Friday, December 28, 2007
Blue Christmas
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Update
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Bah. And Furthermore, Humbug
I found out last weekend that my friend of over 20 years has lung cancer and is preparing to die. She's 93 and says she's not going to pursue treatment, has had enough and is "ready to go." Whatever that means. She might be ready, but I am not. I'm intrigued by people's reactions when I tell them this news. Once they hear she's 93, it's no longer sad news. More along the lines of, "Oh well, long life, she's old, whatever." What people don't know is that her sister (the nun) lived to be 101. Many people in her family passed the 100 mark. When I moved back here, spending time with her was one of the big, big perks motivating me. Now I'm thinking about which black thing I'll wear to the funeral. Which isn't far in the future.
My spouse is about to leave for a trip across The Mountains to visit relatives. The weather reports call for one to two FEET of snow on the pass. I'm really, really not happy about this. I worry. It's my hobby.
While I have for the past nine years gotten the week between Christmas and New Years Day off free and clear, no vacation time eaten up, THIS year I get how much time off? Oh yes, the 25th. AND, we're closing the office at 3PM on the 24th. I'm a little underwhelmed and damn, these crankypants are pinching me.
Because of family obligations, I might not get to spend any part of Christmas with my best friends in the whole world, the people who sent me telepathic messages to Come Home for the past nine years. This makes me incredibly sad.
So there you have it. I'd love to make some stuff up about the beauty of the season and the glow of the lights, but honestly I'll just be glad when it's all over and I'm back at my desk on the 26th. Nevertheless, I wish YOU a happy holiday, whatever form that might take, and offer this annual ritual offering as my gift to you. The music of my people! Enjoy!
Friday, December 07, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Why I didn't get those reports done yesterday
I intended to work for as many hours as I could yesterday afternoon. After I'd been in the office about an hour, the snow started falling -- blowing, really -- HARD. I got home as fast as I could and it's a good thing I did. The hill up to our place was too slippery to drive a couple of hours later. When I got home the wonderful spouse had a fire going. We found a sappy John Travolta movie on TV and watched it and the snow falling from the comfy, comfy couch. Mmm. So much better than overtime.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Grateful
Before I took to the couch, however, there was a fabulous dinner at the niece-in-law's amazing house. I did a good share of the cooking, which I liked because it kept me from having to make any more small talk than I already had, and because niece's kitchen has the most ass-kicking view I've ever seen while slaving over a hot stove. Like this, only with a lot more water:
Friday morning, I got up early to go to the holiday parade downtown with my best friend and her partner. It was incredibly fun. Marching bands! Floats made entirely of balloons! It was a gorgeous day, sunny and cold. While I was waiting in line for a chai tea at the Big Corporate Coffee Cafe (the original!), my best friend sneaked up behind me, threw her arms around me and squeezed hard. She said, "I'm so glad you came home!" and gave me a big, sloppy kiss on the cheek.
Me, too. So incredibly glad I came home.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Two Months? Surely You Jest
Days here: 75
Workdays shorter than 10 hours: 0 (exclusive of weekends)
Saturdays worked: 4-5
Dinners with friends: 3, maybe 4
Beers with best colleague/friend: 6 (3 different occasions!)
Dinners at the best veg restaurant ever: 2
Hours with inlaws: More than 20 (not consecutive)
Weeks of unpacking it took to unpack it all: Unknown (Check back in a month.)
Spats: 2, both minor and short
Rainy days: Fewer than we expected -- possibly 8-10
Hours spent consulting manual for fancy-schmancy heating system: At least 1
Days in new house before bedroom curtains installed: 78 (I hope)
Weeks with functioning cable hook-up: 0
Calls to cable company: Lost count weeks ago
New interns trained so far: 2
Interns yet to train: 1
Threats to quit by woman who applied for my job: At least 10
Times I missed the old place/old job: 0
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Ch-ch-ch-changes
It's good to be home.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Age: The (Bigot's) Final Frontier
"I cannot wait, I cannot wait," says my husband, "until the last Baby Boomer is dead."
Somebody commented:
Wow. Steve sounds like a real asshole. As a boomer at the tail end of the demographic, I vow to live to 110 just to annoy him.
To which the blogger replied:
Oh, go take a Geritol...
So let me see if I've got this right. Substitute "Boomer" with "African American" or "woman" or "lesbian" or "person under 20" and it's all effed up. But people of my age cohort are cool to wish dead? Okay. Got it.
Good thing the younger generation will never be of this age so they'll be free from experiencing this kind of bigotry. Oh, wait...
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Transitioning
My friend and favorite checker was there -- hooray! We had a nice talk and said our good-byes, promising to stay in touch. Then a friend I haven't seen in ages showed up and we had a chance to talk and say good-bye, too. It was all very sweet.
My second stop on Fridays has always been the Safeway store near my house. It's in a complex with a post office, my bank and the drycleaner I've been going to nearly all these years. I stopped by the drycleaner to say good-bye and thanks to the woman who owns the shop. She's sweet. She has two adorable kids I've watched grow up as they spend afternoons and summer vacations in the shop. They have a new puppy. I saw pictures of the puppy months before it came to live with their family and I know all about its obedience training and temperament. And its "very sharp teeth."
I've worked in service and retail jobs in the past and I never liked it when regular customers with whom I'd developed relationships would just disappear. It tended to make me worry. I think that's why I wanted to say good-bye to people I've been doing business with for all these years. I also wanted to thank them.
Next stop, Safeway. I wanted to say good-bye to Sue, who used to be in charge of the flower department at the front of the store, but who is now an assistant manager. I'd never been in the store's office before, so I had to do some searching. In the process, I saw the employees' break room (bleak!) and the back of the dairy section (clean!). Finally I found the office and Sue was there. I said, "Clean up in the women's restroom!" I couldn't help myself. We laughed. I told her I'm moving away, she said the news made her very sad. She asked for details, like what work I'd be doing, how my husband feels about the move, when we're leaving. She said she'll miss me. I told her I'll miss her, too, and told her I always liked coming into her store, because of her. She said she was going to start crying, and then she did. And then I did. Just a little. We hugged and I got out of there fast, because if I didn't I knew I'd be blubbering all over her office.
Then I stopped at the fish counter and bought supper. The fish guy wished me good luck and told me he'd miss me. "You've been such an excellent customer."
The afternoon sent me back in time to that period in my relationship with this town when I was so often lonely and alienated. I wasn't making friends and in fact my usual ways of making friends were proving completely ineffective. To make matters worse, I worked alone practically all of the time. I remember crying while I said to my husband, "I just want somebody to go to lunch with once in a while. Is that really too much to ask??" There was something about this city -- so big, so hostile -- that hurt my feelings in a deep way. I was often deeply homesick.
Having people like Sue be friendly to me and talk to me about themselves, ask me some questions about myself -- it mattered a lot. It kept me from complete desolation more than once. I can never tell them what it meant to me and what it still means that they broke the social rule of this place to reach out to me. But I appreciate it and never will I take such kindness for granted again.
I'm also taking away an important reminder about the seeds of kindness. We really can never, ever know the effect of our actions. We might think speaking kindly to a stranger is a small thing and we might forget about it moments after it happens. But to that person? It might be the one bright spot in an otherwise miserable week. It really could, in a city like this one, be the only kindness that person experiences that day. Or week.
As I was picking out my corn for supper, a woman came by to sweep up. As she swept, I said, "This corn sure makes a mess, doesn't it?" She looked me right in the eye and said nothing. Earlier that day at the co-op, I had a similar experience. A brief comment meant to connect, to bring a smile, was met with a cold stare and a slight step away. Yesterday, those interactions made me chuckle. Earlier, they could bring me to tears. Krupskaya talks about city manners. I wish someone had given me a course in city manners about nine years ago.
I'm just not going to miss this place.
Friday, July 20, 2007
I'm It!
The rules:
1. Let others know who tagged you.
2. Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
3. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
4. Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.
My eight random facts:
1. I played clarinet from 4th grade through high school. I was in the concert band and marching band and in the latter wore a ridiculously tall fuzzy hat with a chin strap.
2. I've been to Dillingham, AK but I never worked in the fishing industry.
3. Falafel gives me heartburn every time I eat it but I will never stop eating it.
4. I was taller than my mother by the time I was in 5th grade.
5. I took seven years to complete my BA.
6. I have a water garden, which is like a pond in a container.
7. I've met Sean Penn, Phil Donohue and Bill Harris (of Bill and Emily Harris).
8. I attempted to sneak out my bedroom window once to protest Nixon's arrival at the airport in my town. It was in the '70s and I was probably 13 or 14. My dad busted me before I got halfway out.
There you go. More than you wanted or needed to know!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Moving at the Speed of Molasses
I'm trying to remember to take action. Even if the action's small. Maybe I could build momentum. You never know.
Yesterday I scored big-time. A couple about 10 minutes away advertised their barely-used moving boxes on Craigslist. I was the first to arrive and drove away with the car full of boxes. Yay!
I'm so distracted it's getting ridiculous. I'm forgetting things. Simple things. Things I can't believe I'm forgetting. I forgot my clothes in the laundry room, twice. Then later in the bathroom, I'm ready to change tampons, I pull out the first one and looky there! Another string! Evidently I'd forgotten to take one out before putting another one in. I guess I should be glad there were only two.
I would say "Maybe you need to slow down," only I'm barely moving as it is. Maybe I should pay closer attention? You think?
Friday, June 22, 2007
Next Chapter
I've started breaking the news to people. Some are sad, some are handling it "better" than others, but really, for those who are sad, there's little I can do.
Should I apologize to them for following my heart?
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Adrenaline Withdrawal
They asked me about my availability for training.
They're hoping to make a hiring decision by Wednesday.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Breaking Up: Hard to Do
Unfortunately, I'm terrible at keeping secrets. It's possible I'll break down and tell somebody or let something slip at any moment. Stay tuned!
I've calmed down considerably tonight. I'm not exactly sure why. Could be the nice calming herbal tea, the foot rub, yoga class, or maybe I've just worn my brain out. It's exhausting, all the planning and worrying. Exhausting!
I feel I should be studying up on the particulars of this job but doing that makes me anxious. So either I'll suck it up and study, or wing it and hope for the best.
This is so exciting.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Jitters
This weekend I need to shop for an interview suit. Last time I did that was... Let's see... 1995. What is it the young people are wearing to job interviews nowadays?
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Or, Not
This, I will not miss.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Slow to Adapt
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Nothing to See Here
I was asked to take on a new responsibility at my meditation center. I tried to beg off, saying I'm not sure how much longer I'll even live here. The asker gave me a month to let him know. Not helpful! It's something I think I'd enjoy doing, and it needs doing, but sheesh. Already so many things to consider in making this decision.
I'm just not a very good decider. It's a family trait. I once knew my family to take over two hours to decide where to eat dinner and then they still didn't pick a restaurant -- more like a part of town and "we'll decide once we get there." How did we not starve to death?
I'm thinking of setting up a few sessions with a career counselor. I'm just that stumped. Now how do I decide which one to see??
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Bummer
Now that this job isn't hanging out there, I need to strategize and come up with The Plan. I want so much in my midlife career, and yet I'm not sure what I want. I've actually never been this ambivalent about my job future. Rudderlessness does not suit me. No sir, not one bit.
Helpful hint: Warm Kettle Korn appears to be a curative. Might want to stock up if you're job-hunting. Or enjoying midlife. Get the big bag if you're doing both.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Know Thyself
Your Brain Usage Profile:
Auditory : 40%
Visual : 60%
Left : 64%
Right : 35%
gosling, you are somewhat left-hemisphere dominant and show a preference for visual learning, although not extreme in either characteristic. You probably tend to do most things in moderation, but not always.
Your left-hemisphere dominance implies that your learning style is organized and structured, detail oriented and logical. Your visual preference, though, has you seeking stimulation and multiple data. Such an outlook can overwhelm structure and logic and create an almost continuous state of uncertainty and agitation [What have I been trying to tell you?!]. You may well suffer a feeling of continually trying to "catch up" with yourself [and thus be exhausted all the damned time -- too exhausted to blog, really].
Your tendency to be organized and logical and attend to details is reasonably well-established which should afford you success regardless of your chosen field of endeavor. You can "size up" situations and take in information rapidly. However, you must then subject that data to being classified and organized which causes you to "lose touch" with the immediacy of the problem.
Your logical and methodical nature hamper you in this regard though in the long run it may work to your advantage since you "learn from experience" [absolute proof this test is bogus] and can go through the process more rapidly on subsequent occasions.
You remain predominantly functional in your orientation and practical. Abstraction and theory are secondary to application. In keeping with this, you focus on details until they manifest themselves in a unique pattern and only then work with the "larger whole." [In other words, you are the world's biggest nitpicker and blind to the "big picture" -- surprise!]
With regards to your career choices, you have a mentality that would be good as a scientist, coach, athlete, design consultant, or an engineering technician [none of which you are trained for and let's face it, you're not getting any younger, Coach]. You can "see where you want to go" and even be able to "tell yourself," but find that you are "fighting yourself" at the darndest times [like, most of the darned time].
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
I Know You Miss Me
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Synchronicity, Man
When I'm faced with big life decisions like this, I like to gather as much data as possible before taking any action. So I called an old friend of mine up yonder. She and I used to work together in the place that has the job opening. We haven't spoken in a long, long time. Definitely over two years. As soon as she heard my voice on the phone she said, "Oh! I just had a dream about you last night!"
These little clues from the universe? A little spooky. Also a little annoying, though I can't say exactly why.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Vegan Sunday Dinner, Easter Edition
Sundays require comfort food. Simple as that. This week I tried the recipe for vegan "meatloaf" from the latest Vegetarian Times. I've been searching for the perfect loaf recipe for ages and this one comes pretty darned close to perfection. Other loaf recipes can be found at the Magic Loaf Studio, of course. Lots of delicious Sunday dinners have come from Jennifer's site. Tonight's was little salty, maybe. Possibly from the soy crumbles, which are pretty high in salt. But still very delicious. The leftovers will make great sandwiches. With the loaf we each had a generous serving of garlic mashed potatoes and Golden Gravy (I always add some sliced mushrooms to the recipe), and steamed broccoli. For dessert there were vegan brownies, the recipe for which can be found here. They've become a big favorite around here. Unfortunately no picture, because those brownies had to be eaten while they were still warm and taking a picture? Would have delayed the eating.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Ineffective
Monday, March 26, 2007
Free Parking
But last year, the DMV -- after its annual check of state death records -- canceled 25,352 permits after determining that the people to whom they were issued had died. Caregivers or relatives of the deceased are supposed to surrender placards.
"Annual check"?? Supposedly cities in California are stepping up enforcement. Sadly (but predictably) it was the hit to parking meter revenue that got the bureaucrats off their fannies, not concern for people with disabilities.
I think I'd like my next career to be Placard Enforcer. I wonder if they give you a badge. What do you think of a TV show based on this fantasy career? Maybe "CSI: Parking Enforcement" or "Law and Order: Cheater Unit."
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Vegan Sunday Dinner, March 25
It was misty and cool today. The kind of day that's perfect for staying inside, drinking tea and reading. A day that called for comfort food. I made a veggie pot pie with whole wheat crust. I wish I could give you a recipe, but it was a little-of-this, little-of-that deal. Lots of crimini mushrooms, carrots, potato, onion, garlic, celery, broccoli, gravy (with mushroom broth, tamari, miso, nutritional yeast, a little corn starch, stuff...). It was good. On the side, some roasted fennel. The co-op had some gorgeous fennel AND beautiful spring red onions this week -- who could resist? I roasted them together with a little balsamic, olive oil, brown sugar and salt. Yummy.
For dessert there was an improvised apple-raisin upside-down cake. I used a basic vegan cake recipe on top of thinly sliced apples, raisins, a little vegan margarine, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, with about a tablespoon of maple syrup. It was good but needs a little tinkering to achieve dessert perfection. A mug of ginger tea topped it off nicely on this chilly evening.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Excuse Me?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Compassion of the Easy Kind
Halfway to my office, it dawned on me I could have asked him his size, walked a few blocks to Goodwill and bought him a new pair of shoes. This is what I would have done for any other friend in such dire need. What, I wondered, stopped me from thinking of this while I was talking to Mr. Shirthead Man? I imagined him walking to Goodwill in his socks.
Do I just go around dispensing compassion in amounts I think are appropriate, like some kind of goody-goody demi-god? Waiting for the gratitude? Am I afraid that giving too much away will leave me without enough for somebody else later? Am I fearful of being taken advantage of? Or do I really do what needs doing? I wish I had acted better. I hope I have another chance.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
New Template! Oops!
If I forgot to link you and you want to be linked, or if I never linked you before and you've been wondering why, let me know and I'll put you over there on that list.
No Sunday Dinner feature this week. We're going out (after a trip to Costco! WOOHOO!). Dinner will therefore look something like this:
Followed by something with vegetables.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Joy of Joys! Liz Returns!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Bush Administration Cares About Aging (Laughter)
I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak to you at today’s Summit on Global Aging. The event has served to sharpen two key points in all of our minds. First, despite our best efforts to ignore it, none of us are getting any younger and I want to thank everybody for reminding me of that. (Laughter.)
In other words, "HA! HA HA! I'm at a big important conference on aging! Telling funny funny jokes about getting older! While representing an administration that is working day and night to decimate medical and economic safety nets for aging Americans and those with disabilities! I slay me!"
Yeah. Haha.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
My Netflix Queue Doesn't Look So Bad After All
Okay, I might have seen a couple of the worst 100. Maybe even three. Thing is, they were awful. I can't really be expected to remember them all.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sunday Dinner Again
Anyhow, I had these ingredients on hand and the bean sprouts weren't getting any younger, so I figured I'd just switch days. Big mistake. I made "Brooklyn Pad Thai" from the recipe of a friend's secret girlfriend. Very complicated and time-consuming for a weeknight dinner. Also? Too may pots and pans and dishes. Which makes The Dishmeister a teeny bit cranky. The meal was okay, not great. Too much vinegar and red pepper for my taste. Maybe in Brooklyn they make their Pad Thai differently? What do New Yorkers know from Thai food, anyway? It's probably not something I'll make again -- at least not without some tinkering.
Looks pretty though, doesn't it?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
What I Did Last Week
Here's my leg all bandaged up:
Here's my leg two days later after the bandages came off (shortly before I waited an hour and a half at the surgeon's office for my follow-up appointment!):
Moral: Stop crossing your legs, get plenty of exercise, keep a healthy weight and if you have a family history of varicose veins, watch those legs and find a good vascular surgeon. Just in case none of that other stuff works.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Sunday Dinner
I don't claim the label "vegan" because honestly, I haven't earned it. I eat fish once a week, I eat (and love, guiltily) honey, I wear leather. I don't have the patience to research every wine label to see if they are or are not animal-friendly. I am too busy drinking the wine! If a splash of milk makes it into my morning tea, I don't toss it out. I do avoid dairy, however. I stopped eating meat (except for the aforementioned fish) over two years ago and (mostly) quit dairy last summer. I'm down about 20 pounds, my energy and health are amazing, and bonus! The spouse's cholesterol levels are down to a level that finally stopped his family doc from threatening him with meds at his annual check-ups! Woot! Hey. I think he just went into the kitchen for a second piece of that cake...
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Know Your Elders
One true-false question in particular jumped out at me: "Most old workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers." This reminds me I haven't provided any updates on the spouse's age and disability discrimination case against his very very bad former employers. It's still pending, though a settlement might be close. He's being offered something far less than what is fair, but he's tired and we're both ready to move on. The latest offer structures the pay-out as wages -- meaning all employee withholding, FICA and etc. will be deducted. This is just another example of the ways these guys screw with him. This employer, by the way, is a nonprofit. In the health care field. We have a question in to his attorney regarding my responsibilities vis a vis the "non-disclosure agreement" the spouse is being asked to sign. If I am not bound by it, watch this space for sordid details! (Maybe I'm kidding. Am I kidding? Not really sure.)
If you think age discrimination on the job can't happen to you, think again. After this happened to the spouse, we heard multiple stories of shocking and blatant discrimination of older workers. As we boomers move into the 60+ category, look for this kind of discrimination to be commonplace. Simply put, younger workers are cheaper. It's all about the bottom line, after all.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Very Important Case
From the story:
Sally Herriot likes where she lives and doesn't want to move.
At 88, Herriot uses a walker, needs help getting dressed and is having problems with her eyes. Still, she knows what she wants. She regularly attends the San Francisco Opera, reads the Economist and says that with the help of her own round-the-clock aides, she has everything she needs in her one-bedroom Palo Alto apartment.
But Channing House, the retirement home where Herriot lives, disagrees, and officials there have told Herriot she must move from her spacious apartment into a much smaller, assisted-living unit at the home where they believe she will be better served by a trained nursing staff.
Herriot is fighting back.*snip*
Herriot says she's not planning to go anywhere soon.
"I wish we could sweep it under the rug, but we can't. They would love us to say, 'I give up,' " she said. "It'll be harder than that." Turning to her son, she asks him: "Can you envision me saying, 'I give up?' "
Couple-o' Three Things
2. Mark Morford can tell you exactly what's been going on at our house. Minus the porn. Good grief. I am in the process of driving every single person I know crazy with my indecision and materialistic ambivalence. Help. Me.
3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROG!!! May it be a year of love, peace and every kind of fulfillment.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Updates
My best friend's suspicious "masses" of the breast and armpit turned out to be calcification or something -- at any rate, nothing to worry about. She has to go back in a year for another mammogram and that's it.
Her mom is doing incredibly well, despite dementia and the resulting confusion. She thinks she's in elementary school, evidently. Crazy thing is, she's a lot happier (friend: "She LOVED school!") and is even participating in group activities at the nursing home, which she never did in the assisted living facility where she used to live. Happiness is good, even if it's based on faulty thinking. Isn't it?
Friend's cat with kidney failure has rallied and is now eating, playing with the other cat in the house and walking around with his tail in the air. We've recently heard of cats living a year or more after this diagnosis. Hope has been restored (at least temporarily).
Over the weekend I attended a class. On Sunday we were asked to participate in an exercise about impermance and our tendency to avoid the difficult feelings associated with impermanence: Each of us was invited to sit in a chair facing the group of 30 or so and state our name and our parents' names and then announce out loud that we will die. As in, "I am Sarah, my father was Bill and my mother is Martha. I will die." It was a profound and moving experience and one I'll be thinking about for a long, long time.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Man Code, Cracked
It seems that what is at work here is another case in which women are from Venus and men are from the mysterious, dark side of the moon.
"There is a code that men live by," says family therapist Tracey Gersten, a woman. "Women may not know about it, or they may pooh-pooh it, but it is very real. I think if you put a group of men in a room, they'd have no trouble putting a man code together."
"The betrayal is the big thing," said Colin Hussey, 44, who was among those who wrote me. "Good God, this is your loyal ally. It is that sense of honor. It's like the samurai or even the mafia."
Baffled, without a Tracey Gersten (woman!) around to ask for help, I asked Mr. Spouse what all this means. He swaggered a little and did his best to imitate a Regular Guy™.
"It's like this: We men have to be able to trust that our property isn't going to be defiled when we loan it out for other purposes."
It's so helpful, having a translator around the house.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Impermanence Abounds
- My uncle (Mom's brother) died of pneumonia and its complications about a month ago.
- My best friend had a "possible heart attack" in December and now has suspicious things on her breast and in her armpit that required an MRI on Monday (results due today).
- Same friend's mother recently took a bad fall that caused head injuries. She's in a nursing home and no longer recognizes her kids. She can't get out of bed or feed herself without assistance any more. She's in her 80s.
- My mother-in-law (89) is up in Washington seeing a specialist for diabetes-related vein and foot problems that will likely result in amputation of her foot and possibly part of her leg.
- The guy who manages my building at work -- a sweet guy and good friend -- just went through some very invasive tests for possible prostate cancer. Results soon.
- My friend's 13 year-old cat was just diagnosed with kidney cancer and isn't expected to live more than a month.
- An online friend's dad died suddenly and unexpectedly. I'm not sure of his age, but my pal is only in her mid-30s.
- I just this morning found out that one of our nearest neighbors died of liver cancer in November. He was only 56.
- All the stuff involving jobs, bodies and cars we've been going through since August.
Edited to add: And now Molly Ivins is dead. How I'll miss her amazing work and incredible humor. Like I said earlier today, the reminders suck.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sex Through the Ages
I guess if you're lucky enough to be in a long-term relationship at that age, sex makes sense and is acceptable. But starting a new relationship with a man? That carries the implication the man must have something wrong with him, what with being attracted to women of a certain age. Not just something wrong -- something profoundly wrong that makes him completely unacceptable as a mate.
Good grief. This is where it the fetishizing of youth leads? I didn't realize.
My 100th Post
You know how, when you buy a new car, you worry about that first scratch? Well, we didn't have to worry long. I took us out of our misery. The first day. Pulling out of the garage. Whew -- that's a relief.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Mark Your Calendar!
Read all about it here. From the article:
Jon Voight, Dean Cain and Terence Stamp are set to upset Mormons across America by revisiting the religion's darkest day in a controversial new film. "September Dawn" recalls the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857 when a group of Mormons, disguised as Paiute Indians, slaughtered all but 17 small children on a wagon train on its way to California.
The official website! The trailer! (And how much do I love Movie Guy's voiceover? So much.)
Another site describes the film as "A love story set against the 19th century massacre of a wagon train of settlers in Utah at the hands of a renegade Mormon group." Love story. Set against a massacre. Something for everybody!
Here's a fun fact: Dean Cain plays Brigham Young in this film. He also played Scott Peterson in the made-for-TV movie, "The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story." I don't know why I find this fascinating, I just do.
Jon Voight! Lolita Davidovich! I'm so excited, I can't sit still. "September Dawn." May. I'm there.
Stuff I've Been Meaning to Tell You
- We spent the year-end holidays with Mother, even staying in one of the "guest apartments" in her complex. This gave us an amazing and reassuring view of life inside Assisted Living and before the week was out Mr. Spouse was suggesting we might enjoy spending our retirement there. This from the guy who once compared Mom's facility to prison.
- One side effect of living among the elders for an extended period seems to be a shift in fashion sense. At least that's what my sister told me when she caught me checking out the rack of velour "jogging suits" at Dillard's.
- I went to Memphis a couple of weeks ago for a conference and there I met some amazing women, one of whom I've known (in an online kind of way) for years. It was a big highlight of an otherwise depressing and infuriating trip. She's not only awesome, she's pregnant. You should go over and congratulate her.
- Mr. Spouse was rear-ended last weekend, and our little green car is totaled. I bought this car after an accident I had in 1996. I was hit by a Mack® truck and dragged down I-5 at 55 miles per hour during rush hour, in the rain. I came out of it without a scratch. Mr. Spouse was similarly injury-free after being hit by a drunk driver (at 10AM!) going full speed. Both crashed cars were Subarus. Our new car will also be a Subaru. Gotta love safety.