my melody through the door. A bit disconcerting, I must say. At least it appears to be totally harmless.
Maybe one day I'll find the answers to my questions. In the meantime, I'm going to go give Alice a ring. I still can't believe -- I really am the luckiest man in the world, even with everything that has happened to me. To find someone like her. . .it's simply incredible.
Maybe one day I'll find the answers to my questions. In the meantime, I'm going to go give Alice a ring. I still can't believe -- I really am the luckiest man in the world, even with everything that has happened to me. To find someone like her. . .it's simply incredible.
***
Things which annoy me: my roommates constantly getting in the way to tell me they're hungry when I order in groceries. Yes, I know. You're hungry. THAT IS WHY I AM TRYING TO ACCEPT THE FOOD ORDER.
Oh, I know I shouldn't be so short with them -- even in my own personal journal. It's just -- everything is so SAMEY here. Day after day goes by, and no word comes about my potential release, or any help for my fellow inmates! It's just -- I really do feel like we've been abandoned!
Oh, I know I shouldn't be so short with them -- even in my own personal journal. It's just -- everything is so SAMEY here. Day after day goes by, and no word comes about my potential release, or any help for my fellow inmates! It's just -- I really do feel like we've been abandoned!
It doesn't help that some of them have started making disparaging remarks about the woman I love. "I heard she killed her entire family in a fire!" "I heard she slaughters people for fun." "I heard she killed someone by shoving them in front of a train!"
"Do you really want to kiss a psychotic mass-murdering pyromaniac, Victor?" "She's just going to break your heart. Then murder you while cackling madly." Such arseholes! I love her, and I know she would never do anything like that! If we ever do have a date, I think I want to visit her asylum, rather than bringing her over here. (Of course, I'd really like to take her out properly, but my work permit is just for that -- work.)
I suppose it's not all bad. Despite their distaste for Alice, the other men seem to like me just fine these days. They seem to be impressed by the fact I'm allowed a job -- a science job, no less. I was even complimented the other day on my knowledge of anatomy. Surprising what reading a good book will do! Said job is going well, too. I'm helping out with lots of projects -- including an alien research one! Imagine that, aliens. . . Really not all that different from corpse brides, it it?
And I'm finally back into practice on the piano. All in all, life could be a lot worse.
But it could be rather better, too. I just wish -- something would HAPPEN. . .
Could ask Alice about that date. . .
But it could be rather better, too. I just wish -- something would HAPPEN. . .
Could ask Alice about that date. . .
***
I'm afraid I can't say I had a particularly exciting day today -- for all my griping that I wish something would happen, I chose to spend my day off studying. To be fair, though, improving myself in various areas is the key to my eventually leaving Houndsditch, so it's important that I take the opportunities to study where I can.
And I feel I've learned some very important things today. Not only have I memorized a new recipe, I've also memorized a number of rules regarding fire safety! I feel much more confident in my ability to handle any outbursts of flame we may have now.
Which is good, because we had one right before I came down to breakfast. Perhaps there was really no point in me studying fire safety from a book. I think the other residents of the house have gained enough practical experience to get good jobs as firemen once they leave.
That is, if they ever get well enough to leave. Tim may be handy with the newfangled extinguishing equipment, but he sobs terribly should he accidentally clog the toilet. (Which prevents him from unclogging it, incidentally -- I have to remember to do that at my earliest convenience.)
And Danny, to my shock, has apparently become very antisocial. This morning, while I was studying my book of recipes, some man in a kilt came barging in yelling about "some damned lunatic spying on me in the bathroom!"
He and Danny got into a brief shoving match, and then he stalked off, muttering to himself about how the asylum should be burned to the ground. I was horrified, but not quite as horrified as when Danny told me, "This is all you can expect from someone so constipated." As if I'd asked! Oh dear, why do we not have an actual doctor here? Someone to help look after us and squash desires such as Danny's? Why? Dear Lord, who am I doing all this work for?
. . .Myself. I'm doing it for myself. I'm doing it so I can one day have a normal life again. And I'm doing it for Alice too, so that one day she can have a normal life again as well. Forget the doctors -- they've certainly forgotten us. I will survive, and I will make it out of here.
In the meantime, I'm going to go use the telescope for the purpose it was intended -- looking at the stars. Gazing upon the galaxies always fills me with a sense of joyous wonder. One day. . .maybe one day I'll be able to observe them from my own home, somewhere far away from here.
In the meantime, I'm going to go use the telescope for the purpose it was intended -- looking at the stars. Gazing upon the galaxies always fills me with a sense of joyous wonder. One day. . .maybe one day I'll be able to observe them from my own home, somewhere far away from here.
***
At last, today I finally got to put a few of my new culinary skills to good use. Dinner was looming and none of my fellow patients had co-opted the kitchen, so I was free to make something other than a grilled cheese sandwich! Goodness, I am so sick of those things it's beyond my ability to properly write about it. This mania for the things must be another sign of how the doctors are failing these poor men.
At any rate, they got a taste of something different tonight -- Broiled Steak a Jus! I was a little worried that I'd end up burning it and wasting all my effort to introduce a bit of variety into our diet, but it came out wonderfully, if I may say so. What a relief to sink my teeth into real beef and potatoes! I left a few plates out for the others to enjoy, but put the rest of it away in the icebox for later enjoyment. My fellow inmates tend to leave food out until it goes bad, and I'd rather not waste my chance to eat something new.
I can't disparage the others too much, though. They're at least being moderately more helpful around the house. Albert often lends a hand by cleaning things. I'd kind of prefer someone else who could repair a broken pipe or unclog the toilet, but I suppose keep everything clean helps keep it in better repair.
And it seems they're doing a little better at taking care of themselves when I'm not there. At the very least, the incidents of fire have gone down quite a lot. These days they seem content to while away their time either resting on the couch, playing the piano, or rolling about in the gyrosphere. Whatever keeps them happy and safe.
I myself am still working desperately hard to prove myself a fit, well-rounded potential member of society. Literally fit, in fact -- I've been doing more yoga as of late. It's rather fun, and I've mastered the art of flipping my feet over my head without either falling over or kicking myself in said head. I'll have to try some of the more complicated poses as the week goes on.
Speaking of the end of the week, I'm hoping Alice and I can meet to finally have a proper sort of date Saturday. She called late this evening, and we had a talk about it. She's recently got promoted at her job, and she wants to celebrate a bit. I confessed that I wasn't sure if leaving Houndsditch for anything other than Rutledge would be wise -- with my luck, the doctors would suddenly show up and throw us both in a proper asylum again. Fortunately, Alice said that she was fine with just visiting Houndsditch -- "I don't care where I see you, so long as I see you. And I'm required to network as part of my profession -- I may as well see if I can make any friends among your group." She's off this Saturday, so with any luck, we'll be meeting up after my shift. I still can't believe it -- a girlfriend. Me. And under these circumstances no less! Who would have thought?
Oh, but I shouldn't overthink things. I should just be happy we found each other. Having her around gives me the hope I need that I'll be out of here eventually. And I like to think I do the same for her.
Oh, but I shouldn't overthink things. I should just be happy we found each other. Having her around gives me the hope I need that I'll be out of here eventually. And I like to think I do the same for her.
***
There are few things more awkward than taking a nice breakfast of leftover steak out of the fridge and turning around only to find a man sobbing his eyes out right behind you. Poor Mike -- he's been having it rough lately.
Fortunately, getting some breakfast into him did seem to help things. It certainly did me -- the taste of something other than grilled cheese sandwiches always helps me start my day on a high note. And I swear the extra protein helped me at work -- I saw something interesting in one of my colleague's notes today, and together we realized she'd discovered a new isotope! Dr. Burton was impressed -- we both received healthy bonuses. I plan to use mine to fill the fridge with something other than bread and cheese. I'm determined to learn how to cook even better than I can now, for all of our sakes.
Of course, the real pleasure of the day was finally being able to go on a date with Alice. I invited her over as soon as I got home, riding the high of my bonus.
She arrived just as night was falling (it is nice that we're just down the road from each other), and we spent a few pleasurable hours in each other's company. Would you believe she's almost as ticklish as I am? And she has such a pretty laugh too. . .
I also made us supper -- a nice, simple salad to go with the warm weather. Alice said it was a good meal, though I still wish we could have gone to a proper restaurant to eat. A date loses something of its intimacy when you're eating with three other starving men.
We made do, though. Even with my fellow inmates crowding the kitchen, we found time for each other. Alice told me a bit about her plans to write a book once she's free of her asylum -- I offered to do the illustrations. Drawing for a living actually sounds very nice in general, really. I'm still a bit too shy to share my piano with just everyone, and I know I'm a good artist. And it's always been a dream of mine to be published in an entomological journal. . .
Well, that's for the future. Right now, I just want to concentrate on the sensation of Alice's fingers intertwined with mine, or the way her eyes sparkle when she smiles. . .
And, most especially, the taste of her lips when they're pressed against mine.
You know, it's strange. After the mess with Victoria and Emily, I didn't think I'd ever love again. I didn't even consider the possibility that anyone could make me feel as strongly as those two. But Alice. . .Alice blows them both away. I think it's because we have a friendship as well as a romance. She's my best friend, and I'm hers. I actually know her, as opposed to having to rely on immediate infatuation. It's a really nice feeling, being tied so closely to someone like that. I'm very much looking forward to the day when she and I can move out and find our own place together. (If, ah, she's all right with that, of course.)
But really, given that she's told me many times just how safe she feels with me. . . I think we'll be just fine.
And now I have to go, because I just realized there's a strange smell coming from the bathroom, and I thought I overheard Danny saying something about one of the others not quite making it to the toilet. . . Just think about Alice's lips, Van Dort.
***
Today seemed to be a day of friendship and helping one another out with our problems. Although I can't save everyone in this poor excuse for a halfway home, I can at least help my new friend Chris. I've been doing my best to keep his mood up, comforting him after bouts of crying and reassuring him that all will be well eventually. Not only does it help keep him sane, it also makes me feel better too. At least I can be of assistance to someone.
My fellow inmates seem to have picked upon my example -- Paul and Danny seem to be helping each other keep out of the deepest depths of depression and madness, and of course Mike continues helping out wherever he can. It seems that, with a little work and hope, we really can get along on our own.
. . .Wait. Was that the intent of the doctors all along? To teach us self-reliance? To show us we can survive on our own in the outside world? Have they been truly helping us all along?
. . .Wait. Was that the intent of the doctors all along? To teach us self-reliance? To show us we can survive on our own in the outside world? Have they been truly helping us all along?
Well, even if that is the case, the fact that sobbing fits and not remembering to shower for days on end is still common around here proves to me that they really shouldn't have been this hands-off. Teaching self-reliance is fine -- honestly, I think it's a skill I should have learned long ago -- but one has to draw the line when there's a constant stench in the air from unbathed skin. (Not to mention they could have given us a much better-equipped facility to learn in.)
I also talked to Vamsi today, who suggested an interesting new activity for me to try -- looking for buried treasure. Apparently there's stashes hidden all over Restful Springs, from wandering robbers in the old days. "I don't know if you'll actually find anything, but it'll be a good way to kill some time, won't it? And if you do get a payout, maybe you can secretly buy another bed at the least."
One certainly cannot argue with that point! So I gave it a try earlier tonight. I'm not used to digging, and the spade ended up hurting my hands, but it was a fun thrill nonetheless.
And while I didn't find any buried treasure, I certainly did come across the biggest rock I've ever seen in my life! Tim jokingly named it "Greta the Granite." I don't know what to do with it, besides leave it beside the house as a sort of decoration, but it was still interesting to find. Maybe another attempt will yield something a bit more lucrative.
There's really not much else to say -- the night is cool and clear, and I feel the urge to stargaze. Searching for constellations sounds a lovely way to spend the hours before I got to sleep. Fall is on its way again, after all, and with it rain and snow showers -- who knows when I'll get this chance again?
Sims Week 3 Completed
Progress Toward LTW:
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- Cooking 6
- Mechanical 6
- Charisma 4
- Body 6
- Logic 5
- Creativity 7
- Cleaning 6
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