Phone

I spent 3 hours and 20 minutes on the phone last night, some of it my sister-in-law, the rest with my brother. Might I advise that it's not a great idea (nor even a good idea) to talk on the phone that long when you've got soreness in the throat and have a repetitive cough issue.

Needless to say it was an unpleasant night of sleep and difficult morning but it was worth it because I hadn't spoke to them in months and it was nice of them to call me for my birthday (technically this was my call back because I was out when they called, but the get the credit :))

I spent most of the day in the house not doing a lot. Until of course I realized I needed to get a workout in.

Here are my new glasses:

I'll be rocking these in addition to another pair I have - a little variety for the eyewear!

Forties

The very first time I ever wrote on this blog on my birthday was in 2004, the year I started it. That year I turned 40 and today, I turn 49 - then end of the forties. I've lived my entire 40's here in bloggerville!

Moments after I started my work day, a friend brought me balloons for my birthday, which was sweet but it cracked me up because I really love balloons. I got invited to the allied health department's pot luck and it was a good one, cause I got to eat without having to bring something (is that terrible for me to say? Oh well, too late, I said it, and I meant it). I like potlucks and often participate. this was a last minute courtesy invite by that department in thanks for my good service to them.

Looking back, I seem to have a track record for getting sick in December. I am still nursing a constant cough and it sucks.

I am now half way through my 30 day plank challenge! Tomorrow I get to do a 2 minute plank - oh joy :)

Three Pics

I refer to this as an Oliver selfie. He was sitting on my lab facing away from me and I set up my phone with the front camera so he can see himself - I just wanted to see his reaction and I snapped several pics randomly - this one stood out.

 



My new shoes, purchased today! Get this, not only were they on sale for $39.99, but I used a 25% off coupon and a $10 reward they sent for my birthday and left with them for $19.99 net. #winning

This car was in front of me on route 30 and reminded me of some special folks that I miss.

Like a Giant Steel Wool Pad Soaked in Flames

That's what my throat felt like when I woke up this morning. I hated to, but had to call in sick (actually email in sick). I stood in bed until 12:30 pm and even then, only got out of bed because the bladder was full.

I took some various medicinal items and had a bowl of cereal and watch TV for about 20 minutes - and then went back into bed. I spent more time in my bed than I have in a very long time, in fact, since the last time I was sick.

Made me wonder, perhaps my body intentionally gets sick because it's the only way it knows it's going to get the amount of sleep it needs/desires/wants.

Lots of zinc, vitamin c, fluids, rest and I am feeling better than this morning but I still have a slight cough and the throats is still a little sore. Time for some more rest.

Reduced to Tears

Saw this a short while ago:

And then I just lost it, bawled for 10 minutes. Life can be so darn confusing sometimes!

In Hindsight: The Whole Pay it Forward Thing

On January 5th, I wrote a post called The Whole Pay it Forward Thing, you can click on that link to see that post.

As of today, 4 of the 5 people that responded to my post have received their gifts from me, including one today where I surprised a friend at their job with some home made baked items. I've had the 5th one set for a while but haven't been able to connect since she was super busy planning a wedding and changing careers but I am hopeful that we shall meet up for a pint before the end of 2013. Additionally, there have been a number of random times during the year where I just hit someone up with some type of surprise gift.

This whole "Pay it Forward" attitude has been an intentional recurring theme for me this year and I need to tell you all just how great it is.

One thing I've been wanting to do recently, and I will but the timing has been off, is to buy a military member lunch. I go to Whole Foods for lunch pretty regularly and often I will see soldiers that serve locally in there and have had this idea to just be there in front of or behind them in line and put their lunch on my tab. the timing hasn't worked itself out yet but it will and I can't wait.

I am one of those people who loves gadgets, technology and all sorts of neat stuff. I don't have an obnoxious amount of "things", I don't see a reason to plus, I couldn't afford to. However, I do like having thing and this whole exercise in giving has been a great way to focus on things that are more important, on the people that are important and on the people that have less than I do.

One of my other philanthropic commitments this year was to help fun Hurricane Sandy charities. In addition to cash donations, on several occasions I have donated all of my commissions from my Amazon associates account.

For a second, this almost started to feel like a long brag session but it isn't. The point of all of this is to express the joy that all of this giving had brought me. Most understand that there is a certain joy in receiving and many have heard the expression, "'tis better to give than to receive" but few make an experiment of it for a year to find out of it is true; I did this year and it is pretty great.

Special thanks to my old neighborhood pal Darcie for starting me on my quest. I am planning to put out the 5 gift thing again next year.

I Must Go Shopping

I do not know who the author of the following is; it was introduced to me today and I had to share it, especially now, at this time of year. Please, print a copy, keep it with you and every time the craziness of the season gets to you, read it. Also, please share it.

I must go shopping. I am completely out of generosity and want to get some.

I also want to exchange the self-satisfaction I picked up the other day for some real humility. They say it wears better.

I want to look for tolerance, which is worn as a wrap this season. I saw some samples of kindness and I'm a little low on that right now. One can never get too much of it.

I must try to match some patience. I saw it on a friend and it was so becoming. I must remember to get my sense of humor mended, and keep my eyes open for some inexpensive goodness.

Yes, I must go shopping today.

Meme: Sugar Shack

This song was popular 50 years ago yesterday. Hear it here.

1) In this song, our hero orders espresso. What's your standard coffee order?

Decaf with cream (no sugar).

2) Originally the phrase "sugar shack" meant a small cabin where sap from maple trees was boiled into syrup. So for breakfast today, would you rather pour syrup on pancakes, French toast or waffles?

Waffles, Belgian Waffles to be specific.

3) The name of the group that recorded this song is The Fireballs. "Fireballs" is also the brand name of a red hot jawbreaker. Do you like cinnamon?

I do like cinnamon but I wish the name for the flavor of "red hot" candies was something other than Cinnamon; a word which I prefer to associate to the spice used in things like French toast, coffee rolls and the sort.

4) In 1963, when this song was a hit, newscaster Walter Cronkite was one of the most trusted and influential men in the country. Do you have a favorite TV newsperson?

Sara Underwood, a local news woman in MA - she has a trusting voice and I'll admit it, she's hot.

5) The Rambler was named 1963 Car of the Year by Motor Trend, and their most popular model was a 9-passenger station wagon. What's the car of your dreams?

I'm not a big car guy but I always loved the early model (late 1960's) Camaro.

6) The Zip Code was first introduced in 1963. How many different Zip Codes have you had throughout your life?

According to my calculations, five.

7) What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up this morning?

The silly headache I had and how much I wanted it to go away.

 8) Are you a good pool player?

No, though during the time I was high school age, I played almost every day for a period of time and got decent. However, that was more than 30 years ago, not so much any longer.

 9) Do you actually make a wish when you blow out your birthday candles?

Of course I make a wish, what the heck kind of question is that?

I Slept In and I Liked It (I Planked for a Minute and I Didn't)

The sum total of the exhaustion from all the driving knocked me out last night and while I awoke briefly at around 7 am this morning, I grunted and fell back asleep until around 10. Me sleeping that late is a very rare occurrence but it had to be done and I don't feel guilty.

After a treadmill workout, I had to do a 1 minute plank as I am on day 9 of the 30 day challenge. If you ever want to see how short a minute is, go on the TV show Chopped. If you ever want to see how long a minute is, try planking.

I failed my first attempt at a full one minute plank but waited a short while and tried again. I failed my second attempt as well but I was determined to get the job done. On the third attempt, I accomplished the task and while proud in the moment, dread the idea of doing it again tomorrow.

The usual mish mash about people stomping all over each other on Black Friday and worse, crowds gathering to shop on Thanksgiving evening. I really hate this shit! As cold as this sounds, I have no mercy for anyone that gets hurt on one of these vicious shopping trips - I said this on Facebook and I will repeat it here: "If you plan to go out Christmas shopping on Thanksgiving, you have no idea what either holiday is really about and I am therefore really sad for you."

I think that be all for the moment.

Drived

The long drive back from NJ was relatively uneventful, other than I had to pee very often, which made me feel old :)

Vickie and I had a nice time, and it was great hanging with family.

I am pretty beat thought, glad I don't have to get up early tomorrow!

You ever have that feeling like something is different and you have no idea why?

Happy Thanksgiving

I write that just after 11pm on Thanksgiving, still in something of a food coma, still swearing "that will never happen again" and most of all, thankful.

It occurred to me recently that next June, this blog will be 10 years old! It's amazing how the social media landscape has changed since then but I am so grateful for the special relationships and friendships that have come into my life as a result of this particular form.

I find myself at this moment in a hotel room in Toms River, NJ, my daughter about 8 feet away on her bed texting with her friends after having hung out with cousins that she doesn't get to see all that often and I am glad that I got to spend time with family and it wasn't at a funeral (or a wedding).

Tomorrow, I will visit with a cousin (and her family) that I've only seen once in the last 20+ years. I look forward to that visit way more than the extremely long drive home back to MA.

Of course, dear reader - you find your way here and read about my life and my world and I find that so interesting and wonderful that you would take the time to read this blog and come back. Thank You!

Appliance Restoration Business

In my exhaustive (obsessive) research for new appliances, it had become quite clear that the old adage, "they just don't make things like they used to" is as true as can be as far as appliances go; at least it seems that way to me - I hope I am wrong.

the appliances in my kitchen now are all around 20 years old, still work, and have never been needed a repair. If my current appliances didn't look as old as they are, I might be inclined to keep them until they die.

This all got me thinking. I suspect I am not the only human currently in search of appliances and while I may be more frantic about it, I bet others are seeing the odd mix of reviews and concluding the same as I have. I wonder if there is a market for appliance restoration?

Imagine someone coming in, or maybe if necessary, taking your appliances to the shop and performing a restoration that makes them look good as new. If someone came to me and said they can do that to my appliances, I might consider it.

Hmmmm!

New Bruce on the Way

High Hopes track listing: 
1. High Hopes (Tim Scott McConnell) – featuring Tom Morello
2. Harry’s Place * – featuring Tom Morello
3. American Skin (41 Shots) – featuring Tom Morello
4. Just Like Fire Would (Chris J. Bailey) – featuring Tom Morello
5. Down In The Hole *
6. Heaven’s Wall ** – featuring Tom Morello
7. Frankie Fell In Love
8. This Is Your Sword
9. Hunter Of Invisible Game * – featuring Tom Morello
10. The Ghost of Tom Joad – duet with Tom Morello
11. The Wall
12. Dream Baby Dream (Martin Rev and Alan Vega) – featuring Tom Morello

I was excited yesterday to see that there will be a new Bruce Springsteen album dropping on January 14th. There is more information about it on his website if you wish to read deeper and it's available for pre-order, including an Amazon Limited Edition that looks neat.

Bippity Bop

That was one heck of a football game last night. Who decided to have night games? Clearly it was not someone who had to get up at 5 am or so for work the next day. I won't go into further detail (unless you ask) but suffice it to say, we New Englanders all had a sluggish day.

Somehow the refrigerator I researched went up in price by a thousand dollars...how the heck can that be real? A thousand? The cosmos are fucking with me I tell ya? I'm already in knots over this whole project - the stupid jerks who designed this house layout the kitchen in a way that forces me to require a counter depth refrigerator (or needing to pretty much gut my entire first floor)...ugh!!!

I am gearing up for a long drive for Thanksgiving, even longer when one factors in the holiday traffic that I hope to avoid but know that is not possible.

What are you all doing for Thanksgiving?

Finally for this post, I want to tell you all how proud I am of my daughter, she has worked really hard in school and is really maturing - she's awesome!

The Story where I got Emotional about a Student

It started with an email from a student whose work had taken a bit of a turn of late. I didn't enjoy her email - here are some snippets (unedited):

"I am really upset by last several grades I have gotten from you.  Do you honestly think that by just giving someone a zero you are doing them any good..."

"Seriously I think your ultimate goal is to fail everyone....... because that is pretty much how you are making me feel right now."

"I can say with all honestity it is by far the worse class I have ever taken and I can not wait till the end of December for it to be over."

Those are some doozies, no? I addressed every part of her email, I won't go into detail but I think I got through; this was her response:

"Thank you for responding my apoligies it has been a stressful couple of weeks and I guess i just finally snapped.  I have a daughter in the military and she is not doing well right now and was injured

I again apologies for my extremely insulting remarks you are correct one should never email while angry."

 

It got to me that the situation with her daughter must be consuming her. I send another email just letting her know that I was sorry about the situation with her daughter and I could imagine how hard that must be. I reminded her that I knew from her earlier work in the course that she was a good student and I was mostly concerned because of the radical changes and so forth. She understood and send one more email and this is the one that made me particularly emotional:

 

"Thank you it is very hard especially when they are so sa far away but the marines have been very good with her and she should be home for a visit in Feb.  Add the upcoming holidays into that equation and its enough to drive a mother insane I havent seen her since August so it is very hard.  Knowing your child is hurt and you cant be there for her.  

 

However still doesnt excuse my behavior and I really am sorry for that."

 

This is the one that made me stop being a teacher completely and try to relate only as a fellow parent and that gave me a clearer understanding of how she must feel.

 

I am glad we worked it out but it was just another one of those teaching experiences that stops you in your tracks.

Plank Fright

Have you seen this picture floating about on Facebook (or elsewhere) recently? I (almost) completely ignored it at first but then I heard more and more about people giving it a go.

A few days ago, an old college buddy had posted how he had completed his first 2 minute plank, that got my attention.

Out of boredom and desperation to add something different to my exercise, yesterday I decided to take the plank plunge and commit to this thing (at such a stupid time too with the holidays and all). I pulled out my yoga mat, cranked up the stop watch app on the iPad and went down for the 20 second plank to put day 1 in the books.

It's going to be a long and painful 30 days!

This in not easy, at least not for me. However, I am going to fight my way through this and I am going to succeed. I wonder if it will mean anything.

That Time of Year and Everything Else Right Now

As we roll into the end of the year/holiday countdown starting with Thanksgiving, it becomes what has been an emotionally difficult time of year for me. I have such great memories of the holidays from when I was a kid, so it makes me miss my parent's more than usual.

I've been lucky to have some good friends, my friend Linda's family is where I've spent may thanksgivings over the last decade, all but one in fact. It's fun there because her kids and grandkids fill the house with fun, food and they've always made me feel like family.

This year, I'm finally bringing this kitchen remodel to fruition and while I suspect that demo and installation will likely not commence until the new year, I need to get new appliances, which for me means tons of research, lots of second guessing, several panic attacks, decisions, more second guessing, etc. To date, I've picked a refrigerator and a dishwasher and have gone back and forth on an oven several (dozen) times and have yet to select an over the range microwave as I second guess that decision over a range hood. There's more but I will spare you - you get the picture, I am a wreck.

I actually got emotional about a student this morning - I will tell you about that story soon.