I’ll be leaving early Thursday morning en route to Skinny Bitch’s city. I’m travelling much lighter than I usually do because of the nerve irritation in my neck. I’m not supposed to lift much.

So I got me a toy computer to record my sound files on, and since it has a wireless card that is speedy, I can upload them to the server. Built in mic and webcam, so less to lug around. It fits in a normal sized purse. It’s kind of the Bic of computers. It was so cheap I wasn’t about to shell out an extra $80 for two more years factory warranty. Bic.

Of course, it takes forever to bookmark sites and type in old passwords to web admin sites. Luckily for me, I had the good sense to write them down in my little six ring binder that also serves as a mobile datebook. The only way the data will be lost on the datebook is if I can no longer decipher my scribbles. Or if there is a flood or fire. Still, flood or fire will so scroo an electronic keeper of information.

Ass Burger Boy is ecstatic and has already transferred all of my data off the clunky big laptop, which he has dubbed ‘his precious’ and promptly taken to work with him. I don’t think he’ll miss me.

Of course, I will be staying with Skinny Bitch. Any time I go to her city, it’s a given I will stay with her. I desperately need to laugh my self silly, tears streaming down my face, maybe even peeing a little. Now that we don’t have torture to plot for the now ex Mr. SB, we will have to find other ways to amuse our bad selves.

I may or may not get kidnapped after the show.

There will only be internet access at the venue, where I’ll probably be busy with work. With any luck at all. I may be tweeting like a dirty little bird, but probably won\t be posting here while I’m gone. I linked this post heavily to give you something to catch up on while I’m away.

I just may have some time to call my own soon. I started this week with the second psychic network, the one I’m not allowed to mention on my website. The one that when I’m logged in, I get lots of calls in a short period of time.

Not enough to get rich on, mind you, but enough to pay the bills and have a treat every once in awhile.

This weekend, I’m transitioning, working both. When the support staff return from their holidays, I will change my schedule at the first network so that I can still service my regular clients, but during a narrower time frame, and also by appointment.

Freedom! I can smell it, just around the corner.

Speaking of smells, I’m simmering turkey carcass to make stock. I made so many mashed potatoes for yesterday’s feast for two that I’m also fixing to freeze me a shepherd’s pie. Because, really, how often can you face left over mashed potatoes?

I was very happy this year that Ass Burger Boy chose to stay at home for the celebratory meal. There was a wee glitch when I upended his wine glass while reaching for the cranberry sauce. His meal was swimming in wine. He wouldn’t allow me to replace it, and even said the extra wine was quite yummy. (He had two more helpings, with only wine in his glass, not on his plate)

He ended up rather intoxicated.

I shouldn’t have refilled his glass.

I hope that you had a lovely, cosy, holiday meal, and happy family times.

I had a great conversation with a client about her egomaniacal ex-husband yesterday. I’ll call him Donald.

witchypoo: “You have a daughter.”

client: “Yes. Donalda.”

witchypoo: (starting to lose it) “Don’t tell me. Your son’s name is Donald.”

client: “Yes.”

witchypoo: “I can top that. I once had a boyfriend (Eric) who had sons named Tommy and Eric. After I kicked his sorry behind to the curb, he married a woman and had more children. The boy was Eric, and the girl was Erica. I can only imagine poor Tommy, introducing himself and his half-siblings (as in an old tv show, Newhart) ‘Hi. I’m Tommy.This is my brother Eric, and this is my other brother Eric. And this here is my sister Erica.’ .”

At this point, we were both helpless with laughter. She admitted that she was pretty embarrassed when he insisted on naming their daughter after him, in addition to the son. She was starting to get some perspective on the situation.

witchypoo: “Please ask in your divorce agreement that he not traumatize your children by naming any more offspring after himself.”

The reason it was a great conversation is that it totally underlined to her what a dillweed her ex really is, and how much better off she is to move on without him.

Hi. This thing on? I had a power outtage this morning, and it has played silly buggers with just about everything.

My phone? The one I take calls on for the psychic network? It depends on electricity. Who knew? My call was cut off. Then, when power was restored, I had to put it on the charger. You’d think the gods of electricity don’t want me to make money today, but I fooled them. I actually have a hard-wired type landline that doesn’t rely on electricity.

I was just finishing off my shop items, because apparently, there was some bogus message about paypal not doing its duty. So I recoded the buttons and they seem fine now. Regular shipping is included in the shop prices, but express? You will have to slip me a few extra bux to get those puppies in time for Christmas. Same with the purple plates and disks. They make lovely prezzies.

I did some shopping on Etsey yesterday, and it was painless and lovely. I can’t give too many details in case the recipients read this here drivel, but I had to pay extra to get things shipped express. Because I seldom get out of the house and all.

One last bit of pimpage here, and I will rest your weary eyes. I am leaving my pricing for my readings in Canadian dollars until January 1st. So for the $50 reading, you can save $10 unless the US dollar takes a swan dive. A reading makes a nice gift is all I’m saying. And? I include a sound recording of the session.

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Dan asks:
Is there no ‘toilet break’ option when your in the queue? Seems a bit ‘unfair’ not to allow you guys that!

witchypoo replies: Since I’m an independant contractor, I can do what I like, but I haven’t figured out the algorithm of how the available psychics get shuffled, and I don’t want to mess with it. Every 15 minutes, there is a shuffle on the website. If my bio isn’t on the first page, I try to do something away from the phone, but I have a lot of repeat business, and that is where the odds will catch you with your drawahs down

Marie of Memarie Lane asks: i’d like to know more about the test readings and such you alluded to before. we always assume that phone readings are trickery, so i’m curious about how psychics are authenticated.

witchypoo sez: I did one evaluation reading for the line I’m currently on. I applied to another that gets more calls because that way, I can leave the house occasionally (having more money in my pocket, thus being logged on less). The second network I applied to gets far more traffic, and pays better, but I had to go through a lot of hoops. There were four evaluation readings, one of which lasted an hour and 15 minutes. Most lasted 30 minutes. If you made it after the first one, you went on to the next, and so on. I expect they evaluate a number of things,like professionalism, skills, and demeanor, and compare the readings to be sure you aren’t spouting the same old stuff to each client. Then they do an overall assessment, and you are supposed to hear back in 48 hours. I’m expecting to hear back soon. It’s a long process. This is plan B. I don’t have much of a plan C.

I got the golden email stating that the psychic network I am not allowed to name has accepted me. Yay! It will be another 2-3 weeks until I can log on, and again, another two weeks until I receive a paypal deposit. The networks seem to hold back a week to start. 2009 may be the one to show me some money. Won’t the clients be surprised to hear me say oot and aboot if I’m a US based Psychic? Oh, wait. Canadians have taken over.

I doubt that any of the psychics on the second network totally suck if they had to go through all the same razzamatazz that I did.