HORROR... I've yet to meet anyone who does not suffer with with at least one phobia of some sort. We all have our issues. I fear I may have more than the "average" person.

There are two things toward which I have a great deal of angst: Refrigerators and toilets. Yes, they scare me. I don't think there has been a time that I've placed a perishable item in the fridge when I didn't suspect that the "cooling box thing" in that room I don't like is about to break and ruin my cream filled pastry. It worries me. Folks who know me well would confirm this worry of mine.

But the thing which really gets me is the toilet. The thought of having a toilet "back up" or "clog" on me during or after a flush fills me with panic. The toilet where I now live is at least 20 years old --- and it has problems. Aside from stains that I can't seem to wash away no matter how hard I try it has taken to making a sort of screeching sound after one flushes it. And, in the last couple of months it has taken to backing up. My roommate is very laid back about this stuff and just shrugs it off. As I am not a rent paying roommate at this time and as I am trying to be more "zen" in my approach to life --- I try to join him in his attitude of "whatever" when it comes to the moaning toilet. I am not achieving this goal.

At some point in the early hours of the morning I had to go to toilet. I tip-toe'd as quietly as possible so as not to wake A, I did my "business" -- then held my breath and flushed. The screech wailed out from the bowels of this ancient plumbing fixture and it started to back up. I let out a sort of panicked sound and ran for the plunger (which, for the record is the FIRST thing I purchase when I move into a new space, but A already had one at the ready) --- and frantically plunged away to prevent a mess beyond description. I won and the toilet "accepted" its duty. I washed my hands and crept back down the hall to my room.

Like Eunice Burns in WHAT'S UP DOC? I muttered, "What more can they do to me?" as I tried to fall back into the depth of sleep and dreams.

Oh, and I had a dream in which I secured the best job of my life. I was so happy. And then my boss came running to me to tell me that the world was ending and we had one minute. I asked her if she had any chocolae. ...and, then I woke up.

Oh, I think my phone interview went quite well. They told me that they would be in touch with me soon to schedule an interview. And, this is the last time I will bore anyone by writing this, but my fingers are crossed and that St. Anthony medal is in my pocket. It is almost 11AM and I've only found one job posting to which I could apply. I've been looking since 8AM. This is so getting old.