I had no idea when I got up this morning that it was going to be such a good day, but it sure turned out that way. Major suckage defined the weather, but it didn't really make any difference.
Here's the first, most important, most AWESOME thing about today. Olivia is home. That little girl with leukemia who I thought, not so long ago, wasn't going to make it...WENT HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL TODAY. If there is anybody out there who still reads this, please keep her in your prayers...each and every one of your prayers. This child has fought quite the battle, and well...I just want prayers for her.
I talked to Jamie, Scheduler Extraordinaire at school today, and I will graduate in March. Oh my gratefulness! All I have to do is take SIX classes winter quarter. Oh my hell! One is algebra, and one is astronomy. Have I told anybody that I'm a math idiot savant, without the savant part? Dayum lucky thing for me there are a ton of math tutors! And as far as the astronomy goes--it was stars or rocks. I took stars. Something was tripped in my mind at the mention of the word "Geology." It took me back to 9th grade Earth Science class and digging around in the rock garden in front of our house because of a stupid rock collection assignment we had to do. Then trying to glue those suckers on a cardboard thingy. Nope. I'll take stars. Nobody will ask me to glue stars to a cardboard thingy. :)
I should see if there are any graveyard shift jobs available for an old fat broad, because I sure as hell don't sleep at night! I try, I really try...but the best I can do is go to bed and read and, if I'm lucky, I'll maybe drift off somewhere around 2-4 a.m. Sometimes I'm tired and nap during the day, sometimes not. Today, definitely not...although I did sleep in until 8:45 or so. It seems like tonight is maybe going to be a late/early morning one, too, since I am not feeling one bit tired yet. ::SIDENOTE--I just looked at the clock and it is 11:11. This is the FOURTH night in a row that I have looked at the clock at 11:11:: Cue Twilight Zone music. I have lots of videos for my classes to watch, so that's a good thing to do...a ton of presentations, too.
Today I met Lynda at Buca's for lunch...she had a coupon. :) I was kind of excited. I had only been there once before...several years ago...like just over 8 years ago...I went with a group of people. They had all been there before, but it was my first time. I was so excited because it was just kind of a fun thing, there were 7 of us and big platters of food, family-style. But what happened was, they all decided what to order and none of it was what I wanted. That might sound stupid, but it really sort of wrecked it for me.
At that time, they only had the large family-style platters; now they have "small buca" for 2 people, and the "large buca" for the family--and lunch is individual (or you can order off the dinner menu if you want more). But, at that time, that wasn't an option. That really, really bothered me but I didn't say anything because I'm not a picky eater and they all were (maybe still are, for all I know). All of the items they ordered were good; they just were not things I would choose--and I definitely didn't eat very much, but I sure as hell had to pay for it. I think what bugged me most of all was that I felt invisible and disregarded. I still liked the place and all, but it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be.
For some reason, I've never had the opportunity to go back until today, so I was game when Lynda called and suggested it. And we had THE BEST TIME! Our waiter was AWESOME...and their coffee is good...and I got to have what I wanted and it wasn't boring old chicken marsala either! :) It was just fun...relaxing and relaxed...joking, talking and laughing. Wow. Twice in one week...when will the riches end! BWAHAHAHAHA! Seriously, the twice in one week really was nice!
So, I don't know exactly why, but it was a very, very good day. And that's not bad. :)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
**LADIES WHO LUNCH**
Today was a good day for meeting my ex-co-workers for lunch. It was really good to see them; they even hugged me--both of 'em--and they're not the hugging types! Is it odd that I felt a little bit honored? One thing I was not prepared for with the loss of my job was how much I would miss them. There were some days we would barely speak to each other; not because anybody was mad, but just because we were busy, tired, or just thinking about other things. Other days we'd grunt in passing. But more often than not, we were back and forth in each other's cubes. All day, every day. Although mostly them coming to my cube because it was biggest and we could all fit comfortably and have places to sit.
It's hard to believe that, in just over a month, they will both be in the same job status as me--in that we don't have them. Mickey, who is an avid photographer and always carries her point-and-shoot with her, had taken pictures of their work spaces in the different building they moved to last month. She even took pictures of what would have been my cube, and also "my" printer with all of "my" work printing off. What a riot!
Word on the street has it they ARE moving again to yet another different building next week. They don't know yet which building or the exact day; just next week. Okay, THAT would drive me straight up the wall. In fact, from everything they've both told me about the way things are, it's a really, really good thing I'm not there because I would be driven straight up the wall every day. I understand their "strategy" even less now than I ever did.
Anyway...it was lots of fun and we laughed and talked and they told me about their upcoming trips and the ones they've taken in the past month. There is something about people you've worked with for many years; even when you're all completely different types of people and personalities, y'all get to know each other in a pretty profound way. Think...40 hours a week...160 hours in a month...1920 hours a year...all of them waking hours. Then, you figure in 12 or 13 years. They knew me when I was 39. They knew me when the people I love were still alive. That counts for something with me.
On a different note. The MSN homepage I have on my computer had a short video of an interview that Elizabeth Smart did on The Today Show, and then you could click over and see the whole interview. Wow. All I can say is, she is an awe-inspiring young woman. It's hard to believe that she's 21 now, and that she is so okay. I think it's a testament to having a close, faith-filled family. I also think that anybody who blames all of their problems on a bad childhood or this-that-and-the-other-person did this-that-and-the-other to me so I'm a mess (oh say, won't you play another somebody-done-somebody-wrong song) should spend some time listening to what happened to her and what she has to say about it. Very inspirational young lady.
I'm not even going to make fun of my self-awareness chapter in Communications. Call me boring, but it was actually pretty good. It wasn't really anything that hasn't been said/heard before, but it all made sense and wasn't too over-the-top. Darn. I was looking forward to talking about it.
Instead, I'll just say that I'm really going to have to put my big girl panties on to get through this quarter. Yuck. I do not like the classes; I do not like the classes at all. I am predicting grades will be mediocre at best, and that's WITH the big girl panties! To be honest, I don't even care about grades any more, I just want to be done! Not a bad attitude necessarily; I just need to get a job and get back to seeing real, normal (relatively speaking, of course) people again. It would be way, way too easy for me to just continue on like I am, never seeing and talking to any real people and liking it that way. I really do need to take steps so that doesn't happen. I also need to drink more water. :) Those are both things that I did when I was working, so I need to work again in order to stay properly hydrated. BWAHAHAHAHA!
It was a beautiful day, even without sun...
**p.s. I'm just watching Entertainment Tonight, and I just have to say...that little piss-ant Levi Johnston brat needs to have his ass kicked. I don't care what anybody thinks about Sarah Palin, what he's doing is just wrong. How can he do these interviews and disparage all of the people who are raising his son while he's off getting in shape for his Playgirl layout. He has no right saying anything about anybody else. He may be a handsome young fella but he has figured out how to take asshattery to a whole new level. Ewww.
It's hard to believe that, in just over a month, they will both be in the same job status as me--in that we don't have them. Mickey, who is an avid photographer and always carries her point-and-shoot with her, had taken pictures of their work spaces in the different building they moved to last month. She even took pictures of what would have been my cube, and also "my" printer with all of "my" work printing off. What a riot!
Word on the street has it they ARE moving again to yet another different building next week. They don't know yet which building or the exact day; just next week. Okay, THAT would drive me straight up the wall. In fact, from everything they've both told me about the way things are, it's a really, really good thing I'm not there because I would be driven straight up the wall every day. I understand their "strategy" even less now than I ever did.
Anyway...it was lots of fun and we laughed and talked and they told me about their upcoming trips and the ones they've taken in the past month. There is something about people you've worked with for many years; even when you're all completely different types of people and personalities, y'all get to know each other in a pretty profound way. Think...40 hours a week...160 hours in a month...1920 hours a year...all of them waking hours. Then, you figure in 12 or 13 years. They knew me when I was 39. They knew me when the people I love were still alive. That counts for something with me.
On a different note. The MSN homepage I have on my computer had a short video of an interview that Elizabeth Smart did on The Today Show, and then you could click over and see the whole interview. Wow. All I can say is, she is an awe-inspiring young woman. It's hard to believe that she's 21 now, and that she is so okay. I think it's a testament to having a close, faith-filled family. I also think that anybody who blames all of their problems on a bad childhood or this-that-and-the-other-person did this-that-and-the-other to me so I'm a mess (oh say, won't you play another somebody-done-somebody-wrong song) should spend some time listening to what happened to her and what she has to say about it. Very inspirational young lady.
I'm not even going to make fun of my self-awareness chapter in Communications. Call me boring, but it was actually pretty good. It wasn't really anything that hasn't been said/heard before, but it all made sense and wasn't too over-the-top. Darn. I was looking forward to talking about it.
Instead, I'll just say that I'm really going to have to put my big girl panties on to get through this quarter. Yuck. I do not like the classes; I do not like the classes at all. I am predicting grades will be mediocre at best, and that's WITH the big girl panties! To be honest, I don't even care about grades any more, I just want to be done! Not a bad attitude necessarily; I just need to get a job and get back to seeing real, normal (relatively speaking, of course) people again. It would be way, way too easy for me to just continue on like I am, never seeing and talking to any real people and liking it that way. I really do need to take steps so that doesn't happen. I also need to drink more water. :) Those are both things that I did when I was working, so I need to work again in order to stay properly hydrated. BWAHAHAHAHA!
It was a beautiful day, even without sun...
**p.s. I'm just watching Entertainment Tonight, and I just have to say...that little piss-ant Levi Johnston brat needs to have his ass kicked. I don't care what anybody thinks about Sarah Palin, what he's doing is just wrong. How can he do these interviews and disparage all of the people who are raising his son while he's off getting in shape for his Playgirl layout. He has no right saying anything about anybody else. He may be a handsome young fella but he has figured out how to take asshattery to a whole new level. Ewww.
*p.p.s. I really want to see the movie The Box. Ohhhh, looks so good! :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
**DANGER, WILL ROBINSON, DANGER!!!**
Fair warning is being given.
Last week, cultural sensitivity.
This week, self-awareness.
Oh yeah.
Just imagine the post I'll be able to wring outta that.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Last week, cultural sensitivity.
This week, self-awareness.
Oh yeah.
Just imagine the post I'll be able to wring outta that.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
**THE CULTURAL SENSITIVITY CHAPTER, JUST IN TIME FOR ME TO GO OUT IN THE WORLD**
Last week's chapter in Communications was on ethnocentrism/cultural sensitivity, and all of that. Actually, it was pretty interesting because, throughout the (very long) chapter, there were several little tests/quizzes, not unlike Facecrack, to be honest!
All of my results pointed to the fact that I am a European/Scandinavian type American. Now there's a surprise, given my overabundance of German and Norwegian whatever-ya-call-it. Well, and then there's also that little bit of Bohemian...apparently someone several generations back wandered over the border into Western Czechoslovakia, and there ya have it. There was absolutely nothing in any of the four quizzes that was surprising to me. I don't know whether it's good or bad. I personally choose to believe that it's one of those things that is neither; it just is.
.
Now here's the deal, for me. My paternal grandmother was all Norwegian. She made lefse and said "Uff Da." Her last name prior to marrying was Nelson. That is the extent of the heritage pride that there ever was in my family, that I can remember. I don't recall anyone ever saying anything about the German roots, although there was that propensity for liking beer, me included. So, anyway...the point to this is that there were never any awareness months or anything like that. Which brings me to the part of cultural sensitivity/political correctness that chaps me a little bit.
My take on the situation--and my opinion, not that anybody else has to think the same way, but it is my opinion--is this. Why can't people just be people. I don't see why there should be special cultural awareness months. It would make more sense to me that those things should be covered as an ongoing part of the educational process rather than just going great guns on it for a month.
Rather than making it so one segment of society has to ass-kiss another segment of society so as not to be thought of as a bigot or culturally insensitive or, heaven forbid, racist...why not let's just treat other people decently all the way around. Call me old-fashioned, but I've always thought The Golden Rule was a pretty good way to go...for everybody, not just for some.
Just for fun a long time ago, I had my handwriting analyzed. I was truly amazed when I got back a nine-page report that could not have been more accurate, both good and bad. When it came to the part where it said I am more altruistic that a lot of the population? I'll admit it, I wasn't really too sure what that even meant. Off to my trusty Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary. Basically, what it is, is this..."someone who is altrustic is a person who cares about others unselfishly. The opposite would be selfish or self-centered. Someone who thinks primarily about themselves, not others." When I checked a little bit more, I concluded that--at least, in my case--it was really more about being fair. That, I can agree with...to the extent that things can be, I really do like them to be fair, even if it means that I'm not on the better end of the deal. This is not a way that I set out to be, or even a way that I was taught to be, it's just always been the way I am. Well, and my Mom told me that I was always very good at sharing when I was a little kid; I always shared without being told...something that not all "only" children are so good at. I still share; if I have some, you can have some, too, if you want it. Here again, for me, it's not like it's a good thing or a bad thing, it just is.
The other side of the coin...and there is always another side to the coin...for me, is this. It totally assaults my sense of fair play to think that I'm supposed to embrace and practice political correctness for anybody and everybody, regardless of whether special treatment has been earned or not. It's kind of hard to explain exactly what I mean. I guess the easiest and most accurate way of expressing how I feel about it is this. People are people; some are good, some are not; some deserve respect, some don't; some I like, some I don't. To me, there is NO certain GROUP that automatically deserves special treatment. Individualistic...I guess that's maybe what I am. Take everybody on an individual basis, and handle accordingly.
I'm gonna go a little further out on the limb and say that I refuse to be bullied into being culturally "sensitive." I personally think learning about some other cultures is interesting, and I also sort of like learning some things just for the sake of learning them. Culturally "aware," perhaps? But, ya know, if I offend somebody because I look them straight in the eye, when their culture says that's disrespectful...and I perform this offensive behavior here, in the USA...then they need to get over it. I don't need to try to keep track of who I can and can't look in the eye. If that makes me culturally insensitive, so be it. Now, if I'm on their turf, it's a different story; in that case, I need to familiarize myself with the culture and customs and comply with them. I've always been taught that you don't treat people disrespectfully in their own house, and that still makes sense to me.
More often than not, it tends to be that "you get what you give" with me. If somebody is nice to me, I will be nice to them. If somebody isn't nice to me, I'm either going to be not nice right back. Or, if somebody behaves in a particularly heinous fashion towards me--and I am the judge of what is heinous--then they cease to exist for me. Done. When it comes to those people, I may look at them but I don't see them, I don't talk to them, and I don't hear them. No big scenes, no dramaful, mean crap...just DONE.
All of this is the same for everyone. Does that make me culturally insensitive? I'm not really sure.
And to be honest? I don't really care.
I'm aware there are a lot of people who don't have as good a life as I have...but that doesn't make me feel guilty and filled with self-loathing for what I have. In fact, I'm pretty much real happy with my life, and I hope the same for others.
I'll just never be the one on the class discussion board that apologizes in advance if my thoughts, beliefs, and/or opinions offends anyone.
Nope, that will never happen.
And now...on to the "getting out in the world" part of the post. In that I did it today (well, now I guess it's yesterday). It was really, really nice, too. Coffee, conversation, getting a few errands done, and bringing home a Chipotle burrito bowl for dinner. I realized something else about my reluctance to leave my house, and it really makes sense. When I have a pleasant purpose for leaving (grocery shopping doesn't count as pleasant), I'm more than happy to go out in the world. But the going out just to go out because it's been a while since I've done it? Not so much.
If I'm just going to be enjoying my own company, I may as well stay home unless I have a specific destination such as a movie. If I'm going to be enjoying someone else's company, I find I'm more than happy to hop in the Fusionmobile and be on my way.
Like today. It was a good day!
All of my results pointed to the fact that I am a European/Scandinavian type American. Now there's a surprise, given my overabundance of German and Norwegian whatever-ya-call-it. Well, and then there's also that little bit of Bohemian...apparently someone several generations back wandered over the border into Western Czechoslovakia, and there ya have it. There was absolutely nothing in any of the four quizzes that was surprising to me. I don't know whether it's good or bad. I personally choose to believe that it's one of those things that is neither; it just is.
.
Now here's the deal, for me. My paternal grandmother was all Norwegian. She made lefse and said "Uff Da." Her last name prior to marrying was Nelson. That is the extent of the heritage pride that there ever was in my family, that I can remember. I don't recall anyone ever saying anything about the German roots, although there was that propensity for liking beer, me included. So, anyway...the point to this is that there were never any awareness months or anything like that. Which brings me to the part of cultural sensitivity/political correctness that chaps me a little bit.
My take on the situation--and my opinion, not that anybody else has to think the same way, but it is my opinion--is this. Why can't people just be people. I don't see why there should be special cultural awareness months. It would make more sense to me that those things should be covered as an ongoing part of the educational process rather than just going great guns on it for a month.
Rather than making it so one segment of society has to ass-kiss another segment of society so as not to be thought of as a bigot or culturally insensitive or, heaven forbid, racist...why not let's just treat other people decently all the way around. Call me old-fashioned, but I've always thought The Golden Rule was a pretty good way to go...for everybody, not just for some.
Just for fun a long time ago, I had my handwriting analyzed. I was truly amazed when I got back a nine-page report that could not have been more accurate, both good and bad. When it came to the part where it said I am more altruistic that a lot of the population? I'll admit it, I wasn't really too sure what that even meant. Off to my trusty Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary. Basically, what it is, is this..."someone who is altrustic is a person who cares about others unselfishly. The opposite would be selfish or self-centered. Someone who thinks primarily about themselves, not others." When I checked a little bit more, I concluded that--at least, in my case--it was really more about being fair. That, I can agree with...to the extent that things can be, I really do like them to be fair, even if it means that I'm not on the better end of the deal. This is not a way that I set out to be, or even a way that I was taught to be, it's just always been the way I am. Well, and my Mom told me that I was always very good at sharing when I was a little kid; I always shared without being told...something that not all "only" children are so good at. I still share; if I have some, you can have some, too, if you want it. Here again, for me, it's not like it's a good thing or a bad thing, it just is.
The other side of the coin...and there is always another side to the coin...for me, is this. It totally assaults my sense of fair play to think that I'm supposed to embrace and practice political correctness for anybody and everybody, regardless of whether special treatment has been earned or not. It's kind of hard to explain exactly what I mean. I guess the easiest and most accurate way of expressing how I feel about it is this. People are people; some are good, some are not; some deserve respect, some don't; some I like, some I don't. To me, there is NO certain GROUP that automatically deserves special treatment. Individualistic...I guess that's maybe what I am. Take everybody on an individual basis, and handle accordingly.
I'm gonna go a little further out on the limb and say that I refuse to be bullied into being culturally "sensitive." I personally think learning about some other cultures is interesting, and I also sort of like learning some things just for the sake of learning them. Culturally "aware," perhaps? But, ya know, if I offend somebody because I look them straight in the eye, when their culture says that's disrespectful...and I perform this offensive behavior here, in the USA...then they need to get over it. I don't need to try to keep track of who I can and can't look in the eye. If that makes me culturally insensitive, so be it. Now, if I'm on their turf, it's a different story; in that case, I need to familiarize myself with the culture and customs and comply with them. I've always been taught that you don't treat people disrespectfully in their own house, and that still makes sense to me.
More often than not, it tends to be that "you get what you give" with me. If somebody is nice to me, I will be nice to them. If somebody isn't nice to me, I'm either going to be not nice right back. Or, if somebody behaves in a particularly heinous fashion towards me--and I am the judge of what is heinous--then they cease to exist for me. Done. When it comes to those people, I may look at them but I don't see them, I don't talk to them, and I don't hear them. No big scenes, no dramaful, mean crap...just DONE.
All of this is the same for everyone. Does that make me culturally insensitive? I'm not really sure.
And to be honest? I don't really care.
I'm aware there are a lot of people who don't have as good a life as I have...but that doesn't make me feel guilty and filled with self-loathing for what I have. In fact, I'm pretty much real happy with my life, and I hope the same for others.
I'll just never be the one on the class discussion board that apologizes in advance if my thoughts, beliefs, and/or opinions offends anyone.
Nope, that will never happen.
And now...on to the "getting out in the world" part of the post. In that I did it today (well, now I guess it's yesterday). It was really, really nice, too. Coffee, conversation, getting a few errands done, and bringing home a Chipotle burrito bowl for dinner. I realized something else about my reluctance to leave my house, and it really makes sense. When I have a pleasant purpose for leaving (grocery shopping doesn't count as pleasant), I'm more than happy to go out in the world. But the going out just to go out because it's been a while since I've done it? Not so much.
If I'm just going to be enjoying my own company, I may as well stay home unless I have a specific destination such as a movie. If I'm going to be enjoying someone else's company, I find I'm more than happy to hop in the Fusionmobile and be on my way.
Like today. It was a good day!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
**SOOOOO FUN!!!...**
...is what it is to watch the Vikings this season. I have never been so enthused about football before, but I just can't help it. So far, this team just rocks! Like I've mentioned before, my parents were huge football fans back in the day of Fran Tarkenton, Jim Marshall, Carl Eller, Alan Page, and the others of Purple People Eater fame. I still don't know all that much about it, but I think right now is as close as we've ever come to that kind of football-watching fun.
I now understand why my Green Bay Packer loving in-laws were so crazy about Brett not so many moons ago. I just like the guy. I like his attitude. After he's been on the field, working his cute little 40-year-old butt off (and successfully, I might add), you see him on the sidelines...happy, smiling, supporting his team. There is no doubt in my mind that his attitude has had a huge effect on this team's performance. To my very non-educated-in-football mind, I have always thought that we've had lots of talented players; lots of talented players with HUGE ego and attitude problems. I never thought they were good enough to be as big a prima donnas as they were, and I was happy to see each and every one go. It's nice to see what looks like a TEAM attitude, versus the ME, ME, MORE ME NOW attitude.
I love Jared Allen, and I'm also liking Harvin, Shiancoe, and Berrien. And Sidney Rice...yeah! Of course, there is Adrian Peterson, who has rocked right from the beginning. No matter what happens the rest of the season--even if we end up losing to the Ravens in Game 6, which I'm watching right now--I don't think I'll ever forget how fun it has been to watch so far this season. The Ravens are pretty darn good, too; I would not call this an easy team to play at all. It's a toss-up as to who will win...
I now understand why my Green Bay Packer loving in-laws were so crazy about Brett not so many moons ago. I just like the guy. I like his attitude. After he's been on the field, working his cute little 40-year-old butt off (and successfully, I might add), you see him on the sidelines...happy, smiling, supporting his team. There is no doubt in my mind that his attitude has had a huge effect on this team's performance. To my very non-educated-in-football mind, I have always thought that we've had lots of talented players; lots of talented players with HUGE ego and attitude problems. I never thought they were good enough to be as big a prima donnas as they were, and I was happy to see each and every one go. It's nice to see what looks like a TEAM attitude, versus the ME, ME, MORE ME NOW attitude.
I love Jared Allen, and I'm also liking Harvin, Shiancoe, and Berrien. And Sidney Rice...yeah! Of course, there is Adrian Peterson, who has rocked right from the beginning. No matter what happens the rest of the season--even if we end up losing to the Ravens in Game 6, which I'm watching right now--I don't think I'll ever forget how fun it has been to watch so far this season. The Ravens are pretty darn good, too; I would not call this an easy team to play at all. It's a toss-up as to who will win...
It's fun having a winning team, but it's even more fun to have a team with a good attitude rather than a bunch of pompous, egotistical asshats who aren't that good.
...Yeah, Randy Moss...I'm talkin' about you.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
**WHAT DAY IS THIS???**
Oh my gosh. I have got to go grocery shopping more often. I did the dirty deed (dirty deeds done dirt cheap--BWA--gotta love a little AC/DC) this morning...dirt cheap? Au contraire! I almost choked when the cashier girl said $158. HOWEV. I have not been shopping for a long time, and I got a lot of stuff. Six bags and a huge thing of toilet paper. Is that TMI? Sorry.
I'm pretty proud of myself for "making do" with what I had around here. I hate to be wasteful, and I sure had a bunch of stuff that needed to be used up. So, it wasn't necessarily what I wanted to eat, but it worked. I went to the store really early this morning and, being totally honest, if it wasn't for the toilet paper situation, I probably would have waited a while longer. :)
So, tonight I have big plans to watch Mercy. Then I'm going to discuss. All of the discussions this week are pretty much opinion-based, so I don't have to do a ton of reading and/or assignments first. There are a lot of presentations in all of my classes, and note-taking is prudent. I got through the first week unscathed.
I was very glad about MT II. I was a little nervous that it was going to be kind of tough, even though I was satisfied with MT I and got an A. The only thing that confused me just a little bit was that our lecture notes were for psychiatry, and the transcription was for gastroenterology. Of the seven practice sets, there was one psychiatry consultation and one psychiatry discharge summary, but that was it. I felt a little robbed. I will say this, though...I'm going to be a freakin' gastroenterology whiz. I don't know if they think we're all going to specialize in gastro or what, but they're sure heavy on it. I'm wondering if, since we got gastro lecture notes this week, we'll get psychiatry transcription?
I don't have the same teacher for II that I had for I, darn it. I was kind of hoping for continuity, but I guess not. I e-mailed the teacher; her name is the same as mine except with a "y" (ummm hmmm), and asked her about the difference between lecture notes and transcription. She said that sometimes it just happens that way. Well, alrighty...but I think that's bulltinky. I think she just messed up. :) Oh well, who cares...it's all good. Hopefully we'll get some more psychiatry transcription somewhere along the line.
Got an e-mail from the wordy witty Communications dude letting us know that he is going "up North" where there is no internet, and he's concerned about it. Like we might all forget how to communicate while he's out communing with nature or something. I KNOW he is going to either: 1) seek out the nearest place with internet "up North" or 2) be in contact via Blackberry. I cannot imagine him not imparting his wit and wisdom to us for a few consecutive days. I'll report back. What I know for sure is, he has already played a big part in my addiction to Bejeweled Blitz. I'm already on deck for my 75K medal, and this new round just started yesterday! :)
Bye now.
I'm pretty proud of myself for "making do" with what I had around here. I hate to be wasteful, and I sure had a bunch of stuff that needed to be used up. So, it wasn't necessarily what I wanted to eat, but it worked. I went to the store really early this morning and, being totally honest, if it wasn't for the toilet paper situation, I probably would have waited a while longer. :)
So, tonight I have big plans to watch Mercy. Then I'm going to discuss. All of the discussions this week are pretty much opinion-based, so I don't have to do a ton of reading and/or assignments first. There are a lot of presentations in all of my classes, and note-taking is prudent. I got through the first week unscathed.
I was very glad about MT II. I was a little nervous that it was going to be kind of tough, even though I was satisfied with MT I and got an A. The only thing that confused me just a little bit was that our lecture notes were for psychiatry, and the transcription was for gastroenterology. Of the seven practice sets, there was one psychiatry consultation and one psychiatry discharge summary, but that was it. I felt a little robbed. I will say this, though...I'm going to be a freakin' gastroenterology whiz. I don't know if they think we're all going to specialize in gastro or what, but they're sure heavy on it. I'm wondering if, since we got gastro lecture notes this week, we'll get psychiatry transcription?
I don't have the same teacher for II that I had for I, darn it. I was kind of hoping for continuity, but I guess not. I e-mailed the teacher; her name is the same as mine except with a "y" (ummm hmmm), and asked her about the difference between lecture notes and transcription. She said that sometimes it just happens that way. Well, alrighty...but I think that's bulltinky. I think she just messed up. :) Oh well, who cares...it's all good. Hopefully we'll get some more psychiatry transcription somewhere along the line.
Got an e-mail from the wordy witty Communications dude letting us know that he is going "up North" where there is no internet, and he's concerned about it. Like we might all forget how to communicate while he's out communing with nature or something. I KNOW he is going to either: 1) seek out the nearest place with internet "up North" or 2) be in contact via Blackberry. I cannot imagine him not imparting his wit and wisdom to us for a few consecutive days. I'll report back. What I know for sure is, he has already played a big part in my addiction to Bejeweled Blitz. I'm already on deck for my 75K medal, and this new round just started yesterday! :)
Bye now.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
**NOT MUCH TO SAY...**
...yet here I am.
Wow, I cannot believe I slept so long; I didn't get up until 10:30. And it felt SO good, except that I get up with a backache when I stay in bed too long. Fixed that with a hot shower.
The name of the game today is schoolwork. Man, it's tough this time transitioning from break back into school. I was enjoying the break quite a bit; well, with the exception of the death in the family. Other than that, it was NICE! It's a good thing I'm close to being finished with school because it's getting old, and I'll be glad when I'm done.
I really try to enjoy the things I do, rather than just enduring them because it's what I have to do. I can usually find something fun and/or interesting and, if it's not the most challenging thing ever, I try to make it challenging. For the most part, school has been enjoyable and, to me, very fun. I've learned a lot and I'm really looking forward to, after some time has passed, going back for a four-year degree. But, for right now, I'm ready to move on.
My classes this quarter aren't very interesting. Well, you know, I shouldn't really say that because I haven't been in them long enough to make that judgment but...right now, I've got these classes that I put off from earlier. Now it's time to pay the piper and take things like Communications and Word for Windows.
The instructor for Communications is interesting. Wordy. "Witty." And loves to share his words, wit, and wisdom with his huddled masses of students. So far, though, more wordy than anything else. Yet another thing that is good about online classes; you're not a captive audience. Even after just a week, it's interesting to open up the class to see what he's come up with. I am absolutely certain I'm going to have lots to write about as long as he's my instructor. He's such a rebel. HA!
On the exact opposite end of the spectrum, the instructor for Word is SUPER! Already she's made something that could be somewhat boring into something interesting. Plus she's really nice. I am glad that I waited until now to take this class, so I'm not going into it without knowing anything at all about Word. I learned a lot in Keyboarding, so I guess it worked out okay, saving this class for one of the last.
And in other news, there really isn't any. I'm supposed to meet up with Lynda one night this coming week for dinner, and also meet up one day with the ex-co-workers for lunch. That is, if we don't get some blizzard or something. It wouldn't surprise me if we did!
Wow, I cannot believe I slept so long; I didn't get up until 10:30. And it felt SO good, except that I get up with a backache when I stay in bed too long. Fixed that with a hot shower.
The name of the game today is schoolwork. Man, it's tough this time transitioning from break back into school. I was enjoying the break quite a bit; well, with the exception of the death in the family. Other than that, it was NICE! It's a good thing I'm close to being finished with school because it's getting old, and I'll be glad when I'm done.
I really try to enjoy the things I do, rather than just enduring them because it's what I have to do. I can usually find something fun and/or interesting and, if it's not the most challenging thing ever, I try to make it challenging. For the most part, school has been enjoyable and, to me, very fun. I've learned a lot and I'm really looking forward to, after some time has passed, going back for a four-year degree. But, for right now, I'm ready to move on.
My classes this quarter aren't very interesting. Well, you know, I shouldn't really say that because I haven't been in them long enough to make that judgment but...right now, I've got these classes that I put off from earlier. Now it's time to pay the piper and take things like Communications and Word for Windows.
The instructor for Communications is interesting. Wordy. "Witty." And loves to share his words, wit, and wisdom with his huddled masses of students. So far, though, more wordy than anything else. Yet another thing that is good about online classes; you're not a captive audience. Even after just a week, it's interesting to open up the class to see what he's come up with. I am absolutely certain I'm going to have lots to write about as long as he's my instructor. He's such a rebel. HA!
On the exact opposite end of the spectrum, the instructor for Word is SUPER! Already she's made something that could be somewhat boring into something interesting. Plus she's really nice. I am glad that I waited until now to take this class, so I'm not going into it without knowing anything at all about Word. I learned a lot in Keyboarding, so I guess it worked out okay, saving this class for one of the last.
And in other news, there really isn't any. I'm supposed to meet up with Lynda one night this coming week for dinner, and also meet up one day with the ex-co-workers for lunch. That is, if we don't get some blizzard or something. It wouldn't surprise me if we did!
Friday, October 09, 2009
**SO MUCH FOR THAT IDEA...**
I have heard three separate times now that the movie I was thinking of seeing today is crappy. Yeah, I don't think I'm going to risk it; I don't have enough spare time to waste on a less-than-good movie.
After Mental P Mama's comment about having just roasted a pan of fall veggies, I think I'm going to have to do the same. Carrots, a rutabaga, onions, and I'm thinking maybe some parsnips and turnips. Sweet potatoes, too. It's really cold here, and I think that sounds really good.
No joke, I truly do think I am becoming agoraphobic; the thought of leaving my house rather panics me. When I do go out, it's tense and I just can't wait to get back home. Furthermore, I don't even mind. I've tried the outside world and it just doesn't appeal to me all that much. Frank and Nancy are the best company I can think of. I suppose it's not quite right that I'm happy this way, but I don't care if it is or isn't. I like it.
Since 1990, EVERY work morning, I listened to The Morning Show...EVERY work morning. I haven't listened since I stopped working. I realized this morning how very much I miss it, so I'm listening live on my computer. You know what's funny though? It was so very much a work thing that it almost doesn't seem right to be listening at a place other than work.
In 1990, I was working in WorldPerks processing requests for missed credit. We sat in a whole big room full of cubicles and all day long I listened to CDs on my Sony Discman. Everybody else also had headphones or earbuds in their ears. One day I realized everybody in the whole damn room--and it was a BIG room--was laughing. Nobody was saying a word, just a bunch of laughing. I asked my friend Shawn, in the cube across the walkway from me, what was so funny; what was everybody laughing at. She told me it was The Morning Show and if I wasn't listening, I really should. I did, and that was the beginning of that.
Back then, it was really hilarious--completely politically INcorrect but SO funny. Nobody and nothing was off-limits. Then somewhere along the way a few groups decided to get offended, so the show has had to change over the years. It's not anywhere near as funny as it was back then, but still good. They have lots of good comics and some good interviews.
I went out last evening and picked up my prescriptions and got my two "Be Thankful" Yankee candles. It was buy one, get the second for 50% off. The girl made a big issue of coming out to the display I was perusing to tell me that, just in case I missed the giant sign. Not even five minutes later, she rang both of them up at full price. Then didn't know how to fix it. Apparently she's new, although I didn't confirm it. More and more when I go out into the world I feel like a rocket scientist. Oh, is that mean? I don't really even mean it that way; it just seems to me that there is a pervasive worldwide lack. Of common sense, of civility, of trying. I just couldn't force myself to go to the grocery store afterwards. I'd hit my limit.
So...today, tomorrow, or the next day, I will venture out to the grocery store. Because of the roasted fall veggies. Darn that Mama anyway! :)
I think I am the only unbusy person I know of. I have always chuckled silently to myself a little bit over people who are always going on and on about how busy they are, and they just have so much going on, and being so busy how will everything ever get done. Maybe I'm wrong, but I always just assume they like feeling harried. On my very busiest day, I don't recall feeling so darn busy I just don't know how I will be able to manage it all--because, after all, so what if it doesn't get done. There's always tomorrow, or maybe the stuff I have to do is just abnormally unimportant. Maybe their world actually will stop spinning on its axis if all the stuff doesn't get done; not mine though. I think it's just a personality thing, as in Type A. Which I will NEVER be accused of being. Not that there's anything wrong with all of this busy-ness...just an observation.
I like to check books out of the library, but I'm sure bad about returning them. Speak of books, I just can't wait to get Ree's cookbook; there is a whole article on it and her in the St. Paul paper, along with a couple of recipes. SO COOL!
I think this could be considered an "unofficial" Friday Fragments post. Or maybe, for me, Post-Thursday Procrastination. Yeah, that's it.
Yeah, that's all.
After Mental P Mama's comment about having just roasted a pan of fall veggies, I think I'm going to have to do the same. Carrots, a rutabaga, onions, and I'm thinking maybe some parsnips and turnips. Sweet potatoes, too. It's really cold here, and I think that sounds really good.
No joke, I truly do think I am becoming agoraphobic; the thought of leaving my house rather panics me. When I do go out, it's tense and I just can't wait to get back home. Furthermore, I don't even mind. I've tried the outside world and it just doesn't appeal to me all that much. Frank and Nancy are the best company I can think of. I suppose it's not quite right that I'm happy this way, but I don't care if it is or isn't. I like it.
Since 1990, EVERY work morning, I listened to The Morning Show...EVERY work morning. I haven't listened since I stopped working. I realized this morning how very much I miss it, so I'm listening live on my computer. You know what's funny though? It was so very much a work thing that it almost doesn't seem right to be listening at a place other than work.
In 1990, I was working in WorldPerks processing requests for missed credit. We sat in a whole big room full of cubicles and all day long I listened to CDs on my Sony Discman. Everybody else also had headphones or earbuds in their ears. One day I realized everybody in the whole damn room--and it was a BIG room--was laughing. Nobody was saying a word, just a bunch of laughing. I asked my friend Shawn, in the cube across the walkway from me, what was so funny; what was everybody laughing at. She told me it was The Morning Show and if I wasn't listening, I really should. I did, and that was the beginning of that.
Back then, it was really hilarious--completely politically INcorrect but SO funny. Nobody and nothing was off-limits. Then somewhere along the way a few groups decided to get offended, so the show has had to change over the years. It's not anywhere near as funny as it was back then, but still good. They have lots of good comics and some good interviews.
I went out last evening and picked up my prescriptions and got my two "Be Thankful" Yankee candles. It was buy one, get the second for 50% off. The girl made a big issue of coming out to the display I was perusing to tell me that, just in case I missed the giant sign. Not even five minutes later, she rang both of them up at full price. Then didn't know how to fix it. Apparently she's new, although I didn't confirm it. More and more when I go out into the world I feel like a rocket scientist. Oh, is that mean? I don't really even mean it that way; it just seems to me that there is a pervasive worldwide lack. Of common sense, of civility, of trying. I just couldn't force myself to go to the grocery store afterwards. I'd hit my limit.
So...today, tomorrow, or the next day, I will venture out to the grocery store. Because of the roasted fall veggies. Darn that Mama anyway! :)
I think I am the only unbusy person I know of. I have always chuckled silently to myself a little bit over people who are always going on and on about how busy they are, and they just have so much going on, and being so busy how will everything ever get done. Maybe I'm wrong, but I always just assume they like feeling harried. On my very busiest day, I don't recall feeling so darn busy I just don't know how I will be able to manage it all--because, after all, so what if it doesn't get done. There's always tomorrow, or maybe the stuff I have to do is just abnormally unimportant. Maybe their world actually will stop spinning on its axis if all the stuff doesn't get done; not mine though. I think it's just a personality thing, as in Type A. Which I will NEVER be accused of being. Not that there's anything wrong with all of this busy-ness...just an observation.
I like to check books out of the library, but I'm sure bad about returning them. Speak of books, I just can't wait to get Ree's cookbook; there is a whole article on it and her in the St. Paul paper, along with a couple of recipes. SO COOL!
I think this could be considered an "unofficial" Friday Fragments post. Or maybe, for me, Post-Thursday Procrastination. Yeah, that's it.
Yeah, that's all.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
**THAT DARN INTERNAL CLOCK**
Last night, in an effort to break myself of this "up all night/sleep on-and-off all day" habit that I've gotten into, I went to bed early...9:30. I was very tired so I didn't anticipate any problems falling asleep, and I was right. I didn't even do any reading in bed, and was asleep within about 15-20 minutes. Until 2:30. FML. :( Well, maybe not quite that bad, but quite annoying at least. It's just going to take more than one night, I guess.
I really love this time of year, even when it is raining. If I'm going to be honest, maybe even especially when it's raining. I love to be inside, but with all of the blinds open and a window or two cracked so I can hear it, with good-smelling candles lit, drinking hot tea. That is one of my simple pleasures; I am content in that scenario. Then, when the rain stops and we end up with a beautiful fall day such as today, it seems even better.
The show Mad Men just keeps right on getting better and better. Because I don't have AMC, I get the current episode through Amazon's video-on-demand on my computer every Monday morning, after its Sunday night AMC airing. I just love the clothes that Betty Draper wears; well, Joan, too. But Betty especially, because she looks so regal in everything and, yeah, the Betty character definitely reminds me of my ultimate girl-crush, Princess Grace.
It's too bad that, as time goes on, Betty just gets more and more bat-shit crazy. She's just so darn mean to those kids; no wonder Sally is turning into a little sociopath. I think the whole thing is a pretty good glimpse into the way a lot of people's lives were at that time. I remember some of my friend's stay-at-home Moms, sitting there in their chair at the kitchen table with their cigarettes and ashtray, a "cold drink" or a cup of coffee, and being alternately rather shell-shocked and rather ornery. My Mom didn't do the kitchen chair/table sitting because she was like the divorced one on the show--Helen? is that her name?--that the rest of the women don't like and/or trust, with her "crappy little job at the jewelry store" and that they don't trust around their husbands. I think somewhere in their subconscious, they know that it's really their husbands that they shouldn't trust around that woman, but they sure can't admit it.
Ya just can't beat the clothes in that show, though. And what I really get a kick out of is the fact that the Sterling Cooper office looks surprisingly the way that my office looked when I started at the airline in 1978. I recognize a lot of that furniture, and there was a bar in our Senior VP's office (lots of people with drinking problems, too). The paneling was definitely the same. Ahhh, the good ole days. :) Okay...thus ends my social commentary on Mad Men.
I have not seen any movies lately, but I'm looking forward to Couples Retreat on Friday if I can somehow be a good do-bee on the schoolwork time management. Remains to be seen. I'm pretty motivated, though, because I think the movie would provide some much-needed comic relief.
And I need some real food, too. Man, I hate grocery shopping. Just to get it over and done with, I end up with stuff like mini-bagels, apples, drumsticks, ramen noodles and steam-fresh brussels sprouts. And Triscuits if I'm in the mood. I am feeling the need for something a little more. I used to love to grocery shop; now it's just another ass ache. Gotta do it, though.
Bye.
I really love this time of year, even when it is raining. If I'm going to be honest, maybe even especially when it's raining. I love to be inside, but with all of the blinds open and a window or two cracked so I can hear it, with good-smelling candles lit, drinking hot tea. That is one of my simple pleasures; I am content in that scenario. Then, when the rain stops and we end up with a beautiful fall day such as today, it seems even better.
The show Mad Men just keeps right on getting better and better. Because I don't have AMC, I get the current episode through Amazon's video-on-demand on my computer every Monday morning, after its Sunday night AMC airing. I just love the clothes that Betty Draper wears; well, Joan, too. But Betty especially, because she looks so regal in everything and, yeah, the Betty character definitely reminds me of my ultimate girl-crush, Princess Grace.
It's too bad that, as time goes on, Betty just gets more and more bat-shit crazy. She's just so darn mean to those kids; no wonder Sally is turning into a little sociopath. I think the whole thing is a pretty good glimpse into the way a lot of people's lives were at that time. I remember some of my friend's stay-at-home Moms, sitting there in their chair at the kitchen table with their cigarettes and ashtray, a "cold drink" or a cup of coffee, and being alternately rather shell-shocked and rather ornery. My Mom didn't do the kitchen chair/table sitting because she was like the divorced one on the show--Helen? is that her name?--that the rest of the women don't like and/or trust, with her "crappy little job at the jewelry store" and that they don't trust around their husbands. I think somewhere in their subconscious, they know that it's really their husbands that they shouldn't trust around that woman, but they sure can't admit it.
Ya just can't beat the clothes in that show, though. And what I really get a kick out of is the fact that the Sterling Cooper office looks surprisingly the way that my office looked when I started at the airline in 1978. I recognize a lot of that furniture, and there was a bar in our Senior VP's office (lots of people with drinking problems, too). The paneling was definitely the same. Ahhh, the good ole days. :) Okay...thus ends my social commentary on Mad Men.
I have not seen any movies lately, but I'm looking forward to Couples Retreat on Friday if I can somehow be a good do-bee on the schoolwork time management. Remains to be seen. I'm pretty motivated, though, because I think the movie would provide some much-needed comic relief.
And I need some real food, too. Man, I hate grocery shopping. Just to get it over and done with, I end up with stuff like mini-bagels, apples, drumsticks, ramen noodles and steam-fresh brussels sprouts. And Triscuits if I'm in the mood. I am feeling the need for something a little more. I used to love to grocery shop; now it's just another ass ache. Gotta do it, though.
Bye.
Monday, October 05, 2009
**YOWZERS!!!**
I don't know what I'm more fired up about...my fall quarter workload or this Vikings/Packers game!
I've gotta say, I'm lovin' me some Brett. I kind of wanted to dislike him, what with all of the back and forth, retiring and unretiring, and such...but, well, I can't. It seems to me like his presence has brought a sort of cohesiveness to the team that wasn't there before. I don't care if the guy is 75, he's still better--in my very limited knowledge of football--than Tavaris Jackson. Of course, anybody who has ever been even a slight Vikings fan knows not to get too excited quite yet. They have a way of starting strong and then fizzling out. I am cautiously optimistic...but, either way, it seems to me that Mr. Brett is doing his job, and doing it well.
I cannot believe I'm talking about football. My parents were HUGE football fans; of course, that was back in the Purple People Eater days when it was easy to be a Vikings fan. Drove me nuts. Bill and I were never home on Sundays to watch football, although we would sometimes watch The Super Bowl, if it worked out that we were home. It was when Todd lived here that I got into having football games on; if it was a fall Sunday afternoon, there was football on the TV. When he moved out, I continued. I don't sit with my eyes glued to the screen...obviously...but I do like to have it on, and I like to be able to converse about it. The next time I talk to Todd, we'll discuss it. :)
To conclude this edition of Monday Night Sports Wrap, this is going to be a very, very interesting game; as it stands, it's a crap shoot who will emerge victorious. YAY #4.
I'm going to be quite busy. Five classes, tons of work in each. I'm certainly glad I'm feeling somewhat better! This is gonna be a great quarter, maybe even better than last one--which was pretty darn good. I'm really glad for both of my computer classes; I need them. Yet, I am glad I waited until now to take them because before they would have been over my head. Not now, though; I'm ready. I am just going to have to be vigilant about keeping everything straight and staying on top of it all. Four classes is a lot. Five classes make me a little googly-eyed. But I can do it (I am woman, hear me roar).
I've gotta go watch this game...this is really good!
I've gotta say, I'm lovin' me some Brett. I kind of wanted to dislike him, what with all of the back and forth, retiring and unretiring, and such...but, well, I can't. It seems to me like his presence has brought a sort of cohesiveness to the team that wasn't there before. I don't care if the guy is 75, he's still better--in my very limited knowledge of football--than Tavaris Jackson. Of course, anybody who has ever been even a slight Vikings fan knows not to get too excited quite yet. They have a way of starting strong and then fizzling out. I am cautiously optimistic...but, either way, it seems to me that Mr. Brett is doing his job, and doing it well.
I cannot believe I'm talking about football. My parents were HUGE football fans; of course, that was back in the Purple People Eater days when it was easy to be a Vikings fan. Drove me nuts. Bill and I were never home on Sundays to watch football, although we would sometimes watch The Super Bowl, if it worked out that we were home. It was when Todd lived here that I got into having football games on; if it was a fall Sunday afternoon, there was football on the TV. When he moved out, I continued. I don't sit with my eyes glued to the screen...obviously...but I do like to have it on, and I like to be able to converse about it. The next time I talk to Todd, we'll discuss it. :)
To conclude this edition of Monday Night Sports Wrap, this is going to be a very, very interesting game; as it stands, it's a crap shoot who will emerge victorious. YAY #4.
I'm going to be quite busy. Five classes, tons of work in each. I'm certainly glad I'm feeling somewhat better! This is gonna be a great quarter, maybe even better than last one--which was pretty darn good. I'm really glad for both of my computer classes; I need them. Yet, I am glad I waited until now to take them because before they would have been over my head. Not now, though; I'm ready. I am just going to have to be vigilant about keeping everything straight and staying on top of it all. Four classes is a lot. Five classes make me a little googly-eyed. But I can do it (I am woman, hear me roar).
I've gotta go watch this game...this is really good!
Thursday, October 01, 2009
**LITERALLY...**
...sick and tired.
Ugh. Sore throat. Funky ears. Funky nose; first snotty, then stuffy. Funky gut. Postnasal drip. And thirsty. I really want 7-Up., but not bad enough to go out for it. I've been sleeping non-stop today, except for now...and I think I'll be able to go to sleep again pretty soon. Wah, wah, wah...somebody call the wah-mbulance.
I got home from Tennessee about 7:15 Sunday morning. My youngest cousin, her husband and two kids were leaving Saturday night, so I decided to grab a ride with them. We left there right about 7:30 or so Saturday night, even though the party was just getting started...
For all of his parties, my uncle always hired the same piano player; she played during the service and then back at the house for the party. There was not a dry eye in the place--her included-- when she closed the service with "Unforgettable" and tailored the words for my uncle. Whew. I think that was the hardest I have cried for...oh...probably 8 1/2 years or so.
I'm not going to lie, I'm having a very rough time with this, and I don't feel like talking about it much. What is surprising to me is that I don't want to write about it at all; I just don't think I could explain stuff with the written word...but the spoken word wouldn't work either. The thing is...oh, I don't know.
The one thing I do know is this...my uncle, his wife, their son and daughter-in-law, and all of their friends? Wow, what a helluva fun life they live(d). There was a picture CD that was showing on the flat screen TVs at the funeral home, and I just sat there and watched it and watched it...parties with formal clothes and everyone singing around the piano, vacations, cruises, riding camels, tons and tons of friends. Gosh, I was really rather envious. How great it would be to have so many friends with which to have so much fun.
The casket was closed and there were pictures on top of it, but there was an hour before with the casket open just for us...the family. I wasn't going to go in because Janice had already warned me that he didn't look anything like himself...due in large part, I guess, to the position he was in for the surgery which he never even had because they pretty much killed him first. So I wasn't going to go in. But then, I was sitting there watching the "slide show" (I don't know what you call it when it's a picture CD?), and right when it was my turn to go in, a picture popped up of both uncles, my Mom and Grandma...that was taken when we were all together for Grandma's 80th birthday. It sort of took my breath away, knowing there was only one of the four left. So, I don't know why, but I went in and looked.
I just don't think I can take too much more of this. But I won't have to take too much more because I only have the one uncle left. Kind of weird. Just like this post. I just can't find a comfort zone with this subject. Maybe it's just because I've got cotton-head, but I just feel sort of disconnected...but yet I sort of wish my life was more like his, at the same time. Ugh.
I need to go to bed.
Ugh. Sore throat. Funky ears. Funky nose; first snotty, then stuffy. Funky gut. Postnasal drip. And thirsty. I really want 7-Up., but not bad enough to go out for it. I've been sleeping non-stop today, except for now...and I think I'll be able to go to sleep again pretty soon. Wah, wah, wah...somebody call the wah-mbulance.
I got home from Tennessee about 7:15 Sunday morning. My youngest cousin, her husband and two kids were leaving Saturday night, so I decided to grab a ride with them. We left there right about 7:30 or so Saturday night, even though the party was just getting started...
For all of his parties, my uncle always hired the same piano player; she played during the service and then back at the house for the party. There was not a dry eye in the place--her included-- when she closed the service with "Unforgettable" and tailored the words for my uncle. Whew. I think that was the hardest I have cried for...oh...probably 8 1/2 years or so.
I'm not going to lie, I'm having a very rough time with this, and I don't feel like talking about it much. What is surprising to me is that I don't want to write about it at all; I just don't think I could explain stuff with the written word...but the spoken word wouldn't work either. The thing is...oh, I don't know.
The one thing I do know is this...my uncle, his wife, their son and daughter-in-law, and all of their friends? Wow, what a helluva fun life they live(d). There was a picture CD that was showing on the flat screen TVs at the funeral home, and I just sat there and watched it and watched it...parties with formal clothes and everyone singing around the piano, vacations, cruises, riding camels, tons and tons of friends. Gosh, I was really rather envious. How great it would be to have so many friends with which to have so much fun.
The casket was closed and there were pictures on top of it, but there was an hour before with the casket open just for us...the family. I wasn't going to go in because Janice had already warned me that he didn't look anything like himself...due in large part, I guess, to the position he was in for the surgery which he never even had because they pretty much killed him first. So I wasn't going to go in. But then, I was sitting there watching the "slide show" (I don't know what you call it when it's a picture CD?), and right when it was my turn to go in, a picture popped up of both uncles, my Mom and Grandma...that was taken when we were all together for Grandma's 80th birthday. It sort of took my breath away, knowing there was only one of the four left. So, I don't know why, but I went in and looked.
I just don't think I can take too much more of this. But I won't have to take too much more because I only have the one uncle left. Kind of weird. Just like this post. I just can't find a comfort zone with this subject. Maybe it's just because I've got cotton-head, but I just feel sort of disconnected...but yet I sort of wish my life was more like his, at the same time. Ugh.
I need to go to bed.
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