(no subject)
I have driven way too many places. And I have been playing far too much WoW. As I drove into northern Arizona last week for the first time on the 89, I seriously thought a *ding* would occur and the words "Erica has earned the achievement 'Explore Arizona'" would pop up on my windshield. No such luck, I'm a noob.
Robert's service was brief and touching. He was always so strict on keeping his family and friends separate from work, so it was my first time meeting the dozens of colleagues I had heard so much about over the years. It was amazing to hear their stories about him, his professionalism, his drive, his brilliance at problem-solving, his immense networking skills, and most of all his joie de vivre. I have always carried a tiny mental picture of Robert as a self watering potted plant, an unpleasant lingering memory from a Death party oh so many years ago in the desert, and so.. While I knew intellectually just how much Robert had accomplished with his work, it took his service to really bring it home. One of his fellows at ASU, a totally purple lady who can remain nameless, took me aside to tell me just how cherished I was to Robert, which also touched me. I think the worst part was getting our Christmas presents from his brother, and feeling so very terrible that he never got to see the joy on my kids faces as they opened the many books he had picked out for them. I never realized what a role he played in my life until there was a big black hole there. He was a great friend, and we will all miss him.
My parents live in a one bedroom apartment in Ahwatukee now, some terribly upscale place that must be great when it is just the two of them, but is quite crowded with my little family thrown in. If they keep this up, I may start hoteling it. ( :| )
My best friend Daphne has been dating/living with my old friend Scott for a few years now, but this visit was the first time I saw their house... which is literally one block away from some other folks I know, Jen and Paul. Small world after all... We discussed my will, which I am finalizing now- I just needed to know Scott would be ok with raising my kids with Daph if God forbid J and I both kick the bucket at once. And, thankfully, Scott is cool, and I am glad he and D are a solid item.
Finally, I have Tuesday night off, and I will be celebrating big time! ;)
Robert's service was brief and touching. He was always so strict on keeping his family and friends separate from work, so it was my first time meeting the dozens of colleagues I had heard so much about over the years. It was amazing to hear their stories about him, his professionalism, his drive, his brilliance at problem-solving, his immense networking skills, and most of all his joie de vivre. I have always carried a tiny mental picture of Robert as a self watering potted plant, an unpleasant lingering memory from a Death party oh so many years ago in the desert, and so.. While I knew intellectually just how much Robert had accomplished with his work, it took his service to really bring it home. One of his fellows at ASU, a totally purple lady who can remain nameless, took me aside to tell me just how cherished I was to Robert, which also touched me. I think the worst part was getting our Christmas presents from his brother, and feeling so very terrible that he never got to see the joy on my kids faces as they opened the many books he had picked out for them. I never realized what a role he played in my life until there was a big black hole there. He was a great friend, and we will all miss him.
My parents live in a one bedroom apartment in Ahwatukee now, some terribly upscale place that must be great when it is just the two of them, but is quite crowded with my little family thrown in. If they keep this up, I may start hoteling it. ( :| )
My best friend Daphne has been dating/living with my old friend Scott for a few years now, but this visit was the first time I saw their house... which is literally one block away from some other folks I know, Jen and Paul. Small world after all... We discussed my will, which I am finalizing now- I just needed to know Scott would be ok with raising my kids with Daph if God forbid J and I both kick the bucket at once. And, thankfully, Scott is cool, and I am glad he and D are a solid item.
Finally, I have Tuesday night off, and I will be celebrating big time! ;)