A Day to Remember
Well, well...first moment I've had to breathe in a while. I just saw my last entry, which was in September. Here we are at the close of the year. What a long pause.
If I recall, I had just come down with my first bad sore throat of the school year. Actually, I started the year with a sore throat, so perhaps it actually counts as the second...but alas, at sore throat number 13 or 14 post-mono, who can keep track at that point...?
Lots has happened since then, perhaps most notably Shawn having surgery for Thanksgiving. Let's just say that nasal surgery looks like a horrible, horrible, horrible thing. Who in their right mind would do something like that regularly? Good news: he is able to breathe for the first time in his life, he doesn't snore at all anymore (I never minded it, other than the fact he'd stop breathing), and oddly, his voice is deeper now. It is still a bit odd to hear him with his new voice. He has called me on the phone and my first question has been, "Are you mad at me?" His new voice sounds deeper and I guess it reminds me of anger. Must be an issue back from the days when Dad's big voice would roar and thunder over my head. That's the only big voice I can say scared me like that.
Speaking of voices, right before Shawn's surgery, we saw the Johnny Cash film, and I have almost finished reading Cash's autobiography. I have always loved reading bios and autobios. It reminds me that perhaps one of the best books I ever checked out in high school was a bio on Dolly Parton, of all things. How I remember weird stuff like that is just amazing. That was my freshman year, too...1986-7...geez, I feel old seeing that typed up there. How I still remember anything from that long ago is mind-boggling.
Well, back to why I felt it was a good idea to write tonight, well, besides actually having the time to do so...was blessed to receive visits from five babies today. They all showed up at the same time, too. First: Tony, who is no stranger but it is always nice to see him and hear him on the phone. He is finished with real estate school and is ready to take his licensing exam. Good for him. Hope this horrible economy doesn't hurt his chances for financial solidity. Slim, smiling, and happy with life. Tony is such a sweet guy.
Next: Daniel and Crystal. They look so thin and beautiful and each sported sweatshirts from their universities. Adorable. Didn't get to visit with them long, but it was great to see them. Daniel is now studying art history and Crystal is doing international business and Spanish. Fabulous. Daniel: "it's soooo cold". Crystal: "we don't have football, but we have lacrosse". Wow. I've never seen bad cold or lacrosse. Life in the big cities--just sooo different.
Next: Phil. He honored his promise and presented me with a matted photo from his first semester's work at Brooks Institute. He wrote a touching dedication on the back--just really got to me. He stayed a good while, showed me his $6,000 camera (damn schmack) and tons of his work. Again, all these babies come in looking thin, beautiful, and happy. The happiness part is the one I'm glad to see. Anyway, back to Phil--he texts regularly, and it was so great to see him so excited about what he's doing. I don't know, that photo he gave me just really moved me; I think it is because of him that I am writing tonight. Seeing such creativity and such obvious passion in him reminded me that I actually do have a passion of my own, and that perhaps I should warm it up and just lay down some sentences. Get out those nouns and verbs and just jot something.
And the last baby to show up: Christina. Again, these babies show up and just look thin and beautiful and happy and yet have that 'wiser' look in their eyes. She likes her school and hates where she lives; the big city of Pittsburg is dirty and she lives just across from a porn shop. It provides an interesting view, she says. All five have survived the semester just fine and look good. I hope it continues to go well for them.
They aren't the only ones I've seen lately, but just out of the blue it was an oddity to have five of them walk through the door today. The Gabe has been by regularly, and on the good front, he and his art are out there in the world. He showed me a series of photos showing the development and completion of a mural he and a friend did downtown. It is a start and that is what he needed. Prospects to do other murals are out there, and I hope they come his way. It's just so great to hear good news out there.
I've seen DJ, Josh, Leeann, and Emilie...Val...hmmm...I think that's the list right there...A lot of good news out there, now that I think about it. A lot. I usually complain that I don't hear it often enough. I guess the class of 2005 is doing alright!
On the bad side, I've had more sore throats, stomach woes, rheumatological setbacks,and a kidney stone. Like Johnny Cash says, it could be a lot worse, but it wasn't any less horrible. I've lost a good chunk of beef along the way, which is both awesome and bothering as I'm not someone who just loses weight, unfortunately, let alone a whole lot of weight. My clothes look hobo-ish (more than usual)and my wedding ring turns around and around--haven't even worn it for about two weeks. My watch spins around, too. To think, I was going to have that last link added back into it during the summer, but I didn't want to part with it. Now, it looks like two links have to be taken out. My ring is small as it is--5 1/2--might have to put a bandaid on it so I don't lose it.
Charles and Dolly have the mange. I feel like an unfit mother; the vet said it was not due to anything I did or didn't do...just one of those freaky things just like chickenpox, most likely picked up at the salon. We gotta stop going to that damn groomer. The problem seems to be under control now, I hope.
Woke up this morning and the television was playing TOMMY. Shawn asked, "What the hell mamadas is this shit?" I didn't realize he'd never heard of it. Tonight over Chinese, I told him the story line. I guess it wasn't up until this moment tonight when I realized just how ludicrious of a story/movie/opera/musical it is. To think, I used to watch that film A LOT back in high school. I even wrote a paper on it in senior English. Somehow, it didn't seem stupid back then. Just a story about a guy playing pinball and him being raised up like a messiah figure....nothing too weird...Ann-Margaret sloshing around in a combination of soap bubbles and baked beans...you know, just your typical film. "Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you HEAR me? Tommy, can you HEAR ME?" Damn. I've never done drugs but man, only a total stoner would be able to make sense of that crap; somehow I was able to make sense of it then...damn...
Grades come out tomorrow and it is the last day of work. YEAH. Shawn still has to go back on Wednesday; his district doesn't believe in getting out early. Might just put in a little work and dust off my journal. I haven't written a poem since October.
Rambling, rambling...I think Johnny Cash's style of anecdotal non-sequitors upon more non-sequitors is getting to me.
By the way, Scientology sounds a bit frightening. Just a non-sequitor. Tom Cruise is up to his usual craziness, and something just reminded me of that. Something about a galactic battle and an overlord name Zenu or something absolutely insane like that. That is more frightening than I can reasonably convey. Like large spiders running furiously on your naked skin. DAMN.
Christmas is just days away and no gifts are under the tree...can I get a warm serving of good health?
If I recall, I had just come down with my first bad sore throat of the school year. Actually, I started the year with a sore throat, so perhaps it actually counts as the second...but alas, at sore throat number 13 or 14 post-mono, who can keep track at that point...?
Lots has happened since then, perhaps most notably Shawn having surgery for Thanksgiving. Let's just say that nasal surgery looks like a horrible, horrible, horrible thing. Who in their right mind would do something like that regularly? Good news: he is able to breathe for the first time in his life, he doesn't snore at all anymore (I never minded it, other than the fact he'd stop breathing), and oddly, his voice is deeper now. It is still a bit odd to hear him with his new voice. He has called me on the phone and my first question has been, "Are you mad at me?" His new voice sounds deeper and I guess it reminds me of anger. Must be an issue back from the days when Dad's big voice would roar and thunder over my head. That's the only big voice I can say scared me like that.
Speaking of voices, right before Shawn's surgery, we saw the Johnny Cash film, and I have almost finished reading Cash's autobiography. I have always loved reading bios and autobios. It reminds me that perhaps one of the best books I ever checked out in high school was a bio on Dolly Parton, of all things. How I remember weird stuff like that is just amazing. That was my freshman year, too...1986-7...geez, I feel old seeing that typed up there. How I still remember anything from that long ago is mind-boggling.
Well, back to why I felt it was a good idea to write tonight, well, besides actually having the time to do so...was blessed to receive visits from five babies today. They all showed up at the same time, too. First: Tony, who is no stranger but it is always nice to see him and hear him on the phone. He is finished with real estate school and is ready to take his licensing exam. Good for him. Hope this horrible economy doesn't hurt his chances for financial solidity. Slim, smiling, and happy with life. Tony is such a sweet guy.
Next: Daniel and Crystal. They look so thin and beautiful and each sported sweatshirts from their universities. Adorable. Didn't get to visit with them long, but it was great to see them. Daniel is now studying art history and Crystal is doing international business and Spanish. Fabulous. Daniel: "it's soooo cold". Crystal: "we don't have football, but we have lacrosse". Wow. I've never seen bad cold or lacrosse. Life in the big cities--just sooo different.
Next: Phil. He honored his promise and presented me with a matted photo from his first semester's work at Brooks Institute. He wrote a touching dedication on the back--just really got to me. He stayed a good while, showed me his $6,000 camera (damn schmack) and tons of his work. Again, all these babies come in looking thin, beautiful, and happy. The happiness part is the one I'm glad to see. Anyway, back to Phil--he texts regularly, and it was so great to see him so excited about what he's doing. I don't know, that photo he gave me just really moved me; I think it is because of him that I am writing tonight. Seeing such creativity and such obvious passion in him reminded me that I actually do have a passion of my own, and that perhaps I should warm it up and just lay down some sentences. Get out those nouns and verbs and just jot something.
And the last baby to show up: Christina. Again, these babies show up and just look thin and beautiful and happy and yet have that 'wiser' look in their eyes. She likes her school and hates where she lives; the big city of Pittsburg is dirty and she lives just across from a porn shop. It provides an interesting view, she says. All five have survived the semester just fine and look good. I hope it continues to go well for them.
They aren't the only ones I've seen lately, but just out of the blue it was an oddity to have five of them walk through the door today. The Gabe has been by regularly, and on the good front, he and his art are out there in the world. He showed me a series of photos showing the development and completion of a mural he and a friend did downtown. It is a start and that is what he needed. Prospects to do other murals are out there, and I hope they come his way. It's just so great to hear good news out there.
I've seen DJ, Josh, Leeann, and Emilie...Val...hmmm...I think that's the list right there...A lot of good news out there, now that I think about it. A lot. I usually complain that I don't hear it often enough. I guess the class of 2005 is doing alright!
On the bad side, I've had more sore throats, stomach woes, rheumatological setbacks,and a kidney stone. Like Johnny Cash says, it could be a lot worse, but it wasn't any less horrible. I've lost a good chunk of beef along the way, which is both awesome and bothering as I'm not someone who just loses weight, unfortunately, let alone a whole lot of weight. My clothes look hobo-ish (more than usual)and my wedding ring turns around and around--haven't even worn it for about two weeks. My watch spins around, too. To think, I was going to have that last link added back into it during the summer, but I didn't want to part with it. Now, it looks like two links have to be taken out. My ring is small as it is--5 1/2--might have to put a bandaid on it so I don't lose it.
Charles and Dolly have the mange. I feel like an unfit mother; the vet said it was not due to anything I did or didn't do...just one of those freaky things just like chickenpox, most likely picked up at the salon. We gotta stop going to that damn groomer. The problem seems to be under control now, I hope.
Woke up this morning and the television was playing TOMMY. Shawn asked, "What the hell mamadas is this shit?" I didn't realize he'd never heard of it. Tonight over Chinese, I told him the story line. I guess it wasn't up until this moment tonight when I realized just how ludicrious of a story/movie/opera/musical it is. To think, I used to watch that film A LOT back in high school. I even wrote a paper on it in senior English. Somehow, it didn't seem stupid back then. Just a story about a guy playing pinball and him being raised up like a messiah figure....nothing too weird...Ann-Margaret sloshing around in a combination of soap bubbles and baked beans...you know, just your typical film. "Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy, can you HEAR me? Tommy, can you HEAR ME?" Damn. I've never done drugs but man, only a total stoner would be able to make sense of that crap; somehow I was able to make sense of it then...damn...
Grades come out tomorrow and it is the last day of work. YEAH. Shawn still has to go back on Wednesday; his district doesn't believe in getting out early. Might just put in a little work and dust off my journal. I haven't written a poem since October.
Rambling, rambling...I think Johnny Cash's style of anecdotal non-sequitors upon more non-sequitors is getting to me.
By the way, Scientology sounds a bit frightening. Just a non-sequitor. Tom Cruise is up to his usual craziness, and something just reminded me of that. Something about a galactic battle and an overlord name Zenu or something absolutely insane like that. That is more frightening than I can reasonably convey. Like large spiders running furiously on your naked skin. DAMN.
Christmas is just days away and no gifts are under the tree...can I get a warm serving of good health?