Saturday, March 27, 2004
Computer is still down.
*big sigh*
I talked to my sister, Debbie, today. For those of you who are just randomly reading this, Debbie is a teacher, lives in SW Virginia, and has an oligodendroglioma. (10 points to anyone who can pronounce it).
It's a brain tumor. It is slow growing, but because of the type, it is inoperable. It is a tumor that grows on lining of the nerves in the brain. A year ago, right after she was diagnosed, I could recite all of the information. I haven't read a lot about it lately.
So anyway, it's really hard. She's 700 miles away, single, and living alone. The rest of our family is either here in Florida or in Illinois. For the last year, she's been really upbeat, and in a way, also, rather deceptive. She's been very optimistic about long term survival. Not a bad thing, but things are happening now--her memory is starting to fail. she really can't drive on her own, her speech is slurred. When I called her today, she told me that she had another MRI this week and they are seeing either more growth of the tumor or dead cells from the radiation she had earlier this year. She's having another test--a PET scan--in the next couple weeks to determine what the cells are.
Sometime in the next month or so, we're all getting together up there. She has not taken care of essentials--will, living will, power of attorney. [Let me step up on my soapbox for a moment and ask everyone sick or healthy to do that when you are healthy b/c you never know what's going to happen!] Whether she likes it or not, we're all going to sit down and make our decisions about those issues.
In other news, without a computer at home, I've worked about 75 hours each of the last two weeks! woohoo! $$$$
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*big sigh*
I talked to my sister, Debbie, today. For those of you who are just randomly reading this, Debbie is a teacher, lives in SW Virginia, and has an oligodendroglioma. (10 points to anyone who can pronounce it).
It's a brain tumor. It is slow growing, but because of the type, it is inoperable. It is a tumor that grows on lining of the nerves in the brain. A year ago, right after she was diagnosed, I could recite all of the information. I haven't read a lot about it lately.
So anyway, it's really hard. She's 700 miles away, single, and living alone. The rest of our family is either here in Florida or in Illinois. For the last year, she's been really upbeat, and in a way, also, rather deceptive. She's been very optimistic about long term survival. Not a bad thing, but things are happening now--her memory is starting to fail. she really can't drive on her own, her speech is slurred. When I called her today, she told me that she had another MRI this week and they are seeing either more growth of the tumor or dead cells from the radiation she had earlier this year. She's having another test--a PET scan--in the next couple weeks to determine what the cells are.
Sometime in the next month or so, we're all getting together up there. She has not taken care of essentials--will, living will, power of attorney. [Let me step up on my soapbox for a moment and ask everyone sick or healthy to do that when you are healthy b/c you never know what's going to happen!] Whether she likes it or not, we're all going to sit down and make our decisions about those issues.
In other news, without a computer at home, I've worked about 75 hours each of the last two weeks! woohoo! $$$$
Thursday, March 18, 2004
@#$*&(!
The computer crashed and when I went to recover it, one of the disks was damaged! No computer for an undetermined amount of time. Hopefully not too long or I may have to toss it off of the balcony!
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The computer crashed and when I went to recover it, one of the disks was damaged! No computer for an undetermined amount of time. Hopefully not too long or I may have to toss it off of the balcony!
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister, DEBBIE!
(yes, my sisters were born 359 days apart)
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(yes, my sisters were born 359 days apart)
Oh my.
With all this talk about Mel Gibson's movie, I reflect a bit, but that's not what's got me saying oh my. I haven't gone to see it yet. In reflecting, I've pulled out the music of my all time absolute favorite artist. Most will not have heard of him. He was a Christian musician who died around the same time as Princess Diana and Mother Theresa. I remember back when Diana and Mother Theresa died thinking about how he moved similar mountains, but was barely recognized. Who was this person? His name was Rich Mullins.
To just say he was a Christian singer, does not at all explain him. He was no male version of Amy Grant. If you've seen the infomercials/commercials advertising Christian "praise" music, you've probably heard one of his songs--Awesome God. That song is good, but in my mind, is nothing compared to some of the "unreleased" songs on his cds. I once tried to compare him to a similar mainstream artist. John Mellencamp, but only because they are both from Indiana. I still can't think of a comparison. Maybe the semi-mainstream artist, Dan Fogelberg, also a good Midwestern guy who is more folksy. I liked, no, loved Rich's music for reasons like he played the hammer dulcimer! A lot of his songs brought of imagery of landscapes. If you've looked at the link to "my inspiration to photograph" it's a link to a Central IL photographer named Larry Kanfer. You could take his photos and use them for the videos to almost any Rich Mullins song. My first favorite song of his is a song called "Home"
"I see the morning moving over the hills
I can see the shadows on the western side
And all those illusions that I had
They just vanish in Your light
Though the chill in the night still hangs in the air
I can feel the warmth of morning on my face
Though the storm had tossed me
'Til I thought I'd nearly lost my way
And now the night is fading and the storm is past
And everything that could be shaken was shaken
And all that remains is all I ever really had
What I'd have settled for
You've blown so far away
What You brought me to
I thought I could not reach
And I came so close to giving up
But You never did give up on me
I see the morning moving over the hills
I feel the rush of life here where the darkness broke
And I am in You and You're in me
Here where the winds of Heaven blow
And now the night is fading
And the storm is through
And everything You sent to shake me
From my dreams they come to wake me
In the love I find in You
And now the morning comes
And everything that really matters
Become the wings You send to gather me
To my home
To my home
I'm going home"
There was a time I was so into his music. Then right after he died, I went through a period of complete grief. I mean, I could identify with people who were John Lennon or Kurt Kobrain fanatics. Not that I was lusting after the guy. I believe he'd taken a vow of celibacy. The guy was just plain cool. He'd been writing songs for other people and for himself. Made a few albums. Decided to get a degree in music education. Moved to Arizona to teach children on reservations music. There's more to it than that, and probably more than most people want to hear about evangelizing and missions, but the bottom line is that he was a person who was at the top of his career and chose to leave to do humble work for the poor. He drove a Jeep including while on tour--didn't ride in a luxury tour bus. He was known to play in jeans, t-shirt, and barefeet. I got to see him in concert 3 times, and met him all 3 of those times. The first, I didn't really know his music, was in high school and at a big Christian music fest with many artists and hadn't really heard of any--didn't know why I was there. I was really just into autograph hunting, and remember his amusement at people doing that. The second time, I was definitely a huge fan and was completely speechless, as I got to go backstage before the concert. The last time was about a year before he died. He played at the really big Christian music fest again. Not only did he sing, but he also did a meet and greet/question and answer time. I was there baby! Hung on all of his words. I kept wanting to go up to him and just say thanks for all his songs. Every single one seemed to hit some part of me. Instead, I took a bunch of pictures of him standing in a crowd of people, talking. Later, don't remember if it was before or after he sang, I finally did. I got in line for photo ops, got the picture, couldn't say anything, and moved on. Just before he left the table, I went back, called his name and stopped him. Somehow I spit out exactly what I wanted to say. "THANK YOU" I am so glad that I did. A week later, I'd lost the roll of film. About a year and 4 months later, he was gone.
The last song he wrote that I call my "last favorite" is "We are not as strong as we think we are" It contains my favorite line of any song if his is:
And if you make me laugh
I know I could make you like me
'Cause when I laugh I can be a lot of fun
But we can't do that I know that it is frightening
Copyright 1996 - Class Reunion Music, Kid Brothers of St. Frank Publishing
I am not anticipating anything revolutionary about going to see Mel's movie. I haven't lost my faith in God. I once was presented a similar violent picture of the crucifixtion. I'll just say it here and now (and cros my fingers that old friends from home don't go reading this) I've lost my faith in those who go to church. Too many get caught up in their "Christian walk" to care about their "unbelieving" friends. Too concerned about what others might think about their actions to actually get out there and help people. Not for me---to coin a familiar phrase, "Just do it!"
So now that you all have read it, it's probably your turn to say OH MY!
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With all this talk about Mel Gibson's movie, I reflect a bit, but that's not what's got me saying oh my. I haven't gone to see it yet. In reflecting, I've pulled out the music of my all time absolute favorite artist. Most will not have heard of him. He was a Christian musician who died around the same time as Princess Diana and Mother Theresa. I remember back when Diana and Mother Theresa died thinking about how he moved similar mountains, but was barely recognized. Who was this person? His name was Rich Mullins.
To just say he was a Christian singer, does not at all explain him. He was no male version of Amy Grant. If you've seen the infomercials/commercials advertising Christian "praise" music, you've probably heard one of his songs--Awesome God. That song is good, but in my mind, is nothing compared to some of the "unreleased" songs on his cds. I once tried to compare him to a similar mainstream artist. John Mellencamp, but only because they are both from Indiana. I still can't think of a comparison. Maybe the semi-mainstream artist, Dan Fogelberg, also a good Midwestern guy who is more folksy. I liked, no, loved Rich's music for reasons like he played the hammer dulcimer! A lot of his songs brought of imagery of landscapes. If you've looked at the link to "my inspiration to photograph" it's a link to a Central IL photographer named Larry Kanfer. You could take his photos and use them for the videos to almost any Rich Mullins song. My first favorite song of his is a song called "Home"
"I see the morning moving over the hills
I can see the shadows on the western side
And all those illusions that I had
They just vanish in Your light
Though the chill in the night still hangs in the air
I can feel the warmth of morning on my face
Though the storm had tossed me
'Til I thought I'd nearly lost my way
And now the night is fading and the storm is past
And everything that could be shaken was shaken
And all that remains is all I ever really had
What I'd have settled for
You've blown so far away
What You brought me to
I thought I could not reach
And I came so close to giving up
But You never did give up on me
I see the morning moving over the hills
I feel the rush of life here where the darkness broke
And I am in You and You're in me
Here where the winds of Heaven blow
And now the night is fading
And the storm is through
And everything You sent to shake me
From my dreams they come to wake me
In the love I find in You
And now the morning comes
And everything that really matters
Become the wings You send to gather me
To my home
To my home
I'm going home"
There was a time I was so into his music. Then right after he died, I went through a period of complete grief. I mean, I could identify with people who were John Lennon or Kurt Kobrain fanatics. Not that I was lusting after the guy. I believe he'd taken a vow of celibacy. The guy was just plain cool. He'd been writing songs for other people and for himself. Made a few albums. Decided to get a degree in music education. Moved to Arizona to teach children on reservations music. There's more to it than that, and probably more than most people want to hear about evangelizing and missions, but the bottom line is that he was a person who was at the top of his career and chose to leave to do humble work for the poor. He drove a Jeep including while on tour--didn't ride in a luxury tour bus. He was known to play in jeans, t-shirt, and barefeet. I got to see him in concert 3 times, and met him all 3 of those times. The first, I didn't really know his music, was in high school and at a big Christian music fest with many artists and hadn't really heard of any--didn't know why I was there. I was really just into autograph hunting, and remember his amusement at people doing that. The second time, I was definitely a huge fan and was completely speechless, as I got to go backstage before the concert. The last time was about a year before he died. He played at the really big Christian music fest again. Not only did he sing, but he also did a meet and greet/question and answer time. I was there baby! Hung on all of his words. I kept wanting to go up to him and just say thanks for all his songs. Every single one seemed to hit some part of me. Instead, I took a bunch of pictures of him standing in a crowd of people, talking. Later, don't remember if it was before or after he sang, I finally did. I got in line for photo ops, got the picture, couldn't say anything, and moved on. Just before he left the table, I went back, called his name and stopped him. Somehow I spit out exactly what I wanted to say. "THANK YOU" I am so glad that I did. A week later, I'd lost the roll of film. About a year and 4 months later, he was gone.
The last song he wrote that I call my "last favorite" is "We are not as strong as we think we are" It contains my favorite line of any song if his is:
And if you make me laugh
I know I could make you like me
'Cause when I laugh I can be a lot of fun
But we can't do that I know that it is frightening
Copyright 1996 - Class Reunion Music, Kid Brothers of St. Frank Publishing
I am not anticipating anything revolutionary about going to see Mel's movie. I haven't lost my faith in God. I once was presented a similar violent picture of the crucifixtion. I'll just say it here and now (and cros my fingers that old friends from home don't go reading this) I've lost my faith in those who go to church. Too many get caught up in their "Christian walk" to care about their "unbelieving" friends. Too concerned about what others might think about their actions to actually get out there and help people. Not for me---to coin a familiar phrase, "Just do it!"
So now that you all have read it, it's probably your turn to say OH MY!
Friday, March 05, 2004
~ Friday Five
What was...
1. ...your first grade teacher's name?
Janis Dunn. She's still teaching first grade at the same school...these 27 yrs later.
2. ...your favorite Saturday morning cartoon?
Schmoo & Looney Toons
3. ...the name of your very first best friend?
Deron Kimball but he moved away when I was 3 or 4. (Honorable mention to Neda Yacouby)
4. ...your favorite breakfast cereal?
Honeycomb
5. ...your favorite thing to do after school?
run around the neighborhood (back in the good old days when it was still safe to do so)
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What was...
1. ...your first grade teacher's name?
Janis Dunn. She's still teaching first grade at the same school...these 27 yrs later.
2. ...your favorite Saturday morning cartoon?
Schmoo & Looney Toons
3. ...the name of your very first best friend?
Deron Kimball but he moved away when I was 3 or 4. (Honorable mention to Neda Yacouby)
4. ...your favorite breakfast cereal?
Honeycomb
5. ...your favorite thing to do after school?
run around the neighborhood (back in the good old days when it was still safe to do so)
Today was wasted sitting in the Dr.'s office waiting room!
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Thursday, March 04, 2004
Headline in the Orlando Sentinel's Money section on March 3, 2004:
Vacationers aren't concerned by the goings-on in Philadelphia
If that's so, why did every other person ask me about it yesterday?!?!?
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Vacationers aren't concerned by the goings-on in Philadelphia
If that's so, why did every other person ask me about it yesterday?!?!?
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister, MICHELLE!
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Today we have a lesson in current events....
Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Yes, I've been there. It's hard to explain how wonderful a place it is in light of the strife going on at the moment. People are extremely friendly and despite the poverty, they are quite content.
I was there in November 1996. I started working for my place of employment in 1998. In 2000, I transferred into my current department. I worked with a man from Haiti, so a few times we talked about the place. I mentioned that I'd gone there with a church and he commended me. Said that he was grateful for American churches and all the aid they provide in his home country. I never got personal and asked what he did there before immigrating to the US. Stories started surfacing and it was hard to believe. This man was a Major General in the Haitian army under Raul Cedras. I didn't really believe this for quite awhile....I mean, come on, Haitian dictator living and working in Central Florida and no one really cared?
I Googled his name a few times and found articles. I never did find any photos previous to 2002. Now, you can Google his name and find all sorts of information and photos. I indeed did work with someone from a former rouge government! We even trained on lightshow at the same time. What would have happened if he'd not passed?!?!
So, in light of all of this + some other current events...I've come up with a theory:
1. Major General arrested in Orlando and sent back to Haiti -- late January 2004
2. major uprisings in Haiti lead to current president leaving the country -- late February 2004
3. local news runs stories about companies outsourcing jobs to save money
4. my department loses a few of the middle management team members
SO....
A. Major General is freed from prison (IT HAPPENED)
B. Major General steps in as dictator or president of Haiti
C. My company sells off all the boats we drive to Haiti to save money
D. My department becomes the all new Haitian Navy!!!!
I shared this with a friend tonight and he thought I was on a serious line of thinking...
He called me a smart-ass! *big grin*
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Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Yes, I've been there. It's hard to explain how wonderful a place it is in light of the strife going on at the moment. People are extremely friendly and despite the poverty, they are quite content.
I was there in November 1996. I started working for my place of employment in 1998. In 2000, I transferred into my current department. I worked with a man from Haiti, so a few times we talked about the place. I mentioned that I'd gone there with a church and he commended me. Said that he was grateful for American churches and all the aid they provide in his home country. I never got personal and asked what he did there before immigrating to the US. Stories started surfacing and it was hard to believe. This man was a Major General in the Haitian army under Raul Cedras. I didn't really believe this for quite awhile....I mean, come on, Haitian dictator living and working in Central Florida and no one really cared?
I Googled his name a few times and found articles. I never did find any photos previous to 2002. Now, you can Google his name and find all sorts of information and photos. I indeed did work with someone from a former rouge government! We even trained on lightshow at the same time. What would have happened if he'd not passed?!?!
So, in light of all of this + some other current events...I've come up with a theory:
1. Major General arrested in Orlando and sent back to Haiti -- late January 2004
2. major uprisings in Haiti lead to current president leaving the country -- late February 2004
3. local news runs stories about companies outsourcing jobs to save money
4. my department loses a few of the middle management team members
SO....
A. Major General is freed from prison (IT HAPPENED)
B. Major General steps in as dictator or president of Haiti
C. My company sells off all the boats we drive to Haiti to save money
D. My department becomes the all new Haitian Navy!!!!
I shared this with a friend tonight and he thought I was on a serious line of thinking...
He called me a smart-ass! *big grin*
Monday, March 01, 2004
MAN! Night of nights and I didn't comment!
OK...so the Superbowl for the movies was tonight. The Academy Awards, or rather, the Return of the King Awards. I am going to admit it here, publicly, that I am probably one of the very few people on this planet, outside of migrating tribes in Africa & penguins in Antarctica, who has not seen any of the trilogy. I was hoping that 'Cold Mountain' would win in every category in which it was nominated. I really love that movie. I wish the girl from New Zealand would have won. I watched 'Whale Rider'. It was a very nice movie, and she was really good. Haven't seen 'Monster', so I don't know whether or not Charlize deserved it. Would have like to see Johnny Depp win for Pirates, but Sean Penn made for an interesting winner. The backstage press interview showed that he really is an actor--stand him up without a script and he doesn't seem to be able to put together more than a sentence or two without stuttering. Glad Nemo won for best animated film. I wish 'Destino' would have won for short animated film--oh the irony of Roy Disney winning right now! This is one of the few years I didn't see a lot of the nominated movies. Need to get busy seeing movies again!
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OK...so the Superbowl for the movies was tonight. The Academy Awards, or rather, the Return of the King Awards. I am going to admit it here, publicly, that I am probably one of the very few people on this planet, outside of migrating tribes in Africa & penguins in Antarctica, who has not seen any of the trilogy. I was hoping that 'Cold Mountain' would win in every category in which it was nominated. I really love that movie. I wish the girl from New Zealand would have won. I watched 'Whale Rider'. It was a very nice movie, and she was really good. Haven't seen 'Monster', so I don't know whether or not Charlize deserved it. Would have like to see Johnny Depp win for Pirates, but Sean Penn made for an interesting winner. The backstage press interview showed that he really is an actor--stand him up without a script and he doesn't seem to be able to put together more than a sentence or two without stuttering. Glad Nemo won for best animated film. I wish 'Destino' would have won for short animated film--oh the irony of Roy Disney winning right now! This is one of the few years I didn't see a lot of the nominated movies. Need to get busy seeing movies again!
This morning, I woke up around 6am. Strange for me on a normal day, but I had the strangest nightmare. Don't remember what the previous dreams leading up to it were, but the nightmare part involved some anonymous man. I was in an airport, and first he tried to kill himself by falling onto something. It was unsuccessful, so the next attempt came by running through a security checkpoint. The guy ran past guards, set off alarms, and they chased him. They finally shot him several times when he wouldn't stop. I was merely a bystander in the dream. The last thing I remember is getting up close and seeing him laying on the ground. I woke up after that.
I am pretty sure it was a pain induced dream, but the weird thing was that I got up, sat here at the computer, and started chatting with a friend of mine. The person was telling me how upset he'd been and stuff. While I don't want to draw any parallels between the two, it was almost as if the dream happened at just the right time.
Anyway, I get stronger antibiotics and a *real* painkiller when Walgreens opens in the morning. Hope there's not a repeat occurance tonight!
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I am pretty sure it was a pain induced dream, but the weird thing was that I got up, sat here at the computer, and started chatting with a friend of mine. The person was telling me how upset he'd been and stuff. While I don't want to draw any parallels between the two, it was almost as if the dream happened at just the right time.
Anyway, I get stronger antibiotics and a *real* painkiller when Walgreens opens in the morning. Hope there's not a repeat occurance tonight!
The only book which doesn't take place in Narnia at all, per se, you're the story of a voyage to find the end of the world and hopefully the Seven Lost Lords (remember Rhoop!). You contain some of the most unique people and places and beautiful descriptions of the whole series.
Find out which Chronicles of Narnia book you are.
