I watched both Simpsons reruns up in my room while typing. I heard activity downstairs, and when I went to investigate, I found Wacky Jen dramatically cooking up dinner while Jessika and Peggy looked on.

After dinner, Peggy told me about a dream where the segments had overlain like leaves (or Windows 95/Chernobyl 86). She went home and was replaced by Deya, who had been working overtime and was obviously in a bad mood as she fed her baby rats. She eventually went off to take a nap.

As always in our house, Deya was to have no monopoly on negative attitudes. Jessika asked into the dining room "do you want some tea?" I didn't know that she was just talking to Wacky Jen, so I said sure. She responded that I could make my own tea if I wanted some. I don't know how I should have taken this, but I was highly insulted, especially to be treated this way in front of Wacky Jen. Jessika and I fought about this issue for several minutes afterwards while Wacky Jen looked on in wonderment. I pointed out that I would have never insulted Jessika in a similar way, and that I was tired of being singled out for special abuse. Jessika responded that I'd drunk a lot of her tea and she thought I should make myself my own tea (I recently bought a large box of Jasmine) if I wanted some. But then I pointed out that I'd had no idea what tea she was making, that who knew, it was a big pot or something. Besides, I pointed out, Jessika was always eating my food and I didn't care. It was, as you can see, a big fight over small things, but for me it was representative of this overall feeling I get that Jessika doesn't regard me with sufficient respect, that she takes advantage of me in a whole set of subtle ways. I went off to my room; I didn't even want to look at her anymore.

Jessika came to my room later to further discuss the matter, but what could be said? She was more apologetic than usual, I guess that's something. All I really had to say was that I'm sick of being insulted in the way to which she has apparently grown accustomed. I think she's used to me and I've become like family, someone whose feelings aren't important. But this sort of thing is causing an accumulation of tension. In several stages I've given up a lot of emotional baggage just to live with her, and yet she still finds unusual new ways to make me suffer. Not that I really think her motives are bad or anything; I'm convinced she's still fond of me.

The girls have gone on a walk, but I'm here at home. Here I am, plinking away while Guided by Voices play "Underwater Explosions."

an interesting mistake

A few days passed and Jessika discovered that her face had become incredibly dry. It felt like it was covered with zillions of tiny bumps. It wasn't acne and it wasn't anything with which she'd ever had experience. She feared her face was falling off. Over time, little flakes began to form.

A few more days later, Jessika was about to do a laundry, so Deya brought some detergent down from the bathroom for her. Wouldn't you know, it was in a bottle labeled "facial astringent." Deya likes to recycle bottles, but the labels usually stay the same. Jessika had been putting laundry detergent on her face!

When Jessika discovered the reality behind her facial woes, she chuckled with relief to finally know the source of her problems.

an orange microphone