More Surgery Crap/Earthquake

Well, my brother got the news yesterday. They'll have to crack open his chest for the second time. They're going to take veins from his arms and legs to replace the arterial veins that are blocked. This means that he'll only get one more shot at open heart surgery. After that, the chest plate doesn't want to fuse back. Can you imagine, 2 open heart surgeries by the age of 42? I can't.

I promised him that I would fly out for this one, so we should find out from the doctor tomorrow when it will be. He got divorced this last year, so he's been living with his Dad, but his dad is kicking him out, his ex-wife lost the home, due to not paying the mortgage, so his kids are living in his ex-sister-in-law's basement. Between trying to bail her out, child support, etc. , he's broke. And now this....the surgery means he'll be off of work for 2 months, so no money will be coming in. Hopefully he'll keep his job. The hits just keep on coming.

However, he has to keep his spirits up, because his kids are waiting for him to get better. They need him and love him very much. It doesn't matter how much money you have...just as long as your kids are fed, warm and healthy and you're there to love them, then it will get better. So I'll let ya'll know what happens.

*************************
Ok, so I've been in Sunnyvale for the last couple of days for training. Wouldn't you know it, but the bay area has it's first good shake since the Loma Prieta Quake of 89 last night. It's a 5.6 on the Reichter scale and I'm about 10 miles from the epicenter. What a rush! I'm sitting on the bed watching the beginning of Bones, and there's this big boom, and the whole damn building is going back and forth. I'm on the second floor, and the bed is swaying, the lamp shades are swaying, the hangers in the closet are sliding back and forth. It's a wonder I stopped myself from throwing my hands up in the air and yelling "Wheeeeeee". It lasted a long time...like 30 to 40 seconds. This is my fourth quake, but by far the worse one. But hey, nothing bad happened to me, no one died, just some window damage, etc. So it's all good. Another good thing...I think it was God's way of telling me to snap out of my misery....that I'm alive and worrying about things I have no control over, and to suck it up and get on with it. God??? It worked, I sniffed up the last of my tears, cuddled up under the comforter with my face mask and went to sleep.

Brotherhead Mic (nickname)

My brother is going in for exploratory surgery on the 30th. I’ll be in Sunnyvale learning the ins and outs of Microsoft Project. He’s had this done a number of times, but it always worries me. I’m the person on record if anything happens and decisions need to be made. He has 11 stents keeping his arterial walls open and various other heart ailments. He’s only 14 months younger than I am and he says that he knows this heart stuff will kill him. He doesn’t expect to live to be an old man.

I’m extremely selfish. I don’t want my brother going before I do. It’s no secret that my sister and I don’t get along. We’re keeping things light and cordial, but I don’t think we’ll ever be true sisters. My Mom and I don’t get along either. We’re too close in age, and she wants to compete or fight me for everything. She stresses me out…and yes, she lives with me, which makes it harder.

With my brother, it’s always been him and I against the world. My sister is 7 years younger than I am, so there’s the age difference and stuff. My brother and I are connected. When he was young (age 3 to 5) I did his speaking for him….Mikey wants this, Mikey said that… Poor kid, when he got to Kindergarten there was no one there to speak for him. I’m probably the reason he had to repeat the grade. As we got older, it was us against the AntiChrist (stepfather). We shared the misery, the beatings, and the whole religious crap of having to be the “perfect” children of a hypocritical “Elder” of the Kingdom Hall. I’d say that there’s only a small period of time, during his addiction phase, that we weren’t connected.

Now, he’s the one lifeline on my side of the family that I have. We talk a couple of times a month, usually more, sometimes less. But he’s always there…in the back of my mind, in my thoughts, my soul. I wonder if I have the fortitude to make the kinds of decisions he wants me to make if the time comes.

This surgery is not supposed to be too serious, but how many more of those will he have to go through…and which one is going to be the one that he doesn’t recover from? I know he’s thinking about it, and he knows I am….no use pretending.

Anyway People, I’m just mentally unloading, and here is where I do it. With the stuff my mother has been telling me (it’s soul-searing crap that can never be unloaded and will die with me), I have to make some head-room. I’m generally optimistic, but if I wax morose, it’s just that…unloading….hey, you’re the one reading this…you could’ve stopped anytime.

Anyway…if ya’ll get a moment, please say a little prayer for him. We’d be appreciative.

Collective Soul

It’s true that I haven’t blogged in awhile. Lot’s of stuff going on. Sometimes, it’s hard to know where to begin…see what I get for stopping?

Our friends Roger and Kelly graciously treated us to a weekend of Collective Soul. What a blast that was. Rog is the King of the Mojito makers, and we managed to suck down a couple of those before the concert. We stayed in their kewl ToyHauler that has all the amenities you could want, at a RV site that was about 4 miles from Konocti. Ya know…I really enjoyed the venue, and will have to attend some more outside concerts there. It was totally sweet. TIP: Buy your tickets from the venue, so you can trade them in the day of the concert for better seats. Although, thanks to Rog, we had AWESOME seats!

As my friend Kelly can attest, Collective Soul is one of those extremely under-rated bands. With the release of their first album “Hints, Allegations and Things left Unsaid” in 1993, the breakout song was Shine (although personally, I like Breathe or Beautiful World better). I was on the brink of wearing out that CD until I finally put it on my iPod. Their music gets better as they age and though the “lawsuit era” CD - Disciplined Breakdown is reflective of their feelings “of the moment” it still rocks. Remember when Ed Roland had dark hair?

I remember playing “Dosage” in the car, and my friend Chris wondering what “New” band this was. If you’ve never had a chance to see the DVD with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, you should really check it out. This band is as good in person, as they are on CD/DVD. They Rock! Kelly and I have decided to attend a hometown concert, so we’ll see ya’ll in Atlanta….someday. Kel….we have to practice our “Southern Belle” talk.

Anyway, thank you to Roger and Kelly for a smashing weekend….Next up: The Van Halen Reunion minus Michael Anthony (Guess it’s not really a reunion…is it?).

Remembering September 11, 2001

I wore all my pins today…My Army Yellow Ribbon Pin, my Flag Pin and my Service Blue Star Pin (worn by member of the immediate family of an individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war in which the US is engaged) in honor of all of our heroes of September 11th, 2001, past and current. I remember how horrified I felt watching people jump 70+ stories from the World Trade Center to avoid being burned to death. How my heart swelled with pride as I watched ordinary people do extraordinary things to help fellow Americans in distress. The vulnerability I felt and still feel, knowing that terrorists can inflict such wounds on American soil.

Do not mistake vulnerability for fear. I am not afraid to die at the hands of some ignorant terrorist(s) who think they can take away my freedom. I can live free, or die free…as long as I am free. I’m afraid for my Niece and my boy, but not for me. I am an American, a citizen of the United States of America. I’ve pledged my allegiance to the finest Country on the face of the earth. I am not naïve to the shortcomings of my Country, but I’m proud to be an American. I will never bad-mouth my Country on foreign soil, but instead be a shining example of what an American is when representing my Country abroad.

Whatever the future brings, I will never forget the events of 9/11…where I was, the impact I felt, the impact on my family, the sacrifice of many, and perhaps, most of all, the failure of Osama Bin Laden. He sought to bring discord but instead, united a Nation. As the days unfolded, we were one…we were united. We were strong, vocal, and if one of us wavered, all were there to reinforce. I pray that we will always be one…one Nation, indivisible. Let nothing come between us, not injustice, not religion, not race, not opinion. May we always be strong against those who would tear us down, weaken us, hurt us, kill our loved ones and try to steal our freedom. When one of us falls, there will always be another to stand in their place.

Thanks to our soldiers…all of our soldiers….past, present and future. Because of you, I have the freedom to say…..”Osama, and any one else out there who wants to tear off a piece of America….COME GET SOME!”

Youth

Today was the book fair, being held in the Quad at work. As I stepped outside (around 10 a.m.), a cool breeze was blowing, along with a sweet scent of flowers and freshly cut grass. As I inhaled, it brought back those long-ago days of grade school during Fall. I would walk to the bus stop and enjoy the wonderful smells of fresh air, grass, and that feeling of…being young? I’m not sure, but I felt it.

How great that I was purchasing books for my 5 year old Niece. It just fit the feeling and the smells. I picked up 2 books…Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy, and something a little older, “Clementine”. It’s supposed to be something like the “Ramona the Pest” books that I grew up with in elementary school. I used to love reading about Ramona and her mean sister Beezus, and her doll Chevrolet. How she would sing the song at school about the Donzer lee light, and wonder what a Donzer was. I pray that my Beanie has the same love of books and stories that I do.

I also picked up a new journal. Although I journal less now that I blog, I’ve made a commitment to make sure that I blog and journal and promised myself that if I don’t do a journal entry that I don’t get to blog….thus the gap you see on the blogspot. I can go back and fill in some blanks on the Dizbizz site, but not the other way around. Oh well.

Anyway, it was fun reminiscing about one of the few times in my childhood that I enjoyed.

Reno Baby

I'm in Reno, staying at the WorldMark resort. Overall, I'm happy with the room and the view...(some of you have seen it), and having a great time. I've only gambled about $5.00 so far, because I'm just not a gambler. But that's a good thing, since it's the end of the month, and I'm waiting for payday. Have to hold out till Friday!

I'm in the rec area of the resort waiting for our pizza to be delivered. We decided on pizza and a movie (The 300), so that should be fun. The Rib Festival starts tomorrow, and I can't wait. On Thursday, the man has to go back into Sacramento for a knee appointment...I suspect surgery on the horizon. Then he'll drive back. It's worth it as long as the knee gets taken care of. I think while he's gone, I'll do the Reno river walk and see what there is to see.

It's so nice to not be thinking about work and "annual changes", and all the stuff that went with the old job...although I miss the old job. e-file was always exciting and something that I believed in. I still do...so e-file your taxes, darn it!!! I love my new job, but I know my old unit is traveling and I so loved to do that. Ah well. I'm happy with the choice I made, but change is always a challenge.

Anyway, I'll try and write again in a couple of days.

Pledge

I’m constantly getting emails about the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s usually about making sure “God” stays in the Pledge. The vast majority of the people who send me the emails are good, god-fearing and patriotic people (some are extremely close friends and family)…but they don’t know squat about the history of the Pledge and my guess is about 70% of the people forwarding the emails don’t realize that “God” was added after the fact, i.e. in the 50’s. I am tired of the rhetoric I receive about making sure that “God’ stays in the Pledge…where it’s always been”. NOT.

Let me make one thing clear, if the founding fathers put “God” in the constitution, made references to “God” in original documents and plaques (i.e. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address)…then I don’t think history should be removed or altered for the benefit of religion only. I just don’t think we should be going around and adding “God” to things that are not necessary. And for me the Pledge is a “Promise”. More on that later…..

So… for those of you willing to be bored by a small history lesson…
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by the Christian Socialist Author, and Baptist Minister Francis Bellamy. The pledge was supposed to be quick and to the point. Bellamy designed it to be stated in 15 seconds. He had initially also considered using the words equality and fraternity but decided they were too controversial since many people still opposed equal rights for women and blacks.
It originally read:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Here is a forward thinking MIINSTER OF GOD who not only believed in equality for all Americans, but he knew putting “God” in the Pledge would alienate new comers to our Country.

After a proclamation by President Benjamin Harrison, the Pledge was first used in public schools on October 12, 1892 during Columbus Day observances. This date was also significant as it was the dedication day of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Bellamy thought that the pledge itself and the involvement of children across the country would be a fine show of national solidarity. These words are key…why? Because our differences in religion will NEVER bring national solidarity, something else is needed..like maybe “love of freedom?”.

In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
The Knights of Columbus in New York City felt that the pledge was incomplete without any reference to God. Who are the Knights of Columbus???? The Order of the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. So a bunch of Catholics (No offense to my Catholic friends) get to decide on our Pledge? Technically, that would mean the God referenced in the Pledge is a Catholic God. I wonder how many bible-thumping non-Catholics would like that?

And why do the Knights of Columbus push the issue??? Hmmm…maybe to straighten out the “Godless Commies” of the time? Remember, not only was Communism a threat of the times, but the Government was accusing everyone of being a “Commie”. People were scared. People were being accused, put on trial and imprisoned for being communists.
The Knights of Columbus made several attempts to get Congress to pass a resolution to amend the Pledge, but Congress held out (as well they should). In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower pushed Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration.
Today, through the legal immigration process, we require our newest citizens to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Why? Because we’re requiring them to Promise to put this Country first. They are giving their word that they will unite with us and be Americans…One Nation, Indivisible!

People say the Pledge but do they think about the words? Indivisible…i.e. Nothing can divide Americans. However, if you throw God into the Pledge, then religion divides us, and we originally came to America for religious freedom.

I’ve also heard Christians (and yes, I am one) say, “Well, God could mean the same thing as Allah, a higher power or whatever someone believes in.” Gee, that’s an interesting stance, but if it came down to your God being replaced by Buddha in the Pledge, would you say the words and MEAN them? Or would it cheapen your promise to this Country, because…well, you didn’t really mean all of it, just the part where it says “the flag”. You cannot ask someone to make a promise on a “God” they do not believe in. They’re not willing to die for YOUR “God”, they’re willing to die for theirs!

However, you can ask them to be willing to die and sacrifice for their new home, for their belief of Freedom, for their fellow man that treasures the same freedoms they do. Those are the things that unite us as Americans. Love of this Country and what it stands for are the only things that can make the United States of America INDIVISIBLE!

To Promote...or Not to Promote

If you've ever known anyone in State service (no rude comments from the Peanut Gallery please), one of the first things you learn is that to promote, you are always taking tests, interviewing, doing 'self-appraisals' and being placed in a Rank on a list. The State goes by the rule of 3...First 3 ranks are reachable, i.e. can be offered a job, promoted, etc. Any rank below the top 3 has to wait until a rank clears.

I find myself in a curious position. I took a Statewide test for Senior ISA. I'm now Rank 2. I'm getting job notices from other agencies, etc. I just took a position as a Staff ISA with the Network Management Bureau in April, which I love, and I'm learning a lot. Now my Agency has decided to do their own Staff/Senior ISA test, and once a list is determined from it, it will render the statewide test null within my Agency. This means I have to go outside my Agency to be picked up off the Statewide list....unless I take the Agency test also and Rank within the top 3. Makes you feel like all of your studying and test taking was for naught.

So my options are...talk to my boss about getting picked up off the Statewide list after passing probation; taking a position with another agency; or testing within the Agency to get placed on the new list. Hmmmm. Well, unless the other agency is in Lake Tahoe, I guess I'll be doing option 1 and 3.

I feel a little funny about talking to the new boss. He's a fantastic guy and a great boss. I'm just new to the unit, and I feel like I'm saying "Hey, thanks for taking a chance on me with the new job, now I want more". However, if I don't do that, who else is going to fight for me? That's one lesson I learned from my old unit. I need to put my best foot forward, work hard and fight for my opportunities...or someone who's fighting harder, and making more noise, will get it. Don't get me wrong...I have no one to blame but myself when it comes to not speaking up, but I started changing that a little more than 2 to 2 ½ years ago. I started standing up in my personal life, and then my work life...and I'm not going back.

So, I'll talk to the new boss (sounds like a Who song) and see what happens. Wish me luck.

RSS Subscribe and Beanie

Damn that Red. She wanted to subscribe to my blog and my RSS Subscribe button didn't work. This meant I had to play for hours trying to figure out where my problem lies.

Hmmm, seems to be accessing a local host folder. Need to get rid of that. Maybe I'm tired and it's been a tough weekend, but my mind doesn't seem to want to wrap itself around the damned thing. I'm trying one more option tonight before I head to bed (Girl with my looks needs all the beauty sleep she can get!).

Talked to the Niece and her "brothers and sister" about their first day of school. Looks like all went well and they had a great time. I asked Beanie if she made any new friends in Kindergarden. Nope, not yet, but she had a good day, and that's all that counts. It took everything I had not to drive down there and take pictures. She wants to come for the weekend, but I had to tell her that this weekend wasn't possible that that we were headed to Reno for a week...not that she knows what Reno is. She wants to go too. I told her that I can't possibly take her out of school for that, but maybe we could work something out.

Gone are the days when I could take her for an extended period of time, now that she's in school. It's such a milestone. Ok...well, enough of that...Do you want to see my Beanie?

Miscellaneous

Thanks for all your prayers. Nephew Christopher is doing well. He can hear things that he couldn't before. Hopefully, this will cure all the ear aches.

Took 5 hours exactly to straighten the hair. Is it worth it? Don't know yet, but everything looks well so far. We'll see after I wash it tomorrow or Tuesday Morning... You be the judge...



Had some real fun the other day..Friday night we bought school supplies for Serene and her "brothers and sister". It was a lot of fun. We may have gone a tad overboard, but we were having fun re-living our school years and the things we wanted to have but couldn't or the things that we did have that were fun.

Talked to the Boy...always a joy. He always makes me feel like life is worth living. I adore him.

Hope this blog finds all my friends well and happy.

Hair Straightening...

I was born with wavy hair. Nothing too major, but when I was around 8 years old, my hair was long and pretty straight with a slight wave to it. One day, the AntiChrist (refer to prior blogs) took me to get my hair cut….it was a “Pixie cut” which basically meant that my hair was about an inch in length…all over my head! I went to school wearing a hat. When my hair finally grew back…it was kinky curly…and thus began my life-long road to hair straightening.

I’ve straightened my hair many times over the years, but for the last 4 years have been using the Japanese straightening method, otherwise known as “Thio”. The first time I paid to have it done was in San Francisco. Unfortunately, the person wacked my hair pretty good, so the results were not what I expected…although the hair was straight.

For those of you unaware of the process, what happens is, you wash the hair…dry it to about 70%. Then a solution goes on the hair (or roots, if you’ve had it done before) for about a half hour to an hour. You have to test the hair to make sure that the solution has loosened the curl. Then you rinse the hair, dry it and precede to flat iron the hair in about 1/8 inch sections, until the hair is FLAT! I have lots of hair, so this takes, at the very least, an hour. Then you put on the neutralizing solution to stop the prior solution and keep that on your head for 10 minutes. Then it all comes off, wash and condition the hair, dry, and flat iron again. This WHOLE process can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, which is why the cost is $300 to $600 in a salon. This process is done every 6 months on new growth…you don’t have to do anything to the hair that’s been straightened before.

Ok, the second time I have this hair straightening procedure done; I go to a place in Citrus Heights. They took 8 hours to do my hair, because they kept working on other people. They damaged my hair so much that my hairdresser wouldn’t touch it for 3 months…plus she gave me a regimen for getting it back into condition. After about 2 weeks, I kept feeling this fuzzy stuff on my head….wouldn’t you know it, its the spots where she burned my hair off and new growth is coming in. Diz is not happy!

After that unfortunate episode, 6 months later, I try another place in town, and she does ok, but still manages to burn off my hair. I’ve had enough with going to salons, so I pick up a version of the hair stuff from Sally Beauty Supply. It’s not the same stuff. It straightened my hair ok, but left it feeling frizzy and damaged. So I go out on the net and do my homework. I finally decide on a Matrix version, but you can only get it if you have a license….

Enter Dad. He’s a barber, and he’s got a license. He goes to the professional shop with my Mom (Mom and Dad are “the man’s” parents) and goes shopping around for the Matrix brand. He finds it, and they question him (I guess they can’t imagine a 70+ year old man giving someone a straightening job). He tells them that his daughter knows what she’s doing and buys it. WooHoo.

So now you know that I straighten my hair myself. While Holly is in charge of coloring my hair, and she does a fantastic job, and I trust her completely…I don’t trust anyone else to straighten my hair but me. If I burn off my hair, it’s my owned damned fault. But I don’t leave it on as long as those dirtbags that burned it off. I monitor my hair well.

Why am I blogging about hair straightening? Well, I’m gearing up for doing it tomorrow. So it’ll be 5 hours out of my day…then I don’t get to wash my hair until Monday, or Tuesday Morning. Then I’ll be flat-headed for a couple of weeks. By the time my color job rolls around, my hair will have bounced back in shape for it. Ah…the things we do for beauty.

Afternoon commute from Hell.....

Why is it that when people cut you off, they never look you in the eye. They think that by avoiding your eyes that the cut off they just did...never happened. Today, was a commute from hell. We go to take our usual Hazel exit, and traffic on the offramp is backed up a mile...and barely moving.

A roll of the radio dial tells us that an injury accident has happened on Sunset and Hazel...which is quite far from 50 and Hazel. Ok, time to find an alternate route. So we head down Folsom...which turns into Auburn-Folsom...which comes to a dead stop. What the hell???? Well, I find an unmarked cop car and roll down my window...smile and ask them if they'll turn on their lights for me and blaze through traffic...I can follow behind and avoid this mess. They laugh and tell me that a fire hydrant is spewing water everywhere and is causing the back up....Damn the bad luck!

Well, Auburn-Folsom has two lanes which squeezes into one lane and you have to merge. I am in the far right and needing to merge over. Etiquette says that first a left lane car....than a right lane car....and everything is going well until it's my turn. I'm ahead of a bitch in a green Honda SUV...by at least half a car length. She doesn't want to let me in...and on a normal day, I usually don't give a shit and will give the right of way up..even if I am more than half a car length. Today...was not a normal day. After sitting in traffic for more than an hour and a half, there was no way I was giving an inch. I thought to myself....."Self...you're driving a big effing Dodge Durango. If this chick wants some..she can come get it! I held my ground...she made it seem like she was going to run into the side of me...I didn't care...and I didn't give. I finally merged and she had a tissy fit, waving her arms, giving gestures, etc. I'm sure her day was traffic hell also because we're on the same effing road. That doesn't mean courtesy goes out the window.

Anyway, by the time I drop off my ManWhore..(ok...he's really my awesome carpool buddy, but my man doesn't need to know that)...and get home to my man...my commute is over 2 1/2 hours old.

I could swear that I wrote somewhere that the commute is worth it...but some days.......

A band to evoke memories.

Every Wanna-Be Guitar God can tell you the song(s) that make them jump up, no matter what age, and start jamming, running their fingers up and down the imaginary neck of their pretend black or red Strat, head slung forward, legs wide apart with the knees bent, believing that for this moment...they are the legendary Eddie Van Halen; their wife/girlfriend/mistress is as hot as Valerie Bertinelli....wait...we're dreaming here, so she IS Valerie Bertinelli and you are worshipped for your guitar prowess. You close your eyes and imagine you're on stage in front of thousands, Diamond Dave is prancing around the stage in his buttless chaps, howling, screaming and waving his blond hair...your brother Alex is beating the skins, sweat flying off, shirtless, tossing out drumsticks to the outstretched hands of fans lucky enough to catch them. And last but not least...Michael Anthony, supremely confident, strumming the bass, which is so powerful, your heart changes beat to match it.

I don't know about you, but for me, Van Halen represents the possibilities that opened up for me in the 80's. Moving out of the house, freedom to make my own decisions, attending the concerts. I remember every time "Dance the night away" came on the radio, I had it cranked up and was either dancing, singing at the top of my lungs, or both. I collected Van Halen concert posters and stills. My brother made me a wooden replica of the VH insignia that I still have somewhere.

Then the split came, and everyone wondered what would happen to the band and why Diamond Dave couldn't't keep his big mouth shut. Dave came out with a couple of albums...and they were good (how could they not be with the legendary Steve Vai smoking the strings), but it wasn't Van Halen. Diamond Dave soon became Diamonique Dave (to some...Cubic Zirconium Dave) and got caught getting stoned in the park and kissing his paramedic career goodbye.

When the rumors started to circulate about Sammy Hagar, people thought the new bad would be named Van Hagar. Everyone loved the Red Rocker and thought this was a marriage that could work. But we still held our breath until the new album came out. Many people wanted to forget Gary Cherone, but I liked him. I admired his vocal abilities, but he wasn't a good fit for the band.

I was not an Air-Guitar Wanna-Be...I was a Front-Woman Wanna-Be. I dreamed of fronting Van Halen and singing my heart out. I dreamed of being so successful that people would forget Van Halen ever had a man fronting the band. I could hit all of Dave's notes (I can still hit them...and he can't). I dreamed of strutting around the stage in front of thousands. Madonna was NEVER my thing (although I do like a few of her songs), Rock was. I had subscriptions to Rolling Stone and Circus Magazine (The only guitar God I wanted to copy was Dave Meniketti of Y&T, in the song "Forever"). I still sing, but I'm a little more realistic.

It looks like I get to relive my younger years...Van Halen (minus Anthony...plus Wolfie Van Halen) is touring and will be in town November 27th. I'm so looking forward to seeing them, and I hope the magic has never left. A message to Diamond Dave...Thanks for keeping your mouth shut and stick with the new formula....it's working for you Buddy!

A wish for a prayer

Tomorrow, my Nephew Christopher will have tubes placed in his ears. Poor baby...he's had 16 ear infections in his 22 months of life and they're hoping to relieve pressure for him.

My brother is worried because his baby boy will be under anesthesia and that's never good at a young age. I worry about my brother because he bears the brunt of being a parent. He has a lot of pressures, and this is one he doesn't need.

So my dear friends...I've come to ask a favor. Please say a little prayer for my Nephew Christopher and his Daddy (Mike). They can certainly use them and I could use your help in praying for them. I sure appreciate all of you.

Diz

Life in a Northern CA Town

Living in a small town…working in a big city. I’d always pretty much been a city girl, other than the occasional camping trips with the family when younger, and camping aka debauchery drunk fests when older. It seems that city living is getting more and more impersonal, unless you live in New York/Chicago/San Francisco with the “cells” of ethnic life teaming with good natured people.

I was getting tired of congestion, mean-spirited a-holes, and air that you can cut with a knife, the challenge of driving without getting dinged, etc. When the opportunity came to move to a small down and take on a big commute….I took it! I live in a mountain community where when you walk down the street, people wave to you (what a concept). I live in a town that shuts down their main street for the 4th of July parade, or for a fund-raiser to help a child with cancer. They’ll put out huge hay-bales to sit on, bring in a band, cook up a mean dinner, and there’s dancing in the street.

In my small town, little league is big! As is any Jr. High and High school sporting event. Everyone cheers on the home team…and everyone cheers on the opposing team when we spot a brilliant play, we don’t discriminate. No one boos the opposing team. I get regular visits from my local Boy Scout “Justin” to buy popcorn, or some Christmas wrapping paper, etc. and from my local Girl Scout “Sara” for the Girl Scout cookies.

Remember, I’m a commuter, so I traverse the mountain road regularly to get to highway 80. If I break down, someone will pull over to help me, just as I pull over to help others. I even give hitchhikers a ride into the mountain town, because they’re generally small town people who had a bit of bad luck with their vehicles, etc. or lack thereof.

I wake up to the smell of pine and the sound of deer steps in the leaves as they make their way to the pond to get a drink of water. I am so effing lucky!

The nice thing is, I still get into town for Sushi, and a good Italian restaurant. I still go to movies, as they’re not too far away. I still get together with good friends and share a cup of tea and some yummy goodies at “An Afternoon to Remember” (a spectacular tea shoppe in Newcastle). I get the best of both worlds until I retire and decide what the hell it is I want to do, and where I want to live…which won’t be for a long while (damn the bad luck…unless the Lotto comes through).

But let me say this…after living in a small town, I’ll retire to one too. I’m hoping Tahoe…if I can pull it off. If not, I’ll be just as happy where I am.

CatGenie

Does this conjure up a picture of a Genie in the shape of a cat? Or maybe a Genie that only grants wishes to cats? That’s all I need cuz I figure JazzyKat, my older Calico would come up with a doosey of a torture for me (Crackho Kitty!).

A couple of months back, I was in search of a new litterbox for my JazzyKat and Spunker (she’s the younger Calico). I was surfing the web and came across a self-cleaning cat box. What makes this one different is that the litter is make of small plastic pellets that gets washed by the Genie. The Genie scoops out the poopies, dumps it in a receptacle that dissolves it, flushes it through a tube that drains into the toilet, and washes the litter with fresh water and a cleaning solution. It even dries the litter, so your Kitty’s can go right after it’s done cleaning.

That’s right…no touching yukky litter, no changing the box, no smelly house. I love it! The kitty’s seem to like it ok, but they’re still freaked out over the cleaning process. I set the Genie to clean automatically at around 7 p.m. and so far, just once a day.

Let’s get a few things straight. I did not buy the Genie to spoil my cats…I bought it to spoil me! After adding the cost to maintain the regular litter box, it averaged out to about the same (yearly) for the Genie. I also got a 90-day money back guarantee and a 4-year extended warranty. And customer service ROCKS! Their customer service person Gigi, was answering my emails past 11:00 p.m. her time, in her jammies. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Ode to Coffee

People make the mistake of thinking I’m a morning person…I’m not. Sure I smile, joke around, can actually keep straight a conversation string, but that doesn’t make me a morning person, or am I necessarily awake.

Because I’m up early (3 a.m.), by the time anyone hears from me, my morning is already two to three hours in. I’m a commuter and I work a 10-hour day, with about 2 and a half to 3 hours commute time. People say that it’s a myth that you store up your sleep time for the weekend. Liars…every one of them. I live for those extra 4 to 5 hours of sleep on the weekend. I usually get one weekend day where I can sleep in to my hearts content….but I digress.

I can only do the work schedule I have because of that magical brown elixir known as Coffee. Coffee at work has gotten even better now that we’ve all chipped in for a better coffee machine. This one doesn’t have a carafe. You put your big, fat mug under the spout, press inward (to depress the button) and out come a hot stream of great smelling and tasting coffee. And it’s nice and HOT! I hate warm coffee. If I treat myself to a “Starbucks” I always make sure they give it to me HOT! Warm coffee is as good as a bowl of warm milk.

The people in my coffee club like good coffee, so we’re not drinking crap (Thank you coffee club!). And with the new coffee machine, it doesn’t taste burned anymore.

I have to say that I bastardize my cup. I like my fake sweetener and fat free Half-n-Half in it. Some of you out there are true coffee aficionados, who drink it straight, and I applaud you. What would we do without that wonderful morning drink to speed up our mornings and make them bearable?

Still Unsettled

Well, leaving out all of the colorful details..., Mom is getting her money back and sending back all of the stuff for the online business. Hopefully, she'll get most of her money back. She's spend about $600 for an online business when she has no computer.

We had it out the other night and I got some stuff off my chest, so I feel better....but it's only a matter of time before we slug it out again. I know what the problems are...my mom thinks everyone owes her and should be taking care of her (she's too young for this); and I don't respect her. That's probably the biggest thing. Without respect, it's hard to have a conversation, etc. That is due to choices she's made in the past that everyone else has to pay for.

Don't get me wrong...I don't yell at her, swear at her, etc. I treat her with respect, but there's always an edge there that shows. We are not friends. We don't converse, chitchat, etc. We only talk about necessities. I wish it was different, but I feel like it's too late. I feel like if I try again, I'll get burned, and this time, I won't survive it.

Ah well...a more uplifting blog tomorrow....I promise.

Family Frustration

What do you do when your mother refuses to grow up? I thought about becoming an alcoholic, but it's not my thing. However, my waistline is expanding as I type. My Mother has started an Internet business (She lives with me...which is a whole nuther RANT). Yea, yea...I know what you're thinking...Oh, how entreprenurial of her...how forward thinking. Let's start from the beginning...

Hmm...ok..last week she asks me if I would check her account for her (I've set up her online banking) so I fire up the 'puter and log into her account. She comes to the computer and says "No, not my bank account....I have an online account". One I haven't set up??? How did the computer illiterate do that? Wow! She's better than I thought. So I have her sit down at the computer and type in the address. "How do I do that?" ...Well Mom...you put your cursor on the url line and type in the address..."where's that?" I show her. She can't find the letters on the keyboard she needs...I end up typing it in. Not found. I try different variations....not found. So I ask her..."Mom, how did you get an Internet account?" "Well, I started an Internet business over the phone. Ok....Do you have the paperwork they sent you Mom?....No. This is getting weirder by the minute.

Ok, Mom...How do you know you have a business if you don't have paperwork? Well, the person on the phone told me how to get to it....Ok Mom, I want you to find the paperwork and when you do, we'll look up the account..."Ok".

Cut to last night....Mom says..."I need you to look up my account for me" as I'm trying to prepare dinner. I say "Oh, you've got the paperwork?" "No, I don't see why I need the paperwork". Well Mom, the last time we tried this, we couldn't find your account, so give me the paperwork and we'll look it up. "Why can't you just look it up without the paperwork?". Mom...you don't have the paperwork...do you? "No, I got the information I needed over the telephone". I ask..."Mom, do you have proof that you have an online business?..."No". Mom..Do you have anything from this company that proves that they've set up an online business for you? "No". Mom...did you pay for this service? "Yes"...Do you have proof of that? "No". Let's break for a moment.....

By now...I am a cartoon caracature. I have steam coming out my ears, my bloodpressure has reached the boiling point because this is stuff I should not be thinking about....and we continue.

I say...Mom, you are 59 years old. By now, you should've learned the law of CYA. So why are you not covering your ass and getting everything you need in writing? "What do you mean?" Mom...how much private information did you give this person on the phone that you have no proof of....did you give them your birthdate and Social Security Number? She says "I don't know"...which means she probably did. Ok Mom...so you have no proof of a business, you've given up your personal number, how do you know your identity hasn't been robbed? How do you know they haven't opened up credit cards in your name and are on a wild spending spree that you'll be holding the bag for? "I don't".

So we go to the computer and type in the address she received over the phone....not found. She asks me to try variations. I how her the variations I've already tried. She's flabbergasted. I tell her to call the people on the phone the next day and have them fax proof of everything. I then ask her...Mom, How did you expect to run an Internet business when you...

1. Don't know how to type
2. Don't know how to use the computer
2. Don't own a computer
4. Can't cover your bases to make sure you're save
5. Can't recognize an Internet scam to save your life?

Well, I thought I could use your old computer..Mom, I told you the old computer was going to the boy (my soldier at FT. Hood who is taking online college classes). Well, I thought I could use his old one....Mom, I told you that the old Mac Power PC is not upgradeable for the DSL line....It's 12 years old.

Well I asked your sister and she said it was upgradeable. This is the sister that at 35 has discovered her new "love of computers" and is taking a trade school course. Now I'm pissed. "Mom, this is the person who just recently discovered computers, has taken a class for less than a year for PCs and knows nothing about Macs". "Why are you taking her word, when I've worked on Macs since 1985, and PCs since 1987 and have over 20 years of working experience on computers?" "I don't know"...

After this kick in the teeth, I tell her that she assumed that I would allow her to run her business on my computer, which I've been telling her for months that I would not allow.

That Margarita is looking mighty fine about now......See ya.

Blogging....Regularly?

I've been extremely irregular about updating my blog on my regular site. I don't know...maybe it's the hassle of FTPing the specific pages I want. It seems like this past year has been so busy, trying to get things done...switching jobs, Parent duty..both to the kid and to the parents. I feel like I'm taking time from someone else to get a darn blog done.

Of course, I know I'm not the only one that feels like that. I'm sure we all do. My friend Kristie has twin 18 month olds, a pre-teen daughter, a job, husband and they're building a house. She must be overwhelmed, but she seems to handle it just fine. She's younger than I am. Thank God, cuz I'm sure she needs the energy. Anyway, I'm hoping that I can be a bit more regular on the BlogSpot page. Who wants to be the first to place their bets?